Puerto Rico Interstate Commerce Improvement Act of 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 25, 2013

Puerto Rico Interstate Commerce Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends federal shipping law to revise coastwise endorsement requirements for certain vessels that transport liquified natural gas or liquified petroleum gas to Puerto Rico from other U.S. ports.

Repeals authority to issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for a vessel to transport liquified natural gas or liquified petroleum gas to Puerto Rico from other ports in the United States, if the vessel: (1) is a foreign built vessel that was built before October 19, 1996; or (2) was documented before that date, even if it is placed under a foreign registry and subsequently redocumented for operation.

Exempts from coastwise endorsement requirements self-propelled vessels that transport bulk cargo, including liquified natural gas or liquified petroleum bulk cargo, to Puerto Rico from another U.S. port or from Puerto Rico to another U.S. port.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rescom. Pierluisi, Pedro R. [D-PR-At Large] · D–PR

Committees

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 26, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Jul 25, 2013
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Jul 25, 2013
Introduced in House
Jul 25, 2013
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in House · Jul 25, 2013 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

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: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2838 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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Discuss H.R.2838, 113th Congress: Puerto Rico Interstate Commerce Improvement Act of 2013

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2838

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr2838/BILLS-113hr2838ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:37:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2838 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2838 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2838, 113th Congress: Puerto Rico Interstate Commerce Improvement Act of 2013

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2838

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr2838/BILLS-113hr2838ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:37:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2838 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2838 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2838, 113th Congress: Puerto Rico Interstate Commerce Improvement Act of 2013

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2838

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr2838/BILLS-113hr2838ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:37:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2838 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2838 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2838, 113th Congress: Puerto Rico Interstate Commerce Improvement Act of 2013

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2838

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr2838/BILLS-113hr2838ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:37:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2838 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.