Mining Schools Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator John Barrasso
Introduced
Summary
Strengthens U.S. mining education and workforce for critical minerals and cleaner extraction. This bill would create a competitive grant program to help mining schools recruit and train the next generation of mining engineers and related professionals focused on domestic mineral security and lower-impact mining.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New DOE mining school grants
If enacted, the bill would create a Domestic Mining Education Strengthening Program at the Department of Energy. The program would award up to 10 competitive grants per year. It would authorize $10 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2033. Grants must be awarded by the later of 180 days after the fiscal year starts or 180 days after the DOE full-year appropriations act is enacted. Schools that get grants would use the money to recruit students and improve mining and mineral programs, including work on critical minerals, rare earths, reclamation, recycling, and methods that cut environmental and water impacts.
New mining training advisory board
If enacted, the bill would establish a six-member Mining Professional Development Advisory Board. The Secretary of Energy must appoint three industry practitioners and three academics within 180 days after enactment. The Board would review grant applications, recommend recipients and amounts, and oversee use of awarded funds. The Secretary would have to consider the Board's recommendations and publish a written justification accepting or rejecting any recommendation within 15 days after an awarded grant.
Repeal of mining institutes law
If enacted, the bill would repeal the Mining and Mineral Resources Institutes Act (30 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.). That repeal would remove the existing statutory authority under that chapter. Programs or entities that relied on that law could lose statutory support. The bill does not specify replacement funding or a transition plan.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
John Barrasso
WY • R
Cosponsors
John Hickenlooper
CO • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
John Hoeven
ND • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Catherine Cortez Masto
NV • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
James Justice
WV • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Michael Bennet
CO • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
John Curtis
UT • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Mark Kelly
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Jacky Rosen
NV • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Ruben Gallego
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Lisa Murkowski
AK • R
Sponsored 3/26/2025
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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