GREAT LAKES NATIONAL MARITIME ENHANCEMENT INSTITUTE.

SEC. 605. GREAT LAKES NATIONAL MARITIME ENHANCEMENT INSTITUTE.(a) Authority To Designate Institute.—The Secretary of Transportation may designate a National Maritime Enhancement Institute for the Great Lakes region under section 8 of the Act of October 13, 1989 (103 Stat. 694; 46 U.S.C. App. 1121–2). In making any decision on the designation of such an institute, the Secretary shall consider the unique characteristics of Great Lakes maritime industry and trade.(b) Study and Report.—(1) In general.—The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study that—(A) evaluates short sea shipping market opportunities on the Great Lakes, including the expanded use of freight ferries, improved mobility, and regional supply chain efficiency;(B) evaluates markets for foreign trade between ports on the Great Lakes and draft-limited ports in Europe and Africa;(C) evaluates the environmental benefits of waterborne transportation in the Great Lakes region;118 STAT. 1053(D) analyzes the effect on Great Lakes shipping of the tax imposed by section 4461(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;(E) evaluates the state of shipbuilding and ship repair bases on the Great Lakes;(F) evaluates opportunities for passenger vessel services on the Great Lakes;(G) analyzes the origin-to-destination flow of freight cargo in the Great Lakes region that may be transported on vessels to relieve congestion in other modes of transportation;(H) evaluates the economic viability of establishing transshipment facilities for oceangoing cargoes on the Great Lakes;(I) evaluates the adequacy of the infrastructure in Great Lakes ports to meet the needs of marine commerce; and(J) evaluates new vessel designs for domestic and international shipping on the Great Lakes.(2) Use of national maritime enhancement institutes.—In conducting the study required by paragraph (1), the Secretary may utilize the services of any recognized National Maritime Enhancement Institute.(3) Reports.—The Secretary shall submit an annual report on the findings and conclusions of the study under this section to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives—(A) by not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act; and(B) by not later than 1 year after the date of submission of the report under subparagraph (A).(4) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006 to carry out paragraph (1).