Gold King Mine Spill Accountability Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4483
Sponsor: Rep. Pearce, Stevan [R-NM-2]
Introduced: 2016-02-04 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: 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

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-04
text: 

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.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2016-02-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
action_date: 2016-02-04
text: 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.
action_date: 2016-02-04
text: 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.
action_date: 2016-02-04
text: 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.
action_date: 2016-02-04
text: 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.
action_date: 2016-02-04
text: 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.
action_date: 2016-02-04
text: 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.
action_date: 2016-02-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-04
text: Introduced in House