S. 2536

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To exempt large cruise ships from certain requirements applicable to passenger vessels, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · July 30, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Lee · Committee: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Table of contents

• SEC. 1. Short title
• SEC. 2. Adjusting applicability of certain PVSA and Jones Act requirements
• SEC. 3. Adjustments relating to permits for alien crewmen to land temporarily in the United States
• SEC. 4. Rule of construction

SEC. 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Safeguarding American Tourism Act".

SEC. 2. Adjusting applicability of certain PVSA and Jones Act requirements

(a) PVSA domestic requirements

Section 55103 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(c) Nonapplicablity This section shall not apply to any vessel with 800 or more passenger berths..

(b) Jones Act requirements

of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (Chapter 121) (1) in section 12103, by adding at the end the following:

(d) Nonapplicability The requirements of this section shall not apply to any vessel with 800 or more passenger berths and that transports passengers between ports or places in the United States to which the coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port.; and

(2) in section 12112(a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting before ; and (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking after the semicolon; (ii) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking "; and" and inserting "; or" ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following:

(c) Adjustment of citizenship and Navy Reserve requirements

Section 8103(k) of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

(k) Nonapplicability to certain passenger vessels Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to any vessel with 800 or more passenger berths and that transports passengers between ports or places in the United States to which the coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port..

SEC. 3. Adjustments relating to permits for alien crewmen to land temporarily in the United States

Section 252(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1282(a)) is amended— (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)— (A) by striking "he may, in his discretion," and inserting "the officer may" ; and (B) by striking "a period of time, in any event, not to exceed" and inserting "the period during which such crewman is in possession of a valid, unexpired visa issued pursuant to such paragraph, if such officer is satisfied the crewman intends to depart" ; and

(2) by striking paragraphs (1) through (3) and inserting the following:

(1) on the vessel or aircraft on which such crewman arrived; or (2) on a vessel or aircraft other than the vessel or aircraft on which such crewman arrived..

SEC. 4. Rule of construction

Nothing in the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to exempt a vessel that transports passengers between ports or places in the United States to which the coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port, from any applicable law of the United States except as explicitly provided in such amendments.