H.R. 677: Expedited Appeals Review Act
This bill, known as the Expedited Appeals Review Act (EARA), aims to streamline the process of reviewing appeals related to certain decisions made by the Department of the Interior. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of the bill:
Request for Expedited Review
Individuals or entities that wish to challenge a Department of the Interior decision can file an appeal with the Board of Land Appeals. If they want their appeal reviewed more quickly, they can submit a written notice requesting an expedited review. Once this notice is received, the Board of Land Appeals is required to provide a final decision within a specific timeframe.
Decision Deadline
The Board of Land Appeals must issue a final decision on the expedited appeals within six months after receiving the request. However, this deadline cannot be sooner than 18 months from when the initial appeal was filed. This allows for a defined period to ensure that appeals are resolved in a timely manner.
No Final Decision Outcome
If the Board of Land Appeals fails to issue a final decision by the established deadline:
- The original decision made by the Department of the Interior will automatically be considered a final agency action.
- This means that individuals or entities can seek judicial review of the Department's decision as if it were a final ruling, allowing them to challenge the decision in court without having to wait for the administrative process to finish.
Applicability of the Bill
The provisions outlined in the bill apply to:
- Any appeal that is pending before the Board of Land Appeals at the time the bill is enacted.
- Any appeal that is filed with the Board after the bill is enacted.
Overall Objective
The overall goal of the EARA is to expedite the resolution of disputes regarding decisions from the Department of the Interior, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the appeals process and enabling parties to receive timely decisions.
Relevant Companies
- NEM (Newmont Corporation) - As a significant player in the mining sector, changes in the appeals process related to land use and decisions made by the Department of the Interior could directly affect Newmont's operations and projects.
- BHP (BHP Group) - This global mining company could be impacted as the expedited review process may influence their ability to develop new mining operations or challenge decisions regarding land use.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
1 sponsor
Actions
14 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Feb. 12, 2026 | Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. |
| May. 14, 2025 | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. |
| May. 13, 2025 | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1973-1974) |
| May. 13, 2025 | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 677. |
| May. 13, 2025 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| May. 13, 2025 | Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. |
| May. 13, 2025 | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1973) |
| May. 13, 2025 | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1973) |
| May. 05, 2025 | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 63. |
| May. 05, 2025 | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-88. |
| Apr. 09, 2025 | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| Apr. 09, 2025 | Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent. |
| Jan. 23, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| Jan. 23, 2025 | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
Corporate Lobbying
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