30 U.S.C. § 196 — Cooperative agreements; delegation of authority

Despite any other provision of law, starting in fiscal year 1992 and every year after, the Secretary of the Interior, or the Secretary's designee, is authorized to do two things: (a) Enter into a cooperative agreement with any state or Indian tribe to share royalty management information and to carry out inspection, auditing, investigation, or enforcement activities (not including the collection of royalties, civil penalties, or other payments) together with the Secretary. The Secretary cannot make such an agreement covering activities on Indian lands without the permission of the Indian tribe involved. (b) At a state's written request, delegate to that state all or part of the Secretary's authorities and responsibilities — under the leasing statutes, leases, and related regulations — to conduct audits, investigations, and inspections. Again, the Secretary cannot make this delegation for Indian lands without the tribe's permission. For leases authorizing exploration for or development of coal, other solid minerals, or geothermal steam on federal or Indian lands, or for a lease covered by section 1337(g) of title 43, this delegation works on the same terms as those already authorized for oil and gas leases under sections 1732, 1733, 1735, and 1736 of this title and their regulations. Section 1734 of this title also applies to those coal, mineral, and geothermal leases, and to leases under section 1337(g) of title 43. In either case, the Secretary must compensate the state or Indian tribe for the costs necessary to carry out the cooperative agreement or delegation.