State management-federal mineral leases, the official text

ORIGINAL Senate ENGROSSED
JOINT RESOLUTION. SJ0001

ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1, SENATE

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2026 Budget Session

A JOINT RESOLUTION requesting Congress to introduce a bill and enact law to amend the federal Mineral Leasing Act to authorize the state of Wyoming to administer and manage mineral leasing on federal lands located in Wyoming.

WHEREAS, in 1920, Congress enacted into law the Mineral Leasing Act, which authorizes the leasing of federal lands for the exploration and development of minerals owned by the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Mineral Leasing Act governs energy minerals, including oil, gas and coal and solid leasable minerals, including phosphate, potassium, sodium and oil shale; and

WHEREAS, the Mineral Leasing Act authorizes the United States Secretary of Interior (Secretary) to lease and regulate the development of minerals owned by the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Secretary delegated authority under the Mineral Leasing Act to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a federal agency that is part of the United States Department of Interior; and

WHEREAS, the BLM administers the leasing program for minerals on federal lands, including federal lands controlled by the BLM and federal lands under the jurisdiction of other federal agencies; and

WHEREAS, the federal administration of mineral leasing on federal lands in Wyoming over the past ten (10) years has been inconsistent, unpredictable and subject to political delays that negatively impact Wyoming's economy, energy industry and citizens; and

WHEREAS, the federal administration of mineral leasing has been subject to prolonged leasing moratoriums, regulatory uncertainty and delayed environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act that have resulted in a decrease in mineral activity on federal lands within Wyoming; and

WHEREAS, even after federal lands in Wyoming are leased, the federal government retains legal title to the federal lands and the federal government receives money from sales, bonuses, royalties and rentals from federal mineral leasing; and

WHEREAS, Wyoming's management of mineral leasing on state lands demonstrates that Wyoming can adequately and efficiently manage and administer mineral leasing on federal lands; and

WHEREAS, Wyoming possesses an unparalleled understanding of land within its borders, making Wyoming better equipped than the federal government to administer and manage mineral leasing on federal lands located within the state; and

WHEREAS, Wyoming could administer and manage mineral leasing on federal lands located within the state more efficiently and at a lower cost than the federal government; and

WHEREAS, Wyoming has knowledge of the state's unique terrain, geology, wildlife habitats and ecosystems, which enables Wyoming to assess site-specific environmental impacts more accurately and quickly and tailor leasing decisions to local conditions; and

WHEREAS, Wyoming's state agencies are in constant communication with local governments, landowners and industry stakeholders, which would result in a more responsive, efficient and balanced decision making process regarding mineral leasing and in a manner that reflects Wyoming's policies and priorities; and

WHEREAS, authorizing Wyoming to administer and manage mineral leasing of federal minerals not only respects the principles of federalism and local control but also ensures that decisions are made by those who know the land best and are most invested in its long-term sustainability.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:

Section 1.

(a) That the Wyoming Legislature requests that Congress enact legislation amending the federal Mineral Leasing Act to authorize the United States secretary of the interior to enter into cooperative agreements with the state of Wyoming under which the state may, at its election and subject to federal approval, assume administrative primacy for mineral leasing on specified federal lands located within Wyoming. Any authorization under this subsection shall:

(i) Apply only to federal lands mutually designated by the state and the secretary of the interior under a cooperative agreement;

(ii) Require state administration to be consistent with applicable federal law unless otherwise expressly provided by Congress;

(iii) Allow the state and the secretary of the interior to modify or terminate any cooperative agreement by mutual consent; and

(iv) Provide for revenue distribution consistent with federal statutory formulas, provided that, for mineral resources developed on lands designated under a cooperative agreement with the state of Wyoming, the two percent (2%) administrative cost deduction authorized under 30 U.S.C. § 191(b) shall be allocated to and retained by the state of Wyoming in lieu of retention by the United States government.

Section 2. That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, to the Wyoming Congressional Delegation and to each member of the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

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