27-934. Plan submission fee; accounting and appropriation of revenues

A. The state mine inspector shall assess and collect a one-time submission fee from the owner or operator of each exploration operation and mining unit at the time the owner or operator submits a plan under article 3 or 4 of this chapter.

B. For fiscal year 1996-1997 the submission fee is three dollars per acre of surface disturbance covered by the plan. Thereafter, the inspector may revise the amount of the submission fee each year based on the reasonable direct costs to process, review and approve or deny the plan, but the submission fee shall not exceed three dollars per acre of surface disturbance covered by the plan.

C. The inspector shall deposit, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, the revenues from the submission fee in the state general fund. The inspector shall submit the amount that is necessary to administer and enforce this chapter as a separate item in the inspector's budget request. The legislature's appropriation to the inspector shall include an amount sufficient to administer and enforce this chapter, including payments to consultants for services provided pursuant to section 27-935.