HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1468

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to surface mining.

Brief Description:  Removing authority to modify reclamation permit fees.

Sponsors:  Representatives Buck, Chandler, Grant, Sump, Sheldon, Hatfield, Alexander, Delvin and Pennington.

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:  Surface mine reclamation permit holders pay an annual permit fee.  In 1993, the Legislature set the annual permit fee at $650.  The Legislature also gave the Department of Natural Resources the authority to modify the annual permit fee by rule.  The department has not done so.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Natural Resources= authority to modify the annual surface mine reclamation permit fee by rule is removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The setting of these fees should be under the control of the Legislature.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Mark Triplett, Washington Aggregate & Concrete Association.