Top Legislation - View All
Latest Action: 10/08/2008 - Signed by President. Bill TextA bill to repeal the provision of title 46, United States Code, requiring a license for employment in the business of salvaging on the coast of Florida. 6/5/2008--Passed Senate without amendment. (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends federal shipping law to repeal a provision requiring both a vessel and its master to have a license to engage in the business of salvaging on the coast of Florida.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Air pollution, Air pollution control, Antarctic regions, Department of Homeland Security, Diesel motor, Environmental health, Environmental law enforcement, Environmental protection, Environmental Protection Agency, Executive departments, Fines (Penalties), Foreign policy, Government information, Government paperwork, Hazardous substances, Health policy, International affairs, International agencies, International environmental cooperation, Law, Licenses, Marine engines, Marine pollution, Marine resources, Marine terminals, Medical care, Medicine, Merchant ships, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone layer depletion, Public health, Shipyards, Solid wastes, Standards, Tankers, Territorial waters, Transboundary pollution, Transportation, Treaties, Waste disposal in rivers, lakes, etc., Waste disposal in the ocean, Water pollution, Water pollution control
Latest Action: 07/22/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-280. Bill TextTo amend the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to implement MARPOL Annex VI. 7/8/2008--Public Law. (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on June 26, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Maritime Pollution Prevention Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (Act) to provide for the adoption of Annex VI (Prevention of Air Pollution From Ships Enforcement) of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL Convention, which includes any Protocols or Annexes entered into force for the United States). Makes the Act, with respect to Annex VI, applicable to: (1) ships in a port, shipyard, offshore terminal, or U.S. internal waters; (2) a ship that is bound for, or departing from, a port, shipyard, offshore terminal, or the internal waters of the United States and is in navigable U.S. waters or the U.[...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Animal pests, Animals, Aquatic animals, Aquatic ecology, Aquatic plants, Armed forces, Biological diversity, Boundaries, Budgets, Business, Business records, Canada, Canals, Congress, Defense policy, Department of Transportation, Ecological research, Ecological surveys, Ecosystem management, Environmental protection, Executive departments, Exotic animals, Exotic plants, Federal aid to research, Federal aid to water pollution control, Fines (Penalties), Foreign policy, Government information, Government paperwork, Great Lakes, Habitat conservation, Illinois, Import restrictions, Inland water transportation, International affairs, International agencies, International environmental cooperation, Labor, Lakes, Latin America, Law, Marine fouling organisms, Marine resources, Marine safety, Marine transportation, Merchant seamen, Merchant ships, Mexico, Non-native species, Pest control, Pests, Revolving funds, Rivers, Science policy, Trade, Transportation, Treaties, Warships, Water pollution, Water resources, Waterways, Weapons systems, Weeds, Wildlife conservation
Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2491-2492) Bill TextA bill to amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to reauthorize and improve that Act. 3/1/2007--Introduced. National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2007 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to establish aquatic invasive species reduction and prevention requirements for vessels (including towed vessels and structures) operating in U.S. waters. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to promulgate ballast water management regulations and certification procedures. Requires a program for Department of Defense (DOD) vessels to minimize the risk of invasive species through towed vessel hull and associated hull aperture transfers. Directs the Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force to establish a priority pathway management program that identifies those pathways that pose the highest risk for the introduction of aquatic invasive species. Prohibits the importation of an aquatic [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Animals, Aquatic ecology, Aquatic pests, Armed forces, Authorization, Biological diversity, Boats and boating, Budgets, Business, Business records, Canada, Canals, Coast guard, Coastal zone, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Ecosystem management, Environmental education, Environmental monitoring, Environmental protection, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental research, Environmental technology, Executive departments, Executive orders, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to education, Federal aid to research, Federal aid to water pollution control, Federal aid to water resources development, Fines (Penalties), Fishes, Foreign policy, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Graduate education, Great Lakes, Habitat conservation, Hazardous substances, Higher education, Humanities, Illinois, Import restrictions, Infrastructure, International affairs, International environmental cooperation, Laboratories, Latin America, Law, Marine resources, Marine safety, Merchant ships, Mercury, Mexico, Museums, Negotiations, Non-native species, Oceanographic research, Pest control, Planning, Pollution measurement, Presidents, Regional planning, Remote sensing, Research centers, Research grants, Revolving funds, Rivers, Science policy, Sewage disposal, Sewerage, Solid wastes, Space activities, Sports, Technological innovations, Technology, Trade, Transportation, Warships, Waste disposal in rivers, lakes, etc., Waste water treatment, Water pollution, Water pollution control, Water quality, Water resources, Water resources development, Water treatment plants, Waterfronts, Waterways
