An Act to amend the Intercoastal Shipping Act, 1933, and for other purposes.
Public Law 95-475 · H.R. 6503 · 95th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Oct 18, 1978 · Transportation and Public Works
Sponsor: Rep. John Murphy (D-NY-17)
Cosponsors (9): Rep. John Dingell, Rep. John Breaux,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Amends the Intercoastal Shipping Act, 1933, to require water carriers to file general increases or decreases in rates with the Federal Maritime Commission 60 days before the effective date of such rate change. Defines general increase or decrease in rates as increases or decreases of 50 percent or more of the total rate, fare, or charge items in the tariffs per trade of common carriers by water in intercoastal commerce which will result in increases or decreases in the gross revenues of such carrier for a particular trade of three percent or more.
Prohibits the Commission from ordering hearings unless it publishes the reasons for such a hearing in the Federal Register and the specific issues to be resolved by such hearing.
Requires the Commission to prescribe guidelines for the determination of what constitutes a just and reasonable rate of return for common carriers by water.
Requires the Commission to complete such a hearing within 60 days and to issue a final decision within 180 days. Allows the Commission to extend such time period for an additional 60 days if three or more Commissioners agree to such an extension. Stipulates that if a final decision is not reached within this 180 day period or by the end of an extension period the proposed rate change or practice shall be deemed just and reasonable.
Prohibits the Commission from suspending: (1) any tariff schedule or service which extends to any additional port at the rates of the carrier involved for similar service in effect at the nearest port of call to such port; or (2) the operation of that portion of any changed rate representing an increase or decrease of seven percent or less and filed as part of a general increase or decrease in rates.
Stipulates that if the Commission finds that, with respect to a general increase in rates, any unsuspended portion of the increase is not just and reasonable, the Commission shall order the carrier involved to refund such increased costs plus interest to persons charged on the basis of the average of the prime rate charged by major banks, during the period to which the refund applies.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee · House · referred to, reported by
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 13 actions.
- Oct 18, 1978Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 95-475.
- Oct 6, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- Oct 5, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Oct 3, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate.
- Sep 26, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- May 9, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- May 8, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- Jun 30, 1977CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- Apr 21, 1977CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.