PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Sep 29, 2010
Oil Spill Prevention Act of 2010 - (Sec. 2) Requires double hull protection of oil fuel tanks on certain vessels with a tank capacity of at least 600 cubic meters. Defines "oil fuel" as any oil used as fuel in connection with the vessel's propulsion and auxiliary machinery.
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to: (1) provide guidance to all vessel traffic personnel that clearly defines the use of authority to direct or control vessel movement when such direction or control is justified in the interest of safety; and (2) require vessel traffic personnel communications to identify the vessel, rather than the pilot, when vessels are operating in vessel traffic service pilotage areas.
Requires the Secretary to identify, and report to Congress concerning, requirements for the necessary expansion, improvement, or construction of buildings, networks, communications, or other infrastructure to improve the effectiveness of existing vessel traffic service systems, or necessary to support recommended new vessel traffic service systems, including all necessary costs for construction, reconstruction, expansion, or improvement.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Requires a review and validation of the recruiting, retention, training, and expansion of vessel traffic service personnel.
(Sec. 4) Requires that at least one trained and experienced pollution investigator be on duty or on call at all times for each Coast Guard Sector Command.
(Sec. 5) Modifies requirements regarding the duration of merchant mariner's documents and certificates of registry.
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the extending of licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariner's documents in specified circumstances. Terminates that authorization on December 31, 2011.
(Sec. 7) Limits to one the number of reports regarding port security terrorism exercises that the Coast Guard is required to submit each year to the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.
(Sec. 8) Requires that compliance with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act.
People & committees
Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] · D–NJ
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.
Referred to House Budget
Referred to House Homeland Security
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and the Budget, 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 House Transportation and Infrastructure
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The committee amendments were withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7764-7769; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S7764-7768)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 77.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with amendments. With written report No. 111-26.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with amendments. With written report No. 111-26.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3685-3686)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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