H.R. 10255 — Penalties for Polluters Act

This section increases maximum penalties for violations of federal mineral leasing laws: (1) under the Mineral Leasing Act, criminal fines to $2.7 million (from $500,000) with annual inflation adjustment and civil penalties to $500,000 (from $100,000) per violation; (2) under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982, civil penalties to $3,000 (from $500), $30,000 (from $5,000), $65,000 (from $10,000), and $160,000 (from $25,000), plus criminal fines to $320,000 (from $50,000) with inflation adjustment; (3) under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, civil penalties to $100,000 (from prior levels) per day with a $360,000 daily maximum for threats of harm and criminal fines to $1 million (from $100,000), all with inflation adjustment; and (4) under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, to $120,000 (from $25,000). It also establishes the Penalty Revenue Reinvestment Fund to allocate excess penalty revenue, with 50 percent to affected States, Indian Tribes, and local governments and 50 percent to the Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and Bureau of Land Management for enforcement.