GRAVE Act

Overview: HR 4928 is the GRAVE Act, which has been introduced in the House of Representatives.

Purpose and Intent: The GRAVE Act (Guaranteeing Resilient and Vibrant Environments) aims to address the growing issue of abandoned and derelict vessels that pose environmental and navigational hazards in U.S. waters. The bill seeks to establish a comprehensive federal program to identify, remove, and properly dispose of these vessels.

Key Provisions:
- Requires the U.S. Coast Guard to develop and maintain a national registry of abandoned and derelict vessels
- Authorizes funding for the removal and disposal of identified vessels, prioritizing those that pose the greatest risks
- Establishes penalties for vessel owners who abandon their vessels without proper disposal
- Provides grants to state and local governments to support their own abandoned vessel removal efforts

Affected Parties and Impacts:
- Coastal and inland communities will benefit from the removal of hazardous abandoned vessels
- Vessel owners may face penalties for improper vessel disposal
- Federal, state, and local agencies will be responsible for implementing the new program and coordinating removal efforts

Procedural and Timeline Considerations:
The GRAVE Act has been introduced in the House of Representatives and is currently awaiting further legislative action. If passed, the Coast Guard would have 12 months to establish the national registry and begin implementing the vessel removal program.