JOC Staff | Dec 05, 2012 3:17PM EST
The U.S. House of Representatives today approved HR 2838, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012.
The bill authorizes $8.6 billion for 2013 and $8.3 billion for 2014 for Coast Guard activities, including the improvement of ships, aircraft and communication systems.
It also is intended to reduce regulatory burdens on fishermen, small business and port workers, by eliminating the Transportation Security Administration identification card requirement and extending the current moratorium for compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations governing vessel incidental discharges.
The bill now moves to the Senate for approval.