What does Preamble of Let America Build Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled 'A bill to provide for certain energy development, permitting reforms, and for other purposes.'

What does ONSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING. of Let America Build Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Mineral Leasing Act to establish a 60-day timeframe for resolving protests to lease sales. If a protest is denied, further environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act is prohibited. Civil actions related to environmental reviews of lease sales will not affect the validity of issued leases or delay permit-to-drill timelines. If a court finds an environmental review violated the National Environmental Policy Act, the court must remand the matter to the Secretary of the Interior rather than vacating leases. Leaseholders will be notified of filed civil actions within 60 days, and may request a pause in permit timelines during pending litigation. Leases are considered valid and not subject to cancellation except by lessee agreement or a determination by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with specific regulations. Actions contesting decisions related to oil and gas leases or sales must be commenced within 60 days of the Secretary’s final decision. Jurisdiction for individual lease or permit actions lies in the district court where the property is located, while lease sale actions are in the district where the sale occurred.

What does OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING. of Let America Build Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) regarding the cancellation of oil and gas leases and permits. It generally restricts the Secretary's ability to cancel leases or permits, allowing cancellation only with the lessee's written agreement or a determination by the Secretary in accordance with regulations, except when a federal court finds the environmental review violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The amendments modify conditions that could lead to lease cancellation, focusing on potential harm or damage. The bill establishes that a civil action regarding an environmental review under NEPA should not affect the validity of leases issued or delay permit-to-drill timelines. If a court finds an environmental review violated NEPA, the court must remand the matter to the Secretary instead of vacating the leases, and the Secretary must continue processing permit applications. Leaseholders are entitled to receive notice of any civil action filed regarding a lease sale and may request a pause in permit timelines during the pending action.

What does COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN OIL AND GAS PERMITTING ON of Let America Build Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Mineral Leasing Act to establish a process for cooperative federalism in oil and gas permitting on available federal land. It defines key terms such as 'APD' (permit to drill), 'available federal land,' 'drilling plan,' 'State applicant,' and 'State program'. The Secretary of the Interior may delegate authority to a State to issue APDs, approve drilling plans, approve sundry notices, approve suspensions of operations or production, and grant rights-of-way on available federal land. States seeking this delegation must submit an application to the Secretary, including a description of their proposed State program. The Secretary must approve or disapprove applications within 180 days and may only approve them if the State is deemed as effective as the Secretary and the State program complies with the Act. If a State imposes sanctions for violations, the Secretary may not issue penalties for the same violation. The Act addresses federal environmental reviews, allowing States to continue processing applications regardless of federal reviews. The Secretary can resume authority if a State fails to administer or enforce the approved State program.

What does PERMITTING COMPLIANCE ON NON-FEDERAL LAND. of Let America Build Act of 2026 do?

This section modifies permitting requirements for oil and gas drilling on non-Federal land. It generally exempts the Secretary of the Interior from requiring permits for drilling under certain conditions, such as when the Federal government owns less than 50% of the minerals or does not own the surface estate. Lessees of Federal minerals are required to notify the Secretary of the Interior regarding State permit applications, approvals, and agreements for inspections. The exemption in subsection (a) does not apply to Indian lands. The section clarifies that it does not affect the Secretary's other authorities or royalty amounts. It amends Section 17(g) of the Mineral Leasing Act to limit the Secretary’s authority to require bonds, enter land, impose mitigation, or require reclamation approval on non-Federal land under specific circumstances.

What does STATE AND TRIBAL AUTHORITY FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING of Let America Build Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Mineral Leasing Act to establish state and tribal authority over hydraulic fracturing regulation. The Secretary of the Interior is prohibited from enforcing federal regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing on state land if the state has its own regulations. The Secretary is required to defer to state regulations for hydraulic fracturing activities on federal land. States must submit their hydraulic fracturing regulations, including chemical disclosure requirements, to the Bureau of Land Management. The Secretary must make these submitted state regulations publicly available on their website. The Secretary is also prohibited from enforcing federal regulations on tribal land without the express consent of the tribe.

What does ACTION ON APPLICATIONS TO EXPORT LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS. of Let America Build Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes procedures and deadlines for the Secretary of Energy's decisions on applications to export liquefied natural gas. It defines key terms including 'covered application,' 'covered facility,' and 'Secretary.' The Secretary must issue a final decision on a covered application within 45 days after the later of the completion of required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews or the date of enactment of this Act. NEPA review is considered concluded upon publication of an environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, or a determination of categorical exclusion. If the Secretary fails to meet the 45-day deadline, the covered application is automatically considered approved, and the associated environmental review is deemed sufficient. The United States Court of Appeals for the circuit where the covered facility is located has original and exclusive jurisdiction over judicial review of the Secretary's order. The court must expedite review of any civil action brought under this section.

What does SMALL SCALE LNG ACCESS. of Let America Build Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act. It establishes an expedited application and approval process for certain natural gas actions. Actions considered consistent with the public interest and granted without modification or delay include the importation of natural gas. The exportation of natural gas up to 51,750,000,000 cubic feet per year is also eligible for expedited approval. Exportation to nations with a free trade agreement requiring national treatment for natural gas is also eligible. However, these expedited processes do not apply to nations subject to U.S. sanctions.

What does LAND USE PLAN CRITERIA UNDER THE FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND of Let America Build Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 202(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. It strikes 'and' at the end of paragraph (8). Paragraph (9) is redesignated as paragraph (10). A new paragraph (9) is inserted, requiring a review of mineral resource assessments completed within the 10 years prior to a land use plan's effective date. The land use plan must also determine the significance of minerals to energy, national, and economic security, in consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Defense.

What does CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF WITHDRAWALS UNDER THE FEDERAL LAND of Let America Build Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 204(c)(1) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The amendment changes the timeframe for Congressional approval of withdrawals under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Withdrawals will now terminate and become ineffective if Congress does not enact a joint resolution approving the withdrawal prior to the effective date.

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Let America Build Act of 2026

Last updated: 6/11/2026 · Introduced: 6/11/2026

Author: John Barrasso (R-WY)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill aims to expedite oil and gas leasing and permitting processes by establishing timeframes for resolving protests and limiting the scope of environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The bill allows states to assume responsibility for oil and gas permitting on federal land, delegating authority to states that demonstrate effectiveness and compliance with federal regulations.
For oil and gas drilling on non-federal land, the bill generally exempts the Secretary of the Interior from requiring permits when the federal government does not own the minerals or surface estate.
The bill restricts federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, deferring to state regulations on state land and prohibiting federal enforcement without tribal consent.
The bill streamlines the approval process for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export applications, establishing deadlines and automatic approval if those deadlines are not met.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, onshore oil and gas leasing., and 6 more.

8 sections

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TITLE II

-MINERAL LEASING AND PERMITTING

6 sections

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TITLE III

-FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

7 sections

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