In addition to the purposes otherwise authorized by law, the chief of the division of mineral resources management may use money in the mining regulation and safety fund created under section 1513.30 of the Revised Code for the administration and enforcement of this chapter, for the reclamation of land affected by surface or in-stream mining under a permit issued under this chapter that the operator failed to reclaim and for which the performance bond filed by the operator is insufficient to complete the reclamation, and for the reclamation of land affected by surface or in-stream mining that was abandoned and left unreclaimed and for which no permit was issued or bond filed under this chapter. Also, the chief may use the portion of the mining regulation and safety fund that consists of money collected from the severance taxes levied under section 5749.02 of the Revised Code for mine safety and first aid training. For purposes of reclamation under this section, the chief shall expend money in the fund in accordance with the procedures and requirements established in section 1514.06 of the Revised Code and may enter into contracts and perform work in accordance with that section.

Fees collected under sections 1514.02 and 1514.03 of the Revised Code and money collected from the severance taxes levied under section 5749.02 of the Revised Code shall be credited to the fund in accordance with those sections. Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code relating to the distribution or crediting of fines for violations of the Revised Code, all fines imposed under section 1514.99 of the Revised Code shall be credited to the fund.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 49, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2017.

Effective Date: 03-15-2002; 04-06-2007.