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Merchant Marine Academy would place an undue 
burden on the vessel or the operator of the vessel. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITION OF OPERATOR.—In this section, the 
term ‘operator’ includes a government operator and a non- 
government operator. 
‘‘(e) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section may 
be construed as affecting— 
‘‘(1) the discretion of the Secretary to determine 
whether to place a United States Merchant Marine 
Academy cadet on a vessel; 
‘‘(2) the authority of the Coast Guard regarding 
a vessel security plan approved under section 70103; 
or 
‘‘(3) the discretion of the master of the vessel to 
ensure the safety of all crew members.’’. 
SEC. 7511. GAO REPORT ON NATIONAL MARITIME STRAT-
EGY. 
The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
complete a study and submit to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Com-
mittee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives, a report on— 
(1) the key challenges, if any, to ensuring that 
the United States marine transportation system and
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merchant marine are sufficient to support United 
States economic and defense needs, as articulated by 
the Maritime Administration, the Committee on the 
Marine Transportation System, and other stake-
holders; 
(2) the extent to which a national maritime 
strategy incorporates desirable characteristics of suc-
cessful national strategies as identified by the Comp-
troller General, and any key obstacles (as identified 
by stakeholders) to successfully implementing such 
strategies; and 
(3) the extent to which Federal efforts to establish 
national maritime strategy are duplicative or frag-
mented, and if so, the impact on United States mari-
time policy for the future. 
SEC. 7512. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INSPECTOR 
GENERAL REPORT ON TITLE XI PROGRAM. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Department of Transportation Office of In-
spector General shall— 
(1) initiate an audit of the financial controls 
and protections included in the policies and proce-
dures of the Department of Transportation for ap-
proving loan applications for the loan guarantee pro-
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gram authorized under chapter 537 of title 46, United 
States Code; and 
(2) submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives a report containing the results of that 
audit once the audit is completed. 
SEC. 7513. MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTS. 
Nothing in section 3505 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328) 
may be construed to prohibit the Maritime Administration 
from entering into a multi-year contract for the procure-
ment of up to 5 new vessels within the National Security 
Multi-Mission Vessel Program and associated government– 
furnished equipment, subject to the availability of appro-
priations. 
SEC. 7514. USE OF STATE MARITIME ACADEMY TRAINING 
VESSELS. 
Section 51504(g) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(g) VESSEL CAPACITY SHARING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of the National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the Secretary, act-
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ing through the Maritime Administrator, shall upon 
consultation with the maritime academies, and to the 
extent feasible with the consent of the maritime acad-
emies, implement a program of training vessel capac-
ity sharing, requiring maritime academies to share 
training vessel capacity provided by the Secretary 
among maritime academies, as necessary to ensure 
that training needs of each academy are met. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM OF VESSEL CAPACITY SHARING.— 
For purposes of this subsection, a program of vessel 
capacity sharing shall include— 
‘‘(A) ways to maximize the available under-
way training capacity available in the fleet of 
training vessels; 
‘‘(B) coordinating the dates and duration of 
training cruises with the academic calendars of 
maritime academies; 
‘‘(C) coordinating academic programs de-
signed to be implemented aboard training vessels 
among maritime academies; and 
‘‘(D) identifying ways to minimize costs. 
‘‘(3) EVALUATION.—Not later than 30 days after 
the beginning of each fiscal year, the Secretary, acting 
through the Maritime Administrator, shall evaluate 
the vessel capacity sharing program under this sub-
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section to determine the optimal utilization of State 
maritime training vessels, and modify the program as 
necessary to improve utilization.’’. 
SEC. 7515. PERMANENT AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF 
TRANSPORTATION TO ISSUE VESSEL WAR 
RISK INSURANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 53912 of title 46, United 
States Code, is repealed. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 539 of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended by striking the item relating to section 53912. 
SEC. 7516. NAVIGATION SYSTEM STUDY AND REPORT. 
(a) STUDY OF THE GREAT LAKES SYSTEM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of 
the United States shall conduct a comprehensive 
study of the Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence Seaway 
navigation system (referred to in this section as the 
‘‘Great Lakes System’’) that examines the current 
state of the system and makes recommendations for 
improvements. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The study— 
(A) shall examine, with respect to the Great 
Lakes System— 
(i) typical cargo routing options;
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(ii) the cost profile of each route and 
alternative routes; 
(iii) port infrastructure quality; 
(iv) intermodal connections; 
(v) competing transportation options, 
including air, rail, and ground transpor-
tation and their relative market position; 
(vi) taxes and fees imposed on vessels; 
(vii) marketing efforts to increase ship-
ments; 
(viii) subsidies provided to the Great 
Lakes System and to competing cargo 
transportation systems; 
(ix) the condition of the docks at each 
port; 
(x) United States and Canadian Gov-
ernment icebreaking capabilities to facili-
tate commercial shipping; 
(xi) the maritime safety and marine 
casualty statistics for commercial vessels 
transiting the Great Lakes System; and 
(xii) the condition of vessel navigation 
infrastructure (such as channels, locks, jet-
ties, and breakwaters) and efforts to main-
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tain, upgrade, or replace that infrastruc-
ture; and 
(B) shall make recommendations on— 
(i) the level of additional investment 
needed to improve the Great Lakes System; 
(ii) any benefits of increased Federal 
or State investment in the Great Lakes Sys-
tem; and 
(iii) any regulatory or competitive 
burdens impeding growth of the Great Lakes 
System. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the 
Co-Chairs of the Great Lakes Task Force of the Senate and 
of the House of Representatives a report containing the re-
sults of the study conducted under this section. 
