Open America's Waters Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3940
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:51:05Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the legislation This bill, titled the "Open America's Waters Act," aims to eliminate restrictions on coastwise trade currently imposed by the Jones Act. It seeks to allow broader participation in domestic waterborne commerce by removing specific U.S.-build, ownership, and crewing requirements for vessels.
Key provisions outlined
- Amends Section 12112(a) of title 46, United States Code, to state that a coastwise endorsement may be issued for any vessel that qualifies under U.S. laws to engage in coastwise trade.
- Directs the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard to issue implementing regulations within 90 days of enactment, requiring all permitted vessels to meet appropriate safety and security standards.
- Makes multiple conforming amendments to other sections of title 46, including updates to tank vessel standards, liquefied gas tankers, small passenger vessels, oil spill response vessels, and related provisions.
- Repeals Section 12132 entirely, which previously addressed loss of coastwise trade privileges.
Significant changes to existing law introduced
- Removes the primary statutory barriers that have limited coastwise trade to U.S.-built, owned, and crewed vessels.
- Eliminates references to repealed or modified sections across multiple maritime statutes, streamlining the legal framework for vessel documentation and endorsements.
- Shifts from prescriptive vessel qualification rules to a general qualification standard under existing U.S. laws.
Potential impacts on government agencies, citizens, or international relations
- The Coast Guard must develop and enforce new regulations for safety and security compliance.
- Domestic shipping costs for goods may decrease due to increased competition from additional vessels.
- U.S. citizens and businesses involved in maritime transport could face shifts in employment and industry practices.
- International shipping companies may gain greater access to U.S. domestic routes, potentially affecting bilateral trade agreements and maritime relations.
Main stakeholders affected by this legislation
- U.S. shipbuilders and domestic vessel owners.
- Maritime labor unions and vessel crews.
- Domestic and foreign shipping companies.
- The U.S. Coast Guard and other federal maritime regulators.
- Consumers and industries reliant on coastal and intercoastal shipping.
Notable legal, constitutional, or political implications
- The repeal represents a significant policy shift in maritime commerce regulation under the Commerce Clause.
- It could prompt legal challenges regarding vessel safety standards and enforcement.
- The measure alters long-standing protections for the U.S. merchant marine, potentially influencing future congressional debates on domestic industry support.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 2025-06-12: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-06-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Open America's Waters Act — issued 2025-06-12 — PDF (3 pages)