Legal corpus: the complete U.S. Code (59,740 sections, all 53 titles)

Ingested titles 12–51 and 54 from OLRC USLM XML @119-100 (the whole Code now, uniform edition; Title 53 is reserved/empty). LegalText 11,221 -> 59,740; repo total 105,704 records. Deterministic (byte-identical rerun, verified on Title 42's 8,356 sections); make check green. make legal-us-code default now covers every title. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-07-06 10:51:44 -04:00
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+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "46 U.S.C. § 14301"
+description: "Application"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 46
+title_name: "SHIPPING"
+chapter_number: "143"
+chapter_name: "CONVENTION MEASUREMENT"
+section: "14301"
+citation: "46 U.S.C. § 14301"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s14301"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
+source_hash: "af003496572a020e305febeaa73c053717b6f3354ef75a9cf15f00a6d9dbb0d9"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "eb1331aa3c08ed87231a3606d86b30d1b5942cdf8542f6a3df8ac1d66e86057f"
+text_hash: "133ba63fd525fc9139c7453f4e72040b0ed275d87cd47f34c8d513d9cb68b396"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 46 U.S.C. § 14301 - Application
+
+## Text
+
+(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, this chapter applies to any vessel for which the application of an international agreement or other law of the United States to the vessel depends on the vessel’s tonnage.
+
+(b) This chapter does not apply to the following:
+
+(1) a vessel of war, unless the government of the country to which the vessel belongs elects to measure the vessel under this chapter.
+
+(2) a vessel of less than 24 meters (79 feet) overall in length.
+
+(3) a vessel of United States or Canadian registry or nationality, or a vessel operated under the authority of the United States or Canada, and that is operating only on the Great Lakes, unless the owner requests.
+
+(4) a vessel of United States registry or nationality, or one operated under the authority of the United States (except a vessel that engages on a foreign voyage) the keel of which was laid or that was at a similar stage of construction before January 1, 1986, unless—
+
+(A) the owner requests; or
+
+(B) the vessel undergoes a change that the Secretary finds substantially affects the vessel’s gross tonnage.
+
+(5) a barge of United States registry or nationality, or a barge operated under the authority of the United States (except a barge that engages on a foreign voyage) unless the owner requests.
+
+(c) An existing vessel that has not undergone a change that the Secretary finds substantially affects the vessel’s gross tonnage (or a vessel to which IMO Resolutions A.494 (XII) of November 19, 1981, A.540 (XIII) of November 17, 1983, or A.541 (XIII) of November 17, 1983, apply) may retain its tonnages existing on July 18, 1994, for the application of relevant requirements under international agreements (except the Convention) and other laws of the United States. However, if the vessel undergoes a change substantially affecting its tonnage after July 18, 1994, the vessel shall be remeasured under this chapter.
+
+(d) This chapter does not affect an international agreement to which the United States Government is a party that is not in conflict with the Convention or the application of IMO Resolutions A.494 (XII) of November 19, 1981, A.540 (XIII) of November 17, 1983, and A.541 (XIII) of November 17, 1983.
+
+(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5101(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1920; Pub. L. 101–595, title III, § 305, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2985; Pub. L. 111–281, title III, § 303(c), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2924.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision NotesRevised section 14301 Source: International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships. Section 14301 delineates which vessels must be measured in compliance with the standards of the Convention. Section 14301(a) provides that a vessel must be measured under the standards of the Convention if it is documented or required by law to be documented under chapter 121 of this subtitle or if it is engaged on a foreign voyage, unless the vessel is specifically exempted under section 14301(b). Section 14301(b) provides the following exemptions from the requirement in section 14301(a) to be measured under the Convention: 1. A vessel of war; 2. A vessel of less than 24 meters (79 feet) overall in length (“overall in length” is defined in section 2101); 3. A vessel that operates only on the Great Lakes (although the owner may request that it be measured under the Convention); 4. A vessel whose keel was laid or was at a similar stage of construction before January 1, 1986, and is on a domestic voyage, unless the vessel undergoes a change that significantly changes its tonnage or the owner requests that the vessel be measured under the Convention; and 5. A vessel whose keel was laid or was at a similar stage of construction before July 18, 1982, unless the vessel undergoes a change that significantly changes the vessel’s tonnage or the owner requests that the vessel be measured under the Convention. Together, subsections (b)(4) and (5) provide that, unless the owner requests measurement under the Convention, unaltered vessels built before 1986 engaging only on domestic voyages do not have to be measured under the Convention or use Convention measurement for the application of any domestic laws. Further, these subsections provide that unaltered vessels that are built before July 18, 1982, engaging on foreign voyages do not have to be measured under the Convention until 1994 and are not required to use Convention measurement as a basis for the application of any domestic laws. Section 14301(c) provides that if a vessel owner requests that the vessel be measured under the Convention, the vessel may only be remeasured under the Convention. Section 14301(d) provides that after July 18, 1994, a vessel whose keel was laid or was at a similar stage of construction before July 18, 1982 may retain its regulatory tonnage for the application of requirements under U.S. laws or international agreements, except the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships. However, if the vessel was not required to be measured under the Convention, but the vessel’s owner requested that the vessel be measured under the Convention system before July 19, 1994, or if the vessel undergoes a change affecting its tonnage, the vessel may not use its regulatory tonnage for the application of U.S. laws or international agreements after July 19, 1994. Section 14301(e) provides that this chapter does not affect any international agreement to which the United States is a party that is not in conflict with the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969. It further provides that this chapter does not affect the application of the three interim schemes of the International Maritime Organization, which are discussed under section 14305 below.