The bill aims to reduce regulatory burdens on small producers of infrastructure materials by amending RCW 78.44.031. Key changes include redefining the criteria for what constitutes a "surface mine" by increasing the thresholds for disturbed area from three acres to seven acres, and for surface mined slopes from thirty feet to thirty feet high and steeper than a 1.0 horizontal to 1.0 vertical ratio. Additionally, the bill clarifies that surface mining operations will exclude certain excavations or grading activities, particularly those related to on-site construction, public safety, and public works projects in counties with populations under 20,000.

Other notable amendments include the specification of "segment" as any portion of a surface mine larger than seven acres with more than 500 linear feet of working face, and the definition of "disturbed area" which now explicitly includes various mine-related sites while excluding reclaimed lands and subsurface aspects of underground mines. These changes are intended to streamline the regulatory framework for small mining operations, making it easier for them to comply with state laws while still ensuring environmental protections are in place.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 78.44.031