To amend the Act of July 5, 1884, to permit the imposition of taxes on vessels operating as tourist accommodations, and for other purposes.
Key claim: HR9543 would amend the Act of July 5, 1884 to permit the imposition of taxes on vessels operating as tourist accommodations.
Abstract
(HR9543 · 119th Congress) Latest action (2026-06-30): Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
Why this matters
The Act of July 5, 1884 has historically shielded certain vessels from state and local taxation, creating an asymmetry between waterborne tourist lodging (e.g., moored hotel-style vessels) and land-based accommodations that pay lodging taxes. HR9543 would narrow that carve-out for vessels functioning as tourist accommodations, with practical effects on maritime lodging operators and port-city tax bases. The bill is a narrow statutory amendment at the introduction stage with no enacted safety or operational change yet.