Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2024 | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 667Transportation and Public Works

Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2024

INTRO JAN 23· LAST ACTION FEB 4

READING

7MIN

COSPONSORS

2BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Introduced only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it directly addresses the cost and availability of goods in crucial parts of the United States that are heavily reliant on sea shipping, such as Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Under current law, the limited number of U.S.-built and operated ships that can serve these routes often leads to higher shipping costs, which are then passed on to consumers as higher prices for everything from food to building supplies.

If this bill becomes law, by allowing more foreign-built, foreign-registered ships (that still employ U.S. crews) into noncontiguous trade, it could introduce more competition, potentially reducing shipping expenses. This could mean lower prices for everyday necessities for millions of Americans, helping to ease the burden of the high cost of living in these areas. If it doesn't pass, the status quo of limited shipping options and potentially higher costs for residents and businesses in noncontiguous U.S. regions will likely continue.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Creates an exemption allowing foreign-built, foreign-registered "foreign qualified freight vessels" to transport merchandise in U.S. noncontiguous trade.

This directly addresses the core Jones Act restriction, expanding the pool of eligible vessels for shipping to places like Hawaii and Alaska.

PROVISION 02

Requires "foreign qualified freight vessels" to employ U.S. citizens as crew members to the same extent as U.S.-flagged vessels in domestic trade.

This ensures that while vessel ownership and build requirements are relaxed, a significant portion of the crewing jobs remains with U.S. citizens.

PROVISION 03

Exempts companies operating these "foreign qualified freight vessels" from certain U.S. citizenship ownership requirements that normally apply to U.S.-flagged vessels.

This allows foreign entities to own and operate these specific vessels in noncontiguous trade, fostering international investment and participation.

PROVISION 04

Mandates that all vessels, both U.S. and foreign, operating in U.S. domestic trade must comply with minimum international labor and safety standards for seafarers.

This ensures a baseline of worker protection and vessel safety across the board, preventing a race to the bottom in standards.

PROVISION 05

Allows employers of masters or crew members to opt into the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) for liability related to injury or death.

This provides a clear framework for worker's compensation and limits employer liability if they choose to participate in the authorized plan.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 2

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%

DEM 1 REP 1 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

4 EVENTS

FEB 4

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E90-91)

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 24

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

COMMITTEE

JAN 23

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 23

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 667

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedJan 23, 2025

Last actionFeb 4, 2025

READER REACTIONS

OVERALL SENTIMENT

No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.

Discussion

Loading comments...

Call my reps

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 23, 2025

House BillHR 667Transportation and Public Works

Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2024

INTRODUCED JAN 23, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 4, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

7 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Creates an exemption allowing foreign-built, foreign-registered "foreign qualified freight vessels" to transport merchandise in U.S. noncontiguous trade.

This directly addresses the core Jones Act restriction, expanding the pool of eligible vessels for shipping to places like Hawaii and Alaska.

high

Requires "foreign qualified freight vessels" to employ U.S. citizens as crew members to the same extent as U.S.-flagged vessels in domestic trade.

This ensures that while vessel ownership and build requirements are relaxed, a significant portion of the crewing jobs remains with U.S. citizens.

med

Exempts companies operating these "foreign qualified freight vessels" from certain U.S. citizenship ownership requirements that normally apply to U.S.-flagged vessels.

This allows foreign entities to own and operate these specific vessels in noncontiguous trade, fostering international investment and participation.

med

Mandates that all vessels, both U.S. and foreign, operating in U.S. domestic trade must comply with minimum international labor and safety standards for seafarers.

This ensures a baseline of worker protection and vessel safety across the board, preventing a race to the bottom in standards.

low

Allows employers of masters or crew members to opt into the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) for liability related to injury or death.

This provides a clear framework for worker's compensation and limits employer liability if they choose to participate in the authorized plan.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

at any time after such vessel is issued a certificate of documentation

Foreign qualified freight vessels can be placed under foreign registry without Secretary approval at any time after being issued a certificate of documentation, at which point the US certificate is revoked.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Noncontiguous Trade: Shipping goods between the U.S. mainland and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. island territories.
Foreign Qualified Freight Vessel: A large cargo ship (1,000 gross tons or more) that was not built in the U.S., is registered in another country, but still employs U.S. citizens as crew, and holds a special U.S. permit to operate in noncontiguous trade.
Jones Act: A U.S. law requiring goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on vessels built in the U.S., owned by U.S. citizens, flagged under the U.S., and mostly crewed by U.S. citizens.
Foreign-flag vessel: A ship that is registered in a country other than the United States, meaning it operates under the laws and regulations of that foreign country.
Coastwise trade: Commercial activity involving the transportation of goods or passengers between different points within the United States.
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA): A federal law that provides medical benefits, compensation for lost wages, and rehabilitation services to longshoremen and other harbor workers injured on the job or who develop occupational diseases.

ACTION TIMELINE

4 EVENTS

FEB 4, 25

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E90-91)

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 24, 25

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

COMMITTEE

JAN 23, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 23, 25

INTROREFERRAL

READER REACTIONS

0 COMMENTS

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What do you think?

0 votes

Discussion

Loading comments...

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Transportation and Infrastructure CommitteeReferred

Jan 23, 2025

house

Search

Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2024

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2024

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals