H.R.1315 - Gold King Mine Spill Compensation Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1315, the Gold King Mine Spill Compensation Act of 2025, aims to provide compensation to individuals, organizations, and companies impacted by the 2015 Gold King Mine wastewater spill. The bill defines key terms such as 'BPMD contamination,' 'covered claim,' 'covered damages,' 'Gold King Mine spill,' and 'injured person' to establish eligibility criteria for compensation. It outlines the process for investigating and settling claims, including the applicability of Colorado state law in calculating damages.
Expected Effects
The bill, if enacted, would authorize the Administrator of the EPA to investigate, adjust, and settle claims related to the Gold King Mine spill. It also appropriates $3.3 million for the payment of these claims. Claimants would be required to accept the Administrator's award as a final settlement, releasing the United States from further liability.
Potential Benefits
- Provides financial relief to those who suffered damages from the Gold King Mine spill.
- Establishes a clear process for filing and resolving claims.
- Limits compensation to actual compensatory damages, preventing excessive payouts.
- Offers a defined period for affected parties to seek compensation.
- Ensures that businesses receiving compensation are currently operational and not involved in mining.
Potential Disadvantages
- The $3.3 million appropriation may be insufficient to cover all legitimate claims.
- The requirement to accept the Administrator's award as final may leave some claimants feeling inadequately compensated.
- The exclusion of emotional distress damages may be viewed as unfair by some affected individuals.
- The limited timeframe for lost business income and other expenses may not fully address long-term impacts.
- The exclusion of vacation rentals from lost business income may disproportionately affect certain businesses.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's provision for compensating victims of the Gold King Mine spill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution (Preamble). It also relates to Congress's power to appropriate funds for specific purposes (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1). The bill's establishment of a claims process and judicial review provisions supports due process and equal protection principles.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).