Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 373.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Mar 25, 2014
Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to require state programs for regulation of surface coal mining to incorporate the necessary rule concerning excess spoil, coal mine waste, and buffers for perennial and intermittent streams published by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement on December 12, 2008.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) publish notice of a determination when all states that wish to assume exclusive jurisdiction of such mining regulation have incorporated the rule in their programs; (2) assess the effectiveness of the rule's implementation during the five-year period following such notice; (3) carry out all required consultation on the benefits and other impacts of the implementation of the rule to any threatened or endangered species, with the participation of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the United States Geological Survey (USGS); and (4) report to Congress an evaluation of the rule's effectiveness, any ways in which it inhibits energy production, and any proposed changes to the rule. Prohibits issuance of any regulations regarding stream buffer zones or protection before publication of the report, other than a rule necessary to implement incorporation of the December 2008 rule described in this Act. Requires each state with an approved program for regulation of surface coal mining to submit program amendments incorporating such rule within two years of enactment of this Act.
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H2633)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bera motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to clarify that the underlying bill does not limit the right of the Department of the Interior or of any state to prioritize (1) the hiring of unemployed workers, including veterans, or (2) the use of US-made equipment and materials in mining operations.
Mr. Bera (CA) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H2633-2634; text: CR H2633)
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2629)
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2824.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Cartwright Part B amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Cartwright demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisons of H.Res. 501, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cartwright Part B amendment no. 2.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Lowenthal Part B amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Lowenthal demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 501, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lowenthal Part B amendment no. 1.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2824.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 501 and Rule XVIII.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Woodall to act as Chairman of the Committee.
The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2824 and H.R. 2641. The resolution provides one hour of general debate for each bill and makes in order specified amendments printed in the Rules Committee Report 113-374. The resolution provides one motion to recommit.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 501. (consideration: CR H2621-2634, H2634-2635)
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 501 Reported to House. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2824 and H.R. 2641. The resolution provides one hour of general debate for each bill and makes in order specified amendments printed in the Rules Committee Report 113-374. The resolution provides one motion to recommit.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 270.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 113-364.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 113-364.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 15.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Bill text & related measures
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Explore the bill from different angles
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Neutral evidence review
Objective
Analyze H.R.2824 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact
Progressive lens
Examine H.R.2824 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope
Conservative lens
Examine H.R.2824 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power
Liberty lens
Examine H.R.2824 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.