summary
Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/03/2013
06/03/2013
Introduced Session
113th Congress
Bill Summary
Freedom to Fish Act - Requires the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers to: (1) cease implementing and enforcing, until two years after enactment of this Act, any restricted area for hazardous waters at dams and other civil works structures in the Cumberland River Basin that the Chief established or modified between August 1, 2012, and the day before the enactment of this Act; and (2) remove any permanent physical barriers constructed in connection with such area. Requires the Chief, before establishing any such restricted area after this Act's enactment, to: (1) ensure that any restrictions are based on operational conditions that create hazardous waters, and (2) publish and seek and consider public comment on a draft describing the restricted area. Prohibits the Chief from: (1) implementing or enforcing the restricted area until two years after this Act's enactment, or (2) taking any action to establish a permanent physical barrier in connection with such area. (Excludes the installation and maintenance of measures for alerting the public of hazardous water conditions as such a permanent physical barrier.) Makes enforcement of a restricted area the sole responsibility of the state in which such area is located. Prohibits the Chief from assessing any penalty for entering a restricted area of public park and recreational facilities at water resource development projects.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Freedom to Fish Act, requires the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers (referred to as the Secretary) to halt the enforcement of restricted areas for hazardous waters at dams and other civil works structures in the Cumberland River Basin that were established or changed between August 1, 2012, and the bill's enactment, and to remove any permanent physical barriers associated with these areas. For any new restricted areas established after the bill becomes law, the Secretary must ensure restrictions are based on actual hazardous operational conditions, publish a draft of the restricted area for public comment, and cannot enforce it for two years. The bill also prohibits the Secretary from creating permanent physical barriers, though warning systems like sirens and signs are excluded from this definition. Importantly, the responsibility for enforcing any restricted areas will fall solely on the state where the area is located, and the Secretary will be prohibited from imposing penalties for entering such areas at public parks and recreational facilities.
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Became Public Law No: 113-13. (on 06/03/2013)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/982/all-info | 05/17/2013 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s982cps/pdf/BILLS-113s982cps.pdf | 05/24/2013 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s982cps/pdf/BILLS-113s982cps.pdf.pdf | 05/24/2013 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s982enr/pdf/BILLS-113s982enr.pdf | 05/23/2013 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s982enr/pdf/BILLS-113s982enr.pdf.pdf | 05/23/2013 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s982es/pdf/BILLS-113s982es.pdf | 05/17/2013 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s982es/pdf/BILLS-113s982es.pdf.pdf | 05/17/2013 |
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