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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.

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

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

Defence · Environment

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

  1. 21 July 2008

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 21 July 2008

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 21 July 2008

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 22 July 2008

    Committee

    For Further Action See P.L. 110-229 (S. 3298).

    Source: Committee

  5. 22 July 2008

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 21 July 2008

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 21 July 2008

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 21 July 2008

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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