H.R. 7084

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7084 Engrossed in House (EH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7084

_______________________________________________________________________

AN ACT

To amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the types of 
vessels that may enter or operate in navigable waters of the United 
States or transfer cargo in any port or place under the jurisdiction of 
the United States, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Defending American Property Abroad 
Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. CONDITION FOR ENTRY INTO PORTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

Section 70022 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(A)--
(A) in clause (i)--
(i) by striking ``subsection (b)(1)'' and 
inserting ``subsection (b)(1)(A)''; and
(ii) in subclause (II) by striking ``; or'' 
and inserting a semicolon;
(B) in clause (ii)--
(i) by striking ``subsection (b)(2)'' and 
inserting ``subsection (b)(1)(B)''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) vessel described in subsection 
(b)(1) in the case of--
``(I) an emergency being 
experienced by a vessel or an 
individual on the vessel; or
``(II) a vessel authorized by the 
owner, as described in subsection 
(b)(1)(C)(ii), to transit the 
facilities described in subsection 
(b)(1)(C).''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ``; or'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) (and by moving the margins of 
such subparagraphs accordingly);
(C) by striking ``A vessel referred'' and inserting 
the following:
``(1) In general.--A vessel referred''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) a vessel that has transited a port, harbor, 
or marine terminal, that at the time of such transit--
``(i) was located within the territory of a 
Western Hemisphere country that has in effect a 
free trade agreement with the United States;
``(ii) was accessible only through land 
that is owned, held, or controlled, directly or 
indirectly, by a United States person; and
``(iii) was designated by the President 
under paragraph (2), and has not had such 
designation removed under paragraph (3).
``(2) Designation.--The President may designate a port, 
harbor, or marine terminal under this subsection if an agency 
or official of the government of the Western Hemisphere foreign 
trade partner has--
``(A) nationalized, or expropriated the port, 
harbor, or marine terminal, owned, held, or controlled, 
directly or indirectly, by a United States person; or
``(B) taken any other action that has the effect of 
expropriating or nationalizing that port, harbor, or 
marine terminal, or land providing the exclusive access 
to that port, harbor, or marine terminal, as described 
in paragraph (1)(C)(ii), as long as the matter is not 
the subject of a currently pending arbitration under a 
free trade agreement described in paragraph (1)(C)(i).
``(3) Removal of designation.--The President shall remove 
the designation of a port, harbor, or marine terminal made 
under paragraph (2) if the President determines that--
``(A) the conditions set forth in paragraph (2) are 
no longer met;
``(B) the Western Hemisphere country has restored 
ownership of the property of the United States person 
and terminated any measures that had the effect of 
seizing ownership or possession of that property;
``(C) the Western Hemisphere country has provided 
adequate and effective compensation for such property 
in convertible foreign exchange or other mutually 
acceptable compensation equivalent to the full value 
thereof, as required by international law; or
``(D) the dispute has otherwise been resolved to 
the satisfaction of the President.''.

Passed the House of Representatives March 27, 2026.

Attest:

Clerk.
119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7084

_______________________________________________________________________

AN ACT

To amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the types of 
vessels that may enter or operate in navigable waters of the United 
States or transfer cargo in any port or place under the jurisdiction of 
the United States, and for other purposes.