To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to increase certain criminal fines, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · December 10, 2024
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.
The Clean Water Justice Act increases the criminal penalties for violations of the federal Clean Water Act. Specifically, the bill raises the maximum fines from $5,000 to $25,000 for the least serious violations, from $50,000 to $250,000 for more serious violations, and from $100,000 to $500,000 for the most serious violations. The bill also requires the Environmental Protection Agency to adjust these penalty amounts annually based on inflation, with adjustments published in the Federal Register each year. These higher penalties apply only to violations committed after the adjustment is published, giving companies notice of the new fines. The legislation targets companies and individuals that illegally pollute water, aiming to provide stronger financial deterrents to environmental violations.
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