Recognizing Black Lung Awareness Month.
HCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 4, 2025
Last action Mar 25, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced Version
→
Committee Substitute
·
1 edit
MINOR
The bill was amended to change the proclamation from a single day (March 20, 2025) to an entire month (March) of Black Lung Awareness. This expands the recognition period to provide broader visibility for the issue throughout the month rather than focusing on one specific date.
Scope change
The scope of the proclamation was expanded from a single day to an entire month, increasing the duration of awareness and recognition.
TIMELINE
Changed the recognized date from 'March 20, 2025' (a single day) to 'March' (an entire month), extending the duration of Black Lung Awareness recognition.
Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2025
How they voted
96–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 100
Mar 24, 2025
D
Democratic9
100% Yea
R
Republican91
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
10
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Adopted by House (Roll No. 159)
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
By substitute, be adopted
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
To House Rules
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 83 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Josh Holstein
RRepublican
Co
Adam Vance
RRepublican
Co
Andy Shamblin
RRepublican
Co
Bill Flanigan
RRepublican
Co
Bill Ridenour
RRepublican
Co
Bill Roop
RRepublican
Co
Brandon Steele
RRepublican
Co
Bryan Smith
RRepublican
Co
Bryan Ward
RRepublican
Co
Chris Anders
RRepublican
Co
Chris Toney
RRepublican
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