Troy Downing (R-MT)
To allow certain Federal minerals to be mined consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification, and for other purposes.
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Subcommittee Hearings Held
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
This bill aims to allow for the mining of certain Federal coal reserves. It specifically targets the Federal coal lease known as MTM 97988. The mining must follow the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification. To ensure this happens, the Secretary of the Interior is required to approve the modification within 30 days of the bill becoming law. The target land consists of approximately 800 acres located in Musselshell County, Montana.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Is this likely to create jobs?
The authorization of coal mining operations likely facilitates local job creation in the mining sector.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill directly benefits mining companies and related industrial business owners.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to grow the economy?
Resource extraction can stimulate regional economic activity and growth.
The opposite· 3 of 7
- Scored -6
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
This bill explicitly facilitates the production of coal, which is a fossil fuel.
- Scored -5
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
Promoting coal mining increases reliance on fossil fuels, which negatively impacts carbon emission reduction efforts.
- Scored -4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill mandates approval of a mining plan without modification, which may bypass further environmental scrutiny.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Authorization of Mining: The bill allows for the mining of Federal coal reserves under Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988, which facilitates the extraction of these minerals (Section 1(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Mandated Approval: The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to approve the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification without modification or delay within 30 days of enactment (Section 1(b)(2)).
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 invest in rural communities? — Mining activities can provide economic stimulation to rural areas like Musselshell County. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — This bill explicitly facilitates the production of coal, which is a fossil fuel. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Promoting coal mining increases reliance on fossil fuels, which negatively impacts carbon emission reduction efforts. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill mandates approval of a mining plan without modification, which may bypass further environmental scrutiny. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The focus on fossil fuel extraction may divert attention or resources from renewable energy transitions. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill mandates a specific land-use approval, reducing discretionary federal management of public lands.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The authorization of coal mining operations likely facilitates local job creation in the mining sector. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Resource extraction can stimulate regional economic activity and growth.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill directly benefits mining companies and related industrial business owners. Would union members be better off under this? — Mining operations typically involve organized labor and union representation. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill provides potential economic opportunities for residents of rural Montana. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Industrial mining on federal lands can often negatively impact indigenous lands and resources.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill uses federal authority to mandate land-use decisions via the Secretary of the Interior. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The mandated 30-day approval period limits the opportunity for due process or administrative review.
- 5/20/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 5/13/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- 2/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
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.
Ryan ZinkeRepublican · Montana