HB407 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Oliver Robinson

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

John MerrillKurt WallaceRod ScottJohn W. RogersCraig FordPatricia ToddRichard LindseyMary MooreAlan HarperMarcel BlackAllen Farley

Session

Regular Session 2011

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25-9-273, 25-9-276, 25-9-277, 25-9-278, 25-9-279, 25-9-280, 25-9-282, 25-9-360, 25-9-361 am'd.; Secs. 25-9-87, 25-9-153 repealed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

HB407 updates Alabama's Coal Mine Safety laws to modernize safety standards, align with federal rules, and expand contractor oversight and mine safety technology.

What This Bill Does

The bill extensively revises safety provisions, inspections, and enforcement to conform with federal mining safety laws. It creates new structures and requirements, including an independent contractor register, a Board of Miner Training, Education, and Certification, and a Mine Safety Technology Task Force, and it mandates comprehensive mine safety programs, ventilation planning, and pillar/retreat planning. It introduces wireless emergency communication and tracking technologies, SCSR storage caches, emergency shelters/chambers, and enhanced training and testing; and it strengthens reporting, investigation, and penalties for violations.

Who It Affects

• Independent contractors who work at Alabama coal mines: must register, obtain a contractor ID number, provide project information and updates, and follow safety and reporting requirements with enforcement provisions.
• Mine operators, miners, and mine safety personnel: must implement and maintain comprehensive safety programs, adopt new ventilation and safety technologies, conduct required training, manage emergency equipment and shelters, and comply with enhanced inspection, reporting, and penalty regimes.

Key Provisions

• Modernizes the Alabama Coal Mine Safety Law to align with federal mine safety standards and updates language for clarity.
• Adds the Board of Examiners (Mine Training, Education, and Certification) to oversee foreman certificates and credentialing; establishes terms and compensation for board members.
• Imposes new ventilation and retreat/pillar planning requirements (Sections 25-9-31 and 25-9-32), with review and comment processes before plans are approved.
• Creates the Independent Contractor Register (Section 25-9-380) requiring contractors to register, obtain an ID number, and be documented by operators; enhances service of notices and operator oversight.
• Establishes a comprehensive Mine Safety Technology framework (Article 19, Sections 25-9-400 to 25-9-407) including a Mine Safety Technology Task Force to study protective equipment and emergency technologies ( wireless EM communication, tracking, refuge chambers, etc.).
• Requires integrated wireless emergency communication and tracking devices for miners, with plan approval, testing, and ongoing maintenance; mandates training and weekly testing records.
• Requires Self-Contained Self-Rescuers (SCSRs) with storage caches throughout mines, including training, inspection, and reporting; sets minimum duration and testing standards and open-market plans for procurement.
• Mandates emergency shelter/chamber planning and provisioning near working faces, including detailed rescue capabilities, training, inspections, and contingency plans; authorizes surface openings as alternatives and requires ongoing monitoring.
• Imposes enhanced penalties for violations, including civil monetary penalties and a point-based system; defines knowing violations and increases penalties for repeated or aggravated noncompliance.
• Directs annual and ongoing safety program reviews with mandatory reporting by operators/contractors, opportunities for miner representatives to participate, and potential temporary approvals pending modifications.
• Strengthens emergency response and accident investigation procedures with mandatory reporting, family liaison support, and publicizing prevention measures.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Mines and Mining