Energy Workers Health Improvement and Compensation Fund Act
Sponsored By: Representative Vasquez
Introduced
Summary
Creates an Energy Workers Health Compensation Fund paid by oil companies based on their top executives' pay. The fund would cover medical expenses for eligible oil and gas workers and certain nearby family members for illnesses tied to methane, high smog, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds.
Show full summary
- Workers and families: Eligible workers who worked at or near extraction sites for at least 1 year and family members who lived within 20 miles for at least 1 year would be able to claim medical-cost compensation. Benefits include copayments and costs not covered by private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid and are paid in the order claims arrive.
- Oil companies: Companies with more than $50 million in annual revenue would have to deposit each year an amount equal to the aggregate pay of their ten highest-paid employees from the prior year, including deferred compensation. If a posted payment is under 98 percent of that required amount the Secretary of Labor could assess a 10 percent penalty on the shortfall.
- Oversight and study: The Secretary of Labor would create a Commission within 90 days with representatives from HHS, Labor, NIH (including a relevant researcher), OSHA, advocacy groups, and workers from six States: Alaska, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Texas. The Commission would study health outcomes, issue recommendations within 18 months, and the Secretary would publicly respond within 90 days. The Secretary would also report to the Commission at one year and annually thereafter on fund deposits and compensation paid.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
No tax write-off for company fund payments
If enacted, companies would not be able to deduct required payments to the fund, underpayment penalties, or any contributions over the voluntary cap on their taxes. This would raise the after‑tax cost of these payments.
Medical bill help for workers and nearby families
If enacted, eligible oil and gas workers and nearby families could get help paying medical bills. You could qualify if you worked at or around an oil or gas site for at least 1 year, or lived within 20 miles for at least 1 year, and worked for an oil company or its contractor. A spouse, child, or parent who lived within 20 miles for at least 1 year could also qualify. The fund would cover costs insurance does not, like copays, for asthma, heat illness, and related lung or heart diseases the Secretary (with OSHA input) identifies. Claims would be paid in the order received, using a new Treasury fund the Secretary of Labor could use without further appropriation.
New commission on oil and gas worker health
If enacted, the Secretary of Labor would set up a commission within 90 days to study oil and gas worker health. Members would include HHS, DOL, NIH (a doctor), OSHA, immigration and labor advocates, and worker reps from AK, CO, LA, NM, ND, and TX. Members would serve without pay; travel costs could be covered. The commission would publish recommendations within 18 months, and the Secretary would reply in writing within 90 days.
Oil companies would fund worker health costs
If enacted, oil companies with over $50 million in annual revenue would have to pay into a new fund each year. By March 31 of the next year, each company would pay an amount equal to the total pay of its 10 highest‑paid employees, including deferred pay. If a company pays less than 98% of what it owes, it would owe a penalty equal to 10% of the shortfall. Companies could make extra voluntary payments up to the required amount. All payments and penalties would go to the Energy Workers Health Compensation Fund.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Vasquez
NM • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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