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HR 3888 111th Congress House

Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2009

Official title: To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish national standards for discharges from cruise vessels.

Introduced: May 25, 2010 See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Business recordsEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchHazardous wastes and toxic substancesLicensing and registrations
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Marine and inland water transportationMarine pollutionSolid waste and recyclingTravel and tourismUser charges and feesWater quality
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 22, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Oct 21, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Oct 21, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 22, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2009 - Declares the purpose of this Act to be the establishment of national standards and prohibitions for discharges from cruise vessels. Defines "cruise vessel" as a passenger vessel that is authorized to carry at least 250 passengers and has onboard sleeping facilities for each passenger. Excludes vessels owned or operated by federal, state, or local governments.

Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit cruise vessels departing from, or calling on, a U.S. port from discharging effluents, including sewage or sewage sludge, incinerator ash, hazardous waste, graywater, or bilge water, into navigable waters. Allows an exception for discharges made solely to secure the safety of a cruise vessel or to save a human life at sea.

Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) promulgate effluent limits for sewage, graywater, and bilge water discharges from cruise vessels; (2) establish dates for compliance with such limits; (3) require sampling, monitoring, and reporting to ensure compliance with such limits and other applicable requirements; and (4) establish an inspection program to ensure the compliance of cruise vessels with the requirements of this Act.

Requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in consultation with the Administrator, to establish and carry out a program for hiring and placing trained, independent, observers on cruise vessels to monitor and inspect vessel operations, equipment, and discharges.

Establishes in the Treasury the Cruise Vessel Pollution Control Fund. Requires the Commandant and the Administrator to collect fees from cruise vessels and deposit such fees in the Fund for use in carrying out this Act.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3888: Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3888/
MLA
"H.R. 3888: Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3888/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3888, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3888/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3888: Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3888/)
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