A bill to authorize the exchange of existing Federal oil and gas leases in the State of Montana, located in the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Flathead National Forest, for credits in future Federal oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes.

Referred to Subcommittee on Forests and Public Lands.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 5, 1998

Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to exchange certain Federal oil and gas leases in a specified exchange area in the State of Montana for credits that may be used for: (1) bids in Federal oil and gas lease sales, or for royalty and rentals due under Federal leases in the central and western planning areas of the Gulf of Mexico for leases outside a specified zone; and (2) bid, royalty or rental payments due under Federal oil and gas leases on Federal land in the State of Montana. Provides that the amount of such credits shall be based on investments made in lease acquisition and development before the date of enactment of this Act and agreed to by the Secretary and the leaseholder. Withdraws such exchange area from: (1) location and entry under the mining laws; and (2) leasing under the mineral leasing laws. Directs the Secretary to pay to the State of Montana the amount it would have received in cash but for the leaseholder's use of such credit to pay rentals or royalties on a Federal oil or gas lease on Federal land in Montana.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] · D–MT

Committees

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

0 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.

Feb 6, 1998
Referred to Subcommittee on Forests and Public Lands.
Feb 5, 1998
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 5, 1998
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S455-456)
Feb 5, 1998
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Feb 5, 1998 Formatted Text PDF

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: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1616 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 S.1616, 105th Congress: A bill to authorize the exchange of existing Federal oil and gas leases in the State of Montana, located in the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Flathead National Forest, for credits in future Federal oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1616

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-02-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1616/BILLS-105s1616is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:13:55Z. 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 S.1616 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 S.1616 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 S.1616, 105th Congress: A bill to authorize the exchange of existing Federal oil and gas leases in the State of Montana, located in the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Flathead National Forest, for credits in future Federal oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1616

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-02-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1616/BILLS-105s1616is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:13:55Z. 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 S.1616 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 S.1616 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 S.1616, 105th Congress: A bill to authorize the exchange of existing Federal oil and gas leases in the State of Montana, located in the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Flathead National Forest, for credits in future Federal oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1616

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-02-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1616/BILLS-105s1616is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:13:55Z. 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 S.1616 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 S.1616 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 S.1616, 105th Congress: A bill to authorize the exchange of existing Federal oil and gas leases in the State of Montana, located in the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Flathead National Forest, for credits in future Federal oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1616

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-02-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1616/BILLS-105s1616is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:13:55Z. 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 S.1616 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.