EPA Accountability in Flint Act

Bill: 114-s-2884
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2016-04-28
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Civil actions and liability

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Environmental assessment, monitoring, research

Government liability

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Michigan

Water quality

Water use and supply
Latest action: action_date: 2016-04-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-04-28
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>EPA Accountability in Flint Act</strong></p> <p>This bill makes the Federal Tort Claims Act exemption inapplicable to any claim brought against the federal government relating to an act or omission of, exercise or performance of, or failure to exercise or perform a discretionary function or duty by, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relating to the lead contamination of the drinking water of the city of Flint, Michigan, between April 1, 2014, and the date on which the EPA determines that the drinking water of the city complies with federal standards.</p> <p>A civil action relating to the EPA's conduct in relation to such contamination must be commenced within 10 years after the cause of action accrues.</p> <p> Any award against, or compromise settlement by, the government relating to the EPA's conduct in relation to such contamination shall be paid out of unobligated balances in the Environmental Programs And Management account.</p> <p>The EPA shall work with any affected state or local government to implement a program for the long-term monitoring of the quality of Flint's drinking water in response to such contamination.</p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2884 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 28, 2016 Mr. Cotton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To address the liability of the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the lead contamination of the water supply of the City of Flint, Michigan.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the EPA Accountability in Flint Act . 2. Flint water supply lead contamination liability (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term Administrator means the Administrator of the Agency; (2) the term Agency means the Environmental Protection Agency; and (3) the term Flint water supply lead contamination means the lead contamination of the drinking water of the City of Flint, Michigan, during the period beginning on April 1, 2014, and ending on the date on which the Administrator determines that the drinking water of the City complies with Federal drinking water standards. (b) Limitation The exception under section 2680(a) of title 28, United States Code, shall not apply to any claim brought against the Government or any agent thereof relating to any act or omission of, or exercise or performance of, or failure to exercise or perform, a discretionary function or duty by, the Agency or any agent thereof relating to the Flint water supply lead contamination. (c) Period of limitations A civil action relating to the conduct of the Agency or any agent thereof in relation to the Flint water supply lead contamination may not be commenced later than 10 years after the cause of action accrues. (d) Award and settlement Notwithstanding section 2672 of title 28, United States Code, any award against the Government or compromise settlement by the Government relating to the conduct of the Agency or any agent thereof in relation to the Flint water supply lead contamination shall be paid by the Administrator out of unobligated balances in the appropriations account appropriated under the heading Environmental Programs And Management that are made available for personnel and related costs and travel expenses, without regard to the amount of the award. (e) Contamination response program The Administrator shall work with any State or local government affected by the Flint water supply lead contamination to develop, fund, and implement a long-term monitoring program of the water quality of the drinking water of the City of Flint, Michigan, in response to the Flint water supply lead contamination.