Bill · H.R. 7872· House(119-HR-7872)
To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to provide for the payment of bonus payments of certain coal leases issued under that Act.
- Introduced
- 3/9/2026
- Last activity
- 3/25/2026 — Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Sponsored by
- Harriet Hageman
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes an amendment to the Mineral Leasing Act. It specifically addresses bonus payments for certain coal leases issued under that Act. Under this proposal, leases that use a system of deferred bonus payments would change how those payments are handled. The payments would be required to be paid in 10 equal annual installments. The first of these annual payments must be submitted at the time the bid for the lease is made.
Yes
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+3
The bill accelerates the collection of bonus payments by requiring the first installment to be submitted at the time of the bid.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
The bill requires lease bidders to provide an upfront installment payment at the time of the bid, increasing initial capital requirements.
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?-1
By requiring upfront payments, the bill increases the initial cost of acquiring coal leases.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Installment Structure: The bill establishes a predictable payment schedule where bonus payments are paid in 10 equal annual installments (Section 1). This provides a structured method for handling deferred bonus payments for leases issued under the Mineral Leasing Act.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Upfront Payment Requirement: The bill requires that the first of the ten annual installments be submitted with the bid for the lease (Section 1). This means a payment must be made at the time of the bid rather than waiting for a later date.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Fossil Fuel Production-1
- 3/25/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 3/18/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- 3/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.