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H.R.4656 / 115th Congress

Fishing and Small Vessel Relief Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 14, 2017

Fishing and Small Vessel Relief Act

This bill extends until December 18, 2020, an exemption from permit requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act). The exemption allows certain incidental discharges from vessels that are either less than 79 feet in length or a fishing vessel.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Herrera Beutler, Jaime [R-WA-3] · R–WA

Committees

  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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

  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4656 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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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4656 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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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4656 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4656 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.

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