[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 25, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H5816-H5821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HELIUM STEWARDSHIP ACT OF 2013

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 354) providing for the concurrence 
by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 527, with an amendment.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 354

       Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution the 
     House shall be considered to have taken from the Speaker's 
     table the bill, H.R. 527, with the Senate amendment thereto, 
     and to have concurred in the Senate amendment with the 
     following amendment:
       In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the 
     amendment of the Senate to the text of the bill, insert the 
     following:

     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

[[Page H5817]]

     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

[[Page H5818]]

     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

[[Page H5819]]

     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''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Hastings) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan legislation being considered by the 
House this evening, H.R. 527, the Helium Stewardship Act, is a 
commonsense action plan to protect our economy from the impending 
helium shortage and to inject free market principles into our Federal 
helium program.

[[Page H5820]]

  The House must take action today on this legislation before time runs 
out. Under current law, the Reserve must cease operations on October 
1--that's only 6 days from now, Mr. Speaker. The Federal Helium Reserve 
supplies one-third of the world's helium, and a disruption would cause 
real harm to our Nation's economy.
  Helium is essential to our 21st century economy. Without it, we 
wouldn't have lifesaving MRI machines, we wouldn't have computer chips, 
we wouldn't have fiber optic cables or other devices used for our 
defense needs. Unless Congress takes immediate action, tens of 
thousands of American jobs and critical technologies would be put at 
risk.
  The bill before us today is truly a bipartisan, bicameral plan that 
I'm pleased to have worked on with both my Senate and House colleagues.

                              {time}  1800

  This bill would implement a new operating system for the Federal 
Helium Reserve on October 1 that would include semiannual auctions. 
This will ensure that we prevent a crippling helium shortage and that 
the reserve stays open until 2021, when then nearly all of the helium 
supply is sold. That will give us enough time for the market to 
supplant this helium that will go away. Mr. Speaker, it also ensures 
that this program, Federal program, is ended.
  A little history: on April 26, the House passed H.R. 527, the Helium 
Stewardship Act, by a vote of 394-1. Last week, the Senate passed H.R. 
527 with an amendment by a vote of 97-2.
  This final text of House Resolution 354 makes several necessary, 
minimal adjustments to the Senate-passed version of H.R. 527 to ensure 
it abides by budget rules and laws so that it does not increase deficit 
spending.
  Prompt action of this final text will maintain a flow of helium for 
the reserve after October 1 and prevent economic disruptions to 
American jobs manufacturing critical technology and medical devices.
  Mr. Speaker, nearly 100 groups representing the end users of refined 
helium--and these groups are high-tech manufacturers of semiconductors, 
aerospace technologies, medical devices, chemicals, fiber optics, and 
science research--all have called for passage of this legislation.
  We have an opportunity today to preserve our economy, bring real 
reforms to a Federal program, get a better return for the taxpayer, and 
in the end truly shut down an outdated Federal program. These are all 
wins that we should pass this bill and celebrate these successes.
  I urge adoption of the resolution, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. HOLT. While the process of moving this legislation forward has 
taken some time, it has also demonstrated that Members of both parties, 
Members of both Houses, can work cooperatively and in good faith to 
reach bipartisan solutions. This is the sort of legislative action 
Americans want to see us undertaking.
  The legislation before us is a version that none of us would write if 
left to our own devices. Every Member who has worked on this bill, 
every stakeholder affected by this bill has had to make compromises to 
achieve a shared goal of maintaining the supply of helium that is 
important. We have had to make substantive changes to address 
legitimate policy concerns, and we have had to make technical changes 
to address parliamentary and budget matters; but we have gotten the job 
done. I wish we could use this as a model for the continuing 
resolution, for the debt ceiling, for the farm bill, for so many other 
things.
  With the clock ticking, the need to get this legislation across the 
finish line is urgent.
  As I said when we considered this bill back in April, helium is not 
used just to fill balloons. It is critical for MRI, magnetic resonant 
imagining, machines; it is necessary for preparing NASA rockets for 
launching; for high-tech manufacturing such as cleaning silicone chips 
for integrated circuits; and for lots of important scientific research. 
For many of these applications, there is simply no replacement for 
helium.
  Our Nation's Federal Helium Reserve supplies nearly half of the 
helium used in the United States and roughly a third of all the helium 
used globally. If Congress fails to pass this legislation by Monday--
the end of the current fiscal year--the Interior Department's authority 
to continue operating the reserve will expire. If this is allowed to 
happen, nearly half of America's helium would be cut off creating a 
crisis--and that's not an overstatement--that would devastate important 
sectors of America's high-tech and medical economy.
  H.R. 527 would extend the life of the Federal Helium Reserve past the 
end of this fiscal year and ensure a fair return to taxpayers on this 
federally owned resource. It would generate more than $300 million for 
American taxpayers, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
  I thank Chairman Hastings, also former Ranking Member Markey and 
current Ranking Member DeFazio. They deserve enormous credit for moving 
this legislation forward.
  This is a good bill that provides a workable solution to a real 
problem, and I urge its adoption.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 
minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden).
  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the House Resources 
Committee for his leadership on this and many other issues. It is so 
important to America's economy and our country.
  I rise today also in support of this legislation to reform the 
Federal helium program and also to reduce the deficit by $90 million 
over the next decade. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce 
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, I realize this is not 
about balloons. This is about America's great innovation and technology 
sector, about computers, and, as we heard from my colleague from New 
Jersey, MRIs and our great innovation and technology. It is essential 
that this become law.
  At the same time, this measure also provides short-term help to rural 
communities from some of the funding sources here. Those communities 
are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
  Let's be clear: that help is a lifeline, not a lifeboat. The status 
quo of asking Uncle Sam for a check year after year is simply not 
sustainable. However, managing our Federal forests, generating jobs and 
revenue, that's sustainable.
  Last week, the House passed a long-term solution for our rural 
forested communities, H.R. 1526, the chairman's bill, the Healthy 
Forest for the Healthy Communities Act. Now, it's time--now, it's 
time--for the United States Senate to take positive action. We need to 
create jobs in the woods, we need to reduce the threat of wildfire, 
catastrophic wildfire, we need to improve the health of our watersheds 
and our forests, we need to help our forested communities get back to 
self-sufficiency, self-reliance, get people back to work in the woods. 
The clock is ticking. It's time to get this done. Rural communities 
cannot wait any longer.

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlelady from Connecticut (Ms. Esty).
  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague, Mr. Holt, for 
giving me a moment today.
  I rise to thank Chairman Hastings, Ranking Member DeFazio, and all 
the other Members in the House and in the Senate who are involved in 
resolving the helium reserve issue.
  While Americans are rightfully frustrated with gridlock in 
Washington--gridlock and posturing that right now is threatening a 
government shutdown and damage to our economy--today we are voting on a 
negotiated path forward, a more fair solution, that will ensure a 
stable supply of helium for businesses and will reduce our deficit by 
an estimated $90 million over the next 10 years.
  From the beginning of the discussion over the future of the Helium 
Stewardship Act this year, I've taken a keen interest in the issue, as 
helium is a linchpin for Connecticut's economy. From refiners like 
Praxair to end users like hospitals and manufacturers, the health of 
the helium market supports thousands of jobs in my State.

[[Page H5821]]

  Once again, I want to thank Chairman Hastings for working with 
everyone at the table to make some last-minute changes to address 
legitimate and justified concerns. This sort of bipartisan, respectful 
cooperation and compromise is just what our country needs and just what 
our country wants.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 
minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent), who has been 
actively involved in this legislation since actually the issue came 
before us a little over a year ago.
  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I too rise in strong support today of this 
legislation. I also want to extend my thanks to Chairman Hastings, to 
Mr. Holt, to Ranking Member DeFazio, and the former ranking member, 
Senator Markey, all for their leadership, as well as our friends in the 
Senate, Senators Wyden and Murkowski. This is truly an example of a 
good bipartisan piece of legislation done in a bicameral manner. I 
think we can all take pride in the fact that Congress can actually get 
things done when we put our minds to it.
  While I had some reservations regarding the initial House bill, due 
to some potential issues of potential contract violations, this bill 
before us, H.R. 527, fairly addresses those concerns. I tried to 
address those concerns in the previous bill. I also want to thank Ms. 
Esty and Mr. Higgins from New York for their strong support in that 
effort.
  Again, passing this legislation will ensure continued access to the 
Nation's helium supply for American businesses and researchers. As has 
been stated, if no action is taken before October 1, the Bureau of Land 
Management will be forced to shutter the Federal Helium Reserve, 
putting at risk thousands of jobs of hardworking Americans, 
particularly those in the manufacturing sector.
  A steady supply of helium is absolutely essential in manufacturing 
items such as MRI scanners, computer chips, and fiber optic cables. We 
need to make sure that we can continue in those pursuits.
  Also, it is important to many refiners, like in my district Air 
Products and Chemicals, in Ms. Esty's district Praxair, Linde and 
others, who are also very much involved with making sure this helium 
gets to the marketplace and to the end users.
  Today's action will ensure that these advanced and high-tech 
manufacturers will not lose access to over one-third of the global 
supply of helium at a time when a helium shortage is already in place.
  Again, I want to say thanks to everybody involved--Mr. Holt and Mr. 
Hastings--for their patience for listening and for coming up with a 
very good solution to a very important problem.
  Mr. HOLT. Let me ask the chairman if he has additional speakers.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I am prepared to close if the gentleman 
is prepared to close.
  Mr. HOLT. Then I will close with a few remarks, again, with thanks to 
the chairman; and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I just want to stress how important the operation of the 
Federal Helium Reserve has been to science, to technology, to 
manufacturing, to health care in the United States.
  Three-quarters of a century ago, farsighted legislators began 
stockpiling helium thinking it might be used for dirigibles and blimps 
lighter than aircraft. They didn't know what else it would be used for, 
but they recognized and understood that helium had some very special 
properties.
  Additionally, the Federal Helium Reserve--the country's domestic 
stockpile of helium--has been a good investment for taxpayers. Helium 
is without a doubt a rare valuable resource, critical to our economic 
and national security. Because of decisions by Congress in past years, 
we are now in a position where failure to act in the next 5 days will 
result in nearly half of America's helium supply being cut off, 
creating a crisis in health care, in research, in manufacturing, and in 
many other areas.
  Here we have an example of where Congress was farsighted and then 
subsequently shortsighted. Today, I think we are taking wise steps to 
remedy the situation.
  It's important that as we make the decisions and the changes that we 
make with this legislation, that we don't fail to recognize the 
possible future uses, many perhaps not envisioned, and a possible 
failure of the market to provide an adequate supply of helium to meet 
those demands.
  I know there is an ideology that's prevalent around here that for any 
commodity, for any human need the market will provide. In fact, it 
doesn't always. In this case, in the helium over the decades, it would 
not have had it not been for the Federal reserve.
  So it is important today that as we are passing this legislation, we 
remember that it does require within 2 years the development of a long-
term helium strategy to secure access to helium and to minimize 
disruption of a helium supply once the current reserve is shut down.
  The Federal Helium Reserve over the life of this bill will generate 
over $300 million for American taxpayers. Now, Mr. Speaker, the 
definition of a good investment is something that returns considerably 
more than you put into it. The helium reserve has been a good 
investment for this country; and, frankly, the Federal Government 
should be looking for more opportunities to make such investments.
  If in a few years' time we realize that a Federal Helium Reserve is 
necessary to secure a long-term domestic supply of helium, then I hope 
we can work together in the same cooperative manner that we worked on 
this to make the farsighted investments that legislators made many 
decades ago to establish a Federal Helium Reserve.
  I thank my colleagues on the committee, especially my friend from 
Washington State, Chairman Hastings, for his work on this bipartisan 
solution. I encourage my colleagues here and in the other body to get 
this to the President for his signature quickly.
  I urge adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1815

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, virtually all of my colleagues have expressed gratitude 
for this bipartisan-bicameral effort, and I want to add my words to 
that also.
  I particularly want to thank two members of the House Natural 
Resources staff--Tim Charters and Amanda Tharpe--because they worked 
diligently on this, especially this last week in getting the final 
language together.
  It's not often that you get to thank one person who now has served in 
both bodies, but former Ranking Member Ed Markey was a cosponsor 
originally of H.R. 527. Senator Markey has now been a big advocate over 
in the Senate, and I want to thank him and his staff.
  I particularly want to thank again Senator Wyden and Senator 
Murkowski and their staffs because we recognized earlier on that this 
had to be done before a date certain.
  Obviously, as we've said many times on this floor, there are 
differences between the two bodies in how they approach different 
issues--and that was certainly true with this one--but we knew we had 
to get this done, so we have a piece now that, I think, both sides and 
both Houses can agree on.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the resolution, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 354.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas 
and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________