A legislative package that includes $8.7 billion in
discretionary funding for the US Coast Guard has passed the House with strong
bipartisan support and now heads for the Senate, which has been working on its
own version of the Coast Guard bill.
discretionary funding for the US Coast Guard has passed the House with strong
bipartisan support and now heads for the Senate, which has been working on its
own version of the Coast Guard bill.
The measure would also amend laws that govern the activities
of the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration and the Federal Maritime
Commission.
of the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration and the Federal Maritime
Commission.
Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, praised the legislation, which he
said represents a bipartisan effort to strengthen the critical mission of the
Coast Guard, and to secure the safety of our oceans and coastline in a time of
global unrest.
said represents a bipartisan effort to strengthen the critical mission of the
Coast Guard, and to secure the safety of our oceans and coastline in a time of
global unrest.
The House version, said Young, contains improvements that
would repeal overbearing rules and regulations on fishermen and vessel owners,
work to replace and modernize aging USCG assets, and improve land and housing
infrastructure across Alaska.
would repeal overbearing rules and regulations on fishermen and vessel owners,
work to replace and modernize aging USCG assets, and improve land and housing
infrastructure across Alaska.
Young said he worked to address a number of Alaska specific
concerns within the transportation act, including the Maritime Lien Reform Act,
which would prohibit maritime liens from being imposed on fishing permits.
While Alaska law currently prohibits liens of Alaska limited entry permits,
court rulings have subjected fishing licenses to maritime lien under the
Federal Admiralty Law.
concerns within the transportation act, including the Maritime Lien Reform Act,
which would prohibit maritime liens from being imposed on fishing permits.
While Alaska law currently prohibits liens of Alaska limited entry permits,
court rulings have subjected fishing licenses to maritime lien under the
Federal Admiralty Law.
Young also back legislation in the bill to require a Coast
Guard determination on the feasibility of refurbishing the Coast Guard
icebreaker Polar Sea, which is currently out of service.
Guard determination on the feasibility of refurbishing the Coast Guard
icebreaker Polar Sea, which is currently out of service.
Young also worked to include in HR 4005 language to
permanently exempt owners of fishing vessels and small commercial vessels from
having to obtain a permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency before
discharging rain water runoff, air conditioner condensate or bilge water from
their vessels.
permanently exempt owners of fishing vessels and small commercial vessels from
having to obtain a permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency before
discharging rain water runoff, air conditioner condensate or bilge water from
their vessels.
And he supported requiring regular reporting on the status
of the International Maritime Organization Polar Code negotiations, including
safety for ships operating in polar waters, and the impacts on coastal
communities of costs of delivering freight and fuel, as well as on the safety
of maritime transportation.
of the International Maritime Organization Polar Code negotiations, including
safety for ships operating in polar waters, and the impacts on coastal
communities of costs of delivering freight and fuel, as well as on the safety
of maritime transportation.
Prior to this legislation, the Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Act of 2012 was signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 20,
2012.
Transportation Act of 2012 was signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 20,
2012.