# Rep. Leger Fernández Introduces Minerals Bill

U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández introduced the American Minerals Royalty and Investment Act, which would impose a 7–10% royalty on federal hardrock mineral production, restrict mining by foreign entities of concern, and direct revenue to states, Tribal Nations, abandoned-mine reclamation, and domestic critical-mineral processing assistance. The bill is proposed legislation, not an active procurement; if enacted, the Department of the Interior’s assistance program could create future funding opportunities for organizations developing or upgrading U.S. processing facilities and equipment, subject to environmental standards.

- The proposal does not create an immediate solicitation or contract opportunity. Companies should not treat the potential assistance program as available unless the bill is enacted and funding is established.
- Domestic mineral processors and equipment providers may find future opportunities if the proposed DOI assistance program moves forward; facility plans would need to account for the bill’s environmental standards.
- The proposed royalty and restrictions on foreign entities of concern could affect federal hardrock mining economics and the pool of eligible operators if enacted.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Environment
**Topics:** Policy, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 29, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
- U.S. House of Representatives
- House Natural Resources Committee
- States
- Tribal Nations

### Key Quotes
> My bill would stop adversaries from mining and use royalty revenues to build domestic processing facilities, invest in American workers, and clean up the abandoned mines left behind and invest in American mineral production.
> — Teresa Leger Fernández, U.S. Representative

> This bill is a necessary step in reforming the outdated general mining law of 1872 and ensuring that the American people see a tangible return in this antiquated and exploited practice.
> — Isabella Jaramillo, Government Relations Representative at The Wilderness Society

### Sources
- [
	Leger Fernández Introduces Bill to Require Mining Companies to Pay Americans Their Fair Share in Royalties, Prohibit Adversaries Mining Federal Hardrock Minerals, and Invest in Domestic Critical Mineral Processing | Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández
](https://fernandez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=668) - Fernandez House