Latest FMSHRC News

The Commission has recently issued two decisions involving Cactus Canyon Quarries Inc., 

The Commission has issued its decision in Cargill Incorporated, Docket Nos. LAKE 2022-0285, LAKE 2023-0013.

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (FMSHRC) is currently drafting its new Strategic Plan for 2026-2030.   As we work to improve adjudicatory processes across trial and appellate functions, we welcome suggestions and other feedback on our case processing times.  Please send your comments to fmshrc@fmshrc.gov by March 20, 2026.

Past strategic plans may be found on the Commission’s website at https://www.fmshrc.gov/plans/strategic-plans for reference.
 

Michael G. Young, Acting Chief Administrative Law Judge:

             Due to the possible lapse of appropriations, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (“Commission”) Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge may be closed for an indefinite period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, consistent with the Commission’s Lapse in Appropriations Contingency Plan (available at www.fmshrc.gov). Administrative Law Judges will not consider any documents filed in their current individual cases or having a due date during the period of closure until after funding has been restored and the Commission resumes business operations. Following reopening of the Commission, Administrative Law Judges will handle any filings on a case-by-case basis.

The President has designated Commissioner Rajkovich to be the Chair of the agency.  

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (“Commission”) Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge has resumed operations after a 43-day lapse of appropriations from October 1, 2025 through November 12, 2025. Filing deadlines for Petitions for Assessment of Penalty that would have otherwise been due during the Commission’s closure will be extended by 43 calendar days. Because this extension is automatic, parties are not required to show good cause and should not file motions requesting extension of Petition due dates. Administrative Law Judges will handle any other filings on a case-by-case basis.

Marco M. Rajkovich, Jr., of Kentucky, was sworn in today as a Commissioner of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission for a term expiring August 30, 2030, after being confirmed by the Senate on October 7th, 2025.

On September 11, 2025, the Commission issued its decision in Nally & Hamilton Enterprises, Inc.