119th Congress · introduced in the Senate · Feb 12, 2025
Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Feb 11, 2026): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 334.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Environmental Protection
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in Senate (Feb 12, 2025)
Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
This bill allows mining operators to use federal lands for activities ancillary to mining, such as waste disposal, regardless of whether those lands contain mineral deposits valuable enough to be mined (mineral validity). It also establishes the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund.
The bill addresses a 2022 decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit related to the Rosemont Copper Mine in Arizona (commonly known as the Rosemont decision, described further in CRS Report R48166). The court held that mining claims are only allowed where mineral validity has been established and that mill site claims are more appropriate means for establishing a mining waste disposal site under the Mining Act.
The bill allows a mining operator to (1) locate and include within its plan of operations as many mill site claims (e.g., areas for waste rock disposal) as are reasonably necessary for its operations, and (2) use or occupy public land in accordance with an approved plan of operations.
Additionally, the bill requires any revenue generated from fees for such mill site claims to be deposited into the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund. The Department of the Interior must use the fund for certain abandoned hardrock mine reclamation activities.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 334.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. With written report No. 119-105.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. With written report No. 119-105.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-46.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Introduced in Senate
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Government trust funds · Land use and conservation · Mining
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsCoverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 24, 2026.
109 citations; showing the 25 most recently posted.
NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$700,000
Spent on own lobbying
S. 1130 / H.R. 2457, Mining Schools Act, All Titles S. 544 / H.R. 1366, Mining Regulatory Clarity Act, All Titles S. 859 / H.R. 1865, Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act, All Titles H.R. 4776, Standardizing P…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
EARTHJUSTICE ACTION · lobbying firm or registrant: EARTHJUSTICE ACTION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$142,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R. 8800/S. 4784 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 H.R. 1366/S.544 - Mining Regulatory Clarity Act H.R. 471/S.1462 - Fix Our Forests Act H.R.10061 - Wildfire Response and Readiness Act H.J. Res 151 - Grand Staircase Escalante…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
PERPETUA RESOURCES · lobbying firm or registrant: CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$80,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…S. 4784). S.5653 - Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 Mining policy and mine permitting. H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act implementation S.544 & H.R.1366 - Mining Regulatory Clarity Act FPISC permitting Mineral processing ExIM financing Electric transmission infrastructure serving project Permitting r…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN EXPLORATION & MINING ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN EXPLORATION & MINING ASSOCIATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$20,000
Spent on own lobbying
…R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act Support implementation of Executive Order 14241, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production Support S. 544, the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act Support S. 714, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act Oppose S. 859, the Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act Suppor…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
RESOLUTION COPPER MINING LLC · lobbying firm or registrant: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…2024 Discussions regarding a Federal Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) P.L. 119-21, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, provisions pertaining to natural resources S. 544, Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (all sections of full text) Monitored discussions on permitting reform Monitored H.R. 3838, Streamlining Procurement for Effecti…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
PERPETUA RESOURCES, CORP. · lobbying firm or registrant: JIM MASSIE & PARTNERS, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Environment/Superfund
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
1366 / S. 544 - Mining Regulatory Clarity Act Issues related to permitting reform, including NEPA updates and legislative permitting reform efforts Issues related to reclama…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
EARTHWORKS · lobbying firm or registrant: EARTHWORKS
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$40,000
Spent on own lobbying
S. 859 Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act S. 544 and HR 1366 Mining Regulatory Clarity Act HR 4090, a bill to codify mining Executive Orders and other purposes HR 4776 SPEED Act re: National Environmental Pol…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS · lobbying firm or registrant: LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$220,000
Spent on own lobbying
…Urged Congress to oppose attacks on Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Opposed HR 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025. Opposed S.544/H.R.1366, the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act. Urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service to retain the existing Travel Management Rule wit…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NEWMONT MINING CORPORATION · lobbying firm or registrant: CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Real Estate/Land Use/Conservation
$50,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Monitoring permitting bills: S.544 & H.R.1366 - Mining Regulatory Clarity Act H.R. 4776 - SPEED Act overstaking issues Permitting reform
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
RACY & ASSOCIATES (ON BEHALF OF PIMA COUNTY) · lobbying firm or registrant: CAPITOL STRATEGIES, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$10,000
Paid to lobbying firm
S.544/HR.1366 - Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
TROUT UNLIMITED · lobbying firm or registrant: TROUT UNLIMITED
