House advances Johnson’s Maritime Reform Act

Bipartisan legislation, endorsed by MP Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and hailed as the first major revision of federal regulations for the global shipping industry in over 30 years, was approved by the House of Representatives on December 8th.

“We are all affected by supply chain backlogs and delivery delays,” said Rep. Johnson. “Our bill passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support and I look forward to getting it passed in the Senate.”

The House of Representatives voted 364-60 for the further development of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021, HR 4996, which Rep. Johnson jointly endorsed in August with the legislature of US Representative John Garamendi (D-CA), to amend provisions relating to the Maritime policy to revise the growth and development of US exports and promote mutual trade in the United States’ foreign trade, according to the summary of the Congressional Act.

“China and the foreign flag shipping companies are not playing fair, and accountability is long overdue. If you want to do business with American ports, you have to adhere to our basic rules, ”said Rep. Johnson. “I am proud of the coalition MP Garamendi, which I have worked on building over the last year. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act puts American consumers, farmers, ranchers, retailers, truckers, manufacturers, and small businesses first. “

HR 4996, if passed, would establish reciprocal trade to promote US exports as part of the Federal Maritime Commission’s mission; Require ocean carriers to meet minimum service standards that are in the public interest; and require shipping companies or marine terminal operators to certify that all late fees are federally or subject to penalties according to a bill summary from the Rep. Johnson’s office.

In addition, the bill would shift the burden of proof with respect to the appropriateness of “detention or demurrage” fees of the biller to the shipping company and prohibit shipping companies, among other things, from inappropriately reducing the possibilities for US exports, it says in the summary.

Endorsed by more than 360 national, state, and local groups and businesses, HR 4996 was inducted into the Senate on December 9th and referred to the Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for consideration.

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