Smart Ship Repair Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2955
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-17: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-27T08:06:00Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Smart Ship Repair Act of 2025" (H.R. 2955) aims to update rules for Navy shipbuilding and repair by extending the time limit for what counts as "short-term work" on combatant (war-fighting) and escort vessels. This change seeks to provide more flexibility in how the Navy plans and assigns these projects.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 8669a(c)(4) of Title 10, United States Code (the law governing the U.S. armed forces).
- Redefines "short-term work" for Navy construction of combatant and escort vessels, as well as vessel project assignments.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Changes the duration threshold for short-term work from 12 months to 18 months.
- This adjustment allows projects lasting up to 18 months to be classified as short-term, potentially simplifying planning and contracting compared to the previous 12-month limit.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The U.S. Navy gains more leeway in managing ship repair and construction timelines, which could streamline operations and reduce administrative hurdles for vessel projects.
- On citizens: Indirect benefits through improved naval readiness, potentially enhancing national defense without direct effects on everyday life.
- On international relations: Minimal impact, though it could support U.S. naval capabilities in global operations by facilitating faster or more efficient ship maintenance.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Navy: Directly benefits from expanded flexibility in vessel construction and assignment processes.
- Shipbuilding and repair contractors: Shipyards and private firms involved in combatant and escort vessel work may see changes in project bidding and execution timelines.
- Congressional committees: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services, indicating oversight by lawmakers focused on defense policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: A narrow amendment to defense procurement laws (Title 10, U.S. Code), with no broad alterations to statutory frameworks; it refines definitions without creating new enforcement mechanisms.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges, as it falls under Congress's authority to regulate the military (Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution).
- Political: Supports bipartisan efforts (introduced by Rep. Peters and Rep. Kiggans) to bolster naval infrastructure, potentially aiding U.S. military modernization amid ongoing defense budget debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-17: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-04-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Smart Ship Repair Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-17 — PDF (2 pages)