Latest Action: 03/07/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2800-2801) Bill TextA bill to establish a collaborative program to protect the Great Lakes, and for other purposes. 3/7/2007--Introduced. Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2007 - National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2007 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to: (1) require certain vessels operating in U.S. waters to have invasive species management plans; (2) direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish vessel performance requirements with the goal of eliminating invasive species, (3) require vessels to conduct ballast water treatment in accordance with numeric ballast water discharge standards; (4) direct the Secretary to promulgate regulations to minimize the discharge of invasive species from ships that claim no ballast on board, or that claim to be carrying only unpumpable quantities of ballast, and to allow ships entering the Great Lakes to use a treatment technology that is as effective as ballast water exchange; (5) [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative fees, Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Algal blooms, Animals, Aquatic animals, Aquatic ecology, Aquatic pests, Aquatic plants, Authorization, Boats and boating, Budgets, Business, Business records, Canada, Caribbean area, Coast guard, Coastal zone, Communications, Congressional reporting requirements, Cost effectiveness, Criminal justice, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Emergency management, Environmental assessment, Environmental education, Environmental health, Environmental law enforcement, Environmental monitoring, Environmental protection, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental research, Environmental technology, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Exotic animals, Exotic plants, Federal aid to water pollution control, Federal preemption, Federal-local relations, Federal-state relations, Fines (Penalties), Fishes, Foreign policy, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Great Lakes, Habitat conservation, Harbors, Infrastructure, Injunctions, International affairs, International environmental cooperation, Judicial review, Latin America, Law, Licenses, Local laws, Marine parks and reserves, Marine pollution, Marine resources, Medical care, Medicine, Mexico, Natural resources, Negotiations, Non-native species, Pest control, Planning, Pollution measurement, Public lands, Refuse and refuse disposal, Regional planning, Rivers, Science policy, Solid wastes, Sports, Standards, State and local government, State laws, Technological innovations, Technology, Technology assessment, Transportation, Treaties, Volunteer workers, Warships, Waste disposal in rivers, lakes, etc., Waste disposal in the ocean, Waste disposal sites, Waste water treatment, Water pollution, Water resources, Water resources development, Waterways, Weapons systems, Weeds
Latest Action: 02/15/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans. Bill TextTo amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to establish vessel ballast water management requirements, and for other purposes. 2/7/2007--Introduced. Prevention of Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2007 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to revise certain aquatic invasive species prevention requirements to, among other things: (1) apply them to certain U.S. vessels and to certain foreign vessels (or a structure being towed by a vessel) that are en route to, or have departed from, a U.S. port; and (2) establish ballast water exchange and treatment and sediment management standards for vessels of the armed forces. Prohibits an operator of a vessel from uptaking or discharging ballast water or sediment, except in specified circumstances, from a U.S. vessel operating in U.S. or non-U.S. waters. Requires a vessel to conduct all its ballast water management operations in accordance with an aquatic [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Agriculture, Animal pests, Animals, Aquaculture, Boundaries, California, Criminal justice, Data banks, Department of Commerce, Ecological research, Ecosystem management, Energy, Environmental education, Environmental monitoring, Environmental protection, Executive departments, Fines (Penalties), Fisheries, Fishing boats, Government information, Government publicity, Land transfers, Law, Maps, Marine parks and reserves, Marine pollution, Marine resources, Marine resources conservation, Marine safety, Mining engineering, Mining leases, Natural resources, Non-native species, Oil and gas leases, Pests, Petroleum engineering, Pipelines, Planning, Public lands, Saline waters, Shellfish, Technology, Transportation, Waste disposal in the ocean, Water pollution, Water pollution control, Water resources, Water use
Latest Action: 10/01/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with amendments. With written report No. 110-516. Bill TextTo expand the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and for other purposes. 3/31/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy to protect and preserve living and other resources of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Farallones NMS) and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Cordell Bank NMS) marine environments. Makes certain adjustments to expand the boundaries of the Farallones NMS and the Cordell NMS. Prohibits the issuance of a lease or permit authorizing mineral or hydrocarbon exploration, development, production, or transportation by pipeline within the sanctuaries. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to complete: (1) an interim supplemental management plan for the sanctuaries that [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Anniversaries, Auditing, Budgets, Business, Commemorations, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Culture, Executive departments, Federal advisory bodies, Gifts, Historic sites, History, Humanities, Inland water transportation, Interstate commissions, Lakes, Natural resources, Navigation, New York City, New York State, Public lands, Rivers, State and local government, Strategic planning, Tourism, Transportation, Vermont, Water resources
