Ino HEARINGS BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC LANDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS UNITED STATES SENATE EIGHTY-SIXTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION ON S. 1496 UNIVERSITY FORD AUG 1959 WMENT A BILL TO AMEND THE MINERAL LEASING ACT OF LEASES S. 1497 A BILL TO AMEND THE MINERAL LEASING ACT TO UNIT PLAN ENSION ᏢᎪᎡᎢ 1 JUNE 5, 1959 Printed for the use of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs MINERAL LEASING ACT AMENDMENTS FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1959 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC LANDS OF THE Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10 a.m., in room 3110, New Senate Office Building, Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney, chairman of the subcommittee, presiding. Present: Senators O'Mahoney, Anderson, Gruening, Dworshak, and Martin. Also present: Stewart French, committee counsel, and Jerry O'Callaghan, legislative assistant to Senator O'Mahoney. Senator O'MAHONEY. The committee will be in order. Senator Anderson, would you be kind enough to introduce the subject matter of this morning's hearing. Senator ANDERSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for permitting me to start this discussion with reference to S. 1496 and S. 1497, both of which would amend the Mineral Leasing Act. The bills referred to are set forth in the appendix.) Senator ANDERSON. My action in introducing these measures was taken at the request of certain constituents in my State of New Mexico who believe that some revision of the Mineral Leasing Act is necessary to enable the small independent oil and gas producers in the Southwest to continue to carry on an aggressive program of exploration for oil and gas. As is noted in the Congressional Record and on the printed bill, these bills were introduced "by request." I am willing to consider suggested changes in the law that might simplify the administration of the Leasing Act and that would encourage exploration and development of new oil and gas fields. I would want to make sure that any changes in the provisions of the Leasing Act would not discriminate against any individual or segment of the oil and gas industry. It was my thought that we could start with the suggestions in these bills and hold some hearings to determine whether or not these suggestions should be taken or whether something else is needed. I hope that during the 86th Congress we can explore the provisions of these and other bills thoroughly and determine just what changes should be made in the law. Mr. Chairman, I asked you to hold these hearings at this particular time and you graciously called it for this morning in order that Robert Anderson of my State could give testimony which we could preserve against the day when we have further hearings. It was |