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 Text
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.

Latest Action: 10/13/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-407.

Bill Text
A bill to amend titles 46 and 18, United States Code, with respect to the operation of submersible vessels and semi-submersible vessels without nationality. 10/13/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.) Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Title I: Criminal Prohibition - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating, attempting or conspiring to operate, or embarking in any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality in, 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. Grants extraterritorial federal jurisdiction over an offense under [...]

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Latest Action: 09/27/2008 - Mr. Oberstar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

Bill Text
To restructure the Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater Program, and for other purposes. 9/27/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Title I: Integrated Deepwater Program - Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act of 2008 - (Sec. 102) Prohibits the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating from using a private sector entity as a lead systems integrator (LSI) for Integrated Deepwater Program (IDP) acquisitions, subject to stated exceptions. Requires the Secretary and the IDP LSI, subject to exception, to use full and open competition for any IDP acquisition for which an outside contractor is used. Prohibits an LSI and any tier 1 subcontractor from having a financial interest in a subcontractor below the tier 1, subject to exception. (Sec. 103) Requires any IDP contract, delivery order, or task order to require, among other things, that: (1) IDP procurement certifications be conducted by the Secretary or [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Date of scheduled consideration. SR-253. 10:00 a.m.

Bill Text
A 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.

Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3701-3704)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the development and inventory of certain outer Continental Shelf resources, to suspend petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and for other purposes. 5/1/2008--Introduced. Domestic Offshore Energy Security Act of 2008, or the DOES Act - Permits United States persons to: (1) engage in exploration and extraction of hydrocarbon resources from any portion of any foreign exclusive economic zone contiguous to the exclusive economic zone of the United States; and (2) export without license authority all pertinent equipment for such activity. Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to authorize travel-related transactions for travel to, from, or within Cuba in connection with exploration and extraction of hydrocarbon resources in any part of a foreign maritime Exclusive Economic Zone contiguous to the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Identifies as persons authorized [...]

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Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2947-2948)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and title 46, United States Code, to establish a marine emergency protocol and requirements for double-hulling of vessel fuel tanks. 4/10/2008--Introduced. Marine Emergency Protocol and Hull Requirement Act of 2008 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to authorize the Coast Guard's appropriate sector commander, during a time of a terrorist or enemy attack, dangerously low visibility at sea or in port, an oil spill over 5,000 gallons, or any other period of enhanced danger as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, to assume direct authority over all vessels within the area and to issue any orders to ensure the health and safety of the individuals located in, and the environment of, the sector. Declares that nothing in the amendments made by this Act limits or otherwise preempts any state from establishing a more stringent law or regulation. Prohibits certain cargo vessels that carry a significant (as determined [...]

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Latest Action: 08/22/2008 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/01/2008 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-445. Additional views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to double liability limits for single-hull tankers and tank barges for 2009, and for other purposes.

8/22/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to increase the liability limits for damages resulting from the discharge of oil into U.S. navigable waters or the exclusive economic zone by a single-hull vessel (including a single-hull vessel fitted with double sides only or a double bottom): (1) from $3,000 per ton to $6,000 per ton for 2009; and (2) to the maximum amount allowable, consistent with the substantive due process requirements of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, for 2010, and beyond.

Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To prohibit commercial fishing of Atlantic menhaden for reduction purposes in inland, State, and Federal waters along the Atlantic coast of the United States, and for other purposes.

10/16/2007--Introduced.

Atlantic Menhaden Conservation Act - Imposes a fishing moratorium regarding Atlantic menhaden that are reduced to meal and oil for the coastal waters of each coastal state north of South Carolina, including Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission.

Requires studies and reports.

Makes it unlawful to engage, or to attempt to engage, in the commercial harvesting, in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), of Atlantic menhaden that are reduced to meal and oil.

Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To prohibit the commercial harvesting of Atlantic menhaden for reduction purposes in the coastal waters and the exclusive economic zone.

10/16/2007--Introduced.

Makes it unlawful to engage, or to attempt to engage, in commercial harvesting of Atlantic menhaden for reduction purposes in Atlantic coastal waters or in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Requires a related report to Congress from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Latest Action: 09/27/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Bill Text
To amend title 46, United States Code, to promote the U.S. distant water tuna fleet.

9/26/2007--Introduced.

South Pacific Tuna Fleet Act of 2007 - Declares that a fishery endorsement is not required for a United States documented purse seine tuna fishing vessel home ported in American Samoa while fishing exclusively for highly migratory species under a license issued under the 1987 Treaty on Fisheries Between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America in the treaty area or in U.S. exclusive economic zones bordering the treaty area.

Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Bill Text
To improve energy security of the United States through a reduction in the oil intensity of the economy of the United States and expansion of secure oil supplies, to be achieved by increasing the availability of alternative fuel sources, fostering responsible oil exploration and production, and improving international arrangements to secure the global oil supply, and for other purposes. 8/3/2007--Introduced. Security and Fuel Efficiency Energy Act of 2007, or the SAFE Energy Act of 2007 - Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) revise renewable fuel standards for calendar years 2006-2020; (2) instruct the Secretary of Energy to assess the progress made toward creation of adequate infrastructure for the production and distribution of ethanol-blend fuel; and (3) require the Secretary to establish an incentives program for production of cellulosic ethanol and other emerging biofuels derived from renewable sources (including municipal solid waste). Directs the Administrator of [...]

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Latest Action: 08/02/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding Turkey's claims of sovereignty over islands and islets in the Aegean Sea.

8/2/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the maritime boundaries established in the 1923 Lausanne Treaty of Peace, the 1932 Convention and Protocol Between Italy and Turkey, and the 1947 Paris Treaty of Peace, under which the Dodecanese islands and adjacent islets were ceded by Italy to Greece, are the borders between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea; and (2) any party, including Turkey, objecting to such boundaries should seek redress in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague.

Latest Action: 04/09/2008 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-406. 10:00 a.m.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify the jurisdiction of the United States over waters of the United States. 7/25/2007--Introduced. Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to replace the term "navigable waters," throughout the Act, with the term "waters of the United States," defined to mean all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, the territorial seas, and all interstate and intrastate waters and their tributaries, including lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, natural ponds, and all impoundments of the foregoing, to the fullest extent that these waters, or activities affecting them, are subject to the legislative power of Congress under the Constitution. Declares that nothing in such Act shall be construed as affecting the authority of the [...]

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Latest Action: 07/30/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
To allow United States persons to participate in energy development offshore from Cuba and other nearby countries.

7/25/2007--Introduced.

U.S. Participation in Cuban Energy Exploration Act of 2007 - Authorizes U.S. persons to: (1) engage in the exploration for and extraction of hydrocarbon resources from any portion of a foreign exclusive economic zone that is contiguous to the U.S. exclusive economic zone; (2) export without license authority all equipment necessary for such activities; and (3) import such extracted hydrocarbon resources into the United States.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to authorize under a general license specified travel-related transactions for travel to, from, or within Cuba in connection with such activities.

Latest Action: 07/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs.

Bill Text
To convey certain submerged lands to the Government of the Virgin Islands, and for other purposes.

6/28/2007--Introduced.

Conveys to the U.S. Virgin Islands specified submerged lands in the area between the island of Saint Croix and the islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John.

States that for purposes of U.S. laws, except as otherwise provided by international law or international agreement in force for the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands' territorial waters shall extend nine miles seaward from the line of ordinary low water along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters.

Latest Action: 07/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.

Bill Text
To prohibit the commercial harvesting of Atlantic blackfish in the coastal waters and the exclusive economic zone, and for other purposes.

6/28/2007--Introduced.

Atlantic Blackfish Conservation Act - Prohibits the commercial harvesting of Atlantic blackfish, popularly known as tautog, in the coastal waters or the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or the sale of blackfish taken in violation of that prohibition. Imposes penalties and allows civil forfeiture of vessels for violations.

Requires the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to take actions reflecting the prohibition.

Latest Action: 06/25/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

Bill Text
To enhance the Department of Energy Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program established under title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by explicitly permitting its application on United States Government installations worldwide, in the Insular Areas of the United States, and in those nations in free association with the United States, as well as explicitly authorize loans for ocean thermal energy conversion projects. 6/22/2007--Introduced. Insular Areas Energy Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to make loan guarantees for target ocean thermal energy conversion systems projects. Authorizes such guarantees for any specified eligible innovative energy projects, including ocean thermal energy conversion systems, which are located in Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated [...]

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Latest Action: 06/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7645)

Bill Text
A bill to provide the necessary authority to the Secretary of Commerce for the establishment and implementation of a regulatory system for offshore aquaculture in the United States Exclusive Economic Zone, and for other purposes. 6/13/2007--Introduced. National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an operating permit process for the development and operation of offshore aquaculture facilities in areas of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Requires the Secretary to prepare an analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 with respect to the process for issuing permits. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such permits. Prohibits considering offshore aquaculture "fishing" under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Prohibits permits for facilities within 12 miles of a coastal state if the state opposes the activities. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the [...]

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Latest Action: 06/25/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection.

Bill Text
To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to extend a requirement for the prescreening of air passengers to international flights that overfly the United States.

