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Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America's Seaports Act of 2005

Introduced: February 15, 2005 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) 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 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 21, 2005
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.
Apr 21, 2005
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Apr 21, 2005
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 15, 2005
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 15, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1419)
Feb 15, 2005
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America's Seaports Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2) Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) entry by false pretenses to a secure area of a seaport; (2) knowingly failing to obey an order to heave to by an authorized federal law enforcement officer; (3) forcibly interfering with an authorized law enforcement action or providing materially false information during a boarding; and (4) willfully disabling a passenger vessel.

(Sec. 5) Sets penalties for knowingly and intentionally: (1) placing in U.S. navigable waters a device or dangerous substance likely to destroy or damage a vessel or its cargo or likely to interfere with safe navigation or maritime commerce (authorizes the death penalty if death results from such conduct); (2) discharging or releasing into U.S. navigable water or onto an adjoining shoreline any dangerous substance that would endanger human life, health, or welfare or the marine environment; and (3) transporting aboard any vessel explosive, biological, chemical, or radioactive or nuclear material to be used to commit terrorism (authorizes the death penalty if death results from such conduct).

Sets penalties for: (1) knowingly transporting aboard any vessel a terrorist or terror suspect; (2) willfully causing destruction of a vessel or maritime facility; and (3) imparting or conveying false information concerning an attempt made to commit certain criminal acts.

(Sec. 8) Expands the scope of a prohibition against theft of interstate or foreign shipments. Increases penalties for stowaways on vessels or aircraft. Prohibits bribery affecting port security.

(Sec. 9) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to increase penalties for noncompliance with manifest requirements and to expand the scope of those requirements to cover any responsible party, including non-vessel operating common carriers.

What's happening now April 21, 2005

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 378: Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America's Seaports Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-378/
MLA
"S. 378: Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America's Seaports Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-378/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 378, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-378/.
Markdown link
[S. 378: Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America's Seaports Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-378/)
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