PRINTER'S NO. 629

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

668

Session of

2021

INTRODUCED BY JAMES, BROOKS, CAUSER, COOK, IRVIN, LONGIETTI,

MILLARD, PISCIOTTANO, SAINATO, SANKEY, SCHWEYER, STRUZZI,

WHEELAND AND ZIMMERMAN, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

such mining; providing for the establishment of an Emergency

Bond Fund for anthracite deep mine operators; and providing

penalties," further providing for Mining and Reclamation

Advisory Board.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 18(g) of the act of May 31, 1945

(P.L.1198, No.418), known as the Surface Mining Conservation and

Reclamation Act, is amended to read:

Section 18. Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation

all matters pertaining to mining and reclamation which shall

include, but not be limited to, experimental practices,

alternate methods of backfilling, selection of reclamation

projects, alternate reclamation methods, obligations for

preexisting pollution liability, alteration of reclamation

plans, reclamation fees and bonding rates and methods.

(1) [The board shall be comprised of three (3) coal

operators, two (2) of whom shall be licensed bituminous surface

mine operators and one (1) of whom shall be a licensed

anthracite surface mine operator; four (4) public members from

the majority party and one (1) member from the minority party,

who shall be appointed by the President pro tempore, and two (2)

from the House of Representatives, one (1) from the majority

party and one (1) from the minority party, who shall be

appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.] The

board shall be comprised of the following members:

(i) Three (3) coal operators, two (2) of whom shall be

licensed bituminous surface mine operators and one (1) of whom

shall be a licensed anthracite surface mine operator.

(ii) Four (4) public members from the Citizens Advisory

State Conservation District Commission.

(iv) Four (4) members of the General Assembly, two (2) from

the Senate, one (1) member from the majority party and one (1)

member from the minority party, who shall be appointed by the

President pro tempore of the Senate, and two (2) from the House

of Representatives, one (1) from the majority party and one (1)

from the minority party, who shall be appointed by the Speaker

of the House of Representatives.

(v) If a coal refuse energy and reclamation facility is

operating within this Commonwealth, an additional one (1) member

Professional Engineers.

(3) All members shall be appointed for a term of two (2)

years, except that one-half of the initial members shall serve

for three (3) years.

(4) All actions of the board shall be by majority vote. The

board shall meet upon the call of the secretary, but not less

than quarterly, to carry out its duties under this act. The

board shall select from among its members a chairperson and such

other officers as it deems appropriate.

(5) The board shall prepare an annual report on its