License to Drill Act (H.R. 7831)

Summary

Makes the government continue to charge a fee for new oil and gas drilling requests until the year 2037 and puts that money into a special fund.

What problem does this solve?

The government's power to charge fees for oil and gas drilling permits was going to end in 2026, which would stop funding for permit processing. This bill extends the power to collect these fees until 2037, making sure the money keeps going to a fund that helps process permits faster.

What does this bill do?

Extends drilling permit fee collection

Changes the end date for collecting fees on new drilling permit applications from 2026 to 2037.

Directs all fees to improvement fund

Requires that for fiscal years 2027 through 2037, all collected permit fees are transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund.

Simplifies fee transfer process

Removes old rules about how the collected fees were to be divided, making all fees go directly to the improvement fund from 2027 to 2037.

Who does this affect?

Oil and gas companies
Bureau of Land Management

What is the real world impact?

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Ensures funding for permit processing

Provides a steady source of money for the Bureau of Land Management to review and approve drilling permits without relying on general taxpayer funds. This helps the agency handle applications more efficiently.

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Streamlines fossil fuel extraction

By extending the fee and funding the permit office, this bill makes it easier and faster for oil and gas companies to get drilling permits. Critics might argue this encourages more drilling on public lands.

When does this start?

The changes would take effect when the bill becomes law, with specific fee rules applying from 2027 through 2037.

Fee Transfer Mandate

Starting in fiscal year 2027, all fees collected for drilling permits must be transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund.

Fee Collection Extension

The authority to collect fees for new drilling permit applications is extended until 2037.