,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dcie ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #cj1 #bjbj ,mr4 ,merkley 7for himself and ,mr4 ,sullivan7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 to authorize maritime transportation emergency relief1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,maritime ,transportation ,system ,emergency ,relief ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,maritime transportation system emergency relief program 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #ejc of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #ejcjh4 ,maritime transportation system emergency relief program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section the following definitions shall apply3 7#a7 ,eligible ,state entity ,the term eligible ,state entity means a port authority1 or a ,state-owned or -operated vessel and facilities associated with the operation of such vessel1 in any ,state4 7#b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a public or private entity that is created or organized in the ,united ,states or under the laws of the ,united ,states1 with significant operations in and a majority of its employees based in the ,united ,states1 that is engaged in-- 7,a7 vessel construction1 transportation by water1 or support activities for transportation by water with an assigned ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code beginning with #ccff1 #dhc1 or #dhhc2 or 7,b7 as determined by the ,secretary of ,transportation-- 7i7 construction related to activities described in subparagraph 7,a72 or 7ii7 maritime education and training4 7#c7 ,eligible operating costs ,the term eligible operating costs means costs relating to-- 7,a7 emergency response2 7,b7 cleaning2 7,c7 sanitization2 7,d7 janitorial services2 7,e7 staffing2 7,f7 workforce retention2 7,g7 paid leave2 7,h7 procurement and use of protective health equipment1 testing1 and training for employees and contractors2 7,i7 debt service payments2 7,j7 infrastructure repair projects2 and 7,k7 other maritime transportation system operations2 7#d7 ,emergency ,the term emergency means a natural disaster affecting a wide area 7such as a flood1 hurricane1 tidal wave1 earthquake1 severe storm1 or landslide7 or a catastrophic failure from any external cause1 that impacts the ,united ,states maritime transportation system and as a result of which-- 7,a7 the ,governor of a ,state has declared an emergency and the ,maritime ,administrator1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,administration1 has concurred in the declaration2 7,b7 the ,president has declared a major disaster under section #dja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj72 7,c7 a national emergency declared by the ,president under the ,national ,emergencies ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afja et seq47 is in effect2 or 7,d7 a public health emergency declared pursuant to section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d7 is in effect4 7b7 ,general authority ,the ,maritime ,administrator may-- 7#a7 make grants to eligible ,state entities for eligible operating costs2 and 7#b7 make grants and enter into contracts and other agreements with eligible entities for-- 7,a7 the costs of capital projects to protect1 repair1 reconstruct1 or replace equipment and facilities of the ,united ,states maritime transportation system that the ,maritime ,administrator determines is in danger of suffering serious physical damage1 or has suffered serious physical damage1 as a result of an emergency2 and 7,b7 eligible operating costs of ,united ,states maritime transportation equipment and facilities in an area directly affected by an emergency during-- 7i7 the #a-year period beginning on the date of a declaration described in subsections 7a77#d77;,a7 and 7a77#d77;,b72 and 7ii7 an additional #a-year period beginning #a year after the date of a declaration described in subsections 7a77#d77;,a7 and 7a77#d77;,b71 if the ,maritime ,administrator1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,administration1 determines there is a compelling need arising out of the emergency for which the declaration is made4 7c7 ,allocation ,the ,maritime ,administrator shall determine an appropriate method for the equitable allocation and distribution of funds under this section to eligible ,state entities and eligible entities4 7d7 ,applications ,an applicant for assistance under this section shall submit an application for such assistance to the ,maritime ,administrator at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information and assurances as the ,maritime ,administrator may require4 7e7 ,coordination of emergency funds 7#a7 ,use of funds ,funds appropriated to carry out this section shall be in addition to any other funds available under this chapter4 7#b7 ,no effect on other government activity ,the provision of funds under this section shall not affect the ability of any other agency of the ,government1 including the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 or a ,state agency1 a local governmental entity1 organization1 or person1 to provide any other funds otherwise authorized by law4 7f7 ,grant requirements ,a grant awarded under this section that is made to address an emergency defined under subsection 7a77#d77;,b7 shall be-- 7#a7 subject to the terms and conditions the ,maritime ,administrator determines are necessary2 and 7#b7 made only for expenses that are not reimbursed under the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaba et seq47 or any ,federal1 ,state1 or local assistance program4 7g7 ,federal share of costs ,the ,federal share payable of the costs for which a grant is made under this section shall be #ajj percent4 7h7 ,administrative costs ,of the amounts available to carry out this section1 not more than one-half of one percent may be used for administration of this section4 7i7 ,quality assurance ,the ,maritime ,administrator shall institute adequate policies1 procedures1 and internal controls to prevent waste1 fraud1 abuse1 and program mismanagement for the distribution of funds under this section4 7j7 ,reports ,the ,maritime ,administrator shall annually report to the ,congress regarding financial assistance provided under this section1 including a description of such assistance4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the analysis for such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following3 #ejcjh4 ,maritime transportation system emergency relief program4 4 7c7 ,inclusion of ,,covid-#ai pandemic public health emergency ,for purposes of section #ejcjh of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by subsection 7a71 the public health emergency declared pursuant to section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d7 resulting from the ,,covid-#ai pandemic shall be treated as an emergency4