Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/1811

 117 STAT. 1792

PUBLIC LAW 108–136—NOV. 24, 2003

(5) the recipient agrees to hold the Government harmless for any claims arising from exposure to asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead paint, or other hazardous substances after conveyance of the vessel, except for claims arising from use of the vessel by the Government; (6) the recipient has available, for use to restore the vessel, in the form of cash, liquid assets, or a written loan commitment, financial resources of at least $100,000; and (7) the recipient has a conveyance plan and a business plan that describes the intended use of the vessel, each of which have been submitted to and approved by the Secretary. (b) DELIVERY OF VESSEL.—If a conveyance is made under this section, the Secretary shall deliver the vessel at the place where the vessel is located on the date of the enactment of this Act, in its present condition, and without cost to the Government. (c) OTHER UNNEEDED EQUIPMENT.—The Secretary may also convey any unneeded equipment from other vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet in order to restore the USS HOIST (ARS– 40) to museum quality. (d) RETENTION OF VESSEL IN NDRF.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall retain in the National Defense Reserve Fleet the vessel authorized to be conveyed under subsection (a), until the earlier of— (A) 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act; or (B) the date of conveyance of the vessel under subsection (a). (2) LIMITATION.—Paragraph (1) does not require the Secretary to retain the vessel in the National Defense Reserve Fleet if the Secretary determines that retention of the vessel in the fleet will pose an unacceptable risk to the marine environment. SEC. 3514. CARGO PREFERENCE.

Section 901b(c)(2) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C App. 1241f(c)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘1986.’’ and inserting ‘‘1986, the 18-month period beginning April 1, 2002, and the 12-month period beginning October 1, 2003, and each year thereafter.’’. SEC. 3515. MARITIME EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

(a) COST OF EDUCATION DEFINED.—Section 1302 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. App. 1295a) is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon in paragraph (3); (2) by striking ‘‘States.’’ in paragraph (4)(B) and inserting ‘‘States; and’’; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(5) the term ‘cost of education provided’ means the financial costs incurred by the Federal Government for providing training or financial assistance to students at the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the State maritime academies, including direct financial assistance, room, board, classroom academics, and other training activities.’’. (b) COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS.—Section 1303(e) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. App. 1295b(e)) is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘Academy, unless the individual is separated from the’’ in paragraph (1)(A); (2) by striking paragraph (1)(C) and inserting the following:

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