Federal Land Freedom Act

The Federal Land Freedom Act (HR 98) allows states with existing energy development programs to take over leasing, permitting, and regulation of oil, natural gas, and energy projects on specific federal lands. It applies only to "available federal land" (excluding national parks, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and tribal trust lands) within a state. Under the bill, states can submit a declaration to assume these responsibilities, and their actions would no longer be subject to federal environmental laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or the Endangered Species Act. States must collect royalties equal to federal rates, deposit revenues into federal accounts, and may retain fees for administrative costs. The bill directly affects states with energy programs and the federal lands managed under this new state authority.