# 119-hr-526: Declaration of Energy Independence Act

119-hr-526, Declaration of Energy Independence Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5] (R-TN); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-526
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-526
- Congress: 119
- Title: Declaration of Energy Independence Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-01-16
- Sponsor: Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5] (R-TN)
- Cosponsors: 8
- Policy area: Energy
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Lower royalties** for onshore oil and gas plus wider noncompetitive leasing are the bill's core changes. It reduces royalty rates, cuts bid and rental minimums, and creates new paths to lease abandoned or previously vested mineral estates.

## Cosponsors (8)

- Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] (R-TX), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14] (R-TX), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2] (R-OK), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large] (R-WY), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2] (R-UT), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25] (R-TX), 2025-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1] (R-KS), 2025-01-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26] (R-TX), 2025-01-21T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Lower royalties and fees for onshore leases: benefit, medium. If enacted, the onshore royalty rate would drop from 16 2/3% to 12.5%. Annual rentals would be at least $1.50 per acre for years 1–5 and $2 after year 5. The minimum competitive bid would be $2 per acre. The fee to file an expression of interest would be removed.
- Standard 10-year leases with drilling extension: benefit, low. If enacted, competitive and noncompetitive onshore leases would have a 10-year primary term. If drilling began before the term ended and is diligently prosecuted, the lease would extend two years. A lease would continue as long as oil or gas is produced in paying quantities.
- First-come noncompetitive leases and reoffer rules: mixed, low. The bill would create a first-come, noncompetitive path for lands not leased competitively. The first qualified applicant would pay a nonrefundable $75 fee and a 12.5% royalty, and the lease would be issued within 60 days. Lands with no bids or bids below the national minimum would be posted within…
- Relief for reinstated and historic oil claims: mixed, low. If enacted, people seeking to reinstate a canceled lease would owe $10 per acre in back rent and at least $5 per acre per year going forward. Reinstated leases would carry at least a 16 2/3% royalty, and back royalties would be due on production after cancellation. The Secretary could reduce royalt…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-21: Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
- 119-hr-404: Hearing Protection Act
- 119-hr-1232: National Right-to-Work Act
- 119-hr-7678: Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act
- 119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-987: Fair Access to Banking Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-526 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/526)

## Related
- [119-hr-21: Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-21)
- [119-hr-404: Hearing Protection Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-404)
- [119-hr-1232: National Right-to-Work Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1232)
- [119-hr-7678: Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7678)
- [119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1628)
- [119-hr-987: Fair Access to Banking Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-987)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-526 (as of 2026-04-21).