[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3409 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3409
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 25, 2019
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2019''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS
Sec. 101. Authorizations of appropriations.
Sec. 102. Authorized levels of military strength and training.
Sec. 103. Determination of budgetary effects.
TITLE II--COAST GUARD
Sec. 201. Grade on retirement.
Sec. 202. Congressional affairs; Director.
Sec. 203. Limitations on claims.
Sec. 204. Authority for officers to opt out of promotion board
consideration.
Sec. 205. Temporary promotion authority for officers in certain grades
with critical skills.
Sec. 206. Career intermission program.
Sec. 207. Major acquisitions; operation and sustainment costs.
Sec. 208. Employment assistance.
Sec. 209. Reports on gender diversity in the Coast Guard.
Sec. 210. Disposition of infrastructure related to E-LORAN.
Sec. 211. Positions of importance and responsibility.
Sec. 212. Research projects; transactions other than contracts and
grants.
Sec. 213. Acquisition workforce authorities.
Sec. 214. Report on Coast Guard defense readiness resources allocation.
Sec. 215. Report on the feasibility of liquefied natural gas fueled
vessels.
TITLE III--SHIPPING
Sec. 301. Electronic charts; equivalency.
Sec. 302. Passenger vessel security and safety requirements;
application.
Sec. 303. Non-operating individual.
Sec. 304. Small passenger vessels and uninspected passenger vessels.
Sec. 305. Installation vessels.
Sec. 306. Advisory committees.
Sec. 307. Expired maritime liens.
Sec. 308. Training; emergency response providers.
Sec. 309. Aiming a laser pointer at a vessel.
Sec. 310. Maritime transportation assessment.
Sec. 311. Safety of special activities.
Sec. 312. Engine cut-off switches; use requirement.
Sec. 313. Exemptions and equivalents.
Sec. 314. Security plans; reviews.
Sec. 315. Waiver of navigation and vessel inspection laws.
Sec. 316. Requirement for small shipyard grantees.
Sec. 317. Independent study on the United States Merchant Marine
Academy.
Sec. 318. Centers of excellence for domestic maritime workforce
training and education.
Sec. 319. Renewal of merchant mariner licenses and documents.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 401. Coastwise trade.
Sec. 402. Unmanned maritime systems and satellite vessel tracking
technologies.
Sec. 403. Expedited transfer in cases of sexual assault; dependents of
members of the Coast Guard.
Sec. 404. Towing vessels; operation outside the boundary line.
Sec. 405. Coast Guard authorities study.
Sec. 406. Cloud computing strategy.
Sec. 407. Report on effects of climate change on Coast Guard.
Sec. 408. Shore infrastructure.
Sec. 409. Physical access control system report.
Sec. 410. Coastwise endorsements.
Sec. 411. Polar security cutter acquisition report.
Sec. 412. Sense of the Congress on the need for a new Great Lakes
icebreaker.
Sec. 413. Cargo preference study.
Sec. 414. Insider Threat program.
Sec. 415. Fishing safety grants.
Sec. 416. Plans for demonstration programs.
Sec. 417. Waters deemed not navigable waters of the United States for
certain purposes.
Sec. 418. Coast Guard housing; status and authorities briefing.
Sec. 419. Conveyance of Coast Guard property at Point Spencer, Alaska.
Sec. 420. Prohibition.
Sec. 421. Certificate extensions.
Sec. 422. Homeland security rotational cybersecurity research program
at the Coast Guard Academy.
Sec. 423. Towing vessel inspection fees.
Sec. 424. Subrogated claims.
Sec. 425. Loan provisions under Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
Sec. 426. Liability limits.
Sec. 427. Report on drug interdiction in the Caribbean basin.
Sec. 428. Voting Requirement.
Sec. 429. Transportation work identification card pilot program.
Sec. 430. Plan for wing-in-ground demonstration plan.
TITLE V--REORGANIZATION
Sec. 501. Uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels.
Sec. 502. Transfers.
Sec. 503. Repeals.
TITLE VI--TECHNICAL, CONFORMING, AND CLARIFYING AMENDMENTS
Sec. 601. Maritime transportation system.
Sec. 602. References to ``persons'' and ``seamen''.
Sec. 603. Common appropriation structure.
Sec. 604. References to ``himself'' and ``his''.
Sec. 605. References to ``motorboats'' and ``yachts''.
Sec. 606. Miscellaneous technical corrections.
Sec. 607. Technical corrections relating to codification of Ports and
Waterways Safety Act.
TITLE VII--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
Sec. 701. Short title.
Sec. 702. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE VIII--COAST GUARD ACADEMY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Sec. 801. Short title.
Sec. 802. Coast Guard Academy study.
Sec. 803. Annual report.
Sec. 804. Assessment of Coast Guard Academy admission processes.
Sec. 805. Coast Guard Academy minority outreach team program.
Sec. 806. Coast Guard college student pre-commissioning initiative.
Sec. 807. Annual board of visitors.
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 4902 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``year 2019'' and inserting ``years 2020 and 2021'';
(2) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``provided for,
$7,914,195,000 for fiscal year 2019.'' and inserting ``provided
for--
``(i) $8,122,912,000 for fiscal year 2020; and
``(ii) $8,538,324,000 for fiscal year 2021.'';
(3) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``subparagraph (A)--''
and inserting ``subparagraph (A)(i), $17,035,000 shall be for
environmental compliance and restoration.'';
(4) by striking paragraphs (1)(B)(i) and (1)(B)(ii);
(5) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Of the amount authorized under subparagraph (A)(ii)
$17,376,000 shall be for environmental compliance and
restoration.'';
(6) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``For the procurement'' and
inserting ``(A) For the procurement'';
(B) by striking ``and equipment, $2,694,745,000 for
fiscal year 2019.'' and inserting ``and equipment--
``(i) $2,748,640,000 for fiscal year 2020; and
``(ii) $2,803,613,000 for fiscal year 2021.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Of the amounts authorized under subparagraph (A), the
following amounts shall be for the alteration of bridges:
``(i) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and
``(ii) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.'';
(7) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and equipment,
$29,141,000 for fiscal year 2019.'' and inserting ``and
equipment--
``(A) $13,834,000 for fiscal year 2020; and
``(B) $14,111,000 for fiscal year 2021.''; and
(8) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) For the Coast Guard's Medicare-eligible retiree
health care fund contribution to the Department of Defense--
``(A) $205,107,000 for fiscal year 2020; and
``(B) $209,209,000 for fiscal year 2021.''.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZED LEVELS OF MILITARY STRENGTH AND TRAINING.
Section 4904 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``43,000 for fiscal year
2018 and 44,500 for fiscal year 2019'' and inserting ``44,500
for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``fiscal years 2018 and
2019'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2020 and 2021''.
SEC. 103. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional
Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
TITLE II--COAST GUARD
SEC. 201. GRADE ON RETIREMENT.
(a) Commandant or Vice Commandant.--Section 303 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ``A'' each
place it appears and inserting ``Subject to section 2501, a'';
and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``An'' and inserting
``Subject to section 2501, an''.
(b) Other Officers.--Section 306 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) by striking ``An officer'' each place it appears and
inserting ``Subject to section 2501, an officer''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``his'' and inserting
``the officer's''.
(c) Commissioned or Warrant Officer.--Section 2501 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``Any'' and inserting
``Commissioned Officer.--
``(1) In general.--Any'';
(B) by striking ``him'' and inserting ``such
officer'';
(C) by striking ``his'' and inserting ``the
officer's''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Conditional determination.--When an officer is under
investigation for alleged misconduct at the time of retirement,
the Secretary may conditionally determine the highest grade of
satisfactory service of the officer pending completion of the
investigation. Such grade is subject to resolution under
subsection (c)(2).'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``Any'' and inserting ``Warrant
Officer.--Any'';
(B) by striking ``him'' and inserting ``such
warrant officer''; and
(C) by striking ``his'' and inserting ``the warrant
officer's''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Retirement in Lower Grade.--
``(1) Misconduct in lower grade.--In the case of an officer
whom the Secretary determines committed misconduct in a lower
grade, the Secretary may determine the officer has not served
satisfactorily in any grade equal to or higher than that lower
grade.
``(2) Conditional determination.--A determination of the
retired grade of an officer shall be resolved following a
conditional determination under subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) if
the investigation of or personnel action against the officer or
warrant officer, as applicable, results in adverse findings.
``(3) Retired pay; recalculation.--If the retired grade of
an officer is reduced, the retired pay of the officer under
chapter 71 of title 10 shall be recalculated, and any
modification of the retired pay of the officer shall go into
effect on the effective date of the reduction in retired grade.
``(d) Finality of Retired Grade Determinations.--
``(1) Administrative finality.--Except as otherwise
provided by law, a determination of the retired grade of an
officer pursuant to this section is administratively final on
the day the officer is retired, and may not be reopened.
``(2) Reopening determination.--A determination of the
retired grade of an officer may be reopened as follows:
``(A) If the retirement or retired grade of the
officer was procured by fraud.
``(B) If substantial evidence comes to light after
the retirement that could have led to a lower retired
grade under this section if known by competent
authority at the time of retirement.
``(C) If a mistake of law or calculation was made
in the determination of the retired grade.
``(D) In the case of a retired grade following a
conditional determination under subsection (a)(2) or
(b)(2), if the investigation of or personnel action
against the officer, as applicable, results in an
adverse finding.
``(E) If the Secretary determines, pursuant to
regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that good
cause exists to reopen the determination or
certification.
``(3) Notification of reopening.--If a determination or
certification of the retired grade of an officer is reopened,
the Secretary--
``(A) shall notify the officer of the reopening;
and
``(B) may not make an adverse determination on the
retired grade of the officer until the officer has had
a reasonable opportunity to respond regarding the basis
of the reopening.
``(4) Retired pay; recalculation.--If the retired grade of
an officer is reduced through the reopening of the officer's or
warrant officer's retired grade, the retired pay of the officer
under chapter 71 of title 10 shall be recalculated, and any
modification of the retired pay of the officer shall go into
effect on the effective date of the reduction of the officer's
retired grade.''.
SEC. 202. CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS; DIRECTOR.
(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 320. Congressional affairs; Director
``The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall appoint a Director of
Congressional Affairs from among officers of the Coast Guard who are in
a grade above captain.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 3 of title 14,
United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``320. Congressional affairs; Director.''.
SEC. 203. LIMITATIONS ON CLAIMS.
(a) Admiralty Claims.--Section 937 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended in subsection (a) by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting
``$425,000''.
(b) Claims for Damage to Property of the United States.--Section
938 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking
``$100,000'' and inserting ``$425,000''.
SEC. 204. AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS TO OPT OUT OF PROMOTION BOARD
CONSIDERATION.
(a) Eligibility of Officers for Consideration for Promotion.--
Section 2113 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(g)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Commandant may provide
that an officer may, upon the officer's request and with the approval
of the Commandant, be excluded from consideration by a selection board
convened under section 2106(a).
``(2) The Commandant shall approve a request under paragraph (1)
only if--
``(A) the basis for the request is to allow the officer to
complete a broadening assignment, advanced education, another
assignment of significant value to the Coast Guard, a career
progression requirement delayed by the assignment or education,
or a qualifying personal or professional circumstance, as
determined by the Commandant;
``(B) the Commandant determines the exclusion from
consideration is in the best interest of the Coast Guard; and
``(C) the officer has not previously failed of selection
for promotion to the grade for which the officer requests the
exclusion from consideration.''.
(b) Eligibility of Reserve Officer for Promotion.--Section 3743 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3743. Eligibility for promotion
``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a Reserve
officer is eligible for consideration for promotion and for promotion
under this subchapter, if that officer is in an active status.
``(b) Exception.--A Reserve officer who has been considered but not
recommended for retention in an active status by a board convened under
subsection 3752(a) of this title, is not eligible for consideration for
promotion.
``(c) Request for Exclusion.--
``(1) In general.--The Commandant may provide that an
officer may, upon the officer's request and with the approval
of the Commandant, be excluded from consideration by a
selection board convened under section 3740(b) of this title to
consider officers for promotion to the next higher grade.
``(2) Approval of request.--The Commandant shall approve a
request under paragraph (1) only if--
``(A) the basis for the request is to allow an
officer to complete a broadening assignment, advanced
education, another assignment of significant value to
the Coast Guard, a career progression requirement
delayed by the assignment or education, or a qualifying
personal or professional circumstance, as determined by
the Commandant;
``(B) the Commandant determines the exclusion from
consideration is in the best interest of the Coast
Guard; and
``(C) the officer has not previously failed of
selection for promotion to the grade for which the
officer requests the exclusion from consideration.''.
SEC. 205. TEMPORARY PROMOTION AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS IN CERTAIN GRADES
WITH CRITICAL SKILLS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of Chapter 21 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 2130. Promotion to certain grades for officers with critical
skills: captain, commander, lieutenant commander,
lieutenant
``(a) In General.--An officer in the grade of lieutenant (junior
grade), lieutenant, lieutenant commander, or commander, who is
described in subsection (b) may be temporarily promoted to the grade of
lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, or captain under
regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Appointments under this
section shall be made by the President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate.
``(b) Covered Officers.--An officer described in this subsection is
any officer in a grade specified in subsection (a) who--
``(1) has a skill in which the Coast Guard has a critical
shortage of personnel (as determined by the Secretary); and
``(2) is serving in a position (as determined by the
Secretary) that--
``(A) is designated to be held by a lieutenant,
lieutenant commander, commander, or captain; and
``(B) requires that an officer serving in such
position have the skill possessed by such officer.
``(c) Preservation of Position and Status of Officers Appointed.--
``(1) The temporary positions authorized under this section
shall not be counted among or included in the list of positions
on the active duty promotion list.
``(2) An appointment under this section does not change the
position on the active-duty list or the permanent,
probationary, or acting status of the officer so appointed,
prejudice the officer in regard to other promotions or
appointments, or abridge the rights or benefits of the officer.
``(d) Board Recommendation Required.--A temporary promotion under
this section may be made only upon the recommendation of a board of
officers convened by the Secretary for the purpose of recommending
officers for such promotions.
``(e) Acceptance and Effective Date of Appointment.--Each
appointment under this section, unless expressly declined, is, without
formal acceptance, regarded as accepted on the date such appointment is
made, and a member so appointed is entitled to the pay and allowances
of the grade of the temporary promotion under this section beginning on
the date the appointment is made.
``(f) Termination of Appointment.--Unless sooner terminated, an
appointment under this section terminates--
``(1) on the date the officer who received the appointment
is promoted to the permanent grade of lieutenant, lieutenant
commander, commander, or captain;
``(2) on the date the officer is detached from a position
described in subsection (b)(2), unless the officer is on a
promotion list to the permanent grade of lieutenant, lieutenant
commander, commander, or captain, in which case the appointment
terminates on the date the officer is promoted to that grade;
or
``(3) when the appointment officer determines that the
officer who received the appointment has engaged in misconduct
or has displayed substandard performance.
``(g) Limitation on Number of Eligible Positions.--An appointment
under this section may only be made for service in a position
designated by the Secretary for the purposes of this section. The
number of positions so designated may not exceed the following
percentages of the respective grades:
``(1) As lieutenant, 0.5 percent.
``(2) As lieutenant commander, 3.0 percent.
``(3) As commander, 2.6 percent.
``(4) As captain, 2.6 percent.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such subchapter is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``2130. Promotion to certain grades for officers with critical skills:
captain, commander, lieutenant commander,
lieutenant.''.
SEC. 206. CAREER INTERMISSION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 2514. Career flexibility to enhance retention of members
``(a) Programs Authorized.--The Commandant may carry out a program
under which members of the Coast Guard may be inactivated from active
service in order to meet personal or professional needs and returned to
active service at the end of such period of inactivation from active
service.
``(b) Period of Inactivation From Active Service; Effect of
Inactivation.--
``(1) In general.--The period of inactivation from active
service under a program under this section of a member
participating in the program shall be such period as the
Commandant shall specify in the agreement of the member under
subsection (c), except that such period may not exceed 3 years.
``(2) Exclusion from years of service.--Any service by a
Reserve officer while participating in a program under this
section shall be excluded from computation of the total years
of service of that officer pursuant to section 14706(a) of
title 10.
``(3) Exclusion from retirement.--Any period of
participation of a member in a program under this section shall
not count toward--
``(A) eligibility for retirement or transfer to the
Ready Reserve under either chapter 571 or 1223 of title
10; or
``(B) computation of retired or retainer pay under
chapter 71 or 1223 of title 10.
``(c) Agreement.--Each member of the Coast Guard who participates
in a program under this section shall enter into a written agreement
with the Commandant under which that member shall agree as follows:
``(1) To accept an appointment or enlist, as applicable,
and serve in the Coast Guard Ready Reserve during the period of
the inactivation of the member from active service under the
program.
``(2) To undergo during the period of the inactivation of
the member from active service under the program such inactive
service training as the Commandant shall require in order to
ensure that the member retains proficiency, at a level
determined by the Commandant to be sufficient, in the military
skills, professional qualifications, and physical readiness of
the member during the inactivation of the member from active
service.
``(3) Following completion of the period of the
inactivation of the member from active service under the
program, to serve 2 months as a member of the Coast Guard on
active service for each month of the period of the inactivation
of the member from active service under the program.
``(d) Conditions of Release.--The Commandant shall prescribe
regulations specifying the guidelines regarding the conditions of
release that must be considered and addressed in the agreement required
by subsection (c). At a minimum, the Commandant shall prescribe the
procedures and standards to be used to instruct a member on the
obligations to be assumed by the member under paragraph (2) of such
subsection while the member is released from active service.
``(e) Order to Active Service.--Under regulations prescribed by the
Commandant, a member of the Coast Guard participating in a program
under this section may, in the discretion of the Commandant, be
required to terminate participation in the program and be ordered to
active service.
``(f) Pay and Allowances.--
``(1) Basic pay.--During each month of participation in a
program under this section, a member who participates in the
program shall be paid basic pay in an amount equal to two-
thirtieths of the amount of monthly basic pay to which the
member would otherwise be entitled under section 204 of title
37 as a member of the uniformed services on active service in
the grade and years of service of the member when the member
commences participation in the program.
