Bill Would Allow State Comp Coverage for Shellfish Aquaculture Workers

Legislation introduced in Congress would remove a requirement that shellfish aquaculture workers be insured under the federal Merchant Marine Act, allowing them to be covered by state workers’ compensation insurance instead. Rep. Mark Sanford, R-South Carolina, introduced HR 5061, the Shellfish Aquaculture Improvement Act, on Feb. 15. It was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on the Judiciary. The bill would amend a section of the Merchant Marine Act to state that the term “seaman” does not include an individual wh...