I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1393 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 6, 2011 Mr. Buchanan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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 reform the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement and offshore drilling for oil and gas, to repeal the limitation of liability of a responsible party for discharge of oil from an offshore facility, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Oil Spill Prevention Act of 2011.

2.

Reform of Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement

(a)

Drug testing

The Secretary of the Interior shall issue regulations that require each employee of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement to be subjected to random testing for the use of a controlled substance in violation of law or a United States Government regulation not less than 2 times each year. (b)

Employment restriction

During the 2-year period beginning on the date of departure of an individual from employment by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, the individual may not be employed by any person conducting any activity under a lease or permit issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement or subject to regulation by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement.

3.

Oversight of permitting and inspections

(a)

Monthly inspection requirements

(1)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, shall inspect each month each vessel and facility used for drilling for oil and gas on the outer Continental Shelf. (2)

Rescheduling of missed inspection

If for any reason the Secretary does not conduct a monthly inspection under this subsection, the Secretary shall conduct the inspection within 14 days after the date on which it was scheduled to be conducted. (b)

Prohibition on categorical exemptions

The Secretary of the Interior may not exempt any category of activity by a vessel or facility engaged in drilling for oil or gas on the outer Continental Shelf in waters deeper than 1,000 feet from any requirement or restriction that applies with respect to that activity under Federal law.

4.

Repeal of limitation of liability of responsible party for discharge of oil from an offshore facility

(a)

Repeal

Section 1004(a) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2704(a)) is amended by— (1)inserting and after the semicolon at the end of paragraph (2); (2)striking paragraph (3); and (3)redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3). (b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on April 15, 2010.