A bill to amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the navigation of submersible or semi-submersible vessels without nationality.

        [Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[S. 3198 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

2d Session
S. 3198

To amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the navigation
of submersible or semi-submersible vessels without nationality.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 25, 2008

Mr. Lautenberg (for himself, Mr. Smith, Ms. Cantwell, and Ms. Snowe)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the navigation
of submersible or semi-submersible vessels without nationality.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL WITHOUT
NATIONALITY.

(a) Finding and declaration.--Section 70501 of title 46, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``that''; and
(2) by striking ``States.'' and inserting ``States and (2)
operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible
vessel without nationality and on an international voyage is a
serious international problem, facilitates transnational crime,
including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a
specific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the
security of the United States.''.
(b) Submersible or Semi-submersible Vessel defined.--Section 70502
of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
thereof the following:
``(f) Submersible or Semi-submersible Vessel.--The term
``submersible or semi-submersible vessel'' means--
``(1) a vessel that is capable of operating below the
surface of the water, including both manned and unmanned
watercraft; or
``(2) a watercraft constructed or adapted to be capable of
putting much of its bulk under the surface of the water.''.
(c) Operation Prohibited.--
(1) In general.--Section 70503(a) of title 46, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(a) In General.--An individual may not knowingly or
intentionally--
``(1) manufacture or distribute, or possess with intent to
manufacture or distribute, a controlled substance on board--
``(A) a vessel of the United States or a vessel
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or
``(B) any vessel if the individual is a citizen of
the United States or a resident alien of the United
States; or
``(2) operate by any means or embark in any submersible or
semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is
navigating or has navigated into, through or from waters beyond
the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a
lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an
adjacent country.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) The heading for section 70503 of title 46,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 70503. Offenses''.
(B) The chapter analysis for chapter 705 of title
46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 70503 and inserting the following:

``70503. Offenses''.
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