Witnesses, counties and producers urge revisions to proposed DNR reclamation fee increases in SB 5319

Senate Bill 5319, a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) request bill to revise the fee structure for surface-mine reclamation permits, drew extensive public testimony arguing the proposal would disproportionately burden small and rural aggregate producers.

Supporters and DNR staff said the program is fee-supported and that fees have not been raised in about 10 years. The Department and an advisory committee recommended a flat-rate update now before the Legislature to sustain inspection and reclamation work.

Opponents — including multiple small producers, county engineers and local economic development officials — told the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee the flat increase would force closures of low‑production pits, raise local construction costs, and hollow out rural tax bases. Several witnesses suggested alternatives: tiered fees based on tonnage, the number of employees, or restoring a $1,000 cap on public-works pits.

Erica Odom, appearing for DNR, summarized the agency’s position that the reclamation program is “entirely fee supported” and that fees “haven’t been increased in about 10 years,” and she noted the…