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HR 253 104th Congress House Sports and Recreation Federal preemption Gambling Government Operations and Politics Marine transportation Passenger ships Ships State laws Transportation and Public Works

To amend the Act commonly referred to as the "Johnson Act" to limit the authority of States to regulate gambling devices on vessels.

Introduced: January 4, 1995 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 20, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Jan 5, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E38)
Jan 4, 1995
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Jan 4, 1995
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Johnson Act to provide that States (with the exception of Hawaii) may not regulate the possession or use of gambling equipment on vessels whose voyage includes or consists of a segment: (1) that begins and ends in the same State; (2) that is part of a country; and (3) in which the vessel reaches the other State or foreign country within three days after leaving the State in which it begins.

What's happening now January 20, 1995

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 138 Identical bill A bill to amend the Act commonly referred to as the "Johnson Act" to limit the authority of States to regulate gambling…
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Mar 6, 1995
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 253: To amend the Act commonly referred to as the "Johnson Act" to limit the authority of States to regulate gambling devices on vessels.. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-253/
MLA
"H.R. 253: To amend the Act commonly referred to as the "Johnson Act" to limit the authority of States to regulate gambling devices on vessels.." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-253/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 253, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-253/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 253: To amend the Act commonly referred to as the "Johnson Act" to limit the authority of States to regulate gambling devices on vessels.](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-253/)
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