[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 527 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.527

                     One Hundred Thirteenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday,
           the third day of January, two thousand and thirteen


                                 An Act


 
  To amend the Helium Act to complete the privatization of the Federal 
helium reserve in a competitive market fashion that ensures stability in 
the helium markets while protecting the interests of American taxpayers, 
                         and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
    This Act may be cited as the ``Helium Stewardship Act of 2013''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
    Section 2 of the Helium Act (50 U.S.C. 167) is amended to read as 
follows:
``SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
    ``In this Act:
        ``(1) Cliffside field.--The term `Cliffside Field' means the 
    helium storage reservoir in which the Federal Helium Reserve is 
    stored.
        ``(2) Federal helium pipeline.--The term `Federal Helium 
    Pipeline' means the federally owned pipeline system through which 
    helium for the Federal Helium Reserve may be transported.
        ``(3) Federal helium reserve.--The term `Federal Helium 
    Reserve' means helium reserves owned by the United States.
        ``(4) Federal helium system.--The term `Federal Helium System' 
    means--
            ``(A) the Federal Helium Reserve;
            ``(B) the Cliffside Field;
            ``(C) the Federal Helium Pipeline; and
            ``(D) all other infrastructure owned, leased, or managed 
        under contract by the Secretary for the storage, 
        transportation, withdrawal, enrichment, purification, or 
        management of helium.
        ``(5) Federal user.--The term `Federal user' means a Federal 
    agency or extramural holder of one or more Federal research grants 
    using helium.
        ``(6) Low-btu gas.--The term `low-Btu gas' means a fuel gas 
    with a heating value of less than 250 Btu per standard cubic foot 
    measured as the higher heating value resulting from the inclusion 
    of noncombustible gases, including nitrogen, helium, argon, and 
    carbon dioxide.
        ``(7) Person.--The term `person' means any individual, 
    corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, public 
    or private institution, or State or political subdivision.
        ``(8) Priority pipeline access.--The term `priority pipeline 
    access' means the first priority of delivery of crude helium under 
    which the Secretary schedules and ensures the delivery of crude 
    helium to a helium refinery through the Federal Helium System.
        ``(9) Qualified bidder.--
            ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified bidder' means a 
        person the Secretary determines is seeking to purchase helium 
        for their own use, refining, or redelivery to users.
            ``(B) Exclusion.--The term `qualified bidder' does not 
        include a person who was previously determined to be a 
        qualified bidder if the Secretary determines that the person 
        did not meet the requirements of a qualified bidder under this 
        Act.
        ``(10) Qualifying domestic helium transaction.--The term 
    `qualifying domestic helium transaction' means any agreement 
    entered into or renegotiated agreement during the preceding 1-year 
    period in the United States for the purchase or sale of at least 
    15,000,000 standard cubic feet of crude or pure helium to which any 
    holder of a contract with the Secretary for the acceptance, 
    storage, delivery, or redelivery of crude helium from the Federal 
    Helium System is a party.
        ``(11) Refiner.--The term `refiner' means a person with the 
    ability to take delivery of crude helium from the Federal Helium 
    Pipeline and refine the crude helium into pure helium.
        ``(12) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of 
    the Interior.''.
SEC. 3. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY.
    Section 3 of the Helium Act (50 U.S.C. 167a) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(c) Extraction of Helium From Deposits on Federal Land.--All 
amounts received by the Secretary from the sale or disposition of 
helium on Federal land shall be credited to the Helium Production Fund 
established under section 6(e).''.
SEC. 4. STORAGE, WITHDRAWAL AND TRANSPORTATION.
    Section 5 of the Helium Act (50 U.S.C. 167c) is amended to read as 
follows:
``SEC. 5. STORAGE, WITHDRAWAL AND TRANSPORTATION.
    ``(a) In General.--If the Secretary provides helium storage, 
withdrawal, or transportation services to any person, the Secretary 
shall impose a fee on the person that accurately reflects the economic 
value of those services.
