§196 Cooperative Agreements; Delegation of Authority

Summary

Starting in fiscal year 1992 and every year after, the Secretary of the Interior or their designee may make cooperative agreements with States or Indian tribes to share royalty information and help with inspections, audits, investigations, and enforcement work. Those agreements do not let a State collect royalties, fines, or other payments. The Secretary cannot make such an agreement about Indian lands unless the Indian tribe gives permission. If a State asks in writing, the Secretary may also give the State some or all of the Secretary’s powers to do audits, investigations, and inspections under the leasing laws and rules. That delegation also needs tribal permission for Indian lands. These actions apply to leases for coal, other solid minerals, or geothermal steam on Federal or Indian lands in the State, and to leases covered by section 1337(g) of title 43. They must follow the same terms as oil and gas lease rules under sections 1732, 1733, 1735, and 1736, and section 1734 also applies. The Secretary must pay any necessary costs the State or tribe incurs carrying out work under these agreements or delegations.