Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2026

(3) A civil penalty of not more than $220,000 may be assessed for—

(A) any change to a ventilation system or ventilation control in a coal or other mine, where such ventilation system or control is required by a ventilation plan, safety standard, or order, and such change is made without prior approval of the Secretary and diminishes the level of protection below the minimum requirements of the approved ventilation plan or applicable safety standard or order;

(B) a violation of a mandatory health or safety standard requiring rock dusting in a coal mine;

(C) a violation of the prohibition under section 103 on providing advance notice of an inspection; or

(D) a violation of a mandatory health or safety standard requiring examinations of work areas in an underground coal mine.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an operator of a coal or other mine that is in pattern of violations status under section 104(e) shall be assessed an increased civil penalty for any violation of this Act, including any mandatory health or safety standard or regulation promulgated under this Act. Such increased penalty shall be twice the amount that would otherwise be assessed for the violation under this Act, including the regulations promulgated under this Act, subject to the maximum civil penalty established for the violation under this Act.

(4) If any person violates section 105(c), the Secretary shall propose, and the Commission shall assess, a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 or more than $100,000 for the first occurrence of such violation, and not less than $20,000 or more than $200,000 for any subsequent violation, during any 3-year period.