Wednesday was the halfway point for this Legislature’s 60-day session and Tuesday was a good day as SB 357, the Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015, passed the full Senate by a 26-8 margin, without any major changes. This bill contains the mine safety issues (movement of equipment, drug testing changes, diesel commission repeal, track within 1,500 feet of face) and the environmental issues (permit as a shield, AL water quality standard rule, permit penalty conformance, inactive status, contemporaneous reclamation and impoundment standards ) of our original Legislative program. One major amendment was defeated that would have removed any changes to the movement of equipment provision of the bill with a vote along party lines with Senator Art Kirkendoll (D-Logan) breaking stride and voting with the Republicans. On Wednesday, the Bill was sent to the House and referred to the Judiciary Committee. It is expected to be taken up by that Committee next week.
We ask you to contact the Senators who supported the passage of this bill and express appreciation for their assistance. We also ask you to contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and ask for their assistance in passing the bill next week. We have radio ads expressing appreciation and support for passage of this bill and encouraging approval in the House Judiciary Committee, as well as robo calls, social media and webpage communication, direct letters and telephone contact.
Also on Tuesday, SB 339, the bill that would reduce the special severance tax by $0.28/ton, was approved by the Senate Energy, Industry & Mining Committee after an amendment was approved increasing the amount to be removed to the full $0.56/ton. After that amendment’s approval, other Senators advanced unplanned amendments to remove other taxes from that fund and those were approved as the Bill was then referred to its second committee of reference, Senate Finance.