Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act
This bill updates legal definitions in customs law to replace the outdated "four leagues" standard with current international law boundaries. It clarifies that U.S. customs enforcement applies to waters within the U.S. territorial sea (up to 12 nautical miles, as defined in Presidential Proclamation 5928) and contiguous zone (up to 24 nautical miles, as defined in Proclamation 7219). The change directly affects U.S. Customs and Border Protection's maritime enforcement operations but does not alter the actual geographic scope of enforcement areas. The bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Anti-Smuggling Act to align their language with existing international law standards.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2023
Committee Review
Apr 2024
House Passage
Apr 2024
Senate Passage
President
Introduced Jan 25, 2023
Last action May 1, 2024
Floor votes · House Apr 30, 2024
How they voted
402–6
Passed · 20 other
Total votes 428
Apr 30, 2024
D
Democratic212
91% Yea
I
Independent1
100% Yea
R
Republican215
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
7
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Apr 30, 2024
Lower · Passed
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 402 - 6 (Roll no. 155). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: 04/29/2024 CR H2689-2690)
lower
Apr 30, 2024
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 402 - 6 (Roll no. 155). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: 04/29/2024 CR H2689-2690)
lower
Apr 12, 2024
Lower · Passed
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1137 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7888, H.R. 529, H. Res. 1112 and H. Res. 1117. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7888 under a structured rule and H.R. 529, H. Res. 1112, and H. Res. 1117 each under a closed rule. Rule provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 7888, H.R. 529, H. Res. 1112, and H. Res. 1117. Motion to recommit allowed on H.R. 7888 and H.R. 529.
lower
Apr 10, 2024
Lower · Passed
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1125 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7888, H.R. 529, H. Res. 1112 and H. Res. 1117. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7888 under a structured rule and H.R. 529, H. Res. 1112, and H. Res. 1117 each under a closed rule. The rule provides for two hours of general debate on H.R. 7888 and one hour of general debate on H.R. 529, H. Res. 1112, and H. Res. 1117. Motion to recommit provided on H.R. 7888 and H.R. 529.
lower
Apr 5, 2024
Lower · Passed
Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Ways and Means, H. Rept. 118-436, Part II.
lower
Apr 2, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 118-436, Part I.
lower
Nov 30, 2023
Introduced
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 37 - 0.
lower
Nov 30, 2023
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Jan 25, 2023
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
lower
Jan 25, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 32 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Michael Waltz
RRepublican
Co
Aaron Bean
RRepublican
Co
Bill Posey
RRepublican
Co
Brian Babin
RRepublican
Co
Brian J. Mast
RRepublican
Co
Byron Donalds
RRepublican
Co
Carlos A. Gimenez
RRepublican
Co
Chris Pappas
DDemocratic
Co
Clay Higgins
RRepublican
Co
Daniel Webster
RRepublican
Co
Donald G. Davis
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HR 529
Scope: US
Hi! I can help you understand HR 529. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline