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S. 737: COAL Reform Act of 2017

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S. 737: COAL Reform Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-03-27 · Energy · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-03-27 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

COAL Reform Act of 2017

Plain summary

Coal Oversight and Leasing Reform Act of 2017or the COAL Reform Act of 2017 This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise the U.S. coal leasing program. The bill repeals the requirement that the Department of the Interior offer at least 50% of total acreage for coal leasing in any one-year under a deferred bonus payment system. A proposed lease sale shall not be held until the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)determines, and includes in a formal appraisal report, the fair market value of the coal to be extracted.Interior shall make certain data available to the public, including the BLM appraisal reports and information on lease sales. Coal lease modifications shall not result in revenue reduction and may not exceed 160 acres. Interior shall prepare, periodically revise, and maintain a coal leasing program consisting of a schedule of proposed lease sales indicating the size, timing, and location of leasing activity that will best meet national needs for the five-year period following approval of the program.The bill revises the conditions of a coal lease, including lease terms, rental rates, and royalties. The BLM shall promulgate regulations for inspections and enforcement of coal operations, including oversight of state inspection and enforcement programs. The BLM may also assess civil penalties for noncompliance. There shall be a moratorium on new coal lease sales until this bill is implemented by Interior.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

COAL Reform Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] reported raising $6.0 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)
Appraisal
An estimate of what property is worth. In Texas, county appraisal districts set the value that property taxes are based on.
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-s737 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115