I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION H. R. 10174 
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to support 
the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of zero-emis-
sion vessels and retrofit or replacement of existing vessels with zero- 
emission technologies and charging or fueling infrastructure, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 20, 2024 
Ms. BARRAGA´N (for herself, Mr. MULLIN, Mr. MAGAZINER, Ms. NORTON, Ms. 
BONAMICI, Mrs. FOUSHEE, Mr. CARTER of Louisiana, and Mr. ROBERT 
GARCIA of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a 
program to support the research, development, dem-
onstration, and deployment of zero-emission vessels and 
retrofit or replacement of existing vessels with zero-emis-
sion technologies and charging or fueling infrastructure, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Zero-Emission Vessel 
Innovation Act’’. 
SEC. 2. ZERO-EMISSION VESSEL INNOVATION FUND. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall establish a program to be known as the ‘‘Zero-Emis-
sion Vessel Innovation Program’’ (in this section referred 
to as the ‘‘Program’’) to support the research, design, de-
velopment, demonstration, and deployment of zero-emis-
sion vessels and retrofit or replacement of existing vessels 
with zero-emission technologies and charging or fueling in-
frastructure. 
(b) MECHANISMS.—In carrying out the Program, the 
Secretary may provide eligible entities with finance mecha-
nisms to support eligible projects, including grants, low- 
interest loans, and loan guarantees. 
(c) PRIORITIZATION.—In carrying out the Program, 
the Secretary shall prioritize eligible projects that— 
(1) advance the efficiency and reliability, and 
reduce the costs, of zero-emission vessel develop-
ment; 
(2) improve the components, controls, manufac-
turing, materials, and infrastructure that support 
zero-emission vessels; 
(3) reduce underwater noise emissions from ves-
sels; 
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(4) emphasize technologies with environmental 
co-benefits such as biofouling reduction; 
(5) advance synergies between offshore renew-
able 
energy 
development 
and 
maritime 
decarbonization and ocean noise, such as through 
the deployment of zero-emission and quiet offshore 
wind support vessels; 
(6) utilizes a project labor agreement or com-
munity benefits agreement; 
(7) advance environmental justice and engage 
communities affected by maritime transport in all 
phases of the project including the development, 
planning, and execution of the project; and 
(8) support workforce training and development 
for the research, development, demonstration, de-
ployment, and maintenance of zero-emission and 
clean alternative fuel vessels and charging or fueling 
infrastructure. 
(d) TRANSPARENCY.—In carrying out the Program, 
the Secretary shall make publicly available each year on 
the website of the Department of Transportation applica-
tions submitted for funding mechanisms under this sec-
tion, including applications selected and not selected for 
funding. 
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(e) COORDINATION
AND
LEVERAGING
OF
RE-
SOURCES.—In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
shall, to the maximum extent practicable— 
(1) coordinate with each relevant office in the 
Department and any other Federal agency; 
(2) leverage existing resources and programs of 
the Department and other relevant Federal agencies; 
(3) leverage public-private partnerships; and 
(4) engage and solicit input from environmental 
justice communities and environmental organizations 
on project impacts and benefits. 
(f) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—The Secretary may use 
up to 10 percent of the amounts made available to carry 
out this section for administrative costs for carrying out 
the program under this section. 
(g) WAGES.—All laborers and mechanics employed by 
a subgrantee of an eligible entity, and any subgrantee 
thereof at any tier, to perform construction, alteration, in-
stallation, or repair work that is assisted, in whole or in 
part, by funding awarded under this section shall be paid 
wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar 
construction, alteration, installation, or repair work in the 
locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accord-
ance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United 
States Code. 
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