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S 4935

A bill to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to support the research, design, development, demonstration, and deployment of zero-emission vessels and retrofit or replacement of existing vessels with zero-emission vessel technologies and charging infrastructure or fueling infrastructure, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Cory Booker and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a DOT program to develop, retrofit, and deploy zero-emission vessels and the necessary charging and fueling infrastructure to decarbonize U.S. maritime operations.

Introduced in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4935

Summary of Bill S. 4935 (119th Congress)

Purpose and overall intent

  • S. 4935 proposes to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program that supports research, design, development, demonstration, and deployment of zero-emission vessels (ZEVs).
  • The bill also authorizes funding for retrofit or replacement of existing vessels with zero-emission vessel technologies and the associated charging or fueling infrastructure.
  • The overarching goal is to accelerate the transition of the maritime sector to zero-emission operations and advance related infrastructure, research, and demonstration activities.

Key provisions and changes proposed

  • Program establishment: The Secretary of Transportation would create a formal program dedicated to:

    • Research and development of zero-emission vessel technologies.
    • Design and demonstration projects to validate ZEV concepts in real-world conditions.
    • Deployment and scale-up of zero-emission vessels across applicable fleets and routes.

  • Retrofit and replacement funding: The program would provide support to retrofit existing vessels with zero-emission propulsion and related systems, or to replace aging vessels with new ZEV-capable designs.

  • Infrastructure development: Funding or support for charging infrastructure (for electric ships) or fueling infrastructure (for alternative zero-emission fuels) necessary to operate ZEVs, including:

    • On-dock and on-shore power supply capabilities.
    • Shore-side electrical/infrastructure upgrades and grid considerations.
    • Availability of fueling/filling stations for zero-emission fuels where applicable.

  • Research, development, and demonstration: Emphasis on:

    • Technological advancement in propulsion, energy storage (batteries or alternative storage), and power electronics suitable for maritime use.
    • System integration challenges, including safety, maintenance, and lifecycle assessment.
    • Demonstration projects to validate performance, emissions reductions, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.

  • Deployment and scale-up: Support aimed at expanding ZEV ships into broader service, including potential partnerships with industry, ports, and other federal programs to facilitate adoption and procurement.

  • Interagency and stakeholder coordination: The program would likely involve collaboration among federal agencies (notably the Department of Transportation and related maritime and energy entities), port authorities, vessel operators, manufacturers, and labor/community partners to advance ZEV adoption.

Who would be affected

  • Maritime operators and vessel owners: Potential access to funding and technical support to pursue retrofits or new ZEV vessels.
  • Vessel manufacturers and propulsion tech developers: Opportunities for funding, partnerships, and pilot/demonstration projects to advance ZEV technologies.
  • Ports and shore-side infrastructure providers: Tests and investments in charging and fueling infrastructure, electrical upgrades, and grid integration to support ZEV operations.
  • Workers and labor groups: Impacts could include newJobs in retrofitting, construction of infrastructure, and maintenance of ZEV fleets, with potential training and credentialing implications.
  • Public and environmental health: Potential reductions in maritime emissions, contributing to cleaner air in port regions and coastal communities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status and actions:
    • Introduced in the Senate and assigned to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
    • Read twice and referred to the committee as of June 24, 2026.
  • Next steps in the legislative process:
    • Committee consideration, mark up, and reporting of a bill to the full Senate.
    • Potential floor consideration, negotiation with the House (if counterpart legislation exists), and passage steps.
  • Implementation timeline: The bill outlines a program to research, develop, demonstrate, and deploy ZEV technologies, but specific funding authorizations, grant cycles, and deployment timetables would be defined in the bill text and subsequent appropriations or authorization actions.

Notable details

  • The bill explicitly emphasizes zero-emission vessel technologies and related fueling/charging infrastructure.
  • Co-sponsors include prominent Senators Chris Van Hollen and Cory Booker, signaling high-level political prominence and potential cross-cutting support.

If you’d like, I can add a section comparing this proposal to current federal maritime decarbonization efforts or outline potential funding mechanisms and evaluation criteria that typically accompany such programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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