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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
nonappropriated monies; report; JLBC;
date
(NOW: mine inspector; adandoned mines; appropriation)
Purpose
Appropriates $1,122,000 and six full-time equivalent positions (FTE) from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2023 to the State Mine Inspector to inventory and coordinate the closure of abandoned mines in Arizona.
Background
The State Mine Inspector must inspect: 1) at least once every three months, every active underground mine in Arizona with 50 or more employees; and 2) at least every year for all other mines. The State Mine Inspector may enter and inspect any abandoned or inactive mine to determine if any dangerous condition exists that could affect the health and safety of the general public (A.R.S. § 27-124).
The Abandoned Mines Safety Fund, administered by the State Mine Inspector, consists of gifts, grants, contributions and legislative appropriations. The State Mine Inspector must use the monies in the Fund to pay contractors for actual abatement costs to fill, fence or plug shafts. The State Mine Inspector must consult with the State Land Commissioner to identify and prioritize the abandoned mine sites on state lands to be considered for abatement (A.R.S. § 27-131).
S.B. 1717 appropriates $1,122,000 and six FTEs from the state GF in FY 2023 to the State Mine Inspector.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $1,122,000 and six FTEs from the state GF in FY 2023 to the State Mine Inspector to inventory and coordinate the closure of abandoned mines in Arizona.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
ˇ Adopted the strike-everything amendment.
Senate Action
APPROP 2/15/22 DPA/SE 10-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 23, 2022
LMM/sr