U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Solicitor Division of Mine Safety and Health The Acts and Legislative Histories

The Mine Safety and Health Division is responsible for advising the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) on the proper interpretation and application of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act), and Title 30, Parts 1-199 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Division practices under and provides legal guidance to MSHA on a number of statutes and regulations including the:

Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006

Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977

Administrative Procedure Act

Freedom of Information Act

Privacy Act

Equal Access to Justice Act (5 U.S.C. § 504)

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996

Department of Labor rules for subpoenaing witnesses

Rules of Practice and Procedure before Department of Labor admininstrative law judges

Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch

Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Labor

In addition, the following historical information is available for viewing:

Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (Coal Act)

Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act (Metal Act)

Legislative History of the 2006 MINER Act

Legislative History of the 1977 Mine Act

Legislative History of the 1969 Coal Act

The majority of the Division's litigation work is practiced before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (Commission), an independent body that is not related to the Department of Labor. Decisions, procedures, and rules of practice of the Commission can be found on the page addressing Commission-related topics. Attorneys in the Division may also practice before United States Courts of Appeals in appellate matters. A link has been provided to view decisions issued for publication by Courts of Appeals.