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HR 74 100th Congress House

Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987

Official title: A bill to establish the title of States in certain abandoned shipwrecks, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 9, 1987 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Historic sitesSalvageShipsShips and shipping
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Submerged landsTerritorial waters
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This bill died when the 100th Congress ended
It never became law before the 100th Congress (1987–1988) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 15 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 23, 1988
See S.858.
Feb 24, 1988
For Further Action See S.858.
Feb 4, 1988
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Aug 5, 1987
Executive Comment Received From DOT.
Aug 5, 1987
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Aug 5, 1987
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 15, 1987
Executive Comment Requested from Justice.
Apr 21, 1987
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 20, 1987
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Feb 5, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.
Jan 29, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Oceanography.
Jan 29, 1987
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce, Interior, State, Justice, DOD, DOT.
Jan 6, 1987
Referred to House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Jan 6, 1987
Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
Jan 6, 1987
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 23, 1988

See S.858.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987 - Provides that the United States asserts title to any abandoned shipwreck that is: (1) embedded in submerged lands of a State; (2) embedded in coralline formations protected by a State on its submerged lands; or (3) on submerged lands of a State when such shipwreck is included or eligible for inclusion in the National Register, and the public is given adequate notice of the location of the shipwreck. Declares that any title to abandoned shipwrecks asserted under such conditions is transferred to the State in or on whose submerged lands the shipwreck is located.

States that any abandoned shipwreck in or on the public lands of the United States (except the Outer Continental Shelf) is the property of the United States.

Directs the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to publish, within six months after enactment of this Act, advisory guidelines for the protection of shipwrecks and properties.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 858 Related bill Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987
 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 2
D
Mfume, Kweisi
Maryland · Apr 23, 1987
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Apr 9, 1987
BEREUTER, DOUGLAS
· Jan 6, 1987
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 74: Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987. 100th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-74/
MLA
"H.R. 74: Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987." 100th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-74/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 74, 100th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-74/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 74: Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987](https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-74/)
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