HB 2349-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Provides that any person may engage in small scale prospecting and mining, as that term is defined in RCW 77.55.270, on shorelands and the beds of navigable lakes and rivers not subject to tidal flows where both the surface and mineral rights are possessed by the state or where the surface rights are possessed by the state and the mineral rights are possessed by the person engaging in the small scale prospecting and mining activity without first obtaining a permit, lease, license, or other form of permission from the department, and without being charged a rent or fee.

Provides that the department must allow small scale prospecting and mining, as that term is defined in RCW 77.55.270, on shorelands and the beds of navigable lakes and rivers not subject to tidal flows where both the surface and mineral rights are possessed by the state or where the surface rights are possessed by the state and the mineral rights are possessed by the person engaging in the small scale prospecting and mining activity without first obtaining a permit, lease, license, or other form of permission from the department, and without being charged a rent or fee.

Provides that a person engaging in small scale prospecting and mining, as that term is defined in RCW 77.55.270, may be charged with a class 1 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW if that person satisfies either criteria listed in RCW 77.15.300.