PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 6, 2003
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.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
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.
People & committees
Rep. Bell, Chris [D-TX-25] · D–TX
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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