H.R. 7831 · Passed both chambers · Energy

License to Drill Act

Sponsor: Mike Kennedy (R-UT)

What it does

• Extends the Bureau of Land Management's authority to collect oil and gas permit processing fees through FY2037, rather than expiring in FY2026.
• Directs collected fees into the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund to support permitting operations.
• Maintains the current fee structure for each new oil and gas permit application.

Official summary

License to Drill Act This bill extends through FY2037 the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) authority to collect oil and gas permit processing fees. For each new permit application, BLM collects a fee that is transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund. (Under current law, the fees are authorized through FY2026.)

Latest action

Sep 30, 2026: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5226-5231)

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources