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H.R. 1831 107th Congress House

Small Business Liability Protection Act

Official title: To provide certain relief for small businesses from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.

Introduced: May 15, 2001 See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Civil actions and liabilityCommerceGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperwork
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Hazardous waste disposalHazardous waste site remediationHousehold hazardous wastesLawLegal feesLiability for toxic substances pollution damagesLimitation of actionsMunicipal solid wasteSmall businessSubpoenaTax-exempt organizationsTaxationTransportation and Public WorksTransportation of hazardous substances
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This bill died when the 107th Congress ended
It never became law before the 107th Congress (2001–2002) 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 19 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 13, 2001
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
May 22, 2001
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 22, 2001
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 0 (Roll no. 134). (text of measure as reported: 5/21/2001 CR H2348-2349)
May 22, 2001
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2542-2543)
May 21, 2001
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 21, 2001
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1831.
May 21, 2001
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2348-2354)
May 21, 2001
Mr. Gillmor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
May 21, 2001
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 39.
May 21, 2001
Reported by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 107-70, Part II.
May 21, 2001
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 107-70, Part I.
May 17, 2001
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
May 17, 2001
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 16, 2001
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
May 16, 2001
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 16, 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.
May 15, 2001
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
May 15, 2001
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E797)
May 15, 2001
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
May 22, 2001 House · vote #134 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 419–0 See who voted →
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 Latest action June 13, 2001

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Small Business Liability Protection Act - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide (with exceptions) that persons shall be liable for response costs at a National Priorities List (NPL) facility as non-owners or operators only if the total of material containing a hazardous substance that the business arranged for disposal, transport, or treatment of, or accepted for transport, was greater than 110 gallons of liquid material or 200 pounds of solid material. Applies this exemption only to activities taking place before April 1, 2001.

Exempts a person from liability for response costs (with exceptions) at a NPL facility for municipal solid waste (MSW) as a non-owner or operator if the person is an owner, operator, or lessee of residential property from which all of the person's MSW was generated, or a certain small business or small charitable tax-exempt organization that generated all its MSW, with respect to the facility concerned.

Makes nongovernmental entities that commence a contribution action liable to the defendant for all reasonable costs of defending the action if the defendant is not liable based on the above-described exemptions.

Adds to the list of parties eligible for de minimis final settlements certain persons and businesses that demonstrate an inability or limited ability to pay response costs.

Revises conditions of eligibility for such settlements for de minimis parties.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 1064 Identical bill Small Business Liability Protection Act
  • HR 2869 Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 11
All 11 Democratic 1 Republican 1
TURNER, JIM
· May 21, 2001
Burr, Richard
· May 17, 2001
MCCARTHY, KAREN
· May 16, 2001
DEUTSCH, PETER
· May 15, 2001
GREENWOOD, JAMES
· May 15, 2001
JOHN, CHRISTOPHER
· May 15, 2001
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· May 15, 2001
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · May 15, 2001
SANDLIN, MAX
· May 15, 2001
TAUZIN, W.
· May 15, 2001
 R
Thune, John
South Dakota · May 15, 2001
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1831: Small Business Liability Protection Act. 107th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-1831/
MLA
"H.R. 1831: Small Business Liability Protection Act." 107th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-1831/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1831, 107th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-1831/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1831: Small Business Liability Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-1831/)
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