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HCM 2007

hardrock mines; remediation; urging support

57th Legislature - First Regular Session Introduced by Selina Bliss

Urges AZ Mine Inspector and ADEQ to partner with federal/private groups in Arizona and apply for EPA Good Samaritan pilot to remediate abandoned hardrock mines.

Transmit to Secretary of State
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Bill Summary · HCM 2007

Summary — H.C.M. 2007 (2025)

Title: hardrock mines; remediation; urging support
Bill type: House Concurrent Memorial (HCM 2007)
Introduced: Jan 27, 2025 by Rep. Bliss
Status: Passed both chambers; filed with Secretary of State Mar 28, 2025

Main purpose

H.C.M. 2007 is a non‑binding concurrent memorial urging the Arizona State Mine Inspector and the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to work with federal agencies and private‑sector partners to identify qualifying abandoned hardrock mine sites in Arizona and apply for the U.S. EPA pilot permitting program created under the federal Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024.

Key provisions / requests

The memorial does not create new law or regulatory authority. It:
- Urges the Arizona State Mine Inspector and ADEQ to collaborate with federal agencies and private entities to locate eligible legacy mine sites in Arizona and submit applications for the EPA pilot program established by the 2024 Good Samaritan Act.
- Requests the Arizona Secretary of State to transmit copies of the memorial to the State Mine Inspector, the ADEQ Director, and each Member of Congress from Arizona.

Context and rationale

  • Cites the Good Samaritan Remediation Act (signed Dec 17, 2024), which authorizes an EPA pilot permitting program allowing qualified "Good Samaritans" (state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, private parties) to remediate abandoned hardrock mine pollution without incurring legal and financial liability under certain conditions.
  • Notes Arizona’s extensive hardrock mining history and estimates that there may be more than 100,000 abandoned hardrock mine sites in Arizona (hundreds of thousands nationally), which pose public‑safety and environmental risks (open shafts, contaminated soils and waters impacting rivers, ecosystems, communities and tribal nations).
  • Summarizes federal eligibility criteria highlighted in the memorial: projects must aim for partial or complete remediation within permit terms and timelines, pose low environmental risk, and be led by Good Samaritans who are not past owners/operators or liable parties and who can secure resources and identify responsible owners where possible.

Who is affected

  • State agencies: Arizona State Mine Inspector (mine reclamation/closure) and ADEQ (soil/water contamination oversight and federal regulatory implementation).
  • Potential Good Samaritans: state/local governments, nonprofits, tribes, private companies (including mining companies) able to fund and perform remediation.
  • Communities and ecosystems near legacy mine sites, including tribal nations.

Procedural timeline / legislative actions

  • House first reading: Jan 27, 2025
  • Passed House: Feb 20, 2025 (placed on consent calendar Feb 17)
  • Passed Senate: Mar 27, 2025
  • Transmitted to Secretary of State / filed: Mar 28, 2025

Practical effect and limitations

  • The memorial expresses the legislature’s preference and requests action but does not compel agency behavior or change law. Any remediation would depend on EPA pilot program requirements, agencies’ decisions to apply, availability of qualified Good Samaritans, funding/resources, and site‑specific technical and legal considerations (including identifying responsible parties).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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