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119-hr-3872119th Congress

To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals.

Sponsored By: Representative Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4]

Passed House

Summary

Extends the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to cover hardrock minerals. This bill would add a new, specific definition of “hardrock mineral” and fold those deposits into the Act’s leasing and disposition rules, explicitly bringing Alaska and other U.S. acquired lands into scope.

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  • Mining companies and prospectors: Would gain a clear federal pathway to seek leases or dispositions for base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, and gemstones on acquired lands under the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands.
  • Federal land managers and the Department of the Interior: Would adopt updated definitions and authority to regulate hardrock minerals on acquired lands and apply MLAAL processes to those resources.
  • Alaska and communities near acquired lands: Would see federal leasing and oversight explicitly extended to hardrock mineral deposits on acquired lands in Alaska as well as elsewhere.

*The amendment is definitional and does not include new spending or funding directives in the text provided.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Leases for hardrock mining on acquired lands

If enacted, the bill would add hardrock minerals to the federal leasing rules for acquired lands. Mining companies would be able to apply for leases to explore and develop these minerals on lands the United States owns, including in Alaska. Hardrock minerals would include base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, and gemstones. It would not cover coal, oil, oil shale, gas, sodium, potassium, sulfur, or materials covered by the Materials Act of 1947. The change would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 6/10/2025

  • Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 6/24/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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