Amendments to the Merchant Marine Act, 1920

(Reported to House from the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries with amendment, H. Rept. 100-501)

Amendments to the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 to authorize and direct the Federal Maritime Commission to make rules and regulations regarding intermodal movements, terminal operations, and other activities integral to shipping.

Authorizes the Commission, in furtherance of the purposes of such Act, to initiate rules and regulations on its own motion or pursuant to a petition by a person.

Requires the Commission to determine whether a rule or regulation is necessary whenever either the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate requests the examination of a foreign trade practice that may be unfavorable to shipping in the foreign trade.

Authorizes the Commission to require a person to file information with the Commission. Makes a person who fails to file such required information liable for civil fines.

Empowers the Commission to authorize a party to use depositions, written interrogatories, and discovery procedures in conformity, to the extent practicable, with those of the U.S. district courts. Grants the Commission subpoena power. Entitles, subject to funds being appropriated, witnesses to the same fees and mileage as in U.S. courts.

Authorizes the Commission, for failure to supply information ordered or subpoenaed, to: (1) suspend tariffs of a common carrier or suspend that carrier's right to use tariffs of conferences of which it is a member; or (2) assess a civil fine. Authorizes the Commission to seek enforcement of such information order or subpoena in U.S. district court.

Authorizes the Commission, notwithstanding another law, to refuse to disclose to the public information provided under certain provisions amended by this Act.

Authorizes the Commission, upon its finding of conditions unfavorable to shipping in the foreign trade of the United States, to: (1) limit sailings; (2) suspend tariffs; (3) suspend a common carrier's right to operate under an agreement filed with the Commission; or (4) take any other action the Commission finds necessary and appropriate.

Requires the collector of customs, upon request by the Commission, to refuse clearance to a vessel of a country named in a rule or regulation issued by the Commission. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, with regard to a vessel of a country so named by the Commission, to: (1) deny entry into the United States; or (2) detain from leaving a place in the United States for another place in the United States. Makes a common carrier which accepts or handles cargo under a tariff which has been suspended as provided in this Act or after its right to use another tariff has been so suspended subject to a civil fine.