119-HR3071

Bill is currently in: House
Path to Law
House Senate President

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3071

1. Short title
2. Civil and criminal penalties relating to oil spills

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Increasing Penalties for Offshore Polluters Act".

2. Civil and criminal penalties relating to oil spills

(a) Civil penalties - Section 311(b)(7) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)) is amended—

(1) - in subparagraph (A) by striking "an amount up to" each place it appears and inserting "an amount that is at least"; and

(2) - in subparagraph (D) by striking "not more than" and inserting "at least".

(b) Criminal penalties - Section 309(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)) is amended—

(1) - in paragraph (1)—

(A) - by striking "$2,500" and inserting "$5,000";

(B) - by striking "$25,000" and inserting "$50,000";

(C) - by striking "not more than 1 year" and inserting "not more than 2 years"; and

(D) - by striking "punishment shall be by a fine of not more than $50,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment of not more than 2 years, or by both" and inserting "the maximum punishment shall be doubled with respect to both fine and imprisonment";

(2) - in paragraph (2)—

(A) - by striking "not less that $5,000" and inserting "not less than $10,000";

(B) - by striking "$50,000" and inserting "$100,000";

(C) - by striking "not more than 3 years" and inserting "not more than 6 years"; and

(D) - by striking "punishment shall be by a fine of not more than $100,000 per day of violation, or imprisonment of not more than 6 years, or by both" and inserting "the maximum punishment shall be doubled with respect to both fine and imprisonment"; and

(3) - in paragraph (3)(A)—

(A) - by striking "$250,000" and inserting "$500,000";

(B) - by striking "not more than 15 years" and inserting "not more than 30 years"; and

(C) - by striking "$1,000,000" and inserting "$2,000,000".