Bill · H.R. 2500· House(119-HR-2500)
Abandoned Vessel Prevention Act
- Introduced
- 3/31/2025
- Last activity
- 3/31/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Josh Harder
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Abandoned Vessel Prevention Act aims to amend title 46 of the United States Code. It seeks to assign liability to individuals who transfer the title of a commercial or former commercial vessel to someone using it for recreation. This liability applies if the new owner does not have applicable insurance at the time of the transfer and the vessel subsequently sinks on navigable waters. The bill specifies that liability covers damages and expenses related to vessel removal, debris, and pollution clean-up. Certain exceptions exist based on the vessel's length, age, or the buyer's insurance status.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill mitigates environmental damage by incentivizing insurance and holding transferors liable for pollution clean-up costs.
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The bill expands federal liability standards under Title 46 of the U.S. Code.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-4
The bill imposes potential new financial liabilities on those transferring commercial vessels.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial Accountability for Damages: The bill establishes that a transferor is liable for specified expenses such as damages, vessel removal, debris removal, and pollution clean-up if a vessel sinks (Section 2(a) and Section 2(c)(3)). This could ensure that costs associated with sunken vessels are covered.
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Insurance Incentives: Liability is waived if the person receiving the vessel has insurance that covers the vessel for a 12-month period and covers specified expenses (Section 2(b)(2)). This encourages the use of insurance for recreational vessels.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial Burden on Transferors: A person transferring a commercial or former commercial vessel may be held liable for specified expenses, including damages, debris removal, and pollution clean-up, if the new owner lacks insurance at the time of transfer (Section 2(a) and Section 2(c)(3)).
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Specific Liability Scope: Transferors can be held responsible for costs related to the shut down of, or repairs and maintenance to, a water intake pump if it is caused by pollution from the sinking vessel (Section 2(c)(3)(B)(iii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- 3/31/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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 the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
John GaramendiDemocrat · California