NARO Advocacy

Your ownership.Our national voice.

From Washington to state capitals, NARO brings mineral and royalty owners' concerns into the conversation.

Donate to NARO PACRead the latest updates
Marginal-well letter (PDF)Percentage depletion letter (PDF)

PAC contributions are voluntary and limited to eligible NARO members.

Washington

Federal policy and representation

State capitals

Chapter knowledge and engagement

The courts

Royalty-owner perspectives

Letters of support

July 10, 2026

Marginal-well letter (PDF)

June 17, 2026

Percentage depletion (PDF)

Advocacy updates

Brief context on federal proposals affecting mineral and royalty owners.

  • NARO support letter: marginal-well regulation

    09/09/2026 5:56 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    NARO wrote a letter of support for H.R. 8990 and S. 4619, the Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026. The July 10, 2026 letter describes NARO's support for regulatory requirements tailored to marginal oil and gas production.

    The letter connects the viability of low-volume wells to royalty income, rural economic activity and domestic energy supply. It presents NARO's position on the proposed legislation.

    View the letter of support (PDF)

    Source: NARO support letter, July 10, 2026.

  • NARO support letter: Percentage Depletion Allowance

    09/09/2026 2:40 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    NARO wrote a letter of support for H.R. 8034 and S. 4604, the Protecting America's Small Oil and Gas Producers and Rural Jobs Act. The June 17, 2026 letter describes NARO's support for modernizing the Percentage Depletion Allowance.

    The letter outlines proposed changes to income limitations, the marginal-well oil-price threshold and the depletable quantity cap. NARO connects these proposals to the economics of small producers and the royalty income received by mineral and royalty owners.

    View the letter of support (PDF)

    Source: NARO support letter, June 17, 2026.

Our mission in practice

A national voice.
Local knowledge.
Shared purpose.

NARO connects education, representation and community for mineral and royalty owners. Its work reflects a shared focus on informed owners, private property rights and the future of mineral legacies.

National

In Washington.

NARO brings owners' concerns to Congress and federal agencies through policy positions and letters of support.

State and local

Close to home.

Chapter leaders and legislative committees, such as NARO-Texas's, engage lawmakers and regulators through education and public comments.

The courts

On the record.

Chapters bring owners' perspectives to court through lawsuits and friend-of-the-court briefs.

Connect with the people working on issues in your region.

Get involved with your chapter

NARO history · Chapter legislative work · Court examples below

Jim and Sandra Stafford, founders of NARO

Jim and Sandra Stafford, NARO's founders.

45+

years representing mineral and royalty owners
Serving owners since 1980

The people who started it

A national voice starts with people.

Jim and Sandra Stafford founded NARO after a grassroots effort brought royalty owners' concerns to Washington. Jim had volunteered to handle national media for the Oil Caravan protesting the Windfall Profits Tax.

Months later, encouraged by independent producers and royalty owners, the couple built an organization dedicated to owners' interests.

Education. Representation. Community.

Read Jim and Sandra's story

A record of participation

Owners' interests.
On the record.

Three examples of chapters bringing the royalty-owner perspective to court. Each case involved different laws, agreements and facts.

2016
Texas

Royalty language matters.

NARO-Texas helped fund a friend-of-the-court brief in Hyder. The Texas Supreme Court upheld protection against post-production deductions from the Hyders' overriding royalty. The result turned on their agreement.

NARO-Texas's roleCourt opinion (PDF)
2022
Appalachia

An owner's perspective in court.

As a friend of the court in Kellam, NARO-Appalachia brought owners' perspectives to West Virginia's highest court. The court reaffirmed Tawney while leaving lease-specific deduction questions open.

Court opinion (PDF)
2023
California

A challenge to Measure Z.

NARO-California was a plaintiff challenging Measure Z. California's Supreme Court found two restrictions conflicted with state law. State legislation expanded local oil-and-gas authority in 2024.

Court disposition (PDF)2024 legislative change

NARO Political Action Committee

Donate to
NARO PAC.

NARO PAC is the association's federal political action committee. It is funded by voluntary personal contributions from eligible members, not membership dues or convention fees.

Use these instructions to contribute by personal check. General NARO donations and chapter legislative funds are separate.

May 2026 ROAR contribution information
FEC committee record: C00559542

Contribute by personal check

Make your check payable to NARO PAC and mail it to:

NARO PAC
10800 Gosling Rd. #131090
Spring, TX 77393

Contributions are limited to eligible NARO members and are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Review PAC contribution details

Review the published eligibility and contribution information before mailing. Source: May 2026 ROAR, pages 1-3.

PAC contribution information

Contributions to NARO PAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. Members may contribute where eligible and permitted by applicable law.

Contribution rules, limits, reporting requirements, and eligibility may vary depending on federal, state, and local law. Participation in PAC activity is not required for NARO membership.

This information is provided for general educational purposes and should not be treated as legal, tax, financial, or campaign finance advice.