US HB5341 | 2019-2020 | 116th Congress
Status
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 31-0)
Status: Introduced on December 6 2019 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2019-12-09 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Pending: House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Status: Introduced on December 6 2019 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2019-12-09 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Pending: House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Summary
Revises requirements concerning (1) citizen suits under the Clean Water Act, (2) permits for wetlands, and (3) wetland mitigation. Litigation costs (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) must be awarded to the prevailing party, thus the bill removes a court's discretion to award the fees. A prevailing party is defined as the party that prevails on more than half of the claims at issue. In addition, the bill repeals the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deny or restrict the use of any area as a disposal site for dredged or fill material when the discharge of those materials would have an unacceptable adverse effect on municipal water supplies, shellfish beds and fishery areas, wildlife, or recreational areas. Finally, the bill revises mitigation requirements. Current law requires compensatory mitigation to replace the loss of aquatic resource functions in a watershed when a permit to discharge dredged or fill materials into navigable waters has unavoidable impacts on aquatic resources. prohibits government entities from carrying out compensatory mitigation in excess of existing regulatory requirements.
Title
Discouraging Frivolous Lawsuits Act
Sponsors
Rep. Tom Rice [R-SC] | Rep. Mark Amodei [R-NV] | Rep. Jim Banks [R-IN] | Rep. Ken Calvert [R-CA] |
Rep. Jeff Duncan [R-SC] | Rep. Bill Flores [R-TX] | Rep. Greg Gianforte [R-MT] | Rep. Andy Harris [R-MD] |
Rep. Vicky Hartzler [R-MO] | Rep. Trey Hollingsworth [R-IN] | Rep. Trent Kelly [R-MS] | Rep. Kenny Marchant [R-TX] |
Rep. Mark Meadows [R-NC] | Rep. Alexander Mooney [R-WV] | Rep. Ralph Norman [R-SC] | Rep. Pete Olson [R-TX] |
Rep. Steven Palazzo [R-MS] | Rep. Scott Perry [R-PA] | Rep. David Rouzer [R-NC] | Rep. Austin Scott [R-GA] |
Rep. Chris Stewart [R-UT] | Rep. Jackie Walorski [R-IN] | Rep. Ted Yoho [R-FL] | Rep. Don Young [R-AK] |
Rep. Steve King [R-IA] | Sen. Ted Budd [R-NC] | Rep. Glenn Thompson [R-PA] | Rep. Mo Brooks [R-AL] |
Rep. Bob Gibbs [R-OH] | Rep. Adrian Smith [R-NE] | Rep. Randy Weber [R-TX] |
History
Date | Chamber | Action |
---|---|---|
2019-12-09 | House | Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. |
2019-12-06 | House | Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. |
2019-12-06 | House | Introduced in House |
Subjects
Civil actions and liability
Environmental protection
Land use and conservation
Legal fees and court costs
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality
Water use and supply
Environmental protection
Land use and conservation
Legal fees and court costs
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality
Water use and supply
US Congress State Sources
Type | Source |
---|---|
Summary | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5341/all-info |
Text | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5341/BILLS-116hr5341ih.pdf |