To direct the Secretary of Transportation to develop and implement a comprehensive Campus Modernization Plan for the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and for other purposes.
House Bill H.R. 2429 would direct the Secretary of Transportation (via the Maritime Administration) to develop and begin implementing a comprehensive, 10-year Campus Modernization Plan for the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). The plan aims to rehabilitate, upgrade, and expand campus facilities and infrastructure to meet modern education, safety, and readiness standards, while keeping the Academy fully operational during construction. The measure authorizes a substantial, multi-year funding package to support design, planning, construction, and contingency needs, funded from the Maritime Security Trust Fund, and directs adherence to a blueprint known as the Full Speed Ahead Plan and various safety, accessibility, and security requirements. The bill also envisions streamlined procurement (including design-build approaches) to accelerate delivery and reduce costs. In short, the bill seeks to modernize USMMA’s campus—laboratories, training facilities, housing, waterfront infrastructure, and essential utilities—so cadets can receive state-of-the-art education and remain prepared for licensing and national security roles, while ensuring rigorous oversight and phased funding over 2026–2035.
Key Points
- 1Purpose and scope
- 2- Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop and begin implementing a comprehensive, 10-year Campus Modernization Plan for USMMA, informed by the “Full Speed Ahead Plan” and designed to upgrade campus facilities and operations.
- 3- Requires the plan to prioritize modern education facilities, licensing exam readiness, physical readiness, diversity, industry engagement, safety, and security.
- 4Required inclusions and facilities
- 5- Construction or major renovation of: laboratories for STCW applications and watchkeeping, a Safety of Life At Sea pool, engineering powerplant labs, athletic facilities (including gender-inclusive needs), enhanced waterfront facilities (including a new pier), a visitor welcome center and main security office, housing for senior staff/faculty, and sufficient parking.
- 6- Upgrades to classrooms and laboratories with modern IT infrastructure.
- 7- Campus-wide utility upgrades: electric power grid, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, drinking water system (with a separate and redundant fire suppression system).
- 8- Renovations to ensure facilities are structurally sound, with reliable HVAC, plumbing, electrical, weather protection (roof/windows), ADA accessibility, and functioning fire alarms/suppression.
- 9Operational requirements
- 10- The Academy must remain fully operational for the duration of the Plan.
- 11Procurement and delivery
- 12- Encourages use of design-build contracts to shorten delivery times and reduce costs; directs engagement with a Federal construction agent per prior NDAA provisions.
- 13Funding and timeline
- 14- Authorization of appropriations from the Maritime Security Trust Fund for 2026–2035.
- 15- Specific funding: about $1.02 billion total, including roughly $54 million in FY2026 for design/planning (design-build planning) and about $107.333 million per year for 2026–2035 for construction and contingency purchases.
- 16- Not later than 180 days after enactment, the Secretary must develop and begin implementing the Campus Modernization Plan.
- 17Legal and administrative changes
- 18- Adds a new Sec. 51329 to Chapter 513 of Title 46, U.S.C., establishing the 10-year Campus Modernization Plan framework.
- 19- Aligns with the Americans with Disabilities Act and safety requirements, and calls for implementation of relevant recommendations from a 2021 National Academy of Public Administration report (Chapter 4 recommendations).
- 20- Requires accountability and oversight to ensure milestones are met.
- 21Context and authority
- 22- The bill emphasizes national security and readiness through a strong, modern USMMA infrastructure.
- 23- Uses and references to existing plans (Full Speed Ahead Plan) and to specific Congressional and NDAA-linked processes for procurement and construction.