Bill · H.R. 4341· House(119-HR-4341)
International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 7/10/2025
- Last activity
- 12/1/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Doris Matsui
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act of 2025 requires the EPA Administrator to assess fees on shipping and other vessels. These fees are based on carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions and specific criteria air pollutants like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter. The bill establishes reporting requirements for vessel operators and importers to track fuel consumption and cargo mass. Collected funds are designated for various programs, including modernizing the Jones Act fleet, research and development for low-carbon fuels, and workforce development. It also provides funding for harbor craft and ferry electrification, as well as increased air monitoring in port communities. The Act includes a sunset provision once a global fee of similar scale is instituted by the International Maritime Organization or another UN agency.
Yes· 3 of 12
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+8
The bill directly targets maritime emissions through fees and funding for zero-emission technology.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The act funds increased air monitoring and reduces harmful criteria air pollutants near ports.
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+6
Funding is provided for the development and deployment of low-carbon fuels and zero-emission port equipment.
The opposite
Does this raise the taxes companies pay?-4
The bill imposes new fees on shipping operators and importers that act as a form of industry-specific tax.
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
Shipping and import businesses face new, escalating fees and increased compliance costs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Health Benefits for Port Communities: The bill aims to reduce air pollution in neighborhoods surrounding ports, which are noted as large sources of air pollution that contribute to poor health outcomes (Section 2).
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Modernizing Shipping Fleets: Funding is provided to award grants, rebates, and loans to replace or retrofit Jones Act vessels with zero-emissions technologies like batteries or low-carbon fuels (Section 7(a)(2)).
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Advancing Clean Technology: The bill provides money for research and development to produce, transport, blend, or store low-carbon maritime fuels and develop low-emission technologies (Section 7(b)(2)).
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Job Training and Workforce Development: Funds are allocated to support training for the maintenance and operation of zero-emission port equipment, vessels, and technologies (Section 7(c)(2)).
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Environmental Protection and Monitoring: The bill funds the creation of fenceline air monitoring at port boundaries and in nearby communities (Section 7(f)(1)).
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Support for Coastal Security and Debris Removal: Revenue is directed toward the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund and the Marine Debris Foundation (Section 7(g)(2) and 7(g)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Costs for Shipping Operators: Operators of covered voyages must pay fees based on fuel consumption and emissions, which include a specific charge per unit of mass (Section 5 and Section 6).
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Penalties for Non-payment: Failure to pay assessed fees results in a 20 percent increase, with additional 20 percent increases for every 30-day period that the fee remains unpaid (Section 5(b)(4) and Section 6(4)).
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Financial Burdens on Importers: Importers of certain cargo may be required to pay fees associated with qualified importing voyages (Section 5(c)).
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Increased Costs for Polar Voyages: Fees for fuel consumed during portions of a voyage north of 60 degrees north latitude or south of 60 degrees south latitude are tripled (Section 5(b)(2)(B)(ii)).
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Annual Inflation Adjustments: The fees assessed on operators and importers are subject to annual increases based on the rate of inflation plus five percentage points (Section 5(b)(2)(B)(i) and Section 6(b)(2)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Carbon Emissions+8Improves Environmental Protections+7Increases Renewable Energy Investment+6Improves Public Transit+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Union Workers+3Good For Children+2Good For Business Owners-3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+1Increases Corporate Taxes-4
- 12/1/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 7/10/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, Natural Resources, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California