HBA-SEP S.C.R. 34 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.C.R. 34 By: Brown, J. E. "Buster" Energy Resources 4/26/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Though this nation's domestic oil and gas production has declined 17 percent over the last 13 years, domestic consumption has increased by more than 14 percent. Currently, the United States imports approximately 55 percent of the oil needed for the American economy, and the demand for refined petroleum products and natural gas is projected to increase by more than 35 percent over the next two decades. Potential for future domestic production may lie in the federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) which is currently under congressional or presidential moratoria from oil and natural gas exploration and development. The Minerals Management Service (service), a bureau of the United States Department of the Interior, has proposed an OCS lease sale for a portion of the eastern Gulf of Mexico to assist the nation in meeting future energy demand. Senate Concurrent Resolution 34 provides that the 77th Legislature declares support for the service plan to proceed with the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Sale 181 for the eastern Gulf of Mexico scheduled for December 5, 2001. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Senate Concurrent Resolution 34 provides that the 77th Legislature declares support for the Minerals Management Service (service) plan to proceed with the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Sale 181 for the eastern Gulf of Mexico scheduled for December 5, 2001.