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HR 5431 108th Congress House Environmental Protection Law Liability for environmental damages Oil pollution

Oil Spill Prevention and Liability Act of 2004

Introduced: December 7, 2004 Introduced by: Pallone, Frank Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 7, 2004
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Dec 7, 2004
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Oil Spill Prevention and Liability Act of 2004 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to double liability limits associated with oil spills for double-hull tank vessels, other vessels, offshore facilities (except deepwater ports), and onshore facilities and deepwater ports.

Gradually phases out (over six years) liability limits for single-hull vessels.

Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to establish separate liability limits for the transportation of oil by vessel to deepwater ports.

Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to require the Secretary to promulgate regulations under which port owners or operators may place restrictions on the entry of tank vessel shipments presenting a risk of severe harm to the port or port region.

Requires single-hull tank vessels that are more than 15 years old to undergo annual inspections.

Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for a study assessing the total economic cost of oil spills, and the types of costs resulting from such spills, and to report the findings to Congress.

What's happening now December 7, 2004

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1