Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
In Committee
Summary
Allows multiple hardrock mining mill sites on public land within approved plans of operations. This bill would create a clear process for siting discrete mill sites tied to an approved plan of operations while keeping Federal oversight and existing claim rights in place.
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- Mining operators: Operators could include as many mill site claims as are reasonably necessary in an approved plan of operations and use the land for mining-related waste or tailings. Each single mill site would be limited to 5 acres and may sit on tracts with existing lode or placer claims.
- Cleanup and communities: The bill creates an Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund in the Treasury paid by claim maintenance fees on these mill sites. Money in the Fund can be used, without further appropriation, to carry out reclamation activities under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- Land rights and regulation: Mill sites would not convey mineral rights or be eligible for patenting. The bill preserves the validity of existing claims and keeps Federal laws and agency authority for mining regulation intact.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Abandoned hardrock mine cleanup fund
If enacted, the bill would create an Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund in the Treasury. Claim maintenance fees collected on mill sites located under the new authority would be deposited into the Fund. The Secretary of the Interior would be able to spend Fund money without further appropriation only to carry out section 40704 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill does not change current fee amounts and follows IIJA rules for allocation and transfers.
New rules for mining mill sites
If enacted, the bill would let claimants include multiple mill sites on public land inside an approved plan of operations. Each mill site would be limited to 5 acres. Plans would need approval by the Secretary of the Interior or Agriculture under existing regulations. A mill site would not give mineral title, would not be eligible for patenting, and would not affect existing lode or placer claim validity. Federal regulatory authority and environmental laws would still apply.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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