H.R. 3151

SHIPS for America Act of 2025

Sponsor: Trent Kelly

145 cosponsors
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I Oversight and accountability

II Maritime Security Trust Fund

III Sealift capability

IV Vessels of the United States in international commerce

A Strategic sealift programs

B Cargo preference

C Regulatory reform

V Shipbuilding

A Shipbuilding financial incentives

B Department of Defense Programs

C Shipbuilding innovation and infrastructure

VI Workforce Development

A Workforce incentives

Sec. 604. Reimbursement of qualifying spouse relicensing costs and business costs

(a) In General. Chapter 521 of title 46, United States Code, as amended by section 602, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

52103. Reimbursement of qualifying spouse relicensing costs and business costs

(a) In General. The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a program to reimburse an individual serving in the merchant marine of the United States for qualified relicensing costs and qualified business costs of the spouse of that individual when the individual relocates to a new jurisdiction or geographic area as the result of a reassignment as a result of service as a commissioned officer in the Navy Reserve (including the Strategic Sealift Officer Program, Navy Reserve), the Coast Guard Reserve, or any other reserve component of the Armed Services of the United States.

(b) Limitations

(1) Relicensing. Reimbursement provided to a member under this subsection for qualified relicensing costs may not exceed $1,000 in connection with each relocation described in paragraph (1).

(2) Business costs. Reimbursement provided to a member under this subsection for qualified business costs may not exceed $1,000 in connection with each relocation described in paragraph (1).

(3) Deadline. No reimbursement may be provided under this subsection for qualified relicensing costs or qualified business costs paid or incurred after December 31, 2035.

(c) Qualified relicensing costs. In this section, the term qualified relicensing costs means costs, including exam, continuing education courses, business license, permit, and registration fees, incurred by the spouse of an individual serving in the merchant marine of the United States if—

(1) the spouse was licensed or certified in a profession, or owned a business, during the individual's previous assignment and requires a new professional license or certification, or business license or permit, to engage in that profession in a new jurisdiction because of the individual's relocation described in paragraph (1); and

(2) the costs were incurred or paid to secure or maintain the professional license or certification, or business license or permit, from the new jurisdiction in connection with such relocation.

(d) Qualified business costs. In this section, the term qualified business costs means costs, including moving services for equipment, equipment removal, new equipment purchases, information technology expenses, and inspection fees, incurred by the spouse of an individual serving in the merchant marine of the United States if—

(1) the spouse owned a business during the individual's previous assignment and the costs result from the individual's relocation described in paragraph (1); and

(2) the costs were incurred or paid to move such business to a new location in connection with such relocation.

(e) Authorization of Appropriations. There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Maritime Security Trust Fund, established under section 50301(b) of this title, to carry out this section, $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2035.

(b) Clerical amendment. The table of sections for chapter 521 of title 46, United States Code, as amended by section 602, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

52103. Reimbursement of qualifying spouse relicensing costs and business costs.

B Workforce Pipeline

C United States Merchant Marine Academy and State maritime academies

D Maritime Credentialing Modernization

VII Amendments to the internal revenue code of 1986