House Engrossed

superior court jurisdiction; technical correction

(now: Good Samaritan mine act; support)

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2008

A Concurrent Resolution

urging support for Congressional passage of the good samaritan remediation of abandoned hard rock mines act.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

Whereas, the United States has more than 140,000 abandoned hardrock mines, and more than 22,000 of these pose environmental hazards that threaten our land, water, fish and wildlife and the communities that depend on them; and

Whereas, the mining industry and the conservation community are highly motivated to remedy the environmental challenges created by abandoned mines but are hindered by burdensome red tape and potential and significant liability risks; and

Whereas, numerous organizations have expressed a willingness to remediate the damage caused by these long-abandoned mines, but doing so would expose a "Good Samaritan" volunteer to legal liability for all the preexisting pollution from a mine despite having no previous involvement with it; and

Whereas, the bipartisan "Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act" has been introduced in Congress that would allow state agencies, local governments, nonprofit groups and corporations to clean up these abandoned mines, thereby helping to reduce pollution and improve water quality in and around the mining areas; and

Whereas, this important legislation creates a path forward for Good Samaritans to work unimpeded and increase the pace and scale of reclamation and, in so doing, create jobs and enhance our nation's environment.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

1. That the Members of the Legislature express their support for the United States Congress to pass the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act to allow Good Samaritan groups to clean up abandoned mines in this country.

2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Resolution to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.

PASSED BY THE HOUSE FEBRUARY 23, 2022.

PASSED BY THE SENATE APRIL 12, 2022.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 12, 2022.