US HB7249

Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to strengthen performance bond requirements for surface coal mining permits, requiring bonds to be sufficient for regulatory authorities to complete reclamation in the event of forfeiture

Establishes a minimum bond amount of $52,593 per permit, annually adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers

Requires bond calculations to account for expected inflation, costs of unplanned or early mine closures, and additional costs if regulatory authorities must undertake reclamation after bond forfeiture

Creates joint and several liability for permittees and persons owning 30% or more of capital interests, preventing release from liability for reclamation costs including post-mining water pollution treatment

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations within 90 days establishing guidelines and benchmarks for minimum bond amounts, using data from recent reclamation projects completed after bond forfeitures