PUBLIC LAW 109–236—JUNE 15, 2006
120 STAT. 501
shall apply at least the minimum penalties required under this subsection.’’; and (2) by adding at the end of subsection (b) the following: ‘‘Violations under this section that are deemed to be flagrant may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $220,000. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term ‘flagrant’ with respect to a violation means a reckless or repeated failure to make reasonable efforts to eliminate a known violation of a mandatory health or safety standard that substantially and proximately caused, or reasonably could have been expected to cause, death or serious bodily injury.’’. (b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than December 30, 2006, the Secretary of Labor shall promulgate final regulations with respect to penalties. SEC. 9. FINE COLLECTIONS.
Section 108(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 818(a)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting before the comma, the following: ‘‘, or fails or refuses to comply with any order or decision, including a civil penalty assessment order, that is issued under this Act’’. SEC. 10. SEALING OF ABANDONED AREAS.
Not later than 18 months after the issuance by the Mine Safety and Health Administration of a final report on the Sago Mine accident or the date of enactment of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, whichever occurs earlier, the Secretary of Labor shall finalize mandatory heath and safety standards relating to the sealing of abandoned areas in underground coal mines. Such health and safety standards shall provide for an increase in the 20 psi standard currently set forth in section 75.335(a)(2) of title 30, Code of Federal Regulations.
Courts. Deadline. 30 USC 820 note.
Deadline. Standards. Sago Mine. 30 USC 811 note.
SEC. 11. TECHNICAL STUDY PANEL.
Title V of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 951 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘SEC. 514. TECHNICAL STUDY PANEL.
30 USC 963.
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Technical Study Panel (referred to in this section as the ‘Panel’) which shall provide independent scientific and engineering review and recommendations with respect to the utilization of belt air and the composition and fire retardant properties of belt materials in underground coal mining. ‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Panel shall be composed of— ‘‘(1) two individuals to be appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Associate Director of the Office of Mine Safety; ‘‘(2) two individuals to be appointed by the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health; and ‘‘(3) two individuals, one to be appointed jointly by the majority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives and one to be appointed jointly by the minority leader of the Senate and House of Representatives, each to be appointed
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