PHX Reporter

The Arizona House of Representatives has approved a series of legislative measures aimed at addressing issues related to contaminated and abandoned mine sites. These measures, sponsored by State Representative Selina Bliss, include HB2127, HB2128, and HCM2007. They were introduced in response to the situation at Senator Mine in Yavapai County, where a Chinese-owned company ceased operations without addressing public safety risks.

Representative Bliss said, "We cannot allow foreign entities and bad actors to exploit our natural resources, and violate our laws, only to skip town while Arizonans are left holding the bag." She emphasized that the bills are designed to protect Arizona communities from environmental hazards while supporting responsible parties willing to assist in remediation efforts.

HB2127 mandates notification requirements for entities selling contaminated properties, ensuring that potential buyers and relevant state agencies are informed about pending litigation and environmental risks. HB2128 expands an existing program allowing third parties to clean up contaminated sites without liability for previous damages. HCM2007 encourages state officials to utilize the federal Good Samaritan Act for cleaning up abandoned mines.

Bliss explained that these measures aim to facilitate voluntary remediation efforts by reducing legal liabilities for groups willing to help. "Right now, there are groups willing to step up and help clean Arizona’s environmental messes," she said. "These measures fix that."

For further details on this legislative package, additional information is available through a fact sheet provided by Representative Bliss's office.

Information from this article can be found here.