HB75 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tommy Sherer
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Surface Mining Commission, meeting days altered, fees, licenses and renewals, contracts with attorneys as hearing officers authorized, requirement for citations compelling attendance at hearings deleted if cessation order issued, Secs. 9-16-73, 9-16-74, 9-16-77, 9-16-78, 9-16-81, 9-16-93 am'd.
Summary: HB75 updates Alabama's Surface Mining Commission rules by adding monthly meetings, licensing and training fees, a new hearings division with qualified hearing officers, and revised enforcement and licensing processes.
What This Bill Does
The bill requires the Commission to meet at least once per month and lets it charge reasonable fees for training, examinations, and certification programs. It authorizes hiring or contracting with attorneys to serve as hearing officers and creates a Division of Hearings and Appeals with specific qualifications and procedures. It also authorizes initial licensing and annual license update fees, creates a reapplication path for existing licenses (including a $200 application fee and debt clearance requirements), and removes the rule that inspectors must issue citations to compel attendance at hearings after a cessation order.

Who It Affects
The Alabama Surface Mining Commission and its staff, which will conduct monthly meetings, set fees, and manage licensing and hearing processes.
Surface coal mining operators and license applicants, who will face new license requirements, initial and annual fees, and potential reapplication requirements for existing licenses.
Professionals who may become hearing officers (e.g., foresters, engineers, attorneys) and the coal industry, which will participate in the expanded hearings process and related contracting.

Key Provisions
Commission must meet at least monthly (instead of every 30 days).
Authorize charging reasonable fees for training, examination, and certification programs related to surface mining.
Authorize the Commission to hire or contract with attorneys to serve as hearing officers and create a Division of Hearings and Appeals with qualified hearing officers.
Hearing officers must be attorneys in good standing, with restrictions on conflicts and prohibitions on serving if previously employed by or represented coal operators within the prior 24 months; hearings are to be conducted with separation of offices and regulatory safeguards.
Authorize the establishment and collection of fees for initial surface mining licenses and annual license updates; initial license fee set at $1,000 with annual renewal updates governed by rules; existing licensees must reapply within 90 days of the act's effective date, with a $200 application fee and must settle any outstanding debts before license issuance.
Delete the requirement that inspectors issue citations compelling attendance at expeditious hearings after a cessation order.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Surface Mining Commission