Legislative Background
Recent Action on Mine Safety
Major mine accidents in early 2006 led to passage of the first major revision of mine safety law since 1977. The Mine Improvement and New Emergency (MINER) Act, P.L. 109-236, required each mine to have an emergency plan, increased supplies of oxygen, and improved rescue teams. It also increased penalties for safety violations. Although the bill had wide bipartisan support in Congress, many Members characterized it is a "first step," to be followed by additional measures. House Legislation. In the current, 110th Congress, three measures were introduced to build on the provisions of the MINER Act and improve mine safety:…
