Skip to main content
HR 4483 114th Congress House Environmental Protection Administrative law and regulatory procedures Colorado Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental assessment, monitoring, research Environmental regulatory procedures Government liability Government studies and investigations Hazardous wastes and toxic substances Lakes and rivers Mining New Mexico Pollution liability Public contracts and procurement Water quality

Gold King Mine Spill Accountability Act of 2016

Introduced: February 4, 2016 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 5, 2016
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Feb 5, 2016
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
Feb 4, 2016
Introduced in House
Feb 4, 2016
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Rules, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture, 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.
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Gold King Mine Spill Accountability Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to appoint a special investigator to investigate: (1) who was at fault for the discharge of contaminated water from the Gold King Mine north of Silverton, Colorado, into Cement Creek; (2) which individuals were responsible for the decisions that led to the spill; and (3) what downstream environmental effects were caused by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) actions, or inactions, after the spill.

The bill: (1) entitles individuals to receive compensation for a claim filed, or civil action brought, under the Federal Tort Claims Act relating to an injury resulting from the spill, and (2) establishes within the EPA the Office of Gold King Mine Spill Claims for processing claims of allowable damages resulting from the spill. The EPA may provide compensation for a claim in an amount greater than $25,000 without the prior approval of DOJ.

The EPA must fund the implementation of the long-term monitoring program developed by the Long-Term Impact Review Team of New Mexico, for the water quality of the Animas and San Juan Rivers.

The EPA may not finalize or work on any rules (including those not related to the spill) until all claims have been paid, except rules that are necessary to address an imminent threat to public health or safety, or other emergency.

What's happening now February 5, 2016

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

 Committees of jurisdiction 7
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1