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Ways and Means advances DOGAMI budget amid industry complaints about permitting backlogs
Summary
The Department of Geology and Mineral Industries budget moved out of subcommittee after lawmakers debated permit processing rates, fee increases and accountability measures for the agency commonly called DOGAMI.
The natural resources subcommittee recommended House Bill 5010, the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) budget bill, be amended and reported out due pass as amended after a contentious discussion about permit backlogs and agency performance.
The subcommittee recommended a budget totaling nearly $36.7 million and 50 positions, including roughly $10.7 million general fund, $20.1 million other funds and $6.0 million federal funds. Adjustments in the recommendation support geological carbon sequestration research, completion of an ePermitting project that will create a paperless permitting system, and increased staffing to address permit backlogs and increase site inspections for the mineral land regulation and reclamation program. Two budget notes direct the department to report on the ePermitting project and permit backlog status and on implementation of an earlier process audit.
Rep. Levy presented the bill; several members voiced strong concerns about agency performance. Representative Drazen said DOGAMI was a “train wreck,” noting that permits issued per staff declined from 9.7 in 2015 to 2.7 in 2024 and that prior limited‑duration positions intended to address the backlog had failed to remedy productivity problems. He said he would vote no absent evidence the agency would use added resources to improve performance quickly.
Representative Bowens said he had met with the director and supported the budget to give new leadership an opportunity to correct course; Senator Bonham said he opposed the budget unless productivity and accountability improved first. Representative Smith urged the agency to improve public relations and transparency so legislators could understand progress. Several members emphasized the need for the department to show measurable performance improvements tied to the added funds.
The subcommittee approved HB 5010 as amended by the dash‑1 amendment and reported it out due pass as amended. Budget notes require the department to report on ePermitting and backlog mitigation; the subcommittee also authorized increased fee authority under separate fee legislation referenced in the budget presentation.
Discussion versus decision: the record separates critical discussion of productivity, permitting delays and industry complaints from the subcommittee’s decision to advance the budget while attaching reporting requirements. Lawmakers emphasized accountability and monitoring as conditions for future investment.
Next steps: HB 5010 advances with reporting requirements; the department will be expected to deliver the reports required by the budget notes and show measurable improvements in permit processing and inspections.
