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.