SRC-MKV S.C.R. 34 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.C.R. 34
77R6795 NBH-FBy: Brown, J. E. "Buster"
Natural Resources
3/29/2001
As Filed


DIGEST 

A strong domestic oil and gas industry is vitally important to the United
States economy and national defense.  Much of the nation's greatest
potential for future domestic production lies in areas that are currently
off limits to oil and natural gas exploration and development, including
areas under congressional or presidential moratoria in the federal Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS), where vast amounts of oil and natural gas may be
available for extraction.  For the first time since 1988, the Minerals
Management Service of the United States Department of the Interior has
proposed an OCS lease sale for the eastern Gulf of Mexico.  Oil and gas
production from this area of the Gulf of Mexico would help offset current
domestic energy production declines and assist the nation in meeting future
energy demand. 

PURPOSE 

As proposed, S.C.R. 34 submits the following resolutions:

Provides that the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby declare
support for the Minerals Management Service plan to proceed with the Outer
Continental Shelf Lease Sale 181 for the eastern Gulf of Mexico schedules
for December 5, 2001.  Provides that copies of this resolution be prepared
for various federal officials as an expression of the sentiment of the
Texas Legislature.