NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : House Votes Federal Fund for Oil Spills

The House, responding to the Alaska oil spill, approved legislation setting the liability of those who cause spills and creating a $1-billion federal fund to ensure full environmental protection and compensation. The measure, adopted 375 to 5, would limit the liability for those who cause spills and authorize use of the federal fund to pay for cleanup costs and damages above the liability ceiling. The fund would be financed by a special tax on oil. The Senate already has approved a similar bill, setting the stage for a House-Senate conference committee to work out differences between the two chambers. The House bill would create a comprehensive federal liability system to ensure sufficient money is available to conduct speedy and thorough cleanups and to promptly compensate fishermen and property owners.