``(2) Special or incentive pay or bonus.--
``(A) Prohibition.--A member who participates in
such a program shall not, while participating in the
program, be paid any special or incentive pay or bonus
to which the member is otherwise entitled under an
agreement under chapter 5 of title 37 or section 1925
of this title that is in force when the member
commences participation in the program.
``(B) Not treated as failure to perform services.--
The inactivation from active service of a member
participating in a program shall not be treated as a
failure of the member to perform any period of service
required of the member in connection with an agreement
for a special or incentive pay or bonus under chapter 5
of title 37 that is in force when the member commences
participation in the program.
``(3) Return to active service.--
``(A) Special or incentive pay or bonus.--Subject
to subparagraph (B), upon the return of a member to
active service after completion by the member of
participation in a program--
``(i) any agreement entered into by the
member under chapter 5 of title 37 for the
payment of a special or incentive pay or bonus
that was in force when the member commenced
participation in the program shall be revived,
with the term of such agreement after revival
being the period of the agreement remaining to
run when the member commenced participation in
the program; and
``(ii) any special or incentive pay or
bonus shall be payable to the member in
accordance with the terms of the agreement
concerned for the term specified in clause (i).
``(B) Limitation.--
``(i) In general.--Subparagraph (A) shall
not apply to any special or incentive pay or
bonus otherwise covered by that subparagraph
with respect to a member if, at the time of the
return of the member to active service as
described in that subparagraph--
``(I) such pay or bonus is no
longer authorized by law; or
``(II) the member does not satisfy
eligibility criteria for such pay or
bonus as in effect at the time of the
return of the member to active service.
``(ii) Pay or bonus ceases being
authorized.--Subparagraph (A) shall cease to
apply to any special or incentive pay or bonus
otherwise covered by that subparagraph with
respect to a member if, during the term of the
revived agreement of the member under
subparagraph (A)(i), such pay or bonus ceases
being authorized by law.
``(C) Repayment.--A member who is ineligible for
payment of a special or incentive pay or bonus
otherwise covered by this paragraph by reason of
subparagraph (B)(i)(II) shall be subject to the
requirements for repayment of such pay or bonus in
accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement
of the member under chapter 5 of title 37.
``(D) Required service is additional.--Any service
required of a member under an agreement covered by this
paragraph after the member returns to active service as
described in subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to
any service required of the member under an agreement
under subsection (c).
``(4) Travel and transportation allowance.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), a
member who participates in a program is entitled, while
participating in the program, to the travel and
transportation allowances authorized by section 474 of
title 37 for--
``(i) travel performed from the residence
of the member, at the time of release from
active service to participate in the program,
to the location in the United States designated
by the member as the member's residence during
the period of participation in the program; and
``(ii) travel performed to the residence of
the member upon return to active service at the
end of the participation of the member in the
program.
``(B) Single residence.--An allowance is payable
under this paragraph only with respect to travel of a
member to and from a single residence.
``(5) Leave balance.--A member who participates in a
program is entitled to carry forward the leave balance existing
as of the day on which the member begins participation and
accumulated in accordance with section 701 of title 10, but not
to exceed 60 days.
``(g) Promotion.--
``(1) Officers.--
``(A) In general.--An officer participating in a
program under this section shall not, while
participating in the program, be eligible for
consideration for promotion under chapter 21 or 37 of
this title.
``(B) Return to service.--Upon the return of an
officer to active service after completion by the
officer of participation in a program--
``(i) the Commandant may adjust the date of
rank of the officer in such manner as the
Commandant shall prescribe in regulations for
purposes of this section; and
``(ii) the officer shall be eligible for
consideration for promotion when officers of
the same competitive category, grade, and
seniority are eligible for consideration for
promotion.
``(2) Enlisted members.--An enlisted member participating
in a program shall not be eligible for consideration for
advancement during the period that--
``(A) begins on the date of the inactivation of the
member from active service under the program; and
``(B) ends at such time after the return of the
member to active service under the program that the
member is treatable as eligible for promotion by reason
of time in grade and such other requirements as the
Commandant shall prescribe in regulations for purposes
of the program.
``(h) Continued Entitlements.--A member participating in a program
under this section shall, while participating in the program, be
treated as a member of the Armed Forces on active duty for a period of
more than 30 days for purposes of--
``(1) the entitlement of the member and of the dependents
of the member to medical and dental care under the provisions
of chapter 55 of this title; and
``(2) retirement or separation for physical disability
under the provisions of chapter 61 of title 10 and chapters 21
and 23 of this title.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 2513 the following:
``2514. Career flexibility to enhance retention of members.''.
SEC. 207. MAJOR ACQUISITIONS; OPERATION AND SUSTAINMENT COSTS.
Section 5103(e)(3) of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (C) and (D) respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) operate and sustain the cutters and aircraft
described under paragraph (2);''.
SEC. 208. EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 27 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 2713. Employment assistance
``(a) In General.--In order to improve the accuracy and
completeness of a certification or verification of job skills and
experience required by section 1143(a)(1) of title 10, the Secretary
shall--
``(1) establish a database to record all training performed
by members of the Coast Guard that may have application to
employment in the civilian sector; and
``(2) make unclassified information regarding such
information available to States and other potential employers
referred to in section 1143(c) of title 10 so that State and
other entities may allow military training to satisfy licensing
or certification requirements to engage in a civilian
profession.
``(b) Form of Certification or Verification.--The Secretary shall
ensure that a certification or verification of job skills and
experience required by section 1143(a)(1) of title 10 is rendered in
such a way that States and other potential employers can confirm the
accuracy and authenticity of the certification or verification.
``(c) Requests by States.--A State may request that the Secretary
confirm the accuracy and authenticity of a certification or
verification of jobs skills and experience provided under section
1143(c) of title 10.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 2712 the following:
``2713. Employment assistance.''.
SEC. 209. REPORTS ON GENDER DIVERSITY IN THE COAST GUARD.
(a) Action Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard
shall--
(A) determine which recommendations in the RAND
gender diversity report can practicably be implemented
to promote gender diversity in the Coast Guard; and
(B) submit a report to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate on the actions the
Coast Guard has taken or plans to take to implement
such recommendations.
(2) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``RAND
diversity report'' means the RAND Corporation's Homeland
Security Operational Analysis Center 2019 report entitled
``Improving Gender Diversity in the U.S. Coast Guard:
Identifying Barriers to Female Retention''.
(b) Recurring Report.--Chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5109. Report on gender diversity in the Coast Guard
``(a) In General.--Not later than January 15, 2022, and biennially
thereafter, the Commandant shall submit a report on gender diversity in
the Coast Guard to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate.
``(b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
contain the following:
``(1) Gender diversity overview.--An overview of Coast
Guard active duty and Reserve members, including the number of
officers and enlisted members and the percentages of men and
women in each.
``(2) Recruitment and retention.--(A) An analysis of the
changes in the recruitment and retention of women over the
previous 2 years.
``(B) A discussion of any changes to Coast Guard
recruitment and retention over the previous 2 years that were
aimed at increasing the recruitment and retention of female
members.
``(3) Parental leave.--(A) The number of men and women who
took parental leave during each year covered by the report,
including the average length of such leave periods.
``(B) A discussion of the ways in which the Coast Guard
worked to mitigate the impacts of parental leave on Coast Guard
operations and on the careers of the members taking such leave.
``(4) Limitations.--An analysis of current gender-based
limitations on Coast Guard career opportunities, including
discussion of--
``(A) shipboard opportunities;
``(B) opportunities to serve at remote units; and
``(C) any other limitations on the opportunities of
female members.
``(5) Progress update.--An update on the Coast Guard's
progress on the implementation of the action plan required
under section 209 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2019.''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``5109. Report on gender diversity in the Coast Guard.''.
SEC. 210. DISPOSITION OF INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TO E-LORAN.
Section 914 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``date'' and inserting ``later of
the date of the conveyance of the properties directed
under section 533(a) of the Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-120) or the date''; and
(B) by striking ``determination by the Secretary''
and inserting ``determination by the Secretary of
Transportation under section 312(d) of title 49''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:
``(2) Availability of proceeds.--The proceeds of such
sales, less the costs of sale incurred by the General Services
Administration, shall be deposited into the Coast Guard Housing
Fund for uses authorized under section 2946 of this title.''.
SEC. 211. POSITIONS OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY.
Section 2103(c)(3) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``rear admiral (lower half)'' and inserting ``vice admiral''.
SEC. 212. RESEARCH PROJECTS; TRANSACTIONS OTHER THAN CONTRACTS AND
GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 720. Research projects; transactions other than contracts and
grants
``(a) Additional Forms of Transactions Authorized.--The Commandant
may enter into transactions (other than contracts, cooperative
agreements, and grants) in carrying out basic, applied, and advanced
research projects. The authority under this subsection is in addition
to the authority provided in section 717 to use contracts, cooperative
agreements, and grants in carrying out such projects.
``(b) Advance Payments.--The authority under subsection (a) may be
exercised without regard to section 3324 of title 31.
``(c) Recovery of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to subsection (d), a cooperative
agreement for performance of basic, applied, or advanced
research authorized by section 717, and a transaction
authorized by subsection (a), may include a clause that
requires a person or other entity to make payments to the Coast
Guard or any other department or agency of the Federal
Government as a condition for receiving support under the
agreement or transaction, respectively.
``(2) Availability of funds.--The amount of any payment
received by the Federal Government pursuant to a requirement
imposed under paragraph (1) may be credited, to the extent
authorized by the Commandant, to an appropriate appropriations
account. Amounts so credited shall be merged with other funds
in the account and shall be available for the same purposes and
the same period for which other funds in such account are
available.
``(d) Conditions.--
``(1) In general.--The Commandant shall ensure that--
``(A) to the extent that the Commandant determines
practicable, no cooperative agreement containing a
clause described in subsection (c)(1), and no
transaction entered into under subsection (a), provides
for research that duplicates research being conducted
under existing programs carried out by the Coast Guard;
and
``(B) to the extent that the Commandant determines
practicable, the funds provided by the Federal
Government under a cooperative agreement containing a
clause described in subsection (c)(1), or under a
transaction authorized by subsection (a), do not exceed
the total amount provided by other parties to the
cooperative agreement or other transaction,
respectively.
``(2) Other agreements not feasible.--A cooperative
agreement containing a clause described in subsection (c)(1),
or under a transaction authorized by subsection (a), may be
used for a research project only if the use of a standard
contract, grant, or cooperative agreement for such project is
not feasible or appropriate.
``(e) Education and Training.--The Commandant shall--
``(1) ensure that management, technical, and contracting
personnel of the Coast Guard involved in the award or
administration of transactions under this section or other
innovative forms of contracting are afforded opportunities for
adequate education and training; and
``(2) establish minimum levels and requirements for
continuous and experiential learning for such personnel,
including levels and requirements for acquisition certification
programs.
``(f) Regulations.--The Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating shall prescribe regulations, as necessary, to
carry out this section.
``(g) Protection of Certain Information From Disclosure.--
``(1) In general.--Disclosure of information described in
paragraph (2) is not required, and may not be compelled, under
section 552 of title 5 for 5 years after the date on which the
information is received by the Coast Guard.
``(2) Limitation.--
``(A) In general.--Paragraph (1) applies to
information described in subparagraph (B) that is in
the records of the Coast Guard only if the information
was submitted to the Coast Guard in a competitive or
noncompetitive process having the potential for
resulting in an award, to the party submitting the
information, of a cooperative agreement for performance
of basic, applied, or advanced research authorized by
section 717 or another transaction authorized by
subsection (a).
``(B) Information described.--The information
referred to in subparagraph (A) is the following:
``(i) A proposal, proposal abstract, and
supporting documents.
``(ii) A business plan submitted on a
confidential basis.
``(iii) Technical information submitted on
a confidential basis.
``(h) Annual Report.--On the date on which the President submits to
Congress a budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, the Commandant
shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committees on
Appropriations and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
a report describing each use of the authority provided under this
section during the most recently completed fiscal year, including
details of each use consisting of--
``(1) the amount of each transaction;
``(2) the entities or organizations involved;
``(3) the product or service received; and
``(4) the research project for which the product or service
was required.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 7 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``720. Research projects; transactions other than contracts and
grants.''.
SEC. 213. ACQUISITION WORKFORCE AUTHORITIES.
(a) In General.--Chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 1110
the following:
``Sec. 1111. Acquisition workforce authorities
``(a) Expedited Hiring Authority.--
``(1) In general.--For the purposes of section 3304 of
title 5, the Commandant may--
``(A) designate any category of acquisition
positions within the Coast Guard as shortage category
positions; and
``(B) use the authorities in such section to
recruit and appoint highly qualified persons directly
to positions so designated.
``(2) Reports.--The Commandant shall include in reports
under section 1102 information described in that section
regarding positions designated under this subsection.
``(b) Reemployment Authority.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), if
an annuitant receiving an annuity from the Civil Service
Retirement and Disability Fund becomes employed in any category
of acquisition positions designated by the Commandant under
subsection (a), the annuity of the annuitant so employed shall
continue. The annuitant so reemployed shall not be considered
an employee for purposes of subchapter III of chapter 83 or
chapter 84 of title 5.
``(2)(A) Election.--An annuitant retired under section
8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, receiving an annuity
from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, who
becomes employed in any category of acquisition positions
designated by the Commandant under subsection (a) after date of
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019, may
elect to be subject to section 8344 or 8468 of such title (as
the case may be).
``(i) Deadline.--An election for coverage under
this subsection shall be filed not later than 90 days
after the Commandant takes reasonable actions to notify
an employee who may file an election.
``(ii) Coverage.--If an employee files an election
under this subsection, coverage shall be effective
beginning on the first day of the first applicable pay
period beginning on or after the date of the filing of
the election.
``(B) Application.--Paragraph (1) shall apply to an
individual who is eligible to file an election under such
subparagraph and does not file a timely election under clause
(i).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of chapter 11 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 1110 the following:
``1111. Acquisition workforce authorities.''.
SEC. 214. REPORT ON COAST GUARD DEFENSE READINESS RESOURCES ALLOCATION.
(a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate, a report on the allocation of
resources by the Coast Guard to support its defense readiness mission.
(b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include
the following elements:
(1) Funding levels allocated by the Coast Guard to support
defense readiness missions for each of the past 10 fiscal
years.
(2) Funding levels transferred or otherwise provided by the
Department of Defense to the Coast Guard in support of the
Coast Guard's defense readiness missions for each of the past
10 fiscal years.
(3) The number of Coast Guard detachments assigned in
support of the Coast Guard's defense readiness mission for each
of the past 10 fiscal years.
(c) Assessment.--In addition to the elements detailed in subsection
(b), the report shall include an assessment of the impacts on the Coast
Guard's non-defense mission readiness and operational capabilities due
to the annual levels of reimbursement provided by the Department of
Defense to compensate the Coast Guard for its expenses to fulfill its
defense readiness mission.
SEC. 215. REPORT ON THE FEASIBILITY OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FUELED
VESSELS.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit a report to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate on the following:
(1) The feasibility, safety, and cost effectiveness of
using liquefied natural gas to fuel new Coast Guard vessels.
(2) The feasibility, safety, and cost effectiveness of
converting existing vessels to run on liquefied natural gas
fuels.
(3) The operational benefits of using liquefied natural gas
to fuel Coast Guard vessels.
TITLE III--SHIPPING
SEC. 301. ELECTRONIC CHARTS; EQUIVALENCY.
(a) Requirements.--Section 3105(a)(1) of title 46, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(1) Electronic charts in lieu of marine charts, charts,
and maps.--Subject to paragraph (2), the following vessels,
while operating on the navigable waters of the United States,
shall be equipped with and operate electronic navigational
charts conforming to a standard acceptable to the Secretary in
lieu of any marine charts, charts, and maps required by titles
33 and 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the
date of the enactment of this paragraph:
``(A) A self-propelled commercial vessel of at
least 65 feet overall length.
``(B) A vessel carrying more than a number of
passengers for hire determined by the Secretary.
``(C) A towing vessel of more than 26 feet in
overall length and 600 horsepower.
``(D) Any other vessel for which the Secretary
decides that electronic charts are necessary for the
safe navigation of the vessel.''.
(b) Exemptions and Waivers.--Section 3105(a)(2) of title 46, United
States Code, is amended by--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``operates; and'' and
inserting ``operates;'';
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``those waters.'' and
inserting ``those waters; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) permit vessels that operate solely landward
of the baseline from which the territorial sea of the
United States is measured to utilize software-based,
platform-independent electronic chart systems that the
Secretary determines are capable of displaying
electronic navigational charts with necessary scale and
detail to ensure safe navigation for the intended
voyage.''.
SEC. 302. PASSENGER VESSEL SECURITY AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS;
APPLICATION.
Section 3507(k)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by adding ``and'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period; and
(3) by striking subparagraph (D).
SEC. 303. NON-OPERATING INDIVIDUAL.
(a) Definition.--Section 2101 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after paragraph (23) the following:
``(23a) `non-operating individual' means an individual
who--
``(A) does not perform--
``(i) with respect to the operation of a
vessel, watchstanding, automated engine room
duty watch, navigation, or personnel safety
functions;
``(ii) with respect to the loading and
unloading of merchandise, cargo handling
functions, including any activity relating to
the loading or unloading of cargo, the
operation of cargo-related equipment (whether
or not integral to the vessel), and the
handling of mooring lines on the dock when the
vessel is made fast or let go;
``(iii) vessel maintenance, including any
repairs that can be performed by the vessel's
crew or a riding gang; or
``(iv) safety, security, or environmental
protection activities directly related to the
operation of the vessel and normally conducted
by the vessel's crew;
``(B) does not serve as part of the crew complement
required under section 8101;
``(C) does not serve as a riding gang member;
``(D) is not a member of the steward's department;
``(E) is not a citizen or temporary or permanent
resident of a country designated by the United States
as a sponsor of terrorism or any other country that the
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State
and the heads of other appropriate United States
agencies, determines to be a security threat to the
United States;
``(F) is not specifically exempted from the
requirement to have a merchant mariner's document under
section 8701(a);
``(G) has not been convicted in any jurisdiction of
an offense described in paragraph (2) or (3) of section
7703;
``(H) whose license, certificate of registry, or
merchant mariner's document has not been suspended or
revoked under section 7704; and
``(I) who does not otherwise constitute a threat to
the safety of the vessel.''.
