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HR 681 102th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Aircraft Arrest Coast guard Customs administration Drug law enforcement Fines (Penalties) Forfeiture Law enforcement officers Licenses Narcotic traffic Searches and seizures

To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties for failure to obey an order to land an aircraft issued by a Federal law enforcement officer enforcing controlled substances…

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To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties for failure to obey an order to land an aircraft issued by a Federal law enforcement officer enforcing controlled substances laws, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 29, 1991 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 102nd Congress ended
It never became law before the 102nd Congress (1991–1992) 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 11 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 7, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.
Feb 26, 1991
Executive Comment Requested from Justice, DOT, Treasury.
Feb 14, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Feb 6, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Navigation.
Feb 6, 1991
Executive Comment Requested from DOT, Treasury, Justice.
Feb 4, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
Jan 29, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jan 29, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Public Works + Transportation.
Jan 29, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Jan 29, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 29, 1991
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for failure to obey an order by a Federal law enforcement officer enforcing controlled substances laws to land an aircraft which has crossed the border with, or is subject to U.S. jurisdiction operating outside of, the United States.

Authorizes a foreign nation to consent or waive objection to the United States enforcing U.S. laws by radio, telephone, or similar oral or electronic means.

Specifies that an aircraft used in violation of this Act is: (1) liable in rem for a fine imposed under this Act; and (2) may be seized and forfeited. Makes laws relating to seizure and forfeiture for violation of customs laws, including defenses such as innocent owner provisions, applicable to aircraft seized or forfeited under this Act.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Transportation to delegate Federal law enforcement officer seizure and forfeiture responsibilities to other law enforcement officers.

Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require: (1) the immediate revocation of the aircraft registration when the pilot or operator of an aircraft intentionally fails to obey the order of an authorized Federal law enforcement officer to land; (2) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to notify the owner of the aircraft as soon as possible that the owner no longer holds U.S. registration for such aircraft; and (3) the Administrator to establish procedures for such owner to show cause why the registration was not revoked, as a matter of law, by operation of such provision, or why circumstances existed pursuant to which the Administrator should determine that it would be in the public interest to issue a new registration certificate to the owner, to be effective concurrent with the revocation.

Authorizes the Coast Guard to issue orders and make inquiries, searches, seizures, and arrests, and take other lawful action, relating to violations of U.S. laws occurring aboard an aircraft over the high seas or waters over which the United States has jurisdiction.

Makes a master, operator, or person in charge of a vessel, or a pilot or operator of an aircraft, who intentionally fails to comply with an order of a Coast Guard commissioned officer, warrant officer, or petty officer to stop or land, liable for a civil penalty of up to $5,000.

Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to: (1) specify what constitutes an "authorized place" for purposes of customs enforcement provisions; and (2) make a pilot or operator of an aircraft who intentionally fails to comply with a customs officer's order to land an aircraft liable for a civil penalty of up to $5,000.

What's happening now June 7, 1991

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 8
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 681: To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties for failure to obey an order to land an aircraft issued by a Federal law enforcement officer enforcing controlled substances laws, and for other purposes.. 102nd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-681/
MLA
"H.R. 681: To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties for failure to obey an order to land an aircraft issued by a Federal law enforcement officer enforcing controlled substances laws, and for other purposes.." 102nd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-681/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 681, 102nd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-681/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 681: To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties for failure to obey an order to land an aircraft issued by a Federal law enforcement officer enforcing controlled substances laws, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-681/)
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