S. 5391

Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2026

Sponsor: Tim Kaine · 0 cosponsors

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Introduced Sep 14
Committee Now
Senate —
House of Representatives —
Law —

Introduced Sep 14
Committee Now
Senate —
House of Representatives —
Law —

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sep 14)

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Text of the bill

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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents

Sec. 2. References

I Additional inspection and investigation authority

Sec. 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

II Enhanced enforcement authority

Sec. 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

III Penalties

Sec. 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

IV Miners’ Rights and Protections

Sec. 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

V Modernizing health and safety standards

Sec. 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

VI Additional mine safety provisions

Sec. 601. Definitions

Sec. 602. Assistance to States

Sec. 603. Authorization of cooperative agreements by NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health

Section 22(h)(3) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 671(h)(3)) is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end;

(2) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and

(3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(C) enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with international institutions and private entities to improve mine safety and health through the development and evaluation of new interventions; and

Sec. 604. Double encumbrance; succession plan