ROCKS Act

Rebuilding Our Communities by Keeping aggregates Sustainable Act of 2021 or the ROCKS Act

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a working group of stakeholders (e.g., state, tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies) with knowledge and expertise in the production and transportation of materials used in the construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure projects to conduct a study on access to such materials, including access to stone, sand, and gravel.

The ROCKS Act, also known as Bill 117 hr 611, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to address the issue of illegal rock mining on public lands. The bill aims to increase penalties for individuals and companies who engage in illegal rock mining activities, as well as provide funding for the enforcement of laws related to rock mining.

Additionally, the ROCKS Act seeks to establish a task force to study the impact of illegal rock mining on the environment and local communities. The task force will be responsible for making recommendations on how to better regulate rock mining activities and protect public lands from illegal exploitation.

Overall, the ROCKS Act is aimed at protecting public lands from illegal rock mining activities and ensuring that those who engage in such activities are held accountable. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is currently being reviewed by the appropriate committees.