HB 1647
In CommitteeHouse
Surface mine reclamation
Establishing surface mine reclamation permit fees.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill updates fees for surface mine reclamation permits in Washington, increasing application and annual fees to better cover regulatory costs. It also tightens timelines for application review and strengthens enforcement tools for collecting unpaid fees.
- Standardizes and increases application fees: $4,500 for new permits, expansions, or permit combinations; $2,500 for revisions to existing reclamation plans (new fee).
- Raises annual permit fees: $3,500 for private operators (up from $2,000); $2,500 for public permit holders (e.g., county-run public works mines), replacing previous waivers and lower fees.
- Requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify applicants within 60 days of receiving an application if additional information is needed.
- Allows the Department to refer delinquent permit fees or fines to licensed collection agencies, which may add their own collection fees.
- Clarifies that annual fees are due before permit issuance and each year on the permit’s anniversary date, and nonpayment may lead to permit suspension or cancellation.
- Maintains confidentiality of production records, mineral assessments, and trade secrets submitted to the Department.
Who is affected
- Surface mine operators (private and public) — Must pay new or revised application fees ($4,500 for expansions or new permits; $2,500 for plan revisions) and annual permit fees ($3,500 for private operators; $2,500 for public permit holders for public works projects).
- Counties, cities, and towns — May receive funding from the state if they take on surface mining enforcement responsibilities from the state.
- Applicants seeking surface mine reclamation permits — Benefit from more consistent and timely review timelines, as the Department of Natural Resources must now respond to applications within 60 days with required information.
- State of Washington (via DNR and Reclamation Account) — The state’s Surface Mining Reclamation Account receives increased fee revenue to support reclamation and enforcement activities.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
Increases fee revenue deposited into the Surface Mining Reclamation Account, enabling more robust reclamation of abandoned or active mine sites — reducing environmental hazards (e.g., unstable slopes, contaminated water) that pose risks to public health, wildlife, and downstream communities.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1), amending RCW 78.44.085(1)Mandates 60-day review timelines for permit applications, improving predictability for local governments and applicants — reducing project delays for infrastructure (e.g., road building, flood control) that rely on public works mining, and supporting timely public investment.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(8), amending RCW 78.44.085(8)Standardizes annual fees for public permit holders at $2,500 (replacing previous waivers), ensuring more stable funding for state oversight — which indirectly supports counties by reducing the risk of underfunded reclamation programs that could fall back to local taxpayer burden.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(b), amending RCW 78.44.085(3)(b)Clarifies fee due dates and consequences for nonpayment (e.g., permit suspension), reducing regulatory uncertainty for compliant operators — though this also strengthens enforcement, it may benefit larger operators with legal/financial resources to stay current, while penalizing smaller or cash-strapped operators.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(9), amending RCW 78.44.085(9)By funding reclamation through dedicated fees, the bill supports long-term stabilization of inactive mine sites — reducing risks of landslides, water contamination, and unexploded ordnance that threaten public safety in mining-affected regions like the Cascades or Eastern WA.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(4), amending RCW 78.44.085(4)
Potential Concerns (5)
Increases application and plan revision fees for surface mining operations, raising costs for permit applicants — especially small-scale or public-sector operators (e.g., county-run road construction mines) — potentially deterring new or expanded mining activity and increasing administrative burden for small operators.
Business & EmploymentIndustryRef: Sec. 1(2), amending RCW 78.44.085(2)Doubles annual permit fees for private operators (from $2,000 to $3,500) and eliminates previous fee waivers for small public-sector mines (e.g., rural counties), disproportionately burdening small-scale or public operators who may lack economies of scale to absorb the cost increase.
Business & EmploymentIndustryRef: Sec. 1(3)(a), amending RCW 78.44.085(3)(a)While counties may receive delegated enforcement funds, the bill removes automatic fee waivers for small public mines (e.g., rural counties with <20k population), increasing local government costs unless they absorb reclamation responsibilities — a burden not offset by guaranteed funding.
Local GovernmentIndustryRef: Sec. 1(7), amending RCW 78.44.085(7)Authorizes referral of delinquent fees to collection agencies, which may impose additional fees — potentially leading to aggressive debt collection practices against small operators who fall behind, especially during economic downturns or permitting delays.
Business & EmploymentLean industryRef: Sec. 1(9), amending RCW 78.44.085(9)The bill does not include new environmental or public safety requirements — only fee increases and enforcement mechanisms — so while reclamation funding may improve long-term site safety, the bill itself does not directly enhance public safety beyond status-quo enforcement capacity.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1(4), amending RCW 78.44.085(4)
Who Is Most Affected
Private surface mine operators (especially small or marginal operations) face higher upfront and recurring costs — $4,500 per application and $3,500/year — which may reduce new permitting, delay infrastructure projects, or force consolidation with larger firms. While some may benefit from more predictable timelines, the net effect is a cost burden disproportionate to their size.
Counties (especially rural ones) lose previous fee waivers for small public works mines and now pay $2,500/year per mine — increasing local costs for road-building and public infrastructure. However, they gain eligibility for state-delegated enforcement funds if they assume oversight, potentially offsetting some costs.
Applicants (including developers, contractors, and local governments) benefit from the 60-day review requirement, reducing permitting delays for time-sensitive projects like road maintenance or flood control — but only if DNR has capacity to meet the timeline, which is not guaranteed.
The state gains increased revenue ($1.2M–$2M/year estimated) to fund reclamation and enforcement, improving long-term environmental outcomes and reducing future liability — but this is funded by regulated entities, not general taxpayers.
Communities near active or abandoned mine sites benefit from improved reclamation funding, reducing risks of landslides, water pollution, and unsafe infrastructure — especially in Eastern WA and the Cascades where mining legacy is significant.