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AZ HB2278

Bill

Status

Engrossed

2/23/2026

Primary Sponsor

Walter Blackman

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature - Second Regular Session (2026)

AI Summary

  • Adds third-party escrow and trust accounts as allowable financial assurance mechanisms for mining and aggregate mining reclamation requirements
  • Specifies that all interest and earnings from third-party escrow or trust accounts, minus administrative fees, belong to the mine owner/operator and may be applied toward final reclamation costs
  • Requires the inspector to release proportional shares of interest earned when partially releasing or substituting funds from escrow or trust accounts
  • Removes outdated effective date references (April 1, 1997 and January 1, 2007) from financial assurance requirement provisions
  • Applies identical changes to both exploration/mining operations (sections 27-991, 27-996) and aggregate mining operations (sections 27-1291, 27-1296)

Legislative Description

Financial assurance; reclamation; escrow; trusts

Minerals, Oil And Gas - Title 27

Last Action

Senate read second time

3/3/2026

Committee Referrals

Rules3/2/2026
Natural Resources2/23/2026
Rules1/20/2026
Natural Resources, Energy & Water1/20/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available