MT HB717

Authorizes the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to use eminent domain to acquire surface, mineral, or other property interests within mining permit boundaries when transferring abandoned or non-compliant operations to successor operators

Requires written findings that eminent domain use serves the public interest of Montana taxpayers, environmental protection, and reclamation before proceedings may begin

Allows eminent domain only when an operator has been prohibited from mining for at least 1 year, the forfeited bond is insufficient to cover reclamation costs, and a qualified successor operator is available

Makes operators liable to the department for insufficient bond amounts (the difference between forfeited bond and calculated required bond) and authorizes the department to initiate proceedings to recover these funds

Takes effect immediately upon passage and approval