S.J.R. 6


Senate Joint Resolution No. 6--Committee on Natural 
    Resources

                 January 24, 1995
                 _____________

    Referred to Committee on Natural Resources


SUMMARY--Expresses support of Nevada Legislature for 
          activities and operations of all mining 
          industries in Nevada and expresses its 
          opposition to any extensive and 
          unreasonable reform of existing federal 
          laws governing mining. (BDR R-1082)

FISCAL NOTE:  Effect on Local Government: No.
              Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.



EXPLANATION--Matter in italics is new; matter in bra
ckets [ ] is material to be omitted.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION--Expressing the support of the Nevada 
        Legislature for the activities and operations of all mining 
        industries in this state and expressing its opposition to any 
        extensive and unreasonable reform of existing federal laws 
        governing mining.


  WHEREAS, Congress has recently considered the 
passage of legislation which proposes to reform extensively 
the laws governing mining in the United States; and
  WHEREAS, The proposed legislation would impose 
substantial and burdensome changes on mining companies in 
the United States by severely restricting access to land, 
lengthening the process for obtaining permits for mining, 
imposing heavy royalties and fees in addition to income 
taxes and eliminating the process for the patenting of 
mining claims; and
  WHEREAS, Because of these proposed changes and 
because of other recent changes in the law governing mining 
which make it more difficult and expensive to obtain permits 
to open new mines in the United States, mining exploration 
by domestic companies has increased significantly in foreign 
countries which have more favorable policies towards the 
mining industry and perceive mining as a way to promote 
industrialization and prosperity; and
  WHEREAS, The mining industry provides 
approximately 47,000 high-paying jobs in Nevada; and
  WHEREAS, The State of Nevada, which is 
sparsely populated and comparatively undeveloped, relies 
heavily upon the mining industry to create jobs and to 
provide an important base for taxes; and
  WHEREAS, It is estimated that approximately 40 
percent of Nevada's hard rock minerals may be located on 
public lands which are under the control of Congress and 
therefore subject to the proposed changes in the law; and
  WHEREAS, The proposed changes would entice 
domestic mining companies in Nevada to continue explorations 
in foreign countries and possibly move operations to those 
countries, thereby eroding a significant source of taxes to 
be used for schools and other important purposes in Nevada; 
now, therefore, be it
  RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF 
NEVADA, JOINTLY, That the Nevada Legislature hereby 
expresses its support for the activities and operations of 
all mining industries in Nevada; and be it further
  RESOLVED, That the Nevada Legislature opposes 
any extensive and unreasonable reform of existing federal 
laws governing mining; and be it further
  RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate 
prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice 
President of the United States as the presiding officer of 
the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 
each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be 
it further
  RESOLVED, That this resolution becomes 
effective upon passage and approval.

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