AB-982 • 2026

The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975: idle reserve mine status.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Carrillo
Last action: 2025-09-08
Official status: Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Grayson.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's provisions are only valid until January 1, 2032, not 2036 as stated in the candidate explanation.

Surface Mining and Reclamation Act: Idle Reserve Mines

This law allows certain idle construction material mines to apply for a special status that can extend their inactive period by up to ten years, under specific conditions.

What This Bill Does

Allows idle surface mining operations that extract construction materials to request 'Idle Reserve Mine Status'.
Requires the Division of Mine Reclamation to review and approve applications for 'Idle Reserve Mine Status' if certain conditions are met.
Enables lead agencies to extend interim management plans by up to ten years if approved.
Requires the State Mining and Geology Board to create rules for implementing this status.

Who It Names or Affects

Surface mining operations that extract construction materials
Lead agencies responsible for reviewing and approving interim management plans
The Division of Mine Reclamation
State Mining and Geology Board

Terms To Know

Idle Reserve Mine Status: A special status given to idle surface mining operations that allows them an extended inactive period.
Interim Management Plan: A plan submitted by a mine operator when the operation becomes idle, detailing how it will be managed until it resumes activity or closes permanently.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill's provisions are only valid until January 1, 2032.
It is unclear what happens if an application for 'Idle Reserve Mine Status' does not meet all the specified conditions.
The exact details of how inspections will be conducted under this new status have not been fully outlined.

Bill History

2025-09-08 California Legislative Information
Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Grayson.
2025-09-02 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
2025-08-18 California Legislative Information
In committee: Referred to suspense file.
2025-07-17 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-17 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 16).
2025-06-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 1. Page 1870.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
2025-05-07 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2025-04-07 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-25 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2025-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-24 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 982, as amended, Carrillo.
The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975: idle reserve mine status.
The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 prohibits a person, with exceptions, from conducting surface mining operations unless, among other things, a permit is obtained from, a specified reclamation plan is submitted to and approved by, and financial assurances for reclamation have been approved by the lead agency for the operation of the surface mining operation.
Existing law requires, within 90 days of a surface mining operation becoming idle, as defined, the operator to submit an interim management plan to the lead agency for review. Existing law authorizes the interim management plan to remain in effect for a period not to exceed 5 years, which may be renewed for an additional period not to exceed 5 years, and which may be renewed for one additional 5-year renewal period at the expiration of the first 5-year
renewal period, if the lead agency finds that the surface mining operator has complied fully with the interim management plan, as provided.
This bill would, until January 1,
2036,
2032,
authorize a surface mining operation that is authorized to extract construction aggregate materials, as defined, but currently idle, to apply for and request the Division of Mine Reclamation to review and approve an application for “Idle Reserve Mine Status” if specified conditions are met. If the division concludes that all of the specified conditions are met and approves the application for “Idle Reserve Mine Status,” and if the lead agency concurs with the division’s review and other specified conditions are met, the bill would authorize the lead agency to extend the
maximum renewal period that an interim management plan may remain in effect by up to 10 years, as provided. The bill would require the State Mining and Geology Board to adopt regulations to implement these provisions. The bill would require the division to compile and post on its internet website specified information.
Existing law requires the lead agency to cause surface mining operations to be inspected in intervals of no more than 12 months, solely to determine whether surface mining operation is in compliance with the act.
The bill would require the lead agency to also cause inspection of surface mining operations that are idle or in “Idle Reserve Mine Status.”

Current Bill Text

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