Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act

HR 1044, the Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act, extends an existing tax exemption for alternative motorboat fuels to cover vessels operating exclusively between Atlantic or Pacific U.S. ports (including territories). This change, effective after December 31, 2021, directly affects small coastal vessel operators who previously did not qualify for the exemption. The bill amends the tax code to include these "one-coast" vessels under the same exemption that previously applied to vessels serving multiple coasts. It creates a policy change by removing a tax distinction for specific coastal shipping operations without altering broader fuel tax structures.