Summary: Maritime Safety Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Amends the American Fisheries Act to allow the owner of an eligible vessel, in order to improve vessel safety and operational efficiencies (including fuel efficiency), to rebuild or replace that vessel with a vessel documented with a fishery endorsement. Authorizes the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to recommend for approval by the Secretary of Commerce conservation and management measures, including size limits and measures to control fishing capacity, to ensure that the effectiveness of fishery management plans of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area or the Gulf of Alaska is not diminished. Sets forth special rules, including rules pertaining to vessel size limits, certain catcher vessels, fishery endorsement limitations, and replacement vessels in the Gulf of Alaska. (Sec. 3) Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to report to specified congressional committees on the efficacy of the Coast Guard's cold weather survival training. (Sec. 4) Revises safety requirements for uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a Fishing Safety Training Grants Program; and (2) a Fishing Safety Research Grant Program. Authorizes appropriations for both grant programs for FY2010-FY2014. Renames the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee as the Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee. Revises requirements for its membership and increases the number of members from 17 to 18. Extends the Committee through FY2020. Applies specified certification and operating requirements to fishing vessels and fish tender vessels as well as (under current law) fish processing vessels. Requires such vessels, after January 1, 2020, to comply with an alternate safety compliance program developed in cooperation with the commercial fishing industry and prescribed by the Secretary, if the vessel meets certain length and age requirements. Requires the Secretary to prescribe such a program by January 1, 2017. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (Secretary) to prescribe regulations requiring a vessel owner or managing operator of a commercial vessel, or the employer of a seaman on that vessel, to maintain records of each individual engaged on the vessel on matters of engagement, discharge, and service for at least five years after the individual completes service on the vessel. Sets a civil penalty for violation of such regulations. (Sec. 6) Repeals the exemption of operators of certain towing vessels from license requirements. (Sec. 7) Requires U.S. vessels (except those on a voyage from the United States to Canada) that are subject to inspection to have an official logbook with specified entries. (Sec. 8) Authorizes any individual authorized to: (1) enforce federal merchant marine law to remove a vessel's certificate for unsafe operation; (2) order the individual in charge of a vessel without a certificate on board to return the vessel to a mooring; and (3) direct an individual in charge of a vessel operated in an unsafe condition to take immediate steps necessary for the safety of individuals on board. Requires the Secretary to establish vessel equipment standards based on performance using the best available technology economically achievable that is operationally practical. (Sec. 9) Prohibits the Secretary from approving a survival craft as a safety device unless it ensures that no part of an individual is immersed in water. Grandfathers from this prohibition certain approved and serviceable survival crafts that do not meet such requirement. (Sec. 10) Applies certain vessel management requirements to a passenger vessel or small passenger vessel that transports more passengers than a number prescribed by the Secretary based on the number of individuals on the vessel that could be killed or injured in a marine casualty. (Sec. 11) Specifies additional acts related to marine safety for which a seaman may not be discharged or discriminated against, such as that the seaman testified in a maritime safety law enforcement proceeding or cooperated with a safety investigation. Replaces requirements for civil actions by a seaman alleging discharge or discrimination with requirements for administrative complaint. (Sec. 12) Requires certain new U.S. Vessels with a construction contract date after enactment of this Act, or delivered after January 1, 2011, to comply with specified oil fuel tank protection standards. (Sec. 13) Repeals the requirement of oaths for applicants for a merchant seaman license or certificate of registry and holders of merchant mariners' documents. (Sec. 14) Allows eight-month advance renewals of merchant mariners' documents, merchant seamen's licenses, and merchant seaman certificates of registry. (Sec. 15) Prohibits the Secretary from requiring the fingerprinting of an individual for the issuance or renewal of a license, a certificate of registry, or a merchant mariner's document if the individual was fingerprinted upon applying for a transportation security card. (Sec. 16) Authorizes the Secretary to extend the duration of expiring licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariner documents for up to one year to enable the Coast Guard to eliminate an applications backlog. (Sec. 17) Directs the Secretary to develop an interim clearance process for issuance of a merchant mariner document to enable a newly hired seaman to begin working on an offshore supply vessel or towing vessel, provided the seaman does not pose a safety and security risk. (Sec. 18) Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to make a merchant mariner assistance report to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 19) Revises tonnage and minimum number of licensed mate and engineer requirements for certain offshore supply vessels. (Sec. 21) Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to require the installation, maintenance, and use of life preservers and other lifesaving devices for individuals on board uninspected vessels. (Sec. 22) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Coast Guard Commandant, to study and report to specified congressional committees on the use, safety, and performance of blended fuels in marine applications. (Sec. 23) Extends the authorization of certain advisory committees through FY2020. Revises membership requirements for and increases to 18 the number of members on the Towing Safety Advisory Committee. Revises requirements for the Navigation Safety Advisory Council.

