Sponsor
Benjamin Cline
Representative · R-VA
Representative · R-VA
The bill provides short‑term relief and predictable approvals to prevent supply delays by allowing temporary use of non‑coastwise vessels, but it does so at some risk to the domestic maritime industry, maritime security objectives, and agency workloads.
Small businesses, importers, and shippers can use temporary waivers to bring in specified goods on non‑coastwise vessels when no eligible U.S. carrier is available, and the bill creates a predictable automatic deemed‑grant after 60 days so urgent shipments are less likely to be delayed.
Taxpayers and state governments gain clearer timelines and required findings on denials, increasing transparency and accountability for agency decisions about waivers.
Taxpayers and national security stakeholders face increased risk because frequent or prolonged waivers could weaken coastwise laws designed to sustain a domestic fleet important for maritime security.
U.S. maritime workers and the domestic shipbuilding/documented‑vessel industry could see reduced demand and potential job losses if temporary waivers substitute for U.S.‑built or documented vessels.
Federal and state employees may face increased administrative burden and pressure from rapid notification and decision timelines (including the 48‑hour congressional notice), raising the chance of procedural errors or rushed judgments.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows agency heads to temporarily waive coastwise endorsement rules for product carriers when no suitable carrier exists, with time limits, automatic approval if delayed, and rapid congressional notice.
Introduced March 12, 2026 by Benjamin Cline · Last progress March 12, 2026
Creates a temporary waiver process allowing federal agency heads to waive U.S. coastwise endorsement requirements for product carriers when no suitable U.S.-qualified vessel is available and the requester has made a good-faith effort to find one. Waivers are time-limited (an initial minimum of 30 days, extendable in 15-day increments), include deadlines for agency action, and require rapid notice to Congress and written findings for denials. The bill defines key terms (including “product carrier” and “head of an agency”), describes automatic approval if an agency misses its decision deadline, and requires agencies to explain the necessity of any issued waiver when notifying Congress within 48 hours.