Maritime Appropriation Authorization Act
PL 95-298 (S.2553), enacted 06/26/1978

PUBLIC LAW 95-298—JUNE 26, 1978 
92 STAT. 339 
Public Law 95-298 
95th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize appropriations for tlie tiscal year 1979 for certain maritime programs 
of the Department of Commerce, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assemhled, That this Act may be 
cited as the "Maritime Appropriation Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 1979". 
SEC. 2. Funds are authorized to be appropriated without fiscal year 
limitation as the appropriation Act may provide for the use of the 
Department of Commerce, for the fiscal year 1979, as follows: 
(1) For acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of vessels and 
construction-differential subsidy and cost of national defense features 
incident to the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of ships, 
not to exceed $157,000,000: Provided^ That no funds authorized by this 
paragraph may be paid to subsidize the construction of any vessel 
which will not be offered for enrollment in a Sealift Readiness program 
approved by the Secretary of Defense: Provided further^ That in pay-
ing the funds authorized by this paragraph, the construction subsidy 
rate otherwise applicable may be reduced by 5 percent unless the 
Secretary of Commerce, in his discretion, determines that the vessel 
to be constructed is part of an existing or f 
utui'e vessel series; 
(2) For payment of obligations incurred for operating-differential 
subsidy, not to exceed $262,800,000: Provided^ That no funds author-
ized by this paragraph may be paid for the operation of any vessel 
which is not offered for participation in a Sealift Readiness program 
approved by the Secretary of Defense; 
(3) For expenses necessary for research and development activities, 
not to exceed $17,500,000; 
(4) For maritime education and training expenses, not to exceed, 
$24,647,000, including not to exceed $15,523,000 for maritime training 
at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, of which 
$450,000 shall be for the replacement of barracks windows at the 
Academy, $7,220,000 for financial assistance to State marine schools, 
and $1,904,000 for supplementary training courses authorized under 
section 216(c) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936; and 
(5) For operating expenses, not to exceed $34,845,000, including not 
to exceed $5,516,000 for reserve fleet expenses, and $29,329,000 for other 
operating expenses. 
SEC. 3. There are authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year 
1979, in addition to the amounts authorized by section 2 of this Act, 
such additional supplemental amounts for the activities for which 
appropriations are authorized under section 2 of this Act, as may be 
necessary for increases in salary, pay, retirement, or other employee 
benefits authorized by law, and for increased costs for public utilities, 
food service, and other expenses of the Merchant Marine Academy at 
Kings Point, New York. 
June 26, 1978 
[S. 2553] 
Maritime 
Appropriation 
Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 
1979. 
46 u s e 1126. 
92 STAT. 340 
PUBLIC LAW 95-298—JUNE 26, 1978 
SEC. 4. Section 3 of the Maritime Academy Act of 1958 (46 U.S.C. 
1382) is amended by the addition of a subsection to read as follows: 
"(d) The Secretary may pay additional amounts to assist in paying 
for the cost of fuel oil consumed during training cruises of the vessels 
S;' i r!J f 
referred to in subsection (a).". 
.. 
SEC. 5. Section 1103(f) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as 
amended (46 U.S.C. 1273 (f)) is amended by striking "$7,000,000,000.", 
and inserting in lieu thereof "$10,000,000,000.". 
Approved June 26, 1978. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 95-1155 accompanying H.R. 10729 (Comm. on Merchant Marine 
and Fisheries). 
SENATE REPORT No. 95-741 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transportation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 124 (1978): 
\ 
Apr. 24, considered and passed Senate. 
\ 
May 22, 23, H.R. 10729 considered and passed House; proceedings vacated and 
\ 
S. 2553, amended, passed in lieu. 
June 12, Senate concurred in House amendment.