On March 7,1995, the United States Senate was presented with another opportunity to improve the welfare of oui1 fellow citizens with the introduction, by Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), of "The Mining Law Reform Act of 1995," S.506. His principal co-sponsors in this good deed are Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), and Frank Murkowski (R-AK), as well as ten other Senators whose names lend an air of bipartisan support for the bill. This "Craig Bill" is packaged, wrapped, and tied in a bow, labeled with "industry" support. No doubt, this support is a major factor enabling Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt to restrain his enthusiasm for Senator Craig's handiwork. The House version of the; Craig Bill is scheduled to be introduced on May 10, 1995 (deadline for this issue of ICMJ), by Representatives Calvert, Orton and Vucanovich. That other house, The White House, speaking through Department of Interior solicitor John Leshy, stated that the Clinton Administration opposes the Craig Bill for a broad range of reasons, among which is the fact that the Bill continues to allow patenting of mineral lands, and that the net royalty provision preclude there ever being a gusher of revenue going to the Federal Treaty- Still, the Craig Bill is the best bet for Setting any legislation reform of the fining laws through Congress this year. Since it appears to be the only realistic horse it to ride in the Mining Law Reform derby, an analysis of its more pertinent provisions remains in order.
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