Keeping Law SimpleLegislation, clearly explained
Back to Wyoming
Wyoming2025Did Not Pass

HB0059

Water Quality Testing Before Limited Mining

Last scannedOct 24, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This act allows the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to conduct water quality testing before limited mining operations start and amends notice requirements for such operations.

What it does

  • Allows the DEQ to require water quality testing before limited mining begins if it believes that domestic or drinking water sources might be affected by the mining activities.
  • Requires the DEQ to make rules necessary to implement this act.

Who it affects

  • Miners who want to conduct limited mining operations in Wyoming.
  • The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) which will test water quality and create rules for testing.
  • Surface owners within one mile of proposed mining areas who might receive notices about the mining plans.

Limits and unknowns

  • This bill did not pass during its session.
  • It is unclear how many miners will be affected by these changes to notice requirements.
  • The exact rules DEQ will make for water quality testing are not specified in this act.

Plain language

Terms to know

Limited Mining Operations
Small-scale mining activities that remove materials like sand, gravel, or limestone from an area of fifteen acres or less of affected land.
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
The government agency responsible for protecting and improving the environment in Wyoming.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill text

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 3, 9:34 AM

Couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

1 roll call

H09 - Minerals:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-1-1-0-02025-01-27 · House7 yes 1 no
Yes
7
No
1
Absent
0
Excused
1
Conflict
0

Yes 7

CAMPBELLChristopher KnappR · H53J.T. LarsonR · H17Martha LawleyR · H27Nina WebberR · H24Reuben TarverR · H52Scott HeinerR · H18

No 1

Mike SchmidR · H20

Excused 1

J.R. RigginsR · H59

Official activity

Bill history

  1. H COW:H Did not consider for COWHouse
  2. H Placed on General FileHouse
  3. H09 - Minerals:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-1-1-0-0House
  4. H Introduced and Referred to H09 - MineralsHouse
  5. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  6. Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

HB0059HS001

The amendment adds a requirement that before starting limited mining operations, an operator must test the water quality of nearby domestic wells if allowed by the well owners and submit those results to the state.