H.R. 3748 — MARITIME Act

This section states congressional findings concerning sea level rise and Pacific Island maritime zones, including (1) that increasing sea levels pose an existential threat to low-lying island states in the Pacific Ocean; (2) that maritime zones are critical for Pacific Island economies, which depend on exclusive rights to resources; and (3) that new trends are developing in state practices and views on the need for stable maritime zones amid sea level rise, as reflected in approaches by the Pacific Islands Forum and the Alliance of Small Island States.

This section declares it to be the policy of the United States that (1) sea level rise driven by climate change should not cause any country to lose its statehood or membership in the United Nations, its specialized agencies, or other international organizations; (2) the United States is committed to working with other countries on issues relating to sea level rise and statehood to advance these objectives; (3) sea level rise driven by climate change should not diminish the maritime zones (i.e., territorial sea, exclusive economic zone) on which island states and other coastal states rely, including for food and livelihoods; (4) the United States is committed to preserving the legitimacy of maritime zones, and associated rights and entitlements, established consistent with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and not subsequently updated despite such sea level rise; (5) countries should support the Pacific Islands Forum and the Alliance of Small Island States initiative to determine, memorialize, and publish their coastal baselines in accordance with UNCLOS; and (6) the United States will encourage other countries to adopt similar policies on statehood and maritime zones.

This section directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with heads of other relevant federal agencies, to submit to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, not later than 120 days after enactment, an unclassified report (with a possible classified annex) on U.S. efforts to promote adoption by foreign countries and international organizations of policies complementary to U.S. policies regarding sea level rise effects on statehood and maritime zones. The report must include (1) a review of initiatives by the Department of State and other agencies, (2) an assessment of bilateral and multilateral efforts in international fora, (3) an assessment of legal, policy, logistical, financial, or administrative barriers, and (4) a list of countries and organizations that have adopted such policies.