SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 63

[Originating in the Committee on Rules]

Urging the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety to review and assess the provisions of 36 CSR 4 and to develop a series of comprehensive safety regulations governing the movement of mining equipment underground.

            Whereas, The Legislature has enacted the Enrolled Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 357, titled the Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015, during the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature; and

            Whereas, The Legislature has created the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety; and

            Whereas, The Legislature has authorized the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety to promulgate rules and regulations governing coal mining activities, including rules and regulations governing safety for all mining operations in the State of West Virginia; and

            Whereas, The State of West Virginia has the nation’s strongest mine safety laws; and

            Whereas, These mine safety laws, forged through collaboration among all interested parties, are the model nationwide; and

            Whereas, Enrolled Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 357 may abrogate certain provisions of 36 CSR 4 governing the movement of mining equipment underground; therefore, be it

             Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Legislature of West Virginia hereby urges the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety to review and assess the provisions of 36 CSR 4 and to develop a series of comprehensive safety regulations governing the movement of mining equipment underground; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training, shall develop and enact these new safety rules and regulations on or before June 2, 2015; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to each member of the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety and the Director of the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training.