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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 1937 (114th)

National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2015

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

22 April 2015

Last action

26 October 2015 · Introduced

Status

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sponsors

Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Tipton, Scott R. [R-CO-3], Rep. Chaffetz, Jason [R-UT-3], Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. Flores, Bill [R-TX-17], Rep. Stewart, Chris [R-UT-2], Paul Cook, Rep. Heck, Joseph J. [R-NV-3], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26], Rep. Stivers, Steve [R-OH-15], Rep. Labrador, Raul R. [R-ID-1], Rep. Hardy, Cresent [R-NV-4], Rep. Graves, Tom [R-GA-14], Rep. Luetkemeyer, Blaine [R-MO-3], Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5], Rep. Benishek, Dan [R-MI-1], Rep. Culberson, John Abney [R-TX-7], Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6], Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3], Rep. Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1], Rep. Salmon, Matt [R-AZ-5], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4], Rep. Conaway, K. Michael [R-TX-11], Rep. Mooney, Alexander X. [R-WV-2], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Marchant, Kenny [R-TX-24], Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2], Rep. Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6], Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5], Rep. Rogers, Harold [R-KY-5], Rep. Olson, Pete [R-TX-22], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], James Renacci, Rep. Rothfus, Keith J. [R-PA-12]

Subjects

Environment, Transport

Source updated

24 March 2026

Environment · Transport

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2015 Deems a domestic mine that will provide strategic and critical minerals to be an "infrastructure project" as described in Presidential Order "Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects" dated March 22, 2012. Sets forth the responsibilities of the lead agency (federal, state, local, tribal, or Alaska Native Corporation) with responsibility for issuing a mineral exploration or mine permit with respect to project coordination, agency consultation, project proponents, and contractors. Deems the requirements of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to have been satisfied if the lead agency determines that any state or federal agency acting pursuant to state or federal statutory or procedural authorities, has or will address specified factors. Requires the lead agency, if it cannot make such a determination, and at a project proponent's request, together with cooperating and other agencies involved in the permitting process to enter into an agreement with the project proponent that sets time limits for each part of the permitting process. Applies this Act to any mineral exploration or mine permit for which an application was submitted before enactment of this Act if the applicant so requests in writing. Requires the lead agency to begin implementing this Act with respect to such application within 30 days after receiving such a request. Requires the lead agency, with respect to strategic and critical minerals within a federally administered unit of the National Forest System, to: (1) exempt from federal regulations governing Special Areas all areas of identified mineral resources in Land Use Designations (other than Non-Development Land Use Designations); (2) apply such exemption to all additional routes and areas that the agency finds necessary to facilitate the construction, operation, maintenance, and restoration of the areas of the identified mineral resources; and (3) continue to apply such exemptions after approval of the Minerals Plan of Operations for the unit. Declares the priority of the lead agency is to maximize mineral resource development while mitigating environmental impacts, so that more of the mineral resource can be brought to the market place. Prescribes the Federal Register notice process for mineral exploration and mining projects. Authorizes the holder of a mineral exploration or mine permit to intervene as of right in any covered civil action by a person affecting rights or obligations of the permit holder under the permit. Bars a civil action claiming legal wrong caused by an agency action unless it is filed by the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the final federal agency action to which it relates. Requires the court to hear and determine any covered civil action as expeditiously as possible. Prohibits the court, in a covered civil action, from granting or approving prospective relief unless it finds that such relief is narrowly drawn, extends no further than necessary to correct the violation of a legal requirement, and is the least intrusive means necessary to correct such violation. Declares inapplicable to such a civil action specified requirements of the Equal Access to Justice Act relating to award of costs and fees to a prevailing plaintiff. Prohibits payment from the federal government for court costs of a party in such a civil action, including attorneys' fees and expenses. Prohibits construction of this Act as affecting any aspect of Secretarial Order 3324 with respect to potash and oil and gas operators.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 22 April 2015

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 22 April 2015

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 22 April 2015

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 22 April 2015

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 15 May 2015

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.

    Source: Committee

  6. 19 May 2015

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

    Source: Committee

  7. 25 June 2015

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  8. 8 July 2015

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 9 July 2015

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.

    Source: Committee

  10. 9 July 2015

    Vote

    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 14.

    Source: Committee

  11. 9 July 2015

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  12. 8 September 2015

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 192.

    Source: Calendars

  13. 8 September 2015

    Discharge

    Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

    Source: Discharge

  14. 8 September 2015

    Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

    Source: Committee

  15. 8 September 2015

    Reported

    Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 114-253, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  16. 8 September 2015

    Reported

    Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 114-253, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  17. 20 October 2015

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 481 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1937 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.

    Source: Floor

  18. 21 October 2015

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 481 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  19. 22 October 2015

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of measure as amended in House: CR H7113-7114)

    Source: Floor

  20. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H7122)

    Source: Floor

  21. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1937.

    Source: Floor

  22. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

    Source: Floor

  23. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1937 as unfinished business.

    Source: Floor

  24. 22 October 2015

    Passed

    On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  25. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    Mr. Lamborn moved that the committee rise.

    Source: Floor

  26. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Kenny Marchant to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  27. 22 October 2015

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  28. 22 October 2015

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 254 - 177 (Roll no. 565).

    Source: Floor

  29. 22 October 2015

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 254 - 177 (Roll no. 565).

    Source: Floor

  30. 22 October 2015

    Vote

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 184 - 246 (Roll no. 564).

    Source: Floor

  31. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H7123)

    Source: Floor

  32. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    Mr. Peters moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H7122-7124; text: CR H7122)

    Source: Floor

  33. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1937 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.

    Source: Floor

  34. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 481 and Rule XVIII.

    Source: Floor

  35. 22 October 2015

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 481. (consideration: CR H7107-7119)

    Source: Floor

  36. 26 October 2015

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 26 October 2015

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 26 October 2015

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 22 October 2015

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 22 October 2015

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 22 October 2015

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 8 September 2015

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 8 September 2015

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  • Reported to House without amendment, Part I

    summary · EN · 8 September 2015

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 22 April 2015

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 22 April 2015

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 22 April 2015

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Sponsors

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