H.R. 4813 — Noncontiguous Disaster Shipping Act

This section establishes a waiver of navigation and vessel-inspection laws for vessels transporting disaster relief cargo to or from a noncontiguous area of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Hawaii, or Alaska) upon a presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191). (1) Waivers last up to 10 days initially and may be extended in consultation with the affected area's governor for additional 10-day periods, not to exceed 45 days in aggregate; and (2) the administering agency head must notify specified congressional committees within 48 hours of issuance or extension.