Teacher:In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
Teacher: Now, understand the problem? Solve this instance: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''United States Cruise Ship Tourism
Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Coastwise trade.--The term ''coastwise trade'' means
transportation of a passenger between points in the United
States, either directly or by way of a foreign point.
(2) Cruise ship.--The term ''cruise ship'' means a self-
propelled ship that--
(A) is of at least 9,000 gross tons (as measured
under chapter 143 of title 46, United States Code) and
has a stateroom or berth capacity of at least 200
passengers;
(B) provides a full range of accommodations,
entertainment, dining, and other services for its
passengers; and
(C) does not operate as a ferry providing
intrastate or interstate commuter service for
passengers, vehicles or other cargo for compensation.
(3) Documented vessel.--The term ''documented vessel'' has
the same meaning as that term is defined in section 2101 of
title 46, United States Code.
(4) Person.--The term ''person'' means a corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, association, or other
entity, the controlling interest of which is owned by citizens
of the United States within the meaning of section 2(a) of the
Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. App. 802(a)).
(5) Secretary.--The term ''Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Transportation.

SEC. 3. EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN-BUILT, U.S.-FLAG CRUISE SHIPS IN THE
COASTWISE TRADE.

(a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 12106(a)(2) of title 46,
United States Code, section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46
U.S.C. App. 883), and section 8 of the Act of June 19, 1886 (46 U.S.C.
App. 289), the Secretary may issue a certificate of documentation with
coastwise endorsement for a cruise ship not built in the United States,
or if rebuilt, not rebuilt in the United States, to a person that is an
owner or operator of such cruise ship.
(b) Limitations.--
(1) A certificate of documentation with coastwise
endorsement may be issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this
section only for a cruise ship that was built or rebuilt not
more than 10 years before the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) A certificate of documentation with coastwise
endorsement may be issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this
section only for a cruise ship that--
(A) is of at least 20,000 gross tons (as measured
under chapter 143 of title 46, United States Code); or
(B) has a stateroom or berth capacity of at least
800 passengers.
(3) Certificates of documentation with coastwise
endorsement may be issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this
section for not more than 3 cruise ships.
(4) The Secretary may require any additional appropriate
conditions the Secretary deems necessary.
(b) Construction Standards.--
(1) Certificate of inspection.--A cruise ship issued a
certificate of documentation with coastwise endorsement
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be eligible
for a certificate of inspection (as prescribed by 46 U.S.C.
3309) if the Secretary determines that--
(A) the cruise ship is classed by and designed in
accordance with the rules of a classification society
accepted by the Secretary;
(B) the cruise ship complies with applicable
international agreements and associated guidelines, as
determined by the Secretary. Additionally, such cruise
ship shall be equipped with automatic sprinkler and
fire detection systems meeting the requirements of the 1992 Amendments
to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention of 1974 (SOLAS 74) throughout
all service and accommodation spaces; and
(2) Continued eligibility for certificate.--Paragraph (1)
of this subsection does not apply to any cruise ship after any
date on which the cruise ship fails to comply with the
applicable international agreements and associated guidelines
described in paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection.
(3) Reliance on classification society.--The Secretary may
rely on a certification from a classification society accepted
by the Secretary to establish that the cruise ship is in
compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of
this subsection.
(d) Foreign transfer.--Notwithstanding section 9(c) of the Shipping
Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. App. 808), a coastwise qualified United States-
flag, foreign-built cruise ship may be placed under foreign registry
without the approval of the Secretary any time after its documentation
under subsection (a)(1) of this section. The Secretary shall revoke the
coastwise endorsement of any such cruise ship when it is placed under
foreign registry.

SEC. 4. LIMITED EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN-FLAG CRUISE SHIPS IN THE
COASTWISE TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES.

(a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 12106 of title 46, United
States Code, section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C.
App. 883), and section 8 of the Act of June 19, 1886 (46 U.S.C. App.
289), the Secretary may approve the employment in the coastwise trade
of the United States of a cruise ship that is not a documented vessel
(hereinafter referred to as a ''coast-wise qualified foreign-flag
cruise ship'')
(b) Limitations.--
(1) Repositionings. A coastwise qualified foreign-flag
cruise ship may be employed in the coastwise trade during each
calendar year for not more than 2 voyages, the coastwise trade
portion of which does not exceed 2 weeks and includes
transportation of passengers for hire--
(A) from one coast of the United States through the
Panama Canal to another coast of the United States; or
(B) along one coast of the United States during a
voyage between 2 foreign countries.
(2) Charters.--
(A) 30-day limit.--Not more than 30 coastwise
qualified foreign-flag cruise ships may be employed in
the coastwise trade for not more than 30 days per
cruise ship during a calendar year.
(B) Eligible charterers.--A coastwise qualified
foreign-flag cruise ship may only be employed in the
coastwise trade under subparagraph (A) if such
coastwise qualified foreign-flag cruise ship is time-
chartered to a charterer that--
(i) does not own or operate a cruise ship;
or
(ii) is not affiliated with an owner or
operator of a cruise ship.
(C) Exception to 30-day limit.--A coastwise
qualified foreign-flag cruise ship may be authorized to
be employed in the coastwise trade for more than 30
days during a calendar year if fewer than 30 requests
for coastwise trade employment authority under
subparagraph (A) are received by the Secretary for a
calendar year.

SEC. 5. REPORT.

Not later than January 1, 2004, the Secretary shall report to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives on the development of the domestic cruise ship trade
since the date of enactment of this Act and make recommendations
concerning the expansion or termination of authorities enacted by this
Act.
Student:
United States Cruise Ship Tourism Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue to an owner or operator a certificate of documentation with coastwise endorsement for up to three cruise ships of specified tonnage and passenger capacity which were not built or rebuilt in the United States.
Makes a cruise ship with such a certificate eligible for a certificate of inspection if the Secretary determines that: (1) the cruise ship is classed by and designed in accordance with the rules of a classification society accepted by the Secretary; and (2) the cruise ship complies with applicable international agreements and associated guidelines, including being equipped with automatic sprinkler and fire detection systems that meet certain standards.
Authorizes a coastwise qualified U.S.-flag, foreign-built cruise ship to be placed under foreign registry without the approval of the Secretary any time after its certificate of documentation. Requires the Secretary to revoke the coastwise endorsement of such cruise ship when it is placed under foreign registry.
Authorizes the Secretary to approve the employment in the U.S. coastwise trade of a cruise ship that is not a documented vessel (coastwise qualified foreign-flag cruise ship). Sets forth certain limitations with respect to such cruise ships. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the development of the domestic cruise ship trade since the enactment of this Act, and make recommendations concerning the expansion or termination of authorities it enacts.