SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1942

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Natural Resources & Parks, March 28, 1997

Title:  An act relating to the repeal of the coal mining code.

Brief Description:  Repealing the coal mining code.

Sponsors:  Representatives B. Thomas, Thompson and Dyer.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  3/27/97, 3/28/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Jacobsen, Morton, Prentice, Roach, Snyder, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  The state Coal Mining Code was first enacted before the turn of the century; most substantive amendments to it were made during the early 1900s.  Many of the provisions deal with health and safety issues surrounding underground coal mining technology and conditions during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

In addition, the code primarily addresses the underground mining of coal.  No underground coal mines currently operate in Washington.  Separate statutes govern surface mining. 

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 was originally enacted as the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to provide interim mandatory health and safety standards.  Those standards have been superceded by extensive health and safety regulations promulgated by the United States Secretary of Labor.  The federal act and regulations preempt all state laws that fall short of the federal provisions.  It does not preempt state laws that either do not conflict with the federal provisions, or that impose more stringent health and safety standards on mining through the Washington Department of Labor and Industries.

Summary of Bill:  All sections of the Washington State Coal Mining Code are repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.