The Kentucky Senate passed a bill that would eliminate state safety inspections of coal mines and leave those inspections to federal safety inspectors.

Sen. Chris Girdler, R-Somerset, blamed the sharp downturn in coal mine employment on overregulation and said state inspections are no longer needed because they duplicate the work of federal safety inspectors who he said already over-inspect mines for safety.

“We’re in a dire situation here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Girdler said. “We have to be pro-active.”

But some Democratic senators involved in strengthening Kentucky mine safety laws after a spate of deadly accidents a decade ago sharply disagreed.

The bill - Senate Bill 297 - passed on a 25-11 vote. All those voting yes were Republicans. Two Republicans - Tom Buford, of Nicholasville, and C.B. Embry Jr., of Morgantown, joined nine Democrats in voting no.

Under the bill, the state’s safety role at mines would shift from inspections and issuing citations to analysis and recommending behavior modification to improve safety. Girdler said the new state role would complement rather than duplicate the work of safety inspectors of the federal U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Courier Journal reported.

And he said this arrangement will improve safety of mines.

“Safety of our miners is paramount. Anyone who would suggest otherwise of my intent is simply fear-mongering and spreading hateful rhetoric,” Girdler said.

But several Democrats disagreed and said state inspections are still needed.

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 224, which would allow mining companies to do their own training of foremen for mine safety and other issues. Current law requires the state conduct that training.

Both bills now go to the House. Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said he opposes them.