    ``(b) Minimum Fees.--The fees charged under subsection (a) shall be 
not less than the amount required to reimburse the Secretary for the 
full costs of providing storage, withdrawal, or transportation 
services, including capital investments in upgrades and maintenance at 
the Federal Helium System.
    ``(c) Schedule of Fees.--Prior to sale or auction under subsection 
(a), (b), or (c) of section 6, the Secretary shall annually publish a 
standardized schedule of fees that the Secretary will charge under this 
section.
    ``(d) Treatment.--All fees received by the Secretary under this 
section shall be credited to the Helium Production Fund established 
under section 6(e).
    ``(e) Storage and Delivery.--In accordance with this section, the 
Secretary shall--
        ``(1) allow any person or qualified bidder to which crude 
    helium is sold or auctioned under section 6 to store helium in the 
    Federal Helium Reserve; and
        ``(2) establish a schedule for the transportation and delivery 
    of helium using the Federal Helium System that--
            ``(A) ensures timely delivery of helium auctioned pursuant 
        to section 6(b)(2);
            ``(B) ensures timely delivery of helium acquired from the 
        Secretary from the Federal Helium Reserve by means other than 
        an auction under section 6(b)(2), including nonallocated sales; 
        and
            ``(C) provides priority access to the Federal Helium 
        Pipeline for in-kind sales for Federal users.
    ``(f) New Pipeline Access.--The Secretary shall consider any 
applications for access to the Federal Helium Pipeline in a manner 
consistent with the schedule for phasing out commercial sales and 
disposition of assets pursuant to section 6.''.
SEC. 5. SALE OF CRUDE HELIUM.
    Section 6 of the Helium Act (50 U.S.C. 167d) is amended to read as 
follows:
``SEC. 6. SALE OF CRUDE HELIUM.
    ``(a) Phase A: Allocation Transition.--
        ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall offer crude helium for 
    sale in such quantities, at such times, at not less than the 
    minimum price established under subsection (b)(7), and under such 
    terms and conditions as the Secretary determines necessary to carry 
    out this subsection with minimum market disruption.
        ``(2) Federal purchases.--Federal users may purchase refined 
    helium with priority pipeline access under this subsection from 
    persons who have entered into enforceable contracts to purchase an 
    equivalent quantity of crude helium at the in-kind price from the 
    Secretary.
        ``(3) Duration.--This subsection applies during--
            ``(A) the period beginning on the date of enactment of the 
        Helium Stewardship Act of 2013 and ending on September 30, 
        2014; and
            ``(B) any period during which the sale of helium under 
        subsection (b) is delayed or suspended.
    ``(b) Phase B: Auction Implementation.--
        ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall offer crude helium for 
    sale in quantities not subject to auction under paragraph (2), 
    after completion of each auction, at not less than the minimum 
    price established under paragraph (7), and under such terms and 
    conditions as the Secretary determines necessary--
            ``(A) to maximize total recovery of helium from the Federal 
        Helium Reserve over the long term;
            ``(B) to maximize the total financial return to the 
        taxpayer;
            ``(C) to manage crude helium sales according to the ability 
        of the Secretary to extract and produce helium from the Federal 
        Helium Reserve;
            ``(D) to give priority to meeting the helium demand of 
        Federal users in the event of any disruption to the Federal 
        Helium Reserve; and
            ``(E) to carry out this subsection with minimum market 
        disruption.
        ``(2) Auction quantities.--For the period described in 
    paragraph (4) and consistent with the conditions described in 
    paragraph (8), the Secretary shall annually auction to any 
    qualified bidder a quantity of crude helium in the Federal Helium 
    Reserve equal to--
            ``(A) for fiscal year 2015, 10 percent of the total volume 
        of crude helium made available for that fiscal year;
            ``(B) for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019, a 
        percentage of the total volume of crude helium that is 15 
        percentage points greater than the percentage made available 
        for the previous fiscal year; and
            ``(C) for fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, 
        100 percent of the total volume of crude helium made available 
        for that fiscal year.
        ``(3) Federal purchases.--Federal users may purchase refined 
    helium with priority pipeline access under this subsection from 
    persons who have entered into enforceable contracts to purchase an 
    equivalent quantity of crude helium at the in-kind price from the 
    Secretary.
        ``(4) Duration.--This subsection applies during the period--
            ``(A) beginning on October 1, 2014; and
            ``(B) ending on the date on which the volume of recoverable 
        crude helium at the Federal Helium Reserve (other than 
        privately owned quantities of crude helium stored temporarily 
        at the Federal Helium Reserve under section 5 and this section) 
        is 3,000,000,000 standard cubic feet.
        ``(5) Safety valve.--The Secretary may adjust the quantities 
    specified in paragraph (2)--
            ``(A) downward, if the Secretary determines the adjustment 
        necessary--
                ``(i) to minimize market disruptions that pose a threat 
            to the economic well-being of the United States; and
                ``(ii) only after submitting a written justification of 
            the adjustment to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
            Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural 
            Resources of the House of Representatives; or
            ``(B) upward, if the Secretary determines the adjustment 
        necessary to increase participation in crude helium auctions or 
        returns to the taxpayer.
        ``(6) Auction format.--The Secretary shall conduct each auction 
    using a method that maximizes revenue to the Federal Government.
        ``(7) Prices.--The Secretary shall annually establish, as 
    applicable, separate sale and minimum auction prices under 
    subsection (a)(1) and paragraphs (1) and (2) using, if applicable 
    and in the following order of priority:
            ``(A) The sale price of crude helium in auctions held by 
        the Secretary under paragraph (2).
            ``(B) Price recommendations and disaggregated data from a 
        qualified, independent third party who has no conflict of 
        interest, who shall conduct a confidential survey of qualifying 
        domestic helium transactions.
            ``(C) The volume-weighted average price of all crude helium 
        and pure helium purchased, sold, or processed by persons in all 
        qualifying domestic helium transactions.
            ``(D) The volume-weighted average cost of converting 
        gaseous crude helium into pure helium.
        ``(8) Terms and conditions.--
            ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall require all persons 
        that are parties to a contract with the Secretary for the 
        withdrawal, acceptance, storage, transportation, delivery, or 
        redelivery of crude helium to disclose, on a strictly 
        confidential basis--
                ``(i) the volumes and associated prices in dollars per 
            thousand cubic feet of all crude and pure helium purchased, 
            sold, or processed by persons in qualifying domestic helium 
            transactions;
                ``(ii) the volumes and associated costs in dollars per 
            thousand cubic feet of converting crude helium into pure 
            helium; and
                ``(iii) refinery capacity and future capacity 
            estimates.
            ``(B) Condition.--As a condition of sale or auction to a 
        refiner under subsection (a)(1) and paragraphs (1) and (2), 
        effective beginning 90 days after the date of enactment of the 
        Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, the refiner shall make excess 
        refining capacity of helium available at commercially 
        reasonable rates to--
                ``(i) any person prevailing in auctions under paragraph 
            (2); and
                ``(ii) any person that has acquired crude helium from 
            the Secretary from the Federal Helium Reserve by means 
            other than an auction under paragraph (2) after the date of 
            enactment of the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, including 
            nonallocated sales.
        ``(9) Use of information.--The Secretary may use the 
    information collected under this Act--
            ``(A) to approximate crude helium prices; and
            ``(B) to ensure the recovery of fair value for the 
        taxpayers of the United States from sales of crude helium.
        ``(10) Protection of confidentiality.--The Secretary shall 
    adopt such administrative policies and procedures as the Secretary 
    considers necessary and reasonable to ensure the confidentiality of 
    information submitted pursuant to this Act.
