Using our Energy to Build Better Communities Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 2, 2014

Using Our Energy To Build Better Communities Act - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act, with respect to disposition of moneys received from oil, gas, and geothermal leases and prospecting permits on federal lands, to reduce from 40% to 20% the amount designated for the reclamation fund created under the Reclamation Act.

Requires that another 20% of such funds be used to pay directly to each county in which mining operations occurred an amount directly proportional to the portion of such money attributable to those operations.

Requires that moneys paid directly to such county be used by the county for its schools and roads.

Makes this Act inapplicable to Alaska and its counties.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6] · R–OH

Committees

Natural Resources Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Apr 4, 2014
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Apr 2, 2014
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Apr 2, 2014
Introduced in House
Apr 2, 2014
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 · Apr 2, 2014 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4369 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.

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Discuss H.R.4369, 113th Congress: Using our Energy to Build Better Communities Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2014-04-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr4369/BILLS-113hr4369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:38:49Z. 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.4369 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.4369 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.4369, 113th Congress: Using our Energy to Build Better Communities Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2014-04-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr4369/BILLS-113hr4369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:38:49Z. 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.4369 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.4369 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.4369, 113th Congress: Using our Energy to Build Better Communities Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2014-04-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr4369/BILLS-113hr4369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:38:49Z. 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.4369 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.4369 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.4369, 113th Congress: Using our Energy to Build Better Communities Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2014-04-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr4369/BILLS-113hr4369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:38:49Z. 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.4369 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.