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H.R. 1561 · 117th Congress

Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act of 2021

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 117th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

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

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Mar 3, 2021

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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act of 2021

Latest action (Mar 4, 2021): Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Policy area: Transportation and Public Works · Origin: House · Introduced: Mar 3, 2021

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.