PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Re-referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 7, 1997
Environmental Crimes and Enforcement Act of 1997 - Provides that, upon motion of the United States, any person found guilty of a criminal violation of specified Federal environmental laws, or conspiracy to violate such laws, may be ordered to pay the costs incurred by a State, local, or tribal government or an agency thereof for assistance to the Federal Government's investigation and criminal prosecution of the case, with the payments used solely for environmental law enforcement. Sets penalties for individuals and organizations that commit a criminal violation of listed Federal environmental laws which causes "serious bodily injury" to or the death of any other person, including a Federal, State, local, or tribal government employee performing official duties as a result of the violation. Environmental Crimes Training Act of 1996 (sic) - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish within EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance a State, Local, and Tribal Enforcement Training Program to train State, local, and tribal law enforcement personnel in the investigation of environmental crimes. Sets a five-year statute of limitations (longer in cases of concealment of the offense by an affirmative act) for violation of, or a conspiracy to violate, specified Federal environmental laws. Amends various Federal environmental laws to cover attempts to engage in proscribed conduct. Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the court to order restitution for listed Federal environmental crimes, including, in the case of an offense resulting in pollution of or damage to the environment, payment for removal and remediation of the pollution or damage and restoration of the environment. Defines "victim" of the offense in such cases to include a community or communities, whether or not the members are individually identified. Authorizes the court to issue prejudgment orders to prevent alienation or disposal of assets needed to remedy environmental harms caused by environmental crimes.
People & committees
Rep. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY-9] · D–NY
Legislative record
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Re-referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation and Research.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials, and in addition to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Referred to House Resources
Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
Referred to House Agriculture
Referred to House Commerce
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Commerce, Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Resources, 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.
Referred to House Judiciary
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jun 3, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.277 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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