Sec. 626. Fuel funding for training ships operated by State maritime academies

359 words·~2 min read·/bill/119/hr/3151/ih/section-626

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Section 51504 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection

(f)and inserting the following: Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall pay to each State maritime academy the costs of fuel used by a vessel provided under this section while used for training in accordance with section 51512. . Chapter 515 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall pay to each State maritime academy the costs of fuel used by a vessel that is loaned to the State maritime academy in accordance with section 51504 while used for training. The amount of the payment to a State maritime academy under subsection

(a)may not exceed $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2035. Maritime academies that receive funding under subsection

(a)may not— profit from charging cadets to go to sea for their licensing when using federally provided fuel; or utilize the vessel as housing for students outside of seasonal training cruises, unless students elect voluntarily to live aboard the vessel. Each State maritime academy that receives fuel costs under this section shall offer billets for liaison officers from each military service during the time such vessel is provided to that State maritime academy. Each State maritime academy shall make crew positions available on a vessel that is loaned to the State maritime academy for mariners enrolled in the United States Merchant Marine Career Retention Program established under section 52105. For each crew slot filled by a mariner enrolled in the career retention program, as provided for under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall pay the crew costs for that mariner, subject to the availability of appropriations. There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Maritime Security Trust Fund, established under section 50301(b) of this title, $120,000,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2035. . The table of sections for chapter 515 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 51512. Fuel funding for training ships operated by State maritime academies. .