Sponsors (29)
The bill modernizes and clarifies the geographic baseline for U.S. customs jurisdiction—improving legal certainty and international alignment for maritime enforcement and commerce—while increasing the likelihood of nearshore federal enforcement actions that raise compliance costs and may disrupt coastal communities and maritime operators.
Federal customs and border agencies (and the federal employees who run them) get a clear, modern baseline (territorial sea and contiguous zone) for enforcement, reducing legal ambiguity about where inspections and seizures can occur.
Maritime commerce and law enforcement (including transportation workers and border communities) benefit from alignment with international law and Presidential proclamations, improving consistency across jurisdictions and reducing cross-border enforcement friction.
Businesses, mariners, and taxpayers gain clearer legal certainty about the geographic scope of customs jurisdiction, which can reduce disputes and lower compliance costs over time.
Mariners and commercial shippers face more enforcement actions nearshore (e.g., more stops or inspections), increasing compliance costs and operational disruption for transportation workers and shipping firms.
Local coastal and border communities may experience increased federal enforcement activity in nearby waters, which could disrupt fishing, tourism, and other local maritime operations.
Local governments, mariners, and other stakeholders could incur litigation or transition costs if parties challenge the change from the older 'four leagues' language, creating legal uncertainty during the transition.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Replaces 'waters within four leagues of the coast' with a baselines-based definition aligning customs waters with international law and two Presidential proclamations.
Introduced February 12, 2025 by Maria Elvira Salazar · Last progress February 12, 2025
Redefines the phrase "customs waters" in two federal laws to use modern baselines-based measurement in line with international law and two Presidential proclamations, replacing the outdated "waters within four leagues of the coast" language. The change clarifies how far U.S. customs and anti-smuggling jurisdiction extends from the coast. The act only sets a short title and makes the two definitional changes; it takes effect the day after enactment and does not create new programs, deadlines, or direct spending.