Bond Improvement and Reclamation Assurance Act

The Bond Improvement and Reclamation Assurance Act updates bond requirements for surface coal mining under the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. It requires mining operators to post bonds covering the full cost of land reclamation, with amounts adjusted annually for inflation and based on factors like mine closure timing, topography, and reclamation difficulty. The bill mandates bond recalculations when permits are transferred, conditions change (e.g., mine closure or water pollution), or permit renewals occur, and holds both original operators and controlling owners jointly liable for reclamation costs. This ensures sufficient funds are available to reclaim mined land if operators fail to meet their obligations, protecting public lands and water resources.