04RS SB37

SB37

WWW Version

NOTE: The hyperlink to a bill draft that precedes a summary contains the most recent version (Introduced/GA/Enacted) of the bill. If the session has ended, the hyperlink contains the latest version of the bill at the time of sine die adjournment. Note that the summary pertains to the bill as introduced, which is often different from the most recent version.


SB 37 (BR 23) - D. Boswell, J. Rhoads

     AN ACT relating to mines and minerals.
     Amend KRS 352.010 to define "hazardous voltage", "suitable", and "workmanlike manner"; amend KRS 352.220 to include requirements for use of nonconductive materials for suspending trailing cables or high voltage feeder cables, for use of suitable circuit interrupting devices for power circuits and equipment at the mine, for grounding or insulating frames of hand-held electrically driven tools and pumps; include specifications for underground high-voltage cables used in resistance grounded systems and for power circuits and disconnecting devices; require underground transformer stations, battery charging stations, substations, rectifiers and water pumps be housed in noncombustible structures and include specifications for ventilation, monitoring and warning systems for noncombustible structures; provide exemption from the requirements for noncombustible structures for certain rectifiers and power centers; provide fire safety requirements for flame resistant belting and underground belt conveyors; require insulation and electric shock protection on communication wires and cables; require weekly testing for ground wires in trailing cables; specify procedures for testing and working on underground power circuits and electrical equipment; require switch boxes, contactors, controllers, and other similar devices to be free of accumulations of combustible dust; provide electrical safety requirements and procedures for trolley wires and trolley feeder wires; delete requirements for protective barriers between high voltage wires and other conveyor wires in surface mining operations and delete requirements for four wire circuits to minimize wire damage; prescribe electrical safety requirements including de-energizing and lock and tag procedures for testing or troubleshooting power circuits or electrical equipment located on the surface; amend KRS 352.230 to permit all electric driven equipment except intrinsically safe equipment taken or used inby the last open crosscut and in return airways in underground mines; delete existing requirements for operators in charge of electrical face equipment in mines and for certain inspection procedures of electrical face equipment being used next to the working face; prescribe examination and testing procedures for electrical equipment and circuits; prescribe maintenance requirements for electrical equipment utilized in intake airways; and prohibit accumulations of combustible materials including grease and other lubricants to prevent fire hazards; create new section of KRS Chapter 352 to establish qualification requirements for persons in charge of electrical face equipment; specify the types of mine workers that are permitted to conduct tests for gas; prescribe examination requirements for approval to test for gas; prescribe gas detection and testing requirements for electric face equipment being used near the working face; require twenty-minute interval testing for gas and safety requirements when electric equipment is being used at the face.

SB 37 - AMENDMENTS


     SCA (1, E. Harris) - Exclude from the provisions of the Act certain electrical facilities that are owned by a retail electric supplier or a cooperative and that are covered by the National Electric Safety Code.

     SFA (1, D. Boswell) - Retain the provisions of the original bill; add language to clarify that installations controlled exclusively by utilities are exempt.

     SFA (2, D. Boswell) - Amend Section 1 to delete definition of "hazardous voltage" and "suitable"; amend definition of "workmanlike manner" to mean consistent with established practices and methods utilized in the coal industry; provide that the chapter shall not apply to installations under the exclusive control of utilities; amend Section 2 to add definitions for "approved" and "suitable"; provide that power wires and cables be properly insulated and protected by proper installation and guarding; require that splices made in cables provide continuity components; delete requirement for single conductor trailing cables to be used on cutting machines; provide that suitable disconnecting devices be provided at the beginning of branch circuits; establish requirements for installations in noncombustible structures including monitors and fire suppression systems; provide that communication wires and cables be properly insulated and protected by proper installation and guarding; change the term "telephone wires" to "telephone lines"; delete requirement that insulating mats be of suitable size; delete requirement that trailing cables be capable of allowing hazardous voltage; require suitable disconnect providing for visible evidence that the power is disconnected when electrical work or major mechanical work is performed; require that repairs or maintenance not be performed on machinery until the power is off and the machinery is blocked against motion; delete requirement that telephone lines crossing trolley wires be carefully guarded in a nonconductive conduit; and add definitions for "approved" and "suitable" to Sections 3 and 4.

     SFA (3, D. Boswell) - Amend to grant an exemption from the provisions of the bill to electrical facilities owned, operated, or otherwise controlled by an electric utility as defined under KRS 278.010 or organized under KRS Chapter 279 for purposes of communication, metering, billing, or for the generation, control, transformation, or transmission of electric energy in buildings used exclusively by electric utilities located outdoors or on property owned or leased by the utility or on public highways, streets, roads, or outdoors as established by easement rights on private property and that are covered by the NESC or other applicable safety codes.

     Jan 6-introduced in Senate
     Jan 9-to Agriculture and Natural Resources (S)
     Feb 12-reported without opinion with committee amendment (1) ; 1st reading, to Calendar
     Feb 13-2nd reading, to Rules
     Feb 18-posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 19, 2004
     Feb 19-passed over; placed in the Orders of the Day for Tuesday, February 24, 2004; floor amendments (1) and (2) filed
     Feb 24-passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day; floor amendment (3) filed
     Feb 25-3rd reading; committee amendment (1) withdrawn ; floor amendment (1) withdrawn ; passed 38-0 with floor amendments (2) and (3)
     Feb 26-received in House
     Mar 1-to Natural Resources and Environment (H)
     Mar 5-posted in committee
     Mar 9-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
     Mar 10-2nd reading, to Rules
     Mar 16-posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 17, 2004
     Mar 18-3rd reading, passed 94-0
     Mar 19-received in Senate
     Mar 22-enrolled, signed by each presiding officer; delivered to Governor
     Apr 2-signed by Governor (Acts ch. 37)


Kentucky Legislature Home Page | Record Front Page