Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald dissolved the state Senate's Mining Jobs Committee Wednesday, putting the Assembly version of a controversial mining bill on the fast track to a floor vote.

The Joint Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Assembly version of the bill Friday.

Fitzgerald said he decided to scrap the Senate version of the mining bill to ensure mining legislation passes before the current legislative session ends March 15. The JFC must pass the mining bill before the legislation can be brought to the Senate floor.

The state Assembly passed the bill, which loosens state mining regulations, along party lines in January. Republicans argued the mining bill would create jobs, while Democrats said it would harm the environment.