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H.R.1250 / 103rd Congress

United States-Flag Passenger Vessel Act of 1993

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Official summary

Version 36 · Passed House amended · Nov 20, 1993

United States-Flag Passenger Vessel Act of 1993 - Amends Federal law to permit a vessel to transport passengers in coastwise trade only if: (1) the vessel meets certain requirements under the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 and the Shipping Act, 1916 for engaging in such trade; and (2) in the case of a vessel that is at least five net tons, it is documented with a coastwise endorsement. Sets forth a civil penalty of $1,000 per passenger transported in violation of this Act. Sets forth terminable exceptions to such requirements for certain ineligible vessels. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue certificates of documentation for certain named vessels. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such certificates to certain other named vessels if certain conditions are met. Amends the Johnson Act to set forth instances in which the prohibition on gambling devices on vessels shall not apply.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Taylor, Gene [D-MS-5] · D–MS

Committees

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  • Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
12 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

  2. Received in the Senate.

  3. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  5. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  6. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

  7. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10391-10393)

  8. Mr. Studds moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  9. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 162.

  10. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. H. Rept. 103-307.

  11. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. H. Rept. 103-307.

  12. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  13. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  14. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).

  15. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  16. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  17. Referred to the Subcommittee On Merchant Marine.

  18. Referred to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.

  19. Introduced in House

  20. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1250 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1250 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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