HR 6865 RFS
SEC. 415. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 46108 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘$29,086,888 for fiscal year 2020 
and $29,639,538 for fiscal year 2021’’ and inserting 
‘‘$32,603,492 for fiscal year 2022 and $35,863,842 for 
fiscal year 2023’’. 
SEC. 416. NAS STUDY ON SUPPLY CHAIN INDUSTRY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Na-
tional Academy of Sciences under which the National 
Academy shall conduct a study on the United States sup-
ply chain that examines data constraints that impede the 
flow of maritime cargo and add to supply chain inefficien-
cies and that identifies data sharing systems that can be 
employed to improve the functioning of the United States 
supply chain. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study required under sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) the identification of where bottlenecks or 
chokepoints are most prominent within the United 
States supply chain; 
(2) the identification of what common shipping 
data is created with each hand-off of a container 
through the United States supply chain and how 
such data is stored and shared; 
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(3) the identification of critical data elements 
used by any entity covered by subsection (c), includ-
ing the key elements used for various supply chain 
business processes; 
(4) a review of the methodology used to store, 
access, and disseminate shipping data across the 
United States supply chain and evaluation of the in-
efficiencies in such methodology; 
(5) an analysis of existing and potential impedi-
ments to the free flow of information among entities 
covered by subsection (c), including— 
(A) identification of barriers that prevent 
carriers, terminals, and shippers from having 
access to commercial data; and 
(B) any inconsistencies in— 
(i) terminology used across data ele-
ments connected to the shipment, arrival, 
and unloading of a shipping container; and 
(ii) the classification systems used 
across the United States supply chain, in-
cluding inconsistencies in the names of en-
tities covered by subsection (c), geo-
graphical names, and terminology; 
(6) the identification of information to be in-
cluded in an improved data sharing system designed 
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to plan, execute, and monitor the optimal loading 
and unloading of maritime cargo; and 
(7) the identification of existing software and 
data sharing platforms available to facilitate propa-
gation of information to all agents involved in the 
loading and unloading of maritime cargo and evalu-
ate the effectiveness of such software and platforms 
if implemented. 
(c) COLLECTION OF INFORMATION.—In conducting 
the study required under subsection (a), the National 
Academy of Sciences shall collect information from— 
(1) vessel operating common carriers and non- 
vessel operating common carriers; 
(2) marine terminal operators; 
(3) commercial motor vehicle operators; 
(4) railroad carriers; 
(5) chassis providers; 
(6) ocean transportation intermediaries; 
(7) custom brokers; 
(8) freight forwarders; 
(9) shippers and cargo owners; 
(10) the National Shipper Advisory Committee; 
(11) relevant government agencies, such as the 
Federal Maritime Commission, the Surface Trans-
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portation Board, and the United States Customs 
and Border Protection; 
(12) to the extent practicable, representatives of 
foreign countries and maritime jurisdictions outside 
of the United States; and 
(13) any other entity involved in the transpor-
tation of ocean cargo and the unloading of cargo 
upon arrival at a port. 
(d) FACILITATION OF DATA SHARING.—In carrying 
out the study under subsection (a), the National Academy 
of Sciences may solicit information from any relevant 
agency relating to the United States supply chain. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after enter-
ing into an arrangement with the Secretary under sub-
section (a), the National Academy of Sciences shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 
and make available on a publicly accessible website, a re-
port containing— 
(1) the study required under subsection (a); 
(2) the information collected under subsections 
(b) and (c), excluding any personally identifiable in-
formation or sensitive business information; and 
(3) any recommendations for— 
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