# 119-s-2043: Open America's Waters Act

119-s-2043, Open America's Waters Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] (R-UT); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2043
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-2043
- Congress: 119
- Title: Open America's Waters Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-06-12
- Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] (R-UT)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**Would expand eligibility for U.S. coastwise endorsements to any vessel that qualifies under U.S. law.** It would also prompt the Coast Guard to set safety and security rules and remove several statutory limits on coastwise trade. - Vessel owners and operators: Would let more vessels that meet U.S. legal qualifications seek a coastwise endorsement, changing who can carry goods or passengers in domestic trade. - Coast Guard and safety regulators: Would require the Commandant to issue implementing regulations within 90 days after enactment to ensure all coastwise vessels meet appropriate safety and security requirements. - Specific vessel categories and legal rules: Would change references and rules affecting tank vessel construction, liquified gas tankers, small passenger vessels, oil spill response vessels, court sales of undocumented vessels, and would repeal the provision on loss of coastwise trade privileges (46 U.S.C. 12132).

## Provisions PRIA read

- New coastwise rules for vessel owners: mixed, medium. This bill would let vessels that qualify under U.S. law get coastwise endorsements. The Coast Guard would have to issue safety and security regulations not later than 90 days after enactment. The bill would repeal the statute that allows loss of coastwise privileges. It would also remove a "wrecked…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5653: Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026
- 119-s-4952: Protecting American Taxpayers Act
- 119-s-1801: International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025
- 119-s-1249: Drone Integration and Zoning Act
- 119-s-62: America First Act
- 119-s-4280: SAFE Act

## Sources
- [119-s-2043 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2043)

## Related
- [119-s-5653: Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5653)
- [119-s-4952: Protecting American Taxpayers Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4952)
- [119-s-1801: International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1801)
- [119-s-1249: Drone Integration and Zoning Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1249)
- [119-s-62: America First Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-62)
- [119-s-4280: SAFE Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4280)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2043 (as of 2026-09-10).