§51312 Board of Visitors

Summary

Creates a Board of Visitors for the United States Merchant Marine Academy to give independent advice and recommendations about the Academy. The Board has specific members: 2 Senators chosen by the Senate Commerce Committee chair with input from the ranking member; 3 House members chosen by the House Armed Services Committee chair with input from that committee’s ranking member; 1 Senator chosen by the Vice President who must be on the Senate Appropriations Committee; 2 House members chosen by the Speaker with input from the Minority Leader (at least one must be on the House Appropriations Committee); 5 people chosen by the President (with rules about who they must include); and several ex officio members, including the Commander of Military Sealift Command, the Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations, the chairmen of the Senate Commerce Committee and House Armed Services Committee, the chair of the Academy’s Advisory Board, and the Member of Congress from the district where the Academy is located (nonvoting unless already a voting member). Of the 5 presidential appointees, at least 2 must be Academy graduates, at least 1 must be a senior officer from a qualifying U.S. maritime shipping company (rotating every two years), and at least 1 must represent a maritime labor group. Most non-ex officio members serve 2-year terms that start at the beginning of each Congress and stay on until a successor is named. If a member leaves, the appointing official must name a replacement within 60 days. Certain officials may name temporary substitutes if they cannot attend; those substitutes must be high-level officials and must report back within 15 days. The Board picks a Chair every two years, alternating between a House member and a Senator, and no one may serve two terms in a row as Chair. The Board must meet under an adopted charter, hold at least one meeting at the Academy and two other meetings (in person or virtual), and give members at least 30 days’ notice. The Board must visit the Academy at least once a year (date chosen with the Secretary of Transportation and the Superintendent), have reasonable access while there, and may make other visits. The Board looks into morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, equipment, finances, academic methods, and other matters it chooses. The Secretary of Transportation must give support, pick a Designated Federal Officer to help the Board, and—working with the Maritime Administrator and the Superintendent—notify the Board of institutional issues as allowed by law. Committee leaders may assign staff to help without extra pay, and Board members and such staff may get travel expenses under section 5703 of title 5. Within 60 days after the annual visit the Board must send a written report of its actions, views, and recommendations to the President and also send copies to the Secretary of Transportation and the two Congressional committees named above.