The bill revises the fee structure for hard rock and rock products mining in Montana, introducing several new fees and establishing a hard-rock mining permitting program account. Key changes include the implementation of an annual small miner administrative fee of $100, a late fee of $100 for late reporting, and new fees for exploration licenses set at $400 for underground activities and $100 for surface activities, replacing the previous $25 renewal fee. The bill also modifies the application fee for operating permits, transitioning from a flat $500 fee to a tiered system where most applicants will pay $5,000, while those primarily mining rock products will pay a reduced fee of $500. Additionally, the department is authorized to charge extra fees based on actual contractor and employee expenses incurred during the permit review process.

Furthermore, the bill alters the annual reporting requirements for permit holders, changing the annual fee from a flat $100 to a tiered structure based on the size of the mining operation, with fees ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the acreage disturbed. It establishes fees for minor and major amendments to permits and exploration licenses, with a $100 fee for minor amendments and $5,000 for major amendments, while also providing a reduced fee of $500 for those primarily mining rock products. The bill outlines necessary information for permit applications and conditions for permit denial, including previous violations of environmental laws. It also includes a provision exempting certain applications from environmental review if they result in minimal land disturbance, with an effective date for these changes set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_1(1): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_1(2): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_1(3): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_1(4): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_1(5): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_1(6): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_1(7): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_1: 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_X(1): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_X(2): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_X(3): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_X(4): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_X(5): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_X(6): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_X(7): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_X(8): 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343
HB0069_X: 82-4-305, 82-4-311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, 82-4-343