Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024

3.0.0 2781 2025-11-18T11:18:14Z 2025-11-18T11:18:14Z Senate S S 2023-09-13 118 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2781 ssev00 Environment and Public Works Committee Senate Standing Reported By 2024-01-25T19:08:24Z Markup By 2024-01-18T15:30:02Z Referred To 2023-09-13T17:00:36Z 2024-12-17 Became Public Law No: 118-155. President E40000 9 Library of Congress 2024-12-17 Became Public Law No: 118-155. BecameLaw 36000 9 Library of Congress 2024-12-17 Signed by President. President E30000 9 Library of Congress 2024-12-17 Signed by President. BecameLaw 36000 9 Library of Congress 2024-12-12 Presented to President. Floor E20000 2 House floor actions 2024-12-12 Presented to President. President 28000 9 Library of Congress 2024-12-10 15:59:54 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. Floor H38310 2 House floor actions 2024-12-10 15:59:53 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6570-6576) Floor H37300 2 House floor actions 2024-12-10 15:59:53 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6570-6576) Floor 8000 9 Library of Congress 2024-12-10 15:39:15 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2781. Floor H8D000 2 House floor actions 2024-12-10 15:39:13 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6570-6578) Floor H30000 2 House floor actions 2024-12-10 15:39:11 Ms. Maloy moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. Floor H30300 2 House floor actions 2024-08-06 11:12:24 Held at the desk. Floor H15000 2 House floor actions 2024-08-06 11:02:49 Received in the House. Floor H14000 2 House floor actions 2024-08-02 Senate Message on Senate action sent to the House. Floor 2024-07-31 Senate Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5670-5676) Floor 2024-07-31 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5670-5676) Floor 17000 9 Library of Congress 2024-07-31 Senate The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent. Floor 2024-07-31 Senate Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5665; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5665-5670) Floor 2024-01-25 Senate Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 312. Calendars 2024-01-25 ssev00 Environment and Public Works Committee Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Carper with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report. Committee 2024-01-25 Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Carper with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report. Committee 14000 9 Library of Congress ssev00 Environment and Public Works Committee 2023-09-13 ssev00 Environment and Public Works Committee Senate Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. IntroReferral 2023-09-13 Introduced in Senate IntroReferral 10000 9 Library of Congress H001046 Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] Martin Heinrich D NM T. N R000584 Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] James Risch R ID E. 2023-09-13 True H000273 Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO] John Hickenlooper D CO W. 2023-09-13 True C000880 Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID] Mike Crapo R ID 2023-09-13 True S001191 Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [I-AZ] Kyrsten Sinema I AZ 2023-09-13 True D000618 Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT] Steve Daines R MT 2023-09-13 True L000570 Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM] Ben Luján D NM R. 2023-09-13 True B001261 Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] John Barrasso R WY 2023-09-13 True K000377 Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ] Mark Kelly D AZ 2023-09-13 True L000571 Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY] Cynthia Lummis R WY M. 2023-09-13 True T000464 Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] Jon Tester D MT 2023-09-13 True T000250 Sen. Thune, John [R-SD] John Thune R SD 2023-09-13 True C001113 Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] Catherine Cortez Masto D NV 2023-09-13 True C001096 Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND] Kevin Cramer R ND 2023-09-13 True R000608 Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV] Jacklyn Rosen D NV 2023-09-13 True B001236 Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR] John Boozman R AR 2023-09-13 True B001267 Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] Michael Bennet D CO 2023-09-13 True S001198 Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] Dan Sullivan R AK 2023-09-13 True W000779 Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] Ron Wyden D OR 2023-09-13 True M001153 Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] Lisa Murkowski R AK 2023-09-26 False M001176 Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] Jeff Merkley D OR 2023-10-03 False B001310 Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN] Mike Braun R IN 2023-10-03 False S000770 Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI] Debbie Stabenow D MI 2023-10-18 False R000615 Sen. Romney, Mitt [R-UT] Mitt Romney R UT 2023-10-18 False W000802 Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] Sheldon Whitehouse D RI 2023-10-19 False E000295 Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA] Joni Ernst R IA 2023-10-19 False P000145 Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] Alex Padilla D CA 2024-01-17 False H001061 Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND] John Hoeven R ND 2024-01-17 False S001203 Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] Tina Smith D MN 2024-01-31 False R000605 Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD] Mike Rounds R SD 2024-01-31 False W000800 Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] Peter Welch D VT 2024-02-08 False M001190 Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK] Markwayne Mullin R OK 2024-02-08 False S001194 Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] Brian Schatz D HI 2024-03-07 False C001047 Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV] Shelley Capito R WV Moore 2024-03-07 False B001320 Sen. Butler, Laphonza R. [D-CA] Laphonza Butler D CA 2024-03-22 False L000577 Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] Mike Lee R UT 2024-03-22 False M001183 Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV] Joseph Manchin D WV 2024-05-15 False B001305 Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC] Ted Budd R NC 2024-05-15 False S001181 Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] Jeanne Shaheen D NH 2024-07-08 False T000476 Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC] Thomas Tillis R NC Roland 2024-07-08 False C001095 Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR] Tom Cotton R AR 2024-07-11 False Public Law 118-155 Environmental Protection Congressional oversight 2024-08-14T13:30:27Z Environmental assessment, monitoring, research 2024-08-01T19:40:48Z Government information and archives 2024-08-14T13:29:42Z Government trust funds 2024-08-01T19:40:36Z Hazardous wastes and toxic substances 2024-08-01T19:35:28Z Intergovernmental relations 2024-08-14T13:30:17Z Land use and conservation 2024-08-01T19:33:03Z Licensing and registrations 2024-08-14T13:29:23Z Mining 2024-08-01T19:32:53Z Pollution liability 2024-08-01T19:35:46Z Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations 2024-08-01T19:33:28Z Soil pollution 2024-08-01T19:35:16Z State and local government operations 2024-08-14T13:29:31Z Water quality 2024-08-14T13:29:16Z Environmental Protection 2023-09-22T14:30:24Z

00 2023-09-13 Introduced in Senate 2023-10-02T12:55:21Z Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2023 This bill promotes the remediation of abandoned hardrock mine sites by Good Samaritans. A Good Samaritan means a person that is (1) not a past or current owner or operator of the abandoned site; (2) had no role in the creation of the historic mine residue; and (3) is not potentially liable under any law for the remediation, treatment, or control of the historic mine residue. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Good Samaritan pilot program. Under the program, the EPA may issue permits to allow Good Samaritans to remediate historic mine residue at abandoned hardrock mine sites without being subject to enforcement or liability under specified environmental laws for past, present, or future releases, threats of releases, or discharges of hazardous substances or other contaminants at or from the abandoned mine site. In addition, the bill establishes a Good Samaritan Mine Remediation Fund for land management agencies that authorize Good Samaritans to conduct remediation projects on federal land.

25 2024-01-25 Reported to Senate 2024-02-06T22:09:50Z Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 This bill promotes the remediation of abandoned hardrock mine sites by Good Samaritans. A Good Samaritan means a person that is (1) not a past or current owner or operator of the abandoned site; (2) had no role in the creation of the historic mine residue; and (3) is not potentially liable under any law for the remediation, treatment, or control of the historic mine residue. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Good Samaritan pilot program. Under the program, the EPA may issue certain permits to allow Good Samaritans to remediate historic mine residue at abandoned hardrock mine sites without being subject to enforcement or liability under specified environmental laws for past, present, or future releases, threats of releases, or discharges of hazardous substances or other contaminants at or from the abandoned mine site. In addition, the bill establishes a Good Samaritan Mine Remediation Fund for land management agencies that authorize Good Samaritans to conduct remediation projects on federal land.

55 2024-07-31 Passed Senate 2024-12-09T14:11:08Z Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024This bill promotes the remediation of abandoned hardrock mine sites by Good Samaritans. A Good Samaritan means a person that is (1) not a past or current owner or operator of the abandoned site; (2) had no role in the creation of the historic mine residue; and (3) is not potentially liable under any law for the remediation, treatment, or control of the historic mine residue.The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Good Samaritan pilot program. Under the program, the EPA may issue certain permits to allow Good Samaritans to remediate historic mine residue at abandoned hardrock mine sites to protect human health and the environment without being subject to enforcement or liability under specified environmental laws for past, present, or future releases, threats of releases, or discharges of hazardous substances or other contaminants at or from the abandoned mine site. EPA may only grant permits for projects that meet certain requirements. The bill terminates the program after seven years.The bill also outlines requirements for reviewing Good Samaritan permits under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.In addition, the bill establishes a Good Samaritan Mine Remediation Fund for land management agencies that authorize Good Samaritans to conduct remediation projects on federal land.

49 2024-12-17 Public Law 2025-08-19T19:29:38Z Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024This act promotes the remediation of abandoned hardrock mine sites by Good Samaritans. A Good Samaritan is a person that (1) is not a past or current owner or operator of the abandoned site; (2) had no role in the creation of waste, such as acid mine drainage, at the site; and (3) is not potentially liable under any law for the remediation, treatment, or control of the mine waste.(Sec. 4) The act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Good Samaritan pilot program. Under the program, the EPA may issue up to 15 permits to allow Good Samaritans to remediate mine waste at abandoned hardrock mine sites to protect human health and the environment without being subject to enforcement or liability under specified environmental laws for past, present, or future releases, threats of releases, or discharges of hazardous substances or other contaminants at or from the abandoned mine site. The act applies to liability under the Clean Water Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERLA).The EPA may only grant permits for projects that meet certain requirements, including a demonstration that (1) the project poses a low risk to the environment; and (2) the Good Samaritan possesses, or has the ability to secure, the financial and other resources necessary to complete the permitted work and address any contingencies. The act terminates the program after seven years. However, the EPA may grant a permit after the program terminates if the application for the permit is (1) submitted at least 180 days before the termination date, and (2) completed before the program terminates.A Good Samaritan must make reasonable and diligent efforts to identify all responsible owners or operators of an abandoned hardrock mine site proposed to be remediated by the Good Samaritan. If the EPA determines that a responsible owner or operator exists for such site, then the EPA must deny the application for a Good Samaritan permit.The EPA may grant investigative sampling permits that authorize a Good Samaritan to determine (1) the concentrations, locations, and releases of any hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants at an abandoned hardrock mine site; and (2) whether the Good Samaritan is willing to perform further remediation and will proceed under a Good Samaritan permit. The act establishes a process to convert investigative sampling permits into Good Samaritan permits.A Good Samaritan permit may include a provision that a Good Samaritan may assert a claim of force majeure for any violation of the permit caused solely by (1) an act of God, (2) an act of war, (3) negligence on the part of the United States, (4) an act or omission of a third party under certain circumstances, or (5) a public health emergency.A Good Samaritan permit may be transferred only if the EPA determines that the transferee qualifies as a Good Samaritan and other conditions are met.Additionally, the act establishes requirements for the EPA to notify state, local, and tribal governments of applications for the remediation of abandoned hardrock mine sites. A Good Samaritan must notify all appropriate federal, state, tribal, and local entities of any unplanned or previously unknown release of mine waste caused by the actions of the Good Samaritan or any cooperating person in accordance with applicable laws.Good Samaritans must take actions required under their permits to ensure appropriate baseline conditions, monitoring during the remediation project, and post-remediation monitoring of the environment.Good Samaritans may reprocess materials recovered while remediating the site if (1) the project is on land owned by the United States, (2) the applicable federal land management agency approves, (3) the proceeds from the sale or use of the materials are used to defray remediation costs or to reimburse such agencies to the extent required by the permit, and (4) any remaining proceeds are deposited into the appropriate Good Samaritan Mine Remediation Fund.The act also outlines requirements for reviewing Good Samaritan permits under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.The act makes projects conducted under such permits eligible for funding under certain grant programs for state implementation plans under the Clean Water Act and brownfield revitalization funding under CERCLA.(Sec. 5) In addition, the act establishes Good Samaritan Mine Remediation Funds for land management agencies that authorize Good Samaritans to conduct remediation projects on federal land.(Sec. 6) Within eight years, the EPA must evaluate and report on the Good Samaritan pilot program.

Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 Display Title 45 Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 2024-12-20T12:03:17Z Short Titles from ENR (Enrolled) bill text 147 Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 2024-12-12T03:08:16Z J Joint Enrolled Bill ENR Short Title(s) as Passed Senate 105 Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 2024-08-01T03:53:15Z S Senate Engrossed in Senate ES Short Title(s) as Introduced 101 Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2023 2024-05-24T13:36:34Z Introduced in Senate IS Short Title(s) as Reported to Senate 103 Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 2024-05-24T13:34:34Z S Senate Reported to Senate RS Official Title as Introduced 6 A bill to promote remediation of abandoned hardrock mines, and for other purposes. 2024-02-08T13:54:33Z Introduced in Senate IS 3215 118 SAMDT To improve the bill. 2024-08-02T11:08:17Z 2024-07-31 Amendment SA 3215 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. SA 3215 https://www.congress.gov/amendment/118th-congress/senate-amendment/3215 H001046 Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] Martin Heinrich D NM T. W000800 Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] Peter Welch D VT Submitted on behalf of W000800 Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] Peter Welch D VT Proposed on behalf of 1 1 R000584 Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] James Risch R ID E. 2024-07-31 True 2024-07-31T04:00:00Z 2024-07-31T04:00:00Z Senate 118 S Senate S 2781 Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 2025-11-18 6 2024-07-31 0 Senate Amendment SA 3215 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 2024-07-31 0 Senate Amendment SA 3215 proposed by Senator Welch for Senator Heinrich. (consideration: CR S5670) To improve the bill. Floor 2024-07-31 IntroReferral Intro-S 9 Library of Congress 2024-07-31 Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 3215 proposed by Senator Welch for Senator Heinrich. Floor 93000 9 Library of Congress 2024-07-31 Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 3215 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 94000 9 Library of Congress 2024-07-31 Senate amendment submitted Floor 91000 9 Library of Congress 1 Enrolled Bill https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118s2781enr/xml/BILLS-118s2781enr.xml Engrossed in Senate 2024-07-31T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118s2781es/xml/BILLS-118s2781es.xml Reported to Senate 2024-01-25T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118s2781rs/xml/BILLS-118s2781rs.xml Introduced in Senate 2023-09-13T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118s2781is/xml/BILLS-118s2781is.xml 2024-12-18T04:59:59Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-118publ155/uslm/PLAW-118publ155.xml United States Legislative Markup Public Law 2024-12-17 Became Public Law No: 118-155. text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.