131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1363		LR 420(02)
	An Act to Support Extraction of Common Minerals by Amending the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Current biennium cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds Current biennium revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds Current biennium revenue increase - General Fund Current biennium revenue increase - Municipalities
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill changes the definition of "metallic mineral" to exclude certain activities from the definition of "mining" in the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act (MMMMA), allowing them to continue to be conducted under site location or quarry rules issued by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  The bill creates a process for individuals to request a determination from DEP that certain activities related to the definition of "metallic mineral" or "mining" are exempt from provisions of the MMMMA, but are subject to the provisions of rules governing site location or quarries.  The bill requires that these exempted activities remain subject to the mining excise tax.
	This bill will increase Other Special Revenue Funds revenue to the DEP from new site location or quarry permits issued.  If applicants are approved, mining excise tax revenues would be received. Under current statute, the revenue will reimburse municipalities and unorganized territories for at least 50%, and if sufficiently available 100%, of the property tax revenue loss suffered by that municipality or unorganized territory as a result of property tax exemptions created under the mining excise tax statute. 25% of any remaining revenues would be paid to DEP for oversight of mining activity and 75% would be credited to the General Fund.