Revise hard rock and rock products mining fees

****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
AN ACT REVISING HARD ROCK AND ROCK PRODUCTS MINING FEES; PROVIDING FOR AN ANNUAL
SMALL MINER ADMINISTRATIVE FEE AND LATE FEE, AN EXPLORATION LICENSE RENEWAL FEE, AN
OPERATING PERMIT APPLICATION FEE, AN ANNUAL PERMIT FEE FOR MINES AND ROCK PRODUCTS
MINES, AND A FEE FOR PERMIT AMENDMENTS; CREATING A HARD-ROCK MINING PERMITTING
PROGRAM ACCOUNT; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; AMENDING SECTIONS 82-4-305, 82-4-
311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, AND 82-4-343, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Hard-rock mining permitting program account. (1) There is a hard-rock mining
permitting program account in the state special revenue fund established in 17-2-102. Money transferred to the
fund by the legislature, fees collected in accordance with this part, and interest and income earned on money in
the account must be deposited into the account.
(2) The department shall use money in the account to administer and enforce this part.
Section 2. Section 82-4-305, MCA, is amended to read:
"82-4-305. Exemption -- small miners -- written agreement. (1) Except as provided in subsections
(3) through (11) (12), the provisions of this part do not apply to a small miner if the small miner annually submits
a $100 administrative fee and agrees in writing:
(a) that the small miner will not pollute or contaminate any stream;
(b) that the small miner will provide protection for human and animal life through the installation of
bulkheads installed over safety collars and the installation of doors on tunnel portals;
(c) that the small miner will provide a map locating the miner's mining operations. The map must
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
be of a size and scale determined by the department.
(d) if the small miner's operations are placer or dredge mining, that the small miner shall salvage
and protect all soil materials for use in reclamation of that site and shall reclaim all land disturbed by the
operations to comparable utility and stability as that of adjacent areas.
(2) For small-miner exemptions obtained after September 30, 1985, a small miner may not obtain
or continue an exemption under subsection (1) unless the small miner annually certifies in writing:
(a) if the small miner is an individual, that:
(i) no business association or partnership of which the small miner is a member or partner has a
small-miner exemption; and
(ii) no corporation of which the small miner is an officer, director, or owner of record of 25% or
more of any class of voting stock has a small-miner exemption; or
(b) if the small miner is a partnership or business association, that:
(i) none of the associates or partners holds a small-miner exemption; and
(ii) none of the associates or partners is an officer, director, or owner of 25% or more of any class
of voting stock of a corporation that has a small-miner exemption; or
(c) if the small miner is a corporation, that no officer, director, or owner of record of 25% or more of
any class of voting stock of the corporation:
(i) holds a small-miner exemption;
(ii) is a member or partner in a business association or partnership that holds a small-miner
exemption; or
(iii) is an officer, director, or owner of record of 25% or more of any class of voting stock of another
corporation that holds a small-miner exemption.
(3) A small miner whose operations are placer or dredge mining shall post a performance bond
equal to the state's documented cost estimate of reclaiming the disturbed land, although the bond may not
exceed $10,000 for each operation. If the small miner has posted a bond for reclamation with another
government agency, the small miner is exempt from the requirement of this subsection.
(4) If a small miner who conducts a placer or dredge mining operation fails to reclaim the
operation, the small miner is liable to the department for all of its reasonable costs of reclamation, including a
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 3 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
reasonable charge for services performed by state personnel and for state materials and equipment used. If the
small miner posts a surety bond, the surety is liable to the state to the extent of the bond amount and the small
miner is liable for the remainder of the reasonable costs to the state of reclaiming the operation.
(5) If a small miner who conducts a placer or dredge mining operation fails to commence
reclamation of the operation within 6 months after cessation of mining or within an extended period allowed by
the department for good cause shown or if the small miner fails to diligently complete reclamation, the
department shall notify the small miner by certified mail that it intends to reclaim the operation unless the small
miner commences reclamation within 30 days and diligently completes the reclamation. The notice must be
mailed to the address stated on the small miner exclusion statement or, if the small miner has notified the
department of a different address by letter or in the annual certification form, to the most recent address given
to the department. If the small miner fails to commence reclamation within 30 days or to diligently complete
reclamation, the department may revoke the small miner exclusion statement, forfeit any bond that has been
posted with the department, and enter and reclaim the operation. If the small miner has not posted a bond with
the department or if the reasonable costs of reclamation exceed the amount of the bond, the department may
also collect additional reclamation costs, as set forth in subsection (6), before or after it incurs those costs.
