MN HF4321

Commissioner of Natural Resources must deny nonferrous mining permits, licenses, or leases to applicants convicted in the last 15 years of violating environmental laws or laws against bribery and corruption, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Applicants with civil or administrative sanctions exceeding $1,000,000 for environmental noncompliance in the last 15 years, or those party to consent decrees or settlement agreements for environmental or corruption violations, are ineligible.

Commissioner may deny applications to subsidiaries, affiliates, related parties, commonly-owned entities, or those employing officers or directors who meet disqualifying criteria.

All applicants must submit detailed disclosure statements listing officers, directors, major shareholders, parent companies, and any violations, sanctions, or litigation related to environmental laws or corruption within the preceding 15 years.

Commissioner must decide whether to deny applications within six months of receiving disclosure statements; applicants failing to disclose information or providing false statements may have permits suspended or revoked.