b'LEGISLATIVE REPORTLEGISLATIVE View from Washington:Fall 2025 Legislative UpdateRICHARD PATCH // LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORA sCongressmovesintotheannually through 2035 for the SmallAt the same time, PVA remains atten-fall,severalissueswithim- ShipyardGrantProgram(SSGP)ative to the details. Passenger vessels are plicationsforthemaritimesignificantincreasefromthemosta vital part of the domestic shipbuild-industry are competing for attentionrecent$8.75millionappropriation.ing and repair market, but much of the onCapitolHill.FortheU.S.-flagFundingwouldcomefromanewlegislative narrative around SHIPS has passenger vessel industry, three devel- MaritimeSecurityTrustFund,pro- focused on naval and cargo priorities. opmentsstandout:thenewSHIPSviding long-term stability and insulat- PVA will continue to remind lawmak-forAmericaAct,ongoingworkoning the program from the uncertaintyers that a healthy small shipyard sector U.S. Coast Guard authorization legis- of the annual appropriations process. also means a safe, modern, and reliable lation, and the continuing problem ofU.S.-flag passenger fleet.illegal chartersall framed by the an-nual fight over federal funding. Each Passenger vesselsCOAST GUARDof these topics has direct implicationsare a vital part of theAUTHORIZATION for PVA members, whether you oper- BoththeHouseTransportation ate ferries, dinner boats, or overnightdomestic shipbuildingandInfrastructureCommitteeand excursion vessels, or build and supplyand repair market theSenateCommerce,Science,and the products that keep them running. TransportationCommitteehavead-PVA will continue tovancedCoastGuardauthorization THE SHIPS FOR AMERICA ACT remind lawmakersmeasuresthisyear,eachcoveringa Earlier this year, a bipartisan group ofmulti-year period. These bills provide legislatorsSenators Mark Kelly (AZ)that a healthy smallthe Coast Guards policy framework andToddYoung(IN),alongwithshipyard sector alsoand set the stage for many of the reg-Representatives Trent Kelly (MS) andmeans a safe, modern,ulations that directly affect passenger JohnGaramendi(CA)introducedvessel operations.theSecuringtheHomelandbyIn- and reliable U.S.-flag creasingProductionofShipbuildingpassenger fleet The House and Senate versions are not (SHIPS)forAmericaAct.Thebillidentical, and the two chambers will aims to strengthen the domestic ship- needtoreconciledifferencesbefore buildingbaseandensurethatU.S.afinalbillcanmoveforward.Both shipyardscanmeetbothnationalPVA has long supported the SSGP be- versions, however, include several pro-defense and commercial needs. Whilecause so many of our members dependvisions of interest to PVA members:much of the measure focuses on largeon these small and medium-sized ship-Navy and commercial vessels, it alsoyards for repair and construction. By Arequirementforastudyofin- contains provisions of interest to pas- placing these grants on a secure andlandbuoysanddayboardsbefore senger vessel operators. As the sayingpredictablefooting,theSHIPSActanyplannedremovalintheNew goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. could help to reduce the year-to-yearEngland,Northwest,andMissouri uncertaintythathasoftenlimitedRiver sectors.Amongtheprovisionswithdirectplanning and investment. That would impact on PVA members, the SHIPSbe a major win for shipyards and vesselCreation of a Secretary of the Coast Actwoulddedicate$100millionoperators alike. Guard position to elevate and advo-FOGHORN 42'