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2004 SESSION

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HB 182 Bottomlands, state-owned; permits and royalties for use.

Introduced by: G. Glenn Oder | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Royalties for use of state-owned bottomland. Exempts riparian owners of commercial facilities (i) engaged in ship construction or repair, (ii) providing services to the ship cargo industry, and (iii) engaged in the business of selling or servicing watercraft from having to pay any rents or royalties to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. The owners of such facilities will still have to pay a fee between $25 to $100 for the use of state bottomlands. The Commission is required to charge a royalty for any easement or lease it grants for the right to prospect for oil, gas and other minerals. In addition, $100 will be charged to public service companies, which are placing pipelines or cables on or in state-owned bottomland. Uncollected rents and royalties assessed by the Commission prior to July 1, 2004, are declared void and the agency is prohibited from assessing any rents or royalties, except those collected in the removal of bottom material, until July 1, 2005. This bill is identical to SB 606.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Royalties for use of state-owned bottomland. Removes the Virginia Marine Resources Commission's authority to assess royalties for the use of state-owned bottomland. The Commission retains the authority to charge permit fees for the use of bottomland, the recovery of underwater historic property, and the removal of bottom material, easements, and leases. The bill removes the option available to ship construction and repair businesses of paying a one-time permit fee of up to $5,000, in lieu of any other royalties, but will have to pay a fee of between $25 and $100 for use of state-owned bottomland.