State maritime academy reimbursement for training ship cadet tuition and fees

Chapter 515 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 51513. State maritime academy reimbursement for training ship cadet tuition and fees (a) In general If a State maritime academy has an agreement with the Secretary of Transportation under section 51505 of this title, the Secretary may make an agreement with a student at the academy who is a citizen of the United States to make payments to the State maritime academy on behalf of the individual for the cost of the tuition and fees charged by the State maritime academy for the student to sail on a training cruise on a training ship owned by the Maritime Administration. (b) Payments Payments under this section shall be as prescribed by the Secretary but shall not exceed the cost charged by the State maritime academy for the student to obtain the minimum number of sea days needed on board a training ship owned by the Maritime Administration to obtain a merchant mariner credential, without limitation as to tonnage or horsepower, from the Coast Guard as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States, accompanied by the appropriate national and international endorsements and certifications required by the Coast Guard for service aboard vessels on domestic and international voyages, without limitation. (c) Agreement requirements An agreement under this section shall require the student to— (1) complete the course of instruction at the academy the individual is attending within 6 years of enrollment; (2) obtain a merchant mariner credential, without limitation as to tonnage or horsepower, from the Coast Guard as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States, accompanied by the appropriate national and international endorsements and certification required by the Coast Guard for service aboard vessels on domestic and international voyages, without limitation, within 3 months of completion of the course of instruction at the academy the individual is attending; (3) for at least 6 years after graduation from the academy, maintain— (A) a valid merchant mariner credential, unlimited as to horsepower or tonnage, issued by the Coast Guard as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States, accompanied by the appropriate national and international endorsements and certifications required by the Coast Guard for service aboard vessels on domestic and international voyages, without limitation; (B) a valid transportation worker identification credential; and (C) a Coast Guard medical certificate; (4) apply for, and accept, if tendered a position commensurate with the obtained merchant mariner credential for 3 years after graduation from the academy or, if the individual has a student incentive program agreement under section 51509 one year in addition to the obligation required under section 51509(d)(5)— (A) as a merchant marine officer on a vessel operated by the United States Government or by a State; (B) as a merchant marine officer on a United States documented vessel; (C) as an employee in a United States maritime-related industry, profession, or marine science, as determined by the Secretary; (D) as a commissioned officer on active duty in an armed force of the United States, as a commissioned officer in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; or (E) by a combination of service alternatives referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of this subsection; and (5) report to the State maritime academy of graduation, or to the Secretary if directed, on compliance with paragraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection. (d) State maritime academy reporting (1) In general A State maritime academy that received payments on behalf of an individual under this section must provide the Maritime Administrator with information that demonstrates that compliance with subsection (c)(4) by that individual. (2) Report If a State maritime academy is unable to obtain information that demonstrates compliance with subsection (c)(4), the State maritime academy shall report to the Maritime Administrator that the individual is not in compliance with subsection (c)(4). (3) Frequency The frequency of the State maritime academy reporting period under paragraph (2) shall not exceed 365 days. (4) Limitation A State maritime academy may retain not more than 3 percent of the annual funding provided by the Secretary under this section for administrative expenses incurred in complying with this subsection. (e) Failure to complete agreement requirements If the individual is unable or unwilling to meet the agreement requirements under subsection (c), the Secretary of Transportation may recover from the individual the amount of payments in subsection (b), plus interest and attorney fees. The Secretary may reduce the amount to be recovered to reflect partial performance of obligations and other factors the Secretary determines merit a reduction. (f) Actions to recover cost To aid in the recovery of funds provided by the Government under a commitment agreement under this section, the Secretary of Transportation may— (1) request the Attorney General to bring a civil action against the individual; and (2) make use of the Federal debt collection procedures in chapter 176 of title 28 or other applicable administrative remedies. (g) Modification or waiver The Secretary may waive any of the terms and conditions set forth in subsection (c) or modify such terms and conditions through the imposition of alternative service requirements. (h) Eligibility for additional payments An individual who receives a payment pursuant to this section shall not be eligible for payments under section 51708 of this title until the individual has fulfilled the obligated three years of service under subsection (c)(4). (i) Funding availability Not to exceed 10 percent of the amounts appropriated for any fiscal year for payments authorized under this section may be transferred or reprogrammed and made available for the purpose of making payments authorized under sections 51509, 51512, and 51708, as determined by the Secretary..