Statute 49-404: Employment of inspectors and other personnel; contracts for
technical services authorized; financial interest in coal mining operation
prohibited; penalties for violation of prohibition; rules and regulations
for enforcement; reports to congress.
Within the limits of
appropriations therefor, the secretary may employ inspectors, clerical help
and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of administering
and enforcing the provisions of the mined-land conservation and
reclamation act. Within the limits of appropriations therefor, the secretary
may enter into contracts with consultants for services of a technical
nature which may be required in the administration of the mined-land
conservation and reclamation act. No employee of the department who performs
any function
or duty under this act shall
have a direct or indirect financial
interest in any underground or surface coal mining operation. The secretary
shall prescribe by regulations, methods for filing employee statements to
aid in enforcement of this provision. Whoever knowingly violates the provisions
of the prohibition against financial interests shall, upon conviction, be
punished by a fine of not more than $2,500, or by imprisonment of not more
than one year, or both. The secretary shall adopt rules and regulations to
establish methods by which this prohibition shall be monitored and enforced,
to provide for filing by employees and review of statements and supplements
thereto concerning any financial interest which may be affected by this
prohibition, and to make such reports to congress related thereto that may
be required by the national surface mining control and reclamation act of
1977 (public law 95-87).
History: L. 1968, ch. 395, § 4; L. 1974, ch. 348, § 23; L.
1974, ch. 229, § 1; L. 1978, ch. 208, § 3; L. 1979, ch. 169, § 2;
L. 1988, ch. 192, § 8; July 1.