HR-6987 : Still Just a Bill

This bill establishes programs to mitigate the impact of marine traffic on marine ecosystems and wildlife, with a particular emphasis on underwater noise.

The National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) must

  • maintain and expand activities to collect and assess underwater sounds in high-priority ocean and coastal locations,
  • award grants to port authorities or related entities for implementing measures to mitigate the impact of port operations and marine traffic on marine mammals, and
  • implement a program to reduce collisions between large whales and marine vessels.

In addition, the Maritime Administration must award grants to academic or research institutions, U.S. nationals or corporations, or state or tribal governments for developing and implementing technologies that reduce underwater noise from marine vessels. The administration must also report to Congress about nonclassified naval technologies that reduce underwater noise from marine vessels.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2022-03-17CommitteeSubcommittee Hearings Held.House committee actions
2022-03-11CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.House committee actions
2022-03-09CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.House committee actions
2022-03-08IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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.House floor actions
2022-03-08IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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.House floor actions
2022-03-08IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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.House floor actions
2022-03-08IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Animals
See Subjects
  • Animal protection and human-animal relationships
  • Atlantic Coast (U.S.)
  • Congressional oversight
  • Endangered and threatened species
  • Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Mammals
  • Marine and inland water transportation
  • Navigation, waterways, harbors
  • Transportation safety and security
  • Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Related Bills

See Related Bills