A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The CLAIM Act of 2025 updates the hardrock mining claim maintenance fees originally established in 1993. It implements a tiered fee structure based on how close a claim or site is to a "covered area," such as a National Park or national monument. These fees are intended to serve in lieu of assessment work requirements under the Mining Law of 1872. The bill also establishes a process for the Secretary to adjust fees for inflation every five years. Additionally, it outlines how excess claim maintenance fees should be allocated among various federal programs and entities.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill increases revenue for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.
- Scored +5
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?
The bill allocates 40% of excess fees to the program established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill directs 20% of excess funds to the Tribal Historic Preservation Program.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Mining claim holders face significantly higher annual maintenance fees than the previous $100 standard.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection for Small Miners: The bill maintains an exemption for "small miners" from the new maintenance fee requirements and assessment work requirements (Section 2, subsection (A)(4)).
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Funding for Conservation and Public Lands: Excess funds collected from claim maintenance fees are allocated to several beneficial programs, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund (10%) and the National Parks and Publics Land Legacy Restoration Fund (10%) (Section 10108).
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Support for Tribal and State Interests: The bill directs 20% of excess funds to the Tribal Historic Preservation Program and 20% to the States based on the number of mining claims located within them (Section 10108).
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Infrastructure Investment: 40% of excess funds are allocated to the program established under section 40704(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Section 10108).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Costs for Mining Claims Near Protected Areas: The bill replaces the previous $100 fee with a much higher tiered system; for example, a claim located within a "covered area" would now cost $1,100 (Section 2, subsection (A)(i)(I)).
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Increased Costs Based on Proximity: Claim holders located near protected areas face higher fees than those further away, with costs ranging from $1,000 for those within 10 miles down to $300 for those more than 30 miles away (Section 2, subsection (A)(i)(I)).
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Regular Fee Increases: The Secretary is required to adjust fees at least once every five years to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index, meaning costs may rise over time (Section 2, subsection (3)).
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Potential Additional Costs: The Secretary has the authority to establish and collect additional user fees to reimburse the United States for administrative expenses (Section 10107).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill increases revenue for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill allocates 40% of excess fees to the program established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill directs 20% of excess funds to the Tribal Historic Preservation Program.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides funding for the Tribal Historic Preservation Program. Would farmers be better off under this? — Increased funding for land and water conservation may benefit agricultural land stability. Would business owners be better off under this? — Mining claim holders face significantly higher annual maintenance fees than the previous $100 standard.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Funding for infrastructure and public lands could support long-term economic stability. Is this likely to create jobs? — The allocation of excess fees to infrastructure programs may support job creation in those sectors.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to provide notice of fee adjustments to claimants.
- 12/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California