April 29, 2025
Mr. Lieu (for himself, Ms. Brownley, and Ms. Barragán) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to increase the civil and criminal penalties for oil spills, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Increasing Penalties for Offshore Polluters Act
.
Sec. 2. Civil and criminal penalties relating to oil spills
(a) Civil penalties
Section 311(b)(7) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (A) by striking an amount up to
each place it appears and inserting an amount that is at least
; and
(2)
in subparagraph (D) by striking not more than
and inserting at least
.
(b) Criminal penalties
Section 309(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
by striking $2,500
and inserting $5,000
;
(B)
by striking $25,000
and inserting $50,000
;
(C)
by striking not more than 1 year
and inserting not more than 2 years
; and
(D)
by striking punishment shall be by a fine of not more than $50,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment of not more than 2 years, or by both
and inserting the maximum punishment shall be doubled with respect to both fine and imprisonment
;
(2)
in paragraph (2)—
(A)
by striking not less that $5,000
and inserting not less than $10,000
;
(B)
by striking $50,000
and inserting $100,000
;
(C)
by striking not more than 3 years
and inserting not more than 6 years
; and
(D)
by striking punishment shall be by a fine of not more than $100,000 per day of violation, or imprisonment of not more than 6 years, or by both
and inserting the maximum punishment shall be doubled with respect to both fine and imprisonment
; and
(3)
in paragraph (3)(A)—
(A)
by striking $250,000
and inserting $500,000
;
(B)
by striking not more than 15 years
and inserting not more than 30 years
; and
(C)
by striking $1,000,000
and inserting $2,000,000
.