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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 1350 (104th)

Maritime Security Act of 1996

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

29 March 1995

Last action

8 October 1996 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 104-239.

Sponsors

Rep. Spence, Floyd [R-SC-2], Rep. Dellums, Ronald V. [D-CA-8], Rep. Bateman, Herbert H. [R-VA-1]

Subjects

Defence, Transport

Source updated

6 June 2025

Defence · Transport

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Summary

Maritime Security Act of 1995 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to modify the authority of the Secretary of Transportation regarding operating-differential subsidies (ODSs) for vessels over 25 years old. Allows the Secretary to authorize replacement vessels for certain liner vessels receiving ODSs, making them ineligible for ODSs and limiting them to payments under this Act until the existing contract terminates by its terms. Allows the Secretary to authorize replacement vessels for certain bulk cargo vessels receiving ODSs, requiring that they continue to receive ODSs until the existing contract terminates by its terms. Prohibits new ODS contracts after enactment of this Act. Prohibits renewing or extending existing contracts. Allows operation of an ODS vessel in the U.S. foreign trade without restriction, notwithstanding any other provision of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936. Allows certain liner vessels to be transferred and registered under the flag of an effective U.S.-controlled foreign flag, provided the vessel is available for requisition by the Secretary. Mandates the establishment of a fleet of active, militarily useful vessels to meet national defense and other security requirements and maintain an American presence in international commercial shipping. Requires that the fleet consist of privately owned, U.S.-flag liner vessels with ODSs. Requires each fleet vessel to have an operating agreement with the Secretary, operate exclusively in the foreign trade, and be documented under Federal law. Allows the vessels to operate in the foreign trade without restriction. Requires the owner or operator of a vessel covered by an agreement, in war, national emergency, or the national interest, to make available, under an Emergency Preparedness Program, vessels, capacity in vessels, intermodal systems and equipment, terminal facilities, and intermodal and management services. Prohibits an owner, operator, or related party from engaging in noncontiguous trade, except as permitted in regulated waivers. Authorizes appropriations for the operating agreements under this Act. Declares that existing provisions prohibiting ODS holders from operating competing foreign-flag vessels do not preclude owners, operators, and others from owning, chartering, or operating foreign-flag vessels in specified ways. Amends cargo preference provisions to modify the definition of "privately owned United States-flag commercial vessels." Deems certain cargo preference provisions fulfilled regarding liner vessels if specified requirements are met. Terminates restrictions and requirements of specified provisions on vessels constructed, reconstructed, or reconditioned with the aid of a construction-differential subsidy for liner or dry bulk cargo vessels when they become 25 years old and for liquid bulk cargo vessels when they become over 20 years old.

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

Timeline

  1. 29 March 1995

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on National Security.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 29 March 1995

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 29 March 1995

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 24 May 1995

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended).

    Source: Committee

  5. 24 May 1995

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  6. 3 August 1995

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 121.

    Source: Calendars

  7. 3 August 1995

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on National Security. H. Rept. 104-229.

    Source: Committee

  8. 3 August 1995

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on National Security. H. Rept. 104-229.

    Source: Committee

  9. 30 November 1995

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 287 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1350 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. General debate shall be limited to one hour. The amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules shall be considered prior to the consideration of any other amendment and shall be debatable for 10 minutes; amendments that have been printed in the Congressional Record may be given priority in recognition; the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

    Source: Floor

  10. 6 December 1995

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 287. (consideration: CR H14062-14078)

    Source: Floor

  11. 6 December 1995

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 287 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  12. 6 December 1995

    Passed

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

    Source: Floor

  13. 6 December 1995

    Passed

    On passage Passed by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  14. 6 December 1995

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  15. 6 December 1995

    Passed

    The 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.

    Source: Floor

  16. 6 December 1995

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1350.

    Source: Floor

  17. 6 December 1995

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1350 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. General debate shall be limited to one hour. The amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules shall be considered prior to the consideration of any other amendment and shall be debatable for 20 minutes; amendments that have been printed in the Congressional Record may be given priority in recognition; the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

    Source: Floor

  18. 6 December 1995

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Jay Dickey to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  19. 6 December 1995

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 287 and Rule XXIII.

    Source: Floor

  20. 7 December 1995

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 262.

    Source: Calendars

  21. 19 September 1996

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S10950-10953, S10955-10965, S10969, S10972-10978)

    Source: Floor

  22. 20 September 1996

    Floor

    Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S11061-11064, S11069-11081)

    Source: Floor

  23. 24 September 1996

    Floor

    Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S11151-11158)

    Source: Floor

  24. 24 September 1996

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 88-10. Record Vote No: 300.

    Source: Floor

  25. 25 September 1996

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  26. 26 September 1996

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  27. 26 September 1996

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  28. 8 October 1996

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 104-239.

    Source: President

  29. 8 October 1996

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  30. 8 October 1996

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

24 September 1996 · Bill Passed · On Passage of the Bill H.R. 1350 · Bill Passed · Official source

Yes 88 · No 10 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 2

Showing the first 8 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

15 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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