Signed by Governor John Kasich

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes oil and gas drilling in state parks and other public lands.

Highlights:

• Authorizes state agencies, in consultation with the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission, to lease a parcel of land owned by that agency, for the exploration for and production of oil or natural gas (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission, consisting of the chief of the division of geological survey and the following four members appointed by the governor (Sec. 1):
• Two members from a list of not less than four persons recommended by a statewide organization representing the oil and gas industry;
• One member of the public with expertise in finance or real estate; and
• One member representing a statewide environmental or conservation organization.

• Specifies that no action of the commission is valid unless it has the concurrence of at least three members (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission to consider the following criteria when a parcel of land has been nominated for drilling (Sec. 1):
• The economic benefits, including the potential income from an oil or natural gas operation;
• Whether the proposed oil or gas operation is compatible with the current uses of the parcel of land that is the subject of the nomination;
• The environmental impact that would result if the nomination were approved;
• Any potential adverse geological impact that would result if the nomination were approved;
• Any potential impact to visitors or users of a parcel of land that is the subject of the nomination;
• Any potential impact to the operation or equipment of a state agency that is a state university of college if the nomination were approved;
• Any objections to the nomination submitted to the commission by the state agency that owns or controls the land on which the proposed oil or natural gas operation would take place; and
• Any comments or objections to the nomination submitted to the commission by residents of this state.

• Specifies that money received by a state agency from signing fees, rentals, and royalty payments for leases shall be deposited into one of the following funds (Sec. 1):
• The Forestry Mineral Royalties Fund for leases pertaining to land owned or controlled by the division of forestry;
• The Wildlife Habitat Fund if the lease pertains to land owned or controlled by the division of wildlife;
• The Parks Mineral Royalties Fund if the lease pertains to land owned or controlled by the division of parks and recreation; and
• All money received from nomination fees and bid fees shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission administration fund.

• Establishes that not less than 30 percent of the proceeds from a lease for the exploration and production of oil or gas with or under a state park shall be credited to the applicable fund created in the state treasury that supports the state park (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes oil and gas drilling in state parks and other public lands.

Highlights:

• Authorizes state agencies, in consultation with the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission, to lease a parcel of land owned by that agency, for the exploration for and production of oil or natural gas (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission, consisting of the chief of the division of geological survey and the following four members appointed by the governor (Sec. 1):
• Two members from a list of not less than four persons recommended by a statewide organization representing the oil and gas industry;
• One member of the public with expertise in finance or real estate; and
• One member representing a statewide environmental or conservation organization.

• Specifies that no action of the commission is valid unless it has the concurrence of at least three members (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission to consider the following criteria when a parcel of land has been nominated for drilling (Sec. 1):
• The economic benefits, including the potential income from an oil or natural gas operation;
• Whether the proposed oil or gas operation is compatible with the current uses of the parcel of land that is the subject of the nomination;
• The environmental impact that would result if the nomination were approved;
• Any potential adverse geological impact that would result if the nomination were approved;
• Any potential impact to visitors or users of a parcel of land that is the subject of the nomination;
• Any potential impact to the operation or equipment of a state agency that is a state university of college if the nomination were approved;
• Any objections to the nomination submitted to the commission by the state agency that owns or controls the land on which the proposed oil or natural gas operation would take place; and
• Any comments or objections to the nomination submitted to the commission by residents of this state.

• Specifies that money received by a state agency from signing fees, rentals, and royalty payments for leases shall be deposited into one of the following funds (Sec. 1):
• The Forestry Mineral Royalties Fund for leases pertaining to land owned or controlled by the division of forestry;
• The Wildlife Habitat Fund if the lease pertains to land owned or controlled by the division of wildlife;
• The Parks Mineral Royalties Fund if the lease pertains to land owned or controlled by the division of parks and recreation; and
• All money received from nomination fees and bid fees shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission administration fund.

• Establishes that not less than 30 percent of the proceeds from a lease for the exploration and production of oil or gas with or under a state park shall be credited to the applicable fund created in the state treasury that supports the state park (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text