119 HR 8020 IH: American LNG First Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-03-19 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8020IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 19, 2026Mr. Perry (for himself, Mr. Roy, and Mr. Davidson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo exempt certain vessels transporting liquefied natural gas from certain coastwise endorsement requirements, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the American LNG First Act of 2026.

2.

Exemption from coastwise laws for vessels transporting liquefied natural gas

(a)

General eligibility requirements

Section 12103 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (d)

Exception for vessels transporting liquefied natural gas

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding subsection (a), a certificate of documentation may be issued under this chapter for any vessel transporting methane, refrigerated liquid, commonly known as liquefied natural gas. (2)

Certain vessels excluded

Paragraph (1) shall not apply to— (A)a vessel that is owned, in whole or in part, by— (i)a Russian national; or (ii)the Government of the Russian Federation; (B)a Russian-flagged vessel; (C)a vessel for which any crewmember is a Russian national; (D)a vessel that is owned in whole or in part, by— (i)a Chinese national; or (ii)the Government of the People’s Republic of China; (E)a Chinese-flagged vessel; or (F)a vessel for which any crewmember is a Chinese national.. (b)

Coastwise endorsement

Section 12112(a)(2)(B) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (1)in clause (ii) by striking or at the end; (2)in clause (iii) by striking and at the end and inserting or; and (3)by adding at the end the following: (iv)transports methane, refrigerated liquid, commonly known as liquefied natural gas; and.