Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB5689

Amends the Coal Mining Act. Provides that a coal mine operator must provide caches of additional self-contained self-rescues devices along the mine's primary and secondary escape ways (rather than 30 self-contained self-rescuer devices in each cache located within a mine). Provides that each cache shall have a minimum of one self-contained self-rescuer device for every person who will be inby the cache. Provides that cache locations shall be spaced along each escape way at a 30 minute travel distance. Provides alternate distances for caches if an operator chooses not to use a walk study. Provides that outby rescue chambers must be provided at distances and locations in the mine's emergency response plan and approved by the Mining Board. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In provisions concerning the State Mining Board, makes changes concerning the qualifications for the mine officers and specifies that the changes do not affect the terms of mine officers of the State Mining Board holding office on the effective date of the amendatory Act. Further amends the Coal Mining Act. In provisions concerning the Miners' Examining Board, provides that all members of the Miners' Examining Board shall have at least 5 years' practical and continuous experience as an underground coal miner (rather than a coal miner) and shall hold certificates of competency as an Illinois mine examiner. Provides that 2 (rather than all) of the members shall each be engaged in coal mining as a miner in the State of Illinois continuously for 12 months next preceding his appointment. Provides that 2 (rather than all) of the members shall be representatives of a labor organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act representing coal miners. Provides that 2 of the members of the Miners' Examining Board shall be from the employing class. Specifies that the changes do not affect the terms of members of the Miners' Examining Board holding office on the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Recommends removing the requirement added by the bill that the 3 mine officers of the State Mining Board from the employee class be representatives of a labor organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act representing coal miners. Recommends removing the requirement added by the bill that 2 of the members of the Miners' Examining Board be representatives of a labor organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act representing coal miners. Instead, recommends adding that the 2 members be employees of coal mines.

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