H.R. 4248

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2019

This bill reauthorizes the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund fees and expands the payments from the fund for abandoned coal mine cleanups.

Specifically, the bill

• authorizes the Department of the Interior to reimburse states and tribal governments from the fund for the emergency restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of adverse effects of coal mining practices;
• extends the authority for Interior to collect reclamation fees through FY2036;
• increases from $3 million to $5 million the minimum amount of funds that Interior must award annually to certain states and Indian tribes that have an approved abandoned mine reclamation program; and
• exempts certain payments from budget sequestration and requires Interior to disburse previously sequestered amounts to states and tribes.