PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The Secretary of Transportation can name certain colleges or research centers as National Maritime Enhancement Institutes. These institutes do research and training to help the U.S. maritime industry. Their work can include things like improving industry performance and international competitiveness, forecasting trade, checking new technology, creating management and training programs, studying rules and international talks, matching U.S. and overseas transport systems, trying new pricing ideas, and improving maritime economics and finance. An institute must apply under rules the Secretary sets. The Secretary will pick institutes based on resources, leadership, existing research and training, ability to gather and share information, and being a nonprofit college. The Secretary can give matching money to a designated institute from appropriated funds, with the federal share capped at $500,000 per year. The Secretary may also give grants under 49 U.S.C. §5505 as if the institute were a university transportation center. In doing that, the Secretary, through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, must tell and consult with the Maritime Administration about available funds and grant decisions.

Title 46, §50112

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(a)Designation.—

The Secretary of Transportation may designate National Maritime Enhancement Institutes.

(b)Activities.—

Activities undertaken by an institute may include—

(1)conducting research about methods to improve the performance of maritime industries;

(2)enhancing the competitiveness of domestic maritime industries in international trade;

(3)forecasting trends in maritime trade;

(4)assessing technological advancements;

(5)developing management initiatives and training;

(6)analyzing economic and operational impacts of regulatory policies and international negotiations or agreements pending before international bodies;

(7)assessing the compatibility of domestic maritime infrastructure systems with overseas transport systems;

(8)fostering innovations in maritime transportation pricing; and

(9)improving maritime economics and finance.

(c)Application for Designation.—

An institution seeking designation as a National Maritime Enhancement Institute shall submit an application under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.

(d)Criteria for Designation.—

The Secretary shall designate an institute under this section on the basis of the following criteria:

(1)The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the applicant for carrying out the activities specified in subsection (b).

(2)The ability of the applicant to provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range and immediate problems of the domestic maritime industry.

(3)The existence of an established program of the applicant encompassing research and training directed to enhancing maritime industries.

(4)The demonstrated ability of the applicant to assemble and evaluate pertinent information from national and international sources and to disseminate results of maritime industry research and educational programs through a continuing education program.

(5)The qualification of the applicant as a nonprofit institution of higher learning.

(e)Financial Awards.—

The Secretary may make awards on an equal matching basis to an institute designated under subsection (a) from amounts appropriated. The aggregate annual amount of the Federal share of the awards by the Secretary may not exceed $500,000.

(f)University Transportation Research Funds.—

The Secretary may make a grant under section 5505 of title 49 to an institute designated under subsection (a) for maritime and maritime intermodal research under that section as if the institute were a university transportation center. In making a grant, the Secretary, through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology of the Department of Transportation, shall advise the Maritime Administration on the availability of funds for the grants and consult with the Administration on making the grants.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5011246 App.:1121–2.Pub. L. 101–115, § 8, Oct. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 694; Pub. L. 101–595, title VII, § 702, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2994; Pub. L. 102–241, § 47, Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2227; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [div. C, title XXXV, § 3504], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–493; Pub. L. 108–426, Nov. 30, 2004, § 2(c)(4), 118 Stat. 2424.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

“Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology of the Department of Transportation” substituted for “Research and Innovative Technology Administration” in subsec. (f) on authority of title I of div. L of Pub. L. 113–76, set out in part as a note under former section 112 of Title 49, Transportation.

§50112 National Maritime Enhancement Institutes