Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act
HR 1268 updates the legal definition of U.S. customs waters in two key laws (the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Anti-Smuggling Act) to align with current international maritime standards. It replaces the outdated "four leagues from the coast" language with specific references to the U.S. territorial sea (per Presidential Proclamation 5928, 1988) and contiguous zone (per Presidential Proclamation 7219, 1999). This change directly affects U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforcement activities in coastal waters. The bill makes no new policy or tax changes - it only clarifies existing legal boundaries for customs jurisdiction. The update takes effect upon the bill's enactment.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Feb 12, 2025
Last action Feb 12, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 28 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Maria Elvira Salazar
RRepublican
Co
Aaron Bean
RRepublican
Co
Ashley Hinson
RRepublican
Co
Brian J. Mast
RRepublican
Co
Brian K. Fitzpatrick
RRepublican
Co
Byron Donalds
RRepublican
Co
Carlos A. Gimenez
RRepublican
Co
Chris Pappas
DDemocratic
Co
Christopher H. Smith
RRepublican
Co
Clay Higgins
RRepublican
Co
Daniel Webster
RRepublican
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