Only the right has signed this so far (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 3872 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
3 members · Left 0 · Center 0 · Right 3 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Rep. Fallon, Pat (R-TX) (Introduced 06/10/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Right · DW-NOMINATE +0.71 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 3 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Senate - Energy and Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee |
| Latest Action | 06/10/2026 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. |
| Roll Call Votes | There have been no roll call votes |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Reported to House (10/31/2025)
This bill specifies that all federally acquired lands are eligible to be considered for hardrock mineral leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (MLAAL). The bill defines the term hardrock mineral to (1) include deposits of minerals found in sedimentary or other rocks, base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, and precious and semi-precious gemstones; and (2) exclude deposits of coal, oil, oil shale, gas, sodium, potassium, sulfur, or mineral materials subject to disposition under the Materials Act of 1947.
By way of background, hardrock minerals are not currently listed under the MLAAL as deposits subject to a lease, while mineral resources such as coal, phosphate, oil, gas, gilsonite, and sulfur are listed. As a result, federal lands may be leased for mining hardrock minerals only if the federal lands were acquired under a statute, such as the Weeks Act, that specifically authorizes the land to be used for hardrock mineral leasing.
119 HR 3872 EH: To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals. U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 3872
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals.
1.Application of Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to hardrock mineralsThe Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 351 et seq.) is amended— (1)in section 2 (30 U.S.C. 351)— (A)by striking Act United States and inserting the following: Act: (1)United StatesThe term United States; (B)by striking Alaska. Acquired lands and inserting the following: Alaska. (2)Acquired lands; lands acquired by the United StatesThe term acquired lands; (C)by striking 552). Secretary and inserting the following: 552). (3)SecretaryThe term Secretary; (D)by striking Interior. Mineral leasing laws shall mean and inserting the following: Interior. (4)Mineral leasing lawsThe term mineral leasing laws means; (E)by striking Acts. Lease and inserting the following: Acts. (5)LeaseThe term lease; (F)by striking requires. The term and inserting the following: requires. (6)OilThe term; and (G)by adding at the end the following: (7)Hardrock mineralThe term hardrock mineral— (A)includes deposits of— (i)minerals found in sedimentary or other rocks; (ii)base metals; (iii)precious metals; (iv)industrial minerals; and (v)precious and semi-precious gemstones; and (B)does not include deposits of— (i)coal; (ii)oil; (iii)oil shale; (iv)gas; (v)sodium; (vi)potassium; (vii)sulfur; or (viii)mineral materials subject to disposition under the Act of July 31, 1947, commonly known as the Materials Act of 1947 (30 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).; and (2)in section 3 (30 U.S.C. 352), by striking and sulfur and inserting sulfur, and hardrock minerals. Passed the House of Representatives December 15, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 3872 IH: Mineral Extraction for Renewable Industry and Critical Applications Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-06-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3872IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 10, 2025Mr. Fallon (for himself and Mr. Moran) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Mineral Extraction for Renewable Industry and Critical Applications Act of 2025 or the MERICA Act of 2025.2.Application of Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to hardrock mineralsThe Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 351 et seq.) is amended—(1)in section 2 (30 U.S.C. 351)—(A)by striking Act United States and inserting the following:Act:(1)United StatesThe term United States;(B)by striking Alaska. Acquired lands and inserting the following:Alaska.(2)Acquired lands; lands acquired by the United StatesThe term acquired lands; (C) by striking 552). “Secretary and inserting the following: 552). (3) Secretary The term Secretary ; (D)by striking Interior. Mineral leasing laws shall mean and inserting the following:Interior.(4)Mineral leasing lawsThe term mineral leasing laws means;(E)by striking Acts. Lease and inserting the following:Acts.(5)LeaseThe term lease;(F)by striking requires. The term and inserting the following:requires.(6)OilThe term; and(G)by adding at the end the following:(7)Hardrock mineralThe term hardrock mineral—(A)includes deposits of—(i)minerals found in sedimentary or other rocks;(ii)base metals;(iii)precious metals;(iv)industrial metals; and(v)precious and semi-precious gemstones; and(B)does not include deposits of—(i)coal;(ii)oil;(iii)oil shale;(iv)gas;(v)sodium;(vi)potassium;(vii)sulfur; or(viii)mineral materials subject to disposition under the Act of July 31, 1947, commonly known as the Materials Act of 1947 (30 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).; and(2)in section 3 (30 U.S.C. 352), by striking and sulfur and inserting sulfur, and hardrock minerals.
