Small business rule changes · compliance updates · daily

The Small Business
Rule Change Brief

Vol. 1 · No. 1084

Monday, August 24, 2026

1084 issues in archive

Rule lifecycle · RIN:1240-AA16

Black Lung Benefits Act: Authorization of Self-Insurers

Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of Worker's Compensation Programs — observed across 4 documents over 1288 days. Use the source documents below before deciding whether this affects your business.

In plain English

The Department of Labor is proposing to let coal mining companies set aside their own money to pay black lung benefits to injured miners instead of buying insurance policies. If your mining company chooses this option, you must set aside funds for reserves and follow federal reporting and compliance rules set by the Labor Department.

First seen

Jan 19, 2023

Last seen

Jul 30, 2026

Latest stage

Proposed Rule

PRORULE → RULE

693d

Comments close

Monday, September 28, 2026

Stage timeline

  1. Proposed·Jan 19, 2023

    Black Lung Benefits Act: Authorization of Self-Insurers

    comments close Mar 20, 2023#2023-00534

  2. Proposed·Mar 7, 2023

    Black Lung Benefits Act: Authorization of Self-Insurers

    comments close Apr 19, 2023#2023-04322

  3. Final·Dec 12, 2024

    Black Lung Benefits Act: Authorization of Self-Insurers

    effective Jan 13, 2025#2024-28848

  4. Proposed·Jul 30, 2026·91 FR 48002

    Black Lung Benefits Act: Authorization of Self-Insurers

    comments close Sep 28, 2026#2026-15325