(b) Citizenship and Navy Reserve Requirements.--Section 8103(j) of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by--
(1) striking ``Riding Gang Member'' and inserting ``Riding
Gang Member or Non-Operating Individual''; and
(2) inserting ``or a non-operating individual'' before the
period.
(c) Requirements Relating to Non-Operating Individuals.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 81 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) by redesignating section 8107 as section 8108;
and
(B) by inserting after section 8106 the following:
``Sec. 8107. Requirements relating to non-operating individuals
``(a) In General.--The owner or managing operator of a merchant
vessel of the United States of at least 100 gross tons as measured
under section 14502, or an alternate tonnage measured under section
14302 as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104, shall--
``(1) ensure that--
``(A) each non-operating individual on the vessel--
``(i) is a United States citizen or an
alien lawfully admitted to the United States
for permanent residence; or
``(ii) possesses a United States non-
immigrant visa for individuals desiring to
enter the United States temporarily for
business, employment-related and personal
identifying information, and any other
documentation required by the Secretary;
``(B) all required documentation for such
individual is kept on the vessel and available for
inspection by the Secretary; and
``(C) each non-operating individual is identified
on the manifest;
``(2) ensure that--
``(A) each non-operating individual possesses--
``(i) a merchant mariner's document;
``(ii) a transportation worker
identification credential under section 70105;
or
``(iii) a current security clearance issued
by a Federal agency; or
``(B) the employer of such an individual attests in
a certificate to the owner or managing operator that--
``(i) the background of such individual has
been examined and found to be free of any
credible information indicating a material risk
to the security of the vessel, the vessel's
cargo, the ports the vessel visits, or other
individuals onboard the vessel;;
``(ii) such examination--
``(I) met the requirements of
section 70105(d)(2), for persons
described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) of
this subsection; or
``(II) consisted of a search of all
information reasonably available to the
owner or managing operator in the
individual's country of citizenship and
any other country in which the
individual works, receives employment
referrals, or resides, for persons
described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii) of
this subsection; and
``(iii) the information derived from any
such examination is made available to the
Secretary upon request;
``(3) ensure that each non-operating individual of the
vessel, while on board the vessel, is subject to the same
random chemical testing and reporting regimes as crew members;
``(4) ensure that each such individual employed on the
vessel receives basic safety familiarization and basic safety
training approved by the Coast Guard; and
``(5) ensure that every non-operating individual of the
vessel is employed on board the vessel under conditions that
meet or exceed the minimum international standards of all
applicable international labor conventions to which the United
States is a party, including all of the merchant seamen
protection and relief provided under United States law.
``(b) Recordkeeping.--In addition to the requirements of subsection
(a), the owner or managing operator of a vessel to which subsection (a)
applies shall ensure that all information necessary to ensure
compliance with this section, as determined by the Secretary, is
entered into the vessel's official logbook required by chapter 113.
``(c) Civil Penalty.--A person (including an individual) violating
this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil
penalty of $1,250.''.
(2) Clerical amendments.--The analysis for chapter 81 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 8107 and inserting the following:
``8107. Requirements relating to non-operating individuals.
``8108. Use of force against piracy.''.
(3) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Merchant mariners' documents required.--Section
8701 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(e) This section does not apply to non-operating individuals.''.
(B) Training for use of force against piracy.--
Section 51705(4) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``46 U.S.C. 8107 note'' and
inserting ``46 U.S.C. 8108 note''.
SEC. 304. SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS AND UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSELS.
Section 12121 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking subparagraphs (A) and
(B) and inserting the following:
``(A) was built in the United States;
``(B) was not built in the United States and is at
least 3 years old; or
``(C) if rebuilt, was rebuilt--
``(i) in the United States; or
``(ii) outside the United States at least 3
years before the certificate requested under
subsection (b) would take effect.''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``12132,'' after
``12113,''.
SEC. 305. INSTALLATION VESSELS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 551 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 55123. Installation vessels
``(a) Initial Determination of Coastwise Qualified Vessel.--No
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section,
the Secretary of Transportation shall determine whether an installation
vessel exists for which a coastwise endorsement has been issued under
section 12112.
``(b) Application.--If the Secretary of Transportation determines
under subsection (a) that no such coastwise qualified vessel exists,
then, after the date on which such determination is made, lifting
operations between a vessel for which a coastwise endorsement has been
issued under section 12112 and an installation vessel for which no such
endorsement has been issued is not transportation of merchandise for
the purposes of section 55102.
``(c) Requests for Determinations of Coastwise Qualified Vessels.--
``(1) In general.--After the date on which the
determination is made under subsection (a), an installation
vessel for which a coastwise endorsement has been issued under
section 12112, the owner or operator of such installation
vessel may seek a new determination from the Secretary of
Transportation that an installation vessel for which a
coastwise endorsement has been issued under section 12112
exists.
``(2) Application to non-qualified vessels.--If the
Secretary of Transportation makes a determination under
paragraph (1) that a coastwise qualified vessel exists, then--
``(A) the owner or operator of an installation
vessel for which no coastwise endorsement has been
issued under section 12112 shall seek a determination
of the availability of a coastwise qualified vessel
under paragraph (3) before using such non-coastwise
qualified vessel for the transportation of a platform
jacket; and
``(B) after the date on which such determination is
made, the owner or operator of an installation vessel
for which no coastwise endorsement has been issued
under section 12112 shall not use such non-coastwise
qualified vessel for the transportation of a platform
jacket unless the Secretary of Transportation
determines a coastwise qualified is not available under
paragraph (4).
``(3) Criteria for determination of availability.--The
Secretary of Transportation shall determine a coastwise
qualified vessel is not available if--
``(A) the owner or operator of a non-coastwise
qualified vessel submits to the Secretary of
Transportation an application for the use of a non-
coastwise qualified installation vessel for
transportation of a platform jacket under this section
that includes all relevant information, including
engineering details and timing requirements, and such
application is submitted not less than 1 year before
the date such vessel is required for such use;
``(B) the Secretary provides the application made
under subparagraph (A) to the owner of each coastwise
qualified vessel listed as an installation vessel in
the inventory under section 12138(c) and promptly
publishes in the Federal Register a notice--
``(i) describing the project and the
platform jacket involved;
``(ii) advising that all relevant
information reasonably needed to assess the
transportation and installation requirements
for the platform jacket will be made available
to an interested person on request; and
``(iii) requesting that information on the
availability of coastwise qualified vessels be
submitted within a 45-day period beginning on
the date of such publication; and
``(C)(i) within such 45-day period no information
is submitted to the Secretary from owners or operators
of coastwise qualified installation vessels to meet the
requirements of the application required under
paragraph (A); or
``(ii) the owner or operator of a coastwise
qualified installation vessel submits information to
the Secretary asserting that the owner or operator has
a suitable coastwise qualified installation vessel
available to meet the requirements of the application
required under paragraph (A), but the Secretary
determines, within 90 days after the notice is first
published, that the coastwise qualified installation
vessel is not suitable or reasonably available for the
transportation.
``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Installation vessel.--The term `installation vessel'
means a vessel using a crane suitable for offshore use that--
``(A) is used to install platform jackets;
``(B) has a slewing or luffing capability;
``(C) has a lifting capacity of at least 1,000
metric tons; and
``(D) conducts lifting operations to construct or
remove offshore facilities or subsea infrastructure or
to install and uninstall component parts or materials
from offshore facilities or subsea infrastructure.
``(2) Lifting operations.--The term `lifting operations'
means the lifting of platform jackets by crane from the time
that the lifting activity begins when unlading from a vessel or
removing offshore facilities or subsea infrastructure until the
time that the lifting activities are terminated for a
particular unlading, installation, or removal of offshore
facilities or subsea infrastructure.
``(3) Platform jacket.--The term `platform jacket' has the
meaning given such term in section 55108(a).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 551 of title 46,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``55123. Installation vessels.''.
(c) Inventory.--Section 12138(b) of title 46, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking the period and inserting
``, and Installation.'';
(2) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
develop, maintain, and periodically update an inventory of
vessels that are--
``(A) documented under this chapter;
``(B) at least 200 feet in length;
``(C) have the capability to lay, maintain, or
repair a submarine cable, without regard to whether a
particular vessel is classed as a cable ship or cable
vessel; and
``(D) installation vessels within the meaning of
such term in section 55123.''; and
(3) by amending paragraph (2)(B) to read as follows:
``(B) the abilities and limitations of the vessel
with respect to--
``(i) in the case of a vessel required to
be inventoried under paragraph (1)(A), laying,
maintaining, and repairing a submarine cable;
and
``(ii) in the case of a vessel required to
be inventoried under paragraph (1)(B),
installing platform jackets; and''.
(d) Notice of Modification or Revocation.--No later than 30 days
after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security,
acting through the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, shall
issue a notice, including an opportunity for public comment, on the
modification or revocation of Letter Rulings 101925, 108442, 113841,
114435, 115185, 115218, 115311, 115487, 115522, 115771, 115938, 116078,
H004242 with respect to the application of the section 55102 of title
46, Shipping, United States Code, to certain offshore operations.
SEC. 306. ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
(a) National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee; Representation.--
Section 15106(c)(3) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``mineral and oil
operations, including geophysical services'' and inserting
``operations'';
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``exploration and
recovery'';
(3) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``engaged in diving
services related to offshore construction, inspection, and
maintenance'' and inserting ``providing diving services to the
offshore industry'';
(4) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``engaged in safety
and training services related to offshore exploration and
construction'' and inserting ``providing safety and training
services to the offshore industry'';
(5) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``engaged in
pipelaying services related to offshore construction'' and
inserting ``providing subsea engineering, construction, or
remotely operated vehicle support to the offshore industry'';
(6) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``mineral and
energy'';
(7) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``national
environmental entities'' and inserting ``entities providing
environmental protection, compliance, or response services to
the offshore industry''; and
(8) in subparagraph (J), by striking ``deepwater ports''
and inserting ``entities engaged in offshore oil exploration
and production on the Outer Continental Shelf adjacent to
Alaska''.
(b) Advisory Committees; Testimony.--Section 15109(j)(4) of title
46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Testimony.--The members of a committee shall
be available to testify before appropriate committees
of the Congress with respect to the advice, reports,
and recommendations submitted under paragraph (2).''.
(c) Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 555 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 55502. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory
Committee
``(a) Establishment.--There is established a Maritime
Transportation System National Advisory Committee (in this section
referred to as the `Committee').
``(b) Function.--The Committee shall advise the Secretary of
Transportation on matters relating to the United States maritime
transportation system and its seamless integration with other segments
of the transportation system, including the viability of the United
States Merchant Marine.
``(c) Membership.--
``(1) In general.--The Committee shall consist of 27
members appointed by the Secretary of Transportation in
accordance with this section and section 15109.
``(2) Expertise.--Each member of the Committee shall have
particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters
relating to the function of the Committee.
``(3) Representation.--Members of the Committee shall be
appointed as follows:
``(A) At least one member shall represent the
Environmental Protection Agency.
``(B) At least one member shall represent the
Department of Commerce.
``(C) At least one member shall represent the Army
Corps of Engineers.
``(D) At least one member shall represent the Coast
Guard.
``(E) At least one member shall represent Customs
and Border Protection.
``(F) At least one member shall represent State and
local governmental entities.
``(G) Additional members shall represent private
sector entities that reflect a cross-section of
maritime industries, including port and water
stakeholders, academia, and labor.
``(H) The Secretary may appoint additional
representatives from other Federal agencies as the
Secretary considers appropriate.
``(4) Administration.--For purposes of section 15109--
``(A) the Committee shall be treated as a committee
established under chapter 151; and
``(B) the Secretary of Transportation shall fulfill
all duties and responsibilities and have all
authorities of the Secretary of Homeland Security with
regard to the Committee.''.
(2) Treatment of existing committee.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law--
(A) an advisory committee substantially similar to
the Committee established by section 55502 of title 46,
United States Code, and that was in force or in effect
on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act, including the charter, membership, and other
aspects of such committee, may remain in force or in
effect for the 2-year period beginning on the date of
the enactment of this section; and
(B) during such 2-year period--
(i) requirements relating the Maritime
Transportation System National Advisory
Committee established by such section shall be
treated as satisfied by such substantially
similar advisory committee; and
(ii) the enactment of this section shall
not be the basis--
(I) to deem, find, or declare such
committee, including the charter,
membership, and other aspects thereof,
void, not in force, or not in effect;
(II) to suspend the activities of
such committee; or
(III) to bar the members of such
committee from a meeting.
(3) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 555 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``55502. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee.''.
(4) Repeal.--Section 55603 of title 46, United States Code,
and the item relating to that section in the analysis for
chapter 556 of that title, are repealed.
(d) Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee.--
(1) In general.--Title 46, United States Code, is amended
by striking section 9307 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 9307. Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee
``(a) Establishment.--There is established a Great Lakes Pilotage
Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the `Committee').
``(b) Function.--The Committee--
``(1) may review proposed Great Lakes pilotage regulations
and policies and make recommendations to the Secretary that the
Committee considers appropriate;
``(2) may advise, consult with, report to, and make
recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to Great
Lakes pilotage; and
``(3) may only make recommendations to the Secretary under
paragraph (2) if such recommendations have been approved by all
but one of the members then serving on such Committee.
``(c) Membership.--
``(1) In general.--The Committee shall consist of seven
members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this
section and section 15109.
``(2) Expertise.--Each member of the Committee shall have
particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters
relating to the function of the Committee.
``(3) Representation.--Members of the Committee shall be
appointed as follows:
``(A) The President of each of the three Great
Lakes pilotage districts, or the President's
representative.
``(B) At least one member shall represent the
interests of vessel operators that contract for Great
Lakes pilotage services.
``(C) At least one member shall represent the
interests of Great Lakes ports.
``(D) At least one member shall represent the
interests of shippers whose cargoes are transported
through Great Lakes ports.
``(E) At least one member shall have a background
in finance or accounting and must have been recommended
to the Secretary by a unanimous vote of the other
members of the Committee.
``(4) Administration.--For purposes of section 15109, the
Committee shall be treated as a committee established under
chapter 151.''.
(2) Treatment of existing committee.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law--
(A) an advisory committee substantially similar to
the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee established
by section 9307 of title 46, United States Code, as
amended by this section, and that was in force or in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of
this Act, including the charter, membership, and other
aspects of the committee, may remain in force or in
effect for a period of 2 years from the date of
enactment of this Act; and
(B) during such 2-year period--
(i) requirements relating to the Great
Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee established
by section 9307 of title 46, United States
Code, as amended by this section, shall be
treated as satisfied by the substantially
similar advisory committee; and
(ii) the enactment of this section and the
amendments made by this section shall not be
the basis--
(I) to deem, find, or declare such
committee, including the charter,
membership, and other aspects thereof,
void, not in force, or not in effect;
(II) to suspend the activities of
such committee; or
(III) to bar the members of such
committee from a meeting.
(e) Technical Corrections.--Section 15109 of title 46 is amended by
inserting ``or to which this chapter applies'' after ``committee
established under this chapter'' each place it appears.
SEC. 307. EXPIRED MARITIME LIENS.
Section 31343(e) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``A notice''; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1), as so designated by
this section, the following:
``(2) On expiration of a notice of claim of lien under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall remove such expired notice.''.
SEC. 308. TRAINING; EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROVIDERS.
(a) Security Plan Implementation Grants.--Section 70107 of title
46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``law enforcement
personnel'' and inserting ``emergency response providers'';
(2) in subsection (b)(8), by striking ``law enforcement
personnel--'' and inserting ``emergency response providers--'';
and
(3) in subsection (c)(2)(C), by striking ``law enforcement
agency personnel'' and inserting ``emergency response
providers''.
(b) Credentialing for State and Local Support.--Section 70132 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``law enforcement
personnel--'' and inserting ``emergency response providers--'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``law enforcement
personnel'' each place it appears and inserting ``emergency
response providers''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Definition.--For the purposes of this section, the term
`emergency response providers' has the meaning given that term in
section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101).''.
SEC. 309. AIMING A LASER POINTER AT A VESSEL.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 700 of title 46, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 70014. Aiming a laser pointer at a vessel
``(a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful to cause the beam of a
laser pointer to strike a vessel operating on the navigable waters of
the United States.
``(b) Exceptions.--This section shall not apply to a member or
element of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security
acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research,
development, operations, testing, or training.
``(c) Laser Pointer Defined.--In this section the term `laser
pointer' means any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic
radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam designed to be used
by the operator as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark, or
identify a specific position, place, item, or object.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is amended
by adding at the end of the items relating to such subchapter the
following:
``70014. Aiming a laser pointer at a vessel.''.
SEC. 310. MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT.
Section 55501(e) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``an assessment of the
condition'' and inserting ``a conditions and performance
analysis'';
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(3) in paragraph (5) by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) a compendium of the Federal programs engaged in the
maritime transportation system.''.
SEC. 311. SAFETY OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General.--Title 46, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 70005 the following:
``Sec. 70006. Safety of special activities
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may establish a safety zone to
address special activities in the exclusive economic zone.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `safety zone' has the meaning provided in
section 165.20 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations.
``(2) The term `special activities' includes--
``(A) space activities, including launch and
reentry, as those terms are defined in section 50902 of
title 51, carried out by United States citizens; and
``(B) offshore energy development activities, as
described in section 8(p)(1)(C) of the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(1)(C)),
on or near a fixed platform.
``(3) The term `United States citizen' has the meaning
given the term `eligible owners' in section 12103.
``(4) The term `fixed platform' means an artificial island,
installation, or structure permanently attached to the sea-bed
for the purpose of exploration or exploitation of resources or
for other economic purposes.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 700 of title 46,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 70005 the following:
``70006. Safety of special activities.''.
(c) Regulations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish regulations
to implement this section.
(2) Alignment with other regulations.--Such regulations
shall align with subchapter C of chapter III of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 312. ENGINE CUT-OFF SWITCHES; USE REQUIREMENT.
(a) In General.--Section 4312 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as
subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Use Requirement.--
``(1) In general.--An individual operating a covered
recreational vessel shall use an engine cut-off switch link
while operating on plane or above displacement speed.
``(2) Exceptions.--The requirement under paragraph (1)
shall not apply if--
``(A) the main helm of the covered vessel is
installed within an enclosed cabin; or
``(B) the vessel does not have an engine cut-off
switch and is not required to have one under subsection
(a).''.
(b) Civil Penalty.--Section 4311 of title 46, United States Code,
is amended by--
(1) redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g)
as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively; and
(2) inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) A person violating section 4312(b) of this title is liable to
the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than--
``(1) $100 for the first offense;
``(2) $250 for the second offense; and
``(3) $500 for any subsequent offense.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made in subsections (a) and (b)
shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
section, unless the Commandant of the Coast Guard, prior to the date
that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section,
determines that the use requirement enacted in subsection (a) would not
promote recreational boating safety.
SEC. 313. EXEMPTIONS AND EQUIVALENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 4305 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking the heading and inserting the following:
``Sec. 4305. Exemptions and equivalents'';
(2) by striking ``If the Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(a) Exemptions.--If the Secretary''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Equivalents.--The Secretary may accept a substitution for
associated equipment performance or other safety standards for a
recreational vessel if the substitution provides an equivalent level of
safety.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 43 of title 46,
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section
4305 and inserting the following:
``4305. Exemptions and equivalents.''.
SEC. 314. SECURITY PLANS; REVIEWS.
Section 70103 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (b)(3) to read as follows:
``(3) The Secretary shall review and approve Area Maritime
Transportation Security Plans and updates under this
subsection.''; and
(2) in subsection (c)(4), by inserting ``or update'' after
``plan'' each place it appears.
SEC. 315. WAIVER OF NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION LAWS.
Section 501(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``On request'' and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--On request''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Explanation.--Not later than 24 hours after making a
request under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall
submit to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure
and Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the
Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Armed
Services of the Senate a written explanation of the
circumstances requiring such a waiver in the interest of
national defense, including a confirmation that there are
insufficient qualified vessels to meet the needs of national
defense without such a waiver.''.
SEC. 316. REQUIREMENT FOR SMALL SHIPYARD GRANTEES.
Section 54101(d) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``Grants awarded'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--Grants awarded''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Buy america.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), no
funds may be obligated by the Administrator of the
Maritime Administration under this section, unless each
product and material purchased with those funds
(including products and materials purchased by a
grantee), and including any commercially available off-
the-shelf item, is--
``(i) an unmanufactured article, material,
or supply that has been mined or produced in
the United States; or
``(ii) a manufactured article, material, or
supply that has been manufactured in the United
States substantially all from articles,
materials, or supplies mined, produced, or
manufactured in the United States.
``(B) Exceptions.--
``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding
subparagraph (A), the requirements of that
subparagraph shall not apply with respect to a
particular product or material if such
Administrator determines--
``(I) that the application of those
requirements would be inconsistent with
the public interest;
``(II) that such product or
material is not available in the United
States in sufficient and reasonably
available quantities, of a satisfactory
quality, or on a timely basis; or
``(III) that inclusion of a
domestic product or material will
increase the cost of that product or
material by more than 25 percent, with
respect to a certain contract between a
grantee and that grantee's supplier.
``(ii) Federal register.--A determination
made by such Administrator under this
subparagraph shall be published in the Federal
Register.
``(C) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
``(i) Commercially available off-the-shelf
item.--The term `commercially available off-
the-shelf item' means--
``(I) any item of supply (including
construction material) that is--
``(aa) a commercial item,
as defined by section 2.101 of
title 48, Code of Federal
Regulations; and
``(bb) sold in substantial
quantities in the commercial
marketplace; and
``(II) does not include bulk cargo,
as that term is defined in section
40102(4) of this title, such as
agricultural products and petroleum
products.
``(ii) Product or material.--The term
`product or material' means an article,
material, or supply brought to the site by the
recipient for incorporation into the building,
work, or project. The term also includes an
item brought to the site preassembled from
articles, materials, or supplies. However,
emergency life safety systems, such as
emergency lighting, fire alarm, and audio
evacuation systems, that are discrete systems
incorporated into a public building or work and
that are produced as complete systems, are
evaluated as a single and distinct construction
material regardless of when or how the
individual parts or components of those systems
are delivered to the construction site.
``(iii) United states.--The term `United
States' includes the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern
Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the
Virgin Islands.''.
SEC. 317. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON THE UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE
ACADEMY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall seek to
enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Public
Administration (referred to in this section as the ``Academy'') to
carry out the activities described in this section.
(b) Study Elements.--In accordance with the agreement described in
subsection (a), the Academy shall conduct a study of the United States
Merchant Marine Academy that consists of the following:
(1) A comprehensive assessment of the United States
Merchant Marine Academy's systems, training, facilities,
infrastructure, information technology, and stakeholder
engagement.
(2) Identification of needs and opportunities for
modernization to help the United States Merchant Marine Academy
keep pace with more modern campuses.
(3) Development of an action plan for the United States
Merchant Marine Academy with specific recommendations for--
(A) improvements or updates relating to the
opportunities described in paragraph (2); and
(B) systemic changes needed to help the United
States Merchant Marine Academy achieve its mission of
inspiring and educating the next generation of the
mariner workforce on a long-term basis.
(c) Deadline and Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the agreement described in subsection (a), the Academy shall prepare
and submit to the Administrator of the Maritime Administration a report
containing the action plan described in subsection (b)(3), including
specific findings and recommendations.
SEC. 318. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR DOMESTIC MARITIME WORKFORCE
TRAINING AND EDUCATION.
Section 54102 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``or subsection (d)''
after ``designated under subsection (a)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) State Maritime Academy.--The Secretary of Transportation
shall designate each State maritime academy, as defined in section
51102(4) of this title, as a center of excellence under this
section.''.
SEC. 319. RENEWAL OF MERCHANT MARINER LICENSES AND DOCUMENTS.
Section 7507 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(d) Renewal.--With respect to any renewal of an existing merchant
mariner credential that is not an extension under subsection (a) or
(b), such credential shall begin the day after the expiration of the
credential holder's existing credential.''.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 401. COASTWISE TRADE.
(a) In General.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall review the
adequacy of and continuing need for provisions in title 46, Code of
Federal Regulations, that require a United States vessel documented
under chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, possessing a
coastwise endorsement under that chapter, and engaged in coastwise
trade, to comply with regulations for vessels engaged in an
international voyage.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall provide
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a briefing on the findings of the review
required under subsection (a) and a discussion of how existing laws and
regulations could be amended to ensure the safety of vessels described
in subsection (a) while infringing as little as possible on commerce.
SEC. 402. UNMANNED MARITIME SYSTEMS AND SATELLITE VESSEL TRACKING
TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) Assessment.--
(1) In general.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard, acting
through the Blue Technology Center of Expertise, shall
regularly assess available unmanned maritime systems and
satellite vessel tracking technologies for potential use to
support missions of the Coast Guard.
(2) Consultation.--The Commandant shall make the assessment
required under paragraph (1) after consultation with the
Department of Defense, other Federal agencies, the academic
sector, and developers and manufacturers of unmanned maritime
systems and satellite vessel tracking technologies.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the
Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate a report on the actual and potential effects of the use
of then-existing unmanned maritime systems and satellite vessel
tracking technologies on the mission effectiveness of the Coast
Guard.
(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
(A) An inventory of current unmanned maritime
systems used by the Coast Guard, an overview of such
usage, and a discussion of the mission effectiveness of
such systems, including any benefits realized or risks
or negative aspects of such usage.
(B) An inventory of satellite vessel tracking
technologies, and a discussion of the potential mission
effectiveness of such technologies, including any
benefits or risks or negative aspects of such usage.
(C) A prioritized list of Coast Guard mission
requirements that could be met with additional unmanned
maritime systems, or with satellite vessel tracking
technologies, and the estimated costs of accessing,
acquiring, or operating such systems.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Unmanned maritime systems.--
(A) In general.--The term ``unmanned maritime
systems'' means remotely operated or autonomous
vehicles produced by the commercial sector designed to
travel in the air, on or under the ocean surface, on
land, or any combination thereof, and that function
without an on-board human presence.
(B) Examples.--Such term includes the following:
(i) Unmanned undersea vehicles.
(ii) Unmanned surface vehicles.
(iii) Unmanned aerial vehicles.
(iv) Autonomous underwater vehicles.
(v) Autonomous surface vehicles.
(vi) Autonomous aerial vehicles.
(2) Available unmanned maritime systems.--The term
``available unmanned maritime systems'' includes systems that
can be purchased commercially or are in use by the Department
of Defense or other Federal agencies.
(3) Satellite vessel tracking technologies.--The term
``satellite vessel tracking technologies'' means shipboard
broadcast systems that use satellites and terrestrial receivers
to continually track vessels.
SEC. 403. EXPEDITED TRANSFER IN CASES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT; DEPENDENTS OF
MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall establish a policy to
allow the transfer of a member of the Coast Guard whose dependent is
the victim of sexual assault perpetrated by a member of the Armed
Forces who is not related to the victim.
SEC. 404. TOWING VESSELS; OPERATION OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY LINE.
(a) Interim Exemption.--A towing vessel to which this section
applies is exempt from any additional requirements of subtitle II of
title 46, United States Code, and chapter I of title 33 and chapter I
of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, that would result solely from
such vessel operating outside the Boundary Line (as such term is
defined in section 103 of title 46, United States Code) if such
vessel--
(1) is listed as a response vessel on a vessel response
plan and is operating outside the Boundary Line solely to
perform duties of a response vessel; or
(2) is operating outside the Boundary Line solely to
perform operations necessary to escort a vessel with limited
maneuverability.
(b) Applicability.--This section applies to a towing vessel--
(1) that is subject to inspection under chapter 33 of title
46, United States Code, and subchapter M of title 46, Code of
Federal Regulations;
(2) with only ``Lakes, Bays, and Sounds'' or ``Rivers''
routes recorded on such vessel's certificate of inspection
under section 136.230 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations;
and
(3)(A) that, with respect to a vessel that is described in
subsection (a)(1), is listed--
(i) on a vessel response plan under part 155 of
title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, on the date of
approval of the vessel response plan; or
(ii) by name or reference in the vessel response
plan's geographic-specific appendix on the date of
approval of the vessel response plan; or
(B) that, with respect to a vessel described in subsection
(a)(2), is regularly engaged in harbor assist operations,
including the docking, undocking, mooring, unmooring, and
escorting of vessels with limited maneuverability.
(c) Limitations.--A vessel exempted under subsection (a) is subject
to the following operating limitations:
(1) Response vessels.--The voyage of a vessel exempted
under subsection (a)(1) shall--
(A) be less than 12 hours, or in the case of a
voyage in the territorial waters of Alaska, Guam,
Hawaii, and American Samoa, have sufficient manning as
determined by the Secretary; and
(B) originate and end in the inspection zone of a
single Officer In-Charge, Marine Inspection, as defined
in section 3305(d)(4) of title 46, United States Code.
(2) Escort vessels.--The voyage of a vessel exempted under
subsection (a)(2) shall--
(A) be less than 12 hours in total duration;
(B) originate and end in the inspection zone of a
single Officer In-Charge, Marine Inspection, as such
term is defined in section 3305(d)(4) of title 46,
United States Code; and
(C) occur no further than 10 nautical miles from
the Boundary Line.
(d) Termination.--The interim exemption provided under subsection
(a) shall terminate on July 22, 2023.
(e) Restriction.--The Officer In-Charge, Marine Inspection, as
defined in section 3305(d)(4) of title 46, United States Code, for an
inspection zone may restrict operations under the exemptions provided
under subsection (a) for safety purposes.
(f) Briefing.--Not later than July 22, 2022, the Commandant of the
Coast Guard shall brief the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate regarding the
following:
(1) The impacts of the interim exemptions provided under
this section.
(2) Any safety concerns regarding the expiration of such
interim exemptions.
(3) Whether such interim exemptions should be extended or
made permanent in the interests of safety.
SEC. 405. COAST GUARD AUTHORITIES STUDY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of the department in which the Coast
Guard is operating shall seek to enter into an arrangement with the
National Academy of Sciences not later than 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act under which the Academy shall prepare an
assessment of Coast Guard authorities.
(b) Assessment.--The assessment under subsection (a) shall
provide--
(1) an examination of emerging issues that may require
Coast Guard oversight, regulation, or action;
(2) a description of potential limitations and shortcomings
of relying on current Coast Guard authorities to address
emerging issues; and
(3) an overview of adjustments and additions that could be
made to existing Coast Guard authorities to fully address
emerging issues.
(c) Report to the Congress.--Not later than 1 year after entering
into an arrangement with the Secretary under subsection (a), the
National Academy of Sciences shall submit the assessment under this
section to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
(d) Emerging Issues.--In this section, the term ``emerging issues''
means changes in the maritime industry and environment that in the
determination of the National Academy of Sciences are reasonably likely
to occur within 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
including--
(1) the introduction of new technologies in the maritime
domain;
(2) the advent of new processes or operational activities
in the maritime domain; and
(3) changes in the use of navigable waterways.
SEC. 406. CLOUD COMPUTING STRATEGY.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
detailed description of the Coast Guard's strategy to implement cloud
computing for the entire Coast Guard, including--
(1) the goals and acquisition strategies for all proposed
enterprise-wide cloud computing service procurements;
(2) a strategy to sustain competition and innovation
throughout the period of performance of each contract for
procurement of cloud-computing goods and services for the Coast
Guard, including defining opportunities for multiple cloud-
service providers and insertion of new technologies;
(3) an assessment of potential threats and security
vulnerabilities of the strategy, and plans to mitigate such
risks; and
(4) an estimate of the cost and timeline to implement cloud
computing service for all Coast Guard computing.
SEC. 407. REPORT ON EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON COAST GUARD.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on vulnerabilities of Coast Guard
installations and requirements resulting from climate change over the
next 20 years.
(b) Elements.--The report under subsection (a) shall include the
following:
(1) A list of the 10 most vulnerable Coast Guard
installations based on the effects of climate change, including
rising sea tides, increased flooding, drought, desertification,
wildfires, thawing permafrost, or any other categories the
Commandant determines necessary.
(2) An overview of--
(A) mitigations that may be necessary to ensure the
continued operational viability and to increase the
resiliency of the identified vulnerable installations;
and
(B) the cost of such mitigations.
(3) A discussion of the climate-change-related effects on
the Coast Guard, including--
(A) the increase in the frequency of humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief missions; and
(B) campaign plans, contingency plans, and
operational posture of the Coast Guard.
(4) An overview of mitigations that may be necessary to
ensure mission resiliency and the cost of such mitigations.
(c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
SEC. 408. SHORE INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall--
(1) develop a plan to standardize Coast Guard facility
condition assessments;
(2) establish shore infrastructure performance goals,
measures, and baselines to track the effectiveness of
maintenance and repair investments and provide feedback on
progress made;
(3) develop a process to routinely align the Coast Guard
shore infrastructure portfolio with mission needs, including
disposing of unneeded assets;
(4) establish guidance for planning boards to document
inputs, deliberations, and project prioritization decisions for
infrastructure maintenance projects;
(5) employ models for Coast Guard infrastructure asset
lines for--
(A) predicting the outcome of investments in shore
infrastructure;
(B) analyzing tradeoffs; and
(C) optimizing decisions among competing
investments;
(6) include supporting details about competing project
alternatives and report tradeoffs in congressional budget
requests and related reports; and
(7) explore the development of real property management
expertise within the Coast Guard workforce, including members
of the Senior Executive Service.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than December 31, 2020, the Commandant of
the Coast Guard shall brief the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the status of
the actions required under subsection (a).
SEC. 409. PHYSICAL ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM REPORT.
Not later 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and
annually for each of the 4 years thereafter, the Commandant of the
Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report regarding
the status of the Coast Guard's compliance with Homeland Security
Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Federal Information Processing
Standard 201 (FIPS-201), including--
(1) the status of Coast Guard efforts to field a
comprehensive Physical Access Control System at Coast Guard
installations and locations necessary to bring the Service into
compliance with HSPD-12 and FIPS-201B;
(2) the status of the selection of a technological
solution;
(3) the estimated phases and timeframe to complete the
implementation of such a system; and
(4) the estimated cost for each phase of the project.
SEC. 410. COASTWISE ENDORSEMENTS.
(a) ``Safari Voyager''.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding sections 12112 and 12132
of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of the
department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue a
certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for
the vessel Safari Voyager (International Maritime Organization
number 8963753).
(2) Revocation of effectiveness of certificate.--A
certificate of documentation issued under paragraph (1) is
revoked on the date of the sale of the vessel or the entity
that owns the vessel.
(b) ``Pacific Provider''.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding sections 12112 and 12132
of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of the
department in which the Coast Guard is operating may issue a
certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for
the vessel Pacific Provider (United States official number
597967).
(2) Revocation of effectiveness of certificate.--A
certificate of documentation issued under paragraph (1) is
revoked on the date of the sale of the vessel or the entity
that owns the vessel.
(c) Documentation of LNG Tankers.--Section 7(b)(3) of the America's
Cup Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-61) is amended by--
(1) striking ``The coastwise endorsement issued'' and
inserting ``No coastwise endorsement shall be issued''; and
(2) striking ``shall expire on'' and inserting ``after''.
(d) Replacement Vessel.--Notwithstanding section 208(g)(5) of the
American Fisheries Act (Public Law 105-277; 16 U.S.C. 1851 note), a
vessel eligible under section 208(e)(21) of such Act that is replaced
under section 208(g) of such Act shall be subject to a sideboard
restriction catch limit of zero metric tons in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands and in the Gulf of Alaska unless that vessel is also a
replacement vessel under section 679.4(o)(4) of title 50, Code of
Federal Regulations, in which case such vessel shall not be eligible to
be a catcher/processor under section 206(b)(2) of such Act.
SEC. 411. POLAR SECURITY CUTTER ACQUISITION REPORT.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit a report to the
Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Armed Services of
the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Commerce, Science
and Transportation and Armed Services of the Senate on--
(1) the extent to which specifications, key drawings, and
detail design for the Polar Security Cutter are complete before
the start of construction;
(2) the extent to which Polar Security Cutter hulls numbers
one, two, and three are science ready; and
(3) what actions will be taken to ensure that Polar
Security Cutter hull number four is science capable, as
described in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine's Committee on Polar Icebreaker Cost Assessment
letter report entitled ``Acquisition and Operation of Polar
Icebreakers: Fulfilling the Nation's Needs'' and dated July 11,
2017.
SEC. 412. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON THE NEED FOR A NEW GREAT LAKES
ICEBREAKER.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) The Great Lakes shipping industry is crucial to the
American economy, including the United States manufacturing
base, providing important economic and national security
benefits.
(2) A recent study found that the Great Lakes shipping
industry supports 237,000 jobs and tens of billions of dollars
in economic activity.
(3) United States Coast Guard icebreaking capacity is
crucial to full utilization of the Great Lakes shipping system,
as during the winter icebreaking season up to 15 percent of
annual cargo loads are delivered and many industries would have
to reduce their production if Coast Guard icebreaking services
were not provided.
(4) Six of the Coast Guard's nine icebreaking cutters in
the Great Lakes are more than 30 years old and are frequently
inoperable during the winter icebreaking season, including
those that have completed a recent service life extension
program.
(5) During the previous 10 winters, Coast Guard Great Lakes
icebreaking cutters have been inoperable for an average of 65
cutter-days during the winter icebreaking season, with this
annual lost capability exceeding 100 cutter-days, with a high
of 246 cutter-days during the winter of 2017-2018.
(6) The 2019 ice season provides further proof that current
Coast Guard icebreaking capacity is inadequate for the needs of
the Great Lakes shipping industry, as only six of the nine
icebreaking cutters are operational and millions of tons of
cargo was not loaded or was delayed due to inadequate Coast
Guard icebreaking assets during a historically average winter
for Great Lakes ice coverage.
(7) The Congress has authorized the Coast Guard to acquire
a new Great Lakes icebreaker as capable as Coast Guard Cutter
MACKINAW (WLBB-30), the most capable Great Lakes icebreaker,
and $10 million has been appropriated to fund the design and
initial acquisition work for this icebreaker.
(8) The Coast Guard has not initiated a new acquisition
program for this Great Lakes icebreaker.
(b) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress of the
United States that a new Coast Guard icebreaker as capable as Coast
Guard Cutter MACKINAW (WLBB-30) is needed on the Great Lakes and the
Coast Guard should acquire this icebreaker as soon as possible.
SEC. 413. CARGO PREFERENCE STUDY.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct an audit regarding the enforcement of the United States Cargo
Preference Laws set forth in sections 55302, 55303, 55304, and 55305 of
title 46, United States Code, and section 2631 of title 10, United
States Code (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ``United
States Cargo Preference Laws'').
(b) Scope.--The audit conducted under subsection (a) shall include,
for the period from October 14, 2008, until the date of the enactment
of this Act--
(1) a listing of the agencies and organizations required to
comply with the United States Cargo Preference Laws;
(2) an analysis of the compliance or noncompliance of such
agencies and organizations with such laws, including--
(A) the total amount of oceangoing cargo that each
such agency, organization, or contractor procured for
its own account or for which financing was in any way
provided with Federal funds, including loan guarantees;
(B) the percentage of such cargo shipped on
privately owned commercial vessels of the United
States;
(C) an assessment of internal programs and controls
used by each such agency or organization to monitor and
ensure compliance with the United States Cargo
Preference Laws, to include education, training, and
supervision of its contracting personnel, and the
procedures and controls used to monitor compliance with
cargo preference requirements by contractors and
subcontractors; and
(D) instances in which cargoes are shipped on
foreign-flag vessels under non-availability
determinations but not counted as such for purposes of
calculating cargo preference compliance; and
(3) an overview of enforcement activities undertaken by the
Maritime Administration from October 14, 2008, until the date
of the enactment of this Act, including a listing of all bills
of lading collected by the Maritime Administration during that
period.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
report detailing the results of the audit and providing recommendations
related to such results, to include--
(1) actions that should be taken by agencies and
organizations to fully comply with the United States Cargo
Preference Laws; and
(2) Other measures that may compel agencies and
organizations, and their contractors and subcontractors, to use
United States flag vessels in the international transportation
of ocean cargoes as mandated by the United States Cargo
Preference Laws.
SEC. 414. INSIDER THREAT PROGRAM.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall brief the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on
a plan to expand the Coast Guard Insider Threat program to include the
monitoring of all Coast Guard devices, including mobile devices.
SEC. 415. FISHING SAFETY GRANTS.
The cap on the Federal share of the cost of any activity carried
out with a grant under subsections (i) and (j) of section 4502 of title
46, United States Code, as in effect prior to the date of enactment of
the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, shall apply
to any funds appropriated under the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2017 (Public Law 115-31) for the purpose of making such grants.
SEC. 416. PLANS FOR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall develop
plans for demonstration programs that will assess the feasibility of
using unmanned maritime systems for surveillance of marine protected
areas, the transit zone, and the Arctic to--
(1) gather regular maritime domain awareness of marine
protected areas, the transit zone, and the Arctic; and
(2) ensure sufficient response to illegal activities in
marine protected areas, the transit zone, and the Arctic.
(b) Collaboration With Local Authorities.--The Commandant of the
Coast Guard shall collaborate with local, State, and Tribal authorities
and international partners for surveillance permissions over their
waters in conducting any demonstration program under subsection (a).
(c) Requirements.--The plans required under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) discussion of the feasibility, safety, and cost
effectiveness of using unmanned maritime systems for the
purposes of enhancing maritime domain awareness in marine
protected areas, the transit zone, and the Arctic;
(2) coordination and communication plans to facilitate
coordination with other relevant Federal, State, Tribal, and
local agencies, and international partners;
(3) consideration of the potential impacts of such a
demonstration program on the Coast Guard's existing unmanned
vehicle programs;
(4) an overview of areas that could be surveilled under
such program;
(5) a timeline and technical milestones for the
implementation of such a program;
(6) resource requirements to implement and sustain such a
program; and
(7) the operational benefits of such a program.
(d) Consultation With Stakeholders.--The Commandant of the Coast
Guard shall consult with relevant stakeholders including the Department
of Defense, other agencies, the academic sector, and developers and
manufacturers of unmanned maritime systems on the appropriate
technologies for successful implementation of any demonstration program
under subsection (a).
(e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the plans
required under subsection (a).
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Arctic.--The term ``Arctic'' has the meaning given that
term in section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of
1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111).
(2) Marine protected area.--The term ``marine protected
area'' means any discrete area of the marine environment under
a Federal statute.
(3) Transit zone.--The term ``transit zone'' has the
meaning given that term in section 1092(a)(8) of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (6 U.S.C.
223(a)(8)).
(4) Unmanned maritime systems.--The term ``unmanned
maritime systems'' has the meaning given such term in section
402(c)(1).
SEC. 417. WATERS DEEMED NOT NAVIGABLE WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR
CERTAIN PURPOSES.
The Coalbank Slough in Coos Bay, Oregon, is deemed to not be
navigable waters of the United States for all purposes of subchapter J
of Chapter I of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 418. COAST GUARD HOUSING; STATUS AND AUTHORITIES BRIEFING.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall provide to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate a briefing on Coast Guard housing, including--
(1) a description of the material condition of Coast Guard
housing facilities;
(2) the amount of current Coast Guard housing construction
and deferred maintenance backlogs;
(3) an overview of the manner in which the Coast Guard
manages and maintains housing facilities;
(4) a discussion of whether reauthorizing housing
authorities for the Coast Guard similar to those provided in
section 208 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996
(Public Law 104-324); and
(5) recommendations regarding how the Congress could adjust
those authorities to prevent mismanagement of Coast Guard
housing facilities.
SEC. 419. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY AT POINT SPENCER, ALASKA.
(1) Section 533 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2016 (Public Law 114-120) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(f) Remedial Actions.--For purposes of the transfers under this
section, the remedial actions required under section 120(h) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)) may be completed by the United States Coast
Guard after the date of such transfer and a deed entered into for such
transfer shall include a clause granting the United States Coast Guard
access to the property in any case in which remedial action or
corrective action is found to be necessary after the date of such
transfer.''.
(2) Section 534(a) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2016 (Public Law 114-120) is amended by--
(A) striking ``Nothing'' and inserting ``After the
date on which the Secretary of the Interior conveys
land under section 533 of this Act, nothing''; and
(B) by inserting ``, with respect to contaminants
on such land prior to the date on which the land is
conveyed'' before the period.
SEC. 420. PROHIBITION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of the department in which the Coast
Guard is operating shall not establish anchorage grounds on the Hudson
River between Yonkers, New York, and Kingston, New York, under section
7 of the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1915 (33 U.S.C. 471)
or chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, in addition to any
anchorage grounds in effect in such area on the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(b) Restriction.--The Commandant may not establish or expand any
anchorage grounds outside of the reach on the Hudson River described in
subsection (a) without first providing notice to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
not later than 180 days prior to the establishment or expansion of any
such anchorage grounds.
(c) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section--
(1) prevents the master or pilot of a vessel operating on
the reach of the Hudson River described in subsection (a) from
taking emergency actions necessary to maintain the safety of
the vessel or to prevent the loss of life or property; or
(2) shall be construed as limiting the authority of the
Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is
operating to exercise authority over the movement of a vessel
under section 70002 of title 46, United States Code, or any
other applicable laws or regulations governing the safe
navigation of a vessel.
(d) Study.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard, in consultation with
the Hudson River Safety, Navigation, and Operations Committee, shall
conduct a study of the Hudson River north of Tarrytown, New York to
examine--
(1) the nature of vessel traffic including vessel types,
sizes, cargoes, and frequency of transits;
(2) the risks and benefits of historic practices for
commercial vessels anchoring; and
(3) the risks and benefits of establishing anchorage
grounds on the Hudson River.
(e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report containing the findings,
conclusions, and recommendations from the study required under
subsection (b).
SEC. 421. CERTIFICATE EXTENSIONS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 121 of title 46, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 12108. Authority to extend the duration of vessel certificates
``(a) Certificates.--Provided a vessel is in compliance with
inspection requirements in section 3313, the Secretary of the
Department in which in the Coast Guard is operating may, if he makes
the determination described in subsection (b), extend for a period of
not more than 1 year an expiring--
``(1) certificate of documentation issued for a vessel
under chapter 121; or
``(2) certificate of financial responsibility required for
a vessel by section 1016(a) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
(33 U.S.C. 2716(a)) or Section 108 of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
(42 U.S.C. 9608).
``(b) Determination.--The determination referred to in subsection
(a) is a determination that such extension is required to enable the
Coast Guard to--
``(1) eliminate a backlog in processing applications for
such certificates; or
``(2) act in response to a national emergency or natural
disaster.
``(c) Manner of Extension.--Any extension granted under this
section may be granted to individual vessels or to a specifically
identified group of vessels.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such subchapter is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``12108. Authority to extend the duration of vessel certificates.''.
SEC. 422. HOMELAND SECURITY ROTATIONAL CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH PROGRAM
AT THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY.
(a) In General.--Subtitle E of title VIII of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 411 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 846. ROTATIONAL CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH PROGRAM.
``To enhance the Department's cybersecurity capacity, the Secretary
may establish a rotational research, development, and training program
for--
``(1) detail to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Security Agency (including the national cybersecurity and
communications integration center authorized by section 2209)
of Coast Guard Academy graduates and faculty; and
``(2) detail to the Coast Guard Academy, as faculty, of
individuals with expertise and experience in cybersecurity who
are employed by--
``(A) the Agency (including the center);
``(B) the Directorate of Science and Technology; or
``(C) institutions that have been designated by the
Department as a Center of Excellence for Cyber Defense,
or the equivalent.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such
subtitle the following:
``Sec. 846. Rotational cybersecurity research program.''.
SEC. 423. TOWING VESSEL INSPECTION FEES.
Notwithstanding section 9701 of title 31, United States Code, and
section 2110 of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of the
department in which the Coast Guard is operating may not charge an
inspection fee for towing vessels required to have a Certificate of
Inspection under subchapter M of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations,
until--
(1) the completion of the review required under section 815
of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-282); and
(2) the promulgation of regulations to establish specific
inspection fees for such vessels.
SEC. 424. SUBROGATED CLAIMS.
(a) In General.--Section 1012(b) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
(33 U.S.C. 2712(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The'' and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--The''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Subrogated rights.--Except for a guarantor claim
pursuant to a defense under section 1016(f)(1), Fund
compensation of any claim by an insurer or other indemnifier of
a responsible party or injured third party is subject to the
subrogated rights of that responsible party or injured third
party to such compensation.''.
(b) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made by this
section shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 425. LOAN PROVISIONS UNDER OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990.
(a) In General.--Section 1013 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33
U.S.C. 2713) is amended by striking subsection (f).
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1012(a) of the Oil Pollution
Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2712(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), by adding ``and'' after the semicolon
at the end;
(2) in paragraph (5)(D), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period; and
(3) by striking paragraph (6).
SEC. 426. LIABILITY LIMITS.
Section 1004(d)(2) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C.
2704(d)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
``(2) Deepwater ports and associated vessels.--
``(A) In general.--If the Secretary determines that
the design and operation of a deepwater port results in
a lower risk of oil pollution than the design and
operation of such deepwater ports as existed on the
date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 2019, the Secretary may initiate a rulemaking
proceeding to lower the limitation of liability under
subsection (a)(4) for such deepwater port and each
other deepwater port which achieves such lower risk
level through such port's design and operation.
``(B) Risk determination.--In determining the risk
of oil pollution, the Secretary shall take into
account, as applicable--
``(i) the size of the deepwater ports and
associated vessels;
``(ii) oil storage capacity of the
deepwater ports and associated vessels;
``(iii) oil handling capacity of the
deepwater ports and associated vessels;
``(iv) oil throughput;
``(v) proximity to sensitive areas;
``(vi) type of oil handled;
``(vii) history of oil discharges; and
``(viii) such other factors relevant to the
oil pollution risks posed by the class or
category of deepwater port and associated
vessels as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
``(C) Limit of liability; transportation of oil.--
For deepwater ports used in connection with the
transportation of oil, the Secretary may establish a
limitation of liability under subparagraph (A) of not
more than $350,000,000 and not less than $50,000,000.
``(D) Limit of liability; transportation of natural
gas.--For deepwater ports used in connection with the
transportation of natural gas, the Secretary may
establish a limitation of liability under subparagraph
(A) of not more than $350,000,000 and not less than
$1,000,000.''.
SEC. 427. REPORT ON DRUG INTERDICTION IN THE CARIBBEAN BASIN.
(a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on drug interdiction in the
Caribbean basin.
(b) Content.--Such report shall include--
(1) a statement of the Coast Guard mission requirements for
drug interdiction in the Caribbean basin;
(2) the number of maritime surveillance hours and Coast
Guard assets used in each of fiscal years 2017 through 2019 to
counter the illicit trafficking of drugs and other related
threats throughout the Caribbean basin; and
(3) a determination of whether such hours and assets
satisfied the Coast Guard mission requirements for drug
interdiction in the Caribbean basin.
SEC. 428. VOTING REQUIREMENT.
Section 305(i)(1)(G)(iv) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)(G)(iv)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(iv) Voting requirement.--The panel may
act only by the affirmative vote of at least
five of its members.''.
SEC. 429. TRANSPORTATION WORK IDENTIFICATION CARD PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 70105(g) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``shall concurrently'' and all that follows and inserting the
following: ``shall--
``(1) develop and, no later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019,
implement a joint application for merchant mariner's documents
under chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, and for a
transportation security card issued under this section; and
``(2) upon receipt of a joint application developed under
paragraph (1) concurrently process an application from an
individual for merchant mariner's documents under chapter 73 of
title 46, United States Code, and an application from such
individual for a transportation security card under this
section.''.
SEC. 430. PLAN FOR WING-IN-GROUND DEMONSTRATION PLAN.
(a) In General.--(1) The Commandant of the Coast Guard, in
coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration with regard to any regulatory or safety matter regarding
airspace, air space authorization, or aviation, shall develop plans for
a demonstration program that will determine whether wing-in-ground
craft, as that term is defined in section 2101 of title 46, United
States Code, that is capable of carrying at least one individual, can--
(A) provide transportation in areas in which energy
exploration, development or production activity takes place on
the Outer Continental Shelf; and
(B) under the craft's own power, safely reach helidecks or
platforms located on offshore energy facilities.
(2) Requirements.--The plans required under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) examine and explain any safety issues with regard to
the operation of the such craft as a vessel, or as an aircraft,
or both;
(B) include a timeline and technical milestones for the
implementation of such a demonstration program;
(C) outline resource requirements needed to undertake such
a demonstration program;
(D) describe specific operational circumstances under which
the craft may be used, including distance from United States
land, altitude, number of individuals, amount of cargo, and
speed and weight of vessel;
(E) describe the operations under which Federal Aviation
Administration statutes, regulations, circulars, or orders
apply; and
(F) describe the certifications, permits, or authorizations
required to perform any operations.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Commandant, along with the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration with regard to any regulatory or safety
matter regarding airspace, air space authorization, or aviation, shall
brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation of the Senate on the plan developed under subsection
(a), including--
(1) any regulatory changes needed regarding inspections and
manning, to allow such craft to operate between onshore
facilities and offshore energy facilities when such craft is
operating as a vessel;
(2) any regulatory changes that would be necessary to
address potential impacts to air traffic control, the National
Airspace System, and other aircraft operations, and to ensure
safe operations on or near helidecks and platforms located on
offshore energy facilities when such craft are operating as
aircraft; and
(3) any other statutory or regulatory changes related to
authority of the Federal Aviation Administration over
operations of the craft.
TITLE V--REORGANIZATION
SEC. 501. UNINSPECTED COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS.
(a) In General.--Subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking chapter 45 and inserting the following:
``CHAPTER 45--UNINSPECTED COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY VESSELS
``Sec.
``4501. Application.
``4502. Definitions.
``4503. Safety standards.
``4504. Vessel construction.
``4505. Operating stability.
``4506. Training.
``4507. Vessel certification.
``4508. Alternate safety compliance program.
``4509. Substitute safety compliance program.
``4510. Enhanced substitute safety compliance program.
``4511. Prohibited acts.
``4512. Termination of unsafe operations.
``4513. Penalties.
``4514. Compliance; Secretary actions.
``4515. Exemptions.
``4516. Regulations; considerations and limitations.
``4517. Fishing safety grants.
``Sec. 4501. Application
``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this
chapter applies to an uninspected vessel that is a fishing vessel, fish
processing vessel, or fish tender vessel.
