Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2026

(a) Short title. This Act may be cited as the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2026.

(b) Table of contents. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. References.TITLE I—Additional inspection and investigation authoritySec. 101. Independent accident investigations.Sec. 102. Subpoena authority and miner rights during inspections and investigations.Sec. 103. Designation of miner representative.Sec. 104. Additional amendments relating to inspections and investigations.TITLE II—Enhanced enforcement authoritySec. 201. Judicial review of regulations.Sec. 202. Findings of violations.Sec. 203. Procedures and criteria for determining a pattern of violations.Sec. 204. Injunctive authority.Sec. 205. Revocation of approval of plans.Sec. 206. Challenging a decision to approve, modify, or revoke a coal or other mine plan.TITLE III—PenaltiesSec. 301. Civil penalties.Sec. 302. Civil and criminal liability of officers, directors, and agents.Sec. 303. Criminal penalties.Sec. 304. Commission review of penalty assessments.Sec. 305. Delinquent payments and prejudgment interest.TITLE IV—Miners’ Rights and ProtectionsSec. 401. Protection from retaliation.Sec. 402. Protection from loss of pay.Sec. 403. Underground coal miner employment standard for mines placed in pattern of violations status.TITLE V—Modernizing health and safety standardsSec. 501. Pre-shift review of mine conditions.Sec. 502. Rock dust standards.Sec. 503. Atmospheric monitoring systems.Sec. 504. Refresher training on miners’ rights and responsibilities.Sec. 505. Authority to mandate additional training.Sec. 506. Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants.Sec. 507. Certification of personnel.Sec. 508. Electronic records requirement.TITLE VI—Additional mine safety provisionsSec. 601. Definitions.Sec. 602. Assistance to States.Sec. 603. Authorization of cooperative agreements by NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health.Sec. 604. Double encumbrance; succession plan.