Sponsors (3)
The bill shifts more financial responsibility for mine reclamation onto operators and strengthens bonding and oversight to protect taxpayers and communities, but it raises costs for industry—especially small operators—and increases regulatory and administrative burdens.
Taxpayers, nearby residents, and local communities will face a lower risk of shouldering mine cleanup costs because owners and controllers are more clearly held responsible (joint-and-several liability) and bonds must be recalculated on ownership transfers to cover post‑mining water treatment and reclamation.
Permittees and affected communities get stronger financial assurance for reclamation because minimum bond levels are raised to $52,593 (indexed annually) and bonds must reflect likely reclamation costs and inflation.
State and federal regulators and local governments gain more consistent oversight and planning tools because inspectors must report condition changes that could raise reclamation costs and the Secretary must issue guideline regulations (using forfeiture data) to standardize minimum-bond benchmarks.
Mining companies and investors (including utilities and energy firms) will face higher upfront and recurring costs because bond floors are increased and bonds must be recalculated on transfers, acreage changes, and renewals.
Smaller operators and independent miners may be pushed out, forced to consolidate, or struggle to secure financing because joint-and-several liability and higher bond requirements raise financial risk and capital needs.
State regulators and inspectors will face increased compliance and administrative burdens to recalculate bonds, track ownership chains, and process frequent adjustments.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Raises minimum reclamation bond, requires bond recalculation on transfers/changes, and makes permittees and major owners jointly liable for reclamation and post‑mining water treatment.
Official title: To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to establish additional considerations with regard to the adequacy of permit performance bonds, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 27, 2026 by Chris Deluzio · Last progress January 27, 2026
Increases and tightens financial bonding and post-closure liability for surface coal and other surface mines, raising a minimum single-permit bond, requiring periodic bond recalculation and adjustments on transfers or acreage/cost changes, and making permittees and large owners jointly and severally liable for reclamation and post-mining water treatment costs. It also expands inspector reporting duties and directs the Interior Secretary to issue minimum-bond guideline regulations within 90 days using forfeiture reclamation data as benchmarks.