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HR 892 116th Congress House Environmental Protection Civil actions and liability Legal fees and court costs Pollution liability Water quality

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to limit attorney fees and penalties in citizen suits, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 30, 2019 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 7, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Jan 30, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Jan 30, 2019
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill revises requirements for citizen enforcement suits brought under the Clean Water Act.

Specifically, the bill limits the amount that may be awarded for the costs of litigation in citizen suits. An award of litigation costs may not exceed (1) an amount that is proportional to the number of successful claims included in the complaint, or (2) the amount of monetary penalties.

The award of litigation costs must be based on the prevailing rates in the local market area where the violation occurred for the kind and quality of the services furnished.

Citizen suits may not be commenced if the Environmental Protection Agency or a state has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a civil or criminal action through the issuance of a compliance order.

The bill provides for certain affirmative defenses for a person who may be liable for the unlawful discharge of a pollutant.

What's happening now February 7, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1