Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4996
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]
Introduced: 2021-08-10 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Business records
Civil actions and liability
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Contracts and agency
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Manufacturing
Marine and inland water transportation
Motor carriers
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Railroads
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-10
text: 

Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021

 
This bill revises provisions related to ocean shipping policies and is designed to support the growth and development of U.S. exports and promote reciprocal trade in the foreign commerce of the United States.
 
Among other provisions, the bill
 
 
sets forth requirements for operating a shipping exchange involving ocean transportation in the foreign commerce of the United States;
 
prohibits ocean common carriers and marine terminal operators from retaliating or discriminating against shippers because such shippers have patronized another carrier, or filed a complaint;
 
requires the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to publish and annually update all its findings of false certifications by ocean common carriers or marine terminal operators and all penalties assessed against such carriers or operators;
 
requires ocean common carriers to adhere to minimum service standards that meet the public interest;
 
directs the FMC to establish rules prohibiting ocean common carriers and marine terminal operators from adopting and applying unjust and unreasonable demurrage and detention fees;
 
requires ocean common carriers to report to the FMC each calendar quarter on total import and export tonnage and the total loaded and empty 20-foot equivalent units per vessel that makes port in the United States;
 
authorizes the FMC to initiate investigations of an ocean common carrier's fees or charges and apply enforcement measures, as appropriate; and
 
revises annual reporting requirements for the FMC on foreign laws and practices to include practices by ocean common carriers.
 

action_date: 2021-12-08
text: 

Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021

 
This bill revises provisions related to ocean shipping policies and is designed to support the growth and development of U.S. exports and promote reciprocal trade in the common carriage of goods by water in the foreign commerce of the United States.
 
Among other provisions, the bill
 
 
sets forth requirements for operating a shipping exchange involving ocean transportation in the foreign commerce of the United States; 
 
requires ocean common carriers to report to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) each calendar quarter on total import and export tonnage and the total loaded and empty 20-foot equivalent units per vessel that makes port in the United States; 
 
requires the FMC to publish and annually update all its findings of false certifications by ocean common carriers or marine terminal operators and all penalties assessed against such carriers or operators; 
 
revises annual reporting requirements for the FMC on foreign laws and practices to include practices by ocean common carriers; 
 
prohibits ocean common carriers and marine terminal operators from retaliating or discriminating against shippers because such shippers have patronized another carrier, or filed a complaint; 
 
directs the FMC to establish rules prohibiting ocean common carriers and marine terminal operators from adopting and applying unjust and unreasonable demurrage and detention fees; 
 
authorizes the FMC to initiate investigations of an ocean common carrier's fees or charges and apply enforcement measures, as appropriate; 
 
directs the Department of Transportation to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to study the U.S. supply chain industry, including data constraints that impede the flow of maritime cargo and add to supply chain inefficiencies; and 
 
provides authority for the FMC to issue an emergency order requiring ocean common carriers or marine terminal operators to share directly with relevant shippers, rail carriers, or motor carriers information relating to cargo throughput and availability.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 364 - 60 (Roll no. 406). (text: CR H7473-7475)
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 364 - 60 (Roll no. 406).(text: CR H7473-7475)
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7528-7529)
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4996.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7472-7479)
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Mr. Garamendi moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2021-08-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2021-08-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2021-08-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E888)
action_date: 2021-08-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-08-10
text: Introduced in House