Summary

Creates a new expedited appeal option for certain Department of the Interior appeals to the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA). A party may request expedited review by filing written notice; IBLA then must issue a final decision within six months of that notice but not earlier than 18 months after the original IBLA filing. If IBLA misses the six‑month expedited deadline, the underlying DOI decision is treated as a final agency action and courts review the matter de novo (overriding the usual deferential standard). The rule applies to appeals already pending when the law takes effect and to appeals filed afterward, and it supersedes certain other statutory deadlines where conflicts exist.

• Adds a formal expedited-review option for certain IBLA appeals upon written notice by the appellant.
• IBLA must issue a final decision within 6 months of the expedited notice, but not before 18 months after original IBLA filing.
• If IBLA misses the 6‑month deadline, the DOI decision is treated as a final agency action and courts review de novo.
• Applies to appeals pending on enactment and to appeals filed after enactment.
• This expedited-decision deadline takes precedence over certain conflicting statutory deadlines in mining and SMCRA provisions.
• The change is procedural—it alters timing and judicial-review consequences rather than creating new substantive agency authority.
• May increase judicial review if IBLA misses deadlines, potentially shifting disputes into federal court.
• Creates a clear timetable that can pressure IBLA/DOI to resolve appeals faster.
• Could affect a range of land- and resource-related claimants (e.g., mining, energy, grazing) who use IBLA appeals.