HB579 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ronald Grantland

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Laura HallBarbara Bigsby BoydJohn W. Rogers

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Alabama Coal Mine Safety Law of 1975, state mining laws extensively revised to modernize and supplemented to comply with federal law to enhance mining safety, Secs. 25-9-31, 25-9-32, 25-9-217, 25-9-380, 25-9-400 to 25-9-407, inclusive, added; Secs. 25-9-7, 25-9-9, 25-9-20, 25-9-22, 25-9-24, 25-9-40, 25-9-60, 25-9-61, 25-9-67, 25-9-80, 25-9-81, 25-9-82, 25-9-83, 25-9-86, 25-9-88, 25-9-131, 25-9-132, 25-9-133, 25-9-210, 25-9-216, 25-9-273, 25-9-276, 25-9-277, 25-9-278, 25-9-279, 25-9-280, 25-9-282, 25-9-360, 25-9-361 am'd.; Secs. 25-9-87, 25-9-153 repealed

Summary

HB579 modernizes Alabama's Coal Mine Safety laws by aligning them with federal standards, expanding safety technology and training, and strengthening inspections, enforcement, and independent contractor oversight.

What This Bill Does

The bill extensively rewrites safety provisions for safety, inspections, and enforcement to conform with federal mine safety laws and modernize language. It creates new requirements for independent contractors, introduces a Mine Safety Technology framework including wireless emergency communication and tracking, and mandates storage caches for life-safety equipment as well as emergency shelters. It strengthens ventilation, gas detection, emergency response, training, and annual safety program reviews, and expands penalties and enforcement powers for violations or imminent dangers.

Who It Affects

• Coal mine operators (including independent contractors) who must register contractors, develop and maintain comprehensive safety programs, implement ventilation and emergency systems, train workers, and comply with new reporting and penalty provisions.
• Miners and miners' representatives who gain new rights to comment on plans, participate in training and safety program development, and rely on enhanced safety equipment, shelters, and emergency communications during emergencies.

Key Provisions

• Independent Contractor Register: requires independent contractors to register, obtain a contractor ID, report changes, and have the operator maintain and share contractor information; operators can be cited for contractor-related violations and may be held responsible for certain contractor noncompliance.
• Mine Safety Technology and Wireless Emergency Communications: establishes a nine-member Mine Safety Technology Task Force, introduces an integrated underground communication and tracking system with wearable devices for miners, and requires plans for installation, testing, and ongoing maintenance of communications/tracking across mines.
• SCSR Storage Caches and Emergency Shelters: mandates storage caches with MSHA-rated self-contained self-rescuers (SCSRs) providing 60 minutes of life support, plus emergency shelters/chambers with 96 hours of life support and NFPA 2113 compliance, including monitoring, training, and regular inspections.
• Ventilation and Gas Safety: strengthens ventilation planning (new 25-9-31/25-9-32), main fan safety, methane detectors, air quality standards, and mandatory testing; retreat mining and pillar/longwall removal operations require 48-hour advance notification and miner training on plans.
• Comprehensive Mine Safety Program and Annual Reviews: operators/independent contractors must develop comprehensive mine safety programs, obtain director approval, and conduct annual reviews with miner representatives; revisions may be approved or rejected with a defined process for comments and hearings.
• Enforcement and Penalties: introduces a detailed civil monetary penalty framework with point systems for gravity, negligence, and history, including “knowing violation” penalties, cessation orders for unsafe conditions, and formal hearing rights for operators.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Mines and Mining