Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
- Last Action
- 3/17/2026
Actions
- 2026-03-17Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 357.
- 2025-12-18Received in the Senate.
- 2025-12-18Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-12-18On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 198 (Roll no. 358). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6044)
- 2025-12-18Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 198 (Roll no. 358).
- 2025-12-18On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 205 - 213 (Roll no. 357).
- 2025-12-18Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6069-6070)
- 2025-12-18POSTPONED 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.
- 2025-12-18The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- 2025-12-18Ms. Leger Fernandez moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H6049)
- 2025-12-18The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- 2025-12-18DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1366.
- 2025-12-18Rule 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.
- 2025-12-18Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 951. (consideration: CR H6044-6049)
- 2025-12-16Rules 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.
Showing 15 of 20 actions. Full history on Congress.gov.
CRS Summary
As of 2025-11-25 (07)
Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
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.
Cosponsors (2)
- Steven Horsford (D-NV)
- Nicholas Begich (R-AK)
Subjects
- Government trust funds
- Land use and conservation
- Mining
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
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