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Congress·Reported·3 months ago

Plan raises Federal Maritime Commission funding to $57M by 2029, targets shipping exchange manipulation

Also known as: Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(1)
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Union Member
Helps

Key Points

  • Gives the Federal Maritime Commission about $49 million in 2026, rising to $57 million by 2029, to police ocean shipping
  • Lets people report unfair price moves or cheating by shipping exchanges; the agency must investigate and tell Congress if it finds problems
  • Starts new rules on how freight price indexes collect and protect data; a final rule is due within 3 years
  • Cuts repeat data paperwork by using info other agencies already collect, easing the load on businesses that ship goods
  • Creates new port and carrier advisory groups and tightens oversight of carriers with certain foreign ties and trade risk flags
TransportationTradeSmall BusinessConsumer ProtectionData Privacy

Milestones

6 milestones18 actions
Dec 16, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Dec 15, 2025House

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Dec 15, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Dec 15, 2025House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5869-6871)

Dec 15, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5869-6871)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

within 3–6 months after enactment

The Commission opens a channel to accept complaints about price manipulation by shipping exchanges.

Shippers and logistics managers can report suspicious index spikes or unfair platform behavior, triggering an investigation.

within 6–9 months after enactment

The Commission begins quarterly public updates using existing federal data instead of duplicate reports.

Companies spend less time re-submitting the same information, and the public sees clearer snapshots of cargo flows and rates.

within 6–12 months after enactment

Advisory committees for shippers, ports, and carriers are seated and start meetings.

Workers, terminals, and carriers share fixes for bottlenecks like long gate lines and container pileups that slow deliveries.

ongoing after enactment

Investigations into alleged unfair practices are run under stricter confidentiality until used in a case.

You may see fewer leaks during probes, but stronger cases when the agency brings actions, which can deter bad behavior.

Related News

2 articles
Transport Topics·5 months ago

House Committee Approves Ocean Shipping Bill

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Sept. 17 approved the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill to strengthen FMC oversight and build on OSRA 2022.

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MarineLink·8 months ago

US Legislation Introduced to Reauthorize Federal Maritime Commission

Rep. Dusty Johnson introduced the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025 to extend FMC authority through 2029, add tools to probe shipping exchanges, and update Shipping Act purposes.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 4183
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 349.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(3)
D: 2R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.