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: (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: 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 2027 through 2036. (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) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 515 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 51512. Fuel funding for training ships operated by State maritime academies..