Spotlight - Legislation

Welcome to the Maritime Spotlight. Here you'll find hundreds of pages of information on current and recent developments, port security, government compliance, legislation and court decisions. You can access links to industry resources and organizations and archived materials on maritime matters, as well.


View archived items.

Subscribe to electronic newsletter

If you want to receive updates via an electronic newsletter - Maritime Items - please send me an E-Mail. Please include your name, title or position, company or affiliation, address, telephone number, and telefax number. Dennis Bryant

Visit our Maritime Industry Website

You are invited to browse our Maritime Industry Website.

Bill introduced re submersible vessels without nationality

Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bill (

S. 3198) to amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the navigation of submersible or semi-submersible vessels without nationality. (6/25/08).

Bill introduced to exempt certain shipping from the HMT

Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bill (

S. 3199) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt certain shipping from the harbor maintenance tax (HMT). The proposal, if enacted into law, would exempt cargo (other than bulk cargo) loaded at a port in the US mainland and unloaded at either another port in the US mainland or at a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System after transport solely by a coastal route or river. (6/25/08).

Senate adopts its version of marine air emissions bill

The US Senate adopted by unanimous consent its version of the

Maritime Pollution Prevention Act of 2008 (H.R. 802). The House of Representatives passed its version on March 26, 2007. The differences between the two versions are, in the big picture, relatively minor. The important point is that the two Congressional bodies can now meet in conference and attempt to come to an agreement. If they are able to do so, the United States will be in a position to officially adopt MARPOL Annex VI relating to prevention of air pollution from ships. (6/26/08).

Bill introduced to improve port and intermodal security

Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the

Port Authority of New York/New Jersey Port Security Task Force Implementation Act of 2008 (S. 3174) to improve port and intermodal supply chain security. If enacted, this bill would provide for establishment of a system to track container shipments from loading to delivery and require use of secure containers and seals. It would also provide for federal licensing of ship agents and certification of maritime security guards. (6/20/08).

Bill introduced to reauthorize National Sea Grant College Program

Senator Inouye (D-HI) introduced the

National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008 (S. 3160) to reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, and for other purposes. (6/19/08).

Bill introduced re nonnative wildlife species

Representative Bordallo (D-GU) introduced the

Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (H.R. 6311) to prevent the introduction and establishment of nonnative wildlife species that negatively impact the economy, environment, or human or animal species' health, and for other purposes. While the major focus of the bill is to prevent intentional importation of potentially invasive species, the language is broad enough to possibly include accidental introduction of prohibited animals. (6/19/08).

Bill introduced to prohibit operation of stateless submersibles

Representative Lungren (R-CA) introduced a bill (

H.R. 6295) to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit operation by any means or 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, and for other purposes. (6/18/08).

Canada – Canada Marine Act amendments receive Royal Assent

Transport Canada issued a

news release stating that the bill (C-23) amending the Canada Marine Act has received Royal Assent. The bill modifies the current borrowing regime for Canada Port Authorities (CPAs), providing for access to contribution funding, and clarifies some aspects of governance. (6/18/08).

Massachusetts – Oceans Act of 2008

The Office of the Governor of Massachusetts issued a

press release stating that Governor Patrick signed into law the Oceans Act of 2008 (S. 2699). The measure is intended to establish a comprehensive management system for ocean waters within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (5/28/08).

Bill introduced to clarify definition of hull and deck

Senator Leahy (D-VT) introduced the

Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2008 (S. 3106) to amend chapter 13 of title 17, United States Code (relating to the vessel hull design protection), to clarify the definitions of a hull and a deck. (6/10/08).