As the Governor promised in his State of the State address at the beginning of the session, efforts are being made by lawmakers to improve safety in our coal mines. Numerous bills are being introduced to promote the overall safety for our coal miners. Having once been a coal miner myself, I recognize the best interests of our miners and will keep them in mind when supporting forthcoming legislation.

Relating to mine safety, House Bill 2020 would allow for a tax credit to coal companies that purchase innovative safety technology compiled by the Mine Safety Technology Task Force and approved by the Director of the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training. The bill would not only help to improve mine safety but would also encourage positive growth of area coal companies and would enable the companies to create more coal-mining jobs.

By request of the Governor, House Bill 4364 has been introduced to address the state’s other post-employment benefits liability. After being passed by the Senate, the bill is now under consideration in the House Finance Committee. Under the proposal, $30 million a year would go to into a fund to pay down the remaining $5 billion of long-term OPEB liability. Another $5 million a year would go into a trust fund to assist employees hired after July 1, 2010.

Following up on my previous mention of the issue of child abuse and neglect, House Bill 4356 has been introduced and would establish an offense for creating a substantial risk of bodily injury to a child. I believe that the creation of such a bill is vital to the protection of our children.

My constituents will be pleased to know that I have been meeting with representatives from Frontier Communications. There has been discussion regarding expansion of broadband and high-speed Internet across the Mingo county area.

With the expansion of Internet access and the increase in popularity of online public and private forums, Internet fraud has become a real issue. House Bill 4124 would address the issue of Internet fraud by creating the offense of online impersonation for purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening or defrauding another person. Creation of such an offense would hold people accountable for their fraudulent actions via the Internet and would discourage the continuance of online impersonation.

As I had mentioned in my last column, the Legislature will recognize Mingo County Day, next Tuesday, Feb. 14. Del. White and I have arranged for lunch to be served in the Governor’s Press Conference Room at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant and Treasurer John Perdue will be in attendance. I encourage my constituents to take part in the celebration of Mingo County Day and also take advantage of what our Capitol Complex has to offer. Make sure to visit the Culture Center and take a tour of impressive West Virginia State Museum.

As always, I am proud to represent the residents of Mingo and Logan counties, and I have their best interests in mind as I consider legislation. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding the issues and bills presented in the Legislature. My capitol phone number is (304) 340-3126 and my email address is justin.marcum@wvhouse.gov. Letters should be addressed to Delegate Justin Marcum, State Capitol, Building 1, Room 229-E, Charleston, WV 25305.