[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1878 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1878

To impose an indefinite moratorium on enforcement of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 against 
                      certain de minimis parties.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 12, 1997

 Mr. Canady of Florida (for himself, Mr. Foley, Mr. Miller of Florida, 
  and Mr. Davis of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committee 
 on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To impose an indefinite moratorium on enforcement of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 against 
                      certain de minimis parties.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. INDEFINITE MORATORIUM ON CERTAIN SUPERFUND ENFORCEMENT 
              ACTIONS AND ON CONTRIBUTION ACTIONS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) De minimis party.--The term ``de minimis party'' means 
        a person that qualifies as a de minimis party under section 
        122(g)(1)(A) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
        Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
        9622(g)(1)(A)).
            (2) Enforcement action.--The term ``enforcement action'' 
        means an administrative or judicial enforcement action 
        conducted by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
        Agency under section 106 or 107(a) of the Comprehensive 
        Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 
        (42 U.S.C. 9606, 9607(a)).
    (b) Indefinite Moratorium.--The Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency shall not continue or begin to conduct any 
enforcement action against a de minimis party under the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 
U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) against a de minimis party that--
            (1) did not cause the release or threat of release of a 
        hazardous substance; and
            (2) had no knowledge of the release or threat of release 
        until after it occurred.
    (c) Suspension of Limitations Periods.--The periods of limitation 
provided in section 113(g) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9613(g)) shall be 
tolled with respect to an enforcement action described in subsection 
(b) for the period during which the moratorium under subsection (b) is 
in effect.
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