Legis Daily

Finding ORE Act

USA119th CongressS-1463| Senate 
| Updated: 6/18/2025
Christopher A. Coons

Christopher A. Coons

Democratic Senator

Delaware

Cosponsors (4)
Todd Young (Republican)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Ted Cruz (Republican)John Cornyn (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration Act," or "Finding ORE Act," authorizes the Secretary of the Interior , through the U.S. Geological Survey, to enter into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with partner foreign countries. These MOUs are designed for scientific and technical cooperation in mapping critical minerals and rare earth elements, aiming to enhance the security and resilience of international supply chains for these vital resources. A core objective is to assist partner countries in mapping their reserves while ensuring that private companies from the United States or an allied foreign country receive the right of first refusal for further development. The bill also seeks to facilitate private-sector investment in the exploration and development of critical minerals and rare earth elements. Crucially, the Act mandates that mapping data created through these cooperative activities must be protected against unauthorized access or disclosure to entities from non-party or non-allied countries. Cooperative activities include data acquisition, analysis, prospectivity mapping, scientific collaboration for sustainable resource development, and extensive training and capacity building. The Secretary of the Interior must obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of State in prioritizing, selecting, negotiating, and implementing these MOUs. Additionally, the Secretary is required to consult with relevant private sector actors to ensure the MOUs effectively facilitate private investment and development. Before entering an MOU, the Secretary must notify and submit a detailed report to appropriate congressional committees, outlining the scope, activities, estimated costs, and funding sources. The bill also expresses a sense of Congress that the United States should prioritize the onshoring of critical mineral processing.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jun 5, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jun 18, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jun 18, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 93.
Feb 24, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2969
Subcommittee Hearings Held
  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • June 5, 2025
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • June 18, 2025
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • June 18, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 93.


  • February 24, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2969
    Subcommittee Hearings Held

Energy

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2969: Finding ORE Act
Employment and training programsGeography and mappingMaterialsMetalsMiningPublic-private cooperationStrategic materials and reserves

Finding ORE Act

USA119th CongressS-1463| Senate 
| Updated: 6/18/2025
The "Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration Act," or "Finding ORE Act," authorizes the Secretary of the Interior , through the U.S. Geological Survey, to enter into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with partner foreign countries. These MOUs are designed for scientific and technical cooperation in mapping critical minerals and rare earth elements, aiming to enhance the security and resilience of international supply chains for these vital resources. A core objective is to assist partner countries in mapping their reserves while ensuring that private companies from the United States or an allied foreign country receive the right of first refusal for further development. The bill also seeks to facilitate private-sector investment in the exploration and development of critical minerals and rare earth elements. Crucially, the Act mandates that mapping data created through these cooperative activities must be protected against unauthorized access or disclosure to entities from non-party or non-allied countries. Cooperative activities include data acquisition, analysis, prospectivity mapping, scientific collaboration for sustainable resource development, and extensive training and capacity building. The Secretary of the Interior must obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of State in prioritizing, selecting, negotiating, and implementing these MOUs. Additionally, the Secretary is required to consult with relevant private sector actors to ensure the MOUs effectively facilitate private investment and development. Before entering an MOU, the Secretary must notify and submit a detailed report to appropriate congressional committees, outlining the scope, activities, estimated costs, and funding sources. The bill also expresses a sense of Congress that the United States should prioritize the onshoring of critical mineral processing.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jun 5, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jun 18, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jun 18, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 93.
Feb 24, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2969
Subcommittee Hearings Held
  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • June 5, 2025
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • June 18, 2025
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • June 18, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 93.


  • February 24, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2969
    Subcommittee Hearings Held
Christopher A. Coons

Christopher A. Coons

Democratic Senator

Delaware

Cosponsors (4)
Todd Young (Republican)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Ted Cruz (Republican)John Cornyn (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

Energy

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2969: Finding ORE Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Employment and training programsGeography and mappingMaterialsMetalsMiningPublic-private cooperationStrategic materials and reserves