Allied Partnership and Port Modernization Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4756
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T21:27:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to allow dredge ships from NATO member countries and major non-NATO allies to operate in U.S. navigable waters, with the goal of supporting port modernization efforts through expanded access to specialized vessels.
Key Provisions
- Amends 46 U.S.C. § 55109 to create an exception permitting certain foreign vessels to engage in dredging.
- Defines eligible vessels as those documented under NATO member laws, built in a NATO country or major non-NATO ally (as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 2350a(i)), and majority-owned or operated by entities incorporated in NATO countries.
- Amends 46 U.S.C. § 55110 to exclude dredged material from existing transportation restrictions, updating the section heading accordingly.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces a new carve-out to longstanding restrictions on foreign vessel participation in U.S. coastal and dredging activities under title 46. It modifies cabotage rules by adding a NATO-affiliated vessel category and removes dredged material from certain transportation requirements that previously applied.
Potential Impacts
- May accelerate dredging projects at U.S. ports by increasing the pool of available specialized vessels.
- Could affect federal agencies involved in port infrastructure, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- May strengthen defense and economic ties with NATO allies and designated partner nations while potentially altering competitive dynamics in the domestic maritime sector.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. port authorities and infrastructure operators.
- Domestic dredging and maritime companies.
- NATO member states and major non-NATO allies (e.g., countries like Australia, Japan, or South Korea).
- Federal agencies responsible for navigation and commerce regulation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within Congress’s authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. It represents a policy shift toward greater international cooperation in infrastructure while creating an exception to domestic preference rules in maritime law. No direct constitutional conflicts are apparent on the face of the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Allied Partnership and Port Modernization Act — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (3 pages)