To uphold the protections of the freedom of the press.
- Last Action
- 3/16/2017
Actions
- 2017-02-10Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- 2017-01-03Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2017-01-03Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2017-01-03Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2017-01-03Introduced in House
- 2017-01-03Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2017-01-03 (00)
Miners Protection Act of 2017
This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) to transfer certain funds to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan and the 1974 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Pension Plan to provide health and pension benefits to retired coal miners and their families.
The bill expands the group whose retiree health benefits are taken into account in determining the amount that the Department of the Treasury must transfer from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund and the General Fund of the Treasury to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan.
A voluntary employees' beneficiary association (VEBA) established as a result of certain bankruptcy proceedings must transfer to the plan any amounts received as a result of the bankruptcy proceeding, reduced by the amount of the VEBA's administrative costs. Transfers by Treasury are reduced by the amount of the VEBA transfers.
Treasury must also transfer additional funds to the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan to pay pension benefits required under that plan if the amounts available for transfer under SMCRA's $490 million annual limit exceed the amounts required to be transferred for other purposes (including to the UMWA Health Plans).
The bill also: (1) prohibits the pension plan from making certain changes to benefits during any year in which a transfer is received, and (2) establishes additional reporting requirements for the plan.
The bill repeals requirements for current and former signatories to labor agreements with the UMWA to pay unassigned beneficiaries premiums or backstop premiums if transfers under SMCRA are less than the amount required to be transferred.
Cosponsors (20)
- MIKE DOYLE (D-PA)
- Mike Bost (R-IL)
- Marcia Fudge (D-OH)
- Alexander Mooney (R-WV)
- Evan Jenkins (R-WV)
- MARCY KAPTUR (D-OH)
- Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ)
- Bill Johnson (R-OH)
- Robert Scott (D-VA)
- Frederica Wilson (D-FL)
- David Joyce (R-OH)
- Paul Cook (R-CA)
- Bradley Byrne (R-AL)
- FRANK LOBIONDO (R-NJ)
- Glenn Thompson (R-PA)
- Mike Rogers (R-AL)
- Mia Love (R-UT)
- Martha Roby (R-AL)
- Todd Rokita (R-IN)
- Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)
Subjects
- Asia
- Bankruptcy
- Coal
- Customs enforcement
- Employee benefits and pensions
- Free trade and trade barriers
- Government information and archives
- Health care costs and insurance
- Mining
- Sales and excise taxes
- South Korea
- Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
- Trade agreements and negotiations
- User charges and fees
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.