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HR 248 106th Congress House

United States Cruise Tourism Act of 1999

Official title: To permit the transportaion of passengers between United States ports by certain foreign-flag vessels and to encourage United States-flag vessels to participate in such transportation.

Introduced: January 6, 1999 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Alien laborBuy AmericanCoastwise shippingCommerce
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Finance and Financial SectorFlags of convenienceForeign Trade and International FinanceImmigrationLabor and EmploymentMaintenance and repairMarine insuranceMerchant seamenPassenger shipsShipbuildingTourismVisas
This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 19, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Jan 6, 1999
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 6, 1999
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 19, 1999

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

United States Cruise Tourism Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to approve the transportation of passengers on foreign-flag cruise vessels not otherwise qualified to engage in the coastwise trade between ports in the United States, directly or by way of a foreign port, except with respect to coastwise trade served by a U.S.-flag cruise vessel. Requires termination of any such foreign-flag cruise vessel passenger service within three years after a U.S.-flag cruise vessel commences such service between the same ports.

Requires the owner or charterer of a qualified foreign-flag cruise vessel to have any vessel repairs performed in the United States, unless the vessel requires repairs or service while at a distant foreign port. Directs the Secretary to terminate the coastwise trade privileges of the owner or charterer of a foreign-flag cruise vessel if such repairs have not been made in the United States. Provides for a waiver of such requirements in emergencies.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize an immigration officer to extend for a period or periods of up to six months each a conditional permit to land temporarily in the United States granted to an alien crewman employed on a vessel, if the vessel owner or charterer requests the extension and the immigration officer determines that it is necessary to maintain the vessel in the coastwise trade between ports in the United States, directly or by way of a foreign port.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 248: United States Cruise Tourism Act of 1999. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-248/
MLA
"H.R. 248: United States Cruise Tourism Act of 1999." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-248/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 248, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-248/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 248: United States Cruise Tourism Act of 1999](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-248/)
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