SEC. 7517. MISCELLANEOUS. 
(a) NONCOMMERCIAL VESSELS.—Section 3514(a) of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2017 (Public Law 114–328; 46 U.S.C. 51318 note) is 
amended—
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(1) by striking ‘‘Not later than’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than’’; and 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and adjust-
ing the margins accordingly; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) NONCOMMERCIAL VESSELS.—For the pur-
poses of this section, vessels operated by any of the fol-
lowing entities shall not be considered commercial 
vessels: 
‘‘(A) Any entity or agency of the United 
States. 
‘‘(B) The government of a State or terri-
tory. 
‘‘(C) Any political subdivision of a State or 
territory. 
‘‘(D) Any other municipal organization.’’. 
(b) PASSENGER RECORDS.—Section 51322(c) of title 
46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) MAINTENANCE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT TRAINING 
RECORDS.—The Maritime Administrator shall require the 
owner or operator of a commercial vessel, or the seafarer 
union for a commercial vessel, to maintain records of sexual
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assault training for any person required to have such train-
ing.’’. 
(c) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINIS-
TRATION.—Section 3134 of title 40, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINIS-
TRATION.—The Secretary of Commerce may waive this sub-
chapter with respect to contracts for the construction, alter-
ation, or repair of vessels, regardless of the terms of the con-
tracts as to payment or title, when the contract is made 
under the Act entitled ‘An Act to define the functions and 
duties of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and for other pur-
poses’, approved August 6, 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.).’’. 
(d) ANNUAL PAYMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE AND SUP-
PORT.—Section 51505(b)(2) of title 46 is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(2) MAXIMUM.—The amount under paragraph 
(1) may not be more than $25,000, unless the acad-
emy satisfies section 51506(b) of this title.’’. 
SEC. 7518. SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST LAND EXCHANGE. 
(a) PURPOSE AND NEED FOR NORTHMET LAND EX-
CHANGE.— 
(1) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this section 
to further the public interest by consummating the
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NorthMet Land Exchange as specifically set forth in 
this section. 
(2) NEED.—According to the Final Record of 
Decision, the NorthMet Land Exchange is advisable 
and needed because the NorthMet Land Exchange 
will— 
(A) result in a 40-acre net gain in National 
Forest System lands; 
(B) improve the spatial arrangement of Na-
tional Forest System lands by reducing the 
amount of ownership boundaries to be managed 
by 33 miles; 
(C) improve management effectiveness by 
exchanging isolated Federal lands with no public 
overland access for non-Federal lands that will 
have public overland access and be accessible and 
open to public use and enjoyment; 
(D) result in Federal cost savings by elimi-
nating certain easements and their associated 
administration costs; 
(E) meet several of the priorities identified 
in the land and resource management plan for 
Superior National Forest to protect and manage 
administratively or congressionally designated, 
unique, proposed, or recommended areas, includ-
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ing acquisition of 307 acres of land to the ad-
ministratively proposed candidate Research Nat-
ural Areas, which are managed by preserving 
and maintaining areas for ecological research, 
observation, genetic conservation, monitoring, 
and educational activities; 
(F) promote more effective land manage-
ment that would meet specific National Forest 
needs for management, including acquisition of 
over 6,500 acres of land for new public access, 
watershed protection, ecologically rare habitats, 
wetlands, water frontage, and improved owner-
ship patterns; 
(G) convey Federal land generally not need-
ed for other Forest resource management objec-
tives, because such land is adjacent to intensively 
developed private land including ferrous mining 
areas, where abundant mining infrastructure 
and transportation are already in place, includ-
ing— 
(i) a large, intensively developed open 
pit mine lying directly to the north of the 
Federal land;
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(ii) 
a 
private 
mine 
railroad, 
powerlines, and roads lying directly to the 
south of the Federal land; and 
(iii) already existing ore processing, 
milling, and tailings facilities located ap-
proximately 5 miles to the west of the Fed-
eral land; and 
(H) provide a practical resolution to com-
plex issues pertaining to the development of pri-
vate mineral rights underlying the Federal land 
surface, and thereby avoid potential litigation 
which could adversely impact the status and 
management of the Federal land and other Na-
tional Forest System land acquired under the 
authority of section 6 of the Act of March 1, 
1911 (commonly known as the Weeks Law; 16 
U.S.C. 515). 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COLLECTION AGREEMENTS.—The term ‘‘Col-
lection Agreements’’ means the following agreements 
between the Secretary and Poly Met pertaining to the 
NorthMet Land Exchange: 
(A) The agreement dated August 25, 2015. 
(B) The agreement dated January 15, 2016.
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(2) FEDERAL LAND PARCEL.—The term ‘‘Federal 
land parcel’’ means all right, title, and interest of the 
United States in and to approximately 6,650 acres of 
National Forest System land, as identified in the 
Final Record of Decision, within the Superior Na-
tional Forest in St. Louis County, Minnesota, as gen-
erally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Federal Land 
Parcel–NorthMet Land Exchange’’, and dated June 
2017. 
(3) NON-FEDERAL LAND.—The term ‘‘non-Fed-
eral land’’ means all right, title, and interest of Poly 
Met in and to approximately 6,690 acres of land in 
four separate tracts (comprising 10 separate land 
parcels in total) within the Superior National Forest 
to be conveyed to the United States by Poly Met in 
the land exchange as generally depicted on an over-
view map entitled ‘‘Non-Federal Land Parcels– 
NorthMet Land Exchange’’ and dated June 2017, and 
further depicted on separate tract maps as follows: 
(A) TRACT 1.—Approximately 4,650 acres 
of land in St. Louis County, Minnesota, gen-
erally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Non-Federal 
Land Parcels–NorthMet Land Exchange–Hay 
Lake Tract’’, and dated June 2017.
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(B) TRACT 2.—Approximately 320 acres of 
land in 4 separate parcels in Lake County, Min-
nesota, generally depicted on the map entitled 
‘‘Non-Federal Land Parcels–NorthMet Land Ex-
change–Lake County Lands’’, and dated June 
2017. 
(C) TRACT 3.—Approximately 1,560 acres 
of land in 4 separate parcels in Lake County, 
Minnesota, generally depicted on the map enti-
tled ‘‘Non-Federal Land Parcels–NorthMet Land 
Exchange–Wolf Lands’’, and dated June 2017. 
(D) TRACT 4.—Approximately 160 acres of 
land in St. Louis County, Minnesota, generally 
depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Non-Federal Land 
Parcel–NorthMet Land Exchange–Hunting Club 
Lands’’, dated June 2017. 
(4) NORTHMET
LAND
EXCHANGE.—The term 
‘‘NorthMet Land Exchange’’ means the land exchange 
specifically authorized and directed by subsection (c). 
(5) POLY MET.—The term ‘‘Poly Met’’ means 
Poly Met Mining Corporation, Inc., a Minnesota Cor-
poration with executive offices in St. Paul, Min-
nesota, and headquarters in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. 
(6) RECORD OF DECISION.—The term ‘‘Record of 
Decision’’ means the Final Record of Decision of the
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(A) NON-FEDERAL LAND.—Title to the non- 
Federal land conveyed by Poly Met to the United 
States shall be by general warranty deed subject 
to existing rights of record, and otherwise con-
form to the title approval regulations of the At-
torney General of the United States. 
(B) FEDERAL LAND PARCEL.—The Federal 
land parcel shall be quitclaimed by the Secretary 
to Poly Met by an exchange deed. 
(3) EXCHANGE COSTS.— 
(A) 
REIMBURSEMENT
REQUIRED.—Poly 
Met shall pay or reimburse the Secretary, either 
directly or through the Collection Agreements, for 
all land survey, appraisal, land title, deed prep-
aration, and other costs incurred by the Sec-
retary in processing and consummating the 
NorthMet Land Exchange. The Collection Agree-
ments, as in effect on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, may be modified through the mutual 
consent of the parties. 
(B) DEPOSIT OF FUNDS.—All funds paid or 
reimbursed to the Secretary under subparagraph 
(A)—
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(i) shall be deposited and credited to 
the accounts in accordance with the Collec-
tion Agreements; 
(ii) shall be used for the purposes spec-
ified for the accounts; and 
(iii) shall remain available to the Sec-
retary until expended without further ap-
propriation. 
(4) CONDITIONS ON LAND EXCHANGE.— 
(A) RESERVATION
OF
CERTAIN
MINERAL 
RIGHTS.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the 
United States shall reserve the mineral rights on 
approximately 181 acres of the Federal land 
parcel as generally identified on the map entitled 
‘‘Federal Land Parcel–NorthMet Land Ex-
change’’, and dated June 2017. 
