A bill to remove a limitation on a prohibition relating to permits for discharges incidental to normal operation of vessels.

Bill: 113-s-2963
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2014-11-20
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Licensing and registrations

Marine and inland water transportation

Marine pollution

Water quality
Latest action: action_date: 2014-12-04
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 613.

Summaries:
action_date: 2014-11-20
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>Makes permanent a prohibition exempting from National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) a vessel under 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.</p> <p>(Currently, the prohibition is temporary, and the time period during which the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] and any state with a state permit program are prohibited from requiring a NPDES permit ends on December 18, 2014. This prohibition does not apply, however, with respect to garbage discharged overboard, other discharges when the vessel is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation, discharges of ballast water held in ships to increase stability, 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>

action_date: 2014-12-04
action_desc: Reported to Senate without amendment
text: <p><b>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</b></p> <p>Makes permanent a provision which prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 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; (2) of laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes; or (3) that is incidental to the normal operation of those vessels. (Currently, the prohibition is temporary and the time period in which the EPA is prohibited from requiring a NPDES permit ends on December 18, 2014. 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, discharges of ballast water held in ships to increase stability, 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. 2963 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 20, 2014 Mrs. Boxer (for herself, Mr. Begich , Mr. Nelson , Mr. Whitehouse , Ms. Cantwell , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Reed , Mr. Markey , Ms. Warren , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Booker , and Mr. Merkley ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To remove a limitation on a prohibition relating to permits for discharges incidental to normal operation of vessels.

1. Discharges incidental to the normal operation of certain vessels Section 2(a) of Public Law 110–299 ( 33 U.S.C. 1342 note) is amended by striking during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 18, 2014, .

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 613 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2963 [Report No. 113–284] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 20, 2014 Mrs. Boxer (for herself, Mr. Begich , Mr. Nelson , Mr. Whitehouse , Ms. Cantwell , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Reed , Mr. Markey , Ms. Warren , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Booker , Mr. Merkley , Mrs. Feinstein , Ms. Murkowski , and Mr. Wyden ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works December 4, 2014 Reported by Mrs. Boxer , without amendment A BILL To remove a limitation on a prohibition relating to permits for discharges incidental to normal operation of vessels.

1. Discharges incidental to the normal operation of certain vessels Section 2(a) of Public Law 110–299 ( 33 U.S.C. 1342 note) is amended by striking during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 18, 2014, .

December 4, 2014 Reported without amendment