An Act relating to annual rental fees, statements of annual labor, and production royalty for mining claims; and providing a cure for abandonment.

CS for House Bill 344 is designed to keep the small Alaska Mining Industry in business. Since the 1980's Alaska has seen the small miner disappear from the streams and hills in part because of the costs associated with the industry, but also because of a glitch in Alaska's statute. That language causes a miner to automatically lose their claims if the required paperwork is filed just one day late.

CS for HB 344 will fix the language granting an extension to that deadline. It allows a miner to keep the claims by filing the paperwork and paying a penalty equal to one years rent.

Alaska was founded on mining and long before oil was the meat and potatoes industry in the state. Mom and Pop mines brought their poke to the local community and spent it in the local community. HB 344 will be an important first step in reviving an industry that is good for the local community and the state as a whole.

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