(B) THIRD-PARTY
AUTHORIZATIONS.—As 
set forth in the Final Record of Decision, Poly 
Met shall honor existing road and transmission 
line authorizations on the Federal land parcel. 
Upon relinquishment of the authorizations by the 
holders or upon revocation of the authorizations 
by the Forest Service, Poly Met shall offer re-
placement authorizations to the holders on at 
least equivalent terms.
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(d) VALUATION OF NORTHMET LAND EXCHANGE.— 
(1) APPRAISALS.—The Congress makes the fol-
lowing new findings: 
(A) Appraisals of the Federal and non-Fed-
eral lands to be exchanged in the NorthMet Land 
Exchange were formally prepared in accordance 
with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Fed-
eral Land Acquisitions, and were approved by 
the Secretary in conjunction with preparation of 
the November 2015 Draft Record of Decision on 
the NorthMet Land Exchange. 
(B) The appraisals referred to in subpara-
graph (A) determined that the value of the non- 
Federal lands exceeded the value of the Federal 
land parcel by approximately $425,000. 
(C) Based on the appraisals referred to in 
subparagraph (A), the United States would ordi-
narily be required to make a $425,000 cash 
equalization payment to Poly Met to equalize ex-
change values under the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et 
seq.), unless such an equalization payment is 
waived by Poly Met. 
(2) VALUES FOR CONSUMMATION OF LAND EX-
CHANGE.—The appraised values of the Federal and
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non-Federal land determined and approved by the 
Secretary in November 2015, and referenced in para-
graph (1)— 
(A) shall be the values utilized to consum-
mate the NorthMet Land Exchange; and 
(B) shall not be subject to reappraisal. 
(3) WAIVER OF EQUALIZATION PAYMENT.— 
(A) CONDITION ON LAND EXCHANGE.—Not-
withstanding section 206(b) of the Federal Land 
Policy 
and 
Management 
Act 
(43 
U.S.C. 
1716(b)), and as part of its offer to exchange the 
non-Federal lands as provided in subsection 
(c)(1)(A), Poly Met shall waive any payment to 
it of any monies owed by the United States to 
equalize land values. 
(B) TREATMENT OF WAIVER.—A waiver of 
the equalization payment under subparagraph 
(A) shall be considered as a voluntary donation 
to the United States by Poly Met for all purposes 
of law. 
(e) MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.— 
(1) MINOR
ADJUSTMENTS.—By mutual agree-
ment, the Secretary and Poly Met may correct minor 
or typographical errors in any map, acreage estimate, 
or description of the Federal land parcel or non-Fed-
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eral land to be exchanged in the NorthMet Land Ex-
change. 
(2) CONFLICT.—If there is a conflict between a 
map, an acreage estimate, or a description of land 
under this section, the map shall control unless the 
Secretary and Poly Met mutually agree otherwise. 
(3) EXCHANGE MAPS.—The maps referred to in 
subsection (b) depicting the Federal and non-Federal 
lands to be exchanged in the NorthMet Land Ex-
change, and dated June 2017, depict the identical 
lands identified in the Final Record of Decision, 
which are on file in the Office of the Supervisor, Su-
perior National Forest. 
(f) POST-EXCHANGE LAND MANAGEMENT.— 
(1) NON-FEDERAL LAND.—Upon conveyance of 
the non-Federal land to the United States in the 
NorthMet Land Exchange, the non-Federal land shall 
become part of the Superior National Forest and be 
managed in accordance with— 
(A) the Act of March 1, 1911 (commonly 
known as the Weeks Law; 16 U.S.C. 500 et seq.); 
and 
(B) the laws and regulations applicable to 
the Superior National Forest and the National 
Forest System.
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(2) PLANNING.—Upon acquisition by the United 
States in the NorthMet Land Exchange, the non-Fed-
eral lands shall be managed in a manner consistent 
with the land and resource management plan appli-
cable to adjacent federally owned lands in the Supe-
rior National Forest. An amendment or supplement 
to the land and resource management plan shall not 
be required solely because of the acquisition of the 
non-Federal lands. 
(3) FEDERAL
LAND.—Upon conveyance of the 
Federal land parcel to Poly Met in the NorthMet 
Land Exchange, the Federal land parcel shall become 
private land and available for any lawful use in ac-
cordance with applicable Federal, State, and local 
laws and regulations pertaining to mining and other 
uses of land in private ownership. 
(g) MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.— 
(1) WITHDRAWAL
OF
ACQUIRED
NON-FEDERAL 
LAND.—The non-Federal lands acquired by the 
United States in the NorthMet Land Exchange shall 
be withdrawn, without further action by the Sec-
retary, from appropriation and disposal under public 
land laws and under laws relating to mineral and 
geothermal leasing.