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H.R. 3953 98th Congress House

Panama Canal Amendments Act of 1984

Official title: A bill to amend the Panama Canal Act of 1979 in order that outside-the-locks claims for vessels damaged may be resolved in the same manner as those damaged inside the locks, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 21, 1983 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics CanalsClaimsGovernment liabilityInsurance
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Judicial reviewMarine transportationPanama CanalPanama Canal CommissionShips and shippingWater and Water Resources Development
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This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) 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 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 24, 1984
Rules Committee Resolution H.Res.552 Reported to House.
Jul 24, 1984
Committee on Rules Granted an Open Rule Providing One Hour of General Debate; Waiving Provisions of Section 402(a) of the Budget Act; Making in Order Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee Amendments Printed in the Bill; Waiving all Points of Order Against Said Amendments for Failure to Comply with the Provisions of Clause 5(a), Rule XXI.
Jul 23, 1984
Supplemental Report Filed by House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. Report No: 98-800 (Part II).
May 22, 1984
Placed on Union Calendar No: 462.
May 22, 1984
Reported to House (Amended) by House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. Report No: 98-800.
Apr 11, 1984
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Apr 11, 1984
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 21, 1984
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Mar 21, 1984
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Nov 3, 1983
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Oct 19, 1983
Executive Comment Received From Admin Office US Courts.
Oct 19, 1983
Executive Comment Received From US Courts.
Oct 5, 1983
Referred to Subcommittee on Panama Canal and Outer Continental Shelf.
Oct 5, 1983
Executive Comment Requested from Admin Office US Courts, Admin Conf of US, GAO, DOT (MARAD), Justice, State, Treasury, Panama Canal Co, DOD.
Sep 21, 1983
Referred to House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Sep 21, 1983
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 24, 1984

Rules Committee Resolution H.Res.552 Reported to House.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Panama Canal Amendments Act of 1983 - Amends the Panama Canal Act of 1979 to prohibit payment of damages for claims of injuries in the locks of the Canal unless the claim is filed with the Panama Canal Commission within three years after the injury or within one year after enactment of this Act, whichever is later.

Prohibits the Commission from being responsible for or from considering any claim for demurrage or delays caused by investigation of a marine accident that is conducted within 24 hours after the accident occurs.

Deletes the provision which requires the Commission to submit to Congress claims which exceed $120,000. Authorizes the Commission to settle such claims.

Authorizes claimants for injuries that occurred outside the locks of the Canal to bring an action against the Commission in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana if the decision of the Commission does not satisfy the claimant. Requires that such action must be brought within one year of notification of the Commission's decision or within one year of enactment of this Act whichever is later.

Authorizes the Commission to purchase insurance for claims arising from catastrophic marine accidents.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HRES 552 Procedurally related A resolution providing for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 3953) to amend the Panama Canal Act of 1979 in order tha…
 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3953: Panama Canal Amendments Act of 1984. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3953/
MLA
"H.R. 3953: Panama Canal Amendments Act of 1984." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3953/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3953, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3953/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3953: Panama Canal Amendments Act of 1984](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3953/)
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