(6) To collect additional reclamation costs, the department shall notify the small miner by certified
mail, at the address determined under subsection (5), of the additional reasonable reclamation costs and
request payment within 30 days. If the small miner does not pay the additional reclamation costs within 30
days, the department may bring an action in district court for payment of the estimated future costs and, if the
department has performed any reclamation, of its reasonable actual costs. The court shall order payment of
costs that it determines to be reasonable and shall retain jurisdiction until reclamation of the operation is
completed. Upon completion of reclamation, the court shall order payment of any additional costs that it
considers reasonable or the refund of any portion of any payment for estimated costs that exceeds the actual
reasonable costs incurred by the department.
(7) A small miner who intends to use a cyanide ore-processing reagent or other metal leaching
solvents or reagents shall obtain an operating permit for that part of the small miner's operation in which the
cyanide ore-processing reagent or other metal leaching solvents or reagents will be used or disposed of. The
acreage disturbed by the operation using cyanide ore-processing reagents or other metal leaching solvents or
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 4 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
reagents and covered by the operating permit is excluded from the 5-acre limit specified in 82-4-303(30)(a)(i)
and (30)(a)(ii).
(8) (a) Except for a small miner proposing to conduct a placer or dredge mining operation, a small
miner who intends to use an impoundment to store waste from ore processing shall obtain approval for the
design, construction, operation, and reclamation of that impoundment and post a performance bond for that
part of the small miner's operation before constructing an impoundment. The small miner shall post a
performance bond equal to the state's documented cost estimate of reclaiming the disturbed land. If the small
miner has posted a bond for reclamation of that site with a federal government agency, the small miner is
exempt from the requirements of this subsection (8)(a).
(b) The department shall conduct a review of the adequacy of the bond posted by a small miner
using an impoundment pursuant to this section at least once every 5 years and adjust the bond if necessary to
ensure reclamation of the impoundment. The acreage disturbed by the portion of the operation that uses an
impoundment to store waste from ore processing is included in the 5-acre limit specified in 82-4-303(30)(a)(i)
and (30)(a)(ii) and is subject to the provisions of this subsection (8).
(c) If a small miner under this subsection (8) fails to reclaim the operation, the small miner is liable
to the department for all of its reasonable costs of reclamation, including a reasonable charge for services
performed by state personnel and for state materials and equipment used. If the small miner posts a surety
bond, the surety is liable to the state to the extent of the bond amount and the small miner is liable for the
remainder of the reasonable costs to the state of reclaiming the operation.
(d) If a small miner under this subsection (8) fails to commence reclamation of the operation within
6 months after cessation of mining or within an extended period allowed by the department for good cause
shown or if the small miner fails to diligently complete reclamation, the department shall notify the small miner
by certified mail that it intends to reclaim the operation unless the small miner commences reclamation within
30 days and diligently completes the reclamation. The notice must be mailed to the address stated on the small
miner exclusion statement or, if the small miner has notified the department of a different address by letter or in
the annual certification form, to the most recent address given to the department. If the small miner fails to
commence reclamation within 30 days or to diligently complete reclamation, the department may revoke the
small miner exclusion statement, forfeit any bond that has been posted with the department, and enter and
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 5 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
reclaim the operation. If the small miner has not posted a bond with the department or if the reasonable costs of
reclamation exceed the amount of the bond, the department may also collect additional reclamation costs, as
set forth in subsection (8)(e), before or after it incurs those costs.
(e) To collect additional reclamation costs, the department shall notify the small miner by certified
mail, at the address determined under subsection (8)(d), of the additional reasonable reclamation costs and
request payment within 30 days. If the small miner does not pay the additional reclamation costs within 30
days, the department may bring an action in district court for payment of the estimated future costs and, if the
department has performed any reclamation, of its reasonable actual costs. The court shall order payment of
costs that it determines to be reasonable and shall retain jurisdiction until reclamation of the operation is
completed. Upon completion of reclamation, the court shall order payment of any additional costs that it
considers reasonable or the refund of any portion of any payment for estimated costs that exceeds the actual
reasonable costs incurred by the department.
(f) Except for a small miner who conducts a placer or dredge mining operation, a small miner
utilizing an impoundment to store waste from ore processing on or after April 28, 2005, shall obtain approval of
the design, construction, operation, and reclamation of that impoundment and post a performance bond within 6
months of April 28, 2005. If the small miner has posted a bond for reclamation of that site with a federal
government agency, the small miner is exempt from the requirements of this subsection (8)(f).
