Committee advances bill to stabilize Idaho's abandoned‑mine cleanup fund

The Senate Resources & Environment Committee voted to send House Bill 226 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation. The bill would increase the share of the mine license tax directed to the Abandoned Mine Lands Fund, allow voluntary contributions, require most funds be spent on eligible abandoned mines, and create a public advisory committee with transparency and annual reporting requirements.

Senator Mark Harris, sponsor, told the committee the Abandoned Mine Lands Fund was created to assist cleanup of older mines and is funded by a portion of the mine license tax, which is a production tax (the sponsor described it as 1% of net value). He said the fund's revenue fluctuates with mineral production; the mining industry experienced an upcycle that lasted until about 2014, followed by a downcycle that reduced collections and depleted one‑time funds. The bill aims to stabilize the fund during production downturns by redirecting a higher percentage of the tax to abandoned‑mine cleanup and by allowing voluntary contributions.

Ben Davenport, executive vice president of the Idaho Mining Association, testified in support on behalf of the association and provided historical context: the fund was created in 1994 and the industry later ran legislation in 1999 to allocate one‑third of the mine license tax to the fund. Davenport said the industry prefers that one‑time monies be used for on‑the‑ground cleanup rather than regulatory program costs and that the association will work with the department on regulatory needs outside the fund.

Committee members asked questions about voluntary contributions and whether such payments would function like mitigation or payments‑in‑lieu; Davenport said voluntary contributions are intended to provide flexibility and would not replace permit requirements. Senator Konowitz moved to send the bill to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation; Senator Cole seconded and the motion carried on a voice vote.