Legislature Passes Bill to Govern Return of Coal Fund Money

Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance would have more guidance on returning to coal companies about $20 million that remains in a black-lung compensation fund, under a bill heading to the desk of Gov. Andy Beshear. The state House of Representatives on Friday voted 95-0 to pass Senate Bill 141, by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson. The Senate voted 35-0 to pass the measure on Feb. 22. Kentucky created the state coal workers’ pneumonoconiosis fund in 1987 to cover half the cost of respiratory illness claims from coal miners. The fund was financed by an assessment on comp premiums and, at one ...