Sponsors (2)
The bill speeds and prioritizes permitting for Department of Defense–relevant mineral projects—strengthening domestic supply chains and improving project efficiency—at the cost of increased environmental/community risks, potential reallocation of federal review resources, possible higher taxpayer spending, and exposure risks for proprietary information.
Taxpayers and energy-sector workers will see faster development of defense-relevant mineral supply chains because DPA-authorized projects are designated permitting-priority, accelerating approvals and domestic production.
Project sponsors (including small-business owners and local governments) can use federal permitting-improvement processes for DPA section 303 activities, shortening federal review times for mining studies, modernization, and byproduct production.
Energy workers and rural communities will benefit from modernization and feasibility support for mining and processing that can raise productivity, improve environmental performance, and enhance worker safety at affected facilities.
Rural communities and nearby ecosystems could face increased environmental and community impacts because faster permitting and priority treatment for mining projects may reduce time for mitigation and local input.
Local governments and taxpayers may see federal permitting attention and resources shifted toward DPA-priority projects, potentially delaying reviews and support for other infrastructure or environmental projects.
Taxpayers may indirectly bear higher costs if expanded federal support for feasibility studies or modernization is not matched with budget offsets, increasing federal spending.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Treats certain Defense Production Act mining and processing activities as FAST Act covered projects and requires their listing on the Federal Permitting Dashboard unless the sponsor opts out.
Official title: Require that certain actions taken by the Secretary of Defense be treated as an eligible transportation project, and for other purposes.
Introduced December 16, 2025 by Elissa Slotkin · Last progress December 16, 2025
Treats certain Department of Defense actions under the Defense Production Act related to mining, processing, and modernization as "covered projects" for the Federal permitting-improvement framework and requires those projects to be listed on the Federal Permitting Dashboard unless the project sponsor opts out. It covers feasibility studies, byproduct and co‑product production at existing facilities, modernization projects to improve productivity/safety/sustainability, and other activities authorized under the cited DPA authority.