A bill to exempt Puerto Rico from the coastwise laws of the United States (commonly known as the "Jones Act").

Bill: 115-s-1894
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-09-28
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Caribbean area

Licensing and registrations

Marine and inland water transportation

Navigation, waterways, harbors

Puerto Rico
Latest action: action_date: 2017-10-02
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 232.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-09-28
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This bill revises the coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, that govern domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels. The Jones Act requires that 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. Jones Act requirements are currently waived with respect to vessels transporting passengers between Puerto Rico and U.S. ports. This bill permanently exempts vessels transporting merchandise between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports from those requirements.</p>

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 232 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1894 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 28, 2017 Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. Lee , Mr. Lankford , and Mr. Flake ) introduced the following bill; which was read the first time October 2, 2017 Read the second time and placed on the calendar A BILL To exempt Puerto Rico from the coastwise laws of the United States (commonly known as the Jones Act ).

1. Exceptions to application of coastwise laws for Puerto Rico Section 55101(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively; and (2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the following: (1) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; .

October 2, 2017 Read the second time and placed on the calendar