A bill to amend title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, to provide for acquisition and reclamation of land adversely affected by past coal mining practices, and for other purposes.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 6, 1994

Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to authorize: (1) the use of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund (the Fund) to establish State administered programs to insure private property against damages from landslides caused by past coal mining activities; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior, or the State, under specified circumstances, to acquire dwellings adversely affected by such activities in lieu of performing reclamation activities. Revises the guidelines for: (1) land acquisition; and (2) use of the Fund to relocate private residences threatened by past mining abuse, if relocation will result in significant cost savings over performing emergency reclamation activities, and safeguard the public health and safety.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY] · D–KY

Committees

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 6, 1994
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Oct 6, 1994
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14503-14504)
Oct 6, 1994
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Oct 6, 1994 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.2519 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

Discuss S.2519, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, to provide for acquisition and reclamation of land adversely affected by past coal mining practices, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2519

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-10-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2519/BILLS-103s2519is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:12:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.2519 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.2519 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

Discuss S.2519, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, to provide for acquisition and reclamation of land adversely affected by past coal mining practices, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2519

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-10-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2519/BILLS-103s2519is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:12:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2519 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.2519 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

Discuss S.2519, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, to provide for acquisition and reclamation of land adversely affected by past coal mining practices, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2519

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-10-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2519/BILLS-103s2519is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:12:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2519 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.2519 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2519, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, to provide for acquisition and reclamation of land adversely affected by past coal mining practices, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2519

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-10-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2519/BILLS-103s2519is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:12:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2519 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.