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

B Workforce Pipeline

Sec. 614. Military candidates to Mariner Careers Recruitment Exchange

(a) Duties of Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense shall—

(1) encourage and incentivize military recruiters to recommend the United States Department of Transportation Maritime Administration to potential recruits who do not qualify for military service in the Armed Forces; and

(2) establish a mechanism for military recruiters to introduce recruits described in paragraph (1) who are interested in maritime service to representatives from the Maritime Administration, in accordance with the procedures established under subsection (b).

(b) Duties of the Maritime Administrator. The Maritime Administrator shall—

(1) establish a mechanism to receive recruitment referrals from military recruiters;

(2) provide hand-off services to connect recruits with educational resources and institutions, recognized Maritime Centers of Excellence, eligible maritime industry employers, and other maritime industry career services, as appropriate;

(3) track the number of referrals from the Department of Defense; and

(4) track the number of recruits who enroll in maritime industry programs, to the extent practicable.

(c) Reporting requirement

(1) Briefing on the implementation strategy. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Maritime Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit a briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress about a strategy for implementing the activities required under this section, including—

(A) a timeline for implementation; and

(B) the identification of the Department of Defense recruiter incentives and training required for maximum utility in carrying out such activities.

(2) Annual report on program efficacy. One year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Maritime Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress on the efficacy and utility of the activities carried out under this section, including—

(A) the number of Department of Defense referrals to the Maritime Administration;

(B) the number of Maritime Administration hand-offs to the maritime industry;

(C) an assessment of the efficacy of the activities carried out under this section; and

(D) challenges and recommendations relating to such activities.

C United States Merchant Marine Academy and State maritime academies

D Maritime Credentialing Modernization

VII Amendments to the internal revenue code of 1986