,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cbgc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #be1 #bjah,mr4 ,wicker introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to improve the safety1 efficiency1 and reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,port ,operations1 ,research1 and ,technology ,act4 #b4 ,port and ,intermodal ,improvement rogram 7a7 ,short title ,this section may be cited as the ,ports ,improvement ,act4 7b7 ,port and ,intermodal ,improvement ,program ,section #ejcjb of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking subsection 7c7 and inserting the following3 7c7 ,port and ,intermodal ,improvement ,program 7#a7 ,general authority ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,secretary of ,transportation shall make grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible applicants to assist in funding eligible projects for the purpose of improving the safety1 efficiency1 or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports4 7#b7 ,eligible applicant ,the ,secretary may make a grant under this subsection to the following3 7,a7 ,a ,state4 7,b7 ,a political subdivision of a ,state or local government4 7,c7 ,a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more ,states4 7,d7 ,a special purpose district with a transportation function4 7,e7 ,a multistate or multijurisdictional group of entities described in this subsection4 7,f7 ,a lead entity described in subparagraph 7,a71 7,b71 7,c71 7,d71 or 7,e7 jointly with a private entity or group of private entities4 7#c7 ,eligible projects ,the ,secretary may make a grant under this subsection-- 7,a7 for a project that-- 7i7 is either-- 7,i7 within the boundary of a port2 or 7,,ii7 outside the boundary of a port1 but is directly related to port operations or to an intermodal connection to a port2 and 7ii7 will be used to improve the safety1 efficiency1 or reliability of-- 7,i7 the loading and unloading of goods at the port1 such as for marine terminal equipment2 7,,ii7 the movement of goods into1 out of1 around1 or within a port1 such as for highway or rail infrastructure1 intermodal facilities1 freight intelligent transportation systems1 and digital infrastructure systems2 or 7,,iii7 the movement of vessels in and out of the port facility by dredging a vessel berthing area that is not part of a ,federal channel or an access channel associated with a ,federal channel2 or 7,b7 notwithstanding paragraph 7#f77;,a77v71 to provide financial assistance to one or more projects under subparagraph 7,a7 for development phase activities1 including planning1 feasibility analysis1 revenue forecasting1 environmental review1 permitting1 and preliminary engineering and design work4 7#d7 ,prohibited uses ,a grant award under this subsection may not be used-- 7,a7 to finance or refinance the construction1 reconstruction1 reconditioning1 or purchase of a vessel that is eligible for such assistance under chapter #ecg1 unless the ,secretary determines such vessel-- 7i7 is necessary for a project described in paragraph 7#c77;,a77ii77,,iii7 of this subsection2 and 7ii7 is not receiving assistance under chapter #ecg2 or 7,b7 for any project within a small shipyard 7as defined in section #edaja74 7#e7 ,applications and process 7,a7 ,applications ,to be eligible for a grant under this subsection1 an eligible applicant shall submit to the ,secretary an application in such form1 at such time1 and containing such information as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7,b7 ,solicitation process ,not later than #cj days after the date that amounts are made available for grants under this subsection for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall solicit grant applications for eligible projects in accordance with this subsection4 7#f7 ,project selection criteria 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may select a project described in paragraph 7#c7 for funding under this subsection if the ,secretary determines that-- 7i7 the project improves the safety1 efficiency1 or reliability of the movement of goods through a port or intermodal connection to a port2 7ii7 the project is cost-effective2 7iii7 the eligible applicant has authority to carry out the project2 7iv7 the eligible applicant has sufficient funding available to meet the matching requirements under paragraph 7#h72 7v7 the project will be completed without unreasonable delay2 and 7vi7 the project cannot be easily and efficiently completed without ,federal funding or financial assistance available to the project sponsor4 7,b7 ,additional considerations ,in selecting projects described in paragraph 7#c7 for funding under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall give substantial weight to-- 7i7 the utilization of non-,federal contributions2 and 7ii7 the net benefits of the funds awarded under this subsection1 considering the cost-benefit analysis of the project1 as applicable4 7,c7 ,small projects ,the ,secretary may waive the cost-benefit analysis under subparagraph 7,a77ii71 and establish a simplified1 alternative basis for determining whether a project is cost-effective1 for a small project described in paragraph 7#g77;,b74 7#g7 ,allocation of funds 7,a7 ,geographic distribution ,not more than #be