Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6757
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-13T23:14:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2025" (H.R. 6757) aims to simplify and improve the process for survivors of coal miners who died from pneumoconiosis (a lung disease commonly known as black lung, caused by inhaling coal dust) to qualify for federal benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act. It seeks to reduce barriers in proving eligibility, restore certain older rules, and provide financial support for legal and medical costs in claims.
Key Provisions
- Rebuttable Presumptions for Death Due to Pneumoconiosis:
- For miners employed at least 10 years in coal mines, a presumption that death was caused by pneumoconiosis can only be rebutted (overturned) by proving no part of the death was due to the disease.
- Adds a new presumption: If a miner was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis before death but doesn't qualify for an automatic (irrebuttable) presumption, death is presumed due to the disease unless proven otherwise.
- These changes apply to claims filed under Part C of the Black Lung Benefits Act starting 5 years before enactment and any pending claims after enactment.
- Terminology Update:
- Changes "respirable" to "respiratory" in related provisions for clarity (respirable refers to dust particles small enough to be inhaled; respiratory relates to breathing functions).
- Restoration of Pre-1981 Rules on Total Disability:
- Expands eligibility to include survivors of miners who were totally disabled by pneumoconiosis at the time of death, even if death wasn't immediately from the disease.
- Removes a 1981 restriction that limited benefits in such cases.
- Applies to claims filed 5 years before enactment and pending ones after.
- Attorneys' Fees and Medical Expenses Payment Program:
- Establishes a program within 180 days of enactment, funded by the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, to pay up to $1,500 in attorneys' fees (approved by district directors) and up to $3,000 (by administrative law judges) for qualifying claims—those contested and unresolved after one year.
- Also covers up to $1,500 in unreimbursed medical expenses per approval level, with a total cap of $4,500 for fees and $3,000 for expenses per claim.
- Coal operators (responsible parties) must reimburse the fund if benefits are awarded; payments cannot be recovered from claimants or attorneys.
- Does not limit operators' liability for other awarded fees or the Secretary of Labor's use of the fund for unpaid claims.
- Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:
- Requires GAO to submit reports to Congress within one year of enactment on:
- Interim benefit payments (temporary aid while claims are pending), including financial and stress impacts of recoupment (repayment demands) if claims are denied, and costs to the government.
- Sufficiency of current benefit amounts for miners and survivors, economic effects of potential increases, and recommendations for payment levels.
- Potential regulatory changes allowing survivors to file new claims after a final decision on prior ones.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Strengthened Presumptions: Previously, presumptions could be rebutted more easily (e.g., by showing pneumoconiosis was not a contributing factor). Now, rebuttal requires proving the disease played no role at all, shifting the burden toward claimants and easing approvals for long-term miners or those previously disabled.
- Restored Eligibility: Reinstates broader pre-1981 language that allowed benefits for deaths where total disability from pneumoconiosis existed, even if not the direct cause, reversing a narrowing amendment from over 40 years ago.
- New Financial Support Mechanism: Introduces a dedicated program for upfront payment of limited legal and medical costs from the federal trust fund, which did not exist before. This applies only to delayed, contested claims and includes reimbursement rules to protect the fund.
- Retroactive and Prospective Application: Affects older pending claims (back to 5 years pre-enactment), providing relief without fully reopening closed cases.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Survivors of deceased miners, especially in coal-dependent communities, may face fewer denials and faster benefit access, improving financial security. Miners with ongoing claims could see easier disability determinations. However, if claims are denied after interim payments, recoupment could still cause hardship (as studied in GAO reports).
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Labor (DOL) must implement the new payment program quickly, increasing administrative workload and short-term costs to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund (funded by coal excise taxes). GAO reviews could lead to future policy adjustments, like higher benefits or rule changes on subsequent claims.
- On Coal Operators: Increased liability for reimbursing fees and benefits, potentially raising operational costs, though tied only to successful claims.
- Broader Effects: No direct impact on international relations, as this is a domestic workers' compensation program. Taxpayers may see indirect effects through fund management, with GAO analysis highlighting potential savings or costs from recoupment processes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Survivors and Families of Deceased Miners: Primary beneficiaries, gaining easier access to monthly payments, medical benefits, and reduced legal hurdles.
- Living Miners with Black Lung: Indirectly helped through restored disability rules and presumptions that could apply to their claims.
- Attorneys and Claimants' Representatives: Benefit from guaranteed payments for work on delayed cases, encouraging representation without out-of-pocket risks.
- Coal Mine Operators and Employers: Face higher responsibility for reimbursements and potential increased claims, affecting insurance and excise tax contributions.
- U.S. Department of Labor (DOL): Responsible for program administration, claim processing, and enforcement of reimbursements.
- Federal Government and Taxpayers: Manage the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, with GAO oversight informing budget and policy decisions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Lowers the proof threshold (burden of proof) for claimants in administrative hearings, potentially increasing approval rates under the Black Lung Benefits Act (a workers' compensation law). The reimbursement mechanism strengthens fund sustainability but adds enforcement tools for DOL, similar to those in other labor laws like the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
- Constitutional Implications: None significant; the bill aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and provide social welfare benefits, without raising due process or equal protection concerns.
- Political Implications: Supports labor rights in mining regions by addressing long-standing criticisms of the benefits system's complexity and delays. The bipartisan sponsorship (from multiple representatives) and focus on GAO studies suggest intent for evidence-based reforms, potentially influencing future mining safety or compensation debates without partisan overtones in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-12-16: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-16 — PDF (10 pages)