License to Drill Act
A bill to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to extend the period of time during which the Secretary of the Interior is required to collect a fee for each new application for a permit to drill, and for other purposes.
The bill, SB5039, known as the License to Drill Act, aims to change the Mineral Leasing Act. Specifically, it proposes extending the time frame during which the Secretary of the Interior must collect a fee for each new drilling permit application. This change could potentially impact the revenue collected from drilling activities and influence the regulatory environment for energy companies seeking to drill.
This bill would mainly affect oil and gas companies that apply for new drilling permits, as well as the Department of the Interior, which oversees these applications. By extending the fee collection period, it could provide companies with more flexibility and potentially increase government revenue from drilling activities.
As of July 29, 2026, the bill has been reported out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources without any amendments. It was introduced on July 21, 2026, and read twice before being referred to the committee. The next steps would involve further consideration and potential voting in the Senate.
