Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act

passedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

6 May 1975

Last action

21 January 1976 · Floor

Status

Measure laid on table in House, S. 391 passed in lieu.

Summary

Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act - Removes the size limitation (40 acres or multiples thereof) on tracts of land which may be leased by the Secretary of the Interior for the mining of coal. Prohibits the lease of Federal lands for coal production where the prospective lessee has not produced coal for 10 or more years from other lands held under such a lease. Provides that lands containing coal deposits may only be offered for lease after inclusion in a comprehensive land use plan. Provides that each coal lease shall contain provisions requiring compliance with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1975, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the Clean Air Act. Requires that an exploration license be acquired from the Secretary prior to the conduct of coal exploration for commercial purposes oil lands subject to the Mineral Lands Leasing Act. Provides that coal leases shall be for 20 years and for so long thereafter as coal is produced annually in commercial quantities from that lease, except that any lease not producing coal in commercial quantities at the end of 10 years shall be terminated. Provides that each lease shall be subject to the conditions of diligent development and continued operation of the mine or mines. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive exploratory program for developing the known recoverable coal resources within the coal lands subject to the Mineral Lands Leasing Act. Requires such program to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes and directs the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to analyze for Congress mining activities, present and potential value of coal leases, receipts of the Federal Government from such leases, and recommendations as to the feasibility of use of deep mining technology in a leased area. Provides that no person or legal entity may acquire more than 100,000 acres of land in the United States subject to coal leases under the Mineral Lands Leasing Act after the date of enactment of this Act. Provides that lands set apart for military or naval purposes with mineral deposits may be leased under such Act.

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

Timeline

6 May 1975
Introduced
Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
Source: IntroReferral
6 May 1975
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
6 May 1975
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
21 November 1975
Reported
Reported to House from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs with amendment, H. Rept. 94-681.
Source: Committee
21 November 1975
Reported
Reported to House from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs with amendment, H. Rept. 94-681.
Source: Committee
21 January 1976
Vote
Measure passed House, amended, roll call #13 (344-51).
Source: Floor
21 January 1976
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House, amended, roll call #13 (344-51).
Source: Floor
21 January 1976
Floor
Measure called up by special rule in House.
Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

Passed House amended
summary · EN · 21 January 1976
Open at official source
Introduced in House
summary · EN · 6 May 1975
Open at official source

Related records

related to → A resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 6721. A bill to amend the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920.
related to ← Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1975

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/94th-congress/house-bill/6721
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/94/hr/6721
us · 94-hr-6721 · source updated 2 September 2025