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Bill would let state marry mining permits to property, use eminent domain for successor operators
Summary
House Bill 717 would let regulators transfer revoked mining permits to successor operators by giving the state a pathway to combine permits with property and, if necessary, use eminent domain to enable reclamation or restart operations; proponents said the tool protects taxpayers and communities, opponents raised due‑process and lien concerns.
Representative John Fitzpatrick, House District 76, opened the hearing on House Bill 717 and said the bill helps DEQ transfer mining permits and operations away from bad actors to successor operators who can reclaim or restart mines.
Proponents including Matt Vincent (representing the Montana Mining Association), Terry Koons (Jefferson County Treasurer), and George Harris (executive director, Montana Coal Council) told the committee the statute already allows DEQ to transfer a revoked permit when a successor posts bond but that a transferred permit is worthless if the successor cannot…
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