United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 3456 (108th)
Port Anti-Terrorism and Security Act of 2003
Introduced
6 November 2003
Last action
10 December 2003 · Referred
Status
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Sponsors
Rep. Bell, Chris [D-TX-25]
Subjects
Environment, Transport
Source updated
18 August 2025
Summary
Port Anti-Terrorism and Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit damaging or destroying a vessel or maritime facility. Provides enhanced penalties where the vessel carried high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel. Prohibits placing in U.S. waters devices or substances likely to destroy or damage ships. Prohibits piracy, privateering, theft or intentional wrecking of a vessel, or use of a dangerous weapon or explosive on a passenger vessel. Provides sanctions for failure to heave to and for obstructing boarding or providing false information during a boarding. Prohibits the knowing discharge of hazardous substances in U.S. navigable waters or the adjacent shoreline with intent to endanger human life, health, or welfare or the marine environment. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) take specified actions to coordinate port-related crime data collection; and (2) establish an outreach program to work with State and local law enforcement officials to harmonize the reporting of data on cargo theft and with local port security committees to disseminate such information to appropriate law enforcement officials. Sets civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation of Federal prohibitions against theft or embezzlement related to interstate or foreign shipments by carrier. Amends the Tariff Act to increase penalties for falsity or lack of a manifest. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to Congress a plan to inspect merchandise and containers at foreign facilities.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
6 November 2003
Introduced
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Source: IntroReferral
6 November 2003
Introduced
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Source: IntroReferral
6 November 2003
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
6 November 2003
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
7 November 2003
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Source: Committee
13 November 2003
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
Source: Committee
10 December 2003
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Source: Committee
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Introduced in House · 6 November 2003 · Download file
Documents
3 official files
Introduced in House (text)
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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 6 November 2003
Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 6 November 2003
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 6 November 2003
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Sponsors
- Rep. Bell, Chris [D-TX-25] · D · Sponsor
- · hsju00 · Standing
- · hswm00 · Standing
- · hspw00 · Standing
Related records
No cross-record relationships stored yet.
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3456
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/108/hr/3456
- us · 108-hr-3456 · source updated 18 August 2025