119-S-451 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary of S. 451 (119th): Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act

Headline Summary: S. 451 would end the federal 2% “administrative fee” that’s skimmed from mineral revenues before they’re paid to states. [1]Congressional Research Service via Congress.gov — CRS: Revenues and Disbursemen…

What It Does: The bill deletes the Mineral Leasing Act provision that authorizes withholding an administrative fee from state payments and makes conforming fixes in related statutes (acquired lands and geothermal). In short, states would receive their full statutory share without the federal deduction. [2]Congress.gov — Text of S.451 (119th): Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act

Why It Matters: Energy‑producing states could see modestly higher payments from federal oil, gas, coal, and geothermal development on onshore public lands—money often used for schools, roads, and local services. For scale, Interior reports $4.29 billion was disbursed to states in FY2024; removing a 2% skim from the state share means tens of millions of dollars could stay with states instead of the U.S. Treasury. [5]U.S. Department of the Interior — Interior press release: FY2024 energy revenue…[1]Congressional Research Service via Congress.gov — CRS: Revenues and Disbursemen…

• Supporters: The bill is sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines (R‑MT) with Republican cosponsors Sens. Cramer, Lummis, Curtis, Barrasso, Hoeven, and Sheehy, who argue states and local communities should keep the full amount owed. [3]Congress.gov — All Information (Except Text) for S.451 (119th)[6]U.S. Senate – Steve Daines — Daines press release: Daines Leads Republican Coll…

• Opponents/Concerns: Budget and oversight critics have previously defended the fee as covering federal costs to collect and manage these revenues; Interior budget justifications estimated savings from retaining a portion of state payments for administration. Eliminating the fee could require other funding or constrain oversight if not replaced. [7]U.S. Department of the Interior — DOI FY2013 Budget Justification – Net Receipt…[8]U.S. Department of the Interior — ONRR FY2012 Budget Testimony – Net Receipts S…[9]Congress.gov — House Report 115-1000 excerpt (ONSHORE Act) – description of 2%…

What’s Next: A Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee held a hearing on S. 451 on December 2, 2025. The bill otherwise remains at the “introduced/referred” stage in the full committee. Next possible steps are a committee markup, a vote to report the bill, and then potential floor consideration. [4]U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee — Senate Energy & Natural Reso…[10]Congress.gov — S.451 overview page