All Roll Calls
Yes: 276 • No: 17
MontanaHB 6969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Revise hard rock and rock products mining fees
Sponsored By: Steve Gist (Republican)
Became Law
Environmental ProtectionMining and MineralsState FinanceRevenue, StateRule Making
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Higher mine permit fees, phased in
Beginning July 1, 2025, mines that post a reclamation bond pay an annual fee with the report: $5,000 for 500+ bonded acres, $3,000 for 100–499, and $1,000 for under 100. Mines without a bond pay $100. Minor permit amendments cost $100 and are added to the next annual fee. Major amendments cost $5,000, or $500 if you mine mainly rock products. Rock‑products operations get a phase‑in on annual fees: pay 25% for reports filed 7/1/2025–6/30/2026, 50% for 7/1/2026–6/30/2027, 75% for 7/1/2027–6/30/2028, and 100% on or after 7/1/2028.
Higher exploration license and amendment fees
Starting July 1, 2025, applying for an exploration license costs $2,000 for below‑surface work or $1,000 for surface‑only. Amendments cost $500 if they add below‑surface work or $250 for surface‑only. Renewals must be filed within 30 days before expiration and include $25 plus $400 (below‑surface) or $100 (surface‑only), and any additional renewal fee required by law.
Earlier notice on extra review fees
Beginning July 1, 2025, the department must notify you and give an itemized estimate when extra review costs will exceed $2,000. Before, notice applied only when costs were over $5,000.
Small miners pay $100 each year
Beginning July 1, 2025, small miners who claim the exemption pay a $100 administrative fee each year and file the required agreement. If you miss the March 1 report, you also owe a $100 late fee for that year.
New state account for mining fees
Beginning July 1, 2025, the state creates a Hard‑Rock Mining Permitting Program Account. Fees under this law, legislative transfers, and interest go into this account. The department uses this money to run and enforce permitting.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Steve Gist
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Barry Usher
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/22/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 49 • No: 1
House vote • 4/18/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 45 • No: 2
House vote • 1/27/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 90 • No: 8
House vote • 1/24/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 92 • No: 6
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/16/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/12/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
5/5/2025HouseSigned by President
5/2/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/1/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/25/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/22/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/22/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/18/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
4/5/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
4/4/2025SenateHearing
3/21/2025SenateHearing
3/20/2025SenateReferred to Committee
2/11/2025SenateFirst Reading
1/28/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
1/27/2025House3rd Reading Passed
1/27/2025House2nd Reading Passed
1/24/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed
1/20/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
1/17/2025HouseFiscal Note Printed
1/7/2025HouseFiscal Note Signed
1/7/2025HouseFiscal Note Received
1/7/2025HouseHearing
1/6/2025HouseFirst Reading
1/6/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/23/2025
Introduced
12/12/2024