maritime safety act sec amends american fisheries act allow owner eligible vessel order improve vessel safety operational efficiencies including fuel efficiency rebuild replace vessel vessel documented fishery endorsement authorizes north_pacific_fishery_management_council recommend approval secretary commerce conservation management measures including size limits measures control fishing capacity ensure effectiveness fishery management plans bering_sea aleutian_islands_management_area gulf_of_alaska diminished sets forth special rules including rules pertaining vessel size limits certain catcher vessels fishery endorsement limitations replacement vessels gulf_of_alaska sec directs commandant coast guard report specified congressional committees efficacy coast_guard cold weather survival training sec revises safety requirements uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels requires secretary establish fishing safety training grants program fishing safety research grant program authorizes appropriations grant programs fy2010 fy2014 renames revises requirements membership increases number members extends applies specified certification operating requirements fishing vessels fish tender vessels current law fish processing vessels requires vessels january comply alternate safety compliance program developed cooperation commercial fishing industry prescribed secretary vessel meets certain length age requirements requires secretary prescribe program january sec authorizes secretary department coast_guard operating secretary prescribe regulations requiring vessel owner managing operator commercial vessel employer seaman vessel maintain records individual engaged vessel matters engagement discharge service years individual completes service vessel sets civil penalty violation regulations sec repeals exemption operators certain towing vessels license requirements sec requires vessels voyage united_states canada subject inspection official logbook specified entries sec authorizes individual authorized enforce federal merchant marine law remove vessel certificate unsafe operation order individual charge vessel certificate board return vessel mooring direct individual charge vessel operated unsafe condition immediate steps necessary safety individuals board requires secretary establish vessel equipment standards based performance best available technology economically achievable operationally practical sec prohibits secretary approving survival craft safety device ensures individual water prohibition certain approved survival crafts meet requirement sec applies certain vessel management requirements passenger vessel small passenger vessel transports passengers number prescribed secretary based number individuals vessel killed injured marine casualty sec specifies additional acts related marine safety seaman discharged discriminated seaman testified maritime safety law enforcement proceeding cooperated safety investigation replaces requirements civil actions seaman alleging discharge discrimination requirements administrative complaint sec requires certain new vessels construction contract date enactment act delivered january comply specified oil fuel tank protection standards sec repeals requirement oaths applicants merchant seaman license certificate registry holders merchant mariners documents sec allows month advance renewals merchant mariners documents merchant seamen licenses merchant seaman certificates registry sec prohibits secretary requiring fingerprinting individual issuance renewal license certificate registry merchant mariner document individual fingerprinted applying transportation security card sec authorizes secretary extend duration expiring licenses certificates registry merchant mariner documents year enable coast_guard eliminate applications backlog sec directs secretary develop interim clearance process issuance merchant mariner document enable newly hired seaman begin working offshore supply vessel towing vessel provided seaman pose safety security risk sec directs commandant coast guard merchant mariner assistance report specified congressional committees sec revises tonnage minimum number licensed engineer requirements certain offshore supply vessels sec directs secretary promulgate regulations require installation maintenance use life lifesaving devices individuals board uninspected vessels sec directs secretary homeland_security acting coast_guard_commandant study report specified congressional committees use safety performance blended fuels marine applications sec extends authorization certain advisory committees fy2020 revises membership requirements increases number members revises requirements


