H.R. 167 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House May 13, 2025. Received May 14, 2025; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands cleanup of abandoned coal mines
This bill modifies the program that restores land and water damaged by coal mines that were abandoned long ago. Through September 2032, it lets states work with federal or state agencies to clean up mine drainage problems. It also allows states to partner with community volunteers who want to help restore these damaged areas, as long as those volunteers didn't cause the original damage and don't have coal mining violations.
How it affects you
People who live near abandoned coal mines may benefit from expanded cleanup efforts in their communities. Volunteers interested in environmental restoration now have a clearer pathway to assist in reclamation projects. The bill doesn't directly affect people in areas without abandoned coal mine damage.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 3, 2025)
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act of 2025
This bill revises the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program, which restores land and water adversely impacted by surface coal mines that were abandoned before August 3, 1977.
Until September 30, 2032, the bill allows a state with an approved reclamation program to enter into a memorandum of understanding with relevant federal or state agencies for remediating mine drainage on abandoned mine land and water impacted by abandoned mines.
In addition, the bill authorizes a partnership between a state and a community reclaimer for remediating abandoned mine land if certain conditions are met. A community reclaimer is a person who (1) voluntarily assists a state in a reclamation project, (2) did not participate in the creation of site conditions at the proposed site or activities that caused any land or waters at the site to become eligible for reclamation or drainage abatement expenditures, and (3) is not subject to outstanding violations of surface coal mining permits.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 167
AN ACT
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL-16) · Introduced Jan 3, 2025 · Environmental Protection · 3 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 14, 2025: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.”
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 3 official versions.