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EnvironmentH.R. 1366Comments

Mining Regulatory Clarity Act

Official title: To provide for the location of multiple hardrock mining mill sites, to establish the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund, and for other purposes.

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Where the Bill Stands

  1. Introduced, done
  2. Committee, done
  3. Floor Vote, done
  4. Outcome, current stage

How Congress Voted

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What This Bill 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.

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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Related Documents

Bill on Congress.govWeb Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Timeline

  1. SenateRead twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 357.
  2. House floor actionsConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 951. (consideration: CR H6044-6049)
  3. Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 198 (Roll no. 358).
  4. SenateReceived in the Senate.
  5. Floor Vote
  6. Passed the House
  7. House floor actionsRules 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.
  8. House floor actionsReported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-386.
  9. House committee actionsSubcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
  10. House committee actionsSubcommittee Hearings Held
  11. House committee actionsReferred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
  12. Library of CongressIntroduced in House
  13. House floor actionsReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  14. Introduced
  15. Committee

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