Mineral Exploration and Development Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-2141
Sponsor: Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3]
Introduced: 2003-05-15 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Accident insurance
Administrative fees
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Aliens
Animals
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Department of Agriculture
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Evidence (Law)
Federal preemption
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Fines (Penalties)
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Liability (Law)
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Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Mine wastes
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Mines and mineral resources
Mining claims
Mining royalties
Minorities
National forests
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Native Americans
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Oil shales
Paleontology
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Refuse and refuse disposal
Religion
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Revegetation
Right of property
Road construction
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Social Welfare
Social security numbers
Soil conservation
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Standards
State laws
Storms
Strip mining
Surety and fidelity
Surveying
Trade secrets
Transportation and Public Works
Tunnels
User charges
Waste water treatment
Water Resources Development
Water pollution control
Water quality
Water supply
Watersheds
Wild rivers
Wilderness areas
Wildlife conservation
Zoning and zoning law

Summary:
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Mineral Exploration and Development Act of 2003 - Sets forth guidelines for mineral exploration and development on public domain lands. Declares, under certain conditions, that holders of mining claims executed under this Act have the exclusive right of possession and use of the claimed land for mineral activities. 
Subjects existing and/or future unpatented mining claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites, with specified exceptions, to an annual claim maintenance fee payable to the Secretary of the Interior in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the general mining laws and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
Exempts from the mandated fee any claimants holding ten or fewer mining claims who elect to perform the assessment work.
Requires locators of unpatented mining claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites located after this Act's enactment to pay a location fee. 
Establishes penalties against holders of mining claims for noncompliance with this Act. 
Requires: (1) a permit, with exceptions, to engage in mineral activities on Federal land that may cause a disturbance of surface resources; (2) an operations permit to carry out any activity greater than casual use; (3) denial of permits to persons who are in violation of this Act; and (4) operation and reclamation standards. 
Establishes the Abandoned Locatable Minerals Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury.
Amends the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 and the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 to revise the Secretary of Agriculture's responsibilities within the scope of this Act.
Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to establish and collect user fees from persons subject to this Act's requirements.
Repeals the Building Stone Act and the Saline Placer Act. 
Applies this Act to beneficiation and processing of non-Federal minerals on Federal lands.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-05-21
text: Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
action_date: 2003-05-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E977-978)
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-05-15
text: Introduced in House