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(c)(1), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: “Except as otherwise provided in this section, this chapter applies to the following: “(1) a documented vessel. “(2) a vessel that is to be documented under chapter 121 of this title. “(3) a vessel engaged on a foreign voyage.” Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(c)(2)(A), substituted “, unless the government of the country to which the vessel belongs elects to measure the vessel under this chapter.” for period at end. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(c)(2)(B), inserted “of United States or Canadian registry or nationality, or a vessel operated under the authority of the United States or Canada, and that is” after “a vessel”. Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(c)(2)(C), substituted “a vessel of United States registry or nationality, or one operated under the authority of the United States (except a vessel that engages” for “a vessel (except a vessel engaged”. Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(c)(2)(F), amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: “a barge (except a barge engaged on a foreign voyage) unless the owner requests.” Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(c)(2)(D), (E), redesignated par. (6) as (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “before July 19, 1994, an existing vessel unless— “(A) the owner requests; or “(B) the vessel undergoes a change that the Secretary finds substantially affects the vessel’s gross tonnage.” Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(c)(2)(E), redesignated par. (6) as (5). Former par. (5) struck out. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(c)(5), substituted “An existing vessel that has not undergone a change that the Secretary finds substantially affects the vessel’s gross tonnage (or a vessel to which IMO Resolutions A.494 (XII) of November 19, 1981, A.540 (XIII) of November 17, 1983, or A.541 (XIII) of November 17, 1983, apply)” for “After July 18, 1994, an existing vessel (except an existing vessel referred to in subsection (b)(5)(A) or (B) of this section)”. Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(c)(3), (4), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which read as follows: “A vessel made subject to this chapter at the request of the owner may be remeasured only as provided by this chapter.” Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(c)(4), redesignated subsec. (e) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (c). 1990—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 101–595 added par. (6).
+
+Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
+
+Report to CongressPub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5103(g), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1927, provided that: “The Secretary of Transportation shall— “(1) before July 19, 1990, submit to Congress—“(A) a study of—“(i) the impact of applying vessel tonnage determined under chapter 143 of title 46 (as enacted by section 5101 of this subtitle), United States Code, in laws of the United States that contain provisions based on tonnage, including an analysis of the number and types of vessels that would become subject to additional laws or more stringent requirements because of that application; and “(ii) the extent to which the tonnage thresholds in laws of the United States whose application is based on tonnage would have to be raised so that additional vessels would not become subject to those laws if their application is based on tonnage determined under chapter 143; and “(B) a recommendation of the levels to which the tonnage thresholds in laws of the United States whose application is based on tonnage should be raised if a complete conversion to the International Convention measurement system under chapter 143 is made; “(2) in conducting the study under clause (1) of this subsection, consult with representatives of the private sector having experience with the operation of vessels likely to be affected by laws of the United States whose application is based on tonnage; and “(3) before July 19, 1988, submit to Congress an interim progress report on the study conducted under clause (1) of this subsection.”
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "46 U.S.C. § 14302"
+description: "Measurement"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 46
+title_name: "SHIPPING"
+chapter_number: "143"
+chapter_name: "CONVENTION MEASUREMENT"
+section: "14302"
+citation: "46 U.S.C. § 14302"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s14302"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
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+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 46 U.S.C. § 14302 - Measurement
+
+## Text
+
+(a) The Secretary shall measure a vessel to which this chapter applies in the way provided by this chapter and the Convention.
+
+(b) A vessel measured under this chapter may not be required to be measured under another law.
+
+(c) Unless otherwise provided by law, the measurement of a vessel under this chapter applies to a law of the United States whose applicability depends on a vessel’s tonnage, if that law—
+
+(1) becomes effective after July 18, 1994; or
+
+(2) is in effect before July 19, 1994, is not enumerated in section 14305 of this title, and is identified by the Secretary by regulation as a law to which this chapter applies.
+
+(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5101(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1921; Pub. L. 111–281, title III, § 303(d), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2924.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision NotesRevised section 14302 Source: International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships. Section 14302(a) requires the Secretary to measure a vessel to which this chapter applies, in the way provided by this chapter and by the Convention. Section 14302(b) provides that a vessel that is required to be measured under this chapter can not also be required to be measured under another law. The exception allows the Panama Canal Commission to continue to use the Canal measurement system for calculation of tolls. Section 14302(c) provides that the applicability of tonnage-based laws that become effective after July 18, 1994, will be based on Convention tonnage measurements. The applicability of tonnage-based laws in effect before July 19, 1994, which are listed by the Secretary, will also be based on Convention tonnage. Therefore, the laws that will be based on regulatory tonnage are those not listed by the Secretary by regulation and those listed in section 14305 of this legislation.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–281 amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “Except as provided in section 1602(a) of the Panama Canal Act of 1979 (22 U.S.C. 3792(a)), a vessel measured under this chapter may not be required to be measured under another law.”
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "46 U.S.C. § 14303"
+description: "Tonnage Certificate"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 46
+title_name: "SHIPPING"
+chapter_number: "143"
+chapter_name: "CONVENTION MEASUREMENT"
+section: "14303"
+citation: "46 U.S.C. § 14303"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s14303"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
+source_hash: "b111a375c02e27115a8b5ee8d009586e1e6abadd883e5d80658c2a09f61fbe50"
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+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 46 U.S.C. § 14303 - Tonnage Certificate
+
+## Text
+
+(a) After measuring a vessel under this chapter, the Secretary shall issue, on request of the owner, an International Tonnage Certificate (1969) and deliver it to the owner or master of the vessel. For a vessel to which the Convention does not apply, the Secretary shall prescribe a certificate to be issued as evidence of a vessel’s measurement under this chapter.
+
+(b) The certificate issued under this section shall be maintained as required by the Secretary.
+
+(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5101(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1921; Pub. L. 111–281, title III, § 303(e)(1), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2925.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision NotesRevised section 14303 Source: International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships. Section 14303(a) requires the Secretary to issue, on the request of the owner, an International Tonnage Certificate after measuring a vessel under this chapter. Section 14303(b) requires that the certificate be maintained as required by the Secretary.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(e)(1)(C), struck out “International” before “Tonnage” and “(1969)” after “Certificate” in section catchline. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(e)(1)(A), inserted at end “For a vessel to which the Convention does not apply, the Secretary shall prescribe a certificate to be issued as evidence of a vessel’s measurement under this chapter.” Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–281, § 303(e)(1)(B), inserted “issued under this section” after “The certificate”.
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "46 U.S.C. § 14304"
+description: "Remeasurement"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 46
+title_name: "SHIPPING"
+chapter_number: "143"
+chapter_name: "CONVENTION MEASUREMENT"
+section: "14304"
+citation: "46 U.S.C. § 14304"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s14304"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
+source_hash: "b6cc0ec8f6b4609984ee38b13597b9ab15aee3e5f8cb73b08d263befa60be6ca"
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+text_hash: "89c5c5690a30d9fe0e951e20b93c4250775a4d195ac47ff0e6835e49b1f73daa"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 46 U.S.C. § 14304 - Remeasurement
+
+## Text
+
+(a) To the extent necessary, the Secretary shall remeasure a vessel to which this chapter applies if—
+
+(1) the Secretary or the owner alleges an error in its measurement; or
+
+(2) the vessel or the use of its space is changed in a way that substantially affects its tonnage.
+
+(b) Except as provided in this chapter or section 14504 of this title, a vessel that has been measured does not have to be remeasured to obtain another document or endorsement under chapter 121 of this title.
+
+(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5101(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1921.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision NotesRevised section 14304 Source: International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships. Section 14304(a) requires the Secretary to remeasure a vessel, to the extent necessary, if there is an alleged error regarding its measurement or if the vessel or its use undergoes a change substantially affecting its tonnage. The phrase “to the extent necessary” was included to indicate that a complete remeasurement of the vessel may not be necessary if, for example, an error was made in one portion of the vessel’s measurement and only that portion needs to be remeasured. Section 14304(b) provides that except as provided in section 14504, a vessel that has been measured does not have to be remeasured to obtain another document or endorsement under chapter 121 of this title.
