U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved the “Ballast Water Management Act of 2007” (S. 1578) which is sponsored by Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). The measure would help minimize the transportation of nuisance species in ship ballast water. The legislation now awaits action by the full Senate.

“Nearly every state in the nation is impacted by invasive species which have the potential to alter the environment and devastate our fisheries,” said Senator Stevens. “This legislation will help prevent the unintentional relocation of marine life by providing a strong national standard to regulate the intake and discharge of ship ballast water. This is an important step toward preserving the ecosystems in our nation’s ports and waterways.”

S. 1578 would specifically:

· establish a comprehensive uniform federal program to minimize the threat posed by nuisance species that are transported in ballast water;

· amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to establish standards for ballast water and guidelines for where ballast water and sediments may be discharged; and

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee legislative hearing on S. 2045, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act of 2007. At this hearing, the Committee will explore the state of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, examine reforms that are necessary to make t...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing titled Science Parks: Bolstering U.S. Competitiveness. At this hearing, the Committee will explore the effects science parks can have on innovation and competitiveness including encouraging partnerships with academia, and spurring regional ...

- The Commerce Committee Weekly Roundup can be accessed by opening the file below.

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) to bring parents, industry, law enforcement, and educators together to address comprehensive online protections. The bill, Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act (S.1965), is also cosponsored by S...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today reported out S.J. Res.17, directing the United States to initiate international discussions and take necessary steps with other nations to negotiate an agreement for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean. The resolution was introduced by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and i...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye issued the following statement today regarding S. 1453, the IFTA Extension Act of 2007: “I am disappointed that the Commerce Committee was unable to act on legislation to extend the Internet tax moratorium at today’s markup. But after discussions with my colleagues, I believe that further negotiations are warran...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved S. 1578, The Ballast Water Management Act of 2007, as amended, which strengthens the existing national ballast water management program for aquatic nuisance species, including uniform, mandatory national standards for ballast water treatment. “This ballast water legislation strengthens existi...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today cosponsored legislation to eliminate the five year automatic removal of telephone numbers registered in the federal “Do-Not-Call” registry. The “Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007” (S. 2096) would create a permanent registry extension...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released today a witness list for an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on Congestion and Delays: The Impact on Travelers and Possible Solutions. The witnesses are listed below. The hearing, now scheduled for 10:30 a.m., will focus on modernization and efforts to address the needs...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye announced today a full Committee hearing on the Security of Our Nation’s Seaports. The hearing will review the Department of Homeland Securitys implementation and administration of several port and cargo security programs authorized in the SAFE Port Act, the Maritime and Transport...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye announced today a Committee Executive Session for Thursday, September 27, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. During the Executive Session, Committee members will markup the following agenda items: 1. S. 1578, Ballast Water Management Act of 2007 2. S. 1889, Railroa...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on The Digital Television Transition: Government and Industry Perspectives. At this hearing, the Committee will explore the status of the digital television transition including consumer education efforts, the operation and implementation of the National Telecommunications...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye issued the following statement today: “The Senate Commerce Committee is actively working toward legislation to extend the Internet tax moratorium. I remain hopeful that pragmatism, and not politics, will prevail and that my colleagues can agree upon reasonable legislation that can be marked-up next week, and thereafter...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on Congestion and Delays: The Impact on Travelers and Possible Solutions. The hearing will focus on modernization and efforts to address the needs of the air traffic system and to improve the movement of aircraft and passengers. Su...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released a witness list today for a full Committee hearing on the Oversight of the NFL Retirement System. The witnesses are listed below. The hearing will examine the current compensation system for National Football League (NFL) retirees with claims of advanced injuries that became symptomatic after retiri...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today cosponsored the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act of 2007, introduced by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.). The Act is a reauthorization bill set to improve consumer safety through stronger consumer protection laws, increased authority, and increased ...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today made the following remarks on the floor of the Senate in favor of extending the Internet tax moratorium. Senator Stevens: Since its inception, the Internet has provided a powerful economic boost to our nation, especially in rural areas. It has become an i...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today praised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for new rules on locating wireless E9-1-1 calls. The FCC has set a series of benchmarks to improve location accuracy for wireless E9-1-1 calls, and full compliance to the new rules must be completed by Septe...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today approved a provision sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) to allow commercial airline pilots to fly until age 65. The measure was added to the Transportation Appropriations bill which passed by a vote of 88 to 7. A simil...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation release the witness list today an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on the Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization. The witnesses are listed below. The hearing will examine a diverse range of policy areas under the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) jurisdiction including: gas...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on the Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization. The hearing will examine a diverse range of policy areas under the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) jurisdiction including: gas prices and oil price-gouging, the common carrier e...