By Rebecca Feldhaus
Frankfort, KY – Home owners who have experienced damage from land shifts associated with decaying coal mines are a step closer to larger insurance pay outs. A state Senate committee passed a bill yesterday sponsored by 8th District Senator Jerry Rhoads of Madisonville. The bill would increase insurance payouts related to property damage associated with decaying, shifting or collapsed mines. Previously, payouts for mine related damage topped out at 100 thousand dollars. This bill increases that to 300 thousand dollars. The funding comes from additional home-owner insurance charges. The bill also allows for 25-thousand dollars for living expenses should owners be temporarily displaced.