Committee Approves News

The House Appropriations Committee on Monday approved FY21 funding for Energy and Water Development (E&WD) that funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by a party line vote of 30 to 21.Overall proposed funding for the Corps is $7.63 billion, a decrease of $21 million below FY20’s record-setting appropriated level, but $1.7 billion above the President’s FY21 budget request.The House bill also provides for seven new study starts and seven new construction projects to be selected by the Administration…

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee, led by Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY), today approved by unanimous voice vote the FY ’16 Energy & Water Development (E&WD) and Related Agencies appropriations bill, increasing funding in Fiscal Year 2016 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Program. WCI President Michael J. Toohey expressed thanks to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), and House Energy & Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).

The effort to establish a uniform national framework for the regulation of vessel discharges took another step forward as the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved S. 373, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, with strong bipartisan support. A broad-based coalition of nearly 60 organizations joined the American Waterways Operators in urging the committee to approve VIDA. This measure would replace a patchwork of overlapping and conflicting federal and state regulations with a uniform, science-based federal framework for vessel discharge regulation.

IMO environment committee approves Wärtsilä’s AQUARIUS EC ballast water management system. Wärtsilä’s AQUARIUS EC ballast water management system (BWMS) has been granted BASIC Approval by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) during its 64th session in London, which commenced on 1st October 2012. The initial application for BASIC Approval of the AQUARIUS EC system was submitted to the IMO through the Dutch Human Environment…

A new ASTM International standard covers the principal dimensions and materials of closed chocks, used for mooring, for installation on ships. The new standard, ASTM F2935, Specification for Chocks, Ship Mooring, Cast Steel, has been developed by Subcommittee F25.01 on Structures, part of ASTM International Committee F25 on Ships and Marine Technology. Chocks are mounted directly on the deck, on the foundation or in a bulwark of a ship. Chao H. Lin, Office of Safety, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, and F25.01 chairman, notes that chocks are an essential apparatus for tying a vessel to a dock or pier. Shipboard hardware designers and manufacturers…

The Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs has approved the nomination of Admiral James Loy, USCG (ret) to be Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security. The nomination will go to the full Senate for consideration. Source: HK Law

Bipartisan legislation that establishes a comprehensive national system to increase anti-terrorism security at U.S. ports and waterways was approved by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today. “The Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002” (H.R. 3983) was approved by the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation and then approved by the full Transportation Committee by a voice vote. "Protecting our ports and maritime transportation system is of critical importance to our nation as the maritime industry contributes $742 billion to the gross domestic product each year and the ripple effects from an attack on one or more of our ports would be felt throughout the economy of the nation,” said Subcommittee Chairman LoBiondo.

The House Committee on Appropriations issued a news release stating that it reported out (approved) the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY2002. The focus of the measure is on homeland security, but other issues are addressed. Of interest to the maritime community, the measure includes $75 million for grants to port authorities for security enhancements at U.S. commercial ports. It provides $12 million to the Coast Guard for additional port vulnerability assessments and another $12 million for purchase of extra coastal patrol boats. The measure now goes to the House floor for consideration. Source: HK Law

The House Judiciary Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2008 authorization bill for the U.S. Coast Guard. The legislation has already cleared the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Prior to final approval, the Judiciary Committee added language strengthening the Coast Guard’s ability to combat maritime smugglers of illegal immigrants and would rachet up security at ports and liquefied natural gas facilities. It would also increase funding for the Coast Guard’s controversial Project Deepwater program designed to modernize its fleet. The addition of $229m for the program would restore deepwater acquisition funding to its F.Y. 2007 level of $1.2b.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure said that it approved a number of bills, including H.R. 802, which, if enacted, will implement for the United States Annex VI to the MARPOL Convention. The Annex addresses regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships. Source: HK Law

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has stated that it approved the Maritime Administration (MarAd) Improvement Act of 2006. Among other things, the bill, which will now go to the Senate floor for consideration, would allow the agency to retain certain fees that it collects. It would also provide an alternative approach for operators of Maritime Security Program product tankers to meet US-build replacement vessel requirements. Source: HK Law

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs stated that it approved, with several amendments, the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act (S. 2459). This bill is largely similar to the SAFE Port Act (H.R. 4954), which awaits consideration on the House floor. Look for these bills to bed merged and enacted into law in the near future. Source: HK Law

The Senate Commerce Committee issued a Press Release

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved and forwarded to the full Senate the FY 2004 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The $28.5 billion measure includes $8.2 billion for border protection and enforcement, $5.4 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, and $6.8 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard. It specifically earmarks $12.1 million for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), $61.8-million for the Container Security Initiative (CSI), $119.3 million for non-intrusive inspection equipment, $150 million for port security grants, $30 million for Operation Safe Commerce, $60 million for cargo security screening, and $76 million for USCG Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs). Source: HK Law

A $7.1 billion authorization for the U.S. Coast Guard’s fiscal year 2004 activities was unanimously approved by the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 25. The measure approved was a manager's amendment of the bill as introduced. It authorizes the agency to expend $7.1 billion during FY 2004. Monies are specifically authorized for review and approval of vessel and facility security plans. Non-tank vessels over 400 gross tons will be required to have oil spill response plans, similar to those required of tank vessels. The liability provisions of OPA 90 are conformed to those found in the Superfund legislation. The measure now goes to the full House for consideration.

Avondale Industries, Inc. has agreed to pay $357,750 in penalties for safety and health violations at its shipyard in Avondale, La., and implement a revised safety and health program as part of a settlement agreement announced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "We are pleased Avondale has agreed to resolve this matter," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "Avondale's new management has shown they are serious about eliminating safety hazards. OSHA originally inspected the shipyard in October 1998 following union complaints of possible imminent danger from falls, and other health issues. Based on that inspection, OSHA issued 60 citations against the shipbuilder last April and proposed fines of $537,000.

The House Committee on Appropriations approved a bill that would provide $30 million for Title XI loan guarantees in Fiscal Year 2002, the highest level of Title XI funding reported out of the House Committee since its Fiscal Year 1998 Appropriations bill. "We're pleased that the Committee has provided $30 million in loan guarantees to fund this vital program," said Allen Walker, president of the Shipbuilders' Council of America. The bill, which also includes $4 million for administering the program, is expected to be considered on the House floor next week. If approved, the funding provided by the House Committee will be a major victory for supporters of the Title XI program, particularly since the Administration's Fiscal Year 2002 budget request eliminated Title XI funding.

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