A bill to facilitate increased enforcement by the Coast Guard of laws relating to the importation of controlled substances, and for other purposes.
Public Law 96-350 · H.R. 2538 · 96th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Sep 15, 1980 · Crime and Law Enforcement
Sponsor: Rep. Mario Biaggi (D-NY-10)
Cosponsors (59): Rep. Benjamin Gilman, Rep. John Murphy,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
(House agreed to certain Senate amendments with amendments)
Makes it unlawful for any person on board a vessel of the United States, or on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States on the high seas, to knowingly or intentionally manufacture or distribute, or to possess with the intent to manufacture or distribute, a controlled substance. Extends such prohibition to any citizen of the United States on board any vessel, and to any person on board any vessel within the customs waters of the United States.
Makes it unlawful for any person to possess, manufacture, or distribute a controlled substance knowingly or intentionally for import into the United States.
Provides an exception for common or contract carriers and U.S. vessels and their employees, who lawfully possess or distribute controlled substances in the lawful and usual course of the carriers' business if the controlled substance is part of the cargo entered in a vessel's manifest and is intended to be lawfully imported into the country of destination for scientific, medical or other legitimate purposes. Stipulates that such persons shall have the burden of going forward with evidence to show that their conduct is within such exception.
Directs that violations of this Act be tried in the district court at the point of entry into the United States or in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Makes violations of this Act punishable under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Control and Prevention Act of 1970.
Makes any person who attempts or conspires to commit an offense under this Act punishable to the extent of an actual commission of such offense.
Subjects to forfeiture any property used to commit an offense under this Act in accordance with the forfeiture provisions of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Control and Prevention Act.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee · House · referred to, reported by
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 16 actions.
- Sep 15, 1980Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 96-350.
- Sep 5, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Sep 4, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Sep 3, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to House amendment.
- Jul 31, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to certain Senate amendments with amendments.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to certain Senate amendment.
- Jul 24, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- Jul 16, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Jul 24, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Jul 23, 1979FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- Jul 10, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- Mar 1, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.