As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on April 9, 2014
S. 2076 would amend the law governing the Board of Visitors for the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), which is overseen by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) of the United States Department of Transportation. The bill would change the structure of the board to be similar to those at the other four service academies. CBO estimates that implementing the bill would have no significant effect on the federal budget. Enacting S. 2076 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
S. 2076 would increase the number of people on the Board of Visitors for the USMMA by nine, reform the way that vacancies are filled, and outline the responsibilities of the board. Members of the Board receive reimbursement for their travel, meals and lodging expenses when serving away from their home or regular place of business. CBO estimates that the costs of those reimbursements would be small. The bill also would direct MARAD to support the Board of Visitors including the assignment of a Designated Federal Officer. Based on information from the agency, CBO estimates that the costs of this provision also would be small.
S. 2076 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments.