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Bill119th CongressFiled Jun 10, 2025Energy
H.R. 3872

To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals.

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

Filed
Comm.
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Law

What it doesSummary reported to house (Oct 31, 2025)

This bill specifies that all federally acquired lands are eligible to be considered for hardrock mineral leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (MLAAL). The bill defines the term hardrock mineral to (1) include deposits of minerals found in sedimentary or other rocks, base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, and precious and semi-precious gemstones; and (2) exclude deposits of coal, oil, oil shale, gas, sodium, potassium, sulfur, or mineral materials subject to disposition under the Materials Act of 1947.

By way of background, hardrock minerals are not currently listed under the MLAAL as deposits subject to a lease, while mineral resources such as coal, phosphate, oil, gas, gilsonite, and sulfur are listed. As a result, federal lands may be leased for mining hardrock minerals only if the federal lands were acquired under a statute, such as the Weeks Act, that specifically authorizes the land to be used for hardrock mineral leasing.

What just happenedSep 17, 2026

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 669.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4](R-TX)Sponsor
2 cosponsors2 R
Read on Congress.gov
2cosponsors2committees23actions7subjects
  1. Sep 17, 2026Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 669.

  2. Sep 17, 2026Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  3. Sep 17, 2026Committee14000

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  4. Jun 10, 2026Committee

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

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  5. Feb 12, 2026Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

    Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee
  6. Dec 16, 2025IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  7. Dec 15, 2025FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Dec 15, 2025FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884)

  9. Dec 15, 2025Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884)

  10. Dec 15, 2025FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3872.

  11. Dec 15, 2025FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5884-5885)

  12. Dec 15, 2025FloorH30300

    Mr. Stauber moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  13. Oct 31, 2025CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 309.

  14. Oct 31, 2025CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-357.

    Natural Resources Committee
  15. Oct 31, 2025Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-357.

    Natural Resources Committee
  16. Sep 17, 2025Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

    Natural Resources Committee
  17. Sep 17, 2025Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

    Natural Resources Committee
  18. Sep 17, 2025Committee

    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged

    Natural Resources Committee
  19. Sep 3, 2025Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held

    Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee
  20. Jul 2, 2025Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

    Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee
  21. Jun 10, 2025IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    Natural Resources Committee
  22. Jun 10, 2025IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  23. Jun 10, 2025IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House