Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co. v. Oklahoma ex rel. Commissioners of the Land Office

EBEL, Circuit Judge.

This appeal concerns the constitutionality of an Oklahoma law, Senate Bill 160 (“SB 160”), that amended Oklahoma statutory obligations owed by purchasers and producers of oil and natural gas to owners of royalty interests. SB 160 became effective in 1985 and remained so until July 1, 1993, when it was effectively repealed and replaced by legislation that is not challenged by these parties. The district court, exercising jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331, ruled, on summary judgment, that SB 160 violated the Supremacy Clause, the Contracts Clause, and the Fourteenth…