Gold King Mine Spill Compensation Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Hurd (CO)
Introduced
Summary
Creates a federal compensation program to pay people and businesses harmed by the August 5, 2015 Gold King Mine spill. It would define who counts as an injured person, list what damages qualify, and give the EPA Administrator authority to decide and pay claims.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA payments for Gold King victims
If enacted, the EPA would pay some people and businesses harmed by the Aug 5, 2015 Gold King Mine spill. You could qualify if you filed a written claim by Aug 5, 2017 and EPA denied or underpaid it. You must not have settled with the United States for more than $2,500 or had a related judgment. Eligible groups include homeowners, livestock grazers, farmers, and recreation or other businesses that are still operating; not mines or mine-related firms. Covered damages (with proof) include injury; lost business income from Aug 5–Dec 31, 2015 (not vacation rentals); livestock moves and alternate water from Aug 5–Oct 15, 2015; and crop losses through Dec 31, 2015. Cleanup costs under CERCLA and emotional distress would not be covered. EPA would decide eligibility, cause of loss, recipients, and any payment within 180 days after enactment.
Limits and final release on payouts
If enacted, payments would follow Colorado law and cover only actual losses. You could not get more than you originally claimed. No interest, before or after settlement, or punitive damages would be paid. If you accept a payment, you would release all related claims against the United States. You must certify your claim is true under penalty of perjury. You must pick one path (this process, a Federal Tort Claims Act claim, or another allowed suit), and that choice would be final for all your spill injuries.
60-day court review of EPA decisions
If enacted, you could challenge the EPA’s final decision in U.S. District Court in Colorado. You must file within 60 days. The judge would review the agency record and keep the decision if it has substantial evidence.
Up to $3.3M for claim payments
If enacted, the bill would provide up to $3.3 million in 2025 to pay claims. The money would stay available until spent. If you are eligible, your payment would come from this fund, but total payouts could not exceed $3.3 million.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hurd (CO)
CO • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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