Overview
Title
To amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the public disclosure of certain vehicle and aircraft manifest information.
ELI5 AI
The "Manifest Modernization Act of 2025" is a bill that wants to change a law so that people can know what things are being brought into the country on big boats, planes, or trucks, like where they came from and what they are.
Summary AI
S. 1259, known as the “Manifest Modernization Act of 2025,” proposes changes to the Tariff Act of 1930. The bill requires the public disclosure of certain information from the manifests of vessels, vehicles, and aircraft arriving in the United States. It specifies details, such as the classification of cargo and its country of origin, that must be made publicly available. The amendment defines the term "aircraft" broadly, and the changes will take effect 30 days after the bill is enacted.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation titled the Manifest Modernization Act of 2025 seeks to amend the existing Tariff Act of 1930. The primary goal is to mandate the public disclosure of specific information from the manifests of vehicles and aircraft entering the United States. Sponsored by Senators Cassidy, Whitehouse, and Cortez Masto, the bill reflects increased transparency in trade and transportation data.
Summary of the Bill
This bill aims to make certain manifest information of vessels, vehicles, and aircraft arriving in the United States available to the public. It revises the Tariff Act of 1930 to include aircraft alongside vehicles and vessels in the requirement for submission and public disclosure of manifests. Additionally, it defines "aircraft" to encompass any civil, military, or public contrivance that can fly, a broad definition that reflects the bill's inclusive approach. The bill's provisions are slated to take effect 30 days post-enactment.
Significant Issues
Among the significant issues highlighted in the bill's design is the lack of detailed specification regarding the manifest requirements under subsection (d). Such omissions could create ambiguities, leaving associated entities unclear about compliance. Importantly, the mechanism for making this information publicly available isn’t articulated, which could challenge implementation strategies, leaving it unclear how stakeholders might access such data effectively.
The broad definition of "aircraft" in this context, encompassing all manner of flying contrivances, could also lead to interpretation challenges, potentially affecting entities beyond the intended scope. Moreover, the implications of public disclosure on privacy aren't addressed, creating potential ethical and legal dilemmas regarding the exposure of manifest details.
Impact on the Public
Broadly speaking, the bill's emphasis on transparency could foster greater accountability within the transportation and trade sectors. The public disclosure of manifest data could enable a better-informed public and greater scrutiny of transportation practices. However, it could also lead to privacy concerns if sensitive information is disclosed, which remains unaddressed in the bill.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For businesses in the transportation sector, the amendment could introduce compliance challenges, particularly given the undefined requirements in subsection (d) and the need for familiarity with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Companies might face increased administrative burdens ensuring that manifest contents meet public disclosure standards.
Conversely, this transparency could equalize the field for smaller businesses by offering insights into the supply chains of larger competitors, potentially fostering innovation and competition. However, such benefits need to be balanced against the risk of exposing proprietary information.
Overall, while the Manifest Modernization Act of 2025 aims to enhance transparency, it raises important questions about practical implementation, privacy, and the broad interpretation of its provisions that need addressing to ensure equitable and efficient outcomes for all stakeholders involved.
Issues
The section on public disclosure of vehicle and aircraft manifest information (Section 2) does not specify the requirements for the manifest under subsection (d), leading to potential compliance ambiguities and legal uncertainty.
Section 2 assumes knowledge of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, which could be challenging for some stakeholders to understand or access, risking non-compliance and inefficient implementation.
There is a lack of detail in Section 2 regarding the mechanism for public disclosure, such as how and where the manifest information will be made publicly available, which could lead to implementation challenges.
In Section 2, the broad definition of 'aircraft' (including civil, military, or public contrivances) could result in interpretation issues, potentially affecting a wide range of entities unintentionally.
Section 2 does not address potential privacy concerns related to the public disclosure of manifest information, which could raise ethical and legal challenges.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this act is titled "Manifest Modernization Act of 2025," serving as its official short title.
2. Public disclosure of vehicle and aircraft manifest information Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill modifies the Tariff Act of 1930 to ensure that every vessel, vehicle, and aircraft entering the U.S. has a manifest with specific information available for public disclosure. It also provides a clear definition of "aircraft" and states that these changes will be effective for entries 30 days after the law is enacted.