120 STAT. 1642
PUBLIC LAW 109–304—OCT. 6, 2006 ‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL
Reports.
‘‘§ 55301. Priority loading for coal ‘‘A vessel engaged in the coastwise transportation of coal produced in the United States, from a port in the United States to another port in the United States, shall be given priority in loading at any of those ports ahead of a waiting vessel engaged in the export transportation of coal produced in the United States. However, if the Secretary of Transportation finds that it is in the national interest, the Secretary may eliminate this priority loading at any port. The Secretary shall report to Congress within 30 days an action eliminating priority loading under this section. ‘‘§ 55302. Transportation of United States Government personnel ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An officer or employee of the United States Government traveling by sea on official business overseas or to or from a territory or possession of the United States shall travel and transport personal effects on a vessel documented under the laws of the United Sates if such a vessel is available, unless the necessity of the mission requires the use of a foreign vessel. ‘‘(b) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator of General Services shall prescribe regulations under which agencies may not pay for or reimburse an officer or employee for travel or transportation expenses incurred on a foreign vessel in the absence of satisfactory proof of the necessity of using the vessel. ‘‘§ 55303. Motor vehicles owned by United States Government personnel ‘‘Notwithstanding any other law, privately-owned American shipping services may be used to transport motor vehicles owned by personnel of the United States Government whenever transportation of those vehicles at Government expense is otherwise authorized by law. ‘‘§ 55304. Exports financed by the United States Government ‘‘It is the sense of Congress that any loans made by an instrumentality of the United States Government to foster the exporting of agricultural or other products shall provide that the products may be transported only on vessels of the United States unless, as to any or all of those products, the Secretary of Transportation, after investigation, certifies to the instrumentality that vessels of the United States are not available in sufficient number, in sufficient tonnage capacity, on necessary schedules, or at reasonable rates. ‘‘§ 55305. Cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by the United States Government ‘‘(a) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘privately-owned commercial vessel of the United States’ does not include a vessel that, after September 21, 1961, was built or rebuilt outside the United States or documented under the laws of a foreign country, until the vessel has been documented under the laws of the United States for at least 3 years. ‘‘(b) MINIMUM TONNAGE.—When the United States Government procures, contracts for, or otherwise obtains for its own account, or furnishes to or for the account of a foreign country without
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