2014 SESSION

Convened January 8, 2014
Adjourned sine die March 8, 2014
Reconvened April 23, 2014
Adjourned sine die April 23, 2014

MINES AND MINING

(P) Passed (F) Failed (V) Vetoed (I) Incoporated into other legislation

(C) Carried over to 2015 Session

Biofuels Production Incentive Grant Program; eligibility to receive grants. Amending § 45.1-394 and second enactment of Chapter 652, 2006 Acts. (Patron-Ingram, HB 1025 (Chapter 669))

Coal mine safety; reciprocal agreements with other states. Amending §§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.21. (Patron-Chafin, HB 1014 (Chapter 145))

Coal-mined areas; amends Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1979 by removing ability of certain applicants to provide a bond without separate surety, change of expiration date of certain provision. Amending §§ 45.1-241, 45.1-270.3, and 45.1-270.4. (Patron-O’Quinn, HB 710 (Chapter 135); Puckett, SB 560 (Chapter 111))

Coalbed methane; arbitration of conflicting claims of ownership. Amending § 45.1-361.22:1. (Patron-Puckett, SB 548 (F))

Coalbed methane gas; operator of certain pooled wells to request release of funds held in escrow or suspense. Amending § 45.1-361.1; adding § 45.1-361.22:2. (Patron-Kilgore, HB 461 (C))

Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area; prohibition on oil and gas drilling, application for permit to drill an environmental impact assessment. Amending §§ 45.1-361.29 and 62.1-195.1. (Patron-Stuart, SB 48 (F))

Gas severance tax; extends sunset provision to December 31, 2015. Amending § 58.1-3713. (Patron-Morefield, HB 1028 (Chapter 44); Carrico, SB 552 (Chapter 187))

Grand larceny and property injury; health and safety made an element of crimes where coal mine damaged, trespass, penalty. Amending §§ 15.2-1812.1, 18.2-95, 18.2-119, and 18.2-137. (Patron-Carrico, SB 208 (C))

Multistate Coal Compact; established. Adding § 45.1-271.1. (Patron-Marshall, R.G., HB 140 (F))

Solar generation and net metering, distributed; Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy to jointly convene a stakeholder group to study costs and benefits. (Patron-Edwards, SR 47 (F))

State-owned uplands; any permit or lease for oil or gas exploration or extraction on uplands to allow use of hydraulic fracturing. Amending §§ 2.2-1157 and 45.1-361.1. (Patron-Poindexter, HB 915 (F))

Surface mining; eliminates requirements that Director of Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy submit copy of application for discharge permit to State Water Control Board for its review. Amending § 45.1-254. (Patron-Carrico, SB 217 (F))

Uranium exploration; sampling of well near activity. Adding §§ 32.1-176.5:1.1 and 45.1-275.1. (Patron-Ruff, SB 547 (C))

Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance; members named or appointed by Alliance for Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Virginia Coal Mine Safety Board. Amending §§ 15.2-6003 and 45.1-161.98. (Patron-Morefield, HB 1167 (Chapter 438))