Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 13, 2009

Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act - Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to authorize the Coast Guard's Commandant to issue regulations requiring: (1) any pilot serving on a covered vessel operating in regulated waters to carry and use a portable electronic navigation device capable of being connected to an Automatic Identification System; and (2) related pilot training.

Defines "covered vessel" as a self-propelled, commercial vessel of at least 300 gross tons without a prescribed electronic chart.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Tauscher, Ellen O. [D-CA-10] · D–CA

Committees

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Feb 14, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Feb 13, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Feb 13, 2009
Introduced in House
Feb 13, 2009
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Feb 13, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.1100 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.1100, 111th Congress: Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1100

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr1100/BILLS-111hr1100ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:15:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1100 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1100 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.1100, 111th Congress: Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1100

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr1100/BILLS-111hr1100ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:15:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1100 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1100 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1100, 111th Congress: Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1100

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr1100/BILLS-111hr1100ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:15:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1100 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1100 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1100, 111th Congress: Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1100

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr1100/BILLS-111hr1100ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:15:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1100 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.