S. 3639: Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2010

111th Congress · introduced 2010-07-22 · Transportation and Public Works · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2010-07-22 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2010

Plain summary

Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard (CG) is operating (the Secretary in this bill, unless otherwise indicated) to prescribe regulations to establish education standards for recreational vessel operators. Establishes within the CG the America's Waterway Watch Program. Authorizes the Secretary to develop protocols, procedures, standards, and requirements for transportation of especially hazardous cargo to promote the safe and secure operation of ports, facilities, and vessels that transport such cargo. Requires the Secretary to initiate the development of an international committee also dedicated to promoting such safe and secure operations. Authorizes the CG Commandant to execute cooperative enforcement agreements with law enforcement agencies under which law agency personnel are deputized and assets are placed under CG control to enforce security zones for the transportation of especially hazardous cargo. Requires the CG Commandant to establish national standards for training, qualification, and credentialing of such personnel. Requires the Secretary to establish a strategic plan for the utilization of certain programs to assist foreign ports and facilities found not to maintain effective antiterrorism measures in the implementation of such measures. Requires an area maritime transportation security plan to establish regional response and recovery protocols to mitigate regional transportation security incidents. Requires the Secretary to ensure the deployment of interoperable communications technology at all interagency operational centers for port security at high-priority U.S. ports. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to require U.S. and foreign commercial vessels that enter a U.S. port or facility to designate a U.S. person who will be responsible for responding to a transportation security incident involving the vessel while in the United States. Directs the Secretary to develop a national standard and formula for prioritizing, addressing, and mitigating assessed security risks at U.S. ports and facilities on or adjacent to a U.S. waterway. Requires owners of U.S facilities that are on or adjacent to U.S. waters that pose a high risk of being involved in a transportation security incident to: (1) make the vulnerability assessment of the facility available to the local port authority and appropriate state or local law enforcement agencies; and (2) integrate the facility's security system with compatible systems operated by state, law enforcement agencies, and the CG. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to negotiate a written agreement with each marine terminal operator governing the use and placement of screening devices on the terminal. Requires the Secretary to establish comprehensive security training requirements that would lead to certification of facility security officers. Establishes in the Treasury a Support of Seafarers Fund. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a strategic plan to prevent the unauthorized importation of radioactive, chemical, biological, or nuclear agents through all modal pathways coming into the United States; and (2) identify and harmonize electronic filing of vessel passenger and crew lists and entry requirements where appropriate. Requires the DHS Secretary to establish integrated project teams within the science and technology directorate to assist DHS in product research, development, transition, and acquisition activities for cargo security. Amends the SAFE Port Act to: (1) extend authority for the screening and scanning requirements for cargo containers; and (2) exempt the scanning of cargo shipped and transported in accordance with applicable law by the Secretary of State. Prohibits a person from being held liable for monetary damages for using force at sea to defend a vessel against an act of piracy. Authorizes the Secretary to extend for up to one year expiring merchant mariner licenses, certificates of registry, and documents. Prohibits the DHS Secretary from requiring an individual to hold a transportation security card, or be accompanied by a cardholder, if the individual: (1) is engaged in the operation of a live animal-propelled vessel; (2) is not allowed unescorted access to a secure area; and (2) has been issued a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document. Extends funding for the Secretary to conduct pilot projects to test the effectiveness and applicability of new port security projects at U.S. Ports

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

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PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2010

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (5)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Exemption: A rule that removes certain people, property or activities from a tax or requirement.
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-111s3639.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/111/s>

Record fed-us-cong111-s3639 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111