HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1465

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to surface mining.

Brief Description:  Requiring establishment of a no‑cost consulting service regarding mining issues.

Sponsors:  Representatives Sump, Sheldon, Grant, Hatfield, Pennington, Delvin and Koster.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  2/12/97, 2/28/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Buck, Chairman; Sump, Vice Chairman; Regala, Ranking Minority Member; Butler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Anderson; Chandler; Hatfield; Pennington and Sheldon.

Staff:  Linda Byers (786-7129).

Background:  The Department of Natural Resources administers the state=s surface mining reclamation program.  The department may, but is not required to, establish a no-cost consulting service within the department to assist miners, surface mining reclamation permit holders, local government, and the public in technical matters related to surface mining.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Natural Resources must establish a no-cost consulting service for miners, surface mining reclamation permit holders, local government, and the public.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Legislation passed in 1993 resulted in many new requirements for miners.  Permit holders and local governments need DNR's technical expertise and assistance in dealing with surface mine reclamation permit requirements.  The industry pays fees for this service and would support an additional appropriation from the surface mine account for this purpose.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Mark Triplett, Washington Aggregate & Concrete Association.