Ask AI
Bill109th CongressFiled Feb 15, 2005Crime and Law Enforcement
S. 378

Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America's Seaports Act of 2005

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary reported to senate with amendment(s) (Apr 21, 2005)

Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America's Seaports Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2) Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) entry by false pretenses to a secure area of a seaport; (2) knowingly failing to obey an order to heave to by an authorized federal law enforcement officer; (3) forcibly interfering with an authorized law enforcement action or providing materially false information during a boarding; and (4) willfully disabling a passenger vessel.

(Sec. 5) Sets penalties for knowingly and intentionally: (1) placing in U.S. navigable waters a device or dangerous substance likely to destroy or damage a vessel or its cargo or likely to interfere with safe navigation or maritime commerce (authorizes the death penalty if death results from such conduct); (2) discharging or releasing into U.S. navigable water or onto an adjoining shoreline any dangerous substance that would endanger human life, health, or welfare or the marine environment; and (3) transporting aboard any vessel explosive, biological, chemical, or radioactive or nuclear material to be used to commit terrorism (authorizes the death penalty if death results from such conduct).

Sets penalties for: (1) knowingly transporting aboard any vessel a terrorist or terror suspect; (2) willfully causing destruction of a vessel or maritime facility; and (3) imparting or conveying false information concerning an attempt made to commit certain criminal acts.

(Sec. 8) Expands the scope of a prohibition against theft of interstate or foreign shipments. Increases penalties for stowaways on vessels or aircraft. Prohibits bribery affecting port security.

(Sec. 9) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to increase penalties for noncompliance with manifest requirements and to expand the scope of those requirements to cover any responsible party, including non-vessel operating common carriers.

What just happenedApr 21, 2005

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE](D-DE)Sponsor
6 cosponsors1 D5 R
Read on Congress.gov
6cosponsors1committees7actions1related bills59subjects
  1. Apr 21, 2005Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.

  2. Apr 21, 2005Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  3. Apr 21, 2005Committee14000

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  4. Apr 21, 2005Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Judiciary Committee
  5. Feb 15, 2005IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  6. Feb 15, 2005IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1419)

  7. Feb 15, 2005IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Apr 21, 200501

Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America's Seaports Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2) Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) entry by false pretenses to a secure area of a seaport; (2) knowingly failing to obey an order to heave to by an authorized federal law enforcement officer; (3) forcibly interfering with an authorized law enforcement action or providing materially false information during a boarding; and (4) willfully disabling a passenger vessel.

(Sec. 5) Sets penalties for knowingly and intentionally: (1) placing in U.S. navigable waters a device or dangerous substance likely to destroy or damage a vessel or its cargo or likely to interfere with safe navigation or maritime commerce (authorizes the death penalty if death results from such conduct); (2) discharging or releasing into U.S. navigable water or onto an adjoining shoreline any dangerous substance that would endanger human life, health, or welfare or the marine environment; and (3) transporting aboard any vessel explosive, biological, chemical, or radioactive or nuclear material to be used to commit terrorism (authorizes the death penalty if death results from such conduct).

Sets penalties for: (1) knowingly transporting aboard any vessel a terrorist or terror suspect; (2) willfully causing destruction of a vessel or maritime facility; and (3) imparting or conveying false information concerning an attempt made to commit certain criminal acts.

(Sec. 8) Expands the scope of a prohibition against theft of interstate or foreign shipments. Increases penalties for stowaways on vessels or aircraft. Prohibits bribery affecting port security.

(Sec. 9) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to increase penalties for noncompliance with manifest requirements and to expand the scope of those requirements to cover any responsible party, including non-vessel operating common carriers.

Introduced in SenateFeb 15, 200500

Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America's Seaports Act of 2005 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) entry by false pretenses to a secure area of a seaport; (2) knowingly failing to obey an order to heave to by an authorized federal officer; (3) forcibly interfering with an authorized law enforcement action or providing false information during a boarding; and (4) willfully disabling a passenger vehicle.

Sets penalties for knowingly and intentionally: (1) placing in U.S. navigable waters a device or substance likely to destroy or damage a vessel or its cargo or likely to interfere with safe navigation or maritime commerce; (2) discharging or releasing into U.S. navigable water or onto an adjoining shoreline any substance that would endanger human life, health, or welfare or the marine environment; and (3) transporting aboard any vessel explosive, biological, chemical, or radioactive or nuclear material to be used to commit terrorism.

Sets penalties for: (1) knowingly transporting aboard any vessel a terrorist or terror suspect; (2) willfully causing destruction of a vessel or maritime facility; and (3) imparting or conveying false information concerning an attempt made to commit certain criminal acts.

Expands the scope of a prohibition against theft of interstate or foreign shipments. Increases penalties for stowaways on vessels or aircraft. Prohibits bribery affecting port security.

Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to increase penalties for noncompliance with manifest requirements and to expand the scope of those requirements to cover any responsible party, including non-vessel operating common carriers.