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.