Protecting Access to American Products Act

Summary

Creates a temporary waiver process that lets a federal maritime agency exempt the usual U.S. coastwise endorsement rules when no suitable U.S.-qualified product carrier is available. Agencies must decide waiver requests quickly, notify Congress fast, allow limited extensions, and explain denials and approvals in writing.

• Creates a temporary waiver process for coastwise endorsement rules when no suitable product carrier is available.
• Agencies must approve or deny waiver requests within 60 days; lack of decision by day 61 triggers a 30-day deemed grant.
• Any granted waiver must last at least 30 days and can be extended in minimum 15-day increments if circumstances are unchanged.
• Agencies must notify Congress within 48 hours of receiving waiver requests and within 48 hours of issuing waivers, with detailed explanations for issuances.
• If a waiver request is denied, the agency must provide written findings within 14 days explaining the denial.
• Defines key terms including 'product carrier' and who counts as the 'head of an agency' for administering the authority.
• Applies only when the requester shows a good-faith effort to find a qualifying domestic product carrier and demonstrates unavailability.