Limited mining operations-bonding amendments.

HB 15 changes bonding requirements for small-scale mining operations in Wyoming. It increases the required financial guarantee from $2,000 to $5,000 per acre (and $3,000 to $7,000 for quarries) for operations starting July 1, 2025, for activities like sand, gravel, or limestone mining on 15 acres or less. Operators must notify landowners within one mile and environmental agencies before starting, and bonds remain in place for at least two growing seasons after reclamation to ensure land restoration. This directly affects small mining operators, nearby landowners, and the state's environmental monitoring agencies.