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, notwithstanding specified provisions of federal shipping law, to issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the vessel M/V GEYSIR.

authorizes secretary department coast_guard operating notwithstanding specified provisions federal shipping law issue certificate documentation coastwise endorsement vessel


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, notwithstanding specified provisions of federal shipping law, to issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the vessel GULF DIVER IV.

authorizes secretary department coast_guard operating notwithstanding specified provisions federal shipping law issue certificate documentation coastwise endorsement vessel gulf


Summary: Exempts residents or nonresidents who assist, accompany, transport, guide, or aid persons in the taking of fish for monetary or other consideration on Lake Texoma (located on the border between Texas and Oklahoma): (1) who are licensed by the state in which they are operating from any related requirement established or administered by the Coast Guard; and (2) who are licensed by the Coast Guard from state regulation so long as the Coast Guard license remains valid. Prohibits an individual with a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariners document and serving under the authority of such license, certificate, or document on a vessel that is required to have a vessel security plan from entering an area designated as a secure area in such a plan unless the individual has (or is accompanied by an individual who has) a biometric transportation security card issued by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. (Current law contains the same prohibition, but without referring to serving under the authority of such license, certificate, or document.) Removes a provision prohibiting an individual engaged on a towing vessel that pushes, pulls, or hauls alongside a tank vessel from entering a secured area without having (or without being accompanied by an individual who has) such a card.

exempts residents nonresidents assist accompany transport guide aid persons taking fish monetary consideration lake texoma located border texas oklahoma licensed state operating related requirement established administered coast_guard licensed coast_guard state regulation long coast_guard license remains valid prohibits individual license certificate registry merchant mariners document serving authority license certificate document vessel required vessel security plan entering area designated secure area plan individual accompanied individual biometric transportation security card issued secretary department coast_guard operating current law contains prohibition referring serving authority license certificate document removes provision prohibiting individual engaged towing vessel alongside tank vessel entering secured area having accompanied individual card


Summary: National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009 - Establishes: (1) national transportation objectives to provide a 21st century vision for the national surface transportation system, including to promote energy efficiency and achieve energy security, ensure environmental protection and safety for all transportation users, improve economic competitiveness and transportation system conditions, and provide equal access to transportation in urban, suburban, and rural communities; and (2) national transportation performance targets to meet such objectives, including to reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled by 16% and transportation-generated carbon dioxide levels by 40%, triple walking, biking, and public transportation use, increase freight transportation provided by railroad and intermodal services by 20%, and improve public safety and lower congestion costs by reducing traffic crashes by 50%. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) develop baseline levels and appropriate data collection systems for meeting the national transportation performance targets; and (2) develop and implement a National Surface Transportation Performance Plan.

establishes national transportation objectives provide 21st century vision national surface transportation system including promote energy efficiency achieve energy security ensure environmental protection safety transportation users improve economic competitiveness transportation system conditions provide equal access transportation urban suburban rural communities national transportation performance targets meet objectives including reduce capita vehicle miles traveled transportation generated carbon dioxide levels triple walking public transportation use increase freight transportation provided railroad intermodal services improve public safety lower congestion costs reducing traffic crashes directs secretary transportation develop baseline levels appropriate data collection systems meeting national transportation performance targets develop implement performance plan


Summary: Expands the urbanized area formula grants program to include public transit projects: (1) in urbanized areas with a population of at least 200,000, and urbanized areas with a population of between 200,000 and 400,000, if the state or regional authority that provides public transportation for the area operates less than 100 buses in fixed-route service in the area during peak service hours; and (2) in urbanized areas with graduated populations of between 400,000 and capping out at 1 million or more. Establishes certain grant limits for such projects. Revises grant eligibility requirements for FY2010-FY2015 for such projects in urbanized areas with a population of at least 200,000.

expands urbanized area formula grants program include public transit projects urbanized areas population urbanized areas population state regional authority provides public transportation area operates buses fixed route service area peak service hours urbanized areas graduated populations capping million establishes certain grant limits projects revises grant eligibility requirements fy2010 fy2015 projects urbanized areas population


Summary: Requires states, at a minimum, to cooperate with affected nonmetropolitan local officials responsible for transportation through regional transportation planning organizations to develop and implement long-range statewide transportation plans and statewide transportation improvement programs, with emphasis on addressing the transportation needs of nonmetropolitan areas of the state. Defines a regional transportation planning organization as a multi-jurisdictional organization composed of nonmetropolitan local officials (or their designees) and representatives of local transportation systems who all volunteer for such organization.

requires states minimum cooperate affected nonmetropolitan local officials responsible transportation regional transportation planning organizations develop implement long range statewide transportation plans statewide transportation improvement programs emphasis addressing transportation needs nonmetropolitan areas state defines regional transportation planning organization multi jurisdictional organization composed nonmetropolitan local officials designees representatives local transportation systems volunteer organization


Summary: Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for FY2011-FY2012 for use to acquire (1) hydrographic data, provide hydrographic services, and conduct coastal change analyses necessary to ensure safe navigation, and to improve the management of coastal change in the Arctic; and (2) hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services in the Arctic necessary to delineate the U.S. extended continental shelf.

amends improvement act authorize appropriations administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa fy2011 fy2012 use acquire hydrographic data provide hydrographic services conduct coastal change analyses necessary ensure safe navigation improve management coastal change arctic hydrographic data provide hydrographic services arctic necessary delineate extended continental shelf


Summary: United States Coast Guard Servicemember Benefits Improvements Act - Establishes or modifies the housing-related authorities of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating regarding: (1) reconstruction and maintenance of military family housing or unaccompanied housing; (2) conveyance or lease of real property; and (3) the Coast Guard Housing Fund. Repeals the $40 million cap on the total value in budget authority of all contracts and investments undertaken using Coast Guard housing authorities. Repeals the expiration date for such authorities, thus making them permanent. Eliminates specified new housing demonstration projects. Authorizes the Coast Guard Commandant to: (1) use appropriated funds to provide child development services; and (2) collect and expend, for such services, fees based on family income. Raises from 62 to 64 the mandatory retirement age for flag officers. Allows deferral of the mandatory retirement age of any regular commissioned officer serving in a flag officer grade position (currently 62): (1) by the Secretary until age 66; and (2) by the President until age 68. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to: (1) detail Chaplain Corps personnel to the Coast Guard; and (2) provide support services (including transportation, food, lodging, child care, supplies, fees, and training materials) to chaplain-led programs to assist members of the Coast Guard on active duty and their dependents, and members of the reserve component in an active status and their dependents, in building and maintaining a strong family structure. Authorizes the President to award a Coast Guard cross and silver star medals to persons serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard for extraordinary heroism or gallantry in action while engaged in action against a U.S. enemy, or in other specified actions. Removes provisions excluding the Coast Guard from provisions relating to Armed Forces Retirement homes. (Authorizes Coast Guard participation in the Armed Forces Retirement Home system.) Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, subject to the availability of legal staff resources, to provide to members of Coast Guard reserve components legal assistance in connection with their personal civil legal affairs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that, during a public health emergency, Coast Guard members and assets remain under the command and control of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.

servicemember benefits improvements act establishes modifies housing related authorities secretary department coast_guard operating reconstruction maintenance military family housing unaccompanied housing conveyance lease real property coast_guard_housing_fund repeals million cap total value budget authority contracts investments undertaken coast_guard housing authorities repeals expiration date authorities making permanent eliminates specified new housing demonstration projects authorizes coast_guard_commandant use appropriated funds provide child development services collect expend services fees based family income raises mandatory retirement age flag officers allows deferral mandatory retirement age regular commissioned officer serving flag officer grade position currently secretary age president age authorizes secretary navy detail personnel coast_guard provide support services including transportation food lodging child care supplies fees training materials chaplain led programs assist members coast_guard active duty dependents members reserve component active status dependents building maintaining strong family structure authorizes president award coast_guard cross silver star medals persons serving capacity coast_guard extraordinary action engaged action enemy specified actions removes provisions excluding coast_guard provisions relating homes participation armed_forces_retirement_home system authorizes secretary homeland_security subject availability legal staff resources provide members coast_guard reserve components legal assistance connection personal civil legal affairs amends public_health_service_act require public health emergency coast_guard members assets remain command control secretary department coast_guard operating


Summary: Highway Trust Fund Reclamation Act - Rescinds, effective July 15, 2009, any unobligated balances of certain stimulus funds made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (excluding funds for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for highway infrastructure investment). Appropriates rescinded amounts to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).

highway_trust_fund reclamation act rescinds effective july unobligated balances certain stimulus funds available american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act excluding funds highway infrastructure investment appropriates rescinded amounts highway_trust_fund htf


Summary: United States Mariner and Vessel Protection Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Coast Guard's Commandant to deploy a maritime safety and security team for up to six months to deter, protect against, and rapidly respond to acts of piracy against vessels in international waters. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue regulations establishing standards and circumstances under which an individual is authorized to use force (including lethal force) against an individual in the defense of a vessel against piracy. Limits the liability of the individuals, the federal government, and owners, operators, and masters of vessels in actions arising out of a use of force authorized under the regulations. Directs the Secretary to work through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish agreements to promote coordinated action among flag and port states to deter, protect against, and rapidly respond to acts of piracy against the vessels of, and in the waters under the jurisdiction of, those nations, and to ensure limitations on liability similar to those under this Act.

authorizes deploy maritime safety security team months deter protect rapidly respond acts piracy vessels international waters directs secretary department coast_guard operating issue regulations establishing standards circumstances individual authorized use force including lethal force individual defense vessel piracy limits liability individuals federal government owners operators masters vessels actions arising use force authorized regulations directs secretary work international_maritime_organization imo establish agreements promote coordinated action flag port states deter protect rapidly respond acts piracy vessels waters jurisdiction nations ensure limitations liability similar act


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, notwithstanding specified provisions, to issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the motor vessel EQUULEUS (IMO 5146914).

authorizes secretary department coast_guard operating notwithstanding specified provisions issue certificate documentation coastwise endorsement motor vessel imo


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt donations of motor vehicles to charities from the limitations and substantiation requirements applicable to such donations if: (1) the employees of the charity are solely responsible for, and perform substantially all of the services for, the daily operations of the charity's vehicle donation program; (2) the charity does not regularly use the property or services of a third party in carrying out its vehicle donation program; and (3) not more than 20% of the annual net proceeds from the sale of donated motor vehicles is paid to third parties for services used by the charity's vehicle donation program.

amends internal revenue code exempt donations motor vehicles charities limitations substantiation requirements applicable donations employees charity solely responsible perform substantially services daily operations charity vehicle donation program charity regularly use property services party carrying vehicle donation program annual net proceeds sale donated motor vehicles paid parties services charity vehicle donation program


Summary: Green Routes to Work Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) equalize and increase to $230 the tax exclusion for both transportation and parking fringe benefits; (2) make the increased transportation fringe benefit available to federal employees; (3) make self-employed individuals eligible for transit pass fringe benefits; (4) include employer-established parking cash-out programs as a qualified transportation fringe benefit; (5) allow a general business tax credit for 10% of the cost of a commuter van , with a seating capacity of between 8 and 15 adults that is placed in service before 2013; (6) allow employers a refundable tax credit for providing tax-free transit passes to employees; (7) allow a general business tax credit for expenditures to improve access for bicycle commuters; (8) allow employees to receive transit passes and reimbursements of bicycle commuting expenses as tax-exempt employer-provided fringe benefits in the same month; (9) allow an empoyer's election to expense the cost of removing architectural and transportation barriers to bicycle commuter access to employer facilities; and (10) allow a tax credit for teleworking expenses, up to $400 per year.

