[Congressional Bills 110th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 3198 Introduced in Senate (IS)] 2d Session S. 3198 To amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the navigation of submersible or semi-submersible vessels without nationality. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 25, 2008 Mr. Lautenberg (for himself, Mr. Smith, Ms. Cantwell, and Ms. Snowe) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the navigation of submersible or semi-submersible vessels without nationality. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL WITHOUT NATIONALITY. (a) Finding and declaration.--Section 70501 of title 46, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``that''; and (2) by striking ``States.'' and inserting ``States and (2) operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage is a serious international problem, facilitates transnational crime, including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a specific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the security of the United States.''. (b) Submersible or Semi-submersible Vessel defined.--Section 70502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: ``(f) Submersible or Semi-submersible Vessel.--The term ``submersible or semi-submersible vessel'' means-- ``(1) a vessel that is capable of operating below the surface of the water, including both manned and unmanned watercraft; or ``(2) a watercraft constructed or adapted to be capable of putting much of its bulk under the surface of the water.''. (c) Operation Prohibited.-- (1) In general.--Section 70503(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(a) In General.--An individual may not knowingly or intentionally-- ``(1) manufacture or distribute, or possess with intent to manufacture or distribute, a controlled substance on board-- ``(A) a vessel of the United States or a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or ``(B) any vessel if the individual is a citizen of the United States or a resident alien of the United States; or ``(2) operate by any means or embark in any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country.''. (2) Conforming amendments.-- (A) The heading for section 70503 of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 70503. Offenses''. (B) The chapter analysis for chapter 705 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 70503 and inserting the following: ``70503. Offenses''. <all>