“A bill to support the athletic programs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish a nonprofit corporation, owned entirely by the United States, to support the athletic programs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)—a federal service academy that trains officers for the U.S. Merchant Marine and maritime industries. The corporation must operate as a 501(c)(3) organization under New York law; its board of directors serves without compensation (except travel expenses), with no more than one-third comprising Department of Transportation employees providing oversight; and the Secretary may enter the corporation into sole-source contracts or cooperative agreements to acquire property, services, or travel for USMMA athletics. Additionally, the section (1) authorizes the Secretary to lease surplus USMMA real property to the corporation for up to five years, with proceeds retained for athletics; (2) permits the Secretary to provide essential support services (e.g., utilities, security) without U.S. liability; (3) allows transfer of assets (except real property) from a Department of Transportation nonappropriated fund instrumentality to the corporation; and (4) authorizes the Secretary to accept funds, supplies, services, and other support (e.g., from the NCAA or game guarantees) for USMMA athletics, with corporation employees deemed non-federal.