Committee advances notification, hearing rules for crypto mining and small quarry operations

A committee on March 24 advanced an amended bill aimed at giving local governments in counties without zoning additional review and hearing authority over certain mining activities, including digital asset (crypto) mining operations and smaller extraction sites labeled as "nuisance quarries."

Sponsor Chairman Hicks said the amendment establishes notification and a hearing process and lists required submissions from operators, including utility agreements, traffic studies, noise studies and stormwater control plans. “The amendment makes the bill as amended establishes a notification and hearing process in counties without zoning for crypto mining operations and nuisance queries,” Hicks said.

Hicks described a "nuisance quarry" as less than 200 acres proposing extraction with setbacks under 500 feet from existing residential dwellings and said the measure is meant to address noise, heat and dust impacts while not penalizing operators already following best practices. Representative Mitchell asked whether prior quarry issues from subcommittee were resolved; Hicks said definitions and requirements were clarified.

Representative Powell asked why quarries and digital asset mining were in the same bill; Hicks and others said both present local nuisance issues that can be addressed through the proposed local review procedure.

Supporters said the bill preserves existing local zoning where it already exists; where local law is absent the new process would apply. The committee adopted the amendment and the bill moved to Calendar and Rules (16 ayes, 2 present not voting).