        ``(11) Forward auctions.--Effective beginning in fiscal year 
    2016, the Secretary may conduct a forward auction once each fiscal 
    year of a quantity of helium that is equal to up to 10 percent of 
    the volume of crude helium to be made available at auction during 
    the following fiscal year if the Secretary determines that the 
    forward auction will--
            ``(A) not cause a disruption in the supply of helium from 
        the Reserve;
            ``(B) represent a cost-effective action;
            ``(C) generate greater returns for taxpayers; and
            ``(D) increase the effectiveness of price discovery.
        ``(12) Sale schedule and frequency.--For fiscal year 2015 the 
    Secretary shall conduct only one auction, which shall precede, and 
    one sale, which shall take place no later than August 1, 2014, with 
    full and final payment for the sale being made no later than 
    September 26, 2014. Consistent with the annual volumes established 
    under paragraph (2), effective beginning in fiscal year 2016, the 
    Secretary may conduct auctions twice during each fiscal year if the 
    Secretary determines that the auction frequency will--
            ``(A) not cause a disruption in the supply of helium from 
        the Reserve;
            ``(B) represent a cost-effective action;
            ``(C) generate greater returns for taxpayers; and
            ``(D) increase the effectiveness of price discovery.
        ``(13) One-time sale.--
            ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding paragraph (4)(A), the 
        Secretary shall hold a one-time sale of helium, no later than 
        August 1, 2014 from amounts available in fiscal year 2016 
        pursuant to this section. Full and final payment for the sale 
        must be made no later than 45 days after the date the sale 
        takes place.
            ``(B) Volume sold.--The volume of helium sold under this 
        paragraph--
                ``(i) shall be at least 250 million cubic feet; and
                ``(ii) shall be made available for sale consistent with 
            paragraph (2)(B).
    ``(c) Phase C: Continued Access for Federal Users.--
        ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall offer crude helium for 
    sale to Federal users in such quantities, at such times, at such 
    prices required to reimburse the Secretary for the full costs of 
    the sales, and under such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
    determines necessary to carry out this subsection.
        ``(2) Federal purchases.--Federal users may purchase refined 
    helium with priority pipeline access under this subsection from 
    persons who have entered into enforceable contracts to purchase an 
    equivalent quantity of crude helium at the in-kind price from the 
    Secretary.
        ``(3) Effective date.--This subsection applies beginning on the 
    day after the date described in subsection (b)(4)(B).
    ``(d) Phase D: Disposal of Assets.--
        ``(1) In general.--Not earlier than 2 years after the date of 
    commencement of Phase C described in subsection (c) and not later 
    than September 30, 2021, the Secretary shall designate as excess 
    property and dispose of all facilities, equipment, and other real 
    and personal property, and all interests in the same, held by the 
    United States in the Federal Helium System.
        ``(2) Applicable law.--The disposal of the property described 
    in paragraph (1) shall be in accordance with subtitle I of title 
    40, United States Code.
        ``(3) Proceeds.--All proceeds accruing to the United States by 
    reason of the sale or other disposal of the property described in 
    paragraph (1) shall be treated as funds received under this Act for 
    purposes of subsection (e).
        ``(4) Costs.--All costs associated with the sale and disposal 
    (including costs associated with termination of personnel) and with 
    the cessation of activities under this subsection shall be paid 
    from amounts available in the Helium Production Fund established 
    under subsection (e).
    ``(e) Helium Production Fund.--
        ``(1) In general.--All amounts received under this Act, 
    including amounts from the sale or auction of crude helium, shall 
    be credited to the Helium Production Fund, which shall be available 
    without fiscal year limitation for purposes determined to be 
    necessary and cost effective by the Secretary to carry out this Act 
    (other than sections 16, 17, and 18), including capital investments 
    in upgrades and maintenance at the Federal Helium System, 
    including--
            ``(A) well head maintenance at the Cliffside Field;
            ``(B) capital investments in maintenance and upgrades of 
        facilities that pressurize the Cliffside Field;
            ``(C) capital investments in maintenance and upgrades of 
        equipment related to the storage, withdrawal, enrichment, 
        transportation, purification, and sale of crude helium from the 
        Federal Helium Reserve;
            ``(D) entering into purchase, lease, or other agreements to 
        drill new or uncap existing wells to maximize the recovery of 
        crude helium from the Federal Helium System; and
            ``(E) any other scheduled or unscheduled maintenance of the 
        Federal Helium System.
        ``(2) Excess funds.--Amounts in the Helium Production Fund in 
    excess of amounts the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry 
    out paragraph (1) shall be paid to the general fund of the Treasury 
    and used to reduce the annual Federal budget deficit.
        ``(3) Retirement of public debt.--Out of amounts paid to the 
    general fund of the Treasury under paragraph (2), the Secretary of 
    the Treasury shall use $51,000,000 to retire public debt.
        ``(4) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
    enactment of the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013 and annually 
    thereafter, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the 
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
    Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a 
    report describing all expenditures by the Bureau of Land Management 
    to carry out this Act.
    ``(f) Minimum Quantity.--The Secretary shall offer for sale or 
auction during each fiscal year under subsections (a), (b), and (c) a 
quantity of crude helium that is the lesser of--
        ``(1) the quantity of crude helium offered for sale by the 
    Secretary during fiscal year 2012; or
        ``(2) the maximum total production capacity of the Federal 
    Helium System.''.
SEC. 6. INFORMATION, ASSESSMENT, RESEARCH, AND STRATEGY.
    The Helium Act (50 U.S.C. 167 et seq.) is amended--
        (1) by repealing section 15 (50 U.S.C. 167m);
        (2) by redesignating section 17 (50 U.S.C. 167 note) as section 
    20; and
        (3) by inserting after section 14 (50 U.S.C. 167l) the 
    following:
  ``SEC. 15. INFORMATION.
    ``(a) Transparency.--The Secretary, acting through the Bureau of 
Land Management, shall make available on the Internet information 
relating to the Federal Helium System that includes--
        ``(1) continued publication of an open market and in-kind 
    price;
        ``(2) aggregated projections of excess refining capacity;
        ``(3) ownership of helium held in the Federal Helium Reserve;
        ``(4) the volume of helium delivered to persons through the 
    Federal Helium Pipeline;
        ``(5) pressure constraints of the Federal Helium Pipeline;
        ``(6) an estimate of the projected date when 3,000,000,000 
    standard cubic feet of crude helium will remain in the Federal 
    Helium Reserve and the final phase described in section 6(c) will 
    begin;
        ``(7) the amount of the fees charged under section 5;
        ``(8) the scheduling of crude helium deliveries through the 
    Federal Helium Pipeline; and
        ``(9) other factors that will increase transparency.
    ``(b) Reporting.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, to provide the market 
with appropriate and timely information affecting the helium resource, 
the Director of the Bureau of Land Management shall establish a timely 
and public reporting process to provide data that affects the helium 
industry, including--
        ``(1) annual maintenance schedules and quarterly updates, that 
    shall include--
            ``(A) the date and duration of planned shutdowns of the 
        Federal Helium Pipeline;
            ``(B) the nature of work to be undertaken on the Federal 
        Helium System, whether routine, extended, or extraordinary;
            ``(C) the anticipated impact of the work on the helium 
        supply;
            ``(D) the efforts being made to minimize any impact on the 
        supply chain; and
            ``(E) any concerns regarding maintenance of the Federal 
        Helium Pipeline, including the pressure of the pipeline or 
        deviation from normal operation of the pipeline;
        ``(2) for each unplanned outage, a description of--
            ``(A) the beginning of the outage;
            ``(B) the expected duration of the outage;
            ``(C) the nature of the problem;
            ``(D) the estimated impact on helium supply;
            ``(E) a plan to correct problems, including an estimate of 
        the potential timeframe for correction and the likelihood of 
        plan success within the timeframe;
            ``(F) efforts to minimize negative impacts on the helium 
        supply chain; and
            ``(G) updates on repair status and the anticipated online 
        date;
        ``(3) monthly summaries of meetings and communications between 
    the Bureau of Land Management and the Cliffside Refiners Limited 
    Partnership, including a list of participants and an indication of 
    any actions taken as a result of the meetings or communications; 
    and
        ``(4) current predictions of the lifespan of the Federal Helium 
    System, including how much longer the crude helium supply will be 
    available based on current and forecasted demand and the projected 
    maximum production capacity of the Federal Helium System for the 
    following fiscal year.
