Authority: Title 45.1, Code of Virginia.
A. Out of this appropriation, $31,224 the first year and $31,224 the second year from special funds shall be provided for annual membership dues to the Interstate Mining Compact Commission.
B. Out of this appropriation shall be provided reimbursement for expenses associated with administrative and judicial review when so ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
C. Out of this appropriation, $6,119 the first year and $6,119 the second year from the general fund shall be provided for annual membership dues to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.
D. The application fee for a coal mine license or a renewal or transfer of a license pursuant to § 45.1-161.58, Code of Virginia, shall be in the amount of $350.
E. The application fee for a mineral mine license or a renewal or transfer of a license pursuant to § 45.1-161.292:31, Code of Virginia, shall be in the amount of $400, except applications submitted electronically, which shall be accompanied by a fee of $330. However, the fee for any person engaged in mining sand or gravel on an area of five acres or less shall be required to pay a fee of $100, except applications submitted electronically, which shall be accompanied by a fee of $80.
F. The application fee for a new oil or gas well permit pursuant to § 45.1-361.29, Code of Virginia, shall be in the amount of $600 and the application fee for permit modifications shall be $300.
G. Out of this appropriation, $250,000 in the first year from the general fund shall be used to fund a study to analyze Virginia's readiness for offshore oil and gas exploration and production. Specifically, the study will address the concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) in its decision to exclude Virginia's lease sale 220 from the DOI 2007-12 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) 5-year plan. Additionally, the study should address: (1) a detailed overview of the infrastructure needed to support oil and gas exploration and development, and (2) a plan to address any concerns that may be raised by the military. The agency shall report the findings of this study to the Governor, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and the Secretary of Natural Resources by April 15, 2015.