[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 33 (Monday, August 19, 1996)]
[Page 1448]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Simplification and 
Fairness Act of 1996

August 13, 1996

    I have today signed into law H.R. 1975, the ``Federal Oil and Gas 
Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act of 1996.'' This legislation will 
provide new tools to further improve and streamline the Federal royalty 
program.
    My Administration has worked cooperatively with the Congress, 
governors, and industry to develop legislation that would achieve 
certainty, equity, and simplicity in the royalty management program. 
These are the same goals we are striving for in our efforts to reinvent 
Government.
    This legislation establishes certainty with a 7-year statute of 
limitations for all royalty collections. It establishes equity by 
requiring payment of interest to companies on overpayments to the 
Government and by allowing the refund of overpayments to all Federal 
leaseholders. Finally, it encourages simplicity in the royalty 
management program.
    My Administration fully supports finding new ways for the States to 
work cooperatively and creatively with the Federal Government to provide 
superior service to the citizens of the United States. I believe we can 
help achieve that goal with this legislation, which expands the list of 
royalty-program activities that may be delegated to States, and provides 
certainty with respect to expeditious Federal action when States seek 
additional authority to help administer the program.
    In signing H.R. 1975, I do so with the understanding that the 
congressional leadership has pledged to pass subsequent legislation 
making necessary technical corrections.
    I am grateful for the bipartisan effort of the Congress in working 
with my Administration to develop this legislation. I believe this is an 
example of what we can do working together for the benefit of the 
American public, the States, and the energy industry.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
August 13, 1996.

Note: H.R. 1975, approved August 13, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
185.