PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.3681 / 103rd Congress

Voluntary Environmental Response Act of 1993

See H.R.3800.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 22, 1993

Voluntary Environmental Response Act of 1993 - Sets forth elements of qualified voluntary environmental response programs to be certified by States under this Act. Withdraws approval of programs that are not enforced in accordance with this Act. (Sec. 5) Applies this Act to, and requires qualified programs to provide for eligibility of, any site where there has been a release or threat of a release of a hazardous substance or constituent. Makes this Act inapplicable to any portion of a site: (1) included on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) for which a Record of Decision has been issued by the President; (2) with respect to which a closure notification under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) has been submitted and closure requirements have been specified in a closure plan or permit; (3) with respect to which a corrective action permit condition or order has been issued or modified to require implementation of specific corrective measures pursuant to RCRA; (4) controlled by, or to be remediated by, a Federal agency; or (5) at which assistance for response activities may be obtained pursuant to RCRA from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. (Sec. 6) Requires qualified programs to direct persons conducting response actions to submit response action plans. Authorizes approval of a response action based on performance of a site-specific risk assessment or demonstrated control measures that are cost-effective and practicable remedial actions at generic site types. Requires response action plans to include: (1) a site investigation assessing the factors necessary to determine the appropriateness of the response action; (2) a description of the plan; (3) supporting information for selection of the response action in accordance with the required methods; (4) a schedule for completion of the response action; and (5) recordkeeping and reporting requirements. (Sec. 7) Provides that any site for which a response action plan has been approved pursuant to a qualified program shall not be subject to further response actions under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, CERCLA, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), RCRA, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, or State and local laws concerning response actions. Absolves persons conducting such actions of liability for damages for response or restoration requirements under such Acts. (Sec. 8) Requires qualified programs to provide for the appointment of an environmental trustee who is authorized to acquire sites which are the subject of response actions on behalf of the State. (Sec. 9) Amends CERCLA to provide for assistance to States to establish programs under this Act.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Oxley, Michael G. [R-OH-4] · R–OH

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

    A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

    1. See H.R.3800.

    2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.

    3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

    4. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E3066-3067)

    5. Referred to the House Committee on Public Works + Transportation.

    6. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    7. Introduced in House

    8. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

    Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

    Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze H.R.3681 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.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.3681 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

    View full prompt & sources
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.3681 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

    View full prompt & sources
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.3681 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

    View full prompt & sources