Legis Daily

Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2023

USA118th CongressHR-2588| House 
| Updated: 4/14/2023
Ed Case

Ed Case

Democratic Representative

Hawaii

Cosponsors (1)
James C. Moylan (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Education and Workforce Committee, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2023 This bill establishes a limited exception to coastwise laws to allow foreign-flag freight vessels to transport merchandise domestically to or from a port in the noncontiguous United States. The bill also addresses various issues related to foreign-flag freight vessels engaged in coastwise trade (i.e., domestic waterborne trade between U.S. ports). Under the coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, a freight vessel may not transport merchandise between U.S. ports unless it is U.S.-built, at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. The bill authorizes qualifying foreign-flag vessels to transport merchandise between (1) a port in the contiguous United States and a port in the noncontiguous United States (i.e., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory or possession); or (2) two ports in the noncontiguous United States. Under the bill, all foreign-flag freight vessels operating in U.S. coastwise trade must comply with the (1) minimum international labor standards applicable to U.S. seafarers, and (2) same environmental standards that apply to U.S. vessels. The bill authorizes such operators to participate in the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation program on behalf of masters and crew members they employ. The bill also requires foreign-flag vessel owners and operators engaging in coastwise trade to identify an agent for service of process, abide by U.S. tax and other laws, and maintain specified documentation on board. Additionally, lawsuits against such vessels alleging personal injury or death must be brought in U.S. district court.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5498
Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-300
Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2021
Apr 13, 2023
Introduced in House
Apr 13, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 14, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5498
    Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-300
    Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2021


  • April 13, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • April 13, 2023
    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • April 14, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Transportation and Public Works

Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2023

USA118th CongressHR-2588| House 
| Updated: 4/14/2023
Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2023 This bill establishes a limited exception to coastwise laws to allow foreign-flag freight vessels to transport merchandise domestically to or from a port in the noncontiguous United States. The bill also addresses various issues related to foreign-flag freight vessels engaged in coastwise trade (i.e., domestic waterborne trade between U.S. ports). Under the coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, a freight vessel may not transport merchandise between U.S. ports unless it is U.S.-built, at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. The bill authorizes qualifying foreign-flag vessels to transport merchandise between (1) a port in the contiguous United States and a port in the noncontiguous United States (i.e., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory or possession); or (2) two ports in the noncontiguous United States. Under the bill, all foreign-flag freight vessels operating in U.S. coastwise trade must comply with the (1) minimum international labor standards applicable to U.S. seafarers, and (2) same environmental standards that apply to U.S. vessels. The bill authorizes such operators to participate in the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation program on behalf of masters and crew members they employ. The bill also requires foreign-flag vessel owners and operators engaging in coastwise trade to identify an agent for service of process, abide by U.S. tax and other laws, and maintain specified documentation on board. Additionally, lawsuits against such vessels alleging personal injury or death must be brought in U.S. district court.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5498
Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-300
Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2021
Apr 13, 2023
Introduced in House
Apr 13, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 14, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5498
    Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-300
    Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2021


  • April 13, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • April 13, 2023
    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • April 14, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Ed Case

Ed Case

Democratic Representative

Hawaii

Cosponsors (1)
James C. Moylan (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Education and Workforce Committee, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee

Transportation and Public Works

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted