The regulatory authority is hereby vested with the authority and responsibility for consulting with all institutions of this state which own lands or mineral interests relating to all coal leases proposed to be entered into by such institutions. The regulatory authority is hereby designated as the agency of the State of Alabama for reviewing and approving such coal leases. Upon submission of any such proposed lease, the regulatory authority shall, within 45 days, by order approve or disapprove such proposed lease; upon failure of the regulatory authority to act within such time, such lease shall be conclusively presumed approved. In any case in which the regulatory authority refuses to approve the execution of such a lease, the proposed lessee may demand a hearing before a hearing officer pursuant to the provisions of Section 9-16-78 and 9-16-79 of this article with all rights of appeal as set forth.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.
Chapter 16 - Mineral Resources.
Article 3 - Surface Mining Control and Reclamation.
Section 9-16-70 - Short Title.
Section 9-16-72 - Definitions.
Section 9-16-74 - Surface Mining Commission - Powers.
Section 9-16-76 - Conflict of Interest; Penalty.
Section 9-16-77 - Division of Hearings and Appeals.
Section 9-16-78 - Hearing Officer; Powers; Witness Fees.
Section 9-16-79 - Hearings and Appeals Procedure.
Section 9-16-81 - Licenses Required; Application; Qualifications; Fees.
Section 9-16-84 - Reclamation Plans; Contents.
Section 9-16-86 - Permits - Revisions; Application; Revision or Modification by Authority.
Section 9-16-87 - Permits - Coal Exploration.
Section 9-16-88 - Permits - Review and Appeal of Applications.
Section 9-16-89 - Performance Bonds and Bond Releases.
Section 9-16-90 - Environmental Protection Performance Standards.
Section 9-16-91 - Surface Effects of Underground Coal Mining; Requirements; Remedies.
Section 9-16-95 - Citizens' Actions; Attorneys, etc., Fees Allowed as Damages.
Section 9-16-97 - Water Rights.
Section 9-16-98 - Experimental Practices.
Section 9-16-99 - Surface Mining Operations Not Subject to This Article.
Section 9-16-100 - Confidentiality of Records.
Section 9-16-101 - Leases of Certain Lands.
Section 9-16-102 - Reports of Certain Coal Sales.
Section 9-16-103 - Alabama Surface Mining Fund.
Section 9-16-104 - Reimbursement and Funding.
Section 9-16-105 - Constitutionality and Validity of Article.
Section 9-16-106 - Provisions Cumulative; Certain Laws Not Repealed.