WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

The law › Title 46, Shipping › Chapter 33

46 U.S.C. 3316: Classification societies

Created in 1983 by Public Law 98-89. Changed by 6 later laws. 1 new law this Congress changed it.

1 other section of the Code cite this one, including 14 U.S.C. 339.

14 parts of federal rules cite it as their authority, written by Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (14).

This Congress

  • S. 1071 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 · became law · changed (d)

How it got here

2018

  • Pub. L. 115–265 added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h). (Save Our Seas Act of 2018) Law text · (g), (h)

2014

  • Pub. L. 113–281 added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g). (Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014) Law text · (f), (g)

2012

  • Pub. L. 112–213, §304(1), added subpar. (C). (Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012) Law text · (b)
  • Pub. L. 112–213, §304(2), added subpar. (C). (Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012) Law text · (d)
  • Pub. L. 112–213, §304(3), added subsecs. (e) and (f). (Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012) Law text · (e), (f)

2010

  • Pub. L. 111–281, §622(b), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: "A classification society (including an employee or agent of that society) may not review, examine, survey, or certify the construction, repair, or alteration of a vessel in the United States… (Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010) Law text · (c)
  • Pub. L. 111–281, §622(a), added subsec. (d). (Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010) Law text · (d)

2004

  • Pub. L. 108–293 added subsec. (c). Law text · (c)

1996

  • Pub. L. 104–324, §607(b)(1), substituted "Classification societies" for "United States classification societies" in section catchline. (Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996) Law text
  • Pub. L. 104–324, §607(a)(3), which directed the substitution of "American Bureau of Shipping" for "Bureau", was executed by making the substitution the first place appearing, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. (Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996) Law text · (a)
  • Pub. L. 104–324, §607(a)(1), (2), redesignated subsec. (b) as (a) and struck out former subsec. (a) which read as follows: "In carrying out this part, the Secretary may rely on reports, documents, and certificates issued by the American Bureau of Shipping or a similar United States classification s… (Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996) Law text · (a)
  • Pub. L. 104–324, §607(a)(2), (4), redesignated subsec. (c) as (b), added pars. (1) and (2), redesignated former par. (2) as (3), and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: "To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary may delegate to the Bureau or a similar United States… (Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996) Law text · (b)
  • Pub. L. 104–324, §607(a)(2), redesignated subsec. (c) as (b). (Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996) Law text · (c)
  • Pub. L. 104–324, §607(a)(1), struck out subsec. (d) which read as follows: "The Secretary also may make an agreement with or use the Bureau or a similar United States classification society, or an agent of the Bureau or society, for reviewing and approving plans required for issuing a … (Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996) Law text · (d)

Text, outline and history from the official U.S. Code (2024 edition) on GovInfo, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel. Changes made after that edition appear under This Congress.