H-8475

   Amend Senate File 2490, as passed by the Senate, as follows:
   1.  Page 9, line 31, before <Before entering> by inserting <a.>
   2.  Page 10, after line 2 by inserting: 
   <b.  Before entering into a negotiation under paragraph “a”, the operator shall provide a written description of the opt-out procedure described in paragraph “c”.
   c.  A surface owner may decline further communication with an operator concerning a possible agreement for the payment of any damage that may be caused by the drilling operation by providing verbal or written notice to the operator that states that the surface owner does not wish to discuss the matter further, and by submitting to the attorney general notice through mail or electronic means stating the same. Upon receipt of such notice from the surface owner, the attorney general shall forward a copy to the operator.
   d.  After receipt of notice from the surface owner pursuant to paragraph “c”, the operator shall not initiate further contact with the surface owner for purposes of an agreement for the payment of any damages that may be caused by the drilling operation, except that the operator shall continue to provide the surface owner with notices otherwise required by law. The surface owner may rescind such refusal by contacting the operator and notifying the attorney general through mail or electronic means. Unless the surface owner rescinds the refusal, the surface owner’s land shall be deemed unavailable for an agreement.
   e.  An operator violating the contact prohibition in paragraph “d” is subject to a civil penalty of not less than ten thousand dollars for each violation.>
   3.  Title page, line 5, after <jurisdiction> by inserting <, and providing civil penalties>

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WOOD of Taylor