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 18, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$120,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ation Act, H.R.9616; Legacy Mine Cleanup Act, H.R.3713/S.2741; Local Input Act, H.R. 9924/S.5118; MERICA Act, H.R.3872; Mining Regulatory Clarity Act, H.R.1366/S.544; Stop Orphaned Wells Act, H.R.10721/S.5630. Legislation to reauthorize a federal highway bill, the BUILD America 250 Act, H.R.8870; particularly programs to su…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BARRICK GOLD OF NORTH AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: BARRICK GOLD OF NORTH AMERICA
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 16, 2026 · issue area: Real Estate/Land Use/Conservation
$300,000
Spent on own lobbying
Sage grouse-related conservation issues, permitting and post mine closure clean up. Issues related to the general mining law. Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (S. 544 & H.R. 1366). House Interior Appropriations. (H.R. 9171); permitting reform discussions.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BARRICK GOLD OF NORTH AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: BARRICK GOLD OF NORTH AMERICA
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 16, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$300,000
Spent on own lobbying
Sage grouse-related conservation issues, permitting and post mine closure clean up. Issues related to the general mining law. Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (S. 544 & H.R. 1366). House Interior Appropriations. (H.R. 9171); permitting reform discussions.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
IONEER USA CORPORATION · lobbying firm or registrant: MARCUS G. FAUST, PC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 16, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…rmitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (SPEED Act) ●H.R. 3898 - Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act (PERMIT Act) ●H.R.1366/S. 544 - Mining Regulatory Clarity Act ●Monitoring Presidential Actions relating to critical minerals ●Monitoring nominations for Cabinet-level positions, including h…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BARRICK GOLD OF NORTH AMERICA INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 7, 2026 · issue area: Real Estate/Land Use/Conservation
$100,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Sage grouse-related conservation issues, permitting and post mine closure clean up. Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (S. 544 & H.R. 1366). House Interior Appropriations. (H.R. 9171); permitting reform discussions.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
KINROSS GOLD U.S.A., INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 7, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
S. 544 & H.R. 1366 - Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2025; Operation and permitting of Nevada mines.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
EARTHWORKS · lobbying firm or registrant: EARTHWORKS
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$40,000
Spent on own lobbying
S. 859 Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act S. 544 and HR 1366 Mining Regulatory Clarity Act HR 4090, a bill to codify mining Executive Orders and other purposes HR 4776 SPEED Act re: National Environmental Pol…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$820,000
Spent on own lobbying
S. 1130 / H.R. 2457, Mining Schools Act, All Titles S. 544 / H.R. 1366, Mining Regulatory Clarity Act, All Titles S. 859 / H.R. 1865, Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act, All Titles S. 714 / H.R. 755, Critica…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
TROUT UNLIMITED · lobbying firm or registrant: TROUT UNLIMITED
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$120,000
Spent on own lobbying
…logy Assessment Initiative Authorization Act, H.R.9616; Legacy Mine Cleanup Act, H.R.3713/S.2741; MERICA Act, H.R.3872; Mining Regulatory Clarity Act, H.R.1366/S.544. Legislation to reauthorize a federal highway bill, the BUILD America 250 Act, H.R.8870; particularly programs to support fish and wildlife connectivity includ…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN EXPLORATION & MINING ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN EXPLORATION & MINING ASSOCIATION
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$15,000
Spent on own lobbying
…R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act Support implementation of Executive Order 14241, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production Support S. 544, the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act Support S. 714, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act Oppose S. 859, the Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act Suppor…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
IONEER USA CORPORATION · lobbying firm or registrant: MARCUS G. FAUST, PC
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (SPEED Act) H.R. 3898, Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act (PERMIT Act) H.R.1366/S. 544, Mining Regulatory Clarity Act Monitoring Presidential Actions relating to critical minerals Monitoring nominations for Cabinet-level positions, including hear…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
RESOLUTION COPPER MINING LLC · lobbying firm or registrant: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…2024 Discussions regarding a Federal Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) P.L. 119-21, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, provisions pertaining to natural resources S. 544, Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (all sections of full text) Monitored discussions on permitting reform Monitored H.R. 3838, Streamlining Procurement for Effecti…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
REGENERATION ENTERPRISES, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$50,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…itan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 Discussions pertaining to Department of Energy and Department of Defense funding for critical minerals S. 544, the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (all sections of full text) Monitored S. 2741, the Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2025 Monitored H.R. 3713, the Legacy Mine Clea…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BARRICK GOLD OF NORTH AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: BARRICK GOLD OF NORTH AMERICA
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Real Estate/Land Use/Conservation
$300,000
Spent on own lobbying
Sage grouse-related conservation issues, permitting and post mine closure clean up. Issues related to the general mining law. Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (S. 544 & H.R. 1366). House Interior Appropriations. (H.R. 9171)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BARRICK GOLD OF NORTH AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: BARRICK GOLD OF NORTH AMERICA
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$300,000
Spent on own lobbying
Sage grouse-related conservation issues, permitting and post mine closure clean up. Issues related to the general mining law. Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (S. 544 & 1366). House Interior Appropriations. (H.R. 9171)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing