Congress · Laws

A bill to amend certain inspection and manning laws applicable to small vessels carrying passengers or freight for hire, and for other purposes.

Public Law 96-378 · H.R. 5164 · 96th Congress · began in the House

Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Oct 6, 1980 · Transportation and Public Works

Sponsor: Rep. Mario Biaggi (D-NY-10)

Cosponsors (6): Rep. David Treen, Rep. John Breaux,

Passage votesYeaNay

HouseRecorded vote: 279 yea, 111 nay279–111
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.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Revises specified inspection and manning requirements for vessels below a specified size carrying passengers or freight for hire. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue regulations to carry out such inspection and manning requirements.

Increases the civil penalty for violations of such manning requirements.

Defines "offshore supply vessel" for the purposes of this Act. Directs that such vessels must comply with specified inspection and manning requirements.

Directs the Secretary to license and classify specified crew members of all vessels subject to the vessel inspection or manning laws of the United States. Sets forth requirements for qualification as an able seaman for certain categories of vessels, including those engaged in the exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore mineral or energy resources.

Makes freight-carrying vessels below a specified size subject to the same inspection requirements as those applicable to smaller passenger-carrying vessels.

Makes it unlawful to employ any person, or for any person to serve aboard a vessel to which this Act applies, other than a licensed officer, if that person does not have a certificate of service attesting to proficiency issued by the Secretary.

Makes conforming and technical amendments to specified Acts.

Authorizes the Secretary to issue a temporary license, for no longer than three years, to specified crew members who served on board an offshore supply vessel on or before January 1, 1979. Prohibits a person so licensed from serving under such license on a vessel other than an offshore supply vessel.

Who voted for it

Every House member of the 96th Congress on the ideology compass. Highlighted: the 281 who voted yea on final passage. Faded: everyone else, including those who voted nay, did not vote, or had not yet taken office.

281 yea113 nay38 present or did not vote

Dimension 2

Economic left–right

More liberalMore conservative

Democrats who voted yea(150)

Rep. Ronald DellumsD-CA-8
Rep. Benjamin RosenthalD-NY-8
Rep. Henry GonzálezD-TX-20
Rep. Edward PattenD-NJ-15
Rep. Jonathan BinghamD-NY-22
Rep. William LehmanD-FL-13
Rep. Dante FascellD-FL-15
Rep. George BrownD-CA-36
Rep. George DanielsonD-CA-30
Rep. John SeiberlingD-OH-14
Rep. Charles PriceD-IL-23
Rep. William FordD-MI-15
Rep. Henry ReussD-WI-5
Rep. John BrademasD-IN-3
Rep. Frank ThompsonD-NJ-4
Rep. Claude PepperD-FL-14
Rep. Thomas AshleyD-OH-9
Rep. Richard OttingerD-NY-24
Rep. William MoorheadD-PA-14
Rep. John DingellD-MI-16
Rep. Lionel Van DeerlinD-CA-42
Rep. Cardiss CollinsD-IL-7
Rep. Robert GiaimoD-CT-3
Rep. Harold FordD-TN-8
Rep. James WrightD-TX-12
Rep. John MoakleyD-MA-9
Rep. Gerry StuddsD-MA-12
Rep. Charles VanikD-OH-22
Rep. Clement ZablockiD-WI-4
Rep. Albert UllmanD-OR-2
Rep. Toby MoffettD-CT-6
Rep. Jack BrooksD-TX-9
Rep. Gillis LongD-LA-8
Rep. Thomas DowneyD-NY-2
Rep. Lindy BoggsD-LA-2
Rep. Edward StackD-FL-12
Rep. Peter PeyserD-NY-23
Rep. Leslie AspinD-WI-1
Rep. Harley StaggersD-WV-2
Rep. Timothy WirthD-CO-2
Rep. Thomas FoleyD-WA-5
Rep. Mike McCormackD-WA-4
Rep. Bob CarrD-MI-6
Rep. Robert DuncanD-OR-3
Rep. William RatchfordD-CT-5
Rep. Mario BiaggiD-NY-10
Rep. Albert GoreD-TN-4
Rep. Thomas SteedD-OK-4
Rep. Fernand St. GermainD-RI-1
Rep. Mary OakarD-OH-20
Rep. Morris UdallD-AZ-2
Rep. John LaFalceD-NY-36
Rep. Kenneth HollandD-SC-5
Rep. Henry NowakD-NY-37
Rep. James HanleyD-NY-32
Rep. John JenretteD-SC-6
Rep. Donald BaileyD-PA-21
Rep. Joseph FisherD-VA-10
Rep. Gladys SpellmanD-MD-5
Rep. Edward BolandD-MA-2
Rep. Lunsford PreyerD-NC-6
Rep. Charles RoseD-NC-7
Rep. William CotterD-CT-1
Rep. Butler DerrickD-SC-3
Rep. Frank GuariniD-NJ-14
Rep. Robert RoeD-NJ-8
Rep. Raymond KogovsekD-CO-3
Rep. Lester WolffD-NY-6
Rep. Joseph MinishD-NJ-11
Rep. Mendel DavisD-SC-1
Rep. Nicholas MavroulesD-MA-6
Rep. Sam GibbonsD-FL-7
Rep. Walter JonesD-NC-1
Rep. Michael SynarD-OK-2
Rep. Neal SmithD-IA-4
Rep. Beryl AnthonyD-AR-4
Rep. Bo GinnD-GA-1
Rep. Berkley BedellD-IA-6
Rep. Carl PerkinsD-KY-7
Rep. Les AuCoinD-OR-1
Rep. Douglas WalgrenD-PA-18
Rep. Clarence LongD-MD-2
Rep. Ike AndrewsD-NC-4
Rep. Don FuquaD-FL-2
Rep. Charles WhitleyD-NC-3
Rep. Bill HefnerD-NC-8
Rep. Wyche FowlerD-GA-5
Rep. John HutchinsonD-WV-3
Rep. William BonerD-TN-5
Rep. James LloydD-CA-35
Rep. Ike SkeltonD-MO-4
Rep. Tom HarkinD-IA-5
Rep. Leon PanettaD-CA-16
Rep. Earl HuttoD-FL-1
Rep. William NatcherD-KY-2
Rep. James JonesD-OK-1
Rep. Allen ErtelD-PA-17
Rep. Jake PickleD-TX-10
Rep. Ed JonesD-TN-7
Rep. Romano MazzoliD-KY-3
Rep. James MattoxD-TX-5
Rep. Vonno GudgerD-NC-11
Rep. Koln McKayD-UT-1
Rep. Edward BeardD-RI-2
Rep. Abraham KazenD-TX-23
Rep. Daniel MicaD-FL-11
Rep. Jerome AmbroD-NY-3
Rep. Bill NelsonD-FL-9
Rep. Joseph EarlyD-MA-3
Rep. Jamie WhittenD-MS-1
Rep. Austin MurphyD-PA-22
Rep. Jack HightowerD-TX-13
Rep. Lee HamiltonD-IN-9
Rep. Philip SharpD-IN-10
Rep. Stephen NealD-NC-5
Rep. Charles BennettD-FL-3
Rep. Billy TauzinD-LA-3
Rep. Herbert RobertsD-TX-4
Rep. Joseph WyattD-TX-14
Rep. William HughesD-NJ-2
Rep. Billy EvansD-GA-8
Rep. Wes WatkinsD-OK-3
Rep. Kika de la GarzaD-TX-15
Rep. Jack BrinkleyD-GA-3
Rep. Patricia SchroederD-CO-1
Rep. John BreauxD-LA-7
Rep. Andy IrelandD-FL-8
Rep. Richard WhiteD-TX-16
Rep. Druie BarnardD-GA-10
Rep. Elliott LevitasD-GA-4
Rep. Gus YatronD-PA-6
Rep. Kent HanceD-TX-19
Rep. Carroll HubbardD-KY-1
Rep. Eugene AtkinsonD-PA-25
Rep. Thomas HuckabyD-LA-5
Rep. William NicholsD-AL-3
Rep. Lawrence FountainD-NC-2
Rep. Glenn EnglishD-OK-6
Rep. William ChappellD-FL-4
Rep. Richard ShelbyD-AL-7
Rep. Sam HallD-TX-1
Rep. Ronald MottlD-OH-23
Rep. Sonny MontgomeryD-MS-3
Rep. Phil GrammD-TX-6
Rep. Charlie StenholmD-TX-17
Rep. Andrew JacobsD-IN-11
Rep. James LeathD-TX-11
Rep. Dan DanielD-VA-5
Rep. Robert StumpD-AZ-3
Rep. Lawrence McDonaldD-GA-7

Republicans who voted yea(131)

Rep. Stewart McKinneyR-CT-4
Rep. Bill GreenR-NY-18
Rep. Silvio ConteR-MA-1
Rep. Pete McCloskeyR-CA-12
Rep. Margaret HecklerR-MA-10
Rep. Frank HortonR-NY-34
Rep. Matthew RinaldoR-NJ-12
Rep. Joel PritchardR-WA-1
Rep. Thomas RailsbackR-IL-19
Rep. Lyle WilliamsR-OH-19
Rep. Joseph McDadeR-PA-10
Rep. Hamilton FishR-NY-25
Rep. Jim JeffordsR-VT
Rep. Jim JohnsonR-CO-4
Rep. John StantonR-OH-11
Rep. Paul FindleyR-IL-20
Rep. Jack EdwardsR-AL-1
Rep. Donald MitchellR-NY-31
Rep. John DuncanR-TN-2
Rep. Donald ClausenR-CA-2
Rep. Norman LentR-NY-4
Rep. Millicent FenwickR-NJ-5
Rep. Olympia SnoweR-ME-2
Rep. James QuillenR-TN-1
Rep. Henry HydeR-IL-6
Rep. William ClingerR-PA-23
Rep. Jim LeachR-IA-1
Rep. Thomas EvansR-DE
Rep. Edward MadiganR-IL-21
Rep. Elwood HillisR-IN-5
Rep. Robert McEwenR-NY-30
Rep. William RoyerR-CA-11
Rep. Mark AndrewsR-ND
Rep. David EmeryR-ME-1
Rep. John RhodesR-AZ-1
Rep. George WhitehurstR-VA-2
Rep. Robert CoughlinR-PA-13
Rep. James BroyhillR-NC-10
Rep. Harold SawyerR-MI-5
Rep. Larry WinnR-KS-3
Rep. Robert McCloryR-IL-13
Rep. John ErlenbornR-IL-14
Rep. William HarshaR-OH-6
Rep. Guy Vander JagtR-MI-9
Rep. Ralph RegulaR-OH-16
Rep. Virginia SmithR-NE-3
Rep. David MarriottR-UT-2
Rep. Robin BeardR-TN-6
Rep. Manuel LujánR-NM-1
Rep. Paul TribleR-VA-1
Rep. Bob WilsonR-CA-41
Rep. Doug BereuterR-NE-1
Rep. John HammerschmidtR-AR-3
Rep. Robert LivingstonR-LA-1
Rep. James ClevelandR-NH-2
Rep. Thomas TaukeR-IA-2
Rep. Willis GradisonR-OH-1
Rep. Earl ColemanR-MO-6
Rep. Keith SebeliusR-KS-1
Rep. John PorterR-IL-10
Rep. Floyd SpenceR-SC-2
Rep. James AbdnorR-SD-2
Rep. Carroll CampbellR-SC-4
Rep. John WydlerR-NY-5
Rep. Marion SnyderR-KY-4
Rep. Tennyson GuyerR-OH-4
Rep. Larry HopkinsR-KY-6
Rep. Charles PashayanR-CA-17
Rep. Thomas CorcoranR-IL-15
Rep. W. Bill YoungR-FL-6
Rep. Robert WhittakerR-KS-5
Rep. William BroomfieldR-MI-19
Rep. Tom PetriR-WI-6
Rep. James CourterR-NJ-13
Rep. William FrenzelR-MN-3
Rep. Ronald MarleneeR-MT-2
Rep. Donald RitterR-PA-15
Rep. Edwin ForsytheR-NJ-6
Rep. Jerry LewisR-CA-37
Rep. Jon HinsonR-MS-4
Rep. Clair BurgenerR-CA-43
Rep. Chuck GrassleyR-IA-3
Rep. Trent LottR-MS-5
Rep. Thomas HagedornR-MN-2
Rep. James RobinsonR-VA-7
Rep. Newton GingrichR-GA-6
Rep. Gary LeeR-NY-33
Rep. Richard SchulzeR-PA-5
Rep. James MartinR-NC-9
Rep. Robert MichelR-IL-18
Rep. Barber ConableR-NY-35
Rep. John MyersR-IN-7
Rep. Robert DornanR-CA-27
Rep. Skip BafalisR-FL-10
Rep. William GoodlingR-PA-19
Rep. Toby RothR-WI-8
Rep. William DickinsonR-AL-2
Rep. William CarneyR-NY-1
Rep. Barry GoldwaterR-CA-20
Rep. Robert DanielR-VA-4
Rep. Richard CheneyR-WY
Rep. Bill ThomasR-CA-18
Rep. Mickey EdwardsR-OK-5
Rep. Thomas LoefflerR-TX-21
Rep. David StockmanR-MI-4
Rep. Robert LagomarsinoR-CA-19
Rep. Gerald SolomonR-NY-29
Rep. Carlos MoorheadR-CA-22
Rep. Dan QuayleR-IN-4
Rep. Delbert LattaR-OH-5
Rep. Bud ShusterR-PA-9
Rep. Clarence MillerR-OH-10
Rep. Robert WalkerR-PA-16
Rep. Kenneth KramerR-CO-5
Rep. Eldon RuddR-AZ-4
Rep. Robert BadhamR-CA-40
Rep. James SensenbrennerR-WI-9
Rep. Samuel DevineR-OH-12
Rep. Norman ShumwayR-CA-14
Rep. Daniel LungrenR-CA-34
Rep. Bill ArcherR-TX-7
Rep. James JeffriesR-KS-2
Rep. Richard KellyR-FL-5
Rep. John AshbrookR-OH-17
Rep. John RousselotR-CA-26
Rep. William DannemeyerR-CA-39
Rep. George HansenR-ID-2
Rep. Phil CraneR-IL-12
Rep. Daniel CraneR-IL-22
Rep. James CollinsR-TX-3
Rep. Ron PaulR-TX-22

Data notes

The House’s recorded vote on the final version of the law (roll call 1181 in Voteview), matched to the vote the record cites and checked against its totals. Positions are each member’s DW-NOMINATE score for that Congress, as on the Ideology page; left to right is more liberal to more conservative. Paired and announced yea votes count as yea. Lists follow the compass, most liberal first. A name links to a profile only for members of the current Congress. A law passed by voice vote or unanimous consent has no member list, and neither does a vote Voteview has not yet recorded.

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Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee · House · referred to, reported by
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee · Senate · 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.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 21 actions.

Oct 6, 1980Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
PresidentPresident · Public Law 96-378.
Sep 25, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
Sep 24, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
Sep 23, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to conference report, roll call #578 (279-111).House roll call 578
Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in House: House agreed to conference report, roll call #578 (279-111).House roll call 578
Sep 18, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to conference report.
Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report.
Sep 17, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 96-1342.
Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed: Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 96-1342.
Aug 26, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference scheduled in Senate.
Aug 22, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference scheduled in House.
Aug 18, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
Aug 1, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Jul 1, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Jun 30, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended.
FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
Jun 4, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
Sep 5, 1979CommitteeCommittee · 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.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.