(9) The exemption provided in this section does not apply to a person:
(a) whose failure to comply with the provisions of this part, the rules adopted under this part, or a
permit or license issued under this part has resulted in the forfeiture of a bond, unless that person meets the
conditions described under 82-4-360;
(b) who has not paid a penalty for which the department has obtained a judgment pursuant to 82-
4-361;
(c) who has failed to post a reclamation bond required by this section, unless the department has
certified that the area for which the bond should have been posted has been reclaimed by that person or
reclaimed by the department and the person has reimbursed the department for the cost of the reclamation; or
(d) who has failed to comply with an abatement order issued pursuant to 82-4-362, unless the
department has completed the abatement and the person has reimbursed the department for the cost of
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 6 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
abatement.
(10) The exemption provided in this section does not apply to an area:
(a) under permit pursuant to 82-4-335;
(b) that has been permitted pursuant to 82-4-335 and reclaimed by the permittee, the department,
or any other state or federal agency; or
(c) that has been reclaimed by or has been subject to remediation of contamination or pollution by
a public agency, under supervision of a public agency, or using public funds.
(11) A small miner may not use mercury except in a contained facility that prevents the escape of
any mercury into the environment.
(12) If a small miner fails to meet the annual reporting requirement in this section on or before
March 1 of each year, the small miner shall pay a late fee of $100 in addition to the $100 administrative fee."
Section 3. Section 82-4-311, MCA, is amended to read:
"82-4-311. Disposition of fees, fines, penalties, and other uncleared money. (1) (a) All fees, fines
Fines, penalties, and other uncleared money that has been or will be paid to the department under the
provisions of this part must be placed in the environmental rehabilitation and response account in the state
special revenue fund provided for established in 75-1-110.
(b) Funds held by the department as bond or as a result of bond forfeiture that are no longer
needed for reclamation and for which the department is not able to locate a surety or other person who owns
the funds after diligent search must be deposited in the environmental rehabilitation and response account in
the state special revenue fund established in 75-1-110.
(2) Fees paid to the department under this part must be placed in the hard-rock mining permitting
program account established in [section 1]."
Section 4. Section 82-4-331, MCA, is amended to read:
"82-4-331. Exploration license required -- employees included -- limitation. (1) (a) A person may
not engage in exploration in the state without first obtaining an exploration license from the department. A
license must be issued for a period of 1 year from the date of issue and is renewable from year to year on
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 7 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
application. An application for renewal must be filed within 30 days preceding the expiration of the current
license and be accompanied by payment of a $25 renewal fee the fee specified in 82-4-342(2)(c), if applicable,
and the following renewal fee:
(i) for an exploration license approved for activities beneath the surface of the land, $400; or
(ii) for an exploration license approved for activities only on the surface of the land, $100.
(b) A license may not be renewed if the applicant for renewal is in violation of any provision of this
part. A license is subject to suspension and revocation as provided by this part.
(2) Employees of persons holding a valid license under this part are included in and covered by
the license.
(3) A person may not be issued an exploration license if:
(a) that person's failure, or the failure of any firm or business association of which that person was
a principal or controlling member, to comply with the provisions of this part, the rules adopted under this part, or
a permit or license issued under this part has resulted in either the receipt of bond proceeds by the department
or the completion of reclamation by the person's surety or by the department, unless that person meets the
conditions described in 82-4-360;
(b) that person has not paid a penalty for which the department has obtained a judgment pursuant
to 82-4-361;
(c) that person has failed to post a reclamation bond required by 82-4-305; or
(d) that person has failed to comply with an abatement order issued pursuant to 82-4-362, unless
the department has completed the abatement and the person has reimbursed the department for the cost of the
abatement."
Section 5. Section 82-4-332, MCA, is amended to read:
"82-4-332. Exploration license. (1) An exploration license must be issued to any applicant who:
(a) pays a the following fee of $100 to the department:
(i) for a license approved for activities beneath the surface of the land, $2,000; or
(ii) for a license approved for activities only on the surface of the land, $1,000;
(b) agrees to reclaim any surface area damaged by the applicant during exploration operations, as
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 8 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
may be reasonably required by the department; and
(c) is not in default of any other reclamation obligation under this law.
