H.R. 2053, the Stop Giving Big Oil Free Money Act, would require oil and natural gas companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico to renegotiate their existing leases before receiving permission to obtain new federal leases or transfer existing ones. Specifically, the bill targets companies that hold older leases issued between 1996 and 2000 that currently exempt them from paying royalties when oil and gas prices fall below certain thresholds; those companies would need to agree to pay royalties at lower price points to remain eligible for new leases or lease transfers. The legislation would also apply to any company with a financial interest in these favorable leases, including parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliates. The bill establishes an October 1, 2026 effective date for any renegotiated lease terms. The stated goal is to ensure that taxpayers and the government receive fair compensation when oil and gas prices are high, rather than allowing companies with old favorable deals to avoid royalty payments indefinitely.

The Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025 overhauls federal hardrock mining regulation by closing all federal lands to new mining claims effective immediately, while requiring existing claims to convert to federal leases within 3 to 10 years or face daily fees of $100 per acre. The bill establishes a comprehensive permitting system requiring miners to obtain federal permits and demonstrate that operations won't cause unnecessary environmental degradation, with mandatory royalty payments of 8–12.5% of mineral value, strict operational and reclamation standards, and concurrent reclamation work during mining activities. The legislation affects hardrock miners (defined to exclude small operators with 10 or fewer claims under 200 acres), creates an Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation Program funded by 75% of collected royalties while directing 25% to host states, and grants federal land agencies broad investigative powers and allows citizens to sue for permit violations. The Act takes effect immediately upon enactment, with administrative fees capped at actual costs and adjusted for inflation every three years.