COAL MINE PROTESTERS Senate Committee Approves Bill That Toughens Penalities For Mine Protesters
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Mar. 19, 2013 2:15 PM EDT
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A West Virginia Senate committee has amended and unanimously approved a bill that would toughen the penalties on coal mine protesters.
The bill advanced Tuesday would make it a felony to damage or remove any equipment from a coal facility that could be construed as promoting health or safety. It would be punishable by up to three years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
The amended version of the bill is much less harsh than the original version. The original would have instituted a fine of $500 to $1,000 for trespassing on a coal mine. Trespassing on regular private property is punishable by a fine of $100.
It would have made graffiti on a coal mine a felony and mandated a minimum of one year in jail.
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