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Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Nov 22, 1993
Hardrock Mining Reform Act of 1993 - Renames the Act of July 23, 1955, as the Surface Resources Act of 1955, and the Act of July 31, 1947, as the Materials Act of 1947. Sets forth fees for mining claim location and maintenance, including waivers and reduced fees for claimants holding fewer than 50 claims. Amends certain Federal mining law to limit the requirement that at least $100 worth of labor or improvements be performed annually on claims located after May 1872 to claims that are eligible for a waiver or reduced fee under this Act. Imposes royalties upon the production and sale of locatable minerals from any mining claim located after enactment of this Act. Establishes the Hardrock Mining Royalty Review Commission to review and report to certain congressional committees on the effect of such royalties upon the hardrock mining industry. Sets forth limitations upon federally issued mining patents. Prohibits mineral activities on Federal land that cause more than a minimal disturbance of surface resources unless a plan of operations has been approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Mandates that: (1) all operations under such plan be conducted in accordance with Federal and State environmental laws and be inspected quarterly for compliance and/or enforcement; (2) lands patented after enactment of this Act be subject to State and/or Federal mining reclamation laws; and (3) financial assurances for land reclamation be provided. Proscribes full- or part-time residential occupancy of a mining claim. Amends the Surface Resources Act of 1955 to subject certain mineral deposits to the disposal requirements of the Materials Act of 1947. Prescribes percentage guidelines for allocation of receipts received under this Act between the Federal Treasury and the applicable State treasury. Establishes the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation Program under which grants shall be made to eligible States for reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past hardrock mining. Directs the Secretary to approve any State abandoned minerals mine reclamation program upon finding that it has the means and necessary legislation to implement such program, and the program complies with this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
People & committees
Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3] · D–WV
Legislative record
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Conference held.
Conference committee actions: Conference held.
The Speaker appointed additional conferees - from the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries for consideration of secs. 3, 201-09, 301-04 and 414 of the House bill, and secs. 7, 8, and 12 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Studds, Hughes, and Fields (TX).
The Speaker appointed additional conferees - from the Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration of secs. 3, 201-08, 301-03, 414 and 420 of the House bill, and secs. 7, 8 and 12 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Dingell, Swift, and Crapo.
The Speaker appointed additional conferees - from the Committee on Education and Labor for consideration of sec. 7 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Ford (MI), Murphy, and Fawell.
The Speaker appointed additional conferees - from the Committee on Agriculture for consideration of secs. 107, 201-09, 301-04, 404, 407, 408, 411, 416, 418 and 419 of the House bill, and secs. 7-10 and 12 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: de la Garza, Rose, and Roberts.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Speaker appointed conferees: Miller (CA), Lehman, Rahall, Young (AK), and Vucanovich.
On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection.
Mr. Miller (CA) asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate insists on its amendment asks for a conference, appoints conferees Johnston; Bumpers; Akaka; Bradley; Wallop; Murkowski; Craig.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S16984)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S16984)
Senate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 775.
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 316 - 108 (Roll no. 577).
House roll call 577 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 316 - 108 (Roll no. 577).
House roll call 577 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 148 - 270 (Roll no. 576).
House roll call 576 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Crapo motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion require the bill to be reported back to the House with provisions that result in assurances that no net job losses will occur as meaured by existing Department of Interior economic models.
Mr. Crapo moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H10060-10062)
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.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 322.
Considered as unfinished business.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10054-10063)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 322 as unfinished business.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Barbara B. Kennelly to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 303 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 322 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill. Measure will be read by title. Bill is open to amendments.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 303. (consideration: CR H9740-9799)
Rule H. Res. 303 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 303 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 322 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill. Measure will be read by title. Bill is open to amendments.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 185.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 103-338.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 103-338.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 14.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
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
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Source last updated: Feb 7, 2024. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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