Bill · S. 362· Senate(119-S-362)
A bill to allow certain Federal minerals to be mined consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- 2/3/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 332.
- Sponsored by
- Steve Daines
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill allows for the mining of Federal coal reserves under Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988. The mining must follow the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification. The specific land involved consists of approximately 800 acres in Musselshell County, Montana. This authorization is set to last for one year from the date the Act is enacted. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior is required to approve the modification within 30 days of enactment.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The bill provides a legal pathway for mining companies to extract value from leased federal land.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The bill facilitates industrial activity in rural Montana, which can impact local economies.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
The bill authorizes coal mining operations which can facilitate local employment.
The opposite
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?-3
The bill directly authorizes the extraction and production of coal, a fossil fuel.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Authorization of Mining Operations: The bill allows all Federal coal reserves leased under Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988 to be mined according to the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification (Section 1, subsection b, paragraph 1).
-
Streamlined Approval Process: The Secretary of the Interior is mandated to approve the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification without modification or delay within 30 days of the Act's enactment (Section 1, subsection b, paragraph 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited Duration of Authorization: The authorization to mine the Federal coal reserves is limited to a period of 1 year from the date of the Act's enactment (Section 1, subsection b, paragraph 1).
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+4Good For Rural Residents+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+2Reduces Fossil Fuel Production-3
- 2/11/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment. With written report No. 119-103.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 332.
- 4/9/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
- 3/12/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-46.
- 2/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana