Sponsors (10)
Establishes a DOI/NPS grant program to preserve historic military vessels and fund maritime workforce/education programs, authorized $5M/year starting FY2026.
The bill provides targeted federal grants to preserve historic naval vessels and expand maritime education and workforce opportunities, trading a relatively small ongoing federal expenditure and added administrative requirements for preservation, public access, and job-training benefits while potentially prioritizing naval heritage over other local preservation needs.
Museums, nonprofit ship preservation groups, and state/local governments receive dedicated grant funding (up to $5M/year authorized) to pay for upkeep, repairs, and environmental hazard mitigation for historic naval vessels.
Students, local communities, and the general public gain improved access to preserved historic ships for education, public display, and community engagement as conservation and display projects are funded.
Students and trainees benefit from new or expanded education and workforce-development programs tied to maritime careers, potentially increasing pathways into shipbuilding, repair, and submarine-related jobs.
Taxpayers bear an ongoing federal cost (authorized up to $5,000,000 per year) to fund the grant program, representing a diversion of federal dollars from other priorities.
Nonprofits and local/state governments seeking grants must comply with application and administrative requirements, imposing paperwork, potential matching costs, and administrative burdens on eligible recipients.
Focusing grant funds on preservation of military/naval vessels may prioritize certain historical narratives and sites, potentially leaving other community or cultural heritage preservation needs unfunded.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Official title: To establish a grant program to support the conservation and preservation of historic military ships and submarines, and for other purposes.
Introduced November 7, 2025 by Donald Norcross · Last progress November 7, 2025
Creates a new grant program at the Department of the Interior to preserve and conserve historic military vessels and related sites, and to support education and workforce development tied to maritime and shipbuilding careers. The program is run by the National Park Service (within DOI) in consultation with DHS and DOD and would competitively award grants to state or local governments and nonprofit organizations that manage covered sites. Authorizes $5,000,000 to be appropriated to carry out the program for FY2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, and defines covered sites and what counts as a historic military vessel. Grants may fund vessel upkeep, repairs, environmental hazard mitigation, interpretation/education, and workforce training tied to maritime careers including shipbuilding and submarine construction.