to section 507 the following new item: 508. Office of Disaster Recovery. . 309. Graduation requirements for the United States Merchant Marine Academy and State maritime academies (a) United States Merchant Marine Academy (1) Notwithstanding section 51309(a)(1)(B) of title 46, United States Code, and subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in this subsection and other conditions as the Secretary may determine, the Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy may confer degrees on individuals scheduled to receive such degrees from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in calendar year 2020. (2) With respect to an individual described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of Transportation may— (A) defer until not later than December 31, 2021, the requirements of section 51306(a)(2) of title 46, United States Code, and relevant regulations