A bill to require vessels entering the United States waters to provide earlier notice of the entry, to clarify the requirements for those vessels and the authority of the Coast Guard over those vessels, and for other purposes.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 2, 1999

Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to require a commercial vessel to notify the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating before entering into U.S. waters. Sets forth information to be contained in such notification. Authorizes the Secretary to deny entry of a vessel into U.S. waters if: (1) the Secretary has not received notification from the vessel; or (2) the vessel is not in compliance with any other applicable law relating to marine safety, security, or environmental protection. Authorizes the Secretary to direct the operation of any vessel in navigable U.S. waters during hazardous circumstances, including the absence of a pilot required by Federal or State law, weather, casualty, vessel traffic, or the poor condition of the vessel.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] · D–OR

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

0 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.

Mar 2, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mar 2, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2107)
Mar 2, 1999
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Mar 2, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

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: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.498 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.498, 106th Congress: A bill to require vessels entering the United States waters to provide earlier notice of the entry, to clarify the requirements for those vessels and the authority of the Coast Guard over those vessels, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/498

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s498/BILLS-106s498is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:16Z. 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 S.498 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 S.498 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.498, 106th Congress: A bill to require vessels entering the United States waters to provide earlier notice of the entry, to clarify the requirements for those vessels and the authority of the Coast Guard over those vessels, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/498

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s498/BILLS-106s498is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:16Z. 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 S.498 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 S.498 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 S.498, 106th Congress: A bill to require vessels entering the United States waters to provide earlier notice of the entry, to clarify the requirements for those vessels and the authority of the Coast Guard over those vessels, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/498

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s498/BILLS-106s498is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:16Z. 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 S.498 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 S.498 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 S.498, 106th Congress: A bill to require vessels entering the United States waters to provide earlier notice of the entry, to clarify the requirements for those vessels and the authority of the Coast Guard over those vessels, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/498

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s498/BILLS-106s498is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:16Z. 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 S.498 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.