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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 4996 (117th)

Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

10 August 2021

Last action

9 December 2021 · Introduced

Status

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsors

Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Keller, Fred [R-PA-12], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Womack, Steve [R-AR-3], Chris Jacobs, Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28], Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann [D-AZ-2], Rep. Phillips, Dean [D-MN-3], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Reed, Tom [R-NY-23], Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3], Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Long, Billy [R-MO-7], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18], Yvette Herrell, Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-13], Rep. Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6]

Subjects

Transport

Source updated

28 May 2025

Transport

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 This bill revises provisions related to ocean shipping policies and is designed to support the growth and development of U.S. exports and promote reciprocal trade in the foreign commerce of the United States. Among other provisions, the bill sets forth requirements for operating a shipping exchange involving ocean transportation in the foreign commerce of the United States; prohibits ocean common carriers and marine terminal operators from retaliating or discriminating against shippers because such shippers have patronized another carrier, or filed a complaint; requires the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to publish and annually update all its findings of false certifications by ocean common carriers or marine terminal operators and all penalties assessed against such carriers or operators; requires ocean common carriers to adhere to minimum service standards that meet the public interest; directs the FMC to establish rules prohibiting ocean common carriers and marine terminal operators from adopting and applying unjust and unreasonable demurrage and detention fees; requires ocean common carriers to report to the FMC each calendar quarter on total import and export tonnage and the total loaded and empty 20-foot equivalent units per vessel that makes port in the United States; authorizes the FMC to initiate investigations of an ocean common carrier's fees or charges and apply enforcement measures, as appropriate; and revises annual reporting requirements for the FMC on foreign laws and practices to include practices by ocean common carriers.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 10 August 2021

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 10 August 2021

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E888)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 10 August 2021

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 10 August 2021

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 11 August 2021

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

    Source: Committee

  6. 8 December 2021

    Passed

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

    Source: Floor

  7. 8 December 2021

    Vote

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 364 - 60 (Roll no. 406). (text: CR H7473-7475)

    Source: Floor

  8. 8 December 2021

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 364 - 60 (Roll no. 406).(text: CR H7473-7475)

    Source: Floor

  9. 8 December 2021

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7472-7479)

    Source: Floor

  10. 8 December 2021

    Vote

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

    Source: Floor

  11. 8 December 2021

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4996.

    Source: Floor

  12. 8 December 2021

    Floor

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

    Source: Floor

  13. 9 December 2021

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

8 December 2021 · passed · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed · Official source

Yes 364 · No 60 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 9

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

8 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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Leesvertaling

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 9 December 2021

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 9 December 2021

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 8 December 2021

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 8 December 2021

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  • Passed House

    summary · EN · 8 December 2021

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 10 August 2021

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 10 August 2021

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 10 August 2021

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 99 sponsors and actors.

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Sources

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