A person responsible for an unauthorized oil discharge may be liable for response costs and damages, with dollar caps that vary by vessel or facility type and higher exposure for gross negligence, wilful misconduct, non-federal-fund events, or failure to cooperate.
Sec. 40.202. RESPONSE COSTS AND DAMAGES LIABILITY. (a) Subject to Subsection (c) of this section, any person responsible for an actual or threatened unauthorized discharge of oil from a vessel is liable for: (1) all response costs from the actual or threatened discharge to an amount not to exceed $1 million for vessels of 300 gross tons or less that do not carry oil as cargo, to an amount not to exceed $5 million for vessels of 8,000 gross tons or less or, for vessels greater than 8,000 gross tons, to an amount equal to $600 per gross ton of such vessel, not to exceed the aggregate amount of the fund established under Section 40.151(b) of this code; and (2) in addition to response costs, all damages other than natural resources damages from the actual or threatened discharge to an amount not to exceed $1 million for vessels of 300 gross tons or less that do not carry oil as cargo, to an amount not to exceed $5 million for vessels of 8,000 gross tons or less or, for vessels greater than 8,000 gross tons, to an amount equal to $600 per gross ton of such vessel, not to exceed the aggregate amount of the fund established under Section 40.151(b) of this code. (b) Subject to Subsection (c) of this section, any person responsible for an actual or threatened unauthorized discharge of oil from a terminal facility is liable for: (1) all response costs from the actual or threatened discharge to an amount not to exceed $5 million, except any person responsible for an actual or threatened unauthorized discharge of oil from an offshore drilling or production facility is liable for all response costs from the actual or threatened discharge; and (2) in addition to response costs, all damages other than natural resources damages from the actual or threatened discharge to an amount not to exceed the aggregate amount of the fund established under Section 40.151(b) of this code, except any person responsible for an actual or threatened unauthorized discharge of oil from an offshore drilling or production facility is liable for all such damages from the actual or threatened discharge. (c)(1) If any actual or threatened unauthorized discharge of oil was the result of gross negligence or wilful misconduct, the person responsible for such gross negligence or wilful misconduct is liable for the full amount of all response costs and damages. (2) "Wilful misconduct" under this chapter includes intentional violation of state, federal, or local safety, construction, or operating standards or requirements, including the requirements of this chapter. (3) If an actual or threatened unauthorized discharge of oil is not eligible for expenditures from the federal fund, the person responsible is liable for the full amount of all response costs and damages incurred by the fund. (4) If the responsible person unreasonably fails to cooperate with discharge response and cleanup operations as provided in Section 40.106 of this code, the responsible person is liable for the full amount of all response costs and damages. (d) Liability limits established under this section are exclusive of interest or attorney fees to which the state is entitled to recover under this code. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 10, Sec. 1, eff. March 28, 1991.