JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 • FOGHORN 33 LEGISLATIVEREPORT December 12, 2017 (Public Law 115-91). The language addressing the Small Shipyard Grant Program is found in title XXXV (sections 3501 and 3505). The purpose of the program is to provide competitive financial assis- tance to small shipyards for capital improvements. To qualify, a shipyard can have no more than 1,200 workers at a specific facility. A complementary purpose of the program is to provide grants for maritime training programs to foster technical skills and operational productivity relating to shipbuilding, ship repair, and associated industries. Over the years, most grants have been for capital improvements, although the Maritime Administration continues to be open to proposals to fund training activities. The law, as amended, directs the Maritime Administration to consider projects that promote: (A) efficiency, competitive operations, and quality ship construction, repair, and recon- figuration; and (B) employee skills and enhanced productivity related to ship- building, ship repair, and associated industries. Grants are not be used to construct buildings or other physical facilities or to acquire land. The law contains a requirement for non-federal matching funds of at least 25 percent of the total cost of the project. Public Law 115-91 contains an au- thorized funding level of $35 million per year for the Small Shipyard Grant Program. However, the actual amount of dollars available for distribution each year depends on what is specified for the Maritime Administration as part of the agency’s annual funding bill (the appropriations bill, in Washington-speak). The new law also enables the Maritime Administration to take back a grant that was awarded in previous years but which, for some reason, were never used by the successful applicant. These recovered sums will be able to be made available for other users in the next funding round. PVA expects that about $10-11 million will be available for distri- bution in the upcoming fiscal 2018 funding round. Although short of the $35 million authorization level, this will represent a slight “bump-up” of the amounts provided in recent years; for example, in fiscal 2017, the Maritime Administration was able to award $9.8 million. The Maritime Administration must solicit grant proposals within 60 days of enactment of the appro- priation law funding the agency. With respect to the fiscal 2018 funding round, this means that PVA appli- cants can expect a deadline in late winter or early spring. With the continued existence of the Small Shipyard Grant Program ensured, PVA will shift its future advocacy efforts to convincing Congress to fund it at the maximum allowed levels each year. n Tel: 206-784-2562 Fax: 206-784-1986 5351 24th Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107 Shipshape & Fishing Vessels in the North Pacific and Bering Sea Passenger Vessels from Puget Sound to Southeast Alaska Tel: 206-784-2562 Fax: 206-784-1986 5351 24th Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107 Shipshape & Fishing Vessels in the North Pacific and Bering Sea Passenger Vessels from Puget Sound to Southeast Alaska 5351 24th Ave NW • Seattle, WA 98107 • Tel: 206-784-2562 • Fax: 206-784-1986 www.pacificfishermen.com Fishing Vessels in the North Pacific and Bering Sea Passenger Vessels from Puget Sound to Southeast Alaska Shipshape & Seaworthy 5351 24th Ave NW • Seattle, WA 98107 • Tel: 206-784-2562 • Fax: 206-784-1986 www.pacificfishermen.com Fishing Vessels in the North Pacific and Bering Sea Passenger Vessels from Puget Sound to Southeast Alaska Shipshape & Seaworthy Fishing Vessels in the North Pacific and Bering Sea Passenger Vessels from Puget Sound to Southeast Alaska