2020年9月，加利福尼亚州立法机构通过了对加州海洋油类污染法（AB 3214）的修订，大幅提高了对此类污染事故的经济处罚力度。该法案已于2021年1月生效。
相关民事罚款金额的区间原先设定为最低5,000美元，最高500,000美元；新的法案中将罚金区间翻倍至最低10,000美元，最高1,000,000美元。此外，更重要的是，在涉及刑事指控的案件中，对于超过1,000美制加仑（下称“加仑”）的溢油量，可处以的第二层级罚金也调整至每加仑最高不超过1,000美元。此次罚金上调引起了海运界的关注，而此前海运界所做的相关努力也成功改善了这一立法举措的结果。
详细信息请参阅附件。
California Gold Rush? – State Law Increases Monetary Fines in Marine Oil Pollution Cases
In September 2020, the state legislature in California enacted a statutory amendment to its marine oil pollution law (AB 3214), which greatly enhanced the monetary penalties that can be imposed after such incidents. The law came into effect in January 2021.
The civil fine penalty range was altered from USD 5,000 minimum to USD 500,000 maximum, to a doubling of amount, namely USD 10,000 minimum to USD 1 million maximum. Additionally, and more significantly, there was a change to the second tier of fines that could be imposed if criminal charges are brought in such a case, to an amount up to USD 1,000 per US gallon, involving a spill quantity greater than 1,000 US gallons. These increases warranted attention by the marine shipping community, which attempted to ameliorate this legislative initiative.
Please see attached file for details.
