Establishment of the United States Merchant Marine Academy as an office within the Office in the Department

3512. Establishment of the United States Merchant Marine Academy as an office within the Office in the Department Section 102 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (k) Office of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (1) Establishment There is established in the Department an Office of the United States Merchant Marine Academy to— (A) operate the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York; and (B) monitor the service obligations of Academy graduates established under chapter 513 of title 46. (2) Leadership (A) In general (i) Superintendent The head of the Office shall be the Superintendent of the Academy appointed under section 51301(c)(2) of title 46. (ii) Reporting The Superintendent shall report directly to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out the duties prescribed by the Secretary. (B) Deputy Superintendent (i) In general A Deputy Superintendent of the Academy shall be appointed in the competitive service by the Secretary. (ii) Duties and powers The Deputy Superintendent shall carry out the duties and powers prescribed by the Superintendent. (3) Elimination or consolidation of offices and office functions The Secretary may eliminate or consolidate any office or office function within the Department into the Office of the United States Merchant Marine Academy that the Secretary determines has duties, responsibilities, resources, or expertise that support the purposes of the Office. (4) Staffing and budgetary resources (A) In general The Secretary shall ensure that the Office of the United States Merchant Marine Academy is adequately staffed and funded. (B) Staffing (i) In general The Secretary may transfer to the Office of the United States Merchant Marine Academy a position within the Department from any office that is eliminated or consolidated under this subsection if the Secretary determines that the position is necessary to carry out the purposes of the Office. (ii) Savings provision If the Secretary transfers a position to the Office under clause (i), the Secretary, in coordination with the appropriate modal administration, shall ensure that the transfer of the positions does not adversely affect the obligations of such modal administration under any Federal law. .