House Bill No. introduced by B. Mercer seeks to enhance the regulatory framework surrounding Metal Mine Tailings Impoundment by revising the membership, qualifications, and duties of the independent review panel responsible for tailings impoundment plans. Key amendments include redefining "independent review panel member" to include both licensed engineers and recognized subject matter experts, as well as mandating the submission of a written report from the review panel. The bill also clarifies the definition of "tailings storage facility" and removes the previous exemption for facilities storing less than 50 acre-feet of tailings, water, or process solution, thereby expanding regulatory oversight.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a structured process for the review and oversight of tailings storage facilities, requiring the operator to assemble a review panel approved by the department and to conduct inspections post-construction. The panel is tasked with preparing a detailed report of their findings, which must be signed by all members and submitted to both the department and the facility operator. In response to the panel's findings, the operator must develop a corrective action plan within 60 days, with penalties for non-compliance. The proposed changes aim to ensure that tailings storage facilities are operated safely and in compliance with current engineering standards, with the bill set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_1(1): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_1(2): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_1(3): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_1(4): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_1(5): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_1(6): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_1(7): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_1(8): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_1: 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_2(1): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_2(2): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_2(3): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_2(4): 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380
HB0699_2: 82-4-303, 82-4-335, 82-4-337, 82-4-377, 82-4-380