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As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
H. B. No. 399
2025-2026
Representatives Rader, Cockley
Cosponsors: Representatives Brennan,
Somani, Grim, McNally, Brownlee, Russo, Synenberg
To
amend section 1505.07 and to enact section 1509.023 of the Revised
Code
to
prohibit the removal of oil or gas from under Lake Erie or a state
park.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
That
section 1505.07 be amended and section 1509.023 of the Revised Code
be enacted to read as follows:
Sec.
1505.07.
(A)
Subject
to the
limitation
limitations
set
forth in
division
(B) of this section and in
section
1505.08 of the Revised Code, the director of natural resources, with
the approval of the director of environmental protection, the
attorney general, and the governor, may issue permits and make leases
to parties making application for permission to take and remove sand,
gravel, stone, and other minerals or substances from and under the
bed of Lake Erie, either upon a royalty or rental basis, as
he
the director of natural resources
determines to be best for the state. Permits shall be issued for
terms of not less than one year nor more than ten years, and leases
shall be for a term of years or until the economic extraction of the
mineral or other substance covered thereby has been completed. Such
taking and removal shall be within certain fixed boundaries that do
not conflict with the rights of littoral owners. Upon request from
the holder of a permit, it shall be canceled, but in the case of any
permit or lease, any equipment or buildings owned by the permittee or
lessee shall be held as security by the director of natural resources
for payment of all rentals or royalties due the state at the time of
cancellation.
(B)
Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code to the contrary, the
director of natural resources or any other state authority shall not
issue any permit or make any lease to take or remove oil or natural
gas from and under the bed of Lake Erie.
(C)
No
person shall remove sand, gravel, stone, or other minerals or
substances from and under the bed of Lake Erie without first
obtaining a permit or lease therefor from the director.
(D)
The
director
of
natural resources
may,
in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, adopt, amend,
and rescind rules for the administration, implementation, and
enforcement of this section.
Sec.
1509.023.
Notwithstanding
any section of the Revised Code to the contrary, the director of
natural resources or any other state authority shall not issue any
permit, make any lease, or otherwise grant authorization to take or
remove oil or natural gas from and under any state park established
under Chapter 1546. of the Revised Code.
Section
2.
That
existing section 1505.07 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.