percent of the amounts made available for grants under this subsection for a fiscal year may be used to make grants for projects in any #a ,state4 7,b7 ,small projects ,the ,secretary shall reserve #be percent of the amounts made available for grants under this subsection each fiscal year to make grants for eligible projects described in paragraph 7#c77;,a7 that request the lesser of-- 7i7 #aj percent of the amounts made available for grants under this subsection for a fiscal year2 or 7ii7 #a1jjj1jjj4 7,c7 ,dredging projects ,not more than #be percent of the amounts made available for grants under this subsection for a fiscal year may be used to make grants for projects described in paragraph 7#c77;,a77ii77,,iii74 7,d7 ,development phase activities ,not more than #aj percent of the amounts made available for grants under this subsection for a fiscal year may be used to make grants for development phase activities under paragraph 7#c77;,b74 7#h7 ,federal share of total project costs 7,a7 ,total project costs ,to be eligible for a grant under this subsection1 an eligible applicant shall submit to the ,secretary an estimate of the total costs of a project under this subsection based on the best available information1 including any available engineering studies1 studies of economic feasibility1 environmental analyses1 and information on the expected use of equipment or facilities4 7,b7 ,federal share 7i7 ,in general ,except as provided in clauses 7ii7 and 7iii71 the ,federal share of the total costs of a project under this subsection shall not exceed #hj percent4 7ii7 ,dredging projects ,the ,federal share of the total costs of a project described in paragraph 7#c77;,a77ii77,,iii7 shall not exceed #ej percent4 7iii7 ,rural areas ,the ,secretary may increase the ,federal share of costs above #hj percent for a project located in a rural area4 7#i7 ,,tifia program ,at the request of an eligible applicant under this subsection1 the ,secretary may use amounts awarded to an eligible applicant under this subsection to pay the subsidy and administrative costs of a project necessary to provide the applicant with ,federal credit assistance under chapter #f of title #bc1 with respect to the project for which the grant was awarded1 if such project is eligible for credit assistance under that chapter4 7#aj7 ,procedural safeguards ,the ,secretary shall issue guidelines to establish appropriate accounting1 reporting1 and review procedures to ensure that-- 7,a7 grant funds are used for the purposes for which they were made available2 7,b7 each grantee properly accounts for all expenditures of grant funds2 and 7,c7 grant funds not used for such purposes and amounts not obligated or expended are returned4 7#aa7 ,grant conditions ,the ,secretary shall require as a condition of making a grant under this subsection that a grantee-- 7,a7 maintain such records as the ,secretary considers necessary2 7,b7 make the records described in subparagraph 7,a7 available for review and audit by the ,secretary2 and 7,c7 periodically report to the ,secretary such information as the ,secretary considers necessary to assess progress4 7#ab7 ,congressional notification 7,a7 ,notification ,at least #fj days before making a grant for a project under this section1 the ,secretary shall notify1 in writing1 the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives of the proposed grant4 7,b7 ,contents ,each notification under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7i7 an evaluation of and justification for the project2 and 7ii7 the amount of the proposed grant award4 7,c7 ,congressional disapproval ,the ,secretary may not make a grant or any other obligation or commitment to fund a project under this section if a joint resolution is enacted disapproving funding for the project before the last day of the #fj-;day period described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#ac7 ,limitation on statutory construction ,nothing in this subsection may be construed to affect existing authorities to conduct port infrastructure programs in-- 7,a7 ,hawaii1 as authorized by section #ijjh of the ,,safetea-,,lu ,act 7,public ,law #aji-ei2 #aai ,stat4 #aibf72 7,b7 ,alaska1 as authorized by section #ajbje of the ,,safetea-,,lu ,act 7,public ,law #aji-ei2 #aai ,stat4 #aicd72 or 7,c7 ,guam1 as authorized by section #ceab of the ,duncan ,hunter ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjji 7#dh ,u4,s4,c4 #adbar74 7#ad7 ,reports ,the ,secretary shall make available on the website of the ,department of ,transportation at the end of each fiscal year an annual report that lists each project for which a grant has been provided under this subsection during that fiscal year4 7#ae7 ,administration 7,a7 ,administrative and oversight costs ,the ,secretary may retain not more than #a percent of the amounts appropriated for each fiscal year under this subsection for the administrative and oversight costs incurred by the ,secretary to carry out this subsection4 7,b7 ,availability 7i7 ,in general ,amounts appropriated for carrying out this subsection shall remain available until expended4 7ii7 ,unexpended funds ,amounts awarded as a grant under this subsection that are not expended by the grantee during the #d-year period following the date of the award shall remain available to the ,secretary for use for grants under this subsection in a subsequent fiscal year4 7#af7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress ,the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7i7 the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate2 and 7ii7 the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives4 7,b7 ,port ,the term port includes-- 7i7 a sea port2 and 7ii7 an inland waterways port4 7,c7 ,project ,the term project includes construction1 reconstruction1 rehabilitation1 acquisition of property1 including land related to the project and improvements to the land1 equipment acquisition1 and operational improvements4 7,d7 ,rural area ,the term rural area means an area that is outside an urbanized area4 7d7 ,additional authority of the ,secretary ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary may-- 7#a7 receive funds from a ,federal or non-,federal entity that has a specific agreement with the ,secretary to further the purposes of this section2 7#b7 coordinate with other ,federal agencies to expedite the process established under the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et seq47 for the improvement of port facilities to improve the efficiency of the transportation system1 to increase port security1 or to provide greater access to port facilities2 7#c7 seek to coordinate all reviews or requirements with appropriate local1 ,state1 and ,federal agencies2 and 7#d7 in addition to any financial assistance provided under subsection 7c71 provide such technical assistance to port authorities or commissions or their subdivisions and agents as needed for project planning1 design1 and construction4 4 7c7 ,savings clause ,a repeal made by subsection 7b7 of this section shall not affect amounts apportioned or allocated before the effective date of the repeal4 ,such apportioned or allocated funds shall continue to be subject to the requirements to which the funds were subject under section #ejcjb7;c7 of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act4 #c4 ,coast ,guard ,blue ,technology ,center of ,expertise 7a7 ,short title ,this section may be cited as the ,coast ,guard ,blue ,technology ,center of ,expertise ,act4 7b7 ,establishment ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act and subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,commandant shall establish under section #eh of title #ad1 ,united ,states ,code1 a ,blue ,technology center of expertise4 7c7 ,missions ,in addition to the missions listed in section #eh7;b7 of title #ad1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,center-- 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 promote awareness within the ,coast ,guard of the range and diversity of ,blue ,technologies and their potential to enhance ,coast ,guard mission readiness1 operational performance1 and regulation of such technologies2 7,b7 function as an interactive conduit to enable the sharing and dissemination of ,blue ,technology information between the ,coast ,guard and representatives from the private sector1 academia1 nonprofit organizations1 and other ,federal agencies2 7,c7 increase awareness among ,blue ,technology manufacturers1 entrepreneurs1 and vendors of ,coast ,guard acquisition policies1 procedures1 and business practices2 and 7,d7 provide technical support1 coordination1 and assistance to ,coast ,guard districts and the ,coast ,guard ,research and ,development ,center1 as appropriate2 and 7#b7 subject to the requirements of the ,coast ,guard ,academy1 may coordinate with the ,academy to develop appropriate curricula regarding ,blue ,technology to be offered in professional courses of study to give ,coast ,guard cadets and officer candidates a greater background and understanding of ,blue ,technologies4 7d7 ,blue ,technology exposition2 briefing ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall provide to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives a briefing on the costs and benefits of hosting a biennial ,coast ,guard ,blue ,technology exposition to further interactions between representatives from the private sector1 academia1 and nonprofit organizations1 and the ,coast ,guard and examine emerging technologies and ,coast ,guard mission demands4 7e7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,center ,the term ,center means the ,blue ,technology center of expertise established under this section4 7#b7 ,commandant ,the term ,commandant means the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard4 7#c7 ,blue technology ,the term ,blue ,technology means any technology1 system1 or platform that-- 7,a7 is designed for use or application above1 on1 or below the sea surface or that is otherwise applicable to ,coast ,guard operational needs1 including such a technology1 system1 or platform that provides continuous or persistent coverage2 and 7,b7 supports or facilitates-- 7i7 maritime domain awareness1 including-- 7,i7 surveillance and monitoring2 7,,ii7 observation1 measurement1 and modeling3 or 7,,iii7 information technology and communications2 7ii7 search and rescue2 7iii7 emergency response2 7iv7 maritime law enforcement2 7v7 marine inspections and investigations2 or 7vi7 protection and conservation of the marine environment4