Soto, Curbelo’s Foreign Spill Protection Act Signed Into Law

Washington, D.C. – Today, President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018, which includes the bipartisan Foreign Spill Protection Act, co-introduced by freshman Representative Darren Soto (FL-09) and Republican Representative Carlos Curbelo (FL-26). This legislation (H.R. 468), led by Rep. Curbelo, would ensure foreign entities that cause an oil spill into U.S. waters and shores are also responsible for all cleanup costs.

"The passage of this robust NDAA bill, including our Foreign Spill Protection Act, is a testament of Congress coming together to prioritize the safety and protection of America's coastal areas. I am proud to support this bill that would hold foreign oil drilling companies fully responsible for spills near our shores, including Florida's coasts," stated Rep. Soto. "The reality is, we're allowing an increasing number of countries to drill into our shores, many who do not follow the same safety protocols or standards as we do in the United States –they must be placed under higher scrutiny. My colleague Rep. Curbelo and I will continue working on protecting our beautiful beaches and coastal areas."

"I'm proud of the passage of the Foreign Spill Protection Act I introduced earlier this year. This forward-looking legislation anticipates the risks of a foreign-based oil spill impacting American waters and coastlines, ensuring foreign entities responsible for an oil spill affecting U.S. waters and our coastline are also responsible for all cleanup costs, regardless of where the spill took place," stated Rep.Curbelo. "This will incentivize all foreign offshore producers to implement the safest technologies and practices to reduce the likelihood of a major spill – a win for coastal communities and the small businesses and families that depend on the sea."

The annual NDAA, which authorizes close to $700 billion for the Department of Defense and defense-related programs, including policies on how the money is spent, passed the House by a vote of 356-70 and passed the Senate by voice. Today, President Trump signed the legislation into law. The Foreign Spill Protection Act was offered as an amendment to the NDAA and it was included as Section 3508. It amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to provide additional resources for the Coast Guard's retirement account and exposes foreign owners and operators of oil production facilities to liability for cleanup costs and damages from oil spills that threaten or cause damage in the United States.

Click here for the full NDAA Conference Report for Fiscal Year 2018.