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§70131 Definitions

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle VII— - Security and Drug Enforcement › Chapter CHAPTER 701— - PORT SECURITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - PORT SECURITY ZONES › § 70131

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines two key terms used in this subchapter. Law enforcement agency means a state, local, or federally recognized tribal agency that has legal authority to prevent, detect, investigate, or prosecute crimes. Security zone means an area the Coast Guard Commandant (or the Commandant’s designee) creates under section 70051 or section 70116(b) for a vessel carrying especially hazardous cargo when it enters or operates in U.S. internal waters or the territorial sea, or when it transfers that cargo or residue at any U.S. port or place in those waters.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §70131

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In this subchapter:
(1)The term “law enforcement agency” means an agency of a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a Federally recognized tribe that is authorized by law to supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of criminal law.
(2)The term “security zone” means a security zone, established by the Commandant of the Coast Guard or the Commandant’s designee pursuant to section 70051 or section 70116(b), for a vessel carrying especially hazardous cargo when such vessel—
(A)enters, or operates within, the internal waters of the United States and the territorial sea of the United States; or
(B)transfers such cargo or residue in any port or place, under the jurisdiction of the United States, within the territorial sea of the United States or the internal waters of the United States.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2025—Par. (2). Pub. L. 119–60 subtituted “section 70051” for “section 1 of title II of the Act of June 15, 1917 (50 U.S.C. 191)” and “section 70116(b)” for “section 7(b) of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1226(b))” in introductory provisions. 2010—Pub. L. 111–330 amended Pub. L. 111–281, § 828(a), which enacted this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2010 Amendment Pub. L. 111–330, § 1, Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3569, provided that the amendment made by section 1(16) is effective with the enactment of Pub. L. 111–281.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 70131

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Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73