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
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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.
What does H.R. 7872 do?
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 43 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
24 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
Full Bill Text
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