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HOUSE 3872119th CongressCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

MERICA Act of 2025

Last Action
6/10/2026

Actions

  • 2026-06-10Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
  • 2026-02-12Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
  • 2025-12-16Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  • 2025-12-15Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • 2025-12-15On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884)
  • 2025-12-15Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884)
  • 2025-12-15DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3872.
  • 2025-12-15Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5884-5885)
  • 2025-12-15Mr. Stauber moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  • 2025-10-31Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 309.
  • 2025-10-31Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-357.
  • 2025-10-31Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-357.
  • 2025-09-17Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
  • 2025-09-17Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  • 2025-09-17Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged

Showing 15 of 20 actions. Full history on Congress.gov.

CRS Summary

As of 2025-10-31 (07)

This bill specifies that all federally acquired lands are eligible to be considered for hardrock mineral leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (MLAAL). The bill defines the term hardrock mineral to (1) include deposits of minerals found in sedimentary or other rocks, base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, and precious and semi-precious gemstones; and (2) exclude deposits of coal, oil, oil shale, gas, sodium, potassium, sulfur, or mineral materials subject to disposition under the Materials Act of 1947.

By way of background, hardrock minerals are not currently listed under the MLAAL as deposits subject to a lease, while mineral resources such as coal, phosphate, oil, gas, gilsonite, and sulfur are listed. As a result, federal lands may be leased for mining hardrock minerals only if the federal lands were acquired under a statute, such as the Weeks Act, that specifically authorizes the land to be used for hardrock mineral leasing.

Cosponsors (2)

  • Nathaniel Moran (R-TX)
  • Pat Harrigan (R-NC)

Subjects

  • Alaska
  • Land transfers
  • Licensing and registrations
  • Metals
  • Mining
  • Oil and gas
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.