Overview
Title
To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress on vessel fires and responses, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 7702 wants a special helper called the Comptroller General to write a story for Congress about boat fires and how they're taken care of near the U.S. This story will talk about how different teams work together to stop these fires and suggest ways to do it better.
Summary AI
H.R. 7702 requires the Comptroller General to prepare a report for Congress about fires on vessels and how they are handled, focusing on areas up to 3 nautical miles from the U.S. shoreline. The report will look at how federal and local authorities work together to prevent and manage these fires, how often such fires occur, and will offer suggestions to improve training and response strategies. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Published
Keywords AI
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Bill Statistics
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
House Resolution 7702 directs the Comptroller General of the United States to prepare a report for Congress concerning vessel fires and associated responses. The report is intended to cover marine firefighting preparedness and strategies at waterfront facilities and within the navigable waters of the United States up to three nautical miles offshore. Key areas of focus include the collaboration between federal and non-federal entities to reduce fire risks, the incidence of vessel fires, and recommendations for improving preparedness, responses, and training.
Significant Issues
One major concern with the bill is the ambitious timeline: the Comptroller General is expected to complete this comprehensive report within 180 days. Given the complexity and breadth of the investigation required, this timeframe may be too short, potentially leading to either a rushed report or the need to extend the deadline.
Additionally, the report's objectives are quite broad. With a wide-ranging scope, there is a risk that the investigation may become unfocused, leading to findings that are either too general or that miss critical details that Congress needs. Moreover, the bill does not specify any financial resources or support for the Comptroller General, which could hinder the thoroughness of the investigation.
The use of vague terms such as "other considerations" and "other items for consideration" adds to the ambiguity of the bill's requirements, possibly resulting in confusion or inefficiencies during the report's preparation.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
The bill addresses a critical aspect of public safety—maritime fires and the necessary response protocols. A thorough report and subsequent policy formulation could significantly enhance community safety, especially for those living near waterfronts. Improved marine firefighting readiness and coordination could potentially prevent or mitigate the impact of vessel fires.
However, the effectiveness of this legislative initiative hinges on the ability of the Comptroller General to deliver a detailed and comprehensive report within the specified timeframe. If additional time or resources are not provided, the report might not meet its full potential in guiding future legislative or regulatory actions.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Local Communities and Waterfront Facilities: The bill aims to bolster safety measures against vessel fires, benefiting communities and businesses located near coastlines and waterfronts by potentially lowering fire risks.
Maritime Industry: For stakeholders within the maritime sector, the bill could lead to enhanced safety protocols, possibly affecting operational procedures or necessitating further investment in safety infrastructure.
Federal and State Agencies: Stricter collaboration between federal and non-federal agencies could foster more integrated response strategies, enhancing overall effectiveness during emergency situations.
In conclusion, while H.R. 7702 tackles an important issue, ensuring the proposed solutions' feasibility and practicality will be crucial in determining the bill's success and the positive impacts on diverse stakeholders.
Issues
The 180-day time frame for the Comptroller General to submit the report may be unrealistic due to the potential complexity and breadth of the investigation required (Section 1(a)). This could result in either a rushed and incomplete report or the need to extend the deadline, which could delay important findings and recommendations.
The broad objectives outlined in Section 1(b) could lead to a scope that is too wide to effectively manage within the given timeline. This lack of focus might result in a report that is either too general to be practically useful or that misses critical details.
There is no mention of funding or resources in the bill to assist the Comptroller General with this investigation (Section 1). Without adequate resources, the thoroughness and quality of the report could be compromised, limiting its utility to Congress.
The term 'other considerations' in Section 1(a) is vague and needs further clarification. If not defined, it might lead to confusion about what additional aspects need to be included in the report, possibly diluting the focus of the investigation.
Section 1(b)(3) refers to 'other items for consideration,' which appears too open-ended. This could result in inefficiencies or unfocused recommendations, as priorities may not be clearly distinguishable or actionable.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. GAO report on vessel fires Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress within 180 days, focusing on marine firefighting at waterfronts and nearby waters. The report will study factors affecting fire risk reduction collaboration, the frequency of vessel fires, and provide recommendations for improving preparedness and response efforts.