Noncontiguous Disaster Shipping Act

This bill would let federal agencies temporarily waive certain federal shipping rules (“navigation or vessel-inspection laws”) to speed up relief supplies after the President declares a major disaster or emergency in certain U.S. places that aren’t connected to the mainland by land, like Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The waiver would apply to cargo vessels going to or from the affected area and would be used only for disaster relief. Agencies must tell Congress within 48 hours when a waiver is issued.

Each waiver could last up to 10 days, with possible 10-day extensions, but the total time for all waivers for the same disaster could not be more than 45 days.

Key points

• Who is affected: People and communities in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Hawaii, and Alaska; cargo shippers; federal agencies.
• What changes: During a declared disaster or emergency, agencies must waive certain federal shipping rules so relief goods can move faster to and from the affected area; Congress gets notice within 48 hours.
• When: After a presidential disaster or emergency declaration; waivers last up to 10 days at a time, with extensions allowed, for a maximum of 45 days total per event.