House Bill 69 revises the fee structure associated with hard rock and rock products mining in Montana, introducing a more organized system for various permits and applications. The bill establishes an annual small miner administrative fee of $100, a late fee of $100 for late reporting, and a tiered application fee for operating permits set at $5,000, with a reduced fee of $500 for those primarily mining rock products. Additionally, it allows the department to charge extra fees based on actual contractor and employee expenses incurred during the permit review process, requiring an itemized estimate if these exceed $5,000. The bill also modifies annual reporting requirements, changing the flat $100 fee to a tiered structure based on the size of the mining operation, with fees ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to include provisions for minor and major amendments to permits and exploration licenses, establishing fees of $100 for minor amendments and $5,000 for major amendments, with a reduced fee of $500 for those primarily mining rock products. It outlines the necessary information for permit applications, including operator details and proposed reclamation plans, and specifies conditions under which an operating permit may be denied. The bill aims to enhance the regulatory framework for mining operations while ensuring environmental protection and accountability in reclamation efforts, with provisions set to take effect on 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