Open America's Waters Act

Bill: 117-s-1646
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-05-13
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Coast guard

Department of Homeland Security

Licensing and registrations

Marine and inland water transportation

Transportation safety and security
Latest action: action_date: 2021-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-05-13
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Open America's Waters Act</b></p> <p>This bill repeals certain limitations on the types of vessels that may engage in coastwise trade, which is the domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels. </p> <p>The bill directs the U.S. Coast Guard to issue regulations that require all vessels permitted to engage in coastwise trade to meet all appropriate safety and security requirements.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1646 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 13, 2021 Mr. Lee introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To repeal the Jones Act restrictions on coastwise trade, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Open America's Waters Act . 2. Repeal of certain limitations on coastwise trade (a) In general Section 12112(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) In general A coastwise endorsement may be issued for a vessel that qualifies under the laws of the United States to engage in the coastwise trade. . (b) Regulations Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard shall issue regulations to implement the amendment made by subsection (a) that require all vessels permitted to engage in the coastwise trade to meet all appropriate safety and security requirements. (c) Conforming amendments (1) Tank vessel construction standards Section 3703a(c)(1)(C) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking and is qualified for documentation as a wrecked vessel under section 12112 of this title . (2) Liquified gas tankers Section 12120 of such title is amended by striking , if the vessel— and all that follows and inserting a period. (3) Small passenger vessels Section 12121(b) of such title is amended by striking 12112, . (4) Loss of coastwise trade privileges Section 12132 of such title is repealed. (5) Oil spill response vessels Section 12117(b) of such title is amended by striking sections 12103, 12132, and 50501 and inserting sections 12103 and 50501 . (6) Optional regulatory measurement Section 14305(a)(6) of such title is amended by striking sections 12118 and 12132 and inserting section 12118 . (7) Court sales of undocumented vessels Section 31329(b) of such title is amended— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ; and inserting ; and ; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ; and and inserting a period; and (C) by striking paragraph (3). (8) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 12132.