A bill to amend Public Law 110-299 to extend the time period during which permits are not required for certain discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels.

Bill: 113-s-2943
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2014-11-19
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Licensing and registrations

Marine and inland water transportation

Marine pollution

Water quality
Latest action: action_date: 2014-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Summaries:
action_date: 2014-11-19
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>Extends the time period during which both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and any state with a state permit program are prohibited from requiring a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) for a vessel that is less than 79 feet in length or a fishing vessel for any discharge: (1) of effluent from properly functioning marine engines, or of laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes; or (2) that is incidental to the normal operation of those vessels. Ends the prohibition on December 18, 2015, instead of December 18, 2014.</p> <p>(This prohibition does not apply with respect to garbage discharged overboard, other discharges when the vessel is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation, ballast water [water held in ships to increase stability] discharges, or any discharge that contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or poses an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.)</p>

tv_txt: II 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2943 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 19, 2014 Mr. Rubio (for himself, Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Vitter , Mr. Walsh , and Mr. Whitehouse ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend Public Law 110–299 to extend the time period during which permits are not required for certain discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels.

1. Discharges incidental to normal operation of vessels Section 2(a) of Public Law 110–299 ( 33 U.S.C. 1342 note) is amended by striking December 18, 2014 and inserting December 18, 2015 .