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S 481 106th Congress Senate

Environmental Crimes and Enforcement Act of 1999

Official title: A bill to increase penalties and strengthen enforcement of environmental crimes, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 25, 1999 Introduced by: Schumer, Charles E. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Air pollution controlAir qualityAssaultBridges
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Business recordsCommerceCommunity organizationCompensation for victims of crimeConspiracyCrime and Law EnforcementCriminal investigationCriminal liabilityDestruction of propertyDocksEmergency ManagementEmployee trainingEnergyEnvironmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental law enforcementExcavationExecutive reorganizationFederal employeesFederal installationsFederal-Indian relationsFederal-local relationsFederal-state relationsFines (Penalties)Gas pipelinesGeorgiaGovernment Operations and PoliticsHarborsHazardous waste disposalHomicideIndian landsIndian law enforcementInfrastructureLabelingLabor and EmploymentLawLiability for toxic substances pollution damagesLimitation of actionsLocal employeesMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine pollutionMinoritiesNavigationPackagingPesticide pollutionPesticide regulationPetroleum pipelinesPipeline safetyPipelinesPolice trainingPotable waterPropertyProsecutionProtection of officialsPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesRefuse and refuse disposalRiver regulationSentences (Criminal procedure)Shore protectionState employeesTransportation and Public WorksTransportation of hazardous substancesUrban affairsWaste disposal in rivers, lakes, etc.Waste disposal in the oceanWater Resources DevelopmentWater supplyWaterways
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This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 25, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Feb 25, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2022)
Feb 25, 1999
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action February 25, 1999

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Environmental Crimes and Enforcement Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to require that, on motion of the United States, a person convicted of an environmental crime (defined as a violation of specified statutes, including provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act, Solid Waste Disposal Act, and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986) be ordered to pay the costs incurred by a State, local, or tribal government in assisting in the investigation and prosecution of the case by the United States. Directs that sums paid under this provision be used solely for the enforcement of environmental laws.

(Sec. 3) Sets penalties for persons convicted of an environmental crime that is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury to or the death of any person.

(Sec. 4) Environmental Crimes Training Act of 1999 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish within the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance a State, Local, and Tribal Environmental Enforcement Training Program to train State, local, and tribal law enforcement personnel to investigate environmental crimes.

(Sec. 5) Sets a five-year statute of limitations (longer in cases of concealment of the offense by an affirmative act) for commission of, or a conspiracy to commit, specified Federal environmental crimes.

(Sec. 6) Amends various Federal environmental laws to cover attempts to engage in proscribed conduct.

(Sec. 7) Amends the code to authorize the court to order restitution for listed Federal environmental crimes, including, in the case of an offense resulting in pollution of or damage to the environment, payment for removal and remediation of the pollution or damage and restoration of the environment. Defines "victim" of the offense in such cases to include a municipality or other political subdivision in which the pollution occurred or in which the damage was suffered, whether or not any person residing or doing business in the political subdivision is identified as having suffered damage.

(Sec. 8) Authorizes the court to issue prejudgment orders to secure payment for environmental damage.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 481: Environmental Crimes and Enforcement Act of 1999. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-481/
MLA
"S. 481: Environmental Crimes and Enforcement Act of 1999." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-481/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 481, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-481/.
Markdown link
[S. 481: Environmental Crimes and Enforcement Act of 1999](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-481/)
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