Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.2500 - Abandoned Vessel Prevention Act (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.2500, the Abandoned Vessel Prevention Act, aims to amend Title 46 of the United States Code to assign liability to individuals who transfer commercial vessels for recreational use if the transferee lacks insurance and the vessel sinks. The bill seeks to address the issue of abandoned or sunken vessels causing environmental and economic damage. It was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Harder of California and Mr. Garamendi and referred to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Judiciary.

Expected Effects

The bill, if enacted, would likely reduce the number of abandoned or sunken commercial vessels by making it financially riskier to transfer such vessels without ensuring the recipient has adequate insurance. This could lead to cleaner waterways and reduced costs associated with vessel removal and pollution cleanup. It will likely incentivize responsible vessel transfers and promote better environmental stewardship.

Potential Benefits

  • Reduced environmental damage from sunken vessels.
  • Decreased costs for removing abandoned vessels and cleaning up pollution.
  • Incentivizes responsible vessel ownership and transfer practices.
  • Potentially improves water quality and protects aquatic ecosystems.
  • May lead to increased recreational opportunities due to cleaner waterways.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for increased costs for those transferring older or smaller commercial vessels.
  • Possible disputes over liability and insurance coverage.
  • May disproportionately affect individuals or small businesses involved in vessel transfer.
  • Could create a disincentive for repurposing older vessels for recreational use.
  • Enforcement challenges in determining liability and assessing damages.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, as it regulates activities affecting navigable waters of the United States, which are channels of interstate commerce. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments. The Act is within the power of Congress to legislate regarding maritime issues.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).