Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-576
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2021-03-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Canada
Coast guard
Congressional oversight
Great Lakes
Marine and inland water transportation
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Performance measurement
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-03
text: 

Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act of 202

1

 
This bill directs the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct icebreaking operations in the Great Lakes in accordance with specific performance standards.
 
Specifically, the Coast Guard must
 
 
keep channels and harbors in the Great Lakes open to navigation not less than 90% of the hours that commercial vessels and ferries attempt to transit ice-covered waterways;
 
 in a year in which the Great Lakes are not open to navigation because of ice of a thickness that occurs on average only once every 10 years, keep channels and harbors open to navigation at least 70% of the hours that commercial vessels and ferries attempt to transit ice-covered waterways; and
 
coordinate Great Lakes icebreaking operations with operators of commercial vessels.
 
 
The bill also directs the Coast Guard to acquire a Great Lakes icebreaker that is at least as capable as Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw in an accelerated timeframe and award the contract on the basis of contractor qualification and price.

action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act of 202

1

 
This bill directs the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct icebreaking operations in the Great Lakes in accordance with specific performance standards.
 
Specifically, the Coast Guard must
 
 
keep channels and harbors in the Great Lakes open to navigation not less than 90% of the hours that commercial vessels and ferries attempt to transit ice-covered waterways; and
 
 in a year in which the Great Lakes are not open to navigation because of ice of a thickness that occurs on average only once every 10 years, keep channels and harbors open to navigation at least 70% of the hours that commercial vessels and ferries attempt to transit ice-covered waterways.
 
 
Additionally, the Coast Guard must establish and maintain a database for collecting, archiving, and disseminating data on icebreaking operations and commercial vessel transit in the Great Lakes during ice season.
 
The bill also directs the Coast Guard to acquire a Great Lakes icebreaker that is at least as capable as Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must submit to Congress a report on the Coast Guard Great Lakes icebreaking program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 197.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-03-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-03-03
text: Introduced in Senate