  ``SEC. 16. HELIUM GAS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT.
    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, the Secretary, acting 
through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, shall--
        ``(1) in coordination with appropriate heads of State 
    geological surveys--
            ``(A) complete a national helium gas assessment that 
        identifies and quantifies the quantity of helium, including the 
        isotope helium-3, in each reservoir, including assessments of 
        the constituent gases found in each helium resource, such as 
        carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and natural gas; and
            ``(B) make available the modern seismic and geophysical log 
        data for characterization of the Bush Dome Reservoir;
        ``(2) in coordination with appropriate international agencies 
    and the global geology community, complete a global helium gas 
    assessment that identifies and quantifies the quantity of the 
    helium, including the isotope helium-3, in each reservoir;
        ``(3) in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, acting 
    through the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, 
    complete--
            ``(A) an assessment of trends in global demand for helium, 
        including the isotope helium-3;
            ``(B) a 10-year forecast of domestic demand for helium 
        across all sectors, including scientific and medical research, 
        commercial, manufacturing, space technologies, cryogenics, and 
        national defense; and
            ``(C) an inventory of medical, scientific, industrial, 
        commercial, and other uses of helium in the United States, 
        including Federal uses, that identifies the nature of the 
        helium use, the amounts required, the technical and commercial 
        viability of helium recapture and recycling in that use, and 
        the availability of material substitutes wherever possible; and
        ``(4) submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
    of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
    of Representatives a report describing the results of the 
    assessments required under this paragraph.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000.
  ``SEC. 17. LOW-BTU GAS SEPARATION AND HELIUM CONSERVATION.
    ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary of Energy shall support 
programs of research, development, commercial application, and 
conservation (including the programs described in subsection (b))--
        ``(1) to expand the domestic production of low-Btu gas and 
    helium resources;
        ``(2) to separate and capture helium from natural gas streams; 
    and
        ``(3) to reduce the venting of helium and helium-bearing low-
    Btu gas during natural gas exploration and production.
    ``(b) Programs.--
        ``(1) Membrane technology research.--The Secretary of Energy, 
    in consultation with other appropriate agencies, shall support a 
    civilian research program to develop advanced membrane technology 
    that is used in the separation of low-Btu gases, including 
    technologies that remove helium and other constituent gases that 
    lower the Btu content of natural gas.
        ``(2) Helium separation technology.--The Secretary of Energy 
    shall support a research program to develop technologies for 
    separating, gathering, and processing helium in low concentrations 
    that occur naturally in geological reservoirs or formations, 
    including--
            ``(A) low-Btu gas production streams; and
            ``(B) technologies that minimize the atmospheric venting of 
        helium gas during natural gas production.
        ``(3) Industrial helium program.--The Secretary of Energy, 
    working through the Advanced Manufacturing Office of the Department 
    of Energy, shall carry out a research program--
            ``(A) to develop low-cost technologies and technology 
        systems for recycling, reprocessing, and reusing helium for all 
        medical, scientific, industrial, commercial, aerospace, and 
        other uses of helium in the United States, including Federal 
        uses; and
            ``(B) to develop industrial gathering technologies to 
        capture helium from other chemical processing, including 
        ammonia processing.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000.
