Sponsor Statement for SCS CSHB 46(FIN) AM S

House Bill 46 provides technical corrections to the mining code. It is supported by the administration and miners.

  1. Sections 1, 2 & 3. Allow coal miners access to federal funds for a wider assortment of permitting related activities.
  2. Sections 4, 5, 6, & 7. Reduce paperwork in the new mineral incentive program, eliminating the annual application and substituting a one time application procedure. These changes also allow the department to charge $500 or $1000 to process the applications.
  3. Sections 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, & 17. Amend Title 38 mining code to correct inconsistencies within the existing code, and to reduce paperwork.
  4. Section 18. Establishes a 520 acre "Petersville Recreational Mining Area."
  5. Section 19 repeals portions of code no longer needed, further reducing departmental paperwork requirements.
  6. Section 20. Provides clear intent language - that it is not the intent of the Legislature to make drastic changes removing any rights acquired by a miner, just because we are correcting the use of the terms location, lease or permit.

Section 21, 22 & 23 provide for regulations and effective dates.


Sponsor Statement for HB 46

Mining

House Bill 46 provides technical corrections to language in the existing mining code.

  1. HB 46 amends Title 27 mining code to allow coal miners access to federal funds for a wider assortment of permitting related activities.
  2. HB 46 amends the mineral incentive program, reducing paperwork.
  3. HB 46 amends Title 38 mining code to correct inconsistencies within the existing code, and to reduce paperwork.
  4. HB 46 establishes a 520 acre "Petersville Recreational Mining Area."

Sponsor Statement for HB 46

Mining

House Bill 46 provides technical corrections to language in the existing mining code. These corrections reflect the actual practices of the Department of Natural Resources.