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530) Bill TextA bill to establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission and the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission, and for other purposes. 9/17/2007--Reported to Senate amended. (There is 1 other summary) Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission Act of 2007 - (Sec. 4) Establishes: (1) the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission to plan, develop, and execute programs and activities to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain (the first European to discover and explore Lake Champlain); and (2) the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission to plan, develop, and execute programs and activities to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hudson (the first European to sail up the Hudson River) and the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Robert Fulton (the first person to use steam navigation on a commercial basis). (Sec. 6) Sets forth requirements regarding [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Authorization, Budgets, Coastal zone, Congressional reporting requirements, Coral reefs, Ecosystem management, Environmental education, Environmental monitoring, Environmental protection, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to education, Federal aid to research, Federal-local relations, Federal-state relations, Fishing boats, Foreign policy, Fund raising, Government information, Government paperwork, Government trust funds, Grants-in-aid, Guam, Hawaii, International affairs, International environmental cooperation, Marine accidents, Marine ecology, Marine pollution, Marine resources, Marine resources conservation, Marine safety, Navigational aids, Nongovernmental organizations, Nonprofit organizations, Oceanography, Salvage, Science policy, Social services, State and local government, Trade, Transportation, Water pollution, Water pollution control
Latest Action: 10/23/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Bill TextTo reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, and for other purposes. 10/22/2007--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to extend the award of remaining coral reef conservation program grant funds, in addition to projects addressing emerging priorities or threats, to other appropriate projects, including monitoring and assessment, research, pollution reduction, education, and technical support. Revises the criteria for project approval. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to undertake or authorize actions to minimize injury to a coral reef from vessel impacts, derelict fishing gear, vessel anchors and anchor chains, and unforeseen or disaster-related circumstances and to stabilize, repair, or restore the reef, including vessel removal and emergency restabilization [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Algal blooms, Animals, Aquatic ecology, Aquatic pests, Aquatic plants, Armed forces, Authorization, Biological diversity, Boats and boating, Budgets, Business, Business records, Canada, Canals, Coast guard, Coastal zone, Communications, Congressional reporting requirements, Cost effectiveness, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Interior, Depressed areas, Ecological research, Ecological surveys, Economic policy, Ecosystem management, Environmental education, Environmental monitoring, Environmental protection, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental research, Environmental technology, Executive orders, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to Indians, Federal aid to research, Federal aid to water pollution control, Federal aid to water resources development, Fines (Penalties), Fishes, Foreign policy, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Great Lakes, Habitat conservation, Hazardous substances, Illinois, Import restrictions, Indian lands, Indiana, Indians, Infrastructure, International affairs, International environmental cooperation, Laboratories, Latin America, Law, Marine ecology, Marine pollution, Marine resources, Marine safety, Marine terminals, Mercury, Mexico, Michigan, Minnesota, Minorities, New York State, Non-native species, Oceanographic research, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Pest control, Planning, Pollution measurement, Presidents, Refuse and refuse disposal, Regional planning, Remote sensing, Research and development, Research centers, Research grants, Restoration ecology, Revolving funds, Rivers, Science policy, Sewage disposal, Sewerage, Signs and signboards, Smithsonian Institution, Solid wastes, Space activities, Sports, St. Lawrence Seaway, Technological innovations, Trade, Transportation, Warships, Waste disposal in rivers, lakes, etc., Waste water treatment, Water pollution, Water quality, Water resources, Water resources development, Waterfronts, Waterways, Weapons, Wisconsin
