Legis Daily

Community Reclamation Partnerships Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-167| House 
| Updated: 5/14/2025
Darin LaHood

Darin LaHood

Republican Representative

Illinois

Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Community Reclamation Partnerships Act of 2025 aims to facilitate the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by coal mining activities that occurred before August 3, 1977. It achieves this by amending the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to authorize new partnerships between states and nongovernmental entities. This legislation seeks to accelerate the cleanup of abandoned mine lands, particularly focusing on water quality improvements. A key provision allows states with approved reclamation programs to enter into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with federal or state agencies to remediate mine drainage. These MOUs must outline strategies for improving water quality, including monitoring, sampling, and the operation and maintenance of treatment systems, and require public review and comment before approval. Once approved by the Secretary and the EPA Administrator, these MOUs become part of the state's official abandoned mine reclamation plan. The Act also establishes a program for Community Reclaimer Partnerships , enabling states to submit projects for approval by the Secretary. These projects must be conducted by qualified "Community Reclaimers"—entities that voluntarily assist states, did not create the original site conditions, and are not subject to outstanding violations. The state must assume liability for these projects, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the reclaimer, and ensure the reclaimer has the technical and financial capacity to complete the work. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that control or treatment activities conducted under an approved state MOU for mine drainage will not incur liability under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, providing crucial protection for states and reclaimers. The legislation also permits the reprocessing of historic mine residue by Community Reclaimers under specific conditions, with proceeds used to offset remediation costs. This Act is set to remain in effect until September 30, 2032.

Bill Text Versions

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3 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-315
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1146
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6233
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-2937
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
May 13, 2025
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
May 13, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1970-1972)
May 13, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 167.
May 13, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1970-1971)
May 13, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1970-1971)
May 13, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 14, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-315
    Community Reclamation Partnerships Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1146
    Community Reclamation Partnerships Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6233
    Community Reclamation Partnerships Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-2937
    Community Reclamation Partnerships Act


  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • May 13, 2025
    Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • May 13, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1970-1972)


  • May 13, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 167.


  • May 13, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1970-1971)


  • May 13, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1970-1971)


  • May 13, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • May 14, 2025
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Environmental Protection

CoalEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchGovernment liabilityHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIntergovernmental relationsLand use and conservationMiningPublic participation and lobbyingState and local government operationsWater quality

Community Reclamation Partnerships Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-167| House 
| Updated: 5/14/2025
The Community Reclamation Partnerships Act of 2025 aims to facilitate the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by coal mining activities that occurred before August 3, 1977. It achieves this by amending the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to authorize new partnerships between states and nongovernmental entities. This legislation seeks to accelerate the cleanup of abandoned mine lands, particularly focusing on water quality improvements. A key provision allows states with approved reclamation programs to enter into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with federal or state agencies to remediate mine drainage. These MOUs must outline strategies for improving water quality, including monitoring, sampling, and the operation and maintenance of treatment systems, and require public review and comment before approval. Once approved by the Secretary and the EPA Administrator, these MOUs become part of the state's official abandoned mine reclamation plan. The Act also establishes a program for Community Reclaimer Partnerships , enabling states to submit projects for approval by the Secretary. These projects must be conducted by qualified "Community Reclaimers"—entities that voluntarily assist states, did not create the original site conditions, and are not subject to outstanding violations. The state must assume liability for these projects, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the reclaimer, and ensure the reclaimer has the technical and financial capacity to complete the work. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that control or treatment activities conducted under an approved state MOU for mine drainage will not incur liability under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, providing crucial protection for states and reclaimers. The legislation also permits the reprocessing of historic mine residue by Community Reclaimers under specific conditions, with proceeds used to offset remediation costs. This Act is set to remain in effect until September 30, 2032.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-315
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1146
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6233
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-2937
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
May 13, 2025
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
May 13, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1970-1972)
May 13, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 167.
May 13, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1970-1971)
May 13, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1970-1971)
May 13, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 14, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-315
    Community Reclamation Partnerships Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1146
    Community Reclamation Partnerships Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6233
    Community Reclamation Partnerships Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-2937
    Community Reclamation Partnerships Act


  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • May 13, 2025
    Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • May 13, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1970-1972)


  • May 13, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 167.


  • May 13, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1970-1971)


  • May 13, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1970-1971)


  • May 13, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • May 14, 2025
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Darin LaHood

Darin LaHood

Republican Representative

Illinois

Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Natural Resources Committee

Environmental Protection

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
CoalEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchGovernment liabilityHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIntergovernmental relationsLand use and conservationMiningPublic participation and lobbyingState and local government operationsWater quality