H.R. 1366 · 119TH CONGRESSSenate · Mar 17, 2026

Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2025

Introduced

HousePassed

Senate

Resolving Differences

President

Became Law

Description

This bill would allow mining operators to use federal lands for waste disposal and support activities regardless of mineral content.

Bill text replaced

This bill's text was replaced via an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Some metadata (subjects, policy area, committees) may reflect the original bill and not the current text.

Summary

AI summary based on the official CRS summary on Congress.gov.

What it does

This bill would allow mining operators to use federal lands for support activities, such as waste disposal, without first proving that those specific lands contain valuable mineral deposits. It proposes to clarify that operators may include necessary mill site claims within their plans of operations and use public land accordingly, addressing a 2022 court ruling regarding land use requirements. Additionally, the bill would establish the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund, using fees from these claims to finance the reclamation of abandoned mine sites.

Who is affected

This bill affects mining operators by allowing them to use federal lands for ancillary activities, such as waste disposal, without first establishing the presence of valuable mineral deposits. The Department of the Interior is also affected, as it is tasked with managing the newly established Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund for reclamation activities. Additionally, the legislation impacts entities involved in mill site claims by directing their associated fees toward the reclamation fund.

Key provisions

Authorization of ancillary mining activities on federal lands. The bill permits mining operators to use federal lands for activities such as waste disposal regardless of whether the specific land contains valuable mineral deposits.
Modification of mill site claim requirements. Mining operators are allowed to include as many mill site claims in their plan of operations as are reasonably necessary for their activities, addressing legal precedents regarding waste rock disposal sites.
Establishment of the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund. The bill creates a dedicated fund for abandoned hardrock mine reclamation activities, managed by the Department of the Interior.
Allocation of mill site claim fees. Revenue generated from fees associated with mill site claims must be deposited into the newly established Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund.

Fiscal impact

Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available

Effective dates

Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates

Relationship to existing law

This bill modifies the application of the Mining Act by addressing a 2022 U.S. Court of Appeals decision regarding the Rosemont Copper Mine, specifically clarifying that mining operators may use federal lands for ancillary activities without first establishing mineral validity. It also expands the use of mill site claims for waste disposal and directs related fee revenue into a newly established Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund for reclamation activities.

Stated purpose

The bill aims to clarify federal land use regulations for mining by allowing operators to use public lands for ancillary activities, such as waste disposal, regardless of whether those lands contain valuable mineral deposits. It specifically addresses a 2022 judicial decision by authorizing the use of mill site claims for mining operations and establishing a fund for the reclamation of abandoned hardrock mines.

Lifecycle of the Bill

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 951. (consideration: CR H6044-6049)

Dec 18, 2025

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.

Dec 18, 2025

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1366.

Dec 18, 2025

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

Dec 18, 2025

Ms. Leger Fernandez moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H6049)

Dec 18, 2025

The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

Dec 18, 2025

POSTPONED 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 18, 2025

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6069-6070)

Dec 18, 2025

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 205 - 213 (Roll no. 357).

Dec 18, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 198 (Roll no. 358).

Dec 18, 2025

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 198 (Roll no. 358). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6044)

Dec 18, 2025

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Dec 18, 2025

HousePassed

On Passage

219 Yes

198 No

VotePassageHouse

The House passed the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act on a party-line vote, sending the measure to the Senate for further consideration.

Analysis

The House passed the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act following one hour of floor debate and the rejection of a motion to recommit the bill to committee. The measure was approved on a party-line vote, meeting the simple majority threshold required for passage. With this action completed in the House, the bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

Implications

The Mining Regulatory Clarity Act passed the House on a party-line vote and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. Having completed its House floor action, the bill's next procedural steps will be determined by the Senate's legislative schedule.

AI-generated summary

Dec 18, 2025

HouseFailed

On Motion to Recommit

205 Yes

213 No

VoteRecommitHouse

The House rejected a motion to recommit the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act on a party-line vote.

Analysis

The House rejected a motion to recommit the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act to the Committee on Natural Resources following floor debate. The procedural motion failed on a party-line vote after the previous question was ordered. This vote served as a final opportunity for the minority to return the bill to committee before the chamber proceeded toward a final decision on the legislation.

Implications

The failure of the motion to recommit on a party-line vote prevented the bill from being sent back to the Committee on Natural Resources with instructions to amend. With this final procedural hurdle cleared, the House was able to proceed toward a final vote on the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act. The bill has since moved to the Senate for further consideration.

AI-generated summary

H.Amdt.141Agreed To

Substitute amendment

Dec 18, 2025

Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 357.

Mar 17, 2026

Summary

What it does

Who is affected

Key provisions

Fiscal impact

Effective dates

Relationship to existing law

Stated purpose

Summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Analysis

Implications

Analysis

Implications

Lifecycle of the BillSenate · Mar 17, 2026

Bill Information

Sponsors & Co-sponsors (3)

Policy Area

Legislative Subjects (3)

Related Legislation (3)

Committees (1)

CBO Cost Estimate

External Links

Analysis

Implications

Analysis

Implications