Committee backs memorial urging Congress to ease some mining restrictions and compensate states

A House committee voted to pass House Concurrent Memorial 2009, a nonbinding statement urging Congress to adjust federal policies that committee supporters say have restricted access to minerals critical to national security and the state economy.

Steve Tressel, representing the Arizona Rock Products Association and the Arizona Mining Association, told lawmakers Arizona is a major domestic source of copper and other minerals, saying, "Arizona provides 74% of the nation's copper today" and arguing the memorial seeks targeted, measured reforms such as clarifying split-estate ownership and restoring categorical exclusions for minor exploration activities.

Opponents questioned whether the memorial signals a desire to roll back protections for national monuments and parks. Representative Contreras — who said she helped secure designation for an area that was previously considered for monument status — warned the committee that federal protected lands support outdoor recreation and conservation and said, "We... need to protect and preserve our natural resources for posterity, not destroy these resources." The memorial’s sponsor and witnesses repeatedly said the measure does not call for reckless development of national parks.

Vote and context: The committee approved HCM2009 with a 5-4-1 vote and returned it with a due-pass recommendation. Supporters characterized the memorial as a balanced, nonbinding request to Congress that would help ensure access to critical minerals while preserving conservation values. Detractors said the measure could be used to justify weakening federal protections for public lands and urged caution.

Next steps: As a concurrent memorial, HCM2009 is a formal legislative statement to be transmitted to Congress; it does not change state law but is intended to influence federal policymaking and agency decision-making.