PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Aug 2, 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Maritime Security and Competitiveness Title II: Maritime Administration Title III: Tonnage Duties Maritime Security and Competitiveness Act of 1994 - Title I: Maritime Security and Competitiveness - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to carry out such Act in a manner that ensures the existence of an operating fleet of U.S. documented vessels that is sufficient to carry the domestic waterborne commerce of the United States and that meets other specified goals. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to establish a Maritime Security Fleet to enhance sealift capabilities and maintain a presence of U.S. documented vessels in international commercial shipping, consisting of privately owned, U.S. documented, active commercial vessels for which operating agreements are in effect. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) vessel eligibility; (2) operating agreements; (3) noncontiguous trade restrictions; (4) operating competing foreign vessels; and (5) funding. (Sec. 103) Continues specified contracts in effect under title VI of such Act (subsidy for the operation of vessels in foreign trade or off-season cruises), with exceptions. Limits the application of restrictions on operations under specified circumstances. (Sec. 104) Terminates restrictions applicable to a liner vessel constructed, reconstructed, or reconditioned with the aid of a construction differential subsidy 25 years after the date of the original delivery of the vessel from the shipyard. (Sec. 106) Revises the definition of "privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessel" to mean a privately owned vessel that is documented under such Act and that: (l) was built in the United States; or (2) is built under a contract entered into after May 19, 1993, in a foreign shipyard that is not a foreign subsidized shipyard; or (3) does not transport on any voyage more than 12,000 tons of bulk cargo and meets other specified requirements. (Sec. 107) Repeals specified mortgagee, trustee, and mortgage restrictions. Permits a certificate of documentation for a vessel to be endorsed with a coastwise endorsement if specified conditions are met. (Sec. 108) Sets forth conditions under which a vessel may be placed under a foreign registry without the Secretary's approval. (Sec. 109) Authorizes the Secretary to pay assistance to the owner of a shipyard located in the United States for the construction of any commercial vessel that is one of a series of vessels. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) series transition payments and construction agreements; (2) applications for assistance; (3) restrictions on vessel operations; (4) vessel design awards; and (5) expansion of standing for maritime unions. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the impact of this Act on the international competitiveness of U.S. documented vessels and specified related issues. (Sec. 114) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) cargo preference; (2) wages for which a preferred maritime lien may be established; and (3) compliance with the Buy American Act. Title II: Maritime Administration - Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for use for the Maritime Administration. Directs the Secretary to use proceeds derived from the sale or disposal of National Defense Reserve Fleet vessels for specified purposes, including facility and ship maintenance, equipment acquisition, and certain fuel costs. (Sec. 203) Provides for the reimbursement of certain fees by State maritime academies. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) termination of conditions for State maritime academy assistance; (2) maintenance contracts for National Defense Reserve Fleet Vessels; and (3) maintenance of Ready Reserve Force vessels in reduced operating status. (Sec. 207) Directs the Secretary to conduct a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of using long-term contracts for the maintenance and repair of outported vessels in the Ready Reserve Force to enhance the readiness of those vessels. (Sec. 208) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the Coast Guard Maritime Academy Reserve Training Program; and (2) reemployment rights for certain merchant seamen. (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a pilot program for Sealift Training at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy; and (2) pay a specified sum to the Academy for assistance to the Massachusetts Center for Marine Environmental Protection. (Sec. 213) Requires the Secretary to report on: (1) the feasibility of conducting on Ready Reserve Force vessels a program to familiarize civilian merchant mariners with the operation of those vessels to facilitate national defense mobilizations; (2) the ability of the Coast Guard to track the availability of qualified civilian merchant mariners for service on such vessels during mobilizations; and (3) fostering and maintaining a U.S. merchant marine capable of meeting economic and national security requirements. (Sec. 217) Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of establishing a program of financial assistance to qualified ship repair yards to make those yards more competitive in international ship repair markets. (Sec. 218) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to qualified ship repair yards to pay 75 percent of the cost of acquiring advanced and modern ship repair technology. Title III: Tonnage Duties - Increases tonnage duty imposed on certain entries into the United States. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to expeditiously enter into agreements under the Maritime Security and Competitiveness Act of 1993, subject to specified requirements. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into agreements under that or this Act which would result in total payments for any fiscal year in excess of specified limitations. (Sec. 304) Authorizes appropriations necessary for entering into and making payments under agreements under such Act. (Sec. 306) Expresses the sense of the Congress that equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. Requires Federal agency heads to provide notice of such statement in providing financial assistance to, or entering into contracts with, entities using funds made available in this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Studds, Gerry E. [D-MA-10] · D–MA
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 4003.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 294 - 122 (Roll no. 371).
House roll call 371 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 294 - 122 (Roll no. 371).
House roll call 371 · Individual votesThe House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4003.
On motion to strike the enacting clause Failed by voice vote.
Mr. Taylor (MS) moved to strike the enacting clause.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 500, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Studds amendment.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Robert E. Wise Jr. to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 500 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4003 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered except motion to recommit. Providing for the consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole Measure will be read by section. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment an amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Merchant Marine now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill and by the amendment printed in part 1 of the report accompanying this resolution. All points of order against the amendment, as modified, shall be waived. No amendment changing title II of the amendment in the nature of a substitute, as modified shall be in order except the amendment printed in part 2 of this report.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 500. (consideration: CR H6573-6593)
Rule H. Res. 500 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 500 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4003 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered except motion to recommit. Providing for the consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole Measure will be read by section. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment an amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Merchant Marine now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill and by the amendment printed in part 1 of the report accompanying this resolution. All points of order against the amendment, as modified, shall be waived. No amendment changing title II of the amendment in the nature of a substitute, as modified shall be in order except the amendment printed in part 2 of this report.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 344.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 103-544, Part II.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 103-544, Part II.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 29, 1994.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Hearings Held.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 28, 1994.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 22, 1994.
Referred sequentially to the House Committee on Ways and Means for a period ending not later than July 15, 1994 for consideration of such provisions contained in the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee pursuant to clause 1(v), rule X.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. H. Rept. 103-544, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. H. Rept. 103-544, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mr. Studds asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries have until 5:00 p.m. on June 3 to file a report on H.R. 4003. Agreed to without objection.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee On Merchant Marine.
Referred to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Analyze H.R.4003 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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