To amend title 10, United States Code, to transfer jurisdiction over Naval Oil Shale Reserves Numbered 1 and 3 to the Secretary of the Interior and to authorize the leasing of such reserves for oil and gas exploration and production.

For Further Action See H.R.1119.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 20, 1997

Directs the Secretary of Energy to transfer to the Secretary of the Interior administrative jurisdiction over all public domain lands included within: (1) Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 1; and (2) the undeveloped tracts of Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 3. Requires transfer of the developed tract of Reserve Number 3 within one year after enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to lease the public domain lands of each Reserve for exploration for, and development and production of, petroleum and natural gas. Directs such Secretary to endeavor to enter into such a lease with respect to the developed tract of Reserve Numbered 3 within one year after enactment of this Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Hefley, Joel [R-CO-5] · R–CO

Committees

Armed Services Committee
Natural Resources Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Nov 18, 1997
For Further Action See H.R.1119.
Apr 14, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Readiness.
Apr 14, 1997
Executive Comment Requested from DOE.
Mar 26, 1997
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Mar 26, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.
Mar 26, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Mar 20, 1997
Referred to House Resources
Mar 20, 1997
Referred to the Committee on National Security, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 20, 1997
Referred to House National Security
Mar 20, 1997
Introduced in House
Mar 20, 1997
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Mar 20, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 1119 · National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998

Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1163 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1163, 105th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to transfer jurisdiction over Naval Oil Shale Reserves Numbered 1 and 3 to the Secretary of the Interior and to authorize the leasing of such reserves for oil and gas exploration and production.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1163

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-03-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1163/BILLS-105hr1163ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1163 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1163 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1163, 105th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to transfer jurisdiction over Naval Oil Shale Reserves Numbered 1 and 3 to the Secretary of the Interior and to authorize the leasing of such reserves for oil and gas exploration and production.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1163

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-03-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1163/BILLS-105hr1163ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1163 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1163 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1163, 105th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to transfer jurisdiction over Naval Oil Shale Reserves Numbered 1 and 3 to the Secretary of the Interior and to authorize the leasing of such reserves for oil and gas exploration and production.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1163

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-03-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1163/BILLS-105hr1163ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1163 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1163 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1163, 105th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to transfer jurisdiction over Naval Oil Shale Reserves Numbered 1 and 3 to the Secretary of the Interior and to authorize the leasing of such reserves for oil and gas exploration and production.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1163

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-03-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1163/BILLS-105hr1163ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1163 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.