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H.R. 7363House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Innocent Landowners Protection Act

Sponsored by Bob GibbsRep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH)
Introduced April 1, 2022

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 10:31 AM UTC

The Innocent Landowners Protection Act amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to clarify that owners of onshore oil facilities who are not involved in operating or managing the facility are not automatically liable for oil pollution. It specifically protects landowners who lease, assign, or permit use of the land, and owners who hold an interest but did not acquire it to evade liability. The change affects landowners, federal and state agencies, municipalities, and operators of onshore oil facilities.

Key Provisions

  • Amends Section 1001(32)(B) of the Oil Pollution Act to add an exception for federal, state, municipal, or political subdivision owners who transfer possession and use rights by lease, assignment, or permit.
  • Adds an exception for owners of oil exploration, development, production, or storage facilities who do not participate in management, provided they did not acquire the interest to avoid liability.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee

April 4, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 1, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

April 1, 2022

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee

April 4, 2022

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 1, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7363

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 1, 2022

Mr. Gibbs (for himself, Mr. Balderson, Mr. McKinley, and Mr. Latta) 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 clarify the responsibility of landowners who do not participate in the operation of oil facilities, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Innocent Landowners Protection Act.

2.

Responsible party

Section 1001(32)(B) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701(32)(B)) is amended to read as follows:

(B)

Onshore facilities

In the case of an onshore facility (other than a pipeline), any person owning or operating the facility, except—

(i)

a Federal agency, State, municipality, commission, or political subdivision of a State, or any interstate body, that as the owner transfers possession and right to use the property to another person by lease, assignment, or permit; or

(ii)

with respect to a facility for oil exploration, development, production, or storage, a person with an ownership interest in the facility who does not participate in management of the facility, if the acquisition of such interest by the person was not designed to avoid the liability of any person under this Act.

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