``(b) Carriage of Bulk Dangerous Cargoes.--This chapter does not
apply to the carriage of bulk dangerous cargoes regulated under chapter
37.
``Sec. 4502. Definitions
``In this chapter:
``(1) The term `accountable vessel' means a vessel to which
this chapter applies that--
``(A)(i) was built after December 31, 1988, or
undergoes a major conversion completed after that date;
and
``(ii) operates with more than 16 individuals on
board; or
``(B) in the case of a fish tender vessel, engages
in the Aleutian trade.
``(2) The term `auxiliary craft' means a vessel that is
carried onboard a fishing vessel and is normally used to
support fishing operations.
``(3)(A) The term `built' means, with respect to a vessel,
that the vessel's construction has reached any of the following
stages:
``(i) The vessel's keel is laid.
``(ii) Construction identifiable with the vessel
has begun and assembly of that vessel has commenced
comprising of at least 50 metric tons or one percent of
the estimated mass of all structural material,
whichever is less.
``(B) In the case of a vessel greater than 79 feet in
overall length, for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), a keel is
deemed to be laid when a marine surveyor affirms that a
structure adequate for serving as a keel for such vessel is in
place and identified for use in the construction of such
vessel.
``(4) The term `subject vessel' means a vessel to which
this chapter applies that--
``(A) operates beyond 3 nautical miles from the
baseline from which the territorial sea of the United
States is measured or beyond 3 nautical miles from the
coastline of the Great Lakes;
``(B) operates with more than 16 individuals on
board; or
``(C) in the case of a fish tender vessel, engages
in the Aleutian trade.
``(5) The term `substitute-eligible vessel' means a fishing
vessel or fish tender vessel that is--
``(A) a subject vessel;
``(B) at least 50 feet overall in length, and not
more than 180 feet overall in length as listed on the
vessel's certificate of documentation or certificate of
number; and
``(C) built after February 8, 2016.
``Sec. 4503. Safety standards
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations that
require that each vessel to which this chapter applies shall be
equipped with--
``(1) readily accessible fire extinguishers capable of
promptly and effectively extinguishing a flammable or
combustible liquid fuel fire;
``(2) at least one readily accessible life preserver or
other lifesaving device for each individual on board;
``(3) an efficient flame arrestor, backfire trap, or other
similar device on the carburetors of each inboard engine that
uses gasoline as fuel;
``(4) the means to properly and efficiently ventilate
enclosed spaces, including engine and fuel tank compartments,
so as to remove explosive or flammable gases;
``(5) visual distress signals;
``(6) other equipment required to minimize the risk of
injury to the crew during vessel operations, if the Secretary
determines that a risk of serious injury exists that can be
eliminated or mitigated by that equipment; and
``(7) a placard as required by regulations prescribed under
section 10603(b).
``(b) Subject Vessels.--In addition to the requirements of
subsection (a), the Secretary shall prescribe regulations requiring
that subject vessels install, maintain, and use the following
equipment:
``(1) Alerting and locating equipment, including emergency
position indicating radio beacons.
``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a survival craft
that--
``(i) ensures that no part of an individual is
immersed in water; and
``(ii) is sufficient to accommodate all individuals
on board.
``(B) Except for a nonapplicable vessel, an auxiliary craft
shall satisfy the equipment requirement under paragraph (2)(B)
if such craft is--
``(i) necessary for normal fishing operations;
``(ii) readily accessible during an emergency; and
``(iii) capable, in accordance with the Coast Guard
capacity rating, when applicable, of safely holding all
individuals on board the vessel to which the craft
functions as an auxiliary.
``(3) At least one readily accessible immersion suit for
each individual on board the vessel when operating on the
waters described in section 3102.
``(4) Marine radio communications equipment sufficient to
effectively communicate with a land-based search and rescue
facility.
``(5) Navigation equipment, including compasses, nautical
charts, and publications.
``(6) First aid equipment and medical supplies sufficient
for the size and area of operation of the vessel.
``(7) Ground tackle sufficient for the vessel.
``(c) Accountable Vessels.--In addition to the requirements
described in subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary may prescribe
regulations establishing minimum safety standards for accountable
vessels, including standards relating to--
``(1) navigation equipment, including radars and
fathometers;
``(2) lifesaving equipment, immersion suits, signaling
devices, bilge pumps, bilge alarms, life rails, and grab rails;
``(3) fire protection and firefighting equipment, including
fire alarms and portable and semiportable fire extinguishing
equipment;
``(4) use and installation of insulation material;
``(5) storage methods for flammable or combustible
material; and
``(6) fuel, ventilation, and electrical systems.
``Sec. 4504. Vessel construction
``A vessel to which this chapter applies shall be constructed in a
manner that provides a level of safety equivalent to the minimum safety
standards the Secretary may establish for recreational vessels under
section 4302, if the vessel is--
``(1) a subject vessel;
``(2) less than 50 feet overall in length; and
``(3) built after January 1, 2010.
``Sec. 4505. Operating stability
``(a) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for
the operating stability of a vessel to which this chapter applies--
``(1) that was built after December 31, 1989; or
``(2) the physical characteristics of which are
substantially altered after December 31, 1989, in a manner that
affects the vessel's operating stability.
``(b) Evidence of Compliance.--The Secretary may accept, as
evidence of compliance with this section, a certification of compliance
issued by the person providing insurance for the vessel or by another
qualified person approved by the Secretary.
``Sec. 4506. Training
``(a) In General.--The individual in charge of a subject vessel
must pass a training program approved by the Secretary that meets the
requirements of subsection (b) and hold a valid certificate issued
under that program.
``(b) Training Program Requirements.--The training program shall--
``(1) be based on professional knowledge and skill obtained
through sea service and hands-on training, including training
in seamanship, stability, collision prevention, navigation,
firefighting and prevention, damage control, personal survival,
emergency medical care, emergency drills, and weather;
``(2) require an individual to demonstrate ability to
communicate in an emergency situation and understand
information found in navigation publications;
``(3) recognize and give credit for recent past experience
in fishing vessel operation; and
``(4) provide for issuance of a certificate to an
individual who has successfully completed the program.
``(c) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations
implementing this section. The regulations shall require that an
individual who is issued a certificate under subsection (b)(4) must
complete refresher training at least once every 5 years as a condition
of maintaining the validity of the certificate.
``(d) Electronic Database.--The Secretary shall establish an
electronic database listing the names of individuals who have
participated in and received a certificate confirming successful
completion of a training program approved by the Secretary under this
section.
``Sec. 4507. Vessel certification
``(a) In General.--A vessel to which this section applies may not
be operated unless the vessel--
``(1) meets all survey and classification requirements
prescribed by the American Bureau of Shipping or another
similarly qualified organization approved by the Secretary; and
``(2) has on board a certificate issued by the American
Bureau of Shipping or such other organization evidencing
compliance with this subsection.
``(b) Application.--
``(1) Except as provided in section 4509, this section
applies to a fish processing vessel to which this chapter
applies that--
``(A) is built after July 27, 1990; or
``(B) undergoes a major conversion completed after
that date.
``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), this
section applies to a subject vessel that is at least 50 feet
overall in length and is built after July 1, 2013.
``(B) This section does not apply to a substitute-eligible
vessel if such vessel complies with--
``(i) the substitute safety compliance program
established under section 4509; or
``(ii) the enhanced substitute safety compliance
program established by the Secretary under section
4510.
``Sec. 4508. Alternate safety compliance program
``(a) In General.--
``(1) The Secretary shall establish an alternate safety
compliance program developed in coordination with the
commercial fishing industry.
``(2) The program established under paragraph (1) may
include requirements for--
``(A) a specific region or fishery (or both); and
``(B) any combination of regions or fisheries (or
both).
``(b) Vessels Required To Comply.--Beginning on the date that is 3
years after the date the Secretary prescribes an alternate safety
compliance program, the following vessels shall comply with such
program:
``(1) A subject vessel that is--
``(A) at least 50 feet overall in length;
``(B) built before July 1, 2013; and
``(C) 25 years of age or older.
``(2) A fishing vessel, fish processing vessel, or fish
tender vessel built before July 1, 2013, that undergoes a major
conversion completed after the date the Secretary prescribes an
alternate safety compliance program.
``(c) Exempt Vessels.--
``(1) Notwithstanding subsection (b), vessels owned by a
person that owns more than 30 vessels subject to that
subsection are not required to comply with alternate safety
compliance program requirements until January 1, 2030, if that
owner--
``(A) enters into a compliance agreement with the
Secretary that provides for a fixed schedule for all
such vessels owned by that person to meet requirements
of such paragraph by such date; and
``(B) is meeting such schedule.
``(2) A subject vessel that was classed before July 1,
2012, is exempt from the requirements of this section if such
vessel--
``(A) remains subject to the requirements of a
classification society approved by the Secretary; and
``(B) has on board a certificate from that society.
``Sec. 4509. Substitute safety compliance program
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a substitute
safety compliance program for substitute-eligible vessels that includes
the following requirements:
``(1) A substitute-eligible vessel shall be designed by an
individual licensed by a State as a naval architect or marine
engineer, and the design shall incorporate standards equivalent
to those prescribed by a classification society to which the
Secretary has delegated authority under section 3316 or another
qualified organization approved by the Secretary for purposes
of this paragraph.
``(2) Construction of a substitute-eligible vessel shall be
overseen and certified as being in accordance with its design
by a marine surveyor of an organization accepted by the
Secretary.
``(3) A substitute-eligible vessel shall--
``(A) complete a stability test performed by a
qualified individual;
``(B) have written stability and loading
instructions from a qualified individual that are
provided to the owner or operator; and
``(C) have an assigned loading mark.
``(4) A substitute-eligible vessel shall not be
substantially altered without the review and approval of an
individual licensed by a State as a naval architect or marine
engineer before the beginning of such substantial alteration.
``(5) A substitute-eligible vessel shall undergo a
condition survey at least twice in 5 years, with not more than
3 years between surveys, to the satisfaction of a marine
surveyor of an organization accepted by the Secretary.
``(6) A substitute-eligible vessel shall undergo an out-of-
water survey at least once every 5 years to the satisfaction of
a certified marine surveyor of an organization accepted by the
Secretary.
``(7) Once every 5 years, and at the time of a substantial
alteration to a substitute-eligible vessel, compliance of the
vessel with the requirements of paragraph (3) is reviewed and
updated as necessary.
``(8) For the life of a substitute-eligible vessel, the
owner of the vessel shall maintain records to demonstrate
compliance with this subsection and make such records readily
available for inspection by an official authorized to enforce
this chapter.
``(b) Compliance.--Section 4507 of this title shall not apply to a
substitute-eligible vessel that complies with the requirements of the
program established under this section.
``(c) Report.--Not later than February 8, 2026, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report that provides an analysis of the
adequacy of the substitute safety compliance program requirements
established under subsection (a) in maintaining the safety of
substitute-eligible fishing vessels and fish tender vessels and that
comply with such requirements.
``Sec. 4510. Enhanced substitute safety compliance program
``(a) In General.--If the report required under section 4509(c)
includes a determination that the substitute safety compliance program
established under section 4509(a) is not adequate or that additional
safety measures are necessary, then the Secretary may establish an
enhanced substitute safety compliance program for fishing vessels or
fish tender vessels (or both) that are substitute-eligible vessels and
that comply with the requirements of section 4509.
``(b) Requirements.--The enhanced substitute safety compliance
program established under this subsection shall include requirements
for--
``(1) vessel construction;
``(2) a vessel stability test;
``(3) vessel stability and loading instructions;
``(4) an assigned vessel loading mark;
``(5) a vessel condition survey at least twice in 5 years,
not more than 3 years apart;
``(6) an out-of-water vessel survey at least once every 5
years;
``(7) maintenance of records to demonstrate compliance with
the program, and the availability of such records for
inspection; and
``(8) such other aspects of vessel safety as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
``(c) Compliance.--Section 4507 shall not apply to a substitute-
eligible vessel that complies with the requirements of the program
established under this section.
``Sec. 4511. Prohibited acts
``A person may not operate a vessel in violation of this chapter or
a regulation prescribed under this chapter.
``Sec. 4512. Termination of unsafe operations
``An official authorized to enforce this chapter--
``(1) may direct the individual in charge of a vessel to
which this chapter applies to immediately take reasonable steps
necessary for the safety of individuals on board the vessel if
the official observes the vessel being operated in an unsafe
condition that the official believes creates an especially
hazardous condition, including ordering the individual in
charge to return the vessel to a mooring and to remain there
until the situation creating the hazard is corrected or ended;
and
``(2) may order the individual in charge of an uninspected
fish processing vessel that does not have on board the
certificate required under section 4507 to return the vessel to
a mooring and to remain there until the vessel is in compliance
with such section, unless the vessel is required to comply with
section 4508.
``Sec. 4513. Penalties
``(a) Civil Penalty.--The owner, charterer, managing operator,
agent, master, and individual in charge of a vessel to which this
chapter applies that is operated in violation of this chapter or a
regulation prescribed under this chapter may each be assessed a civil
penalty by the Secretary of not more than $10,260. Any vessel with
respect to which a penalty is assessed under this subsection is liable
in rem for the penalty.
``(b) Criminal Penalties.--An individual willfully violating this
chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter shall be fined
not more than $5,000, imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both.
``Sec. 4514. Compliance; Secretary actions
``To ensure compliance with the requirements of this chapter, the
Secretary--
``(1) shall require the individual in charge of a subject
vessel to keep a record of equipment maintenance and required
instruction and drills;
``(2) shall examine at dockside a subject vessel at least
once every 5 years, but may require an exam at dockside every 2
years for certain subject vessels if requested by the owner or
operator; and
``(3) shall issue a certificate of compliance to a vessel
meeting the requirements of this chapter and satisfying the
requirements of paragraph (2).
``Sec. 4515. Exemptions
``The Secretary may exempt a vessel from any part of this chapter
if, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary (including
regulations on special operating conditions), the Secretary finds
that--
``(1) good cause exists for granting an exemption; and
``(2) the safety of the vessel and those on board will not
be adversely affected.
``Sec. 4516. Regulations; considerations and limitations
``In prescribing a regulation under this chapter, the Secretary--
``(1) shall consider the specialized nature and economics
of the operations and the character, design, and construction
of the vessel; and
``(2) may not require the alteration of a vessel or
associated equipment that was constructed or manufactured
before the effective date of such regulation.
``Sec. 4517. Fishing safety grants
``(a) Safety Training Grants.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall establish a Fishing Safety Training Grant
Program to provide funding to municipalities, port authorities,
other appropriate public entities, not-for-profit
organizations, and other qualified persons that provide
commercial fishing safety training.
``(2) Use of funds.--Entities receiving funds under this
section may use such funds--
``(A) to conduct fishing vessel safety training for
vessel operators and crewmembers that--
``(i) in the case of vessel operators,
meets the requirements of section 4506; and
``(ii) in the case of crewmembers, meets
the requirements of sections 4506(b)(1),
4506(b)(4), 4506(c), and 4506(d), and such
requirements of section 4506(b)(2) as are
appropriate for crewmembers; and
``(B) for purchase of safety equipment and training
aids for use in such fishing vessel safety training
programs.
``(3) Award criteria.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services, in consultation with and based on criteria
established by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, shall award
grants under this subsection on a competitive basis.
``(4) Limitation on federal share of cost.--The Federal
share of the cost of any activity carried out with a grant
under this subsection shall not exceed 50 percent.
``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 and
2021 for grants under this subsection.
``(b) Research Grant Program.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall establish a Fishing Safety Research Grant
Program to provide funding to individuals in academia, not-for-
profit organizations, businesses involved in fishing and
maritime matters, and other persons with expertise in fishing
safety, to conduct research on methods of improving the safety
of the commercial fishing industry, including vessel design,
emergency and survival equipment, enhancement of vessel
monitoring systems, communications devices, de-icing
technology, and severe weather detection.
``(2) Award criteria.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services, in consultation with and based on criteria
established by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, shall award
grants under this subsection on a competitive basis.
``(3) Limitation on federal share of cost.--The Federal
share of the cost of any activity carried out with a grant
under this subsection shall not exceed 50 percent.
``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each fiscal year 2020 and
2021 for activities under this subsection.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3104(d) of title 46, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``under section 4503(d)'' and
inserting ``under section 4502(3)''.
(c) Safety Standards.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and without regard to the provisions of chapters
5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, the Secretary of the department
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall promulgate the regulations
required by section 4503(b) of title 46, United States Code, as amended
by this section.
SEC. 502. TRANSFERS.
(a) Transfers of Provisions.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Section 215 of the Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-293; 14
U.S.C. 504 note) is redesignated as section 321 of
title 14, United States Code, transferred to appear
after section 320 of that title, and amended so that
the enumerator, section heading, typeface, and
typestyle conform to those appearing in other sections
in title 14, United States Code.
(B) Section 406 of the Maritime Transportation
Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-295; 14 U.S.C. 501
note) is redesignated as section 719 of title 14,
United States Code, transferred to appear after section
718 of that title, and amended so that the enumerator,
section heading, typeface, and typestyle conform to
those appearing in other sections in title 14, United
States Code.
(C) Section 1110 of title 14, United States Code,
is redesignated as section 5110 of that title, and
transferred to appear after section 5109 of that title.
(D) Elevation of disputes to the chief acquisition
officer.--
(i) Section 401 of the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-281)
is amended by striking subsection (e).
(ii) Subchapter I of chapter 11 of title
14, United States Code, as amended by this Act,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1110. Elevation of Disputes to the Chief Acquisition Officer
``If, after 90 days following the elevation to the Chief
Acquisition Officer of any design or other dispute regarding level 1 or
level 2 acquisition, the dispute remains unresolved, the Commandant
shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed
description of the issue and the rationale underlying the decision
taken by the Chief Acquisition Officer to resolve the issue.''.
(E) Section 217 of the Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-281; 14 U.S.C. 504 note)--
(i) is redesignated as section 5111 of
title 14, United States Code, transferred to
appear after section 5110 of that title, and
amended so that the enumerator, section
heading, typeface, and typestyle conform to
those appearing in other sections in title 14,
United States Code; and
(ii) is amended--
(I) by striking the heading and
inserting the following:
``Sec. 5111. Sexual assault and sexual harassment in the Coast Guard'';
and
(II) in subsection (b), by adding
at the end the following:
``(5)(A) The number of instances in which a covered
individual was accused of misconduct or crimes considered
collateral to the investigation of a sexual assault committed
against the individual.
