Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/23/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6551-6553)

Bill Text
A bill to enhance the management and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, to assure protection of public health safety, to ensure the territorial integrity and security of the repository at Yucca Mountain, and for other purposes. 5/23/2007--Introduced. Nuclear Waste Access to Yucca Act - Withdraws specified lands in Nye County, Nevada, permanently from any form of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws, including: (1) the mineral leasing laws; (2) the geothermal leasing laws; (3) materials sales laws; and (4) the mining laws. Transfers jurisdiction over such lands to the Secretary of Energy. Reserves use of such lands for certain activities associated with the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. Requires the Secretary to manage the lands so withdrawn, and submit to Congress and the state of Nevada a management plan for their use. [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/25/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore drilling on the outer Continental Shelf in the Mid-Atlantic and North Atlantic planning areas.

1/25/2007--Introduced.

Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act, or the COAST Anti-Drilling Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other mineral in either the Mid-Atlantic or the North Atlantic planning areas.

Latest Action: 02/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Bill Text
To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore drilling on the outer Continental Shelf in the Mid-Atlantic and North Atlantic planning areas.

1/31/2007--Introduced.

Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act, or the COAST Anti-Drilling Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other mineral in either the Mid-Atlantic or the North Atlantic planning areas.

Latest Action: 10/01/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with amendments. With written report No. 110-516.

Bill Text
To expand the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and for other purposes. 3/31/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy to protect and preserve living and other resources of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Farallones NMS) and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Cordell Bank NMS) marine environments. Makes certain adjustments to expand the boundaries of the Farallones NMS and the Cordell NMS. Prohibits the issuance of a lease or permit authorizing mineral or hydrocarbon exploration, development, production, or transportation by pipeline within the sanctuaries. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to complete: (1) an interim supplemental management plan for the sanctuaries that [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/19/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4764)

Bill Text
A bill to designate as wilderness certain Federal portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Deserts in the State of Utah for the benefit of present and future generations of people in the United States. 4/19/2007--Introduced. America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2007 - Designates specified lands in the following areas of Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Great Basin; (2) Zion and Mojave Desert; (3) Grand Staircase-Escalante; (4) Moab-La Sal Canyons; (5) Henry Mountains; (6) Glen Canyon; (7) San Juan-Anasazi; (8) Canyonlands Basin; (9) San Rafael Swell; and (10) Book Cliffs and Uinta Basin. Sets forth administrative provisions regarding: (1) filing by the Secretary of the Interior of a map and a legal description of each designated wilderness area with appropriate congressional committees; (2) the exchange of state-owned lands within such areas; (3) federal reservation of water rights; (4) measurement [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System. 5/24/2007--Introduced. Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2007 - Prohibits road construction and road reconstruction in inventoried roadless areas of the National Forest System. Specifies exceptions, including because: (1) there is threat of a catastrophic event; (2) a natural resource restoration action is necessary; or (3) a federal-aid highway project is in the public interest or is consistent with the purposes for which the land was reserved or acquired. Prohibits timber from being cut, sold, or removed in an inventoried roadless area. Permits various exceptions, including for specified environmental reasons, if the responsible official determines that the cutting, sale, or removal of timber is expected to be infrequent.Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to make modifications to roadless area maps to [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Bill Text
To designate as wilderness certain Federal portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Deserts in Utah for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. 4/18/2007--Introduced. America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2007 - Designates specified lands in the following areas of Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Great Basin; (2) Zion and Mojave Desert; (3) the Grand Staircase-Escalante; (4) Moab-La Sal Canyons; (5) Henry Mountains; (6) Glen Canyon; (7) San Juan-Anasazi; (8) Canyonlands Basin; (9) San Rafael Swell; and (10) Book Cliffs and Uinta Basin. Sets forth administrative provisions regarding: (1) filing by the Secretary of the Interior of a map and a legal description of each designated wilderness area with appropriate congressional committees; (2) the exchange of state-owned lands within such areas; (3) federal reservation of water rights; (4) measurement of setbacks for roads with wilderness;[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-296, Part I.

Bill Text
To promote energy policy reforms and public accountability, alternative energy and efficiency, and carbon capture and climate change mitigation, and for other purposes. 8/3/2007--Reported to House amended, Part I.    (There is 1 other summary) Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007 - Title I: Energy Policy Act of 2005 Reforms - (Sec. 101) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to establish a cost recovery fee for applications for a permit to drill for oil and gas on federal lands administered by the Secretary. Sets forth a temporary interim fee of $1,700. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to repeal the requirement that rentals received from leases be deposited in the Treasury (in the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund, thus repealing authority for the Fund). (Sec. 102) Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to extend from 30 days to 90 days the deadline by which the Secretary must either issue or defer a decision [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/30/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Bill Text
To reduce the price of gasoline by allowing for offshore drilling, eliminating Federal obstacles to constructing refineries and providing incentives for investment in refineries, suspending Federal fuel taxes when gasoline prices reach a benchmark amount, and promoting free trade. 5/21/2007--Introduced. Affordable Gas Price Act - Declares without force or effect all provisions of existing federal law that prohibit spending appropriated funds to conduct oil or natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf. Revokes all existing withdrawals by the President under the authority of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal: (1) the withdrawal of public lands within the Coastal Plain from entry or appropriation under federal mining or mineral leasing laws; and (2) the prohibition against the production, leasing, and development of oil and gas from the Arctic [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/28/2007 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 240.

