46 USC § 70131 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s70131"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 70131 - Definitions"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "70131"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 701
chapter_name: "PORT SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "II"
subchapter_name: "PORT SECURITY ZONES"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title VIII, § 828(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3005; amended Pub. L. 111–330, § 1(16), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3570; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXVII, § 7701(d), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1835.)"
---


# § 70131. Definitions

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 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.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 111–281, title VIII, § 828(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3005; amended Pub. L. 111–330, § 1(16), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3570; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXVII, § 7701(d), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1835.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—Par. (2).  subtituted “section 70051” for “ ()” and “section 70116(b)” for “section 7(b) of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act ()” in introductory provisions.

2010— amended , which enacted this section.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

, , , provided that the amendment made by section 1(16) is effective with the enactment of .