Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act

This bill aims to speed up oil and gas drilling approvals on some lands. If drilling is on non‑federal surface land and the federal government owns less than half of the minerals underneath, a company would not need a federal drilling permit if it has a state permit. Work could start 30 days after the state permit is sent to the Secretary. These projects would also skip certain federal environmental and historic reviews, including reviews under NEPA, the National Historic Preservation Act, and section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.

It does not change what royalties are owed to the United States, and the government can still audit, inspect, and check production and payments. The bill does not apply to Indian lands, which are defined in the text.

• Who is affected: Oil and gas operators on non‑federal surface land; state regulators; federal agencies. Tribal lands are excluded.
• What changes: No federal drilling permit if the federal share of minerals is under 50% and a state permit is submitted; not treated as a “major federal action”; no extra review under NEPA, the National Historic Preservation Act, or ESA section 7; royalties and federal oversight stay in place.
• When: Drilling may begin 30 days after the state permit is submitted to the Secretary.