1. Short title This Act may be referred to as the Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2023 . 2. Surface disturbance and reclamation Section 17(g) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(g) ) is amended to read as follows: (g) Bonding requirements (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Interim reclamation plan The term Interim Reclamation Plan means an ongoing plan specifying reclamation steps to be taken on all disturbed areas covered by any lease issued under this Act that are not needed for active operations. (B) Final reclamation plan The term Final Reclamation Plan means a plan describing all reclamation activity to be conducted for all disturbed areas, including locations, facilities, trenches, rights-of-way, roads, and any other surface disturbance covered by a lease issued under this Act prior to final abandonment. (C) Operator The term operator means, with respect to an oil or gas operation, any entity, including the lessee or operating rights owner, that has stated in writing to a relevant authority that such entity is responsible for any portion of such operation. (D) Secretary concerned The term Secretary concerned means— (i) the Secretary of the Interior for public lands administered by such Secretary