6/11/2007--Introduced.

Amends prescreening of international airline passengers provisions to extend the Department of Homeland Security 's (DHS) authority to compare passenger information against the consolidated and integrated terrorist watchlist maintained by the federal government before departure of an international flight to any international flight that overflies the United States (Under current law, DHS is limited to comparing passenger information against a watchlist before departure of any international flight to or from the United States).

Latest Action: 06/11/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.

Bill Text
To prohibit the commercial harvesting of Atlantic striped bass in the coastal waters and the exclusive economic zone.

6/7/2007--Introduced.

Prohibits the commercial harvesting of Atlantic striped bass in the coastal waters or the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Imposes penalties and allows civil forfeiture of vessels for violations.

Requires the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director to take actions reflecting the prohibition.

Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Committee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify the jurisdiction of the United States over waters of the United States. 5/22/2007--Introduced. Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to replace the term "navigable waters," throughout the Act, with the term "waters of the United States," defined to mean all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, the territorial seas, and all interstate and intrastate waters and their tributaries, including lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, natural ponds, and all impoundments of the foregoing, to the fullest extent that these waters, or activities affecting them, are subject to the legislative power of Congress under the Constitution. Declares that nothing in such Act shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish an integrated Federal ocean and coastal mapping plan for the Great Lakes and coastal state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the Continental Shelf of the United States, and for other purposes. 7/23/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act - (Sec. 2) Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish an integrated ocean and coastal mapping program for the Great Lakes and coastal state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the U.S. continental shelf that enhances ecosystem approaches in decision-making for conservation and management of marine resources and habitats, establishes research priorities, supports the siting of research and other platforms, advances safety of navigation, and advances ocean and [...]

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Latest Action: 06/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7508-7511)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the development and inventory of certain outer Continental Shelf resources. 5/2/2007--Introduced. Domestic Offshore Energy Security Act - Authorizes United States persons to: (1) engage in any transaction necessary for exploration and extraction of hydrocarbon resources from any portion of any foreign exclusive economic zone contiguous to the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States; and (2) export without license authority all equipment necessary for such activity. Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to grant general license authority for travel-related expenditures to, from, or within Cuba by persons engaging in hydrocarbon exploration and extraction in any part of a foreign maritime Exclusive Economic Zone contiguous to the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to: (1) repeal the oil and gas leasing moratorium governing [...]

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Latest Action: 07/12/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To provide the necessary authority to the Secretary of Commerce for the establishment and implementation of a regulatory system for offshore aquaculture in the United States Exclusive Economic Zone, and for other purposes. 4/24/2007--Introduced. National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an operating permit process for the development and operation of offshore aquaculture facilities in areas of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Requires the Secretary to prepare an analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 with respect to the process for issuing permits. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such permits. Excludes offshore aquaculture from the definition of "fishing" under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Prohibits permits for facilities within 12 miles of a coastal state if the state opposes the activities. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which [...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4223; text as passed Senate: CR S4223; text of measure as introduced: CR S4216)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the seizure by the Government of Iran of 15 British naval personnel in Iraqi territorial waters, and calling for their immediate, safe, and unconditional release.

3/29/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Condemns the government of Iran's seizure of 15 British naval personnel from Iraqi territorial waters as a provocative and illegal act and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.

Latest Action: 03/27/2007 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of British marines and sailors held captive by Iran, and for other purposes.

3/26/2007--Introduced.

Condemns the Islamic Republic of Iran for the seizure of 15 British marines and sailors and demands their unconditional release.

Calls on the U.N. Security Council to condemn this seizure and explore new sanctions against Iran, including gasoline restrictions, to prevent further Iranian hostile action, deny Iran's ability to militarize the Persian Gulf, and enforce Iran's nonproliferation commitments.

Latest Action: 06/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7508-7511)

Bill Text
A bill to improve energy security of the United States through a 50 percent reduction in the oil intensity of the economy of the United States by 2030 and the prudent expansion of secure oil supplies, to be achieved by raising the fuel efficiency of the vehicular transportation fleet, increasing the availability of alternative fuel sources, fostering responsible oil exploration and production, and improving international arrangements to secure the global oil supply, and for other purposes. 3/14/2007--Introduced. Security and Fuel Efficiency Energy Act of 2007 or the SAFE Energy Act of 2007 - Amends corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) provisions to revise the definition of: (1) "automobile" to mean any vehicle that is propelled by fuel, or by alternative fuel, and is manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways (currently, four-wheeled vehicles that are so propelled and manufactured for such use and that are up to 6,000 pounds and certain [...]

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