State Lands Leasing, Biennium Budget Bills Moving Forward In Ohio

摘要

GRANVILLE, OH.-A bill to open a portion of state-owned properties for oil and gas exploration was accepted 54-41 by the Ohio House of Representatives in late May. According to Ohio Oil & Gas Association Executive Vice President Thomas Stewart, Substitute HB 133 navigates complicated issues to improve state property management, create a pathway for resolving encumbrances, and provide the state with a new source of revenue. He also says the markup for Sub HB 133 evokes sausage making comparisons, but says OOGA is satisfied with its language. "A lot of work has gone into this," Stewart reports. "What has emerged after talks between industry, legislators-including the committee chairmen and bill sponsors-and the (Governor John) Kasich administration-is a pretty workable piece of legislation that creates a pathway forward in which state government can lease properties or citizens can nominate parcels they consider prospective. It includes a bidding process that ensures the state gets best value."