H.R. 7882: To provide for the leasing of certain deposits of minerals located within the City of Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Sponsor
Pete Stauber
Republican · MN-8
Carlsbad gets the final say on mineral leasing in town
Why it matters
The Mineral Leasing Act, the 1920 law that governs oil, gas, and other mineral leasing on federal land, leaves out land inside incorporated cities, towns, and villages. H.R. 7882 lifts that exclusion for one place — Carlsbad, New Mexico — and only if the city agrees in writing.
H.R. 7882 runs a single section and names a single city. It lets the Secretary of the Interior lease mineral deposits on federal land inside Carlsbad, New Mexico, where two federal leasing laws currently say no.
Those two laws — the Mineral Leasing Act and the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands — cover minerals such as oil, natural gas, coal, and potassium. Both exclude land inside incorporated cities, towns, and villages. The bill sets that exclusion aside for Carlsbad and nowhere else.
Nothing can be leased unless the City of Carlsbad first gives the Secretary of the Interior its consent in writing. The bill does not say who at the city signs, what process the city has to follow, or whether consent can cover one parcel or all of them. Those details would be left to the city and the department.
The land in question is narrow. It has to be inside Carlsbad city limits, and it has to be either land the United States owns or land the federal government acquired. Private land and privately owned minerals are not part of this bill.
Everything else about federal leasing stays the same. A lease issued in Carlsbad would follow the same two leasing laws and any other federal mineral leasing law that applies. The bill also says the Secretary "may" lease, not "shall" — so even with the city's consent, the department is not required to offer anything.
One caution on the text. This analysis is based on the bill as introduced. The House Natural Resources Committee has since approved an amended version, and the reported text may differ.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jun 10, 2026
Committee approved bill for floor consideration in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
H.R. 7882 Bill Summary
What H.R. 7882 actually does.
Federal minerals inside Carlsbad become leasable
The Secretary of the Interior may lease mineral deposits on federal land inside the City of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Two federal leasing laws currently exclude land inside incorporated cities, towns, and villages, and the bill sets that exclusion aside for Carlsbad.
The city has to say yes in writing first
Leasing is allowed only with written consent from the City of Carlsbad to the Secretary of the Interior. Without that consent, the bill's authority cannot be used. The bill does not spell out how the city reaches or delivers that decision.
Only federal land counts
The bill covers land inside city limits that is owned by the United States or was acquired by the federal government. Private land is outside its reach.
Existing leasing rules still apply
Any lease must be issued under the Mineral Leasing Act, the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands, and any other federal mineral leasing law that applies. The bill changes where leasing can happen, not how it works.
One city, no wider exception
The exception applies to Carlsbad alone. Every other incorporated city, town, and village in New Mexico and across the country stays excluded from federal mineral leasing under current law.
Who benefits from H.R. 7882?
The City of Carlsbad
The city government holds the key. Federal minerals inside its boundaries can be leased only after the city agrees in writing, which gives local officials a say that cities do not normally have over federal leasing decisions.
Companies seeking federal mineral leases
Operators that qualify under federal leasing law could bid on or apply for deposits inside Carlsbad that are closed to leasing today, once the city consents and the Department of the Interior decides to offer them.
The Department of the Interior
The department gets clear legal authority to lease federal minerals inside one incorporated city. It is permitted to lease, not required to.
Who is affected by H.R. 7882?
Carlsbad residents
If you live in the city, mineral development on federal land within city limits becomes legally possible for the first time under these laws. The bill does not order any leasing. Whether it happens depends on your city government and then on the Department of the Interior.
Carlsbad city officials
Local officials would have to decide whether to give written consent, and on what terms. The bill gives them that decision without setting a process, a deadline, or a way to withdraw consent later.
Neighbors of federal land in the city
Homes and businesses near federally owned or acquired parcels could see nearby land use change if leases are issued. Any lease would still be subject to the federal leasing laws that apply everywhere else.
Other incorporated cities
Nothing changes for them. The exclusion that keeps federal mineral leasing out of incorporated cities, towns, and villages remains in place outside Carlsbad.
HR7882 Legislative Journey
House: Passed Committee
Jun 10, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
+2 more actions this day
House: Committee Action
Mar 25, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
House: Committee Action
Mar 18, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
House: Committee Action
Mar 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
About the Sponsor
Pete Stauber
Republican, Minnesota's 8th congressional district · 7 years in Congress
Committees: Small Business, Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure
View full profile →
Cosponsors (2)
All 2 cosponsors are Republicans. Cosponsors represent 1 state: Texas.
Committee Sponsors
Natural Resources Committee
1 of 45 committee members cosponsored
24 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 7882 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Natural Resources
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Energy
- Introduced
- Mar 9, 2026
Committee approved bill for floor consideration in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Jun 10, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill text, cosponsors, committee actions, and legislative history.
The Congressional Budget Office's estimate of the bill as ordered reported by the House Natural Resources Committee on June 10, 2026.
The section of federal law that lists the leasable minerals and excludes land in incorporated cities, towns, and villages — the exclusion this bill sets aside for Carlsbad.
The parallel exclusion for federally acquired land inside incorporated cities, towns, and villages, which the bill also sets aside for Carlsbad.
The Bureau of Land Management office that administers the federal mineral estate in southeastern New Mexico, including the Carlsbad area.
Schedules, public comment periods, and results for the quarterly federal lease sales that any Carlsbad parcels would be offered through.
Background on federal potassium leasing and the Designated Potash Area in southeastern New Mexico, one of the mineral types the leasing laws cover.
The committee's event page for the markup where H.R. 7882 was ordered reported with a substitute amendment.
H.R. 7882 Common Questions
What does H.R. 7882 do?
It lets the Secretary of the Interior lease federal mineral deposits inside the City of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Federal leasing law normally excludes land inside incorporated cities, towns, and villages. H.R. 7882 sets that exclusion aside for Carlsbad only.
Can the federal government lease minerals in Carlsbad without the city's approval?
No. Leasing is allowed only with written consent from the City of Carlsbad to the Secretary of the Interior. If the city never gives it, nothing in the bill can be used. The bill does not say how the city makes that decision.
Is private land in Carlsbad included?
No. The bill covers only land inside city limits that the United States owns or that the federal government acquired. Private land and privately owned minerals are outside its reach.
Which minerals could be leased under H.R. 7882?
The same ones the two federal leasing laws already cover on other federal land. That list includes oil, natural gas, coal, and potassium. H.R. 7882 does not add any new mineral to it.
Does H.R. 7882 require leasing in Carlsbad?
No. The bill says the Secretary of the Interior "may" lease, not "shall." Even with the city's written consent, the department decides whether to offer any leases.
Does the bill change the rules for how federal mineral leases work?
No. Any lease in Carlsbad would be issued under the Mineral Leasing Act, the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands, and any other federal mineral leasing law that applies. The bill changes where leasing can happen, not how.
Does H.R. 7882 apply to other cities in New Mexico?
No. It applies only to federal land inside the City of Carlsbad. Every other incorporated city, town, and village, in New Mexico and nationwide, stays excluded from federal mineral leasing under current law.
Where does H.R. 7882 stand in Congress?
The House Natural Resources Committee marked it up on June 10, 2026 and ordered it reported, with a substitute amendment, by unanimous consent. It still needs a vote in the full House and then the Senate. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) is the sponsor.
Based on H.R. 7882 bill text
H.R. 7882 Bill Text
“To provide for the leasing of certain deposits of minerals located within the City of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. LEASING OF CERTAIN DEPOSITS OF MINERALS LOCATED WITHIN CITY OF CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
Get notified when H.R. 7882 moves
Committee votes, floor action, cosponsor changes — straight to your inbox.
Bill alerts + Legisletter's monthly briefing. Unsubscribe anytime.
Energy Bills
9 related bills we're tracking
Energy Bills Relief Act
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 18, 2026
Energy Choice Act
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 412.
Feb 4, 2026
Heating and Cooling Relief Act
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 31, 2025
Protecting Families from AI Data Center Energy Costs Act
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
Jul 21, 2026
Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 410.
Feb 4, 2026
Electricity Transmission Scorecard Act
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Nov 20, 2025
SHIELD Act
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 14, 2026
Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 348.
Mar 4, 2026
Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 335.
Feb 11, 2026
Trending Right Now
Bills gaining momentum across Congress
America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jul 14, 2025
Fit to Serve Act
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
May 21, 2025
ASAP Act
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
Sep 16, 2026
Tracking Energy in Congress? Monitor bills, track cosponsor momentum, and launch advocacy campaigns — all from one advocacy platform.