Bill Text
Making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 6/27/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and related agencies for FY2008. Title I: Department of the Interior - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for: (1) land and resource management; (2) construction; (3) land acquisition; (3) Oregon and California grant lands; (4) range improvements; (5) service charges, deposits, and forfeitures with respect to public lands; (6) miscellaneous trust funds; and (7) wildland fire management (including transfer of funds). Appropriates funds for FY2008 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 04/23/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Bill Text
To provide for orderly and balanced development of energy resources within the Roan Plateau Planning Area of Colorado, and for other purposes. 4/17/2008--Introduced. Roan Plateau Oil and Gas Leasing Improvement Act of 2008 - Designates as Special Protection Areas of the Roan Plateau (Colorado): (1) all public land identified as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern on a specified map; (2) all public land located within the watersheds or drainage of Northeaster Creek and the East Fork of Parachute Creek above the confluence with First Anvil Creek; and (3) all public land identified as subject to a No Ground Disturbance (NGD/NSO) stipulation on a specified map. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the Special Protection Areas to prevent irreparable damage to fish and wildlife resources as well as historical, cultural, scenic, and environmental resources. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) permit oil and gas exploration and development activities within [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3147)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for orderly and balanced development of energy resources within the Roan Plateau Planning Area of Colorado, and for other purposes. 4/17/2008--Introduced. Roan Plateau Oil and Gas Leasing Improvement Act of 2008 - Designates as Special Protection Areas of the Roan Plateau (Colorado): (1) all public land identified as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern on a specified map; (2) all public land located within the watersheds or drainage of Northeaster Creek and the East Fork of Parachute Creek above the confluence with First Anvil Creek; and (3) all public land identified as subject to a No Ground Disturbance (NGD/NSO) stipulation on a specified map. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the Special Protection Areas to prevent irreparable damage to fish and wildlife resources as well as historical, cultural, scenic, and environmental resources. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) permit oil and gas exploration and development activities [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To withdraw the Tusayan Ranger District and Federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the vicinity of Kanab Creek and in House Rock Valley from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and for other purposes.

3/11/2008--Introduced.

Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act of 2008 - Withdraws the approximately 1,068,908 acres of the Tusayan Ranger District and federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the vicinity of Kanab Creek and in House Rock Valley from: (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, and mineral materials laws. Subjects such withdrawal to valid, existing rights.

Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Star Print ordered on the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to expand the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. 2/13/2008--Introduced. Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act - Declares it is U.S. policy to protect and preserve living and other resources of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Farallones NMS) and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Cordell Bank NMS) marine environments. Makes certain adjustments to expand the boundaries of the Farallones NMS and the Cordell NMS. Prohibits within the Farallones NMS and the Cordell Bank NMS: (1) the leasing, exploration, development, production, or transporting by pipeline of minerals or hydrocarbons; (2) the conduct of aquaculture (with exceptions); and (3) subject to limitation, the discharge of materials, substances, or introduced species or a harmful change in the salinity. Prohibits the conduct [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/08/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Bill Text
To restore equitable sharing with affected States of revenues from onshore Federal mineral leases.

2/6/2008--Introduced.

Equitable Mineral Lease Revenue Sharing Restoration Act - Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, to repeal the requirement that the Secretary of the Interior deduct 2% from the amount payable to each state in FY2008, and deposit such amount to miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury.

Latest Action: 11/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Bill Text
To withdraw certain Federal lands and interests located in Pima and Santa Cruz counties, Arizona, from the mining and mineral leasing laws of the United States, and for other purposes.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Southern Arizona Public Lands Protection Act of 2007 - Withdraws specified federal lands, and interests in lands, in Pima and Santa Cruz counties, Arizona, from entry, location, or patent under the general mining laws, the operation of the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, and the mineral material disposal laws.

Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-363.

Bill Text
A bill to withdraw certain Federal land in the Wyoming Range from leasing and provide an opportunity to retire certain leases in the Wyoming Range. 10/25/2007--Introduced. Wyoming Range Legacy Act of 2007 - Withdraws specified Forest Service land and federally owned minerals in the Wyoming Range portion of the Bridger-Teton National Forest from: (1) all forms of appropriation or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) disposition under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.Makes the Bridger-Teton National Forest Plan, including any revisions, applicable to any land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest that is not withdrawn and any leases of such land. Sets forth provisions for the retirement and repurchase of valid existing federal, oil, gas, and other mineral leases within the Wyoming Range. Requires the Secretary to cancel each lease that is acquired and withdraws [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
Moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure. 7/30/2007--Introduced. New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act - Incorporates various legislative initiatives for energy conservation, independence, and security.Green Jobs Act of 2007 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor to: (1) establish an energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program; (2) collect and analyze labor market data to track workforce trends resulting from energy-related initiatives under this Act; and (3) award National Energy Training Partnerships Grants to community based nonprofit organizations to carry out training programs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and develop an [...]

show full description