Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan".
North Dakota Public Land Management: Overturning Federal Land Use Rules
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
215–211
Key Points
- Congress passed a resolution to cancel a specific plan created by the Bureau of Land Management for federal lands in North Dakota. This plan originally set the rules for how millions of acres of underground minerals and hundreds of thousands of acres of surface land would be used for activities like energy drilling and cattle grazing.
- By blocking this plan, Congress is stopping new federal restrictions or guidelines that were finalized in early 2025. This means the Bureau of Land Management cannot move forward with the specific environmental or land-use rules they had designed for the region.
- This action mostly affects energy companies, ranchers, and conservation groups in North Dakota who use or protect federal land. It removes the new set of requirements they were expected to follow, which may allow for more flexible land use or require the agency to start the planning process all over again.
- The resolution uses a special legal power that allows Congress to overrule actions taken by government agencies. Because this passed, the Bureau of Land Management is also generally banned from making a similar rule in the future unless Congress passes a new law specifically allowing it.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Became Public Law No: 119-49.
The President signed it. This is now the law of the land.
Signed by President.
The President signed it. This is now the law of the land.
Presented to President.
Both chambers passed identical text. The President has 10 days to sign it into law or veto it.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 45. Record Vote Number: 556.
The Senate voted to approve this bill. If the House already passed it, it goes to the President.
Vote Results
3 votesOn the Motion to Proceed
On the Joint Resolution
Related News
14 articles
Republicans vote to roll back Biden-era restrictions on mining and drilling in 3 Western states
AP reports Congress used the Congressional Review Act to repeal BLM land plans in Alaska, Montana and North Dakota, with the North Dakota plan among those rolled back.
Republicans move to lift drilling and mining restrictions in Western states
House Republicans passed CRA resolutions to overturn BLM resource management plans, including North Dakota’s, arguing the Biden-era plans limited energy development.
Congress leads reversal of land use rules amid BLM director questions
Roll Call details Congress clearing CRA resolutions to vacate BLM resource management plans in North Dakota, Montana and Alaska, sending the measures to the president.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan".
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.