Two Small-Scale Mining Bills Before the State Legislature

Two pieces of legislation affecting small-scale mineral prospecting and mining are under consideration by the Washington State Legislature.

The first of these bills is SB 6343 - Authorizing small scale prospecting and mining in certain areas.

Among other provisions, this bill would authorize limited placer mining on Washington's ocean beaches.

The history and current status of SB 6343 is:

Jan 15 - First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.
Jan 21 - Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean Recreation at 1:30 PM. (Subject to change).

Senators Morton, Carrell, and Roach are the sponsors.

You can read the text of SB 6343 here: SB6343.

You can contact the members of the Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation Committee through the links here: NROR.

The second bill is HB 2871 - Regarding penalties for small scale prospecting and mining violations.

HB 2871 would reduce the penalty for violating the rules published in the gold and fish pamphlet from a "gross misdemeanor (criminal offense)" to a "natural resources (civil) infraction."

Current status of HB 2871 is: Jan 17 - First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources.

Sponsors of HB 2871 are Representatives Kretz and McCune.

The text of HB 2871 is available here: HB2871.

The members of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee can be reached through the links on this page: AGNR.

Both of these bills would improve the situation for small-scale miners in Washington State so I would urge you to contact members of the appropriate committees and recommend passage.