Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Extension and Reform Act of 2005

H.R. 2721, the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Extension and Reform Act of 2005, proposes to update and extend the federal program responsible for cleaning up hazardous abandoned coal mines. The bill would change how funds are distributed to states and Indian tribes to ensure that money is prioritized for high-priority safety and environmental hazards, such as unstable cliffs, open mine shafts, and water pollution. For citizens living in coal-impacted regions, the bill aims to streamline the emergency reclamation process and provides new incentives for mining companies to "remine" and restore abandoned sites that were left unreclaimed by previous operators.