(2) An application for an exploration license must be made in writing, notarized, and submitted to
the department in duplicate upon forms prepared and furnished by it. The application must include an
exploration map or sketch in sufficient detail to locate the area to be explored and to determine whether
significant environmental problems would be encountered. The department shall by rule determine the precise
nature of the exploration map or sketch. The applicant shall state what type of prospecting and excavation
techniques will be employed in disturbing the land.
(3) Prior to the issuance of an exploration license, the applicant shall file with the department a
reclamation and revegetation bond in a form and amount as determined by the department in accordance with
82-4-338.
(4) In the event that the holder of an exploration license desires to mine the area covered by the
exploration license and has fulfilled all of the requirements for an operating permit, the department shall allow
the postponement of the reclamation of the acreage explored if that acreage is incorporated into the complete
reclamation plan submitted with the application for an operating permit. Any land actually affected by
exploration or excavation under an exploration license and not covered by the operating reclamation plan must
be reclaimed within 2 years after the completion of exploration or abandonment of the site in a manner
acceptable to the department."
Section 6. Section 82-4-335, MCA, is amended to read:
"82-4-335. Operating permit -- limitation -- fees. (1) A person may not engage in mining, ore
processing, or reprocessing of tailings or waste material, construct or operate a hard-rock mill, use cyanide ore-
processing reagents or other metal leaching solvents or reagents, or disturb land in anticipation of those
activities in the state without first obtaining a final operating permit from the department. Except as provided in
82-4-343, a separate final operating permit is required for each complex.
(2) A small miner who intends to use a cyanide ore-processing reagent or other metal leaching
solvents or reagents shall obtain an operating permit for that part of the small miner's operation where the
cyanide ore-processing reagent or other metal leaching solvents or reagents will be used or disposed of.
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 9 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
(3) (a) Prior to receiving an operating permit from the department, a person shall pay the basic
permit fee of $500 an application fee of $5,000, except that a person mining primarily rock products as defined
in 82-4-303 shall pay an application fee of $500.
(b) The department may require a person who is applying for a permit pursuant to subsection (1) to
pay an additional fee not to exceed the actual amount of contractor and employee expenses beyond the normal
operating expenses of the department whenever those expenses are reasonably necessary to provide for
timely and adequate review of the application, including any environmental review conducted under Title 75,
chapter 1, parts 1 and 2. The department may further define these expenses by rule. Whenever the department
determines that an additional fee is necessary and the additional fee will exceed $5,000, the department shall
notify the applicant that a fee must be paid and submit to the applicant an itemized estimate of the proposed
expenses. The department shall provide the applicant an opportunity to review the department's estimated
expenses. The applicant may indicate which proposed expenses the applicant considers duplicative or
excessive, if any.
(b)(c) (i) Subject to subsection (3)(b)(ii) (3)(c)(ii), a contractor shall, at the request of the applicant,
directly submit invoices of contractor expenses to the applicant.
(ii) A contractor's work is assigned, reviewed, accepted, or rejected by the department pursuant to
this section.
(4) The person shall submit an application on a form provided by the department, which must
contain the following information and any other pertinent data required by rule:
(a) the name and address of the operator, the engineer of record if applicable, and, if a corporation
or other business entity, the name and address of its officers, directors, owners of 10% or more of any class of
voting stock, partners, and the like and its resident agent for service of process, if required by law;
(b) the minerals expected to be mined;
(c) a proposed reclamation plan;
(d) the expected starting date of operations;
(e) a map showing the specific area to be mined and the boundaries of the land that will be
disturbed, the topographic detail, the location and names of all streams, roads, railroads, and utility lines on or
immediately adjacent to the area, and the location of proposed access roads to be built;
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 10 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
(f) the names and addresses of the owners of record and any purchasers under contracts for
deed of the surface of the land within the permit area and the owners of record and any purchasers under
contracts for deed of all surface area within one-half mile of any part of the permit area, provided that the
department is not required to verify this information;
(g) the names and addresses of the present owners of record and any purchasers under contracts
for deed of all minerals in the land within the permit area, provided that the department is not required to verify
this information;
(h) the source of the applicant's legal right to mine the mineral on the land affected by the permit,
provided that the department is not required to verify this information;
(i) the types of access roads to be built and manner of reclamation of road sites on abandonment;
(j) a plan that will provide, within limits of normal operating procedures of the industry, for
completion of the operation;
(k) ground water and surface water hydrologic data gathered from a sufficient number of sources
and length of time to characterize the hydrologic regime;
(l) a plan detailing the design, operation, and monitoring of impounding structures, including but
not limited to tailings impoundments and water reservoirs, sufficient to ensure that the structures are safe and
stable. For a tailings storage facility, this requirement is met by submission of a design document pursuant to
82-4-376, a panel report pursuant to 82-4-377, and a tailings operation, maintenance, and surveillance manual
pursuant to 82-4-379 prior to issuance of a draft permit.
