Votes on eight natural resources bills

Mining Regulatory Clarity Act

• Allows multiple mill-site claims: A mining operator could locate as many mill-site claims as are reasonably necessary for operations connected to a lode or placer claim in an approved plan, including waste-rock or tailings disposal. Each site could be no larger than 5 acres; it would convey no mineral rights and could not be patented
• Allows use of public land: An operator could use or occupy public land under an approved plan of operations. The bill would not open land closed to mining or remove federal authority to regulate mining and related activities
• Creates an abandoned-mine fund: Claim-maintenance fees collected on mill sites created under the bill would go into a new fund. The Interior Department could spend available money, without further appropriations, only on abandoned hardrock mine reclamation activities under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

1. Introduced
2. In committee
3. Reported
4. Passed House
5. Passed Senate
6. Law

What’s next: Passed the House. Next step: the Senate.