Bill > HR7249

This bill, titled the "Bond Improvement and Reclamation Assurance Act of 2026," amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to strengthen requirements for performance bonds, which are financial guarantees that mining companies must provide to ensure they can properly reclaim (restore) the land after mining operations cease. Key provisions include requiring bond amounts to account for inflation, the potential costs of an early or unplanned mine closure, and any additional expenses the government might incur if it has to perform reclamation itself due to a bond forfeiture. The bill also mandates that when a mining permit is transferred or revised, the bond amount must be recalculated, and the original permittee and certain controlling individuals remain jointly and severally liable for reclamation costs, including any post-mining water pollution. Furthermore, inspectors are now required to report any changes at a mine site that could increase reclamation costs or necessitate a bond adjustment, and information about inspections will be made more readily available. Finally, the Secretary of the Interior is directed to issue regulations within 90 days to establish guidelines for determining minimum bond amounts, using data from completed reclamation projects following bond forfeitures.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7249/all-info