[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 133 (Saturday, August 6, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4338-S4339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 5418. Mr. SHELBY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 5194 proposed by Mr. Schumer to the bill H.R. 5376, to 
provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14; 
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of part 6 of subtitle B of title V, add the 
     following:

     SEC. 5026_____. MANDATORY LEASING FOR CERTAIN QUALIFIED 
                   APPLICATIONS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Coal lease.--The term ``coal lease'' means a lease 
     entered into by the United States as lessor, through the 
     Bureau of Land Management, and the applicant on Bureau of 
     Land Management Form 3400-012.
       (2) Qualified application.--The term ``qualified 
     application'' means any application pending under the lease 
     by application program administered by the Bureau of Land 
     Management pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 
     et seq.) and subpart 3425 of title 43, Code of Federal 
     Regulations (as in effect on October 1, 2021), for which the 
     environmental review process under the National Environmental 
     Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) has commenced.
       (b) Mandatory Leasing and Other Required Approvals.--As 
     soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Secretary shall promptly--
       (1) with respect to each qualified application--
       (A) if not previously published for public comment, publish 
     a draft environmental assessment, as required under the 
     National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
     seq.) and any applicable implementing regulations;
       (B) finalize the fair market value of the coal tract for 
     which a lease by application is pending;
       (C) take all intermediate actions necessary to grant the 
     qualified application; and
       (D) grant the qualified application; and
       (2) with respect to previously awarded coal leases, grant 
     any additional approvals of the Department of the Interior or 
     any bureau, agency, or division of the Department of the

[[Page S4339]]

     Interior required for mining activities to commence.
                                 ______