Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=HB4525%20SUB%20ENR.htm&yr=2010&sesstype=RS&i=4525
Timestamp: 2018-03-17 07:20:33
Document Index: 740147797

Matched Legal Cases: ['§22', '§22', '§22', '§22', '§22', '§22', '§22', '§22', '§22', '§22', '§22', '§22', '§22']

Enrolled Version - Final Version House Bill 4525 History
HB4525 SUB ENR
AN ACT to amend and reenact §22A-1-21 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §22A-2A-301, §22A-2A-304 and §22A-2A-310 of said code; to amend and reenact §22A-6-3, §22A-6-4, §22A-6-6 and §22A-6-7 of said code; to amend and reenact §22A-7-4 and §22A-7-6 of said code; and to amend and reenact §22A-11-2 and §22A-11-3 of said code, all relating to board's under the jurisdiction of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training; removing boards from under the jurisdiction of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training; changing board membership; changing voting procedures; permitting a clarifying resolution; requiring the Health and Safety Administrator to provide administrative assistance; permitting the Health and Safety Administrator to expend funds for certain purposes; adding to the boards' powers; changing voting procedure; clarifying voting procedures; clarifying reporting requirements; establishing reporting time lines; and permitting appropriations from general revenue.
(a)(1) Any operator of a coal mine in which a violation occurs of any health or safety rule or who violates any other provisions of this chapter shall be assessed a civil penalty by the director under subdivision (3) of this subsection, which shall be not more than $3,000, for each violation, unless the director determines that it is appropriate to impose a special assessment for said violation, pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (2), subsection (b) of this section. Each violation constitutes a separate offense. In determining the amount of the penalty, the director shall consider the operator's history of previous violations, whether the operator was negligent, the appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the business of the operator charged, the gravity of the violation and the demonstrated good faith of the operator charged in attempting to achieve rapid compliance after notification of a violation.
(d) Whoever knowingly makes any false statement, representation or certification in any application, record, report, plan or other document filed or required to be maintained pursuant to this law or any order or decision issued under this law is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned in the jail not more than six months, or both fined and imprisoned. The conviction of any person under this subsection shall result in the revocation of any certifications held by the person under this chapter which certified or authorized the person to direct other persons in coal mining by operation of law and bars that person from being issued any license under this chapter, except a miner's certification, for a period of not less than one year or for a longer period as may be determined by the director.
(f) There is continued in the Treasury of the State of West Virginia a Special Health, Safety and Training Fund. All civil penalty assessments collected under this section shall be collected by the director and deposited with the Treasurer of the State of West Virginia to the credit of the Special Health, Safety and Training Fund. The fund shall be used by the director who is authorized to expend the moneys in the fund for the administration of this chapter.
§22A-2A-301. The West Virginia Diesel Equipment Commission.
(a) Prior to the appointment of a person to the commission, the Governor shall request the nomination of a candidate for the appointment. If the position is to be filled by a person who can reasonably be expected to represent the viewpoint or interests of underground coal operators in this state, the Governor shall request the nomination from the major trade association representing underground coal operators in this state. If the position is to be filled by a person who can reasonably be expected to represent the viewpoint or interests of working miners in this state, the Governor shall request the nomination from the highest ranking officer of the major employee organization representing coal miners in this state. The Director of the Office of Miner's Health, Safety and Training or his or her designee and the Health Safety Administrator shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member.
The board shall review all reports and any recommended rules submitted by the director, receive any additional information, and may, on its own initiative, ascertain the cause or causes of such coal mining fatality or fatalities. Within ninety days of the receipt of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration's fatal accident report and the director's report and recommended rules, the board shall review and consider the presentation of said report and rules and, if a majority of all voting board members determines that additional rules can assist in the prevention of the specific type of fatality, the board shall either accept and promulgate the director's recommended rules, amend the director's recommended rules or draft new rules, as are necessary to prevent the recurrence of such fatality. If the board chooses to amend the director's recommended rules or draft its own rules, a vote is required within one hundred twenty days as to whether to promulgate the amended rule or the rule drafted by the board: Provided, That the board may, by majority vote, find that exceptional circumstances exist and the deadline cannot be met: Provided, however, That under no circumstances shall such deadline be extended by more than a total of ninety days. A majority vote of the board is required to promulgate any such rule.
(c)The committee shall meet at least once during each calendar month, or more often as may be necessary.
(f) In performing its functions, the board shall have access to the services of the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety. The Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety shall provide administrative support and assistance, pursuant to section six, article six of this chapter, to enable the board to carry out its duties. (g) Appropriations to the board to effectuate the purposes of this article shall be made to a budget account established for that purpose.
(5) The Director of the Office of Miner's Health, Safety and Training or his or her designee, shall serve as a ex officio, nonvoting member.