S. 4753, Maritime Deregulation / Domestic Shipping Exemption. Quorum's AI analysis reads it as a net cost — and names who bears it.
S. 4753 · Net cost
What it does
This bill repeals and amends maritime shipping regulations (Section 55109 and 55110 of federal maritime law) to exclude dredged material from domestic shipping requirements. In practical terms, it removes the requirement that dredged material—sediment removed from ports and waterways—must be transported on U.S.-flagged vessels, allowing cheaper foreign shipping to be used instead.
The analysis names port operators and terminal companies — and 3 more groups — among the beneficiaries.
The cost
Removal of dredged material from Jones Act protections may establish a precedent for exempting other cargo categories, gradually eroding the domestic maritime industry's protected market.
The analysis put a high warning level on this bill. Transparency scores 65%, and the analysis found no provisions unrelated to the bill's subject.
Who is behind it
Filed by Mike Lee.