United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 6556 (110th)
To clarify the circumstances during which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and applicable States may require permits for discharges from certain vessels, and to require the Administrator to conduct a study of discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels.
Introduced
21 July 2008
Last action
22 July 2008 · Referred
Status
For Further Action See P.L. 110-229 (S. 3298).
Sponsors
Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8], Rep. Taylor, Gene [D-MS-4], Rep. LaTourette, Steven C. [R-OH-14]
Subjects
Defence, Environment
Source updated
5 December 2025
Summary
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or a state with an approved National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, from requiring an NPDES permit for a covered vessel for the next two years 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 a covered vessel. Defines "covered vessel" to mean a vessel that is less than 79 feet in length or a fishing vessel. Requires the Administrator to evaluate the impacts of such discharges, excluding discharges: (1) from a vessel of the Armed Forces; (2) of sewage from a vessel, other than the discharge of graywater from a vessel operating on the Great Lakes; and (3) of ballast water. Provides that such prohibition does not apply with respect to: (1) rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such materials discharged overboard; (2) other discharges when the vessel is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation; (3) ballast water discharges; or (4) any discharge that contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or poses an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
21 July 2008
Introduced
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Source: IntroReferral
21 July 2008
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
21 July 2008
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
22 July 2008
Committee
For Further Action See P.L. 110-229 (S. 3298).
Source: Committee
22 July 2008
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Source: Committee
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Introduced in House · 21 July 2008 · Download file
Documents
3 official files
Introduced in House (text)
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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 21 July 2008
Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 21 July 2008
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 21 July 2008
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Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Sponsors
- Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Taylor, Gene [D-MS-4] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. LaTourette, Steven C. [R-OH-14] · R · Sponsor
- · hspw00 · Standing
Related records
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/6556
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/110/hr/6556
- us · 110-hr-6556 · source updated 5 December 2025