Open America's Waters Act

Bill: 119-s-2043
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2025-06-12
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Latest action: action_date: 2025-06-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2043 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 12, 2025 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— (A) by striking 12112, ; and (B) by striking 12132, . (4) Loss of coastwise trade privileges Section 12132 of such title is repealed.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.