119 HR 3872 : To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals. U.S. House of Representatives 2025-12-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3872IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESDecember 16, 2025Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesAN ACTTo amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals.1.Application of Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to hardrock mineralsThe Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 351 et seq.) is amended—(1)in section 2 (30 U.S.C. 351)—(A)by striking Act United States and inserting the following:Act:(1)United StatesThe term United States;(B)by striking Alaska. Acquired lands and inserting the following:Alaska.(2)Acquired lands; lands acquired by the United StatesThe term acquired lands;(C)by striking 552). Secretary and inserting the following:552).(3)SecretaryThe term Secretary;(D)by striking Interior. Mineral leasing laws shall mean and inserting the following:Interior.(4)Mineral leasing lawsThe term mineral leasing laws means;(E)by striking Acts. Lease and inserting the following: Acts.(5)LeaseThe term lease;(F)by striking requires. The term and inserting the following:requires.(6)OilThe term; and(G)by adding at the end the following:(7)Hardrock mineralThe term hardrock mineral—(A)includes deposits of—(i)minerals found in sedimentary or other rocks;(ii)base metals;(iii)precious metals;(iv)industrial minerals; and(v)precious and semi-precious gemstones; and(B)does not include deposits of—(i)coal;(ii)oil;(iii)oil shale;(iv)gas;(v)sodium;(vi)potassium;(vii)sulfur; or(viii)mineral materials subject to disposition under the Act of July 31, 1947, commonly known as the Materials Act of 1947 (30 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).; and(2)in section 3 (30 U.S.C. 352), by striking and sulfur and inserting sulfur, and hardrock minerals.Passed the House of Representatives December 15, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 3872 RH: To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals. U.S. House of Representatives 2025-10-31 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 309119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3872[Report No. 119–357]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 10, 2025Mr. Fallon (for himself and Mr. Moran) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesOctober 31, 2025Additional sponsor: Mr. HarriganOctober 31, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on June 10, 2025A BILLTo amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals.1.Application of Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to hardrock mineralsThe Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 351 et seq.) is amended—(1)in section 2 (30 U.S.C. 351)—(A)by striking Act United States and inserting the following:Act:(1)United StatesThe term United States;(B)by striking Alaska. Acquired lands and inserting the following:Alaska.(2)Acquired lands; lands acquired by the United StatesThe term acquired lands;(C)by striking 552). Secretary and inserting the following:552).(3)SecretaryThe term Secretary;(D)by striking Interior. Mineral leasing laws shall mean and inserting the following:Interior.(4)Mineral leasing lawsThe term mineral leasing laws means;(E)by striking Acts. Lease and inserting the following: Acts.(5)LeaseThe term lease;(F)by striking requires. The term and inserting the following:requires.(6)OilThe term; and(G)by adding at the end the following:(7)Hardrock mineralThe term hardrock mineral—(A)includes deposits of—(i)minerals found in sedimentary or other rocks;(ii)base metals;(iii)precious metals;(iv)industrial minerals; and(v)precious and semi-precious gemstones; and(B)does not include deposits of—(i)coal;(ii)oil;(iii)oil shale;(iv)gas;(v)sodium;(vi)potassium;(vii)sulfur; or(viii)mineral materials subject to disposition under the Act of July 31, 1947, commonly known as the Materials Act of 1947 (30 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).; and(2)in section 3 (30 U.S.C. 352), by striking and sulfur and inserting sulfur, and hardrock minerals.October 31, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 06/10/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 06/10/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 06/10/2025 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
| 07/02/2025 | House committee actions | Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. |
| 09/03/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee Hearings Held |
| 09/17/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged |
| 09/17/2025 | House committee actions | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 09/17/2025 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent. |
| 10/31/2025 | Library of Congress | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-357. |
| 10/31/2025 | House floor actions | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-357. |
| 10/31/2025 | House floor actions | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 309. |
| 12/15/2025 | House floor actions | Mr. Stauber moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. |
| 12/15/2025 | House floor actions | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5884-5885) |
| 12/15/2025 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3872. |
| 12/15/2025 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884) |
| 12/15/2025 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5884) |
| 12/15/2025 | House floor actions | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 12/16/2025 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. |
| 02/12/2026 | Senate | Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. |
| 06/10/2026 | Senate | Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Display Title | To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals. |
| Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text | To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals. |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | MERICA Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | Mineral Extraction for Renewable Industry and Critical Applications Act of 2025 |
| Official Title as Introduced | To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals. |
There are no amendments to this bill.
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Energy and Natural Resources Committee | 06/10/2026 Markup By |
| Senate - Energy and Natural Resources Committee | 12/16/2025 Referred To |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 10/31/2025 Reported By |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 09/17/2025 Markup By |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 09/17/2025 Discharged from |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 06/10/2025 Referred To |
No related bill information was received for H.R. 3872.
Policy Area: Energy
All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.