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "46 U.S.C. § 14306"
+description: "Reciprocity for foreign vessels"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 46
+title_name: "SHIPPING"
+chapter_number: "143"
+chapter_name: "CONVENTION MEASUREMENT"
+section: "14306"
+citation: "46 U.S.C. § 14306"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s14306"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
+source_hash: "a914cb46190fd21678e289e196784e192e333df2fa556a05a8af0c9ca45a0749"
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+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 46 U.S.C. § 14306 - Reciprocity for foreign vessels
+
+## Text
+
+(a) When the Secretary finds that the laws and regulations of a foreign country related to measurement of vessels are similar to those of this chapter and the regulations prescribed under this chapter, or when a foreign country is a party to the Convention, the Secretary shall accept the measurement and certificate of a vessel of that foreign country as complying with this chapter and the regulations prescribed under this chapter.
+
+(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a vessel of a foreign country that does not recognize measurements under this chapter. The Secretary may apply measurement standards the Secretary considers appropriate to the vessel, subject to applicable international agreements to which the United States Government is a party.
+
+(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5101(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1922.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision NotesRevised section 14306 Source: International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships. Section (U.S. Code) 46 App. U.S.C. 81. Section 14306(a) requires that the Secretary accept the measurement and certificate of a vessel of a foreign country as evidence of compliance with this chapter when the Secretary finds that the laws and regulations of that foreign country that are related to measurement are similar to those of this chapter, or that that country is a party to the Convention. Section 14306(b) provides that the Secretary does not have to accept the measurement and certificate of a vessel of a country that does not recognize United States measurements. It also authorizes the Secretary to apply appropriate measurement standards to such foreign vessels, subject to international agreements to which the United States is a party.
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "46 U.S.C. § 14307"
+description: "Inspection of foreign vessels"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 46
+title_name: "SHIPPING"
+chapter_number: "143"
+chapter_name: "CONVENTION MEASUREMENT"
+section: "14307"
+citation: "46 U.S.C. § 14307"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s14307"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
+source_hash: "a4a3e3fd59aa10c574a45c64cb33f973bc41afa2d617e9fd54e650ed7b591fcc"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "eb1331aa3c08ed87231a3606d86b30d1b5942cdf8542f6a3df8ac1d66e86057f"
+text_hash: "c1633e999e7676acb35fac9523857b37ff46eb303e885eb4f878e4e925f5718a"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 46 U.S.C. § 14307 - Inspection of foreign vessels
+
+## Text
+
+(a) The Secretary may inspect a vessel of a foreign country to verify that—
+
+(1) the vessel has an International Tonnage Certificate (1969) and the main characteristics of the vessel correspond to the information in the certificate; or
+
+(2) if the vessel is from a country not a party to the Convention, the vessel has been measured under laws and regulations similar to those of this chapter and the regulations prescribed under this chapter.
+
+(b) For a vessel of a country that is a party to the Convention, if the inspection reveals that the vessel does not have an International Tonnage Certificate (1969) or that the main characteristics of the vessel differ from those stated on the certificate or other records in a way that increases the gross or net tonnage of the vessel, the Secretary promptly shall inform the country whose flag the vessel is flying.
+
+(c) For a vessel of a country not a party to the Convention—
+
+(1) if the vessel has been measured under laws and regulations that the Secretary finds are similar to those of this chapter and the regulations prescribed under this chapter, the vessel shall be deemed to have been issued an International Tonnage Certificate (1969); and
+
+(2) if the vessel has not been measured as described in clause (1) of this subsection, the Secretary may measure the vessel.
+
+(d) An inspection under this section shall be conducted in a way that does not delay a vessel of a country that is a party to the Convention.
+
+(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5101(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1922.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision NotesRevised section 14307 Source: International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships. Section 14307(a) authorizes the Secretary to inspect a vessel of a foreign country to verify that the vessel has an International Tonnage Certificate and that the main characteristics of the vessel correspond to the information in the certificate. Section 14307(a) also authorizes the Secretary to inspect a vessel from a foreign country that is not a party to the Convention in order to verify that the vessel has been measured under laws and regulations similar to those of this chapter. Section 14307(b) requires that if the Secretary inspects a vessel of a country that is a party to the Convention and finds that the vessel does not have an International Tonnage Certificate or that the main characteristics of the vessel differ from those stated on the certificate or other records in a way that increases the gross or net tonnage of the vessel, the Secretary must inform the country whose flag the vessel is flying. Section 14307(c) provides that if the Secretary finds that a vessel of a country not a party to the Convention has been measured under laws and regulations similar to those of this chapter, that the vessel shall be deemed to have been issued an International Tonnage Certificate. It also provides that the Secretary may measure the vessel if the Secretary finds that the vessel has not been measured under laws and regulations similar to those of this chapter. Section 14307(d) provides that an inspection under this section shall be conducted in a way that does not delay a vessel of a country that is a party to the Convention.