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Wyoming2024Did Not Pass

HB0069

Landowner Approval for Mine Permits

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

The bill requires landowners to give their written consent before the Department of Environmental Quality or the Environmental Quality Council can approve changes to mine permits and reclamation plans if the surface owner is different from the permit holder or mineral owner.

What it does

  • Requires written consent from the surface owner for any revisions to mine permits or reclamation plans if they are different from the permit holder or mineral owner.
  • Specifies that this requirement applies to all applications submitted on and after July 1, 2024.

Who it affects

  • Landowners whose property is affected by mining activities
  • The Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Quality Council

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was introduced but failed to move forward in the session.
  • It does not specify what happens if a landowner refuses consent for revisions to mine permits or reclamation plans.

Plain language

Terms to know

Reclamation Plan
A plan that outlines how land will be restored after mining activities are completed.
Surface Owner
The person who owns the surface rights of a piece of land, which may differ from the owner of mineral rights beneath it.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill textStored full record

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 5, 6:23 AM

Mike Yin

D · H16

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because he believes it could provide a pathway for federal government overreach, citing his experience on a task force fighting such outreach.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:29:55 Watch the statement

Ken Clouston

R · H32

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because mining operators in his county warn it has unintended consequences that could harm Wyoming's mining industry.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:30:14 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because he believes it reverses centuries of law by making the surface owner dominant over the mineral estate, which would upend the mining industry.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:30:56 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker reiterates support by explaining that if landowners disagree with changes, mines continue under existing permits, ensuring landowners are not left out of the loop.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:31:35 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

1 roll call

H Failed Introduction 20-41-1-0-02024-02-14 · House20 yes 41 no
Yes
20
No
41
Absent
0
Excused
1
Conflict
0

Yes 20

Allen SlagleH02Ben HornokH42Bill AllemandR · H58Chip NeimanR · H01Clarence StyvarR · H12Clifford M JenningsH30Daniel SinghR · H61Jeanette WardH57Jeremy HaroldsonR · H04John BearR · H31John WinterR · H28Ken PendergraftR · H29Ocean AndrewR · H46Pepper OttmanR · H34Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsR · H50Sarah PennH33Scott HeinerR · H18Scott SmithR · H05Tomi StrockR · H06Tony LockeR · H35

No 41

Albert P Sommers Jr.H20Andrew ByronR · H22Art WashutR · H36Barry CragoR · H40Bob DavisR · H47Bob NicholasR · H07Christopher KnappR · H53Clark D StithH48Cody WylieR · H39Cyrus WesternH51Dalton BanksR · H26Dan ZwonitzerH43Dave L ZwonitzerH08David E NorthrupH25Donald E Burkhart JrH15Ember OakleyH55Forrest ChadwickH62J.T. LarsonR · H17Jared OlsenR · H11Jerry A ObermuellerH56John C EklundH10Jon ConradH19Karlee ProvenzaD · H45Ken ChestekD · H13Ken CloustonR · H32Kevin O'HearnH59Landon BrownR · H09Lane AllredH21Liz StorerD · H23Lloyd LarsenR · H54Martha LawleyR · H27Mike YinD · H16Reuben TarverR · H52Ryan BergerH49Sandy NewsomeH24Steve HarshmanR · H37Tamara TrujilloH44Thomas J WaltersH38Tony NiemiecH60Trey SherwoodD · H14William D HendersonH41

Excused 1

Abby AngelosR · H03

Official activity

Bill history

  1. H Failed Introduction 20-41-1-0-0House
  2. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  3. Bill Number AssignedLSO