work act amends internal revenue code equalize increase tax exclusion transportation parking fringe benefits increased transportation fringe benefit available federal employees self employed individuals eligible transit pass fringe benefits include employer established parking cash programs qualified transportation fringe benefit allow general business tax credit cost commuter van seating capacity adults placed service allow employers refundable tax credit providing tax free transit passes employees allow general business tax credit expenditures improve access bicycle commuters allow employees receive transit passes reimbursements bicycle commuting expenses tax exempt employer provided fringe benefits month allow election expense cost removing architectural transportation barriers bicycle commuter access employer facilities allow tax credit teleworking expenses year


Summary: Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Enhancement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to implement a roadway safety enhancement program for older drivers and pedestrians to: (1) improve roadway safety infrastructure in states that is consistent with recommendations of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the "Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians"; and (2) achieve significant reductions in roadway fatalities and serious injuries among drivers and pedestrians 65 years old or older on all public roads. Sets forth project eligibility requirements and project identification and selection priorities. Requires the Secretary to finalize revision of the Handbook for publication. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to repeal its program for roadway safety improvements for older drivers and pedestrians. Requires the Secretary to: (1) appoint a Special Assistant for Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety within the Office of the Secretary; and (2) establish national goals for increasing driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety for persons 65 years old or older. Requires the Secretary to revise the manual on uniform traffic control devices to include a standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity for pavement markings on all public roads.

roadway enhancement act directs secretary transportation implement roadway safety enhancement program older drivers pedestrians improve roadway safety infrastructure states consistent recommendations federal_highway_administration fhwa pedestrians achieve significant reductions roadway fatalities injuries drivers pedestrians years old older public roads sets forth project eligibility requirements project identification selection priorities requires secretary finalize revision handbook publication amends safe accountable flexible efficient transportation act legacy users safetea repeal program roadway safety improvements older drivers pedestrians requires secretary appoint special assistant office_of_the_secretary establish national goals increasing driver passenger pedestrian safety persons years old older requires secretary revise manual uniform traffic control devices include standard minimum level retroreflectivity pavement markings public roads


Summary: Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 - (Sec. 3) Delineates passenger vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) vessel design, equipment, construction, and retrofitting; (2) video surveillance to monitor crime; (3) access to security guide; (4) posting of U.S. embassy locations; (5) maintenance of equipment, medications, and medical personnel for sexual assaults on board; (6) confidentiality of sexual assault information; (7) restrictions on crew access to passenger staterooms; and (8) log book entry and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, thefts, and other crimes. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for persons who willfully violate such requirements. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to develop minimum training standards for the certification of passenger vessel security personnel, crew members, and law enforcement officials on methods for the prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of criminal activities in the international maritime environment. Prohibits a vessel carrying U.S. citizens from entering a U.S. port unless there is at least one crew member on board who has met such training and certification requirements. Subjects persons who violate such requirements to certain civil penalties. (Sec. 4) Repeals certain maritime reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard (CG) is operating to combine into a single annual report for FY2010 and thereafter the separate reports of the CG concerning: (1) its annual fisheries enforcement plans; and (2) steps it will take to improve significantly the detection and interdiction of illegal incursions by foreign fishing vessels into the U.S. exclusive economic zone.

cruise vessel security safety act sec delineates passenger vessel security safety requirements concerning vessel design equipment construction retrofitting video surveillance monitor crime access security guide posting embassy locations maintenance equipment medications medical personnel sexual assaults board confidentiality sexual assault information restrictions crew access passenger log book entry reporting deaths missing individuals thefts crimes prescribes civil criminal penalties persons willfully violate requirements directs secretary department coast_guard operating develop minimum training standards certification passenger vessel security personnel crew members law enforcement officials methods prevention detection evidence preservation reporting criminal activities international maritime environment prohibits vessel carrying citizens entering port crew member board met training certification requirements subjects persons violate requirements certain civil penalties sec repeals certain maritime reporting requirements requires secretary department coast_guard operating combine single annual report fy2010 separate reports concerning annual fisheries enforcement plans steps improve significantly detection interdiction illegal incursions foreign fishing vessels exclusive economic zone


