Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act of 2024

House Bill

H.R. 666

119th Congress

Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act of 2024

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E90-91)

Introduced:Jan 23, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Ed Case

Representative

Democratic

HI-1

Cosponsors

2

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Summary

This bill establishes that shipping rates for noncontiguous domestic routes like Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam are reasonable if within 10 percent of comparable international shipping rates. This provides a clearer standard for evaluating whether rates to these areas are fair.

Latest Action

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E90-91)

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill establishes that shipping rates for noncontiguous domestic routes like Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam are reasonable if within 10 percent of comparable international shipping rates. This provides a clearer standard for evaluating whether rates to these areas are fair.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act of  2024This bill provides that a rate for service in noncontiguous domestic ocean trade is reasonable if such rate is within 10% of a rate set by a comparable international ocean rate index recognized by the Federal Maritime Commission. (Under current law, a rate is required to be reasonable, and the Surface Transportation Board generally has the authority to determine whether certain rates are reasonable.)

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Defines reasonable rates for noncontiguous shipping
Uses 10 percent of international rates as benchmark
Affects shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam
Provides clearer standard for rate evaluation
Federal Maritime Commission recognizes rate indices

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Residents and businesses in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories could see more predictable shipping costs. The bill addresses concerns that shipping to these areas costs more than similar international routes. Shippers would have a clearer standard for what constitutes a reasonable rate.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

666, 119th Congress (2025). "Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act of 2024". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-666