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

H.R. 2830 - Coast Guard Authorization Bill FY 2008 transferred the Coast Guard's Administration Law Judge system to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). S. 1892 Authorizes appropriations for FY 2008. Our purpose is to have the 2008 Coast Guard bill with new ALJ-NTSB procedure and the new Marine Inspector system in the Senate bill and have both become permanent. S. 3198 - Bill to amend title 46, Amends Federal law relating to maritime drug enforcement. S. 2699 Oil Spill Prevention Act of 2008. Section 4 allows the Coast Guard to establish guidelines to ensure merchant mariners who are issued Coast Guard credentials are physically qualified. 3222 - "Department of Defense Appropriations Act" Authorizes appropriations for FY 2008 2. H.R. 3074 Makes appropriations for FY 2008 to the Department of Transportation to include the Maritime Administration. S 1789 - Making appropriations for the Department of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development and related agencies for FY 2008. H.R. 5428 - Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to issue regulations requiring pilots of certain vessels to carry and utilize a portable electronic device equipped for navigational purposes. Maritime Security Program (MSP) is designed to provide a direct subsidy to US Flag militarily useful vessel operators in the international trades of the United States. The problem with the program is that the appropriation for the operation must pass Congress each year. Have leading role in the coalitions (the Maritime Cabotage Task Force and the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force). The Coalitions were founded to protect the US maritime cabotage laws currently in force: the Jones Act, the Passenger Vessel Services Act, the Towing Act and legislation pertaining to dredging, salvage, and fishing. Participated with other industry wide coalitions to support the Jones Act (transportation of merchandise from place to place in the United States), the Passenger Vessel Act, the Towing Act and laws relating to dredging, salvage and off shore incineration. Met with members of the House and Senate to discuss preparing a stimulus package which will involve major federal spending on public works. Discussed the types of cargo or cargo originating because of the action of specified Government agencies must be carried on US Flag vessels: PL 480 Food Aid- 75% Department of Agriculture, Government Cargo - 50% Any Government Agency, Military Cargo - 100% Department of Defense, Import/Export Bank 50%. Maritime Coalition has been monitoring an effort to modify the PL 480 program by sending cash rather than food to eligible countries -- we are opposed to cash transfers. Attended a hearing between the Coast Guard and Maritime Subcommittee on the Coast Guard Administrative Law Judge Reform. The Administrative Law Judge system currently is in place to investigate (and prosecute) alleged misdeeds by licensed and unlicensed Coast Guard documented Merchant Mariners. There were non-active periods in July ( June 28th - July 6th) August (Aug. 9 - Sept. 7) summer recess and September (Sept. 1 - Sept. 6) of 2008. Our Legislative Director, Charlie Crangle passed away August 1, 2008.