US HB5929

Secretary of Defense actions under Presidential Determination 2022–11 to develop domestic production of strategic and critical materials would automatically qualify as "covered projects" under the FAST Act's federal permitting improvement framework

Qualifying actions include feasibility studies for mining and processing projects, by-product production at existing facilities, modernization of mining operations, and other activities authorized under section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950

Covered projects must be included on the federal Permitting Dashboard, which tracks and coordinates interagency environmental reviews and authorizations

Project sponsors may opt out by requesting their action not be treated as a covered project under the expedited permitting framework