  ``SEC. 18. HELIUM-3 SEPARATION.
    ``(a) Interagency Cooperation.--The Secretary shall cooperate with 
the Secretary of Energy, or a designee, on any assessment or research 
relating to the extraction and refining of the isotope helium-3 from 
crude helium and other potential sources, including--
        ``(1) gas analysis; and
        ``(2) infrastructure studies.
    ``(b) Feasibility Study.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Energy, or a designee, may carry out a study to assess the 
feasibility of--
        ``(1) establishing a facility to separate the isotope helium-3 
    from crude helium; and
        ``(2) exploring other potential sources of the isotope helium-
    3.
    ``(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report 
that contains a description of the results of the assessments conducted 
under this section.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000.
  ``SEC. 19. FEDERAL AGENCY HELIUM ACQUISITION STRATEGY.
    ``In anticipation of the implementation of Phase D described in 
section 6(d), and not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, the Secretary (in consultation with 
the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Defense, the Director of the 
National Science Foundation, the Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the National 
Institutes of Health, and other agencies as appropriate) shall submit 
to Congress a report that provides for Federal users--
        ``(1) an assessment of the consumption of, and projected demand 
    for, crude and refined helium;
        ``(2) a description of a 20-year Federal strategy for securing 
    access to helium;
        ``(3) a determination of a date prior to September 30, 2021, 
    for the implementation of Phase D as described in section 6(d) that 
    minimizes any potential supply disruptions for Federal users;
        ``(4) an assessment of the effects of increases in the price of 
    refined helium and methods and policies for mitigating any 
    determined effects; and
        ``(5) a description of a process for prioritization of uses 
    that accounts for diminished availability of helium supplies that 
    may occur over time.''.
SEC. 7. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
    (a) Section 4 of the Helium Act (50 U.S.C. 167b) is amended by 
striking ``section 6(f)'' each place it appears in subsections (c)(3), 
(c)(4), and (d)(2) and inserting ``section 6(e)''.
    (b) Section 8 of the Helium Act (50 U.S.C. 167f) is repealed.
SEC. 8. EXISTING AGREEMENTS.
    (a) In General.--This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall 
not affect or diminish the rights and obligations of the Secretary of 
the Interior and private parties under agreements in existence on the 
date of enactment of this Act, except to the extent that the agreements 
are renewed or extended after that date.
    (b) Delivery.--No agreement described in subsection (a) shall 
affect or diminish the right of any party that purchases helium after 
the date of enactment of this Act in accordance with section 6 of the 
Helium Act (50 U.S.C. 167d) (as amended by section 5) to receive 
delivery of the helium in accordance with section 5(e)(2) of the Helium 
Act (50 U.S.C. 167c(e)(2)) (as amended by section 4).
SEC. 9. REGULATIONS.
    The Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate such regulations as 
are necessary to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this 
Act, including regulations necessary to prevent unfair acts and 
practices.
  SEC. 10. AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS.
    (a) Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination 
Program.--
        (1) Secure payments for states and counties containing federal 
    land.--
            (A) Availability of payments.--Section 101 of the Secure 
        Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (16 
        U.S.C. 7111) is amended by striking ``2012'' each place it 
        appears and inserting ``2013''.
            (B) Elections.--Section 102(b) of the Secure Rural Schools 
        and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
        7112(b)) is amended--
                (i) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``2012'' and 
            inserting ``2013''; and
                (ii) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``2012'' each 
            place it appears and inserting ``2013''.
            (C) Distribution of payments to eligible counties.--Section 
        103(d)(2) of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-
        Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7113(d)(2)) is amended by 
        striking ``and 2012'' and inserting ``through 2013''.
