Permitting bill includes "sneak attack" on local rock mining regs

In a move described as a "sneak attack" by one environmental opponent, a House bill that supporters say would streamline the state permitting process was amended Thursday to prevent local governments from regulating rock mining.HB 991 by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, was amended by the House Economic Affairs Committee. Business groups long have argued that the mines should be exempt from