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HR 5481 111th Congress House

To give subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

Introduced: June 8, 2010 See on congress.gov
Energy AccidentsEvidence and witnessesGovernment studies and investigationsGulf of Mexico
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Marine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine pollutionOil and gasPollution liability
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This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) 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 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 25, 2010
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 442.
Jun 24, 2010
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Jun 23, 2010
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 23, 2010
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 1, 2 Present (Roll no. 382). (text: CR H4721)
Jun 23, 2010
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4727-4728)
Jun 23, 2010
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.
Jun 23, 2010
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5481.
Jun 23, 2010
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4721-4727)
Jun 23, 2010
Mr. Rahall moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jun 9, 2010
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Jun 9, 2010
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Jun 8, 2010
Referred to House Judiciary
Jun 8, 2010
Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
Jun 8, 2010
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, 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.
Jun 8, 2010
Referred to House Natural Resources
Jun 8, 2010
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jun 23, 2010 House · vote #382 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 420–1 See who voted →
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 Latest action June 25, 2010

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 442.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Authorizes the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, records, correspondence, memoranda, and other documents.

Requires the Commission, before issuing such a subpoena, to notify the Attorney General (or a designee) of the Commission's intent to issue a subpoena, the identity of the witness, and the nature of the testimony sought.

Prohibits the Commission from issuing a subpoena if the Attorney General objects on the basis that the taking of the testimony is likely to interfere with any: (1) federal or state criminal investigation or prosecution; or (2) pending investigation under the Civil False Claims Act or other federal statute providing for civil remedies, or any civil litigation to which the United States or any of its agencies is or is likely to be a party.

Requires the Commission, in the case of contumacy of any person issued a subpoena or refusal by such person to comply with the subpoena, to request the Attorney General to seek enforcement of the subpoena in any U.S. district court for a district in which a person issued a subpoena under this Act resides, is served, or may be found, or where the subpoena is returnable. Deems failure to obey an order requiring the subpoenaed person to appear at any designated place to testify or produce documentary or other evidence to be contempt of court.

 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 9
All 9 Democratic 8
D
Castor, Kathy
Florida · Jun 17, 2010
Sestak, Joe
· Jun 17, 2010
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Jun 10, 2010
 D
Hirono, Mazie K.
Hawaii · Jun 8, 2010
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jun 8, 2010
 D
Matsui, Doris O.
California · Jun 8, 2010
 D
McCollum, Betty
Minnesota · Jun 8, 2010
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Jun 8, 2010
 D
Thompson, Mike
California · Jun 8, 2010
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5481: To give subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-5481/
MLA
"H.R. 5481: To give subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-5481/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5481, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-5481/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5481: To give subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-5481/)
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