§963 Technical Study Panel

Summary

Creates a Technical Study Panel to give independent scientific and engineering review and recommendations about using belt air and about the makeup and fire‑resistance of belt materials in underground coal mines. The Panel has six members: two appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (after consulting NIOSH and the Office of Mine Safety), two appointed by the Secretary of Labor (after consulting the Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health), and two appointed by Congressional leaders (one jointly by the Senate and House majority leaders and one jointly by the Senate and House minority leaders), each of the Congressional appointments to be made before the final adjournment (sine die) of the second session of the 109th Congress. Four members must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in mining engineering or a related scientific field. No member may be employed by a mine, a labor organization, or a State or Federal agency that mainly regulates mining. Within 1 year after all members are appointed, the Panel must send a report to the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce about belt air use and belt material composition and fire properties. Within 180 days after receiving that report, the Secretary of Labor must tell those two committees what actions, if any, the Secretary plans to take (including proposed rule changes) and why. While doing Panel work, members may receive pay, per diem, and travel costs the same way as under section 210(c) of title 42.