SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1465

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Natural Resources & Parks, March 28, 1997

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 & Parks:  3/27/97, 3/28/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Jacobsen, Morton, Prentice, Roach, Snyder, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

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:  The Department of Natural Resources has agreed to assist surface mine operations and local government by establishing a consulting service.  This would help both private industry and government agencies regulating mining activities.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Mark Triplett, Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association (pro).