(m) a plan identifying methods to be used to monitor for the accidental discharge of objectionable
materials and remedial action plans to be used to control and mitigate discharges to surface or ground water;
(n) an evaluation of the expected life of any tailings impoundment or waste area and the potential
for expansion of the tailings impoundment or waste site. For a tailings storage facility, this requirement is met by
submission of a design document pursuant to 82-4-376, a panel report pursuant to 82-4-377, and a tailings
operation, maintenance, and surveillance manual pursuant to 82-4-379 prior to issuance of a draft permit.
(o) an assessment of the potential for the postmining use of mine-related facilities for other
industrial purposes, including evidence of consultation with the county commission of the county or counties
where the mine or mine-related facilities will be located.
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 11 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
(5) Except as provided in subsection (7), the permit provided for in subsection (1) for a large-scale
mineral development, as defined in 90-6-302, must be conditioned to provide that activities under the permit
may not commence until the impact plan is approved under 90-6-307 and until the permittee has provided a
written guarantee to the department and to the hard-rock mining impact board of compliance within the time
schedule with the commitment made in the approved impact plan, as provided in 90-6-307. If the permittee
does not comply with that commitment within the time scheduled, the department, upon receipt of written notice
from the hard-rock mining impact board, shall suspend the permit until it receives written notice from the hard-
rock mining impact board that the permittee is in compliance.
(6) When the department determines that a permittee has become or will become a large-scale
mineral developer pursuant to 82-4-339 and 90-6-302 and provides notice as required under 82-4-339, within 6
months of receiving the notice, the permittee shall provide the department with proof that the permittee has
obtained a waiver of the impact plan requirement from the hard-rock mining impact board or that the permittee
has filed an impact plan with the hard-rock mining impact board and the appropriate county or counties. If the
permittee does not file the required proof or if the hard-rock mining impact board certifies to the department that
the permittee has failed to comply with the hard-rock mining impact review and implementation requirements in
Title 90, chapter 6, parts 3 and 4, the department shall suspend the permit until the permittee files the required
proof or until the hard-rock mining impact board certifies that the permittee has complied with the hard-rock
mining impact review and implementation requirements.
(7) Compliance with 90-6-307 is not required for exploration and bulk sampling for metallurgical
testing when the aggregate samples are less than 10,000 tons.
(8) A person may not be issued an operating permit if:
(a) that person's failure, or the failure of any firm or business association of which that person was
a principal or controlling member, to comply with the provisions of this part, the rules adopted under this part, or
a permit or license issued under this part has resulted in either the receipt of bond proceeds by the department
or the completion of reclamation by the person's surety or by the department, unless that person meets the
conditions described in 82-4-360;
(b) that person has not paid a penalty for which the department has obtained a judgment pursuant
to 82-4-361;
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 12 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
(c) that person has failed to post a reclamation bond required by 82-4-305; or
(d) that person has failed to comply with an abatement order issued pursuant to 82-4-362, unless
the department has completed the abatement and the person has reimbursed the department for the cost of
abatement.
(9) A person may not be issued a permit under this part unless, at the time of submission of a
bond, the person provides the current information required in subsection (4)(a) and:
(a) (i) certifies that the person is not currently in violation in this state of any law, rule, or regulation
of this state or of the United States pertaining to air quality, water quality, or mined land reclamation; or
(ii) presents a certification by the administering agency that the violation is in the process of being
corrected to the agency's satisfaction or is the subject of a bona fide administrative or judicial appeal; and
(b) if the person is a partnership, corporation, or other business association, provides the
certification required by subsection (9)(a)(i) or (9)(a)(ii), as applicable, for any partners, officers, directors,
owners of 10% or more of any class of voting stock, and business association members."
