H.R. 9650

119 HR 9650 IH: Vessel Identification Protection Act of 2026
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-07-13
 text/xml
 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 9650  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   July 13, 2026   Mr. Ezell  (for himself and  Mr. Carbajal ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on the Judiciary    A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish a crime for altering, removing, or affixing unauthorized vessel identification numbers and trafficking certain vessels, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Vessel Identification Protection Act of 2026  .
2.
Unauthorized vessel identification numbers
(a)
In general
 Chapter 25  of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after  section 507  the following:
507A.
Altering, removing, or affixing unauthorized vessel identification numbers
(a)
In general
With respect to a vessel or vessel part in or affecting interstate commerce, no person shall knowingly, with the purpose of obscuring the identity of a vessel or vessel part—
(1)
remove, obliterate, tamper with, forge, counterfeit, alter, or obstruct the visibility of—
(A)
a hull identification number;
(B)
an identification number; or
(C)
a decal or device affixed to a vessel or vessel part; or
(2)
affix—
(A)
a hull identification number or an identification number that has not been issued by the appropriate manufacturer, importer, State authority, or Federal authority to a vessel or vessel part; or
(B)
a decal or device that has not been issued by the appropriate manufacturer, importer, State authority, or Federal authority pursuant to chapters 41, 43 or 123 of title 46, United States Code, or regulations issued thereunder.
(b)
Nonapplication
Subsection (a) shall not apply to the removal of an identification number by a person who is—
(1)
authorized to remove the identification number by the United States Coast Guard; or
(2)
required to remove the identification number pursuant to Coast Guard regulations.
(c)
Penalty
Whoever violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(d)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Hull identification number
The term  hull identification number  has the meaning given such term in section 187.7 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).
(2)
Identification number
The term  identification number  means a number or symbol that is inscribed or affixed for purposes of identification under chapter 41, 43, or 123 of title 46, United States Code, or regulations issued thereunder.
(3)
Tampers with
The term  tampers with  includes covering a decal or device affixed to a vessel pursuant to chapters 41, 43, and 123 of title 46, United States Code, or regulations issued thereunder.
(4)
Vessel
The term  vessel  has the meaning given such term in section 115 of title 46, United States Code.
 .
(b)
Trafficking in certain vessels
 Chapter 113  of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after  section 2321  the following:
2321A.
Trafficking in certain vessels
(a)
In general
Whoever buys, receives, possesses, or obtains control of, with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of, a vessel in or affecting interstate commerce, knowing that an identification number or hull identification number for such vessel has been removed, obliterated, tampered with, forged, counterfeited, altered, or not issued by the appropriate manufacturer, importer, State or Federal authority shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(b)
Nonapplication
Subsection (a) does not apply if the removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration—
(1)
is caused by collision, allision, or fire; or
(2)
is not a violation of section 507A of this title.
(c)
Identification number
In this section, the terms  identification number ,  hull identification number , and  vessel  have the meaning given such terms in section 507A of this title.
 .