West Virginia National Coal Heritage Area Act of 1994

For Further Action See H.R.5044.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 9, 1994

West Virginia National Coal Heritage Act of 1994 - Establishes the West Virginia National Coal Heritage Area. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to contract with the Governor of West Virginia to provide assistance in preserving, restoring, maintaining, operating, and promoting the coal-related facilities of the Area for cultural and historical purposes. Directs the Governor to submit to the Secretary for approval a coal heritage management plan for the Area. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the National Trails System Act to designate as a study trail the route traveled by coal miners from Lens Creek near Marmet to Blair Mountain in West Virginia.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3] · D–WV

Committees

Natural Resources Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 5, 1994
For Further Action See H.R.5044.
Jun 28, 1994
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
May 25, 1994
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Apr 27, 1994
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
Mar 9, 1994
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Mar 9, 1994
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E388-389)
Mar 9, 1994
Introduced in House
Mar 9, 1994
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Mar 9, 1994 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 5044 · American Heritage Areas Act of 1994

Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3988 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.3988, 103rd Congress: West Virginia National Coal Heritage Area Act of 1994

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3988

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-03-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3988/BILLS-103hr3988ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:25Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3988 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3988 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3988, 103rd Congress: West Virginia National Coal Heritage Area Act of 1994

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3988

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-03-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3988/BILLS-103hr3988ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:25Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3988 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3988 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3988, 103rd Congress: West Virginia National Coal Heritage Area Act of 1994

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3988

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-03-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3988/BILLS-103hr3988ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:25Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3988 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3988 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3988, 103rd Congress: West Virginia National Coal Heritage Area Act of 1994

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3988

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-03-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3988/BILLS-103hr3988ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:25Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3988 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.