Latest Action: 03/21/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans. Bill TextTo establish a collaborative program to protect the Great Lakes, and for other purposes. 3/6/2007--Introduced. Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to: (1) require certain vessels operating in U.S. waters to have invasive species management plans; (2) direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish vessel performance requirements, including provisions for ballast water exchange, treatment, and discharge, and civil and criminal penalties for violations; (3) require federal agencies to restrict the importation of live aquatic organisms of species not in trade without screening and approval; and (4) declare importation of such species to be unlawful and prescribe civil and criminal penalties for violations.Directs the Secretary of the Army to: (1) upgrade and make permanent the Chicago sanitary and ship canal dispersal barrier in Chicago, Illinois; (2) construct Barrier II; and [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Animal breeding, Animals, Biological warfare, Black colleges, Boundaries, Bridges, Budgets, Bus drivers, Business, Business records, Cameras, Chemical warfare, Civil liberties, Computer security measures, Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Counterterrorism, Criminal justice, Criminal justice information, Damages, Data banks, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Labor, Department of Transportation, Disabled, Discovery (Law), Discrimination in employment, Dismissal of employees, District of Columbia, Dogs, Drugs, Education, Electric power transmission, Electronic surveillance, Elementary and secondary education, Emergency communication systems, Emergency management, Emergency medicine, Employee training, Energy, Equipment and supplies, Evacuation of civilians, Evidence (Law), Ex-offenders, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Explosives, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to education, Federal aid to law enforcement, Federal aid to research, Federal aid to transportation, Federal employees, Federal law enforcement officers, Federal-Indian relations, Federal-local relations, Federal-state relations, Fines (Penalties), Fire fighters, Fire prevention, Foreign policy, Freight, Geographic information systems, Government contractors, Government corporations, Government employees, Government information, Government paperwork, Government procurement, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Grenades, Grievance procedures, Hazardous substances, Higher education, Hispanic Americans, Hours of labor, Identification of criminals, Immigration, Indian education, Indians, Information technology, Informers, Infrastructure, Injunctions, Intelligence activities, Intermodal transportation, International affairs, Job training, Labor, Law, Law enforcement officers, Legal fees, Liability (Law), Lighting, Marine safety, Maryland, Mass rapid transit, Medical care, Medicine, Minorities, Minority business enterprises, Minority education, Motor buses, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), New York City, Northeastern States, Nuclear terrorism, Official secrets, Paramedical personnel, Poisons, Police, Police training, Private police, Public contracts, Public service advertising, Punitive damages, Railroad employees, Railroad engineering, Railroad freight operations, Railroad passenger traffic, Railroad safety, Railroad terminals, Railroads, Recruiting of employees, Regional planning, Research and development, Research centers, Right of privacy, Right-of-way, Risk, School buses, Science policy, Security clearances, Security measures, Small business, Standards, Subcontractors, Subways, Surveys, Tankers, Technological innovations, Technology, Telecommunication, Terminals (Transportation), Terrorism, Terrorists, Traffic accidents and safety, Transportation, Transportation and the disabled, Transportation engineering, Transportation of hazardous substances, Transportation planning, Transportation research, Transportation safety, Transportation workers, Tunnels, Wage restitution, Waste in government spending, Weapons of mass destruction, Weapons systems, Whistle blowing, Witnesses, Women, Women in business
Latest Action: 02/27/2008 - For Further Action See Titles XII, XIII, XIV and XV of H.R. 1. Bill TextTo improve the security of railroads, public transportation, and over-the-road buses in the United States, and for other purposes. 3/27/2007--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 - Title I: Rail and Public Transportation Security - (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and implement a plan entitled the National Strategy for Rail and Public Transportation Security.(Sec. 102) Requires the Secretary to assign each railroad carrier, public transportation operator, or over-the-road bus private operator (covered transportation) to a certain risk-based tier.(Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations that: (1) require each provider of covered transportation assigned to a high- or medium-risk tier to assess their vulnerability to terrorism and to implement, subject to approval of [...] show full description
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Latest Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Armed forces, Conspiracy, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Drug abuse, Drug law enforcement, Drug traffic, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Fines (Penalties), Foreign policy, Identification devices, International affairs, Jurisdiction, Law, Marine resources, Marine transportation, National security, Navigation, Sentencing guidelines, Smuggling, Submarines, Territorial waters, Terrorism, Transportation, U.S. Sentencing Commission
Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction Bill TextTo amend titles 46 and 18, United States Code, with respect to the operation of submersible vessels and semi-submersible vessels without nationality. 9/25/2008--Introduced. Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating or attempting or conspiring to operate by any means, or for embarking in, any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to avoid detection. Imposes an additional civil fine of up to $1 million for violations.
