RECLAIM Act of 2017

Summary

Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More Act of 2017 or the RECLAIM Act of 201 7 This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) to make specified funds available to the Department of the Interior through FY2021 for distribution to states and Indian tribes to promote economic revitalization, diversification, and development in economically distressed communities through the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by coal mining carried out before August 3, 1977. The bill prescribes general requirements for projects to reclaim abandoned mine lands and waters that are likely to create favorable conditions for the economic development of the project site or promote the general welfare through economic and community development of the area in which the project is conducted. Any such project shall be located in a community affected by a recent decline in mining. A state or Indian tribe that receives funds under this bill may retain a portion of them as necessary to supplement its acid mine drainage abatement and treatment fund for future operation and maintenance costs for the treatment of acid mine drainage associated with individual projects. The bill increases the minimum amount of funds that Interior must provide annually to states and Indian tribes for reclamation and restoration projects. The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study on the use of funds authorized by this bill. The Appalachian Regional Commission may provide grants to individuals or entities in the Appalachian region for projects that have been or that are eligible to be reclaimed or restored under SMCRA. The commission must relocate its headquarters from Washington, DC to the Appalachian region.

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

Timeline

1. 27 March 2017

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1997-1999)

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 27 March 2017

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in Senate · 27 March 2017 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 27 March 2017

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 27 March 2017

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 27 March 2017

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Mitch McConnell · R · Sponsor
• Shelley Capito · R · Sponsor
• · sseg00 · Standing

Related records

• related to ← RECLAIM Act of 2017
• related to ← RECLAIM Act of 2017
• related to ← Sustainable Energy Development Reform Act