NU Online News Service, July 6, 3:35 p.m.EDT

WASHINGTON–The House has passed legislation that allowsrecovery of noneconomic damages for maritime death victims'families, starting with the 11 workers that died in BritishPetroleum's current oil rig disaster.

But the legislation, the "Securing Protections for the Injuredfrom Limitations on Liability Act" or SPILL Act (H.R.5503), does not remove the current $75 million liability limitprovided oil companies whose drilling activities result in oilspills.

The House legislation was passed Thursday, just a day after theSenate Environment and Public Works Committee approved S. 3305, the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act.

That legislation, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.,would remove the $75 million liability limit on oil spills. Thatbill would also retroactively remove the liability cap for BP andthe Deepwater Horizon disaster.

The Senate bill includes provisions mandating improvements inoil spill contingency plans and enhancing the claims process.

The House's SPILL Act was sponsored by Rep. John Conyers,D-Mich., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep.Charlie Melancon, D-La.

It amends the wrongful death claims falling under the Jones Actto provide the noneconomic damages of loss of care, comfort andcompanionship to surviving family members from seamen'semployers.

The House bill would also update several other outdated maritimeliability laws that significantly restrict the accountability ofTransocean by repealing the Limitation of Liability Act, anantiquated 1851 law that allows Transocean to claim it is onlyresponsible for $27 million in damages–the current worth of itsnow-destroyed rig–despite receiving over $400 million from itsinsurance company.

Anthony Tarricone, president of the American Association forJustice, issued a statement noting, "The House's quick passage ofthis bill shows how current maritime laws desperately need to beupdated if the negligent corporations responsible for the tragedyare to be held accountable."

He added, "The families of workers who died aboard the DeepwaterHorizon, as well as those affected by other maritime disasters, arenow one large step closer to receiving justice."

Congress is taking an Independence Day recess this week. Itreturns to work starting July 12.