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Armed forces, Conspiracy, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Drug abuse, Drug law enforcement, Drug traffic, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Fines (Penalties), Foreign policy, Identification devices, International affairs, Jurisdiction, Law, Marine resources, Marine transportation, National security, Navigation, Sentencing guidelines, Smuggling, Submarines, Territorial waters, Terrorism, Transportation, U.S. Sentencing Commission
Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Presented to President. Bill TextA bill to amend titles 46 and 18, United States Code, with respect to the operation of submersible vessels and semi-submersible vessels without nationality. 9/25/2008--Introduced. Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating or attempting or conspiring to operate by any means, or for embarking in, any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to avoid detection. Imposes an additional civil fine of up to $1 million for violations.
Also tagged in: Armed forces, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Drug abuse, Drug law enforcement, Drug traffic, International affairs, Marine resources, Marine transportation, National security, Navigation, Smuggling, Submarines, Territorial waters, Terrorism, Transportation
Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Date of scheduled consideration. SR-253. 10:00 a.m. Bill TextA bill to amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the navigation of submersible or semi-submersible vessels without nationality. 6/25/2008--Introduced. Amends federal law relating to maritime drug law enforcement to prohibit knowingly or intentionally operating by any means, or embarking in, any semi-submersible vessel or any manned or unmanned submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country.
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Conspiracy, Criminal justice, District courts, Drug abuse, Drug law enforcement, Drug traffic, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Fines (Penalties), Identification devices, Jurisdiction, Law, Marine transportation, Sentences (Criminal procedure), Sentencing guidelines, Smuggling, Submarines, Transportation, U.S. Sentencing Commission
Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Bill TextTo enhance drug trafficking interdiction by creating a Federal felony relating to operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage. 7/29/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating or embarking in any submersible or semisubmersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating in, or has navigated into, through, or from, waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to evade detection. Grants extraterritorial federal jurisdiction over violations of this Act.Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this Act that a vessel operated at the time of a violation was: [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Coast guard, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Department of Homeland Security, Environmental protection, Executive departments, Federal preemption, Governmental investigations, Law, Licenses, Local laws, Marine pollution, Marine resources, Standards, State and local government, State laws, Transportation, Water pollution, Water pollution control
Latest Action: 03/12/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Bill TextTo require the Commandant of the Coast Guard to conduct an evaluation and review of certain vessel discharges. 3/11/2008--Introduced. Vessel Discharge Evaluation and Review Act - Directs the Coast Guard's Commandant to conduct an evaluation of vessel discharges, other than ballast water, and report to specified congressional committees. Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to suspend, beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and notwithstanding any other provision of law, any requirement to obtain a permit for a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel. Requires promulgation of a final rule establishing enforceable uniform national discharge standards modeled on the regulatory program for vessels of the Armed Forces and based upon the best available technology. Preempts related state and local laws regarding a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, subject to exception. Lists [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Animals, Department of Commerce, Endangered species, Executive departments, Law, Marine resources, Natural resources, Protection of animals, Transportation, Whales
Latest Action: 03/06/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Bill TextTo require the Secretary of Commerce to prescribe regulations to reduce the incidence of vessels colliding with North Atlantic right whales by limiting the speed of vessels, and for other purposes. 3/5/2008--Introduced. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, to prescribe regulations to reduce the incidence of vessels colliding with North Atlantic right whales by limiting the speed of vessels. Requires those regulations to incorporate the whale protection measures contained in a specified proposed rule and to provide the same or greater level of protection.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Animals, Department of Commerce, Endangered species, Executive departments, Law, Marine resources, Natural resources, Protection of animals, Transportation, Whales
