Bill Summary: LC 17 – Maintain the county distribution level of metal mines license tax
Overview
- Bill number: LC 17
- Title: Maintain the county distribution level of metal mines license tax
- Status: (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- Introduced: August 27, 2024
- Subject areas: Appropriations/State Finance, Counties/Local Government, Mining and Minerals, Taxation
Purpose and Intent
- The bill’s title indicates it is intended to preserve the current distribution level of revenues from the metal mines license tax to counties. In other words, it would maintain the existing method and share of tax receipts allocated to counties, preventing changes to the distribution formula or the portion allocated to counties.
Key Provisions (as indicated by the title and typical drafting)
- The actual statutory language is not provided here, but the draft would be expected to modify or reinforce the provisions governing the metal mines license tax distribution to ensure the current county-sharing arrangement remains in effect.
- Possible elements that would appear in the full text (to be confirmed in the draft): amendments to the statute governing the metal mines license tax, specification of distribution percentages or formulas, and any transitional or effective-date provisions.
- The draft would determine whether the maintenance is permanent or subject to review, and whether any related administrative or reporting changes are required.
Affected Parties
- Counties receiving distributions from the metal mines license tax (the primary beneficiaries of the distribution maintenance).
- Metal mining operators and businesses subject to the metal mines license tax.
- State tax/finance agencies responsible for administering, collecting, and distributing the tax revenue.
Fiscal and Policy Impact
- Rationale: By maintaining current distribution levels, counties would experience continued revenue stability from the metal mines license tax, barring any other changes to the tax itself.
- Potential effects: Stable county revenues from this tax source; any broader revenue shifts would depend on how the current distribution interacts with statewide tax receipts and other distributions if not otherwise adjusted.
- Important to verify in the full text: whether the bill alters total tax liability or only the distribution mechanics; any sunset, renewal, or review provisions; and any administrative costs to implement.
Procedural Status and Timeline
- 2024-08-27: Drafter Assigned
- 2024-11-15: Draft On Hold
- 2025-01-13 to 2025-01-14: Draft in Legal Review/Input/Final Drafter Review
- 2025-01-14 to 2025-01-15: Draft in Edit/Ready for Delivery
- 2025-01-15: Draft in Assembly; Draft Ready for Delivery
- 2025-01-23: Draft Delivered to Requester
Next Steps for Review
- Examination of the actual draft text is needed to confirm specific provisions, effective dates, transitional rules, and any related fiscal notes.
- Monitor committee assignments, hearings, and amendments as the draft progresses toward potential floor action.
