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

C United States Merchant Marine Academy and State maritime academies

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

(a) Conforming Amendment. Section 51504 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(f) Fuel costs. 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.

(b) Amendment. Chapter 515 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

51512. Funding for training ships operated by State maritime academies

(a) Fuel funding

(1) In general. 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.

(2) Maximum amounts. 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.

(3) Prohibition. Maritime academies that receive funding under subsection (a) may not—

(A) profit from charging cadets to go to sea for their licensing when using federally provided fuel; or

(B) utilize the vessel as housing for students outside of seasonal training cruises, unless students elect voluntarily to live aboard the vessel.

(4) Requirement. 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.

(b) Crew

(1) In General. 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.

(2) Crew funding. 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.

(c) Authorization 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.

(c) Clerical amendment. The table of sections for chapter 515 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

51512. Fuel funding for training ships operated by State maritime academies.

D Maritime Credentialing Modernization

VII Amendments to the internal revenue code of 1986