S. 1041

A bill to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to modify the applicability of certain requirements to double hulled tankers transporting oil in bulk in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

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II

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1041

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 14, 2009

Ms. Murkowski (for herself and Mr. Begich) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to modify the applicability of certain requirements to double hulled tankers transporting oil in bulk in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

1.

Dual escort vessels for double hulled tankers in Prince William Sound, Alaska

(a)

In general

Section 4116(c) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (46 U.S.C. 3703 note; Public Law 101–380) is amended—

(1)

by striking Not later than 6 months and inserting the following:

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Prince William Sound, Alaska

(A)

In general

The requirement in paragraph (1) relating to single hulled tankers in Prince William Sound, Alaska, described in that paragraph being escorted by at least 2 towing vessels or other vessels considered to be appropriate by the Secretary (including regulations promulgated in accordance with section 3703(a)(3) of title 46, United States Code, as set forth in part 168 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on March 1, 2009) implementing this subsection with respect to those tankers) shall apply to double hulled tankers over 5,000 gross tons transporting oil in bulk in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

(B)

Implementation of requirements

The Secretary of the Federal agency with jurisdiction over the Coast Guard shall carry out subparagraph (A) by order without notice and hearing pursuant to section 553 of title 5 of the United States Code.

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.