SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1050

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Labor & Workforce, March 30, 1999

Title:  An act relating to coal mine safety inspections.

Brief Description:  Relieving the department of labor and industries of the duties of coal mine inspection.

Sponsors:  Representatives Conway and Clements; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  3/25/99, 3/30/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Hochstatter, Kline, Oke and Wojahn.

Staff:  David Pringle (786-7448)

Background:  In 1997 Washington repealed the statute regulating coal mining.  The statute was repealed because the federal government had taken over regulation of coal mining and because there were no operating underground coal mines in Washington.

Two sections concerning state inspection of coal mines were not repealed in 1997.  These concerned the right of inspectors to ensure compliance with coal mining regulations and the frequency of inspections.

The Department of Labor and Industries does not regulate or inspect coal mines.

Summary of Bill:  Two sections of law concerning the duties and rights of inspectors to enter and inspect coal mines are repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is an important bill to the department because current law mandates inspections that are no longer performed, and there are concerns about liability exposure.  These laws were created in the early 1900's, and were oriented toward the more dangerous underground mines which are now closed.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Suzanne Mager, Department of Labor and Industries.