WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today announced the advancement of two key pieces of legislation by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Wicker is the author of both bills: the “Merchant Marine Academy Improvements Act of 2015” and the “Vessel Incidental Discharge Act.”

“I am encouraged that that these bills are one step closer to being enacted,” Wicker said. “The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) needs to make critical improvements to its existing infrastructure.  The Academy is an important division of our nation’s service academies and should have the flexibility to use other sources of funding to administer renovations.

“Also, measures to normalize water performance standards would bring necessary clarity to states’ conflicting safety regulations.  Eliminating inconsistencies in state laws would aid both commercial vessels and those used by the Coast Guard and other military branches.”

S. 143 would allow the USMMA to complete renovations without federally appropriated funds.  Under this bill, the Academy would be able to use funds raised by its alumni foundation to make needed improvements to buildings on its campus.

S. 373 authorizes and implements uniform and enforceable national standards to regulate vessel discharge, such as ballast water.  The legislation would also require a review of standards every 10 years.

Both bills were unanimously approved by the Committee and now await a vote before the full Senate.