Bill · S. 544· Senate(119-S-544)
Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
- Introduced
- 2/12/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 334.
- Sponsored by
- Catherine Cortez Masto
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Mining Regulatory Clarity Act aims to provide for the location of multiple hardrock mining mill sites. It establishes the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund to manage specific collected fees. Under the bill, proprietors of lode or placer claims may locate mill site claims as reasonably necessary for their operations. These mill sites are defined as public land used for waste rock disposal or other operations related to mineral development. The bill also outlines the size of these sites and ensures they do not convey mineral rights. Additionally, it provides instructions for the allocation and use of funds within the newly created account.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Mining proprietors gain increased flexibility to locate necessary mill sites for their operations.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
The bill provides flexibility for mining operations to secure necessary land for mill sites, which can support ongoing mining activities.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+3
Providing clear rules for mill site locations helps mining proprietors manage their operations more efficiently.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
The bill allows for more mill sites which may increase the amount of land used for waste rock and tailings disposal.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Flexibility for Mining Operations: Proprietors of lode or placer claims may locate and include as many mill site claims as are reasonably necessary for their operations within a proposed plan of operations (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Funding for Infrastructure Projects: The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to use money from the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund to carry out specific sections of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Streamlined Use of Land: A mill site may be located on a tract of public land where the claimant or operator already maintains a previously located lode or placer claim (Section 2(a)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Size Limitations on Mill Sites: A single mill site location is restricted and cannot exceed 5 acres (Section 2(a)(4)).
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Restrictions on Land Ownership: A mill site under this act is specifically prohibited from being eligible for patenting (Section 2(a)(7)).
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No Mineral Rights for Mill Sites: Locating a mill site does not grant the locator any mineral rights (Section 2(a)(3)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Rural Residents+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+2Improves Environmental Protections-2
- 2/11/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. With written report No. 119-105.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 334.
- 4/9/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 3/12/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-46.
- 2/12/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada