Bill > HB3029

Introduced Session

The purpose of this bill concerns coal mining, coal mining safety and environmental protection. The bill creates a special reclamation water trust fund. The bill establishes additional duties for the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill permits coal operators to request that preblast surveys be limited to owners and occupants of man-made structures. The bill eliminates certain bond requirements. The bill provides that bonds may not be released until certain conditions are met. The bill provides for plugging and cleaning out of certain gas wells. The bill adds legislative findings. The bill provides that the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training to be within the Department of Commerce. The bill makes the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training responsible for safety, compliance visits and enforcement of state mine inspections. The bill eliminates certain boards and committees. The bill requires mine inspectors to provide safety compliance assistance in improving the miner’s health and safety and to improve existing safety plans and programs. The bill adopts the federal standards in lieu of existing state standards in numerous areas of coal mining. The bill makes changes to who may serve on the board of Coal Mine Health and Safety. The bill changes the board’s powers and duties. The bill transfers the duties of the board of Miners’ Training, Education and Certification and the duties of the former Mine Inspectors' Examining Board to the board of Coal Mine Health and Safety. The bill provides that the Mine Safety Technology Task Force to be continued as a part of the duties and powers of the board of Coal Mine Health and Safety. The bill provides that mine rescue teams be staffed by the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training. The bill requires a mine emergency plan be developed. The bill establishes conditions when a person is permitted to perform mine rescue duties. The bill deletes certain definitions. The bill changes certain existing definitions. The bill removes certain criminal penalties. The bill requires rule-making.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Rupie Phillips (R)*,  Geoff Foster (R),  Mark Zatezalo (R), 

To House Energy (on 03/14/2017)

Official Document