Processing applications for permits to drill

(a) Effect of pending civil actions Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(p)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (4) Effect of pending civil action on processing applications for permits to drill Pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (2), notwithstanding the existence of any pending civil actions affecting the application or related lease, the Secretary shall process an application for a permit to drill or other authorizations or approvals under a valid existing lease, unless a United States Federal court vacated such lease. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as providing authority to a Federal court to vacate a lease.. (b) Term of permit To drill Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) is further amended by adding at the end the following: (r) Term of permit To drill A permit to drill issued under this section after the date of the enactment of this subsection shall be valid for one four-year term from the date that the permit is approved, or until the lease regarding which the permit is issued expires, whichever occurs first..