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HR 2372 104th Congress House

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Amendments Act of 1995

Official title: To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to minimize duplication in regulatory programs and to give States exclusive responsibility unde… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to minimize duplication in regulatory programs and to give States exclusive responsibility under approved States program for permitting and enforcement of the provisions of that Act with respect to surface coal mining and reclamation operations, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 21, 1995 See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative procedureCoalCommerceDepartment of the Interior
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
EnergyEnergy policyEnvironmental ProtectionFederal-state relationsGovernment Operations and PoliticsJudicial review of administrative actsLawLicensesLimitation of actionsMine wastesMines and mineral resourcesReclamation of landRoads and highwaysState lawsStrip mining
This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 8 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 18, 1996
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 6 - 2.
Jul 18, 1996
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Nov 9, 1995
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Sep 25, 1995
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Sep 25, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Sep 21, 1995
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Sep 21, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1831-1832)
Sep 21, 1995
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 18, 1996

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 6 - 2.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Amendments Act of 1995 - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to: (1) repeal certain oversight functions of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement; (2) provide for an approved State program for surface coal mining and reclamation operations which shall apply in that State in lieu of the Act; (3) declare the Act inapplicable to surface coal mining and reclamation operations within a State with an approved State program until such program has been amended, and the permittee has been provided reasonable time to conform operations to the amended program; and (4) declare that operations in compliance with a permit issued under the Act shall be deemed to be in compliance with its environmental protection standards and those of an approved State or Federal program pursuant to the Act.

Amends enforcement guidelines to grant a State regulatory authority sole enforcement responsibility for the Act and relevant State law, subject only to State administrative and judicial review. Confers enforcement responsibility for Federal water quality laws (including State law enacted pursuant thereto) upon the regulatory authority approved by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Revises judicial review guidelines to: (1) repeal the provision that availability of judicial review of a State regulatory authority does not limit the operation of rights with respect to citizens' suits to compel compliance with Federal law; and (2) declare that an action by the Secretary of the Interior regarding inadequate State enforcement is subject to judicial review by the U.S. district court for the district which includes the capital of the State whose program is at issue.

Establishes a three-year statute of limitations for an enforcement proceeding under this Act.

Excludes public roads from the regulatory purview of the Act.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2372: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Amendments Act of 1995. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2372/
MLA
"H.R. 2372: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Amendments Act of 1995." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2372/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2372, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2372/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2372: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Amendments Act of 1995](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2372/)
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