Repeals the Fluorspar and Underground Limestone Mines Act. Amends the Surface-Mined Land Conservation and Reclamation Act. Changes certain provisions concerning the amount of any bond that is required to be filed with the Department of Natural Resources by an operator. Provides that the penalty of such bonds shall be an amount between $600 and $10,000 (was between $600 and $5,000) per acre as determined by the Director of Natural Resources for lands to be affected by surface mining, including slurry and gob disposal areas. Provides that, under circumstances where a written agreement between the operator and a third party require overburden to be removed, replaced, graded, and seeded in a manner that the necessary bond penalty exceeds $10,000 per acre, the Department shall require a bond amount sufficient to ensure the completion of the reclamation plan specified in the approved permit in the event of forfeiture. Provides that in no case shall the bond for the entire area under one permit be less than $600 per acre or $3,000, whichever is greater.
Sponsored bills
Congratulates Sister M. Simona Frohning, FSGM on 25 years as a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.
Congratulates Sister M. Christine Crowder, FSGM on 50 years as a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.
Recognizes Dr. Sadiq Mohyuddin, Talat Gul Mohyuddin, and Dr. Yusuf Mohyuddin for establishing the Mohyuddin Endowment in support of The Mohyuddin Pulmonary Lab at OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center.
Congratulates Joshua K. Rudd of Roxana Community Unit School District #1 on perfect attendance from Kindergarten through the 12th grade.
Congratulates Fred H. Bright, Jr. on his retirement as Mayor of East Alton.
Mourns the death of Charles R. Gable.
Mourns the death of Fred E. Ufert of Wood River.
Congratulates Sue Nagy on her retirement as the Customer Service Manager at Schnucks grocery store in Godfrey.
Congratulates Eziekel Elliott on winning the 2015 College Football National Championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes.