SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1468

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Natural Resources & Parks, March 28, 1997

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 & 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, Roach, Snyder, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

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 fees should be set by the Legislature in this case.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Mark Triplett, WA Aggregates & Concrete Association.