Latest Action: 07/22/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-429. Bill TextA bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to prescribe regulations to reduce the incidence of vessels colliding with North Atlantic right whales by limiting the speed of vessels, and for other purposes. 2/15/2008--Introduced. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, to prescribe regulations to reduce the incidence of vessels colliding with North Atlantic right whales by limiting the speed of vessels. Requires those regulations to incorporate the whale protection measures contained in a specified proposed rule and to provide the same or greater level of protection.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Coast guard, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Department of Homeland Security, Environmental protection, Executive departments, Federal preemption, Governmental investigations, Law, Licenses, Local laws, Marine pollution, Marine resources, Standards, State and local government, State laws, Transportation, Water pollution, Water pollution control
Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Bill TextA bill to require the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in consultation with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, to conduct an evaluation and review of certain vessel discharges. 2/14/2008--Introduced. Vessel Discharge Evaluation and Review Act - Directs the Coast Guard's Commandant to conduct an evaluation of vessel discharges, other than aquatic nuisance species, and report to specified congressional committees. Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to suspend, beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and notwithstanding any other provision of law, any requirement to obtain a permit for a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel. Requires promulgation of a final rule establishing enforceable uniform national discharge standards modeled on the regulatory program for vessels of the Armed Forces and based upon the best available technology. Preempts related state and local laws regarding [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Agriculture, Animal pests, Animals, Aquaculture, Boundaries, California, Criminal justice, Data banks, Department of Commerce, Ecological research, Ecosystem management, Energy, Environmental education, Environmental monitoring, Environmental protection, Executive departments, Fines (Penalties), Fisheries, Fishing boats, Government information, Government publicity, Land transfers, Law, Maps, Marine parks and reserves, Marine pollution, Marine resources, Marine resources conservation, Marine safety, Mining engineering, Mining leases, Natural resources, Non-native species, Oil and gas leases, Pests, Petroleum engineering, Pipelines, Planning, Public lands, Saline waters, Shellfish, Technology, Transportation, Waste disposal in the ocean, Water pollution, Water pollution control, Water resources, Water use
Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Star Print ordered on the bill. Bill TextA bill to expand the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. 2/13/2008--Introduced. Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act - Declares it is U.S. policy to protect and preserve living and other resources of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Farallones NMS) and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Cordell Bank NMS) marine environments. Makes certain adjustments to expand the boundaries of the Farallones NMS and the Cordell NMS. Prohibits within the Farallones NMS and the Cordell Bank NMS: (1) the leasing, exploration, development, production, or transporting by pipeline of minerals or hydrocarbons; (2) the conduct of aquaculture (with exceptions); and (3) subject to limitation, the discharge of materials, substances, or introduced species or a harmful change in the salinity. Prohibits the conduct [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Coast guard, Department of Homeland Security, Electronic data interchange, Executive departments, Identification devices, Job training, Labor, Law, Navigational aids, Technology, Telecommunication, Transportation, Transportation workers
Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Bill TextTo direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to issue regulations requiring pilots of certain vessels to carry and utilize a portable electronic device equipped for navigational purposes, and for other purposes. 2/13/2008--Introduced. Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act - Directs the Coast Guard's Commandant to issue regulations requiring: (1) that any pilot serving on a self-propelled, commercial vessel of at least 300 gross tons carry and use a portable electronic device equipped for navigational purposes and capable of being connected to an Automatic Identification System; and (2) related pilot training. Allows the Commandant to exempt a pilot by certifying that such a device is not necessary where the pilot operates.
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