HB167, titled the Community Reclamation Partnerships Act of 2025, amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to create new pathways for states to partner with nongovernmental entities on abandoned mine land reclamation. The bill is focused on coal-mining impacts that occurred before August 3, 1977, and is aimed at restoring land and water resources affected by abandoned mines, especially mine drainage and related water pollution. It authorizes states with approved reclamation programs to enter into memoranda of understanding with federal or state agencies to coordinate remediation of mine drainage on abandoned mine lands and waters within the state.
The bill also establishes a new “Community Reclaimer” framework, allowing qualified private or nonprofit actors to carry out approved reclamation projects under state oversight. To qualify, a project must meet detailed submission requirements, including engineering plans, site descriptions, financial assurances, contingency planning, public notice, and a public meeting near the site. The bill further allows limited reprocessing of historic mine residue if proceeds are used to offset remediation costs and reimburse agencies, and only if the activity is approved as part of the state’s reclamation plan.
In addition, HB167 clarifies liability rules by providing that certain mine drainage control or treatment activities conducted under an approved state memorandum are treated differently for purposes of state liability. It also makes conforming changes to the reclamation planning provisions so that proposed Community Reclaimer projects are included in state plan listings. The legislation sunsets on September 30, 2032.
The bill’s impact would be to expand the tools available for abandoned mine land cleanup, especially by formalizing public-private partnerships and giving states more flexibility to address mine drainage and water quality problems. It would affect state reclamation programs, federal oversight by the Secretary and EPA Administrator, landowners near project sites, and entities seeking to participate in reclamation work. Because it amends federal mining reclamation law, it would change how approved state plans are structured and how certain remediation projects are authorized and reviewed.
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is little direct evidence of debate or opposition in the provided materials. Based on the bill text, the likely general sentiment is supportive of mine cleanup, water quality improvement, and community-based remediation partnerships. Potential points of contention include the scope of state liability protections, the role of private entities in reclamation, the adequacy of public review, and whether the financial and technical safeguards are sufficient to prevent harm or ensure completion of projects.
HB167 would amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 by adding new state authority to enter memoranda of understanding for mine drainage remediation and by creating a statutory process for approving Community Reclaimer projects. It would also modify liability-related language in section 413(d) and update state reclamation plan requirements to include proposed projects under the new partnership program. These changes would primarily affect state reclamation agencies, federal land and environmental agencies, private or nonprofit reclamation partners, and owners of abandoned mine land sites.
No committee transcripts or votes were provided, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to summarize. From the bill’s structure and purpose, the overall sentiment appears favorable toward environmental remediation, abandoned mine cleanup, and public-private cooperation. The bill’s detailed procedural safeguards suggest an effort to balance support for reclamation with oversight and accountability.
The main areas of possible contention are the liability provisions, the extent to which states can shift responsibility for project-related costs or damages, and the involvement of nongovernmental entities in reclamation work. Stakeholders may also differ on whether the public notice and comment requirements are sufficient, whether the Secretary and EPA should have broad approval authority, and whether allowing reprocessing of historic mine residue creates environmental or economic risks. Landowners near project sites and environmental regulators may be especially attentive to the adequacy of safeguards and long-term maintenance obligations.