A bill to amend title 46, United States Code, to exempt old vessels that only operate within inland waterways from the fire-retardant materials requirement if the owners of such vessels make annual structural alterations to at least 10 percent of the areas of the vessels that are not constructed of fire-retardant materials.

To amend title 46, United States Code, to exempt old vessels that only operate within inland waterways from the fire-retardant materials requirement if the owners of such vessels make annual structural alterations to at least 10 percent of the areas of the vessels that are not constructed of fire-retardant materials. 1. Fire-retardant materials exemption Section 3503 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking 2008, this section 2028, this subsection (2) in subsection (b)(1)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking this section subsection (a) (B) in subparagraph (A), by inserting and crew prospective passengers (C) in subparagraph (B), by inserting or crew member passenger (D) in subparagraph (C), by striking and (E) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following: (D) the owner or managing operator of the vessel shall— (i) make annual structural alterations to not less than 10 percent of the areas of the vessel that are not constructed of fire-retardant materials; (ii) provide advance notice to the Coast Guard regarding the alterations made pursuant to clause (i); and (iii) comply with any noncombustible material requirements prescribed by the Coast Guard; and (E) the requirements referred to in subparagraph (D)(iii) shall, to the extent practicable, be consistent with the preservation of the historic integrity of the vessel in areas carrying or accessible to passengers or generally visible to the public. . October 27, 2016 Reported without amendment

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) (Sec. 1) This bill extends through October 31, 2028, the exemption of certain vessels from the requirement that U.S. passenger vessels having berth or stateroom accommodations for at least 50 passengers be constructed of fire-retardant materials in order to be granted a certificate of inspection. The bill continues to apply this exemption only to vessels in operation before January 1, 1968, which operate only within the Boundary Line (the dividing point between inland waters and high seas). An owner or managing operator of an exempt vessel shall: notify crew members (currently, only prospective passengers) that the vessel does not comply with applicable fire safety standards due primarily to the wooden construction of passenger berthing areas; and make annual structural alterations to at least 10% of vessel areas that are not constructed of fire-retardant materials and provide advance notice to the Coast Guard of such alterations. Any noncombustible material requirements prescribed by the Coast Guard (with which an exempt vessel is still required to comply) shall be consistent with the preservation of a vessel's historic integrity in areas carrying or accessible to passengers or generally visible to the public.