Bill · S. 5391· Senate(119-S-5391)
Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 9/14/2026
- Last activity
- 9/14/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Timothy Kaine
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to improve mine safety, strengthen health standards, and protect miners who raise safety concerns. It sets up independent panels to investigate severe mine accidents and gives federal agencies stronger authority to issue subpoenas and conduct inspections. The legislation increases civil and criminal penalties for mine operators who break safety laws or retaliate against workers. It also updates health standards related to rock dust and atmospheric monitoring while requiring better training and recordkeeping. Finally, the bill provides financial assistance to states and mandates workforce succession planning for the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Yes· 3 of 17
Would union members be better off under this?+7
The bill strongly empowers labor organizations, expands miner representative participation in investigations, and institutes robust whistleblower and anti-retaliation protections.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill establishes independent accident investigation panels, mandatory public reporting of safety recommendations, and stricter electronic recordkeeping requirements.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+5
The legislation provides substantial health and safety protections that benefit younger workers entering the mining industry.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-5
Mine operators face significantly higher civil and criminal penalties, mandatory fees, and stringent new compliance requirements under the legislation.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-3
The bill imposes strict compliance, certification fees, and potentially burdensome electronic recordkeeping requirements on mine operating companies and contractors.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Independent Investigations: Under Section 101, the bill creates independent panels to investigate accidents involving three or more deaths or severe harm, which helps ensure transparency and find the true causes of tragedies.
-
Protection from Retaliation: Section 401 prohibits operators from discriminating against miners who report safety violations or refuse to perform hazardous work, and it provides pathways for reinstatement, back pay, and damages.
-
Pay Protection During Closures: Under Section 402, miners idled by safety-related mine closure orders are entitled to full compensation from their operators for specified periods, protecting workers from losing pay due to unsafe conditions.
-
Health and Safety Modernization: Sections 501, 502, and 503 require pre-shift oral safety briefings, stricter rock dust standards to prevent explosions, and the installation of atmospheric monitoring systems to protect workers.
-
Enhanced Training: Section 504 mandates annual refresher training that includes specific instruction on miners' statutory rights and establishes a toll-free hotline to report hazardous conditions.
-
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Financial Burdens on Operators: Sections 301 and 305 impose significantly higher civil penalties, increased fines during pattern of violations status, and daily-compounded prejudgment interest on contested penalties, which could create financial strain for mine operating companies.
- Strict Compliance and Certification Costs: Sections 507 and 508 require mine operators to pay fees for personnel certifications and mandate new electronic record retention capabilities, which may impose administrative and financial costs on businesses.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+7Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Veterans+4Good For Seniors+3Good For Retirees+2Good For Business Owners-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Increases Federal Power+5Improves Due Process+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+4Improves Rural Development+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support-3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 9/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate