SHIPS for America Act of 2025

(a) Definitions. In this section:

(1) Administrator. The term Administrator means the Maritime Administrator.

(2) Advisory Committee. The term Advisory Committee means the Maritime Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee established under subsection (b).

(b) Advisory Committee plan and establishment

(1) Plan. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop a plan, and notify Congress of such plan, to establish a Maritime Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee to—

(A) bring representatives of maritime industrial base employers and education providers together to identify joint opportunities to train needed workers for maritime careers; and

(B) develop and disperse best practices and recommendations for the improvement of shipbuilding education and training programs, naval architecture education programs, and merchant marine training and certification programs.

(2) Establishment. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish the Advisory Committee.

(c) Membership

(1) Administrator. The Advisory Committee shall include the Administrator (or a delegate of the Administrator) who shall serve as Chair of the Advisory Committee.

(2) Representatives. The Advisory Committee shall be composed of representatives from each of the following, to be appointed the Administrator:

(A) Maritime education, including representatives from—

(i) the Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education designated by the Maritime Administration, taking into consideration—

(I) geographic diversity;

(II) the rate of employment after graduation;

(III) training or skillset diversity; and

(IV) other qualities as determined by the Administrator;

(ii) the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps;

(iii) kindergarten through grade 12 maritime education programs designated by the Maritime Administration;

(iv) the oceanographic science community, including from a University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System institution; and

(v) institutions of higher education.

(B) The maritime workforce, including representatives from—

(i) skilled workers representing a wide swath of the career and technical maritime industry both onshore and offshore;

(ii) career and technical education certified instructors; and

(iii) maritime labor organizations.

(C) Maritime industry, including representatives from—

(i) shipbuilding, ship repair, and shipyard industry stakeholders;

(ii) maritime industrial base coalitions;

(iii) shipping industry stakeholders; and

(iv) owners and operators of vessels of the United States.

(D) Technical nonprofit organizations with expertise in the maritime industry, including representatives from—

(i) think tanks;

(ii) recognized classification societies; and

(iii) professional societies.

(E) The Federal Government, including representatives from—

(i) the Department of Education;

(ii) the Department of Labor;

(iii) the Department of Transportation;

(iv) the Department of the Navy;

(v) the United States Coast Guard;

(vi) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

(vii) the Army Corps of Engineers; and

(viii) the Federal Maritime Commission.

(F) Any other representatives that the Maritime Administrator determines appropriate to appoint.

(d) Meetings

(1) In general. The Advisory Committee shall meet not less often than annually.

(2) Quorum established. Two thirds of all members appointed by the Administrator under subsection (c) shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of the Advisory Committee.

(3) Working groups. The Advisory Committee shall include working groups that shall meet not less often than quarterly each year.

(e) FACA. Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code, shall apply to the Advisory Committee.

(f) Development of curricula. Consistent with the purposes of the Advisory Committee established in subsection (b) and applicable law (including regulations), the Advisory Committee shall recommend curricula for key skills for maritime professionals and make such curricula publicly available to institutions of higher education, career and technical education schools, and State maritime academies.

(g) Reporting. The Advisory Committee shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and the Maritime Security Board and publish on the website of the Maritime Administration, an annual report that includes best practices and policy recommendations, as described in subsection (b).

(h) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to create new regulatory authority or supersede existing law (including regulations) as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, relating to shipbuilding education and training programs, naval architecture education programs, and merchant marine training and certification programs.