West Virginia Senate Bill SB 1042

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/21/26
• Refer: 2/21/26
• Engrossed: 2/27/26
• Refer: 3/2/26
• Enrolled: 3/11/26
• Passed: 4/1/26

Caption

Relating to ventilation of underground mines

Summary

SB 1042 is a West Virginia bill relating to the ventilation of underground mines. Based on the bill caption and legislative action history, it appears to update or refine the state’s mine ventilation requirements, which are intended to protect miners by ensuring adequate air flow and reducing the buildup of hazardous gases, dust, and other underground mining risks. The bill was enacted as effective from passage, indicating it took effect immediately upon approval. Because the full bill text is not available in the provided materials, the specific statutory changes cannot be identified from the record here. However, the measure clearly concerns mine safety regulation and likely affects underground coal and other mineral mining operations, as well as the state agencies responsible for mine inspection and enforcement.

Impact

The bill likely amends West Virginia law governing underground mine ventilation standards, potentially affecting mine operators’ compliance obligations, safety planning, and inspection/enforcement practices. Its impact would fall primarily on underground mining companies, miners, and the state’s mine safety regulators, with the practical goal of improving underground working conditions and reducing health and safety hazards.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have received strong bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the Senate unanimously, passed the House by a wide margin, and was enacted effective from passage. The vote totals suggest broad agreement that the measure was a routine or safety-focused update rather than a controversial policy change.

Contention

No committee debate or transcript material was provided, and the recorded votes show minimal contention. The only notable dissent appears in the House, where two members voted no on final passage, but the overwhelming majorities in both chambers indicate that any objections were limited and did not center on a major policy divide. Without the bill text or discussion transcripts, the precise points of disagreement cannot be determined.