United States Merchant Marine Academy Board of Visitors

Section 51312 of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

51312.

Board of Visitors

(a)

In general

A Board of Visitors to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (referred to in this section as the Board and the Academy, respectively) shall be established to provide independent advice and recommendations on matters relating to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.(b)

Appointment and membership

(1)

In general

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Board of Visitors Enhancement Act, the Board shall be composed of—(A)2 Senators appointed by the chairman, in consultation with the ranking member, of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;(B)3 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the chairman, in consultation with the ranking member, of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives;(C)1 Senator appointed by the Vice President, who shall be a member of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;(D)2 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Minority Leader, at least 1 of whom shall be a member of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives;(E)the Commander of the Military Sealift Command;(F)the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy of the United States Coast Guard;(G)4 individuals appointed by the President; and(H)as ex officio members—(i)the chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;(ii)the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives;(iii)the chairman of the Advisory Board to the Academy established under section 51313; and(iv)the member of the House of Representatives in whose congressional district the Academy is located, as a non-voting member, unless such member of the House of Representatives is appointed as a voting member of the Board under subparagraph (B) or (D).(2)

Presidential appointees

Of the individuals appointed by the President under paragraph (1)(H)—(A)at least 2 shall be graduates of the Academy;(B)at least 1 shall be a senior corporate officer from a United States maritime shipping company that participates in the Maritime Security Program, or in any Maritime Administration program providing incentives for companies to register their vessels in the United States, and this appointment shall rotate biennially among such companies; and(C)1 or more may be a Senate-confirmed Presidential appointee, a member of the Senior Executive Service, or an officer of flag-rank who from the United States Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or any of the military services that commission graduates of the Academy, exclusive of the Board members described in subparagraph (E), (F), or (G) of paragraph (1).(3)

Term of service

Each member of the Board shall serve for a term of 2 years commencing at the beginning of each Congress, except that any member whose term on the Board has expired shall continue to serve until a successor is designated.(4)

Vacancies

If a member of the Board is no longer able to serve on the Board or resigns, the Designated Federal Officer selected under subsection (g)(2) shall immediately notify the official who appointed such member. Not later than 60 days after that notification, such official shall designate a replacement to serve the remainder of such member's term.(5)

Current members

Each member of the Board serving as a member of the Board on the date of the enactment of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Board of Visitors Enhancement Act shall continue to serve on the Board for the remainder of such member’s term.(6)

Designation and responsibility of substitute Board members

(A)

Authority to designate

A member of the Board described in subparagraph (E), (F), or (G) of paragraph (1) or subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (2) may, if unable to attend or participate in an activity described in subsection (d), (e), or (f), designate another individual to serve as a substitute member of the Board, on a temporary basis, to attend or participate in such activity.(B)

Requirements

A substitute member of the Board designated under subparagraph (A) shall be—(i)an individual who has been appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate;(ii)a member of the Senior Executive Service; or(iii)an officer of flag-rank who is employed by—(I)the United States Coast Guard; or(II)the Military Sealift Command.(C)

Participation

A substitute member of the Board designated under subparagraph (A)—(i)shall be permitted to fully participate in the proceedings and activities of the Board;(ii)shall report back to the member on the Board’s activities not later than 15 days following the substitute member’s participation in such activities; and(iii)shall be permitted to participate in the preparation of reports described in paragraph (j) related to any proceedings or activities of the Board in which such substitute member participates.(c)

Chairperson

(1)

In general

On a biennial basis, the Board shall select from among its members, a member of the House of Representatives or a Senator to serve as the Chairperson.(2)

Rotation

A member of the House of Representatives and a member of the Senate shall alternately serve as the Chair of the Board on a biennial basis.(3)

Term

An individual may not serve as Chairperson for more than 1 consecutive term.(d)

Meetings

(1)

In general

The Board shall meet several times each year as provided for in the Charter described in paragraph (2)(B), including at least 1 meeting held at the Academy.(2)

Selection and consideration

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Board of Visitors Enhancement Act, the Designated Federal Officer selected under subsection (g)(2) shall organize a meeting of the Board for the purposes of—(A)selecting a Chairperson; and(B)considering an official Charter for the Board, which shall provide for the meeting of the Board several times each year.(e)

Visiting the Academy

(1)

Annual visit

The Board shall visit the Academy annually on a date selected by the Board, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Superintendent of the Academy.(2)

Other visits

In cooperation with the Superintendent, the Board or its members may make other visits to the Academy in connection with the duties of the Board.(3)

Access

While visiting the Academy under this subsection, members of the Board shall have reasonable access to the grounds, facilities, midshipmen, faculty, staff, and other personnel of the Academy for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Board.(f)

Responsibility

The Board shall inquire into the state of morale and discipline, the curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and other matters relating to the Academy that the Board decides to consider.(g)

Department of Transportation support

The Secretary of Transportation shall—(1)provide support as deemed necessary by the Board for the performance of the Board’s functions;(2)not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Board of Visitors Enhancement Act, select a Designated Federal Officer to support the performance of the Board’s functions; and(3)in cooperation with the Maritime Administrator and the Superintendent of the Academy, advise the Board of any institutional issues, consistent with applicable laws concerning the disclosure of information.(h)

Staff

Staff members may be designated to serve without reimbursement as staff for the Board by—(1)the Chairperson of the Board;(2)the chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and(3)the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.(i)

Travel expenses

While serving away from home or regular place of business, a member of the Board or a staff member designated under subsection (h) shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.(j)

Reports

(1)

Annual report

Not later than 60 days after each annual visit required under subsection (e)(1), the Board shall submit to the President a written report of its actions, views, and recommendations pertaining to the Academy.(2)

Other reports

If the members of the Board visit the Academy under subsection (e)(2), the Board may—(A)prepare a report on such visit; and(B)if approved by a majority of the members of the Board, submit such report to the President not later than 60 days after the date of the approval.(3)

Advisors

The Board may call in advisers—(A)for consultation regarding the execution of the Board’s responsibility under subsection (f); or(B)to assist in the preparation of a report described in paragraph (1) or (2).(4)

Submission

A report submitted to the President under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be concurrently submitted to—(A)the Secretary of Transportation;(B)the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and(C)the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.