Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 334.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- 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
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Mining proprietors gain increased flexibility to locate necessary mill sites for their operations.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill provides flexibility for mining operations to secure necessary land for mill sites, which can support ongoing mining activities.
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Providing clear rules for mill site locations helps mining proprietors manage their operations more efficiently.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
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
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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. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Providing clear rules for mill site locations helps mining proprietors manage their operations more efficiently. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides flexibility for mining operations to secure necessary land for mill sites, which can support ongoing mining activities. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Streamlining the location of mill sites may facilitate more efficient mineral development and industry operations.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Mining proprietors gain increased flexibility to locate necessary mill sites for their operations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Increased mining operational efficiency and reclamation funding can support rural economies where mining occurs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes a specific fund with defined sources and uses for oversight.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill's focus on land use for mining does not directly impact housing availability, though it manages public land use.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The establishment of the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund helps provide resources for infrastructure and reclamation projects related to abandoned mines. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill allows for more mill sites which may increase the amount of land used for waste rock and tailings disposal.
- 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