Section 7. Section 82-4-339, MCA, is amended to read:
"82-4-339. Annual report of activities by permittee -- fee -- notice of large-scale mineral
developer status. (1) Within 30 days after completion or abandonment of operations on an area under permit
or within 30 days after each anniversary date of the permit, whichever is earlier, or at a later date that may be
provided by rule and each year after that date until reclamation is completed and approved, the permittee shall
pay the applicable annual fee of $100 provided for in subsections (3) or (4) and shall file a report of activities
completed during the preceding year on a form prescribed by the department. The report must:
(a) identify the permittee and the permit number;
(b) locate the operation by subdivision, section, township, and range and with relation to the
nearest town or other well-known geographic feature;
(c) estimate acreage to be newly disturbed by operation in the next 12-month period;
(d) include the number of persons on the payroll for the previous permit year and for the next
permit year at intervals that the department considers sufficient to enable a determination of the permittee's
status under 90-6-302(4);
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 13 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
(e) update the information required in 82-4-335(4)(a); and
(f) update any maps previously submitted or specifically requested by the department. The maps
must show:
(i) the permit area;
(ii) the unit of disturbed land;
(iii) the area to be disturbed during the next 12-month period;
(iv) if completed, the date of completion of operations;
(v) if not completed, the additional area estimated to be further disturbed by the operation within
the following permit year; and
(vi) the date of beginning, amount, and current status of reclamation performed during the previous
12 months.
(2) Whenever the department determines that the permittee has become or will, during the next
permit year, become a large-scale mineral developer, it shall immediately serve written notice of that fact on the
permittee, the hard-rock mining impact board, and the county or counties in which the operation is located.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (4):
(a) for a mine required to file a reclamation bond pursuant to 82-4-338(1)(a), a permittee shall pay
the fee specified under 82-4-342(2)(c), if applicable, and an annual permit fee as follows:
(i) for a mine of 500 acres or more of a bonded disturbance, $5,000;
(ii) for a mine of 100 acres or more but less than 500 acres of a bonded disturbance, $3,000; or
(iii) for a mine of less than 100 acres of a bonded disturbance, $1,000; or
(b) for a mine not required to file a reclamation bond pursuant to 82-4-338(1)(a), a permittee shall
pay the fee specified under 82-4-342(2)(c) or 82-4-343(3)(c), if applicable, and an annual permit fee of $100.
(4) Upon submission of an annual report of activities as required in subsection (1), a person
permitted under this part to mine rock products as defined in 82-4-303 shall pay:
(a) the applicable fee specified under 82-4-342(2)(c) or 82-4-343(3)(c); and
(b) an annual permit fee as follows:
(i) when the report is submitted between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, 25% of the applicable
fee in subsection (3)(a);
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 14 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
(ii) when the report is submitted between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, 50% of the applicable
fee in subsection (3)(a);
(iii) when the report is submitted between July 1, 2027, and June 30, 2028, 75% of the applicable
fee in subsection (3)(a); or
(iv) when the report is submitted on or after July 1, 2028, 100% of the applicable fee in subsection
(3)(a)."
Section 8. Section 82-4-342, MCA, is amended to read:
"82-4-342. Amendment to operating permits and exploration licenses -- rulemaking -- fees. (1)
During the term of an operating permit or exploration license issued under this part, an operator or licensee
may apply for a permit revision as described in subsections (5)(g) (6)(g) through (5)(j) (6)(l) or an amendment to
the permit or license. The operator may not apply for an amendment to delete disturbed acreage except
following reclamation, as required under 82-4-336, and bond release for the disturbance, as required under 82-
4-338.
(2) (a) The department may by rule establish criteria for the classification of amendments to a
permit or exploration license as major or minor. The department shall adopt rules establishing requirements for
the content of applications for revisions and major and minor amendments and the procedures for processing
revisions and minor amendments.
(b) An amendment must be considered minor if:
(i) it is for the purpose of retention of mine-related facilities that are valuable for postmining use;
(ii) evidence is submitted showing that a local government has requested retention of the mine-
related facilities for a postmining use; and
(iii) the postmining use of the mine-related facilities meets the requirements provided for in 82-4-
336.
(c) An operator or licensee who is applying for a minor amendment or revision shall pay to the
department a fee of $100. This fee must be included with the next annual fee payment required under 82-4-
332(1) or 82-4-339(3).
(3) (a) Applications for major amendments An application for a major amendment to an operating
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 15 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
permit must be processed pursuant to 82-4-337.
(b) Except as specified under 82-4-343(3)(c) or as provided in subsection (3)(c) of this section, an
operator applying for a major amendment to an operating permit shall pay to the department a fee of $5,000 at
the time of the application.
(c) A person mining primarily rock products as defined in 82-4-303 shall pay to the department a
fee of $500 for an application for a major amendment.
(4) An applicant for an amendment to an exploration license shall pay to the department a fee of:
(a) for amendments that include activities beneath the surface of the land, $500; or
(b) for amendments that include activities only on the surface of the land, $250.
