Bill · S. 3708· Senate(119-S-3708)
MERICA Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/28/2026
- Last activity
- 1/28/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Tom Cotton
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "MERICA Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands. The primary purpose is to make the Act applicable to hardrock minerals. It updates various definitions within the existing law, including the terms "oil," "lease," "Secretary," and "United States." It also introduces a specific definition for "hardrock mineral," which includes base metals, precious metals, industrial metals, and certain gemstones. Finally, it amends section 3 of the Act to include hardrock minerals alongside sulfur.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+3
The expansion of mineral definitions provides more opportunities for mining industry business owners to lease land.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The potential for increased mining activity may provide economic benefits to rural communities where these minerals are located.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
Expanding mineral leasing to include hardrock minerals may facilitate new mining operations and related employment.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Expansion of Mineral Definitions: The bill defines "hardrock mineral" to include deposits of base metals, precious metals, industrial metals, and precious and semi-precious gemstones (Section 2, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph H, Clause 2, Subclause A). This expansion of what constitutes a hardrock mineral could impact how these resources are handled under the law.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exclusion of Specific Minerals: The bill explicitly excludes coal, oil, oil shale, gas, sodium, potassium, sulfur, and certain mineral materials from the definition of "hardrock mineral" (Section 2, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph H, Clause 2, Subclause B). This sets specific limits on what the new definition covers.
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+3Good For Rural Residents+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 9/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/28/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas