To amend sections 1561.011, 1561.16, 1561.17, 1561.23, 1561.25, 1561.26, 1565.15, and 4131.03, and to enact sections 1561.24, 1561.261, 1567.64, and 1567.681 of the Revised Code and to amend Section 512.70 of Am. Sub. H.B. 100 of the 127th General Assembly to revise certain coal mine safety requirements, to create the Mine Safety Fund to be used for specified mine safety purposes, to allow the Administrator of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation to transfer a portion of the investment earnings of the Coal-Workers Pneumoconiosis Fund to the Mine Safety Fund, to delay the date by which the Administrator of Workers' Compensation must transition from the Micro Insurance Reserve Analysis System by one day, and to declare an emergency.

SECTION 1. That sections 1561.011, 1561.16, 1561.17, 1561.23, 1561.25, 1561.26, 1565.15, and 4131.03 be amended and sections 1561.24, 1561.261, 1567.64, and 1567.681 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 1561.011. Nothing Except as provided in section 1561.24 of the Revised Code, nothing in this chapter applies to activities that are permitted and regulated under Chapter 1514. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1561.16.  (A) As used in this section and sections 1561.17 to 1561.21 of the Revised Code, "actual practical experience" means previous employment that involved a person's regular presence in the type of mining operation in which the experience is required to exist; participation in functions relating to the hazards involved in and the utilization of equipment, tools, and work crews and individuals for that type of mining; and regular exposure to the methods, procedures, and safety laws applicable to that type of mining. Credit of up to one year for a portion of the required experience time may be given upon documentation to the chief of the division of mineral resources management of an educational degree in a field related to mining. Credit of up to two years of the required experience time may be given upon presentation to the chief of proof of graduation from an accredited school of mines or mining after a four-year course of study with employment in the mining industry during interim breaks during the school years.

(B) A person who applies for a certificate as a mine foreperson of gaseous mines shall be able to read and write the English language; shall have had at least five years' actual practical experience in the underground workings of a gaseous mine or the equivalent thereof in the judgment of the chief; and shall have had practical experience obtained by actual contact with gas in mines and have knowledge of the dangers and nature of noxious and explosive gases and ventilation of gaseous mines. An applicant for a certificate as a foreperson of gaseous mines shall meet the same requirements, except that the applicant shall have had at least three years' actual practical experience in the underground workings of a gaseous mine or the equivalent thereof in the judgment of the chief. Each applicant for examination shall pay a fee of ten dollars established in rules adopted under this section to the chief on the first day of such examination. Any

(C) A person who has been issued a certificate as a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a gaseous mine and who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of more than two calendar years shall apply for and obtain recertification from the chief in accordance with rules adopted under this section before performing the duties of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a gaseous mine. An applicant for recertification shall pay a fee established in rules adopted under this section at the time of

(D) A person who has been issued a certificate as a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a gaseous mine and who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of one or more calendar years shall successfully complete a retraining course in accordance with rules adopted under this section before performing the duties of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a gaseous mine.

(E) The chief, in consultation with a statewide association representing the coal mining industry and a statewide association representing employees of coal mines, shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that do all of the following:

(1) Prescribe requirements, criteria, and procedures for the recertification of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a gaseous mine who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of more than two calendar years;

(2) Prescribe requirements, criteria, and procedures for the retraining of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a gaseous mine who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of one or more calendar years;

(3) Establish fees for the examination and recertification of mine forepersons or forepersons of gaseous mines under this section;

(4) Prescribe any other requirements, criteria, and procedures that the chief determines are necessary to administer this section.

(F) Any moneys collected under this section shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the mining regulation fund created in section 1561.48 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1561.17.  (A) A person who applies for a certificate as mine foreperson or foreperson of nongaseous mines shall be able to read and write the English language; shall have had at least three years' actual practical experience in mines, or the equivalent thereof in the judgment of the chief of the division of mineral resources management; and shall have knowledge of the dangers and nature of noxious gases. Each applicant for examination shall pay a fee of ten dollars established in rules adopted under this section to the chief on the first day of the examination. Any

(B) A person who has been issued a certificate as a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine and who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of more than two calendar years shall apply for and obtain recertification from the chief in accordance with rules adopted under this section before performing the duties of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine. An applicant for recertification shall pay a fee established in rules adopted under this section at the time of application for recertification.

(C) A person who has been issued a certificate as a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine and who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of one or more calendar years shall successfully complete a retraining course in accordance with rules adopted under this section before performing the duties of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine.

(D) The chief, in consultation with a statewide association representing the coal mining industry and a statewide association representing employees of coal mines, shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that do all of the following:

(1) Prescribe requirements, criteria, and procedures for the recertification of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of more than two calendar years;

(2) Prescribe requirements, criteria, and procedures for the retraining of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of one or more calendar years;

(3) Establish fees for the examination and recertification of mine forepersons or forepersons of nongaseous coal mines under this section;

(4) Prescribe any other requirements, criteria, and procedures that the chief determines are necessary to administer this section.

(E) Any moneys collected under this section shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the mining regulation fund created in section 1561.48 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1561.23.  The chief of the division of mineral resources management shall issue the following certificates to those applicants who pass their examination:

(A) Certificates for mine forepersons of gaseous mines;

(B) Certificates for mine forepersons of nongaseous mines;

(C) Certificates for forepersons of gaseous mines;

(D) Certificates for forepersons of nongaseous mines;

(E) Certificates for forepersons of surface maintenance facilities of underground or surface mines;

(F) Certificates for mine forepersons of surface mines;

(G) Certificates for forepersons of surface mines;

(H) Certificates for fire bosses;

(I) Certificates for mine electricians;

(J) Certificates for surface mine blasters;

(K) Certificates for shot firers.

Applicants for certificates shall make application to the chief, on a form provided by the chief, for examination. All applicants shall be able to read and write the English language intelligently, and shall furnish the chief with a certificate as to their character, length and description of their practical experience, and satisfactory evidence of their ability to perform the duties of the position for which they make application for examination.

Any Except as provided in sections 1561.16 and 1561.17 of the Revised Code, any certificate issued by the former mine examining board prior to October 29, 1995, shall remain in effect notwithstanding the new classifications of certificates established by this section.

Sec. 1561.24. For purposes of this chapter, Chapters 1563., 1565., and 1567., and sections 1514.40 to 1514.50 of the Revised Code, there is hereby created in the state treasury the mine safety fund. The fund shall consist of money transferred to it by the administrator of workers' compensation from the coal-workers pneumoconiosis fund established in section 4131.03 of the Revised Code. All investment earnings of the mine safety fund shall be credited to the fund. The chief of the division of mineral resources management shall use money in the fund for all of the following purposes:

(A) Mine safety and health inspections and audits;

(B) The purchase and maintenance of mine rescue and inspection equipment;

(C) The purchase or lease of facilities for use as mine rescue stations and for mine rescue and safety training;

(D) Mine rescue and safety and health training of miners;

(E) Certification and recertification of mine officials.

Sec. 1561.25.  The division of mines and reclamation mineral resources management shall establish and maintain four rescue stations. Three of such stations shall be centrally located at such places, conveniently accessible to the mines and mining areas of the state so as to cover the largest number of mines in the shortest period of time, as the chief of the division of mines and reclamation mineral resources management determines; and one such station may be maintained at the mine laboratory provided for in section 1561.27 of the Revised Code. In establishing such stations the chief may use quarters owned by or in the possession and control of the state, if available, or may lease other quarters therefor. Each station shall be equipped with rescue and first aid apparatus and other equipment as follows:

(A) One motor truck of sufficient capacity to carry the equipment prescribed by this section;

(B) Not less than six approved breathing apparatus, complete and in good working order;

(C) One recharging or refilling motor-driven pump for recharging oxygen cylinders;

(D) Not less than ten oxygen storage cylinders;

(E) One resuscitating outfit;

(F) Not less than five approved flame safety lamps and one lamp testing cabinet;

(G) Not less than two carbon monoxide detectors;

(H) One approved methane indicating detector;

(I) Not less than ten approved electric mine safety cap lamps complete;

(J) Charging equipment for cap lamps;

(K) Not less than five hundred feet of two-inch hose of standard connections and nozzles complete;

(L) All the equipment necessary to provide emergency medical services, including that necessary for the services of a paramedic as defined in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code, and to establish and maintain an intravenous lifeline;

(M) Sufficient parts, supplies, and other necessary equipment for maintenance and operation of the equipment prescribed in this section.

All equipment shall be inspected and tested weekly for efficiency and operation, and be maintained in an effective operating condition. Reports of the condition shall be sent in writing to the division of mines and reclamation mineral resources management.

Each of such the stations shall at all times be in charge of an assistant superintendent of rescue stations. Each assistant superintendent shall, under the supervision of the superintendent of rescue stations, conduct classes in first aid, mine safety, rescue work, and other safety educational work for the benefit of people desiring to take the same. They shall keep the equipment prescribed in this section in good condition, and see that this equipment reaches any mine whenever it is needed as expeditiously as possible. They shall help to perform whatever duties are necessary.

All such stations shall be under the direction of the superintendent.

Sec. 1561.26.  (A) As used in this section,:

(1) "EMT-basic," "EMT-I," and "paramedic" have the same meanings as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Mine medical responder" has the same meaning as in section 1565.15 of the Revised Code.

(B) The superintendent of rescue stations, with the approval of the chief of the division of mineral resources management, shall, at each rescue station provided for in section 1561.25 of the Revised Code, train and employ rescue crews of six members each, one of whom shall hold a mine foreperson or fire boss certificate and be designated captain, and train and employ any number of such rescue crews as the superintendent believes necessary. One member of a rescue crew shall be certified as an EMT-basic, EMT-I, mine medical responder, or paramedic. Each member of a rescue crew shall devote the time specified by the chief each month for training purposes and shall be available at all times to assist in rescue work at explosions, mine fires, and other emergencies.

A captain of mine rescue crews shall receive for service as captain the sum of twenty-four dollars per month, and each member shall receive the sum of twenty dollars per month, all payable on requisition approved by the chief. When engaged in rescue work at explosions, mine fires, or other emergencies away from their station, the members of the rescue crews and captains of the same shall be paid the sum of six dollars per hour for work on the surface, which includes the time consumed by those members in traveling to and from the scene of the emergency when the scene is away from the station of the members, and the sum of seven dollars per hour for all work underground at the emergency, and in addition thereto, the necessary living expenses of the members when the emergency is away from their home station, all payable on requisition approved by the chief.

Each member of a mine rescue crew shall undergo an annual medical examination. The chief may designate to perform an examination any individual authorized by the Revised Code to do so, including a physician assistant, a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife. In designating the individual to perform a medical examination, the chief shall choose one near the station of the member of the rescue crews. The examiner shall report the examination results to the chief and if, in the opinion of the chief, the report indicates that the member is physically unfit for further services, the chief shall relieve the member from further duty. The fee charged by the examiner for the examination shall be paid in the same manner as fees are paid to doctors employed by the industrial commission for special medical examinations.

The chief may remove any member of a rescue crew for any reason. Such crews shall be subject to the orders of the chief, the superintendent, and the deputy mine inspectors when engaged in actual mine rescue work. Mine rescue crews shall, in case of death or injury when engaged in rescue work, wherever the same may occur, be paid compensation, or their dependents shall be paid death benefits, from the workers' compensation fund, in the same manner as other employees of the state.

(C) In addition to the training of rescue crews, each assistant superintendent of rescue stations, with the approval of the superintendent, shall provide for and conduct safety, first aid, and rescue classes at any mine or for any group of miners who make application for the conducting of such classes. The chief may assess a fee for safety and first aid classes for the purpose of covering the costs associated with providing those classes. The chief shall establish a fee schedule for safety and first aid classes by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. Fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the surface mining fund created in section 1514.06 of the Revised Code.

The superintendent shall prescribe and provide for a uniform schedule of conducting such safety and rescue classes as will provide a competent knowledge of modern safety and rescue methods in, at, and about mines.

(D) No member of a mine rescue crew who performs mine rescue at an underground coal mine and no operator of a mine whose employee participates as a member of such a mine rescue crew is liable in any civil action that arises under the laws of this state for damage or injury caused in the performance of rescue work at an underground coal mine. However, a member of such a mine rescue crew may be liable if the member acted with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner.

This division does not eliminate, limit, or reduce any immunity from civil liability that is conferred on a member of such a mine rescue crew or an operator by any other provision of the Revised Code or by case law.

Sec. 1561.261. Except for civil actions in which the state is the plaintiff, no employee of the division of mineral resources management who performs rescue work at an underground coal mine is liable in any civil action that arises under the laws of this state for damage or injury caused in the performance of rescue work at an underground coal mine unless the employee acted with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner.

This section does not eliminate, limit, or reduce any immunity from civil liability that is conferred on an employee of the division by any other provision of the Revised Code or by case law.

Sec. 1565.15.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "EMT-basic," "EMT-I," "paramedic," and "emergency medical service organization" have the same meanings as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "First aid provider" includes a mine medical responder, an EMT-basic, an EMT-I, a paramedic, or an employee at a surface coal mine who has satisfied the training requirements established in division (D)(1) of this section.

(3) "Mine medical responder" means a person who has satisfied the requirements established in rules adopted under division (E) of this section.

(B) The operator of an underground coal mine where twenty or more persons are employed on a shift, including all persons working at different locations at the mine within a ten-mile radius, shall provide at least one mine medical responder, EMT-basic, or EMT-I on duty at the underground coal mine whenever employees at the mine are actively engaged in the extraction, production, or preparation of coal. The operator shall provide mine medical responders, EMTs-basic, or EMTs-I on duty at the underground coal mine at times and in numbers sufficient to ensure that no miner works in a mine location that cannot be reached within a reasonable time by a mine medical responder, an EMT-basic, or an EMT-I. Mine medical responders, EMTs-basic, and EMTs-I shall be employed on their regular coal mining duties at locations convenient for quick response to emergencies in order to provide emergency medical services inside the underground coal mine and transportation of injured or sick employees to the entrance of the mine. The operator shall provide for the services of at least one emergency medical service organization to be available on call to reach the entrance of the underground coal mine within thirty minutes at any time that employees are engaged in the extraction, production, or preparation of coal in order to provide emergency medical services and transportation to a hospital.

The operator shall make available to mine medical responders, EMTs-basic, and EMTs-I all of the equipment for first aid and emergency medical services that is necessary for those personnel to function and to comply with the regulations pertaining to first aid and emergency medical services that are adopted under the "Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977," 91 Stat. 1290, 30 U.S.C.A. 801, and amendments to it. The operator of the underground coal mine shall install telephone service or equivalent facilities that enable two-way voice communication between the mine medical responders, EMTs-basic, or EMTs-I in the mine and the emergency medical service organization outside the mine that provides emergency medical services on a regular basis.

(C) The operator of a surface coal mine shall provide at least one first aid provider on duty at the mine whenever employees at the mine are actively engaged in the extraction, production, or preparation of coal. The operator shall provide first aid providers on duty at the surface coal mine at times and in numbers sufficient to ensure that no miner works in a mine location that cannot be reached within a reasonable time by a first aid provider. First aid providers shall be employed on their regular coal mining duties at locations convenient for quick response to emergencies in order to provide emergency medical services and transportation of injured or sick employees to the entrance of the surface coal mine. The operator shall provide for the services of at least one emergency medical service organization to be available on call to reach the entrance of the surface coal mine within thirty minutes at any time that employees are engaged in the extraction, production, or preparation of coal in order to provide emergency medical services and transportation to a hospital.

The operator shall provide at the mine site all of the equipment for first aid and emergency medical services that is necessary for those personnel to function and to comply with the regulations pertaining to first aid and emergency medical services that are adopted under the "Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977," 91 Stat. 1290, 30 U.S.C.A. 801, and amendments to it.

(D)(1) An employee at a surface coal mine shall be considered to be a first aid provider for the purposes of this section if the employee has received from an instructor approved by the chief of the division of mineral resources management ten hours of initial first aid training as a selected supervisory employee under 30 C.F.R. 77.1703 and receives five hours of refresher first aid training as a selected supervisory employee under 30 C.F.R. 77.1705 in each subsequent calendar year.

(2) Each miner employed at a surface coal mine who is not a first aid provider shall receive from an instructor approved by the chief three hours of initial first aid training and two hours of refresher first aid training in each subsequent calendar year.

(3) The training received in accordance with division (D) of this section shall consist of a course of instruction established in the manual issued by the mine safety and health administration in the United States department of labor entitled "first aid, a bureau of mines instruction manual" or its successor or any other curriculum approved by the chief. The training shall be included in the hours of instruction provided to miners in accordance with training requirements established under 30 C.F.R. part 48, subpart (B), as amended, and 30 C.F.R. part 77, as amended.

(E) The chief, in consultation with persons certified under Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code to teach in an emergency medical services training program, shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that do all of the following:

(1) Prescribe training requirements for a mine medical responder that specifically focus on treating injuries and illnesses associated with underground coal mining;

(2) Prescribe an examination for a mine medical responder;

(3) Prescribe continuing training requirements for a mine medical responder;

(4) Establish the fee for examination for a mine medical responder;

(5) Prescribe any other requirements, criteria, and procedures that the chief determines are necessary regarding the training, examination, and continuing training of mine medical responders.

If a person qualifies as a mine medical responder or similar classification in another state, the person may provide emergency medical services as a mine medical responder in this state without completing the training or passing the examination that is required in rules adopted under this division, provided that the chief determines that the person's qualifications from the other state satisfy all of the applicable requirements that are established in rules adopted under this division.

(F) Each operator of a surface coal mine shall establish, keep current, and make available for inspection an emergency medical plan that includes the telephone numbers of the division of mineral resources management and of an emergency medical services organization the services of which are required to be retained under division (C) of this section. The chief shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that establish any additional information required to be included in an emergency medical plan.

(F)(G) Each operator of an underground coal mine or surface coal mine shall provide or contract to obtain emergency medical services training or first aid training, as applicable, at the operator's expense, that is sufficient to train and maintain the certification of the number of employees necessary to comply with division (B) of this section and that is sufficient to train employees as required under division (D) of this section and to comply with division (C) of this section.

(G)(H) The division may provide emergency medical services training for coal mine employees by operating an emergency medical services training program accredited under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code or by contracting with the operator of an emergency medical services training program accredited under that section to provide that training. The division may charge coal mine operators a uniform part of the unit cost per trainee.

(H)(I) No coal mine operator shall violate or fail to comply with this section.

Sec. 1567.64. (A) As used in this section, "tag lines" and "tie-off lines" have the same meanings as in rules adopted under this section.

(B) The operator of an underground coal mine shall provide tag lines or tie-off lines for each miner at the mine. The operator shall provide and employees of the mine shall use tag lines or tie-off lines in accordance with requirements and procedures established in rules adopted under this section.

(C) The chief of the division of mineral resources management, in consultation with a statewide association representing the coal mining industry and a statewide association representing employees of coal mines, shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code concerning the use of tag lines or tie-off lines in an underground coal mine. The rules shall include all of the following:

(1) A definition of "tag line" and of "tie-off line";

(2) A description or list of acceptable tag lines and tie-off lines;

(3) Procedures and requirements for the use of tag lines and tie-off lines;

(4) Procedures for the approval and inspection of the use of tag lines and tie-off lines in a mine;

(5) Any other requirements concerning tag lines or tie-off lines that the chief determines are necessary.

(D) No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section or rules adopted under it.

Sec. 1567.681. (A) The operator of an underground coal mine that uses conveyor belts in the operation of the mine shall install fire detection devices on each conveyor belt that is used in the mine. The fire detection devices shall be of a design and type established in rules adopted under this section. The chief of the division of mineral resources management shall inspect the fire detection devices after the operator of the mine has installed the devices on the conveyor belts that are used in the operation of the mine. The chief shall approve or disapprove the installation of the fire detection devices and shall notify the operator of the chief's decision.

(B) The chief, in consultation with a statewide association representing the coal mining industry and a statewide association representing employees of coal mines, shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code concerning the installation and use of fire detection devices on conveyor belts that are used in an underground coal mine. The rules shall include all of the following:

(1) The design and types of fire detection devices that must be used on a conveyor belt in order to provide for the earliest possible detection of a fire;

(2) The number of fire detection devices that are required on a conveyor belt;

(3) A procedure for the notification of the chief after the operator of a mine has installed the fire detection devices;

(4) A procedure for the inspection of fire detection devices installed on a conveyor belt;

(5) Any other requirements that the chief determines are necessary.

(C) No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section or rules adopted under it.

Sec. 4131.03.  (A) For the relief of persons who are entitled to receive benefits by virtue of the federal act, there is hereby established a coal-workers pneumoconiosis fund, which shall be separate from the funds established and administered pursuant to Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code. The fund shall consist of premiums and other payments thereto by subscribers who elect to subscribe to the fund to insure the payment of benefits required by the federal act.

(B)(1) The coal-workers pneumoconiosis fund shall be in the custody of the treasurer of state. The bureau of workers' compensation shall make disbursements from the fund to those persons entitled to payment therefrom and in the amounts required pursuant to sections 4131.01 to 4131.06 of the Revised Code. All investment earnings of the fund shall be credited to the fund.

(2) The administrator of workers' compensation may transfer a portion of the investment earnings credited to the coal-workers pneumoconiosis fund to the mine safety fund created in section 1561.24 of the Revised Code for the purposes specified in that section. The administrator, with the advice and consent of the bureau of workers' compensation board of directors, shall adopt rules governing the transfer in order to ensure the solvency of the coal-workers pneumoconiosis fund. For that purpose, the rules may establish tests based on measures of net assets, liabilities, expenses, interest, dividend income, or other factors that the administrator determines appropriate that may be applied prior to a transfer.

(C) The administrator of workers' compensation shall have the same powers to invest any of the surplus or reserve belonging to the coal-workers pneumoconiosis fund as are delegated to him the administrator under section 4123.44 of the Revised Code with respect to the state insurance fund.

(D) If the administrator determines that reinsurance of the risks of the coal-workers pneumoconiosis fund is necessary to assure solvency of the fund, he the administrator may:

(1) Enter into contracts for the purchase of reinsurance coverage of the risks of the fund with any company or agency authorized by law to issue contracts of reinsurance;

(2) Pay the cost of reinsurance from the fund;

(3) Include the costs of reinsurance as a liability and estimated liability of the fund.

SECTION 2.  That existing sections 1561.011, 1561.16, 1561.17, 1561.23, 1561.25, 1561.26, 1565.15, and 4131.03 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.

SECTION 3. That Section 512.70 of Am. Sub. H.B. 100 of the 127th General Assembly be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 512.70. The Administrator of Workers' Compensation shall completely transition from use of the Micro Insurance Reserve Analysis System to a different system or different version of that system to determine the reserves for use in establishing premium rates assessed for the purposes of Chapter 4121., 4123., 4127., or 4131. of the Revised Code on or before June 30 July 1, 2008. A contract between the Administrator and a vendor for the System in existence on the effective date of this section shall expire in accordance with the terms of the contract, and the Administrator may renew or extend that contract only for a period of time that does not extend past June 30, 2008.

The Administrator shall transition to a reserve analysis system that is characterized as transparent in nature and for that purpose of transparency, satisfies both of the following criteria:

(A) The manner in which the system uses data can be understood in general terms by employers who are subject to Chapters 4121., 4123., 4127., and 4131. of the Revised Code and other persons interested in use of the system;

(B) The type of data the system uses in making reserve analysis can be explained to employers who are subject to Chapters 4121., 4123., 4127., and 4131. of the Revised Code and other persons interested in use of the system.

The Administrator shall communicate information describing the manner in which the new reserve analysis system uses data and the type of data the system uses in making reserve analysis to employers who are subject to Chapters 4121., 4123., 4127., and 4131. of the Revised Code and to any other persons who request such information.

SECTION 4. That existing Section 512.70 of Am. Sub. H.B. 100 of the 127th General Assembly is hereby repealed.

SECTION 5. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the authorization of a transfer of a portion of the interest money in the Coal-Workers Pneumoconiosis Fund created in section 4131.03 of the Revised Code, by the amendment of that section by this act, to the Mine Safety Fund created in section 1561.24 of the Revised Code, as enacted by this act, is not to be a long-term funding source for the Mine Safety Fund. In addition, the General Assembly's authorization of such a transfer by this act does not establish a precedent for the transfer of money from other Bureau of Workers' Compensation funds to other funds. Finally, the Department of Natural Resources shall examine sources other than the Coal-Workers Pneumoconiosis Fund to provide money for the Mine Safety Fund and report its findings to the Bureau of Workers' Compensation Board of Directors immediately prior to the five-year review of the rules adopted under division (B)(2) of section 4131.03 of the Revised Code, as amended by this act.

SECTION 6. This act is hereby declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. The reason for such necessity is that the creation of the Mine Safety Fund by this act enables the Division of Mineral Resources Management in the Department of Natural Resources to establish a new center to provide more rapid response to mine incidents in which mine workers' health or safety may be in jeopardy, and, as a result, the reduction in response times to such incidents could help save mine workers' lives. Therefore, this act shall go into immediate effect.