License to Drill Act
Latest action (29 Jul 2026): Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
What this bill does
S. 5039, the "License to Drill Act," would amend the Mineral Leasing Act to extend, from 2026 through 2037, the period during which the Secretary of the Interior is required to collect a fee from oil and gas companies for each new application for a permit to drill on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The bill also extends, for fiscal years 2027 through 2037, the requirement that all fees collected be transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund, which supports the agency's work processing drilling permit applications.
The change primarily affects companies applying for federal oil and gas drilling permits, who would continue paying the associated fee for a longer period, and it affects the BLM, which would continue receiving dedicated funding through 2037 to support permit-processing operations. It does not appear to create new programs or alter the fee amount itself, but rather extends existing deadlines in current law.
The bill was introduced by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) on July 21, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On July 29, 2026, the committee ordered the bill to be reported favorably without amendment. The next step would be consideration by the full Senate; the bill would also need to pass the House and be signed by the President before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
License to Drill Act
This bill extends through FY2037 the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) authority to collect oil and gas permit processing fees. For each new permit application, BLM collects a fee that is transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund. (Under current law, the fees are authorized through FY2026.)
Timeline
29 Jul 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Common questions
- What does S. 5039 do?
- S. 5039, the "License to Drill Act," would amend the Mineral Leasing Act to extend, from 2026 through 2037, the period during which the Secretary of the Interior is required to collect a fee from oil and gas companies for each new application for a permit to drill on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The bill also extends, for fiscal years 2027 through 2037, the requirement that all fees collected be transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund, which supports the agency's work processing drilling permit applications. The change primarily affects companies applying for federal oil and gas drilling permits, who would continue paying the associated fee for a longer period, and it affects the BLM, which would continue receiving dedicated funding through 2037 to support permit-processing operations. It does not appear to create new programs or alter the fee amount itself, but rather extends existing deadlines in current law. The bill was introduced by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) on July 21, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On July 29, 2026, the committee ordered the bill to be reported favorably without amendment. The next step would be consideration by the full Senate; the bill would also need to pass the House and be signed by the President before becoming law.
- Has S. 5039 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Jul 2026, S. 5039 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored S. 5039?
- S. 5039 was sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee [R-UT] (Republican-UT), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5039?
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. (29 Jul 2026).
Related bills in Energy
Ratepayer Protection Act
MORE American Fuel Act of 2026
Affordable Innovation for the Grid Act
High-Capacity Grid Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.