I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 54 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 5, 2011 Mr. Connolly of Virginia (for himself and Mr. Tonko) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to extend liability to corporations, partnerships, and other persons having ownership interests in responsible parties, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Stand by your Oil Pollution Act (or the STOP Act).

2.

Definition of responsible party

Section 1001(32) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701(32)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (G)

Person having ownership interest

Any corporation, partnership, or other person (other than an individual) having an ownership interest (directly or indirectly), in any person (including a lessee, permittee, or licensee) described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (F) if such ownership interest is, in the aggregate, more than 25 percent of the total ownership interests in such person. .

3.

Limits on liability

Section 1004 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2704) is amended by adding at the end the following: (e)

Limitation on liability of certain persons

The liability of a responsible party described in section 1001(32)(G) with respect to an incident shall not exceed the percentage of the aggregate ownership interests, determined at the time of such incident, of such responsible party in all other responsible parties with respect to such incident. .

4.

Effective date

The amendments made by this Act shall apply to an incident occurring on or after January 1, 2010.