HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 130

(By Delegates Caputo, Fleischauer, Barill, Fragale, Hunt, Longstreth, Manchin, Manypenny, Marshall, Moore, Phillips, L., Walker, and Ellem)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the issue of implementing the recommendations laid out in the Miners’ Safety Report submitted by the Director of the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training on December 31, 2013.

    Whereas, West Virginia is the largest coal producing state east of the Mississippi River; and

    Whereas, Coal mining has a rich history in West Virginia and makes up a significant portion of the state’s economy; and

    Whereas, The safety of West Virginia coal miners is of significant concern to the Legislature; and

    Whereas, West Virginia has repeatedly had the highest coal mine fatality and accident totals in the country; and

    Whereas, In 2010, twenty-nine miners tragically lost their lives in an explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County, the worst mining disaster since 1970; and

    Whereas, In response to this tragic event, the Legislature enacted a major mine safety law, including a requirement that the Director of the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training submit a report to the Legislature on needed revisions in mine health and safety enforcement in West Virginia; and

    Whereas, On December 31, 2013 this report was submitted and includes a number of suggested reforms including recommended legislation, rules and policies; and

    Whereas, The adoption of these recommendations is of great potential significance to West Virginia as a method of developing administrative procedures that cause remediation of hazardous working conditions and therefore the continued safety of coal miners; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the issue of implementing the recommendations laid out in the Miners’ Safety Report submitted by the Director of the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training in order to ensure the safety of West Virginia coal miners by providing them with a safer working environment; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.