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To repeal the Jones Act restrictions on coastwise trade, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill repeals certain restrictions on coastwise trade that were established by the Jones Act, allowing a broader range of vessels to engage in maritime commerce between U.S. ports. It amends federal maritime law to permit any vessel that qualifies under U.S. law to participate in coastwise trade, while requiring the Coast Guard to issue regulations within 90 days to ensure all such vessels meet appropriate safety and security requirements. The bill makes conforming amendments to remove references to the repealed restrictions from other maritime statutes covering tank vessels, liquified gas tankers, small passenger vessels, and oil spill response vessels. The changes are intended to expand the vessels eligible for coastwise trade while maintaining safety standards.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Tom Mcclintock’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
- SOVEREIGN NATION $21,650
- NOT PROVIDED $14,100
- TECHNICAL MAINTENANCE SUPPORT, INC. $10,700
- NULL $10,350
- CEN-CAL FIRE SYSTEMS, INC. $6,600
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Tom Mcclintock → · Outside spending →
Actions (3)
- Jun 13, 2025 Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. · house
- Jun 12, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. · house
- Jun 12, 2025 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Text versions (1)
Bills are re-published as they move (Introduced → Reported → Engrossed → Enrolled …). Each stage below is a separate text; pick two to see what changed. Data from Congress.gov.
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 12, 2025
Mr. McClintock introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
A BILL
To repeal the Jones Act restrictions on coastwise trade, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Open America’s Waters Act”.
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON COASTWISE TRADE.
(a) In General.—Section 12112(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
“(a) In General.—A coastwise endorsement may be issued for a vessel that qualifies under the laws of the United States to engage in the coastwise trade.”.
(b) Regulations.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard shall issue regulations to implement the amendment made by subsection
(a) that require all vessels permitted to engage in the coastwise trade to meet all appropriate safety and security requirements.
(c) Conforming Amendments.—
(1) Tank vessel construction standards.—Section 3703a(c)(1)(C) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking “and is qualified for documentation as a wrecked vessel under section 12112 of this title”.
(2) Liquified gas tankers.—Section 12120 of such title is amended by striking “, if the vessel—” and all that follows and inserting a period.
(3) Small passenger vessels.—Section 12121(b) of such title is amended—
(A) by striking “12112,”; and
(B) by striking “12132,”.
(4) Loss of coastwise trade privileges.—Section 12132 of such title is repealed.
(5) Oil spill response vessels.—Section 12117(b) of such title is amended by striking “sections 12103, 12132, and 50501” and inserting “sections 12103 and 50501”.
(6) Optional regulatory measurement.—Section 14305(a)(6) of such title is amended by striking “sections 12118 and 12132” and inserting “section 12118”.
(7) Court sales of undocumented vessels.—Section 31329(b) of such title is amended—
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking “;” and inserting “; and”;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking “; and” and inserting a period; and
(C) by striking paragraph (3).
(8) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections for chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 12132. <all>
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