H.R. 9640House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated July 12, 2026 at 2:08 PM UTC

The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026 updates the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to continue and strengthen the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative. It broadens the kinds of modern sensing data that can be used, includes the USGS 3‑D Hydrography Program as a data source, and adds $84 million in funding for the next five years. The changes affect federal agencies that conduct subsurface resource mapping, especially the US Geological Survey, and aim to improve knowledge of critical minerals, geothermal energy, natural hydrogen, and other underground resources.

Key Provisions

Expands the definition of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative to allow use of modern sensing technologies—such as advanced geophysical methods, digital geochemistry, real‑time data collection, and data‑driven analysis—to better map critical minerals, geothermal resources, natural hydrogen, and other subsurface resources.
Adds the U.S. Geological Survey’s 3‑D Hydrography Program as a required data source for the initiative, integrating its information with other mapping efforts.
Provides an additional $84 million in funding for the initiative for fiscal years 2027‑2031, extending the program beyond the original 2022‑2026 funding period.

Legislative Activity

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6 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.

Natural Resources Committee

September 15, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 9, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

July 9, 2026

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee

July 14, 2026

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee

July 21, 2026

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee

September 15, 2026

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Natural Resources Committee

September 15, 2026

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.

Natural Resources Committee

September 15, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 9, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9640

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 9, 2026

Mr. Wittman (for himself and Mrs. Dingell) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026.

Earth Mapping Resources Initiative reauthorization

(a)

Purpose

Section 40201(c)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (43 U.S.C.31l(c)(1)) is amended by inserting , which may include data derived from modern sensing technologies, including advanced geophysical data acquisition approaches, digital geochemistry and other advanced geochemical characterization methods, real-time or near real-time data acquisition systems, and data-driven analytical methods to improve the characterization of critical mineral, geothermal, natural hydrogen, and other subsurface resource systems after geophysical mapping.

(b)

Integration of data sources

Section 40201(g) (43 U.S.C.31l(g)) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6);

(2)

in paragraph (4), by striking and at the end; and

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:

(5)

the 3D Hydrography Program of the United States Geological Survey; and

(c)

Reauthorization

Section 40201(h) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (43 U.S.C.31l(h)) is amended by inserting and $84,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 after 2022 through 2026.