Legislation to improve coal mine safety (HB4351) is on hold, after coal industry representatives balked at three key provisions in the bill.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Legislation to improve coal mine safety (HB4351) is on hold, after coal industry representatives balked at three key provisions in the bill.
The bill, introduced by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin but incorporating many provisions of a House bill backed by Speaker Rick Thompson, D-Wayne, and others, was to have been on amendment stage on the House floor Tuesday.
Instead, the House Rules Committee moved the bill to the inactive calendar. House Judiciary Chairman Tim Miley, D-Harrison, said that was done to allow time to try to negotiate a compromise.
"If we can't, we can run the bill and fight it out on the floor," he said.
Industry representatives are opposed to three provisions in the bill:
Allowing surviving family members to designate a representative on mine fatality investigation teams. The coal industry wants to bar union officials from representing survivors in fatality investigations at non-union mines.
Requiring mine operators or ranking supervisors to sign off on mine safety reports.
Requiring that miners be compensated when mine safety inspectors issue withdrawal orders closing mines for safety issues. Compensation could range from payment for the remainder of the shift, up to 10 days' pay if the mine operator refuses to correct the hazardous condition that led to the withdrawal order.
Delegates, senators, and union and industry lobbyists are scheduled to resume closed-door negotiations Wednesday, after failing to reach agreement Tuesday.
One of the negotiators, Delegate Mike Caputo, D-Marion, a United Mine Workers international representative, did not sound optimistic Tuesday afternoon.
"It could be a deal-breaker," he said of industry's demands. "We're going to try to get something worked out."
However, Tomblin chief of staff Rob Alsop remained confident an agreement would be reached.
"I think there will be a mine safety bill. There's still time to work out the details," he said. "We want a bill. The House and Senate want a bill."
Reach Phil Kabler at ph...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1220.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Legislation to improve coal mine safety (HB4351) is on hold, after coal industry representatives balked at three key provisions in the bill.
The bill, introduced by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin but incorporating many provisions of a House bill backed by Speaker Rick Thompson, D-Wayne, and others, was to have been on amendment stage on the House floor Tuesday.
Instead, the House Rules Committee moved the bill to the inactive calendar. House Judiciary Chairman Tim Miley, D-Harrison, said that was done to allow time to try to negotiate a compromise.
"If we can't, we can run the bill and fight it out on the floor," he said.
Industry representatives are opposed to three provisions in the bill:
Allowing surviving family members to designate a representative on mine fatality investigation teams. The coal industry wants to bar union officials from representing survivors in fatality investigations at non-union mines.Requiring mine operators or ranking supervisors to sign off on mine safety reports.Requiring that miners be compensated when mine safety inspectors issue withdrawal orders closing mines for safety issues. Compensation could range from payment for the remainder of the shift, up to 10 days' pay if the mine operator refuses to correct the hazardous condition that led to the withdrawal order.Delegates, senators, and union and industry lobbyists are scheduled to resume closed-door negotiations Wednesday, after failing to reach agreement Tuesday.
One of the negotiators, Delegate Mike Caputo, D-Marion, a United Mine Workers international representative, did not sound optimistic Tuesday afternoon.
"It could be a deal-breaker," he said of industry's demands. "We're going to try to get something worked out."
However, Tomblin chief of staff Rob Alsop remained confident an agreement would be reached.
"I think there will be a mine safety bill. There's still time to work out the details," he said. "We want a bill. The House and Senate want a bill."
Reach Phil Kabler at ph...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1220.
