REEF Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-386
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-09
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Aquatic ecology

Congressional oversight

Government information and archives

Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Latest action: action_date: 2023-02-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-02-09
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Re-using Equipment for Environmental Fortification Act of 2023 or the REEF Act</strong> <b>of 2023</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of the Navy to notify Congress when a vessel that is a viable candidate for artificial reefing (intentionally sinking a vessel to promote marine life) is to be stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. Specifically, the Navy must provide such notice not later than 90 days before the viable candidate is to be stricken from the register.</p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 386 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 9, 2023 Mr. Rubio introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require the Secretary of the Navy to notify Congress of pending action to strike from the Naval Vessel Register any naval vessel that is a viable candidate for artificial reefing, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Re-using Equipment for Environmental Fortification Act of 2023 or the REEF Act of 2023 . 2. Congressional notification of pending action to strike from the Naval Vessel Register naval vessels that are viable candidates for artificial reefing (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Navy should explore and solicit artificial reefing opportunities with appropriate entities for any naval vessel planned for retirement before initiating any plans to dispose of the vessel. (b) Notification Not later than 90 days before the date on which a naval vessel that is a viable candidate for artificial reefing is to be stricken from the Naval Vessel Register, the Secretary of the Navy shall notify Congress of such pending action.