``(B) The number of instances in which adverse action was
taken against a covered individual who was accused of
collateral misconduct or crimes as described in subparagraph
(A).
``(C) The percentage of investigations of sexual assaults
that involved an accusation or adverse action against a covered
individual as described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
``(D) In this paragraph, the term `covered individual'
means an individual who is identified as a victim of a sexual
assault in the case files of a military criminal investigative
organization.''.
(F) Section 305 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended--
(i) by striking ``The Federal'' and
inserting ``(a) In General.--The Federal''; and
(ii) by inserting after section (a) the
following:
``(b) Transparency.--
``(1) In general.--In conjunction with the transmittal by
the President to the Congress of the Budget of the United
States for fiscal year 2021 and biennially there-after, the
Federal Maritime Commission shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives reports that describe the Commission's progress
toward addressing the issues raised in each unfinished
regulatory proceeding, regardless of whether the proceeding if
subject to a statutory or regulatory deadline.
``(2) Format of reports.--Each report under paragraph (1)
shall, among other things, clearly identify for each unfinished
regulatory proceeding--
``(A) the popular title;
``(B) the current stage of the proceeding;
``(C) an abstract of the proceeding;
``(D) what prompted the action in question;
``(E) any applicable statutory, regulatory, or
judicial deadline;
``(F) the associated docket number;
``(G) the date the rulemaking was initiated;
``(H) a date for the next action; and
``(I) if a date for the next action identified in
the previous report is not met, the reason for the
delay.''.
(G) Section 7 of the Rivers and Harbors
Appropriations Act of 1915 (33 U.S.C. 471) is amended--
(i) by transferring such section to appear
after section 70006 of title 46, United States
Code;
(ii) by striking ``Sec. 7.'' and inserting
``Sec. 70007. Establishment by Secretary of
Homeland Security of anchorage grounds and
regulations generally''; and
(iii) by adjusting the margins with respect
to subsections (a) and (b) for the presence of
a section heading accordingly.
(2) Clerical amendments.--
(A) The analysis for chapter 3 of title 14, United
States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended
by adding at the end the following:
``321. Redistricting notification requirement.''.
(B) The analysis for chapter 7 of title 14, United
States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended
by adding at the end the following:
``719. VHF communication services.''.
(C) The analysis for chapter 11 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended by striking the item relating
to section 1110 and inserting the following:
``1110. Elevation of disputes to the Chief Acquisition Officer.''.
(D) The analysis for chapter 51 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``5110. Mission need statement.
``5111. Sexual assault and sexual harassment in the Coast Guard.''.
(E) The analysis for chapter 700 of title 46,
United States Code, as amended by section 311(b), is
further amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 70006 the following:
``70007. Establishment by the Secretary of Homeland Security of
anchorage grounds and regulations
generally.''.
(b) Transfers.--
(1) Section 204 of the marine transportation security
act.--
(A) The Maritime Transportation Security Act of
2002 is amended by striking section 204 (33 U.S.C.
1902a).
(B) Section 3 of the Act to Prevent Pollution from
Ships (33 U.S.C. 1902)--
(i) is amended by redesignating subsections
(e) through (i) as subsections (f) through (j)
respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after subsection (d) the
following:
``(e) Discharge of Agricultural Cargo Residue.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, the discharge from a vessel of any agricultural
cargo residue material in the form of hold washings shall be governed
exclusively by the provisions of the Act to Prevent Pollution from
Ships (33 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.) that implement Annex V to the
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.''.
(2) LNG tankers.--
(A) The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act
of 2006 is amended by striking section 304 (Public Law
109-241; 120 Stat. 527).
(B) Section 5 of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33
U.S.C. 1504) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(j) LNG Tankers.--
``(1) Program.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
develop and implement a program to promote the transportation
of liquefied natural gas to and from the United States on
United States flag vessels.
``(2) Information to be provided.--When the Coast Guard is
operating as a contributing agency in the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission's shoreside licensing process for a
liquefied natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas terminal
located on shore or within State seaward boundaries, the Coast
Guard shall provide to the Commission the information described
in section 5(c)(2)(K) of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33
U.S.C. 1504(c)(2)(K)) with respect to vessels reasonably
anticipated to be servicing that port.''.
SEC. 503. REPEALS.
(a) License Exemptions; Repeal of Obsolete Provisions.--
(1) Service under licenses issued without examination.--
(A) Repeal.--Section 8303 of title 46, United
States Code, and the item relating to that section in
the analysis for chapter 83 of that title, are
repealed.
(B) Conforming amendment.--Section 14305(a)(10) of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
``sections 8303 and 8304'' and inserting ``section
8304''.
(2) Standards for tank vessels of the united states.--
Section 9102 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``(a)'' before the first sentence;
and
(B) by striking subsection (b).
(b) Repeal.--Section 343 of the Maritime Transportation Security
Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-295; 116 Stat. 2106) is repealed.
(c) Accident and Incident Notification.--Subsection (c) of section
9 of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of
2011 (Public Law 112-90; 125 Stat 1912)) is repealed and is deemed not
to have been enacted.
TITLE VI--TECHNICAL, CONFORMING, AND CLARIFYING AMENDMENTS
SEC. 601. MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.
(a) Maritime Transportation System.--Section 312(b)(4) of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``marine transportation
system'' and inserting ``maritime transportation system''.
(b) Clarification of Reference to Marine Transportation System
Programs.--Section 50307(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``marine transportation'' and inserting ``maritime
transportation''.
SEC. 602. REFERENCES TO ``PERSONS'' AND ``SEAMEN''.
(a) Technical Correction of References to ``Persons''.--Title 14,
United States Code, is amended as follows:
(1) In section 312(d), by striking ``persons'' and
inserting ``individuals''.
(2) In section 313(d)(2)(B), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(3) In section 504--
(A) in subsection (a)(19)(B), by striking ``a
person'' and inserting ``an individual''; and
(B) in subsection (c)(4), by striking ``seamen;''
and inserting ``mariners;''.
(4) In section 521, by striking ``persons'' each place it
appears and inserting ``individuals''.
(5) In section 522--
(A) by striking ``a person'' and inserting ``an
individual''; and
(B) by striking ``person'' the second and third
place it appears and inserting ``individual''.
(6) In section 525(a)(1)(C)(ii), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(7) In section 526--
(A) by striking ``person'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individual'';
(B) by striking ``persons'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individuals''; and
(C) in subsection (b), by striking ``person's'' and
inserting ``individual's''.
(8) In section 709--
(A) by striking ``persons'' and inserting
``individuals''; and
(B) by striking ``person'' and inserting
``individual''.
(9) In section 933(b), by striking ``Every person'' and
inserting ``An individual''.
(10) In section 1102(d), by striking ``persons'' and
inserting ``individuals''.
(11) In section 1902(b)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``person or
persons'' and inserting ``individual or individuals'';
and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(12) In section 1941(b), by striking ``persons'' and
inserting ``individuals''.
(13) In section 2101(b), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(14) In section 2102(c), by striking ``A person'' and
inserting ``An individual''.
(15) In section 2104(b)--
(A) by striking ``persons'' and inserting
``individuals''; and
(B) by striking ``A person'' and inserting ``An
individual''.
(16) In section 2118(d), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual who is''.
(17) In section 2147(d), by striking ``a person'' and
inserting ``an individual''.
(18) In section 2150(f), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual who is''.
(19) In section 2161(b), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(20) In section 2317--
(A) by striking ``persons'' and inserting
``individuals'';
(B) by striking ``person'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individual''; and
(C) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``person's''
and inserting ``individual's''.
(21) In section 2531--
(A) by striking ``person'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individual''; and
(B) by striking ``persons'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individuals''.
(22) In section 2709, by striking ``persons'' and inserting
``individuals''.
(23) In section 2710--
(A) by striking ``persons'' and inserting
``individuals''; and
(B) by striking ``person'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individual''.
(24) In section 2711(b), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(25) In section 2732, by striking ``a person'' and
inserting ``an individual''.
(26) In section 2733--
(A) by striking ``A person'' and inserting ``An
individual''; and
(B) by striking ``that person'' and inserting
``that individual''.
(27) In section 2734, by striking ``person'' each place it
appears and inserting ``individual''.
(28) In section 2735, by striking ``a person'' and
inserting ``an individual''.
(29) In section 2736, by striking ``person'' and inserting
``individual''.
(30) In section 2737, by striking ``a person'' and
inserting ``an individual''.
(31) In section 2738, by striking ``person'' and inserting
``individual''.
(32) In section 2739, by striking ``person'' and inserting
``individual''.
(33) In section 2740--
(A) by striking ``person'' and inserting
``individual''; and
(B) by striking ``one'' the second place it
appears.
(34) In section 2741--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``a person'' and
inserting ``an individual'';
(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``person's''
and inserting ``individual's''; and
(C) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``person''
and inserting ``individual''.
(35) In section 2743, by striking ``person'' each place it
appears and inserting ``individual''.
(36) In section 2744--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``a person'' and
inserting ``an individual''; and
(B) in subsections (a) and (c), by striking
``person'' each place it appears and inserting
``individual''.
(37) In section 2745, by striking ``person'' and inserting
``individual''.
(38)(A) In section 2761--
(i) in the section heading, by striking ``Persons''
and inserting ``Individuals'';
(ii) by striking ``persons'' and inserting
``individuals''; and
(iii) by striking ``person'' and inserting
``individual''.
(B) In the analysis for chapter 27, by striking the item
relating to section 2761 and inserting the following:
``2761. Individuals discharged as result of court-martial; allowances
to.''.
(39)(A) In the heading for section 2767, by striking
``persons'' and inserting ``individuals''.
(B) In the analysis for chapter 27, by striking the item
relating to section 2767 and inserting the following:
``2767. Reimbursement for medical-related travel expenses for certain
individuals residing on islands in the
continental United States.''.
(40) In section 2769--
(A) by striking ``a person's'' and inserting ``an
individual's''; and
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(41) In section 2772(a)(2), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(42) In section 2773--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``persons'' each
place it appears and inserting ``individuals''; and
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ``a person'' and
inserting ``an individual''.
(43) In section 2775, by striking ``person'' each place it
appears and inserting ``individual''.
(44) In section 2776, by striking ``person'' and inserting
``individual''.
(45)(A) In section 2777--
(i) in the heading, by striking ``persons'' and
inserting ``individuals''; and
(ii) by striking ``persons'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individuals''.
(B) In the analysis for chapter 27, by striking the item
relating to in section 2777 and inserting the following:
``2777. Clothing for destitute shipwrecked individuals.''.
(46) In section 2779, by striking ``persons'' each place it
appears and inserting ``individuals''.
(47) In section 2902(c), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(48) In section 2903(b), by striking ``person'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(49) In section 2904(b)(1)(B), by striking ``a person'' and
inserting ``an individual''.
(50) In section 3706--
(A) by striking ``a person'' and inserting ``an
individual''; and
(B) by striking ``person's'' and inserting
``individual's''.
(51) In section 3707--
(A) in subsection (c)--
(i) by striking ``person'' and inserting
``individual''; and
(ii) by striking ``person's'' and inserting
``individual's''; and
(B) in subsection (e), by striking ``a person'' and
inserting ``an individual''.
(52) In section 3708, by striking ``person'' each place it
appears and inserting ``individual''.
(53) In section 3738--
(A) by striking ``a person'' each place it appears
and inserting ``an individual'';
(B) by striking ``person's'' and inserting
``individual's''; and
(C) by striking ``A person'' and inserting ``An
individual''.
(b) Correction of References to Persons and Seamen.--
(1) Section 2303a(a) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``persons'' and inserting ``individuals''.
(2) Section 2306(a)(3) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(3) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel
of the United States notifying the Coast Guard under paragraph (1) or
(2) shall--
``(A) provide the name and identification number of the
vessel, the names of individuals on board, and other
information that may be requested by the Coast Guard; and
``(B) submit written confirmation to the Coast Guard within
24 hours after nonwritten notification to the Coast Guard under
such paragraphs.''.
(3) Section 7303 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``seaman'' each place it appears and
inserting ``individual''.
(4) Section 7319 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``seaman'' each place it appears and
inserting ``individual''.
(5) Section 7501(b) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``seaman'' and inserting ``holder''.
(6) Section 7508(b) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``individual seamen or a specifically
identified group of seamen'' and inserting ``an individual or a
specifically identified group of individuals''.
(7) Section 7510 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in subsection (c)(8)(B), by striking ``merchant
seamen'' and inserting ``merchant mariner''; and
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ``merchant
seaman'' and inserting ``merchant mariner''.
(8) Section 8103 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking ``seaman'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individual'';
(B) by striking ``seamen'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individuals'';
(C) in the headings for paragraphs (2) and (3) of
subsection (k), by striking ``seamen'' each place it
appears and inserting ``individuals'';
(D) in subsection (k)(3)(A)(iv)(II), by striking
``seaman's'' and inserting ``individual's''; and
(E) in subsection (k)(3)(C), by striking ``merchant
mariners'' each place it appears and inserting
``merchant mariner's''.
(9) Section 8104 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in subsection (c), by striking ``a licensed
individual or seaman'' and inserting ``an individual'';
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ``A licensed
individual or seaman'' and inserting ``An individual'';
(C) in subsection (e), by striking ``a seaman''
each place it appears and inserting ``an individual'';
and
(D) in subsection (j), by striking ``seaman'' and
inserting ``individual''.
(10) Section 8302(d) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``3 persons'' and inserting ``3
individuals''.
(11) Section 11201 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``a person'' each place it appears and
inserting ``an individual''.
(12) Section 11202 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking ``a person'' and inserting ``an
individual''; and
(B) by striking ``the person'' each place it
appears and inserting ``the individual''.
(13) Section 11203 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking ``a person'' each place it appears
and inserting ``an individual''; and
(B) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``that
person'' and inserting ``that individual''.
(14) Section 15109(i)(2) of title 46, United States Code,
is amended by striking ``additional persons'' and inserting
``additional individuals''.
SEC. 603. COMMON APPROPRIATION STRUCTURE.
(a) Amendments To Conform to Common Appropriations Structure.--
(1) Prospective payment of funds necessary to provide
medical care.--Section 506 of title 14, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting
``established under chapter 56 of title 10'' after
``Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund''; and
(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``operating
expenses'' and inserting ``operations and support''.
(2) Use of certain appropriated funds.--Section 903 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``acquisition,
construction, and improvement of facilities, for
research, development, test, and evaluation;'' and
inserting ``procurement, construction, and improvement
of facilities and for research and development''; and
(B) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``operating
expenses'' and inserting ``operations and support''.
(3) Confidential investigative expenses.--Section 944 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking
``necessary expenses for the operation'' and inserting
``operations and support''.
(4) Procurement of personnel.--Section 2701 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``operating
expense'' and inserting ``operations and support''.
(5) Coast guard housing fund.--Section 2946(b)(2) of title
14, United States Code, is amended by striking ``acquisition''
and inserting ``procurement''.
(6) Requirement for prior authorization of
appropriations.--Section 4901 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``maintenance''
and inserting ``support'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``acquisition''
and inserting ``procurement'';
(C) by striking paragraphs (3), (4), and (6);
(D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph
(3); and
(E) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated, by
striking ``research, development, test, and
evaluation'' and inserting ``research and
development''.
(b) Common Appropriation Structure.--Sections 3317(b), 7504, and
80505(b)(3) of title 46, United States Code, are each amended by
striking ``operating expenses'' and inserting ``operations and
support''.
(c) Common Appropriation Structure.--
(1) Oil spill liability trust fund.--Section 1012(a)(5)(A)
of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2712(a)(5)(A)) is
amended by striking ``operating expenses'' and inserting
``operations and support''.
(2) Historic light station sales.--Section 305106 of title
54, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(1)(B)(i) by striking
``Operating Expenses'' and inserting ``Operations and
Support''; and
(B) in subsection (b)(2) by striking ``Operating
Expense'' and inserting ``Operations and Support'';
(3) Bridge permits.--Section 712(a)(2) of the Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-213;
126 Stat. 1582) is amended by striking ``operating expenses''
and inserting ``operations and support''.
(4) Contracts.--Section 557(a) of the Consolidated and
Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (Public Law 113-6;
127 Stat. 377) is amended by striking ``Acquisition'' and
inserting ``Procurement''.
(5) Child development services.--Section 214(d)(1) of the
Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of
2014 (Public Law 113-281; 128 Stat. 3034) is amended by
striking ``operating expenses'' and inserting ``operations and
support''.
SEC. 604. REFERENCES TO ``HIMSELF'' AND ``HIS''.
(a) Section 1927 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by--
(1) striking ``of his initial'' and inserting ``of an
initial''; and
(2) striking ``from his pay'' and inserting ``from the pay
of such cadet''.
(b) Section 2108(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``himself'' and inserting ``such officer''.
(c) Section 2732 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by
this Act, is further amended--
(1) by striking ``distinguishes himself conspicuously by''
and inserting ``displays conspicuous''; and
(2) by striking ``his'' and inserting ``such
individual's''.
(d) Section 2736 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by
this Act, is further amended by striking ``distinguishes himself by''
and inserting ``performs''.
(e) Section 2738 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by
this Act is further amended by striking ``distinguishes himself by''
and inserting ``displays''.
(f) Section 2739 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by
this Act, is further amended by striking ``distinguishes himself by''
and inserting ``displays''.
(g) Section 2742 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``he distinguished himself'' and inserting ``of the acts
resulting in the consideration of such award''.
(h) Section 2743 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by
this Act, is further amended--
(1) by striking ``distinguishes himself''; and
(2) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``such individual''.
SEC. 605. REFERENCES TO ``MOTORBOATS'' AND ``YACHTS''.
(a) Correction of References to Motorboats and Yachts.--
(1) Section 3901(d)(4) of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``motor boats, yachts,'' and inserting
``vessels,''.
(2) Section 3903(1)(A) of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``motorboats, yachts'' and inserting
``vessels,''.
(3) Section 3907(a) of title 14, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Motor Boats,
Yachts,'' and inserting ``Vessels,''; and
(B) by striking ``motorboat, yacht,'' and inserting
``vessels,''.