(4)(5) The department shall review an application for a revision or a minor amendment and provide a
notice of decision on the adequacy of the application within 30 days. If the department does not respond within
30 days, then the permit is revised or amended in accordance with the application.
(5)(6) The department is not required to prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental
impact statement for the following categories of action and permit revisions:
(a) actions that qualify for a categorical exclusion as defined by rule or justified by a programmatic
review pursuant to Title 75, chapter 1;
(b) administrative actions, such as routine, clerical, or similar functions of a department, including
but not limited to administrative procurement, contracts for consulting services, and personnel actions;
(c) repair or maintenance of the permittee's equipment or facilities;
(d) investigation and enforcement actions, such as data collection, inspection of facilities, or
enforcement of environmental standards;
(e) ministerial actions, such as actions in which the agency does not exercise discretion, but acts
upon a given state of facts in a prescribed manner;
(f) approval of actions that are primarily social or economic in nature and that do not otherwise
affect the human environment;
(g) changes in a permit boundary that increase disturbed acres that are insignificant in impact
relative to the entire operation, provided that the increase is less than 25 acres or 10% of the permitted area,
whichever is less;
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 16 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
(h) changes to an approved reclamation plan if the changes are consistent with this part and rules
adopted pursuant to this part;
(i) changes in an approved operating plan for an activity that was previously permitted if the
changes will be insignificant relative to the entire operation and the changes are consistent with subsection
(5)(g) (6)(g);
(j) changes in a permit for the purpose of retention of mine-related facilities that are valuable for
postmining use;
(k) modifications to a tailings storage facility that result in a minor expansion to the facility if:
(i) the proposed modification is certified by the seal of the engineer of record;
(ii) the capacity increase resulting from the expansion is no greater than 15% of the capacity of the
existing tailings storage facility; and
(iii) the modification complies with 82-4-376(2)(l) and (2)(dd) and is exempt under subsection
(5)(g), (5)(h), or (5)(i) (6)(g), (6)(h), or (6)(i) of this section; and
(l) applications for rock product permits and amendments pursuant to 82-4-343."
Section 9. Section 82-4-343, MCA, is amended to read:
"82-4-343. Operating permit -- rock products -- fees. (1) A person may not engage in mining of
rock products or disturb land in anticipation of mining rock products before obtaining a final operating permit
from the department pursuant to this section.
(2) (a) A person mining rock products or a landowner allowing another person to mine rock
products from the landowner's land may obtain an operating permit for a single site or multiple sites if the
operation or operations cumulatively disturb no more than 100 acres of the earth's surface and the single site or
each of the multiple sites do not:
(i) operate within 100 feet of surface water or in ground water or impact any wetland, surface
water, or ground water;
(ii) have any water impounding structures other than for storm water control;
(iii) adversely impact a member of or the critical habitat of a member of a wildlife species that is
listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; or
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 17 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
(iv) impact significant historic or archaeological features.
(b) A landowner who is a permittee and allows another person to mine on the landowner's land is
responsible for compliance with this part, the rules adopted pursuant to this part, and the permit for mining
activities conducted on sites permitted pursuant to this subsection (2) with the landowner's permission. The
performance bond required under this part is and must be conditioned upon compliance with this part, the rules
adopted pursuant to this part, and the permit of the landowner and any person who mines with the landowner's
consent.
(3) (a) Prior to receiving a final operating permit from the department, a person shall pay a basic
permit application fee of $500. The department may require a person applying for a permit pursuant to
subsection (1) to pay an additional fee not to exceed the actual amount of contractor and employee expenses
beyond the normal operating expenses of the department whenever those expenses are reasonably necessary
to provide for timely and adequate review of the application, including any environmental review conducted
under Title 75, chapter 1, parts 1 and 2. The board department may further define these expenses by rule.
Whenever the department determines that an additional fee is necessary and the additional fee will exceed
$2,000, the department shall notify the applicant that a fee must be paid and submit to the applicant an itemized
estimate of the proposed expenses. The department shall provide the applicant an opportunity to review the
department's estimated expenses. The applicant may indicate which proposed expenses the applicant
considers duplicative or excessive, if any.
(b) (i) Subject to subsection (3)(b)(ii), a contractor shall, at the request of the applicant, directly
submit invoices of contractor expenses to the applicant.
(ii) A contractor's work is assigned, reviewed, accepted, or rejected by the department pursuant to
this section.
