United StatesMining Regulatory Clarity Act
What it does
This bill allows mining operators to use federal lands for activities ancillary to mining, such as waste disposal, regardless of whether those lands contain mineral deposits valuable enough to be mined (mineral validity). It also establishes the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund.
More detail
The bill addresses a 2022 decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit related to the Rosemont Copper Mine in Arizona (commonly known as the Rosemont decision, described further in CRS Report R48166). The court held that mining claims are only allowed where mineral validity has been established and that mill site claims are more appropriate means for establishing a mining waste disposal site under the Mining Act.
The bill allows a mining operator to (1) locate and include within its plan of operations as many mill site claims (e.g., areas for waste rock disposal) as are reasonably necessary for its operations, and (2) use or occupy public land in accordance with an approved plan of operations.
Additionally, the bill requires any revenue generated from fees for such mill site claims to be deposited into the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund. The Department of the Interior must use the fund for certain abandoned hardrock mine reclamation activities.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 17Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 357.Latest
- 2025
- Dec 18Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 951. (consideration: CR H6044-6049)
- Vote recorded Legislative vote recorded. Result: Passed.House
- Vote recorded Legislative vote recorded. Result: Failed.House
- Dec 18Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632 and H.R. 4371. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, under a structured rule and H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632, and H.R. 4371 under a closed rule. The resolution provides one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Dec 18DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1366.
- Dec 18The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- Dec 18Ms. Leger Fernandez moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H6049)
- Dec 18The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Dec 18POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 1366, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Leger Fernandez demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- Dec 18Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6069-6070)
- Dec 18On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 205 - 213 (Roll no. 357).
- Dec 18Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 198 (Roll no. 358).Passed House
- Dec 18On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 198 (Roll no. 358). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6044)
- Dec 18Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Dec 18Received in the Senate.
- Dec 16Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 951 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632 and H.R. 4371. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, under a structured rule and H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632, and H.R. 4371 under a closed rule. The resolution provides one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Nov 25Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-386.
- Nov 25Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 336.
- Sep 17Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
- Sep 17Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Sep 17Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 17.
- Sep 3Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Aug 29Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- Feb 14Introduced in House
- Feb 14Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.Introduced
- Dec 18Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 951. (consideration: CR H6044-6049)