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§70131 Definitions

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

Last updated Apr 18, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines two terms used in this subchapter. Law enforcement agency — a State, local, or federally recognized tribal agency that is legally allowed to prevent, detect, investigate, or prosecute crimes. Security zone — an area the Coast Guard Commandant or the Commandant’s designee can create under sections 70051 or 70116(b) around a vessel carrying especially hazardous cargo when the vessel is in U.S. internal waters or the territorial sea, or when it moves or transfers that cargo or residue in 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 18, 2026

Release point: 119-83