Legis Daily

Ruby Mountains Protection Act

USA119th CongressS-1349| Senate 
| Updated: 2/12/2026
Catherine Cortez Masto

Catherine Cortez Masto

Democratic Senator

Nevada

Cosponsors (1)
Jacky Rosen (Democratic)

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Ruby Mountains Protection Act" proposes to permanently withdraw specific federal lands in Elko and White Pine Counties, Nevada, from all forms of operation under the mineral leasing laws. This measure aims to protect these ecologically sensitive areas from future mineral extraction. Specifically, the bill withdraws approximately 309,272 acres of National Forest System land within the Ruby Mountains subdistrict of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Additionally, it withdraws about 39,926 acres of National Wildlife Refuge System land in the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. These withdrawals are subject to valid existing rights and will also apply to any land or interests acquired by the United States within these boundaries after the bill's enactment. An exception is made for noncommercial refuge management activities within the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which are not affected by the withdrawal.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-258
Ruby Mountains Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-609
Ruby Mountains Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-706
Ruby Mountains Protection Act
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 8, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 12, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-258
    Ruby Mountains Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-609
    Ruby Mountains Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-706
    Ruby Mountains Protection Act


  • April 8, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 8, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • February 12, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Forests, forestry, treesLand transfersMiningNevadaOil and gasWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Ruby Mountains Protection Act

USA119th CongressS-1349| Senate 
| Updated: 2/12/2026
The "Ruby Mountains Protection Act" proposes to permanently withdraw specific federal lands in Elko and White Pine Counties, Nevada, from all forms of operation under the mineral leasing laws. This measure aims to protect these ecologically sensitive areas from future mineral extraction. Specifically, the bill withdraws approximately 309,272 acres of National Forest System land within the Ruby Mountains subdistrict of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Additionally, it withdraws about 39,926 acres of National Wildlife Refuge System land in the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. These withdrawals are subject to valid existing rights and will also apply to any land or interests acquired by the United States within these boundaries after the bill's enactment. An exception is made for noncommercial refuge management activities within the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which are not affected by the withdrawal.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-258
Ruby Mountains Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-609
Ruby Mountains Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-706
Ruby Mountains Protection Act
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 8, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 12, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-258
    Ruby Mountains Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-609
    Ruby Mountains Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-706
    Ruby Mountains Protection Act


  • April 8, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 8, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • February 12, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Catherine Cortez Masto

Catherine Cortez Masto

Democratic Senator

Nevada

Cosponsors (1)
Jacky Rosen (Democratic)

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Forests, forestry, treesLand transfersMiningNevadaOil and gasWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats