House Natural Resources committee advances six bills; key changes to pond licensing and mining fees approved

The House Natural Resources Committee moved multiple bills forward during an executive‑action session that concluded before a Department of Environmental Quality presentation on air quality.

Vice Chair Marler moved HB64, which would repeal two sections establishing a Small Business Compliance Assistance Advisory Council after DEQ reported difficulty forming the council; the committee passed the bill by voice vote and proxies were recorded. Jason, the committee staff presenter, said DEQ still maintains a small‑business stationary‑source representative for consultation.

Lawmakers then considered HB69, which Jason said raises fees under the Metal Mine Reclamation Act for exploration licenses, permanent applications and annual fees and adds reporting requirements and amendment fees. The committee held a roll call; members recorded in the transcript include Vice Chair Marler, Representative Kohenauer, Representative Edwards, Representative Fitzpatrick, Representative France and Chair (Gist) among those voting yes, and Representatives Hinkle and Schubert among those voting no. The chair recorded a 12–2 vote in favor; HB69 will move to the House floor.

HB74, addressing private fish‑pond licenses and enforcement authority for Fish, Wildlife & Parks, drew the most debate. Representative Minor moved amendment 704‑01.001 to change license terms from five to 10 years and add contact information; the committee approved that amendment by voice vote. Representative Stewart later moved amendment HB0074.001.002 to remove proposed fee increases while retaining regulatory changes. Members debated departmental administration costs, inspection frequency and aquatic invasive species (AIS) risk; Representative Kohenauer and others emphasized inspection and permit‑processing costs and that ponds close to public waters may require site review. The fee‑removal amendment failed on a roll call (2 yes, 12 no; the yes votes recorded were Representatives Hinkle and Schubert). The bill as once‑amended subsequently passed on a roll call, 11–3, and will advance to the floor. Transcript discussion repeatedly distinguished one‑time new‑permit fees (applicants for new ponds) from renewal fees for existing ponds.

The committee approved a sponsor amendment to HB79 to increase the single‑delivery exemption from one to two truckloads (and the matching board‑feet limit) for small timber sales; members described the change as friendly and the bill as amended will move to the floor.

HB80, which would allow cash bids on some state land agricultural leases (replacing crop‑share bids for certain new leases), drew unanimous apparent support in committee and will advance by voice vote. HB127, which removes a sunset date on funding enacted last session for wildland fire suppression, fuels reduction and preparedness and adds an interim reporting requirement, also passed and will go to the floor. HB130 was not considered because the sponsor and agency are still finalizing an amendment and the item was held for a later hearing.

Votes in the transcript are reported as recorded in committee (voice votes for some items, roll calls for others). For matters where the transcript records roll‑call votes, the article lists the vote outcome and the names recorded in committee; proxies are noted where the transcript does so. The committee adjourned after DEQ's presentation was scheduled to begin.