PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 104-185.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Jul 16, 1996
Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 to revise and expand the guidelines under which the authorities of the Secretary of the Interior for collection of oil and gas receipts and related activities may be delegated to a State upon its request. Provides for judicial review of any Secretarial action to approve or disapprove a State proposal. Sets a seven-year statute of limitations for any judicial proceeding or demand arising from a royalty obligation. Prescribes procedural guidelines for Secretarial and delegated States' actions and limitation periods, including royalty adjustments and refunds. Sets forth royalty terms, interest on royalty overpayments (except deliberate, excessive overpayments whose sole purpose is to receive such interest), penalties, and assessments. Prescribes procedural guidelines under which the Secretary and the State concerned shall jointly determine on a case by case basis the amount of production from marginal properties that shall be subject to prepayment or regulatory relief. Permits the Secretary's sole determination if the royalty payments are not shared with any State. Renders inapplicable except to Indian leases: (1) the current statute of limitations governing the recovery of penalties; and (2) the Secretary's authority to enter into cooperative agreements with any State (or Indian tribe) with respect to oil or gas royalty activities. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to repeal the guidelines governing refunds or credit granted to a lessee for excess payments. Excludes Indian lands and privately owned minerals from the purview of this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-43] · R–CA
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 104-185.
Became Public Law No: 104-185.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9675-9678)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9675-9678)
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 500.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7597-7607)
Mr. Calvert moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 341.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 104-667.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 104-667.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 7.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held. Hearings Printed: H. Hrg. 104-27.
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1385)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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