H.R. 9029 aims to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. The primary goal of the bill is to protect taxpayers from financial liability related to the reclamation of surface coal mining operations. This suggests that the bill seeks to ensure that the costs associated with restoring mined land do not fall on the public, potentially shifting responsibility to mining companies or other entities.
Supporters of H.R. 9029 argue that the bill is a necessary step to safeguard taxpayers from bearing the financial burden of reclamation efforts for abandoned coal mining sites. Advocates highlight that the legislation promotes accountability among mining companies and encourages responsible mining practices.
Critics of H.R. 9029 express concerns that the bill may weaken environmental protections and oversight related to coal mining operations. Some argue that it could lead to increased environmental degradation if companies are not held accountable for the reclamation of mined lands, ultimately placing future burdens on taxpayers and local communities.
The analysis of H.R. 9029 reveals no direct industry overlaps between the sponsor, Summer Lee, and the bill's subject matter concerning the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. The top donor industries for Lee are Health Professionals and Retired individuals, contributing $200 million and $62.5 million respectively, which do not relate to the coal mining industry. Furthermore, while there is lobbying activity in the policy area, the amounts are relatively small compared to the overall contributions and do not indicate a direct financial interest in the bill's outcomes. The lobbying efforts from various companies, including Viasat, Inc. and Southwest Airlines, do not appear to connect to the coal mining sector, further mitigating potential conflicts of interest. Voters should be aware that while there are lobbying activities present, they do not directly correlate with the sponsor's financial backers or the bill's focus.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| REFORM ACTION FUND | THE TOLMAN GROUP | $30,000 |
| VIASAT, INC. | GORMAN STRATEGY GROUP, TOO | $20,000 |
| PHOTONIS | LEWIS-BURKE ASSOCIATES, LLC | $20,000 |
| SOUTHWEST AIRLINES | THE MONDELLO GROUP LLC | $20,000 |
| HUBBARD BROADCASTING | STEPHEN WARD CONSULTING, LLC | $20,000 |
| ISTATION | THE MONDELLO GROUP LLC | undisclosed |
| LUMA ENERGY, LLC | TRUE COMPASS, LLC | undisclosed |
| SANTA FE FARMS, INC DBA ELEMENT6 DYNAMICS | STEPHEN WARD CONSULTING, LLC | undisclosed |
| LOUISIANA ENERGY SERVICES, LLC | STEPHEN WARD CONSULTING, LLC | undisclosed |
| CROSS COUNTRY HEALTHCARE, INC. | MILLER STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| NUCOR CORPORATION | MILLER STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| NEXUS HOSPICE OF THE HIGH DESERT LLC | MILLER STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| TWG CADILLAC FORMULA 1 TEAM HOLDINGS, LLC | MILLER STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| COSTAR GROUP, INC. | MILLER STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| PADSPLIT, INC. | CONTINENTAL STRATEGY, LLC | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Summer Lee, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
