I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6253 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 1, 2012 Ms. Richardson introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To authorize the Maritime Administrator to make grants to States or port authorities to cover the cost of repair and construction activities relating to certain commercial strategic seaports, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Ports-to-Forts Act of 2012.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)Seaports serve vital national interests by supporting the mobilization and deployment of United States troops, facilitating the flow of trade, and creating jobs. (2)The Commercial Strategic Seaport Grant Program is designed to facilitate the movement of military forces securely through United States seaports with minimal disruptions to commerce. (3)The exponential growth of commercial cargo over the past 20 years has generated concern over the potential for conflict between military and commercial needs and about the future adequacy of the commercial strategic seaport infrastructure to meet national security requirements. (4)The existing infrastructure at seaports may not be readily available when required by the Department of Defense.

3.

Commercial Strategic Seaport Grant Program

(a)

In general

The Maritime Administrator, subject to the availability of appropriations, may make a grant to a State or port authority to assist that State or port authority to conduct repair or construction activities relating to a commercial strategic seaport. (b)

Application

(1)

In general

To be eligible for a grant under this section, a State or port authority shall submit to the Administrator, by not later than 1 year after publication of notice under paragraph (2), an application in such form and containing such information as the Administrator may require. The application shall include, at a minimum, a certification that any grant funds received by the State or port authority shall be used only as provided under subsection (c). (2)

Notice

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall, in the Federal Register, publish notice that applications are being accepted for grants under subsection (a). (3)

Application acceptability

If the Administrator determines that an application received under paragraph (1) is incomplete or unacceptable, the Administrator shall— (A)reject the application; and (B)advise the State or port authority that submitted the application of the reasons for the rejection. (4)

Reapplication

If the Administrator rejects a State’s or port authority’s application under paragraph (1), that State or port authority may submit an additional application under that paragraph not later than the end of the 1-year application period established under that paragraph. (c)

Use of funds

(1)

State

A State that receives a grant under subsection (a) may only use funds from such grant for direct or indirect costs of repair or construction activities relating to— (A)a commercial strategic seaport; or (B)bridges, roads, rail systems, and other infrastructure in the vicinity of such seaport. (2)

Port authority

A port authority that receives a grant under subsection (a) may only use funds from such grant for direct or indirect costs of repair or construction activities relating to infrastructure that is part of the commercial strategic seaport. (d)

Reporting requirement

Not later than 1 year after the date on which a State or port authority receives a grant under subsection (a), and annually thereafter until all repair or construction activities to be carried out under the grant are completed, the State or port authority shall submit a report to the Administrator that includes— (1)a description of the progress made with respect to such activities; and (2)a detailed list of all expenses related to such activities. (e)

Authorization of use of Department of Defense appropriations

Such sums as are necessary to carry out this section may be used by the Maritime Administrator from any amounts otherwise appropriated for the Department of Defense after the date of the enactment of this Act. (f)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Commercial strategic seaport

The term commercial strategic seaport means a port (including bridges, roads, rail systems, and other infrastructure that is part of the port) that the Secretary of Defense has determined to be vital to the readiness and cargo throughput capacity of the Department of Defense. (2)

Port authority

The term port authority means a local port authority with jurisdiction over a commercial strategic seaport. (3)

State

The term State means each of the several States of the United States and Guam.