        (2) Continuation of authority to conduct special projects on 
    federal land.--Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community 
    Self-Determination Act of 2000 is amended--
            (A) in section 203(a)(1) (16 U.S.C. 7123(a)(1)), by 
        striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2013'';
            (B) in section 204(e)(3)(B)(iii) (16 U.S.C. 
        7124(e)(3)(B)(iii)), by striking ``2012'' and inserting 
        ``2013'';
            (C) in section 205(a)(4) (16 U.S.C. 7125(a)(4)), by 
        striking ``2011'' each place it appears and inserting ``2012'';
            (D) in section 207(a) (16 U.S.C. 7127(a)), by striking 
        ``2012'' and inserting ``2013''; and
            (E) in section 208 (16 U.S.C. 7128)--
                (i) in subsection (a), by striking ``2012'' and 
            inserting ``2013''; and
                (ii) in subsection (b), by striking ``2013'' and 
            inserting ``2014''.
        (3) Continuation of authority to reserve and use county 
    funds.--Section 304 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-
    Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7144) is amended--
            (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``2012'' and inserting 
        ``2013''; and
            (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``2013'' and inserting 
        ``2014''.
        (4) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 402 of the Secure 
    Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (16 
    U.S.C. 7152) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting 
    ``2013''.
    (b) Abandoned Well Remediation.--Section 349 of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15907) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(i) Federally Drilled Wells.--Out of any amounts in the Treasury 
not otherwise appropriated, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2014, 
$36,000,000 for fiscal year 2015, and $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 
shall be made available to the Secretary, without further appropriation 
and to remain available until expended, to remediate, reclaim, and 
close abandoned oil and gas wells on current or former National 
Petroleum Reserve land.''.
    (c) National Parks Maintenance Backlog.--Section 814(g) of the 
Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 1f) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
        ``(4) Available funds.--Out of any amounts in the Treasury not 
    otherwise appropriated, $20,000,000 shall be made available to the 
    Secretary of the Interior for fiscal year 2018, and $30,000,000 
    shall be made available to the Secretary of the Interior for fiscal 
    year 2019, without further appropriation and to remain available 
    until expended, to pay the Federal funding share of challenge cost-
    share agreements for deferred maintenance projects and to correct 
    deficiencies in National Park Service infrastructure.
        ``(5) Cost-share requirement.--Not less than 50 percent of the 
    total cost of project for funds made available under paragraph (4) 
    to pay the Federal funding share shall be derived from non-Federal 
    sources, including in-kind contribution of goods and services 
    fairly valued.''.
    (d) Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund.--Section 411(h) of the Surface 
Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1240a(h)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
        ``(6) Supplemental funding.--
            ``(A) Waiver of limitation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (5), 
        the limitation on the total annual payments to a certified 
        State or Indian tribe under this subsection shall not apply for 
        fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
            ``(B) Limitation on waiver.--Notwithstanding subparagraph 
        (A), the total annual payment to a certified State or Indian 
        tribe under this subsection for fiscal year 2014 shall not be 
        more than $28,000,000 and for fiscal year 2015 shall not be 
        more than $75,000,000.
            ``(C) Insufficient amounts.--If the total annual payment to 
        a certified State or Indian tribe under paragraphs (1) and (2) 
        is limited by subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall--
                ``(i) give priority to making payments under paragraph 
            (2); and
                ``(ii) use any remaining funds to make payments under 
            paragraph (1).''.
    (e) Soda Ash Royalties.--Notwithstanding section 24 of the Mineral 
Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 262) and the terms of any lease under that Act, 
the royalty rate on the quantity of gross value of the output of sodium 
compounds and related products at the point of shipment to market from 
Federal land in the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of 
this Act shall be 4 percent.
    (f) Authorization Offset.--Section 207(c) of the Energy 
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17022(c)) is amended 
by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, except 
that the amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
not appropriated as of the date of enactment of the Helium Stewardship 
Act of 2013 shall be reduced by $6,000,000''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.