Summary: Vessel Repair Enhancement Act of 2009 - Expands, for capital construction fund provisions, the definition of "qualified vessel" to include: (1) a vessel documented under U.S. laws and maintained or repaired in a privately owned shipyard in the United States; and (2) any floating dry dock and related shipyard infrastructure (including marine railways) located in the United States and used to build, maintain, or repair U.S.-documented vessels. Amends federal merchant marine law and the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow capital construction funds to be used for maintenance or repair of vessels documented under the laws of the United States; (2) establish the order of withdrawal for purposes of the tax treatment of qualified withdrawals from such funds; and (3) disallow a basis reduction for maintenance or repair withdrawals.

expands capital construction fund provisions definition qualified vessel include vessel documented laws maintained repaired privately owned shipyard united_states floating dry dock related shipyard infrastructure including marine located united_states build maintain repair vessels amends federal merchant marine law internal revenue code allow capital construction funds maintenance repair vessels documented laws united_states establish order withdrawal purposes tax treatment qualified withdrawals funds disallow basis reduction maintenance repair withdrawals


Summary: United States Mariner and Vessel Protection Act of 2009 - Shields an owner, operator, time charterer, master, or mariner who uses, or authorizes the use of, force to defend a vessel of the United States against piracy from liability for any resulting injury to or death of any person participating in the piracy. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to work through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish agreements to promote coordinated action among flag- and port-states to deter, protect against, and rapidly respond to acts of piracy against the vessels of, and in the waters under the jurisdiction of, those nations, and to ensure limitations on liability similar to those established by this Act.

shields owner operator time master mariner uses authorizes use force defend vessel united_states piracy liability resulting injury death person participating piracy directs secretary department coast_guard operating work international_maritime_organization imo establish agreements promote coordinated action port states deter protect rapidly respond acts piracy vessels waters jurisdiction nations ensure limitations liability similar established act


Summary: Clean Low-Emission Authorization Nationwide (CLEAN) Ports Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to award competitive grants to seaport governing bodies (including harbor commissions and port authorities) for the acquisition of fuel efficient and low-emission equipment and systems at port facilities, with a preference to seaport governing bodies that can demonstrate a pattern of successful implementation of energy use and pollution reduction activities. Sets aside up to 10% of federal funding to carry out this Act for research and development of fuel efficient port vehicle or vessel technologies that reduce carbon dioxide emissions, increase fuel efficiency in local port fleets, and lead to increased domestic production of fuel efficient or clean vehicles. Sets the federal share of costs for such activities at no more than 90%.

clean low emission authorization nationwide clean directs secretary transportation award competitive grants seaport governing bodies including harbor commissions port authorities acquisition fuel efficient low emission equipment systems port facilities preference seaport governing bodies demonstrate pattern successful implementation energy use pollution reduction activities sets aside federal funding carry act research development fuel efficient port vehicle vessel technologies reduce carbon dioxide emissions increase fuel efficiency local port fleets lead increased domestic production fuel efficient clean vehicles sets federal share costs activities


Summary: Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to provide that amounts in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund shall be available for expenditures, without further appropriation. Requires the Secretary of the Army to submit to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works an annual report on expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and the economic benefits of harbor dredging projects.

harbor_maintenance_trust_fund reform act amends internal revenue code water_resources_development_act provide amounts harbor_maintenance_trust_fund shall available expenditures appropriation requires secretary army submit house_committee_on_transportation_and_infrastructure senate_committee_on_environment_and_public_works annual report expenditures harbor_maintenance_trust_fund economic benefits harbor dredging projects


Summary: Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act of 2009 or the ALERT Drivers Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 25% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway program funds for the fiscal year if the state has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that: (1) prohibits, except in an emergency, an operator of a motor vehicle from writing, sending, or reading a text message using a hand-held mobile telephone (excluding a vehicle-integrated, voice-activated device); and (2) requires, upon conviction of a violation of such prohibition, the imposition of certain minimum penalties.

avoiding life endangering reckless drivers act alert drivers act requires secretary transportation withhold state apportionment certain federal aid highway program funds fiscal year state enacted enforcing law prohibits emergency operator motor vehicle writing sending reading text message hand held mobile telephone excluding vehicle integrated voice activated device requires conviction violation prohibition imposition certain minimum penalties