(4) Section 3908 of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``motorboat or yacht'' and inserting
``vessel''.
(5) Section 3911(a) of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``motorboat, yacht,'' each place it appears
and inserting ``vessel,''.
(6) Section 3912 of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``motorboat, yacht,'' and inserting
``vessel,''.
(7) Section 4101 of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``motorboats, yachts,'' and inserting
``vessels,''.
(8) Section 4102 of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``motorboat, yacht, or any other vessel,''
and inserting ``or vessel,''.
(b) Conforming References to Yachts.--Title 46, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in parts F and G of subtitle II, by striking ``yacht''
each place it appears and inserting ``recreational vessel'';
(2) in subtitle III--
(A) in section 30506(a), by striking ``pleasure
yachts'' and inserting ``recreational vessels''; and
(B) in section 30508(a), by striking ``pleasure
yachts'' and inserting ``recreational vessels''; and
(3) in section 60504--
(A) by striking ``yachts'' each place it appears
and inserting ``recreational vessels''; and
(B) by striking ``yacht'' and inserting
``recreational vessel''.
(c) Vessels.--Section 352(a)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934
(47 U.S.C. 352(a)(4)) is amended by striking ``Yachts'' and inserting
``Recreational vessels, as defined in section 2101(46) of title 46,
United States Code,''.
SEC. 606. MISCELLANEOUS TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
(a) Miscellaneous Technical Corrections.--
(1) Section 3305(d)(3)(B) of title 46, United States Code,
is amended by striking ``Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2017'' and inserting ``Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 2018''.
(2) Section 4312 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017''
each place it appears and inserting ``Frank LoBiondo Coast
Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-282)''.
(3) The analysis for chapter 700 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) by striking the item relating to the heading
for the first subchapter and inserting the following:
``subchapter i--vessel operations'';
(B) by striking the item relating to the heading
for the second subchapter and inserting the following:
``subchapter ii--ports and waterways safety'';
(C) by striking the items relating to the heading
for the third subchapter and inserting the following:
``subchapter iii--condition for entry into ports in the united states
``70021. Conditions for Entry Into Ports in the United States.'';
(D) by striking the item relating to the heading
for the fourth subchapter and inserting the following:
``subchapter iv--definitions regulations, enforcement, investigatory
powers, applicability'';
(E) by striking the item relating to the heading
for the fifth subchapter and inserting the following:
``subchapter v--regattas and marine parades'';
and
(F) by striking the item relating to the heading
for the sixth subchapter and inserting the following:
``subchapter vi--regulation of vessels in territorial waters of the
united states''.
(4) Section 70031 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``A through C'' and inserting ``I through
III''.
(5) Section 70032 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``A through C'' and inserting ``I through
III''.
(6) Section 70033 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``A through C'' and inserting ``I through
III''.
(7) Section 70034 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``A through C'' each place it appears and
inserting ``I through III''.
(8) Section 70035(a) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``A through C'' and inserting ``I through
III''.
(9) Section 70036 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by--
(A) striking ``A through C'' each place it appears
and inserting ``I through III''; and
(B) striking ``A, B, or C'' each place it appears
and inserting ``I, II, or III''.
(b) Alteration of Bridges; Technical Changes.--The Act of June 21,
1940 (33 U.S.C. 511 et seq.), popularly known as the Truman-Hobbs Act,
is amended by striking section 12 (33 U.S.C. 522).
(c) Report of Determination; Technical Correction.--Section
105(f)(2) of the Pribilof Islands Transition Act (16 U.S.C. 1161 note;
Public Law 106-562) is amended by striking ``subsection (a),'' and
inserting ``paragraph (1),''.
(d) Technical Corrections to Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2018.--
(1) Section 408 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-282) and the item
relating to such section in section 2 of such Act are repealed,
and the provisions of law redesignated, transferred, or
otherwise amended by section 408 are amended to read as if such
section were not enacted.
(2) Section 514(b) of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-282) is amended by
striking ``Chapter 30'' and inserting ``Chapter 3''.
(3) Section 810(d) of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-282) is amended by
striking ``within 30 days after receiving the notice under
subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall, by not later than 60
days after transmitting such notice,'' and inserting ``in
accordance within subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall''.
(4) Section 820(a) of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-282) is amended by
striking ``years 2018 and'' and inserting ``year''.
(5) Section 820(b)(2) of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-282) is amended by
inserting ``and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018
(Public Law 115-141)'' after ``(Public Law 115-31)''.
(6) Section 821(a)(2) of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-282) is amended by
striking ``Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017'' and
inserting ``Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2018''.
(7) This section shall take effect on the date of the
enactment of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act
of 2018 (Public Law 115-282) and apply as if included therein.
(e) Technical Correction.--Section 533(d)(2)(A) of the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-120) is amended by striking
``Tract 6'' and inserting ``such Tract''.
(f) Distant Water Tuna Fleet; Technical Corrections.--Section 421
of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (Public Law
109-241) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and inserting
the following:
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `treaty
area' has the meaning given the term in the Treaty on Fisheries
Between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and
the Government of the United States of America as in effect on
the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-241).''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``12.6 or 12.7'' and inserting
``13.6''; and
(B) by striking ``and Maritime Transportation Act
of 2012'' and inserting ``Authorization Act of 2019''.
SEC. 607. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS RELATING TO CODIFICATION OF PORTS AND
WATERWAYS SAFETY ACT.
Effective upon the enactment of section 401 of the Frank LoBiondo
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-282), and
notwithstanding section 402(e) of such Act--
(1) section 16 of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, as
added by section 315 of the Countering America's Adversaries
Through Sanctions Act (Public Law 115-44; 131 Stat. 947)--
(A) is redesignated as section 70022 of title 46,
United States Code, transferred to appear after section
70021 of that title, and amended so that the
enumerator, section heading, typeface, and typestyle
conform to those appearing in other sections in title
46, United States Code; and
(B) as so redesignated and transferred, is
amended--
(i) in subsections (b) and (e), by striking
``section 4(a)(5)'' each place it appears and
inserting ``section 70001(a)(5)'';
(ii) in subsection (c)(2), by striking
``not later than'' and all that follows through
``thereafter,'' and inserting ``periodically'';
and
(iii) by striking subsection (h); and
(2) chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in section 70002(2), by inserting ``or 70022''
after ``section 70021'';
(B) in section 70036(e), by inserting ``or 70022''
after ``section 70021''; and
(C) in the analysis for such chapter--
(i) by inserting ``Sec.'' above the section
items, in accordance with the style and form of
such an entry in other chapter analyses of such
title; and
(ii) by striking the item relating to
section 70021 and inserting the following:
``70021. Conditions for entry to ports in the United States
``70022. Prohibition on entry and operation''.
TITLE VII--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Federal Maritime Commission
Authorization Act of 2019''.
SEC. 702. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 308 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
``$28,012,310 for fiscal year 2018 and $28,544,543 for fiscal year
2019'' and inserting ``$29,086,888 for fiscal year 2020 and $29,639,538
for fiscal year 2021''.
TITLE VIII--COAST GUARD ACADEMY IMPROVEMENT ACT
SEC. 801. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Coast Guard Academy Improvement
Act''.
SEC. 802. COAST GUARD ACADEMY STUDY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of the department in which the Coast
Guard is operating shall seek to enter into an arrangement with the
National Academy of Public Administration not later than 60 days after
the date of the enactment of the this Act under which the National
Academy of Public Administration shall--
(1) conduct an assessment of the cultural competence of the
Coast Guard Academy as an organization and of individuals at
the Coast Guard Academy to carry out effectively the primary
duties of the United States Coast Guard listed in section 102
of title 14, United States Code, when interacting with
individuals of different races, ethnicities, genders,
religions, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds, or
from different geographic origins; and
(2) issue recommendations based upon the findings in such
assessment.
(b) Assessment of Cultural Competence.--
(1) Cultural competence of the coast guard academy.--The
arrangement described in subsection (a) shall require the
National Academy of Public Administration to, not later than 1
year after entering into an arrangement with the Secretary
under subsection (a), submit to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate the assessment described under subsection (a)(1).
(2) Assessment scope.--The assessment described under
subsection (a)(1) shall--
(A) describe the level of cultural competence
described in subsection (a)(1) based on the National
Academy of Public Administration's assessment of the
Coast Guard Academy's relevant practices, policies, and
structures, including an overview of discussions with
faculty, staff, students, and relevant Coast Guard
Academy affiliated organizations;
(B) examine potential changes which could be used
to further enhance such cultural competence by--
(i) modifying institutional practices,
policies, and structures; and
(ii) any other changes deemed appropriate
by the National Academy of Public
Administration; and
(C) make recommendations to enhance the cultural
competence of the Coast Guard Academy described in
subparagraph (A), including any specific plans,
policies, milestones, performance measures, or other
information necessary to implement such
recommendations.
(c) Final Action Memorandum.--Not later than 3 months after
submission of the assessment under section 802(b)(1), the Commandant of
the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a final action
memorandum in response to all recommendations contained in the
assessment. The Final Action Memorandum shall include the rationale for
accepting, accepting in part, or rejecting each recommendation, and
shall specify, where applicable, actions to be taken to implement such
recommendations, including an explanation of how each action enhances
the ability of the Coast Guard to carry out the primary duties of the
United States Coast Guard listed in section 102 of title 14, United
States Code.
(d) Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
the submission of the final action memorandum required under
subsection (c), the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in
coordination with the Chief Human Capital Officer of the
Department of Homeland Security, shall submit a plan to carry
out the recommendations or the parts of the recommendations
accepted in the Final Action Memorandum to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
(2) Strategy with milestones.--If any recommendation or
parts of recommendations accepted in the Final Action
Memorandum address any of the following actions, then the plan
required in paragraph (1) shall include a strategy with
appropriate milestones to carry out such recommendations or
parts of recommendations:
(A) Improve outreach and recruitment of a more
diverse Coast Guard Academy cadet candidate pool based
on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic background, and geographic
origin.
(B) Modify institutional structures, practices, and
policies to foster a more diverse cadet corps body,
faculty, and staff workforce based on race, ethnicity,
gender, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic
background, and geographic origin.
(C) Modify existing or establish new policies and
safeguards to foster the retention of cadets, faculty,
and staff of different races, ethnicities, genders,
religions, sexual orientations, socioeconomic
backgrounds, and geographic origins at the Coast Guard
Academy.
(D) Restructure the admissions office of the Coast
Guard Academy to be headed by a civilian with
significant relevant higher education recruitment
experience.
(3) Implementation.--Unless otherwise directed by an Act of
Congress, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall begin
implementation of the plan developed under this subsection not
later than 180 days after the submission of such plan to
Congress.
(4) Update.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall
include in the first annual report required under chapter 51 of
title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, submitted
after the date of enactment of this section, the strategy with
milestones required in paragraph (2) and shall report annually
thereafter on actions taken and progress made in the
implementation of such plan.
SEC. 803. ANNUAL REPORT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5112. Report on diversity at the Coast Guard Academy
``(a) In General.--Not later than January 15, 2021, and annually
thereafter, the Commandant shall submit a report on diversity at the
Coast Guard Academy to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
``(b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include--
``(1) the status of the implementation of the plan required
section 802 of the Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act;
``(2) specific information on outreach and recruitment
activities for the preceding year, including the effectiveness
of the Coast Guard Academy Minority Outreach Team Program
described under section 1905 and of outreach and recruitment
activities in the territories and other possessions of the
United States;
``(3) enrollment information about the incoming class,
including the gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic
background, and State of residence of Coast Guard Academy
cadets;
``(4) information on class retention, outcomes, and
graduation rates, including the race, gender, ethnicity,
religion, socioeconomic background, and State of residence of
Coast Guard Academy cadets; and
``(5) information on efforts to retain diverse cadets,
including through professional development and professional
advancement programs for staff and faculty.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 51 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``5112. Report on diversity at the Coast Guard Academy.''.
SEC. 804. ASSESSMENT OF COAST GUARD ACADEMY ADMISSION PROCESSES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of the department in which the Coast
Guard is operating shall seek to enter into an arrangement with the
National Academy of Public Administration under which the National
Academy of Public Administration shall, not later than 1 year after
submitting an assessment under section 802(a), submit an assessment of
the Coast Guard Academy admissions process to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(b) Assessment Scope.--The assessment required to be sought under
subsection (a) shall, at a minimum, include--
(1) a study, or an audit if appropriate, of the process the
Coast Guard Academy uses to--
(A) identify candidates for recruitment;
(B) recruit applicants;
(C) assist applicants in the application process;
(D) evaluate applications; and
(E) make admissions decisions;
(2) discussion of the consideration during the admissions
process of diversity, including--
(A) race;
(B) ethnicity;
(C) gender;
(D) religion;
(E) sexual orientation;
(F) socioeconomic background; and
(G) geographic origin;
(3) an overview of the admissions processes at other
Federal service academies, including--
(A) discussion of consideration of diversity,
including any efforts to attract a diverse pool of
applicants, in those processes; and
(B) an analysis of how the congressional
nominations requirement in current law related to
military service academies and the Merchant Marine
Academy impacts those processes and the overall
demographics of the student bodies at those academies;
(4) a determination regarding how a congressional
nominations requirement for Coast Guard Academy admissions
could impact diversity among the student body and the ability
of the Coast Guard to carry out effectively the Service's
primary duties described in section 102 of title 14, United
States Code; and
(5) recommendations for improving Coast Guard Academy
admissions processes, including whether a congressional
nominations process should be integrated into such processes.
SEC. 805. COAST GUARD ACADEMY MINORITY OUTREACH TEAM PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 1904 the following:
``Sec. 1905. Coast Guard Academy minority outreach program
``(a) In General.--There is established within the Coast Guard
Academy a minority outreach team program (in this section referred to
as the `Program' ) under which officers, including minority officers
and officers from territories and other possessions of the United
States, who are Academy graduates may volunteer their time to recruit
minority students and strengthen cadet retention through mentorship of
cadets.
``(b) Administration.--Not later than July 15, 2020, the
Commandant, in consultation with Program volunteers and Academy alumni
that participated in prior programs at the Academy similar to the
Program, shall appoint a permanent civilian position at the Academy to
administer the Program by, among other things--
``(1) overseeing administration of the Program;
``(2) serving as a resource to volunteers and outside
stakeholders;
``(3) advising Academy leadership on recruitment and
retention efforts based on recommendations from volunteers and
outside stakeholders;
``(4) establishing strategic goals and performance metrics
for the Program with input from active volunteers and Academy
leadership; and
``(5) reporting annually to the Commandant on academic year
and performance outcomes of the goals for the Program before
the end of each academic year.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 19 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 1904 the following:
``1905. Coast Guard Academy minority outreach team program.''.
SEC. 806. COAST GUARD COLLEGE STUDENT PRE-COMMISSIONING INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 21 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 2131. College student pre-commissioning initiative
``(a) In General.--There is authorized within the Coast Guard the
College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative program (in this section
referred to as the `program') for eligible undergraduate students to
enlist and receive a guaranteed commission as an officer in the Coast
Guard.
``(b) Criteria for Selection.--To be eligible for the program a
student must meet the following requirements upon submitting an
application:
``(1) Age.--A student must be not less than 19 years old
and not more than 27 years old as of September 30 of the fiscal
year in which the program selection panel selecting such
student convenes.
``(2) Character.--
``(A) All applicants.--All applicants must be of
outstanding moral character and meet other character
requirements as set forth by the Commandant.
``(B) Coast guard applicants.--An applicant serving
in the Coast Guard may not be commissioned if in the 36
months prior to the first Officer Candidate School
class convening date in the selection cycle, such
applicant was convicted by a court-martial or awarded
non-judicial punishment, or did not meet performance or
character requirements set forth by the Commandant.
``(3) Citizenship.--A student must be a United States
citizen.
``(4) Clearance.--A student must be eligible for a secret
clearance.
``(5) Dependency.--
``(A) A student may not have more than two
dependents; and
``(B) A student who is single may not have sole or
primary custody of dependents.
``(6) Education.--
``(A) Institution.--A student must be an
undergraduate sophomore or junior--
``(i) at a historically Black college or
university described in section 322(2) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1061(2)) or an institution of higher education
described in section 371(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)); or
``(ii) who is active in minority-serving
organizations and pursuing a degree in science,
technology, engineering, or mathematics at an
institution of higher education described in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1001) that is not a historically
Black college or university or institution of
higher education referred to in clause (i) of
this subparagraph.
``(B) Location.--The institution at which such
student is an undergraduate must be within 100 miles of
a Coast guard unit or Coast Guard Recruiting Office
unless otherwise approved by the Commandant.
``(C) Records.--A student must meet credit and
grade point average requirements set forth by the
Commandant.
``(7) Medical and administrative.--A student must meet
other medical and administrative requirements as set forth by
the Commandant.
``(c) Enlistment and Obligation.--Individuals selected and accept
to participate in the program shall enlist in the Coast Guard in pay
grade E-3 with a 4-year duty obligation and 4-year inactive Reserve
obligation.
``(d) Military Activities Prior to Officer Candidate School.--
Individuals enrolled in the program shall participate in military
activities each month, as required by the Commandant, prior to
attending Officer Candidate School.
``(e) Participation in Officer Candidate School.--Each graduate of
the program shall attend the first enrollment of Officer Candidate
School that commences after the date of such graduate's graduation.
``(f) Commissioning.--Upon graduation from Officer Candidate
School, program graduates shall be discharged from enlisted status and
commissioned as an O-1 with an initial 3-year duty obligation.
``(g) Briefing.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than August 15 of each year,
the Commandant shall provide a briefing to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate on the College Student Pre-
Commissioning Initiative.
``(2) Contents.--The briefing required under paragraph (1)
shall describe--
``(A) outreach and recruitment efforts over the
previous year; and
``(B) demographic information of enrollees
including--
``(i) race;
``(ii) ethnicity;
``(iii) gender;
``(iv) geographic origin; and
``(v) educational institution.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for subchapter I of chapter
21 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``2131. College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative.''.
SEC. 807. ANNUAL BOARD OF VISITORS.
Section 1903(d) of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as
paragraphs (3) through (7), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) recruitment and retention;''.
Passed the House of Representatives July 24, 2019.
Attest:
CHERYL L. JOHNSON,
Clerk.