HB 1443 Wireless communication in underground coal mines.

Dud Bud Phillips has a good idea with this bill.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 45.1-161.176:1as follows:

§ 45.1-161.176:1. Wireless communication required; Chief to promulgate regulations.

Every underground coal mine shall be equipped with wireless communication accessible to miners in order to communicate with others in the mine or on the surface, which can be employed in case of emergency situations. The Chief shall, after consultation with the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Board and in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 (§ 2.2-4006et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act promulgate regulations requiring all underground coal mines to be equipped with wireless communication as described in this section.

I don't know how well this would work in realistic situations but I will support the effort. The power supplies and high voltage equipment in the mines would probably cause nothing but static.

Technorati : Coal, Mining, Virginia Politics