In Title V the role of Indian tribes is enlarged, the state cost share of operation and maintenance is reduced, and states are given final authority at federal facility cleanups not on the National Priority List. Title VII recommends reinstating the Superfund taxes. This report will be updated as events warrant. The bill now proceeds to the Commerce Committee, which shares jurisdiction, and to the Ways and Means Committee for consideration of the Superfund taxes. The bill reauthorizes the program for 8 years, and starts a gradual decrease in the authorization of appropriations in the 5'h year.
Superfund liability is reduced or eliminated for a number of parties.
The bill makes targeted revisions to the Act's remedy selection rules, adds new cleanup provisions, and adopts several of EPA's administrative reforms. The agency added that the bill would limit EPA's enforcement capabilities, delay cleanups, drive up program costs, and create new opportunities for litigation. The Environmental Defense Fund and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group also oppose the bill. Supporters of H.R. 1300 include the National Governors Association, the Chemical Manufacturers Association, the National Federation of Independent Business, the American Insurance Association, and organizations representing realtors, the trucking industry, the food industry, automobile dealers, and environmental consulting and remediation firms. The American Petroleum Institute favors some of the remedy selection provisions and the brownfield program, but because H.R. 1300 recommends the reinstatement of Superfund taxes, the organization opposes the bill.