Bill to Avoid Superfund Liability Fails

Legislation that would have allowed small businesses to avoid liability under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund program failed Tuesday in the House. The bill, which was unable to get the two-thirds majority needed for passage, was rejected on a 253-161 vote. The measure would have needed 23 additional supporters to pass because it was brought up under a procedure designed to limit debate. It would have exempted from lawsuits families or small businesses with 100 or fewer employees and $3 million or less in gross revenue, if the amount of hazardous materials disposed of was not greater than 110 gallons or 200 pounds. Business leaders blamed the Clinton administration for refusing to support the bill.