(Juneau) - House Bill 344, sponsored by Representative Hugh Fate (R-Fairbanks), continues to move through the Alaska Legislature with passage today by the House Finance Committee. The bill grants relief to miners who fail to file their paperwork on time.

Presently, if the annual filing is not into the Department of Natural Resources on time, the mining claim is considered legally abandoned. Current statute does not grant any type of a waiver, and several miners have lost their claims over the years.

HB 344, grants the miner an extension by allowing them to pay all rents and royalties due, plus a penalty equal to one-years rent. Once enacted, it will go a long way to keep miners out in the field working their claims.

The Bill now moves to the House Rules Committee for scheduling on the floor.

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