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Congress·Reported·S. 544

Mining: New Rules for Waste Storage and Cleanup

Mining Regulatory Clarity Act

12 months ago·View on Congress.gov
Part of: Mining Expansion Bills Link Public Land Use to Abandoned Mine Cleanup

Legislative Progress

Senate
House
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill, introduced by Senator Cortez Masto, allows mining companies to use more public land for storing waste and processing materials. Companies could set up as many five-acre sites as they need to run their operations, provided the government approves their specific plans.
  • The policy aims to clear up legal confusion about how much land a mine can use for activities other than digging, such as piling up leftover rock and dirt. This helps mining projects move forward by giving them a clear legal path for managing their waste.
  • A new fund would be created to help clean up old, dangerous mines that were left behind in the past. The money for this cleanup would come from fees that mining companies pay to maintain their new waste storage and processing sites.
  • While companies get more space for waste, they do not get ownership of the minerals under these specific sites. They also cannot turn this public land into private property, and they must still follow existing environmental and historic preservation laws.

Milestones

4 milestones7 actions
Feb 11, 2026Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 334.

Feb 11, 2026Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. With written report No. 119-105.

Apr 9, 2025Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Mar 12, 2025Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

Mar 12, 2025Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-46.

Related Bills

2 bills
H.R. 1366Related bill

Mining Regulatory Clarity Act

Dec 18 — Received in the Senate.

H.R. 4754Related bill

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Jul 24 — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 175.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Mining Regulatory Clarity Act

Bill NumberS 544
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 334.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(4)
D: 1R: 3

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.