In this subchapter:

(1) Law enforcement agency.—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) Security zone.—The term “security zone” means a security zone, established by the Commandant of the Coast Guard or the Commandant’s designee pursuant to section 1 1 of title II of the Act of June 15, 1917 (50 U.S.C. 191) or section 7(b) 1 of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1226(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.

Terms Used In 46 USC 70131

  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • State: means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States. See 1 USC 7
  • vessel: includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water. See 1 USC 3
  Previous section
Next section  
 Subchapter II Contents