Law Commons^™

The Black Lung Benefits Reform And Revenue Acts Of 1977, John Rollins

West Virginia Law Review

On February 15, 1978, Congress enacted the Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of 1977. The passage of this legislation followed months of congressional indecision over just how the existing black lung benefits system could be reformed. During this period, the financing of the program appeared to be the most divisive issue. That issue was finally resolved by the enactment in late January of the Black Lung Benefits Revenue Act of 1977. After this hurdle was cleared, the conference committee report on the reform act easily passed both houses.' The Act, which amended the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act …