H.R. 7872: To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to provide for the payment of bonus payments of certain coal leases issued under that Act.
Sponsor
Harriet Hageman
Republican · WY
Coal lease bids get 10-year terms
Why it matters
Introduced on March 9, 2026, H.R. 7872 would change the cash terms for certain federal coal lease bids by locking in a 10-installment payment schedule and requiring the first payment upfront with the bid.
For the federal government, the bill standardizes timing but may delay when some bonus revenue is fully collected, since the payment stream would run across 10 years. The bill does not state any dollar amount, does not create a new grant or spending program, and does not include penalties, age ranges, or separate enforcement deadlines beyond the requirement that the first installment be submitted with the bid. Introduced by Ms. Hageman on March 9, 2026, it was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R. 7872 Bill Summary
What H.R. 7872 actually does.
10 equal annual installments required
The bill requires bonus payments for covered coal leases to be paid in exactly 10 equal annual installments, replacing any other deferred payment structure for leases issued under section 2(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act, 30 U.S.C. 201(a).
First payment due with the bid
The first of the 10 equal annual installments must be submitted together with the bid for the lease, creating an immediate upfront payment requirement at the time of bidding.
Applies only to deferred bonus payment leases
The new rule applies only when a coal lease is issued using a "system of deferred bonus payment," so it does not automatically rewrite payment terms for every federal coal lease.
Amends Mineral Leasing Act at 30 U.S.C. 201(a)
H.R. 7872 amends section 2(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act, codified at 30 U.S.C. 201(a), by adding a new paragraph (6) at the end, making this a targeted statutory edit rather than a broad rewrite.
Introduced March 9, 2026 by Ms. Hageman
The bill was introduced on March 9, 2026, by Ms. Hageman and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, signaling that the proposal is at an early stage in the legislative process.
Who benefits from H.R. 7872?
Coal lease bidders using deferred payment terms
These bidders gain a fixed payment schedule of 10 equal annual installments, which can make large bonus obligations easier to budget over 10 years instead of facing a shorter or less certain deferred schedule.
Coal companies managing cash flow
Companies bidding on covered leases would still owe the first installment with the bid, but the remaining balance would be spread across 9 additional annual installments, easing near-term cash demands.
Federal leasing administrators
Agencies administering coal leases under the Mineral Leasing Act get a clearer rule: if a lease uses a deferred bonus payment system, the payment schedule must be 10 equal annual installments and installment one arrives with the bid.
Investors and lenders tied to coal projects
A statutory 10-year installment structure under 30 U.S.C. 201(a) may make financing assumptions more predictable because payment timing is set in law rather than left open to varying deferred terms.
Who is affected by H.R. 7872?
Companies bidding on federal coal leases
Any entity participating in bidding for a coal lease that uses a deferred bonus payment system would have to submit the first installment with its bid and then make 9 more equal annual payments.
Department of the Interior leasing officials
Federal officials responsible for implementing the Mineral Leasing Act would need to apply the new paragraph (6) in 30 U.S.C. 201(a) and structure covered lease bonus payments in 10 equal annual installments.
Federal budget and revenue planners
Because bonus payments for covered leases would be collected over 10 years, revenue timing could shift even though the bill does not specify any dollar amount or change royalty rates.
Competing bidders in lease sales
Bidders would face the same upfront rule that the first installment must accompany the bid, which could affect who is able or willing to compete for leases requiring immediate cash at submission.
HR7872 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Mar 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
About the Sponsor
Harriet Hageman
Republican, Wyoming · 3 years in Congress
Committees: House Select Subcommittee to Investigate the Remaining Questions Surrounding January 6, 2021, Natural Resources, the Judiciary
View full profile →
Committee Sponsors
Natural Resources Committee
0 of 45 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
25 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 7872 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 2(a) of Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 201(a))
adding at the end the following: ``(6) The bonus payments for a lease issued under this subsection under a system of deferred bonus payment shall be payable in 10 equal annual installments, the first of which shall be submitted with the bid for such lease
H.R. 7872 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Natural Resources
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Energy
- Introduced
- Mar 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Mar 9, 2026
H.R. 7872 Common Questions
How many years would federal coal lease bonus payments be spread out under HR 7872?
H.R. 7872 requires covered federal coal lease bonus payments to be made in 10 equal annual installments under Section 1.
Do you have to pay anything upfront when bidding on a federal coal lease under HR 7872?
Yes. Under H.R. 7872 (Section 1), the first of the 10 equal annual installments must be submitted with the bid for the lease.
Can federal coal lease bonus payments be made in equal annual installments under HR 7872?
Yes. Under H.R. 7872 (Section 1), bonus payments for covered coal leases must be paid in 10 equal annual installments.
Does HR 7872 apply to every federal coal lease?
No. According to H.R. 7872 Section 1, it applies only to coal leases issued under a system of deferred bonus payment.
Which coal leases are covered by the deferred bonus payment rule in HR 7872?
Under H.R. 7872 (Section 1), the rule covers coal leases issued under the Mineral Leasing Act that use a system of deferred bonus payment.
What are the payment terms for deferred federal coal lease bonus bids in HR 7872?
Under H.R. 7872 (Section 1), covered bonus payments must be split into 10 equal yearly installments, with the first installment due when the bid is submitted.
Can a company delay the first coal lease bonus payment until after winning the lease under HR 7872?
No. Under H.R. 7872 (Section 1), the first installment must be submitted concurrently with the bid, not after lease award.
What are the installment rules for deferred bonus payments on federal coal leases?
According to H.R. 7872 Section 1, deferred bonus payments for covered federal coal leases must be paid in exactly 10 equal annual installments.
Who would be affected by the coal lease payment changes in HR 7872?
Under H.R. 7872 (Section 1), the change affects bidders for coal leases under the Mineral Leasing Act when those leases use deferred bonus payment terms.
Based on H.R. 7872 bill text
H.R. 7872 Bill Text
“To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to provide for the payment of bonus payments of certain coal leases issued under that Act. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. BONUS PAYMENTS FOR CERTAIN COAL LEASES ISSUED UNDER MINERAL LEASING ACT.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
Get notified when H.R. 7872 moves
Committee votes, floor action, cosponsor changes — straight to your inbox.
Bill alerts + Legisletter's monthly briefing. Unsubscribe anytime.
Energy Bills
9 related bills we're tracking
Energy Bills Relief Act
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 18, 2026
Energy Choice Act
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 412.
Feb 4, 2026
Heating and Cooling Relief Act
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 31, 2025
Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 410.
Feb 4, 2026
Protecting Families from AI Data Center Energy Costs Act
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
Jul 21, 2026
Electricity Transmission Scorecard Act
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Nov 20, 2025
SHIELD Act
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 14, 2026
Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 348.
Mar 4, 2026
Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 335.
Feb 11, 2026
Trending Right Now
Bills gaining momentum across Congress
Great American Outdoors Act 250
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jun 24, 2026
ASAP Act
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Nov 19, 2025
Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 7, 2025
Tracking Energy in Congress? Monitor bills, track cosponsor momentum, and launch advocacy campaigns — all from one advocacy platform.