Senate endorses narrower ask to Congress on state administration of federal mineral leasing

Cheyenne — The Wyoming Senate on Feb. 13 advanced a joint resolution asking Congress to consider authorizing cooperative agreements that would let the state administer mineral leasing on federal lands within Wyoming, but only on lands mutually designated for state administration and subject to federal approval.

Senate Joint Resolution 1 originally contained broad language seeking state administration of federal leasing across the state. During committee consideration, the Minerals Committee proposed a standing‑committee amendment that significantly narrowed the request. The amendment replaces sweeping language with a framework that would allow the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to enter cooperative agreements under which "the state may, at its election and subject to federal approval, assume administrative primacy for mineral leasing on specified federal lands located within Wyoming."

The amendment also preserved federal ownership, allowed termination or modification by the secretary, and included a provision to ensure that the customary 2% administrative fee tied to mineral leases would accompany any transfer of administrative responsibility. "The 2% administrative fee is critical," said Senator Rothfuss, a member of the Minerals Committee, calling it essential to fund oversight if the state assumes administrative tasks.

Supporters described the amendment as a practical, selective approach that enables Wyoming to negotiate to manage leases in targeted areas rather than attempt an immediate, statewide takeover. Senator Anderson, a sponsor, described the resolution as an economic development and sovereignty measure designed to provide the state greater local control over leasing decisions after a series of federal actions and court decisions that have affected coal and oil-and-gas leasing.

Opponents expressed concern about how royalty shares and other fiscal terms would interact with other legislation under consideration, but committee members said the amendment was intentionally limited in scope and compatible with separate proposals on royalty distribution.

The committee adopted the standing committee amendment in divided votes and recommended the joint resolution do pass. The committee’s version asks Congress to consider the narrow cooperative‑agreement approach and to ensure that administrative fees follow the lands that are administered by the state.

What happens next: The committee reported SJR1 favorably and the matter will be transmitted as the Senate’s formal request to Congress if the resolution is adopted in final Senate action.