H.R. 9924: Local Input Act

This bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to involve the public and state, tribal, and local officials more directly before deciding whether to offer certain federal land parcels for oil and gas leasing.

What the bill would require

• Before a parcel of land can be offered for oil or gas leasing, the Interior Department would have to “meaningfully involve” the public and relevant government officials in that decision.
• That involvement would have to include, at a minimum:
  • Public disclosure of the proposal to lease the parcel.
  • Public disclosure of analysis showing the expected effects of leasing on:
    • the land’s surface and underground resources, and
    • other possible uses of the land, including uses already considered in the land-use plan for that parcel.
  • An opportunity for public comment on the proposal.
  • Consideration of input from the public, state and local governments, and federally recognized Indian Tribes through government-to-government consultation.

What this could change in practice

The bill would not directly ban oil and gas leasing. Instead, it would add an extra review-and-public-input step before leasing decisions are made. After that process, the Secretary of the Interior would be allowed to decide not to offer a parcel for leasing.

Relevant Companies

None found