H.R. 10577House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

To prioritize the finalization of design requirements for new Ready Reserve Force vessels, and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 26, 2026 at 7:57 AM UTC

The bill directs the Secretary of the Navy, together with the Maritime Administrator, to make finishing the design requirements for new Ready Reserve Force (RRF) ships a top priority. It also requires a detailed briefing to the congressional defense committees within 180 days about the design status, construction plans, funding, and how the new ships will work alongside existing vessel purchases. The measure affects the Navy, the Maritime Administration, shipbuilders, and the RRF fleet.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of the Navy and the Maritime Administrator must prioritize completing design requirements for new RRF vessels.
Within 180 days of the bill’s enactment, they must brief congressional defense committees on: the roll‑on/roll‑off vessel design progress; a plan and timeline for a vessel construction manager program, including procurement strategy, manager selection, and shipyard criteria; the fiscal‑year funding needed for a 10‑ship new‑build program; and how the new‑build program will coordinate with the ongoing used‑vessel procurement to keep the RRF ready during transition.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

September 24, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 24, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

September 24, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 24, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10577

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 24, 2026

Mr. Messmer (for himself and Mr. Courtney) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To prioritize the finalization of design requirements for new Ready Reserve Force vessels, and for other purposes.

Prioritization and briefing on Ready Reserve Force modernization

(a)

Prioritization of design requirements

The Secretary of the Navy and the Maritime Administrator shall prioritize the finalization of design requirements for new Ready Reserve Force vessels.

(b)

Briefing required

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the Maritime Administrator, shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the following:

(1)

The status of the roll-on, roll-off vessel design being developed pursuant to section 3546 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (46 U.S.C. 57100 note).

(2)

The plan and timeline for establishing a vessel construction manager program for Ready Reserve Force new construction, including—

(A)

the anticipated procurement strategy;

(B)

the vessel construction manager selection process; and

(C)

criteria for shipyard selection.

(3)

The funding profile required to execute the 10-ship newbuild program authorized under section 2218(f) of title 10, United States Code, phased by fiscal year.

(4)

The relationship between the newbuild program and the ongoing used vessel procurement program, including how those programs will be managed in parallel to maintain Ready Reserve Force readiness during the transition period.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term congressional defense committees has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code.

(2)

The term Ready Reserve Force has the meaning given such term in chapter 571 of title 46, United States Code.