(c) (i) A person applying for a minor amendment or revision to an operating permit shall pay to the
department a fee of $100. This fee must be included with the next annual fee payment required by 82-4-339(3).
(ii) A person applying for a major amendment shall pay the department a fee of $500 at the time of
the application.
(4) The person shall submit an application on a form provided by the department, which must
contain the following information and any other pertinent data required by rule:
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 18 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
(a) the name and address of the operator, and, if a corporation or other business entity, the name
and address of its officers, directors, owners of 10% or more of any class of voting stock, partners, and the like
and its resident agent for service of process, if required by law;
(b) the rock products expected to be mined;
(c) a proposed reclamation plan;
(d) the expected starting date of operations;
(e) a map showing the specific area to be mined and the boundaries of the land that will be
disturbed, the topographic detail, the location and names of all streams, roads, railroads, and utility lines on or
immediately adjacent to the area, and the location of proposed access roads to be built;
(f) the names and addresses of the owners of record and any purchasers under contracts for
deed of the surface of the land within the permit area, provided that the department is not required to verify this
information;
(g) the names and addresses of the present owners of record and any purchasers under contracts
for deed of all minerals in the land within the permit area, provided that the department is not required to verify
this information;
(h) the source of the applicant's legal right to mine the mineral on the land affected by the permit,
provided that the department is not required to verify this information;
(i) the types of access roads to be built and manner of reclamation of road sites on abandonment;
(j) a plan that will provide, within limits of normal operating procedures of the industry, for
completion of the operation;
(5) A person may not be issued an operating permit if:
(a) that person's failure, or the failure of any firm or business association of which that person was
a principal or controlling member, to comply with the provisions of this part, the rules adopted under this part, or
a permit or license issued under this part has resulted in either the receipt of bond proceeds by the department
or the completion of reclamation by the person's surety or by the department, unless that person meets the
conditions described in 82-4-360;
(b) that person has not paid a penalty for which the department has obtained a judgment pursuant
to 82-4-361;
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 69
- 19 - Authorized Print Version – HB 69
ENROLLED BILL
(c) that person has failed to post a reclamation bond required by 82-4-305; or
(d) that person has failed to comply with an abatement order issued pursuant to 82-4-362, unless
the department has completed the abatement and the person has reimbursed the department for the cost of
abatement.
(6) A person may not be issued a permit under this part unless, at the time of submission of a
bond, the person provides the current information required in subsection (4)(a) and:
(a) (i) certifies that the person is not currently in violation in this state of any law, rule, or regulation
of this state or of the United States pertaining to air quality, water quality, or mined land reclamation; or
(ii) presents a certification by the administering agency that the violation is in the process of being
corrected to the agency's satisfaction or is the subject of a bona fide administrative or judicial appeal; and
(b) if the person is a partnership, corporation, or other business association, provides the
certification required by 82-4-335(9)(a)(i) or (9)(a)(ii), as applicable, for any partners, officers, directors, owners
of 10% or more of any class of voting stock, and business association members.
(7) The department's action on an application submitted under this section does not require an
environmental review under Title 75, chapter 1, for the following:
(a) an application for a new permit resulting in less than 15 acres of total disturbance;
(b) an application to amend a permit resulting in less than 15 acres of total disturbance; and
(c) an application to amend a permit that has been analyzed under Title 75, chapter 1, that results
in less than 25 acres of new disturbance."
Section 10. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title
82, chapter 4, part 3, and the provisions of Title 82, chapter 4, part 3, apply to [section 1].
Section 11. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2025.
- END -
I hereby certify that the within bill,
HB 69, originated in the House.
___________________________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
HOUSE BILL NO. 69
INTRODUCED BY S. GIST
BY REQUEST OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
AN ACT REVISING HARD ROCK AND ROCK PRODUCTS MINING FEES; PROVIDING FOR AN ANNUAL
SMALL MINER ADMINISTRATIVE FEE AND LATE FEE, AN EXPLORATION LICENSE RENEWAL FEE, AN
OPERATING PERMIT APPLICATION FEE, AN ANNUAL PERMIT FEE FOR MINES AND ROCK PRODUCTS
MINES, AND A FEE FOR PERMIT AMENDMENTS; CREATING A HARD-ROCK MINING PERMITTING
PROGRAM ACCOUNT; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; AMENDING SECTIONS 82-4-305, 82-4-
311, 82-4-331, 82-4-332, 82-4-335, 82-4-339, 82-4-342, AND 82-4-343, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.