Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 8, 2001
Merchant Marine Cost Parity Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create an alternative tax on qualifying shipping activities in U.S. foreign trade. Sets forth a formula for determining taxable income from such activities. Provides for the allocation of taxable income among all persons considered operators on the basis of their ownership and charter interests in a qualifying vessel.Sets forth the terms and conditions under which qualifying entities may make and revoke qualifying shipping tax elections, including the effects of temporarily ceasing to operate such a vessel or temporarily operating such a vessel in the U.S. domestic trade.Sets forth exclusions from gross income for electing entities. Allows a depreciation deduction for qualifying shipping assets for non-operating owners only. Disallows credits and deductions (including those for net operating loss) against tax imposed or income for electing corporations, as specified.Permits the sale and subsequent replacement of qualifying shipping assets without recognized gain, as specified.Treats certain income of merchant seaman as foreign earned income and therefore excludable from gross income.Makes qualified vessels eligible for a certificate of inspection, as specified. Authorizes crews and operators of such vessels to make superceding agreements concerning controlling liability and damages for a crew member's injury or death when such owner/operator has approved evidence of financial responsibility.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2035-2036)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Bill text & related measures
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Explore the bill from different angles
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Neutral evidence review
Objective
Analyze H.R.3262 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.
View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact
Progressive lens
Examine H.R.3262 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
Institutions and government scope
Conservative lens
Examine H.R.3262 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
Individual rights and government power
Liberty lens
Examine H.R.3262 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.