Nevada to join Interstate Mining Compact Commission under SB 464, committee advances bill

Senate Bill 464, authorizing Nevada to become a full member of the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC), was advanced by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee following testimony that membership would improve multi‑state coordination on mining regulation, abandoned mine lands and federal engagement.

Rob Galleri (Rob Galleri for the record), administrator of the Nevada Division of Minerals, said the bill would make the governor Nevada's official commissioner to IMCC and allow the governor to appoint delegates to serve on the state's behalf. Galleri told the committee IMCC "provides a united voice for the states to Congress, the administration, and federal agencies" and that membership would let Nevada participate in benchmarking, information sharing, and multi‑state policy development without creating new state regulatory requirements.

Galleri described IMCC's role in recent federal discussions, including work on mining law reform and abandoned‑mine‑lands funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. He said annual IMCC dues are based on U.S. Geological Survey reporting of mineral production and that the fiscal note would be covered by existing fee revenue from mining claims rather than the general fund. "For the foreseeable future, all membership dues will be paid by existing fee revenue on mining claims and dedicated" to the Division of Minerals, Galleri said.

Committee members asked whether the Nevada Commission on Mineral Resources supported membership; Galleri said the commission voted unanimously to pursue full IMCC membership. Nikki Bailey Lundahl, vice president of the Nevada Mining Association, testified in support and said the state should "have a seat at the table" for national conversations that affect mining oversight and reclamation. Jake Tibbitts, natural resources manager for Eureka County, also testified in support and emphasized mining's local economic importance.

In the work session that followed the hearing, the committee moved to "do pass" SB 464. The motion was made and seconded; the committee recorded the motion as passing unanimously by voice vote.

If enacted, SB 464 would authorize Nevada's governor to participate as the state's commissioner to the IMCC, allow the governor to designate representatives, and permit the Division of Minerals to pay annual dues from dedicated mining claim fee revenue. The bill requires the Division to file IMCC bylaws and make certain commission records available to the public.