The Interstate Mining Compact is an interstate compact which addresses issues relating to mining, including, without limitation, the economic impacts, the effects on natural resources, the protection of the environment and public health and safety. The Compact requires each state that is a party to formulate and establish a program for the conservation and use of mined lands for certain purposes. The Compact creates the Interstate Mining Commission composed of one commissioner from each party state who is the governor of that state or an alternate designated by the Governor. The Commission is charged with certain duties, which include: (1) studying issues relating to mining operations, processes and techniques and the conservation and restoration of land affected by mining; (2) making recommendations relating to mining; (3) gathering and disseminating information relating to mining; (4) cooperating with the Federal Government and any public and private entities interested in mining; and (5) upon the request of a party state, consulting with officials in the state on issues relating to mining.
Section 2 of this bill enacts the Interstate Mining Compact. Section 3 of this bill authorizes the Governor to designate a representative to serve as the alternate of the Governor to the Compact and on the Commission.
Section 4 of this bill provides that: (1) the provisions of the Compact and any policy of the Commission do not limit, repeal or supersede any law of this State; and (2) the State of Nevada is not liable for certain obligations or solvency of the Commission.
Section 5 of this bill provides that the Governor and the Legislature or their designated agents have the right to inspect the books and accounts of the Commission.
Section 6 of this bill requires: (1) the Interstate Mining Commission, as directed in the Compact, to file a copy of the bylaws of the Commission with the Division of Minerals of the Commission on Mineral Resources; and (2) the Division to make a copy of the bylaws available for inspection by the public or the Legislature. Section 6 also requires the Administrator of the Division to pay the annual membership dues of the Interstate Mining Commission from the Account for the Division of Minerals or, if authorized, from certain grants from the Federal Government.