Puerto Rico Humanitarian Relief Act

Bill: 115-hr-3966
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6]
Introduced: 2017-10-05
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Caribbean area

Congressional oversight

Disaster relief and insurance

Economic performance and conditions

Food supply, safety, and labeling

Government studies and investigations

Inflation and prices

Licensing and registrations

Marine and inland water transportation

Navigation, waterways, harbors

Public utilities and utility rates

Puerto Rico

Transportation costs
Latest action: action_date: 2017-10-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-10-05
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Puerto Rico Humanitarian Relief Act</b></p> <p>This bill revises coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, that govern domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels.The Jones Act requires vessels transporting merchandise or passengers between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports be built in the United States, at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and mostly crewed by U.S. citizens.</p> <p>The bill exempts for five years vessels transporting merchandise between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports from Jones Act requirements. </p> <p>The Government Accountability Office must report the economic impact of this bill on Puerto Rico.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3966 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 5, 2017 Mr. Palmer (for himself, Ms. Velázquez , Mr. Biggs , and Mr. Brat ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure , and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services , 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 A BILL To provide that provisions of title 46, United States Code, popularly known as the Jones Act and relating to carriage of passenger and merchandise in coastwise trade shall not apply for 5 years with respect to such carriage to and from Puerto Rico.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Puerto Rico Humanitarian Relief Act . 2. Exemption of Puerto Rico from restrictions on coastwise trade (a) Exemption During the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, provisions of title 46, United States Code, formerly enacted as provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 and the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (popularly known as the Jones Act) and relating to carriage of passenger and merchandise, respectively, in coastwise trade shall not apply with respect to such carriage to and from Puerto Rico. (b) Study and report Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report analyzing the economic impact of this section on the economy of Puerto Rico, including regarding shipping costs, commodity prices, job creation, and utility and food costs.