SB475 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

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25-9-276, 25-9-277, 25-9-278, 25-9-279, 25-9-280, 25-9-282, 25-9-360, 25-9-361 am'd.; Secs. 25-9-87, 25-9-153 repealed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

SB475 overhauls Alabama's Coal Mine Safety Law to align with federal rules, boost safety inspections and enforcement, and expand oversight of independent contractors and new mining technologies.

What This Bill Does

SB475 extensively updates the Alabama Coal Mine Safety Law to modernize safety provisions, inspections, and enforcement. It creates an independent contractor registration system, requires a comprehensive mine safety program, and introduces new safety technologies and reporting requirements (including wireless communication/tracking, SCSRs, storage caches, and emergency shelters). It also establishes a Mine Safety Technology Task Force to study and approve new technologies and strengthens penalties for violations.

Who It Affects

• Independent contractors working at coal mines must register with the Division of Safety and Inspections to obtain a contractor identification number, provide required information, and be subject to enforcement and notices issued through production-operators.
• Mine operators and the miners (employees) must implement and maintain comprehensive safety programs, submit ventilation/roof control and safety plans, adopt new technologies (communication/tracking systems, SCSRs, storage caches, emergency shelters), receive training, and comply with enhanced inspection and penalty regimes.

Key Provisions

• Independent Contractor Register: New Section 25-9-380 requires all independent contractors at coal mines to register with the Chief of the Division of Safety and Inspections, obtain a contractor identification number, and have their information maintained by the production-operator; enforcement actions can target both operators and independent contractors for violations.
• Mine Safety Technology and Emergency Response: New Article 19 (Sections 25-9-400 to 25-9-407) creates a Mine Safety Technology Task Force, mandates an integrated underground communication and tracking system, requires SCSR storage caches and emergency shelters/chambers with detailed safety standards, annual reporting, plan approvals, training, and ongoing progress reporting with possible cessation orders for noncompliance.

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