international conventions on oil spill liability, limit, to some 

 extent, the ability of states to impose stricter requirements. A 

 conference committee is expected to meet early in February 1990 

 to reconcile differences between the two bills. Among the issues 

 to be examined are certain provisions of the tax code that limit 

 coverage from the proposed fund to $500 million per incident and 

 natural resources damages to $250 million per incident. 



Several other bills have been introduced in response to the 

 Exxon Valdez spill that would prohibit oil and gas exploration in 

 and/or the transport of oil through marine sanctuaries or other 

 specified marine areas. No action was taken on any of these 

 bills during 1989, but Congress is expected to consider the 

 matter during 1990. 



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