MERICA Act of 2026

This bill would change the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands so that hardrock minerals can be leased on lands the federal government has acquired, in addition to coal, oil, gas, sulfur and the other minerals already covered. It defines hardrock minerals to include base metals, precious metals, industrial metals, gemstones, and minerals found in sedimentary or other rocks. The definition excludes coal, oil, oil shale, gas, sodium, potassium, sulfur, and common materials covered by the Materials Act of 1947. The bill also reorganizes the Act's existing definitions into numbered paragraphs.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Tom Cotton Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors