United States 115th Congress Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

S 1894 — A bill to exempt Puerto Rico from the coastwise laws of the United States (commonly known as the "Jones Act").

Last action — Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 232.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

This bill revises the coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, that govern domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels. The Jones Act requires that vessels transporting merchandise or passengers between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports be built in the United States, at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. Jones Act requirements are currently waived with respect to vessels transporting passengers between Puerto Rico and U.S. ports. This bill permanently exempts vessels transporting merchandise between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports from those requirements.

Bill Text

  • Placed on Calendar Senate View text Current html October 02, 2017

Sections of law this bill changes

1 section in 1 law

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-121).

Coastwise trade · 46 U.S.C. ch. 551 1 section
  • § 55101 Application of coastwise laws Amends

    46 U.S.C. § 55101 — at 55101(b)

    The law today

    (a) In General.— Except as provided in subsection (b), the coastwise laws apply to the United States, including the island territories and possessions of the United States. (b) Exceptions.— The coastwise laws do not apply to— (1) American Samoa; (2) the Northern Mariana Islands, except as provided in section 502(b) of the Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America (48 U.S.C. 1801 note); or (3) the Virgin Islands until the President declares by proclamation that the coastwise laws apply to the Virgin Islands.

    4 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

How this bill changes current law

4 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds Puerto Rico to the list of exceptions to the coastwise laws of the United States.

  • 46 U.S.C. § 55101(b)

    (1) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;

    This change exempts Puerto Rico from the coastwise laws.

  • 46 U.S.C. § 55101(b)

    (1) → (2)

    This change renumbers the existing exceptions.

  • 46 U.S.C. § 55101(b)

    (2) → (3)

    This change renumbers the existing exceptions.

  • 46 U.S.C. § 55101(b)

    (3) → (4)

    This change renumbers the existing exceptions.

Action History

  1. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 232.

  2. Introduced in Senate

  3. Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6228)

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

transportation
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 1894 do?
This bill revises the coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, that govern domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels. The Jones Act requires that vessels transporting merchandise or passengers between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports be built in the United States, at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. Jones Act requirements are currently waived with respect to vessels transporting passengers between Puerto Rico and U.S. ports. This bill permanently exempts vessels transporting merchandise between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports from those requirements.
Who sponsors S 1894?
S 1894 is sponsored by McCain, John (Republican).
What is the current status of S 1894?
This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 1894?
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