Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 576
117th Congress(2021-2022)
Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act of 2021
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Mar 3, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Mar 3, 2021
Latest Action
Dec 16, 2021
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
576
Congress
117
Policy Area
Transportation and Public Works
Transportation and Public Works
Primary focus of measure is all aspects of transportation modes and conveyances, including funding and safety matters; Coast Guard; infrastructure development; travel and tourism. Measures concerning water resources and navigation projects may fall under Water Resources Development policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Wisconsin
Republican
Indiana
Democrat
Michigan
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Pennsylvania
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act of 2021

This bill directs the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct icebreaking operations in the Great Lakes in accordance with specific performance standards.

Specifically, the Coast Guard must

  • keep channels and harbors in the Great Lakes open to navigation not less than 90% of the hours that commercial vessels and ferries attempt to transit ice-covered waterways;
  • in a year in which the Great Lakes are not open to navigation because of ice of a thickness that occurs on average only once every 10 years, keep channels and harbors open to navigation at least 70% of the hours that commercial vessels and ferries attempt to transit ice-covered waterways; and
  • coordinate Great Lakes icebreaking operations with operators of commercial vessels.

The bill also directs the Coast Guard to acquire a Great Lakes icebreaker that is at least as capable as Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw in an accelerated timeframe and award the contract on the basis of contractor qualification and price.

Text (2)
December 16, 2021
Actions (5)
12/16/2021
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 197.
12/16/2021
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
04/28/2021
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
03/03/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
03/03/2021
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Mar 8, 2023 8:26:16 PM