A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Maritime Cybersecurity Act aims to amend title 46 of the United States Code to increase security at maritime facilities. It requires the Secretary of the department overseeing the Coast Guard to perform annual assessments of cybersecurity risks regarding specific software and hardware. Owners or operators of covered facilities must submit annual reports identifying equipment manufactured by foreign entities or countries of concern. Additionally, these operators must certify that their technology meets specific security standards. The Secretary is also tasked with providing annual reports to Congress regarding these findings and mitigation actions.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill establishes mandatory cybersecurity risk assessments and stricter standards for maritime infrastructure hardware and software.
- Scored +2
Does this tighten control of the border?
By securing maritime facility software and hardware, the bill helps protect port security and national borders.
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires annual reports to Congressional committees regarding cybersecurity findings and mitigation actions.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners of maritime facilities face new regulatory burdens and potential restrictions on equipment usage.
- Scored -2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill imposes new annual reporting and compliance costs on maritime facility operators.
- Scored -2
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill authorizes the Secretary to conduct assessments without obtaining consent from owners or operators.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Security Oversight: The Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, will conduct assessments to identify weaknesses in security and cybersecurity risks of covered software or hardware (Section 2, subsection (d)(1)(A)).
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Reduced Barriers to Information: The Secretary is permitted to conduct assessments regardless of end user licensing agreements or contracts, and without needing consent from owners or operators, which may facilitate more thorough security checks (Section s2, subsection (d)(1)(B)).
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Enhanced Transparency to Congress: The Secretary must provide annual reports to specific Congressional committees regarding assessment findings, actions taken to mitigate risks, and recommendations for strengthening security (Section 2, subsection (d)(3)).
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Information Sharing for Security: The Secretary can coordinate with Federal entities to share compiled information for the purposes of maritime transportation security and risk mitigation (Section 2, subsection (d)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Reporting Burdens for Operators: Owners or operators of covered facilities are required to submit annual reports that identify specific software or hardware used, including items manufactured by foreign entities or countries of concern, and any cybersecurity risks (Section 2, subsection (d)(2)(A)).
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Restrictions on Equipment Usage: An owner or operator of a covered facility may be prohibited from using certain covered software or hardware if they cannot certify that it meets National Institute of Standards and Technology standards or equivalent standards (Section 2, subsection (d)(2)(B)(i)).
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Loss of Privacy/Control over Assessments: The Secretary is authorized to conduct assessments of a facility's security and cybersecurity risks without obtaining the consent of the owner or operator (Section 2, subsection (d)(1)(B)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill establishes mandatory cybersecurity risk assessments and stricter standards for maritime infrastructure hardware and software.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners of maritime facilities face new regulatory burdens and potential restrictions on equipment usage.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — By securing maritime facility software and hardware, the bill helps protect port security and national borders.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill increases the security and stability of maritime infrastructure used in global trade. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill imposes new annual reporting and compliance costs on maritime facility operators.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill allows federal assessments of facility systems without the consent of the owner or operator.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill enhances the cybersecurity resilience of maritime transportation infrastructure.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires annual reports to Congressional committees regarding cybersecurity findings and mitigation actions. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill authorizes the Secretary to conduct assessments without obtaining consent from owners or operators.
- 5/19/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey