U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) applauded the successful committee passage of two bills today by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The legislation introduced by Fischer included S. 1359 -- The E-Warranty Act of 2015 and S. 1326 -- The Maritime Administration Enhancement Act of 2015. Both of these bills were passed through bipartisan cooperation.
Senator Fischer released the following statement on their passage this afternoon:
"I'm proud to report that two of my bills have passed through today's markup in the Senate Commerce Committee. These bills show that bipartisan solutions are possible. Senator Bill Nelson and I worked together to present the E-Warranty Act, a new, bipartisan bill to provide manufacturers the option of meeting their warranty notice requirements by posting this information online. The world is changing, and our technology is getting smaller, faster, and more efficient. Our laws must follow suit.
"We're also providing important resources for our Maritime Administration (MARAD). I was pleased to work with Senator Cory Booker to reach an agreement and ensure that MARAD's important programs to strengthen national security and enhance our nation's maritime transportation system will be authorized."
Below is a brief summary of the two bills passed out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation this morning. For more information, click on the links within each title:
S. 1359 -- The E-Warranty Act of 2015
Introduced by Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)
The E-Warranty Act streamlines warranty notice rules and provides explicit direction to manufacturers that they have the option to meet their warranty requirements on their company's website. The principles of the E-Warranty Act -- to modernize manufacturing requirements -- mirror those in Senator Fischer's E-LABEL Act, which was signed into law last Congress. In the age of the Internet of Things, consumers expect to get information online in an easy and efficient manner.
CTIA -- the Wireless Association, the Consumer Electronics Association, and the Telecommunications Industry Association have publicly endorsed this common-sense measure.
S. 1326 -- The Maritime Administration Enhancement Act of 2015
(Introduced by Senator Fischer)
This bill reauthorizes the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. MARAD's mission is to foster, promote, and develop the merchant maritime and shipping industries of the United States. MARAD maintains the Defense Ready Reserve Force and the National Defense Reserve Fleet of cargo ships that serve to transport equipment and supplies to American soldiers during times of war or national emergency. Among its other responsibilities, MARAD oversees U.S. port infrastructure, congestion mitigation and supports the development of our merchant marine professionals through the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and its state affiliates.
As chairman of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, Senator Fischer worked with Ranking Member Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to reach an agreement on a manager's amendment. The amendment will ensure that MARAD's important programs to strengthen national security and enhance our nation's maritime transportation system would be adequately funded.