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H.R.1265 / 109th Congress

Abandoned Hardrock Mines Reclamation Funding Act

Executive Comment Requested from Interior.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 10, 2005

Abandoned Hardrock Mines Reclamation Funding Act - Requires any person producing hardrock minerals from a mine within an unpatented mining claim or a mine on land that was patented under the general mining laws to pay a reclamation fee to the Secretary of the Interior.

Requires the fee amount to be equal to a percentage of the net proceeds derived from the mine, with the percentage based upon the ratio of the net proceeds to the gross proceeds related to mineral production in accordance with a specified table. Exempts gross proceeds of less than $500,000 from minerals produced in any calendar year from the fee for that year if such proceeds are from mines located in a single patented claim or on two or more contiguous patented claims.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) deposit amounts received into the Abandoned Minerals Mine Reclamation Fund (established by this Act); and (2) reduce a fee required by this Act by an amount equal to a royalty paid pursuant to an Act of Congress that provides for crediting to the Fund royalties paid to the Secretary regarding hardrock mineral production.

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Lists permissible uses of the Fund, including: (1) the reclamation and restoration of abandoned surface mined areas; (2) the planting of land adversely affected by past mining to prevent erosion and sedimentation; (3) the prevention, abatement, treatment, and control of water pollution created by abandoned mine drainage; and (4) the control of surface subsidence due to abandoned deep mines.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Udall, Mark [D-CO-2] · D–CO

Committees

  • Natural Resources Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Executive Comment Requested from Interior.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Resources.

  4. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E430-432)

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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