WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 3872 · 119th Congress

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

Passed HouseEnergy
IntroducedJun 10, 2025
Passed HouseDec 15, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

What it does

Sourced

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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Oct 31, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2026-09-17Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 669.Senate
  2. 2026-09-17Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.Senate
  3. 2026-09-17Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.Library of Congress
  4. 2026-06-10Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.Senate
  5. 2026-02-12Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-305.Senate
  6. 2025-12-16Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
  7. 2025-12-15Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  8. 2025-12-15On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884)House floor actions
  9. 2025-12-15Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884)Library of Congress
  10. 2025-12-15DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3872.House floor actions
  11. 2025-12-15Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5884-5885)House floor actions
  12. 2025-12-15Mr. Stauber moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  13. 2025-10-31Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 309.House floor actions
  14. 2025-10-31Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-357.House floor actions
  15. 2025-10-31Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-357.Library of Congress
  16. 2025-09-17Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.House committee actions
  17. 2025-09-17Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  18. 2025-09-17Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources DischargedHouse committee actions
  19. 2025-09-03Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
  20. 2025-07-02Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.House committee actions
  21. 2025-06-10Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
  22. 2025-06-10Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  23. 2025-06-10Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

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Cosponsors

  • Rep. Pat Harrigan R-NC-10
  • Rep. Nathaniel Moran R-TX-1