[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5100 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5100

To clarify that certain penalties provided for in the Oil Pollution Act 
of 1990 are the exclusive criminal penalties for any action or activity 
that may arise or occur in connection with certain discharges of oil or 
                         a hazardous substance.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 27, 2000

  Mr. Vitter (for himself, Mr. Coble, and Mr. Clement) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 
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

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                                 A BILL


 
To clarify that certain penalties provided for in the Oil Pollution Act 
of 1990 are the exclusive criminal penalties for any action or activity 
that may arise or occur in connection with certain discharges of oil or 
                         a hazardous substance.

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

SECTION 1. AFFIRMATION OF PENALTIES UNDER OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision or rule of 
law, sections 4301(c) and 4302 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (Public 
Law 101-380; 104 Stat. 537) and the amendments made by those sections 
provide the exclusive criminal penalties for any action or activity 
that may arise or occur in connection with a discharge of oil or a 
hazardous substance referred to in section 311(b)(3) of the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(3)).
    (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to limit, or otherwise exempt any person from, liability for 
conspiracy to commit any offense against the United States, for fraud 
and false statements, or for the obstruction of justice.
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