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MontanaHB 6969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise hard rock and rock products mining fees

Sponsored By: Steve Gist (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Environmental ProtectionMining and MineralsState FinanceRevenue, StateRule Making

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 1 mixed.

Higher operating-permit fees for mines

Beginning July 1, 2025, an operating permit application costs $5,000. If you mine mainly rock products, the application costs $500. A major amendment costs $5,000 ($500 for rock-products operators). A minor amendment or revision costs $100, paid with your next annual fee. The department can charge extra to cover review costs. If those extra costs will exceed $5,000, the department must tell you and provide an itemized estimate.

Mines pay annual fees by acreage

Beginning July 1, 2025, mines that post a reclamation bond pay an annual fee based on bonded acres: $5,000 for 500+ acres, $3,000 for 100–499 acres, or $1,000 for under 100 acres. Mines that do not have to post a reclamation bond pay $100 each year. You also must pay any other fee listed in 82-4-342(2)(c) or 82-4-343(3)(c), if it applies.

Exploration license fees increase for miners

Beginning July 1, 2025, getting an exploration license costs $2,000 for subsurface work or $1,000 for surface-only. Renewals filed within 30 days before expiration cost $400 (subsurface) or $100 (surface-only), plus any other fee in 82-4-342(2)(c) if it applies. Amendments cost $500 for subsurface changes or $250 for surface-only changes. You must agree to reclaim damage and post the required reclamation and revegetation bond.

Rock-products mines: phased fees and reviews

Beginning July 1, 2025, rock-products operators pay an annual fee equal to a percentage of the applicable fee: 25% for reports dated July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026; 50% for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027; 75% for July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028; and 100% on or after July 1, 2028. Before getting a final operating permit, you pay a $500 basic permit fee. The department may charge extra to cover review costs. If extra fees will exceed $2,000, the department must notify you and give an itemized estimate.

Small-miner exemption fee and deadline

Small miners who use the exemption pay a $100 fee each year. If you miss the March 1 annual report deadline, you pay an extra $100 that year. This rule is in effect beginning July 1, 2025.

Where mining fees and fines go

The law creates a hard-rock mining permitting program account in the state special revenue fund. Fees paid under this program go into the new account. The Department of Environmental Quality uses the money to run and enforce the permit program. Fines and penalties still go to the environmental rehabilitation and response account.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Gist

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Barry Usher

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 279 • No: 17

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 2

House vote • 1/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 90 • No: 8

House vote • 1/24/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 94 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/16/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/5/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/1/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/25/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/22/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/22/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/18/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report

    4/5/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action

    4/4/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    3/21/2025Senate

  13. Hearing

    3/20/2025Senate

  14. Referred to Committee

    2/11/2025Senate

  15. 1st Reading

    1/28/2025Senate

  16. Transmitted to Senate

    1/27/2025House

  17. 3rd Reading

    1/27/2025House

  18. 2nd Reading

    1/24/2025House

  19. Committee Report

    1/20/2025House

  20. Committee Executive Action

    1/17/2025House

  21. Fiscal Note Printed

    1/7/2025House

  22. Fiscal Note Signed

    1/7/2025House

  23. Fiscal Note Received

    1/7/2025House

  24. Hearing

    1/6/2025House

  25. 1st Reading

    1/6/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/23/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    12/12/2024

    PDF

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