---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 51315"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "51315"
heading: "Gifts to the Merchant Marine Academy"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/51315"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part B — Merchant Marine Service"
  - "Chapter 513 — United States Merchant Marine Academy"
---

# §51315. Gifts to the Merchant Marine Academy

- (a) **In General.—** The Maritime [Administrator](/usc/46/53701.md?p=2) may accept and use conditional or unconditional gifts of money or property for the benefit of the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) Merchant Marine [Academy](/usc/46/51102.md?p=1), including acceptance and use for non-appropriated fund instrumentalities of the Merchant Marine [Academy](/usc/46/51102.md?p=1). The Maritime [Administrator](/usc/46/53701.md?p=2) may accept a gift of services in carrying out the [Administrator](/usc/46/53701.md?p=2)’s duties and powers. Property accepted under this section and proceeds from that property must be used, as nearly as possible, in accordance with the terms of the gift.
- (b) **Establishment of Academy Gift Fund.—** There is established in the Treasury a fund, to be known as the “[Academy](/usc/46/51102.md?p=1) Gift Fund”. Disbursements from the Fund shall be made on order of the Maritime [Administrator](/usc/46/53701.md?p=2). Unless otherwise specified by the terms of the gift, the Maritime [Administrator](/usc/46/53701.md?p=2) may use monies in the Fund for appropriated or non-appropriated purposes at the [Academy](/usc/46/51102.md?p=1). The Fund consists of—
  - (1) gifts of money;
  - (2) income from donated property accepted under this section;
  - (3) proceeds from the sale of donated property; and
  - (4) income from securities under [subsection (c)](#c) of this section.
- (c) **Investment of Fund Balances.—** On request of the Maritime [Administrator](/usc/46/53701.md?p=2), the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of the Treasury may invest and reinvest amounts in the Fund in securities of, or in securities the principal and interest of which is guaranteed by, the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) Government.
- (d) **Disbursement Authority.—** There are hereby authorized to be disbursed from the Fund such sums as may be on deposit, to remain available until expended.
- (e) **Deductibility of Gifts.—** Gifts accepted under this section are a gift to or for the use of the Government under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
- (f) **Payment of Expenses.—** The Maritime [Administrator](/usc/46/53701.md?p=2) may pay all necessary expenses in connection with the conveyance or transfer of a gift, devise, or bequest accepted under this section.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 110–417, div. C, title XXXV, § 3506(g)(1), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4764; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. C, title XXXV, § 3511, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1918.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (e), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

### Amendments

2017—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–91 added subsec. (f).