HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1845

As Reported by House Committee On:

Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to surface mining reclamation permit fees.

Brief Description:  Increasing the fee for a surface mining reclamation permit.

Sponsors:  Representatives Sehlin and H. Sommers ; by request of Department of Natural Resources.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Appropriations:  2/21/01, 3/7/01 [DP].

  Brief Summary of Bill

$Increases the surface mining permit fee from $650 to $1,200 and makes the fee non-refundable.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Sehlin, Republican Co‑Chair; H. Sommers, Democratic Co‑Chair; Barlean, Republican Vice Chair; Doumit, Democratic Vice Chair; Alexander, Buck, Clements, Cody, Dunshee, Fromhold, Gombosky, Grant, Kagi, Keiser, Kenney, Kessler, Lambert, Linville, Mastin, McIntire, Pearson, Pflug, Ruderman, D. Schmidt, Schual‑Berke, Talcott and Tokuda.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Lisk, Republican Vice Chair; Boldt, Cox and Mulliken.

Staff:  Jeff Olsen (786‑7157).

Background:

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates and monitors surface mines.  The Surface Mine Reclamation Program is primarily funded by a $650 application fee paid to the department by persons applying for a surface mining permit.  Permit fee revenues are deposited into the Surface Mining Reclamation Account to support the program.

Summary of  Bill:

The reclamation permit fee is increased from $650 to $1,200.  In addition, the fee for a surface mining permit is non-refundable.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The DNR's Surface Mining Permit Program is experiencing many challenging environmental requirements.  Review of environmental impact statements and compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act takes time.  There is a need for technical assistance to return lands to productive use.  In addition, without a fee increase the program will experience a 30 percent reduction in staff.  The aggregate industry agrees with the department and supports the fee increase.  As consumption increases, industry needs a strong management program at the DNR for mine reclamation and enforcement.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ron Teissere, Department of Natural Resources; Bruce Chattin, Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association; Steve Gano, Glacier Northwest; Scott Hazlegrove, Cadman; and Willy O'Neil, Associated General Contractors.