House Ag & Natural Resources committee advances surface-mine reclamation fee bill after contentious amendment debate

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on April 2 voted to report Senate Bill 53-19 out of committee with a due-pass-as-amended recommendation after extended debate and multiple amendment attempts.

The bill, originally aimed at updating surface mine reclamation fees administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), drew a sequence of proposed amendments intended to tier or reduce fee impacts on small mines. Representative Schmick offered a striking amendment that restored the existing fee schedule for certain very small counties; that amendment was adopted and the committee later voted to report the bill out as amended. The final roll call showed eight ayes, two nays and one excused member, and the standing committee report will reflect the bill as amended.

Committee staff Lily Smith briefed members before the caucus recess, describing the bill as a DNR-request measure to update how surface mine…