Kiss names 12 delegates to mine safety committee

CHARLESTON -- House Speaker Bob Kiss has appointed 12 delegates to the House Select Committee on Mine Safety Issues, which will work on legislation to further improve mine safety in West Virginia.

"While the special investigative committee, along with both state and federal mine safety agencies, must spend the next few months determining what caused our recent mine tragedies and how to prevent future accidents, we believe that the Legislature can proceed with some measures to improve the state's safety standards and rescue and emergency responses," said Delegate Steve Kominar, D-Mingo, who is chairing the bi-partisan committee.

When the House adopted Gov. Joe Manchin's mine safety legislation Jan. 23, members of the House leadership vowed to create a select committee to ensure that the Legislature continue working on mine safety legislation during the current 60-day session.

"These accidents were devastating to our state, and there is tremendous concern among delegates that the Legislature keep this issue on the forefront," Speaker Kiss, D-Raleigh, said. "Once the administration's investigation is complete, there may very well be a need for additional state legislation, but in the meantime, we can work with the facts we have at hand."

Among the issues the House leadership has asked the committee to consider is the possibility of full-time emergency responder teams, and the possible adoption of more modern safety technology standards.

Other members of the committee are Delegates: Mike Caputo, D-Marion, Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, Brent Boggs, D-Braxton, Richard Browning, D-Wyoming, Kevin Craig, D-Cabell, Eustace Frederick, D-Mercer, Bill Hartman, D-Randolph, Patrick Lane, R-Kanawha; Cliff Moore, D-McDowell; Mike Porter, R-Mercer, and Debbie Stevens, R-Tucker.