The bill amends the West Virginia Code to enhance the appointment and qualifications of mine inspectors, including surface, underground, and electrical inspectors, as well as mine safety instructors. It grants the Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety, and Training discretion in the appointment process, including the authority to determine testing and qualifications for applicants. The Director must report appointments to the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety, which will have access to applications and may observe testing. The bill also modifies age limit provisions for mine inspectors and establishes a probationary period for new appointments, while outlining eligibility criteria that include practical experience and examinations.

Additionally, the bill abolishes the Mine Inspectors Examining Board, transferring its responsibilities to the Office of Miners' Health, Safety, and Training. The Director is responsible for establishing application forms, conducting examinations, maintaining a register of qualified candidates, and issuing qualification notices. It specifies that surface mine inspectors must pass written, oral, and practical examinations with a minimum passing grade and receive an annual salary of no less than $37,332. The bill ensures that inspectors can only be dismissed for just cause and establishes a process for hearings if an inspector contests their removal, with the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety overseeing these processes and reporting annually to the Governor and the Director.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 22A-1-8, 22A-1-9, 22A-1-11, 22A-1-12, 22A-1-13, 22A-4-5, 22A-6-3, 22A-9-1
Committee Substitute: 22A-1-8, 22A-1-9, 22A-1-11, 22A-1-12, 22A-1-13, 22A-4-5, 22A-6-3, 22A-9-1
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 22A-1-8, 22A-1-9, 22A-1-11, 22A-1-12, 22A-1-13, 22A-4-5, 22A-6-3, 22A-9-1