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

                FILE NUMBER........


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 support 
       for reasonable and progressive reforms of existing federal 
       laws governing mining.


  WHEREAS, The exploration and development of 
mineral resources in the United States has provided a 
significant benefit to the residents of the United States; 
and
  WHEREAS, The mining industry in the United 
States provides steady, high-paying jobs for thousands of 
Americans, and through its operations pays millions of 
dollars in taxes; and
  WHEREAS, The mining industry in the State of 
Nevada makes significant contributions to the strength of 
the economy of this state; and
  WHEREAS, The basic tenets of the General 
Mining Law of 1872, 30 U.S.C. §§ 22 et seq., continue to be 
of critical importance in encouraging the development of 
hard rock minerals; and
  WHEREAS, Under existing laws and regulations, 
the various regulatory agencies of the Federal Government 
and of the several states have substantial authority to 
control and monitor effectively the impact of mining and 
mining exploration; and
  WHEREAS, States located in the western United 
States have enacted comprehensive regulatory programs, 
enforced in conjunction with federal agencies for land 
management, which set forth the criteria for issuing permits 
to, and the exploration, development and reclamation of, 
mining operations and which contain provisions for the 
protection of surface and ground water, the designation of 
uses of land after mining operations are completed, the 
availability of financial resources and public notice and 
review of decisions made concerning mining operations; and
  WHEREAS, A bill has been introduced in the 
Senate of the United States, S. 506, which proposes to 
reform extensively the laws governing mining in the United 
States in a manner that would protect the valuable mining 
industry; and
  WHEREAS, S. 506 is a bipartisan bill which is 
supported by the entire Nevada Congressional Delegation; and
  WHEREAS, If enacted, S. 506 would raise 
millions of dollars for the treasury of the United States, 
require mining operations to comply with all applicable 
federal and state environmental laws and standards for 
reclamation, establish a program for abandoned mines, 
abolish the moratorium currently imposed on the issuance of 
patents and require the Secretary of the Interior to resume 
the processing of pending applications for patents; 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 hereby 
expresses its support for the provisions of S. 506 which 
reasonably and progressively reform the 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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