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MERICA Act of 2025

2/13/2026, 11:56 AM

Summary of Bill HR 3872

The bill titled "To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals," designated as H.R. 3872 in the 119th Congress and introduced on June 10, 2025, aims to modify the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to extend its scope to include regulations pertaining to hardrock minerals.

Congressional Summary of HR 3872

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.

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Current Status of Bill HR 3872

Bill HR 3872 is currently in the status of Passed in House since December 15, 2025. Bill HR 3872 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on June 10, 2025.  Bill HR 3872's most recent activity was Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. as of February 12, 2026

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 3872

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
3
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
3
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 3872

Primary Policy Focus

Energy

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 3872

To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals.
To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals.

Comments

Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 3872

Pat Fallon
Pat Fallon
TexasRepublican
Nathaniel Moran
Nathaniel Moran
TexasRepublican
Pat Harrigan
Pat Harrigan
North CarolinaIndependent

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