Maritime Appropriation Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1980

(Measure passed House, amended)

Maritime Appropriation Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1980 - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for use by the Department of Commerce for: (1) acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of vessels, the construction-differential subsidy, and the cost of national defense features incident to the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of ships, provided that (a) no funds so authorized may be used 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, (b) in paying the funds authorized, the construction subsidy rate otherwise applicable may be reduced by five percent unless the Secretary of Commerce determines that the vessel to be constructed is part of an existing or future vessel series, and (c) no such funds may be used to construct any vessel having a subsidized manning level 50 percent above the minimum level needed for the safe operation of the ship as determined by the Coast Guard; (2) payments of obligations incurred of the operating-differential subsidy, provided that (a) no funds so authorized may be used to pay for the operation of any vessel which is not offered for participation in a Sealift Readiness program, (b) under specified conditions, an operator receiving such funds may elect to suspend its operating differential subsidy with all attendant statutory and contractual restrictions for all or a portion of its ships, and (c) no such funds may be paid for wage costs of any organization which engages in lobbying activities; (3) research and development activities; (4) maritime education and training expenses; and (5) operating expenses including reserve fleet expenses.

Authorizes additional appropriations 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.

Limits the aggregate amount of new loan guarantees authorized by title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, for fiscal year 1980.

Permits the transfer between U.S. ports of merchandise with a foreign origin or destination by a vessel registered in the United States and owned by U.S. citizens when the merchandise is transferred to or from another vessel so owned and registered, provided that both such vessels are operated by the same carrier.