2015 Senate Bill 591

Regulate small native copper mines separately

Introduced in the Senate

Oct. 29, 2015

Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R-38)

To establish a separate regulatory regime over small native copper mining operations (meaning ones that generate less than 75,000 tons of waste rock a year to extract copper “in its elemental form”).

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

Dec. 3, 2015

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 15, 2015

Amendment offered by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-18)

Require applicant for a mining permit the bill would authorize to include details of the geology of the site.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-18)

To add more public hearing requirements.

The amendment failed 15 to 23 (details)

Passed in the Senate 25 to 13 (details)

Received in the House

Dec. 16, 2015

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

May 24, 2016

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 2, 2016

Amendment offered by Rep. John Kivela (D-109)

To exclude mining material that has significant acid-forming characteristics from the streamlined regulatory regime proposed by the bill.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Scott Dianda (D-110)

To clarify that the small mining operations are not subject to local government regulation of routes used by their vehicles.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Scott Dianda (D-110)

To require a public hearing on mining activity covered by the bill.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Dec. 13, 2016

Passed in the House 99 to 9 (details)

To establish a separate regulatory regime over small native copper mining operations (meaning ones that generate less than 75,000 tons of waste rock a year to extract copper “in its elemental form”).

Received in the Senate

Dec. 13, 2016

Substitute offered by Sen. Tom Casperson (R-38)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 26 to 11 (details)

To establish a separate regulatory regime over small native copper mining operations (meaning ones that generate less than 75,000 tons of waste rock a year to extract copper “in its elemental form”).

Received in the House

Dec. 13, 2016