Sponsor
Harriet Hageman
Representative · R-WY
Representative · R-WY
The bill eases near-term cash pressure for coal lease bidders and gives the Interior Department clearer payment rules, at the cost of delayed federal revenue and retention of an upfront payment that may still bar the smallest bidders.
Small coal lease bidders: can spread required bonus payments over 10 years (after paying the initial installment), lowering near-term cash burden and making bids more financially manageable.
Interior Department staff and lease administrators: receive a clarified, predictable payment schedule that simplifies lease processing and reduces administrative uncertainty.
Taxpayers and the federal budget: spreading bonus payments over 10 years delays receipts to the Treasury, reducing near-term revenue available for public programs and priorities.
Small coal lease bidders (especially very small operators): must still pay the first installment at bid, so a substantial upfront cost remains and may continue to deter some smaller bidders.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires deferred coal lease bonuses to be paid in 10 equal annual installments, with the first installment due at bid submission.
Official title: To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to provide for the payment of bonus payments of certain coal leases issued under that Act.
Introduced March 9, 2026 by Harriet Hageman · Last progress March 9, 2026
Changes the payment timing for deferred bonus payments on federal coal leases so that bonus amounts are split into 10 equal yearly payments, with the first payment due when the bidder submits their bid. The change only amends the payment schedule for bonus payments under the existing deferred bonus system for coal leasing.