Offshore Leasing Standards and Accountability Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4715 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4715 To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to establish fitness to operate standards and decommissioning escrow accounts for offshore oil and gas operators, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 9, 2026 Mr. Schiff (for himself and Mr. Padilla) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to establish fitness to operate standards and decommissioning escrow accounts for offshore oil and gas operators, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Offshore Leasing Standards and Accountability Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. FITNESS TO OPERATE STANDARDS FOR OIL AND GAS OPERATORS ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF. (a) In General.--The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 34. FITNESS TO OPERATE STANDARDS FOR OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS ACTIVITIES. ``(a) Requirement for Approvals.--Beginning on the date on which the Secretary issues or revises regulations under subsection (b)(5), the Secretary may not issue, extend the term of, or approve the transfer of a lease, easement, or right-of-way for oil or gas exploration, development, or production on the outer Continental Shelf with respect to a recipient responsible party unless the recipient responsible party is certified as fit to operate in accordance with subsection (b). ``(b) Certification of Fitness To Operate.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall certify a recipient respo