```

[114th Congress Public Law 120]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

[[Page 130 STAT. 27]]

Public Law 114-120
114th Congress

                                 An Act

 
 To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2016 
and 2017, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Feb. 8, 2016 -  [H.R. 4188]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2015.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
2015''.
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.
Sec. 102. Conforming amendments.

                          TITLE II--COAST GUARD

Sec. 201. Vice Commandant.
Sec. 202. Vice admirals.
Sec. 203. Coast Guard remission of indebtedness.
Sec. 204. Acquisition reform.
Sec. 205. Auxiliary jurisdiction.
Sec. 206. Coast Guard communities.
Sec. 207. Polar icebreakers.
Sec. 208. Air facility closures.
Sec. 209. Technical corrections to title 14, United States Code.
Sec. 210. Discontinuance of an aid to navigation.
Sec. 211. Mission performance measures.
Sec. 212. Communications.
Sec. 213. Coast Guard graduate maritime operations education.
Sec. 214. Professional development.
Sec. 215. Senior enlisted member continuation boards.
Sec. 216. Coast Guard member pay.
Sec. 217. Transfer of funds necessary to provide medical care.
Sec. 218. Participation of the Coast Guard Academy in Federal, State, or 
           other educational research grants.
Sec. 219. National Coast Guard Museum.
Sec. 220. Investigations.
Sec. 221. Clarification of eligibility of members of the Coast Guard for 
           combat-related special compensation.
Sec. 222. Leave policies for the Coast Guard.

                   TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION

Sec. 301. Survival craft.
Sec. 302. Vessel replacement.
Sec. 303. Model years for recreational vessels.
Sec. 304. Merchant mariner credential expiration harmonization.
Sec. 305. Safety zones for permitted marine events.
Sec. 306. Technical corrections.

[[Page 130 STAT. 28]]

Sec. 307. Recommendations for improvements of marine casualty reporting.
Sec. 308. Recreational vessel engine weights.
Sec. 309. Merchant mariner medical certification reform.
Sec. 310. Atlantic Coast port access route study.
Sec. 311. Certificates of documentation for recreational vessels.
Sec. 312. Program guidelines.
Sec. 313. Repeals.
Sec. 314. Maritime drug law enforcement.
Sec. 315. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.
Sec. 316. Higher volume port area regulatory definition change.
Sec. 317. Recognition of port security assessments conducted by other 
           entities.
Sec. 318. Fishing vessel and fish tender vessel certification.
Sec. 319. Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research.
Sec. 320. International port and facility inspection coordination.

                  TITLE IV--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 402. Duties of the Chairman.
Sec. 403. Prohibition on awards.

                          TITLE V--CONVEYANCES

                  Subtitle A--Miscellaneous Conveyances

Sec. 501. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Point Reyes Station, 
           California.
Sec. 502. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Tok, Alaska.

                      Subtitle B--Pribilof Islands

Sec. 521. Short title.
Sec. 522. Transfer and disposition of property.
Sec. 523. Notice of certification.
Sec. 524. Redundant capability.

 Subtitle C--Conveyance of Coast Guard Property at Point Spencer, Alaska

Sec. 531. Findings.
Sec. 532. Definitions.
Sec. 533. Authority to convey land in Point Spencer.
Sec. 534. Environmental compliance, liability, and monitoring.
Sec. 535. Easements and access.
Sec. 536. Relationship to Public Land Order 2650.
Sec. 537. Archeological and cultural resources.
Sec. 538. Maps and legal descriptions.
Sec. 539. Chargeability for land conveyed.
Sec. 540. Redundant capability.
Sec. 541. Port Coordination Council for Point Spencer.

                         TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 601. Modification of reports.
Sec. 602. Safe vessel operation in the Great Lakes.
Sec. 603. Use of vessel sale proceeds.
Sec. 604. National Academy of Sciences cost assessment.
Sec. 605. Coastwise endorsements.
Sec. 606. International Ice Patrol.
Sec. 607. Assessment of oil spill response and cleanup activities in the 
           Great Lakes.
Sec. 608. Report on status of technology detecting passengers who have 
           fallen overboard.
Sec. 609. Venue.
Sec. 610. Disposition of infrastructure related to e-loran.
Sec. 611. Parking.
Sec. 612. Inapplicability of load line requirements to certain United 
           States vessels traveling in the Gulf of Mexico.

                         TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS

SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:

[[Page 130 STAT. 29]]

``PART III-- <<NOTE: 14 USC 2701 prec.>> COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATIONS AND 
REPORTS TO CONGRESS

``Chap.                                                             Sec.
``27. Authorizations..............................................  2701
``29. Reports..................................................... 2901.

``CHAPTER 27-- <<NOTE: 14 USC 2701 prec.>> AUTHORIZATIONS

``Sec.
``2702. Authorization of appropriations.
``2704. Authorized levels of military strength and training.

``Sec. 2702. <<NOTE: 14 USC 2702.>> Authorization of 
                  appropriations

    ``Funds are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 
2016 and 2017 for necessary expenses of the Coast Guard as follows:
            ``(1) For the operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard, 
        not otherwise provided for--
                    ``(A) $6,981,036,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $6,981,036,000 for fiscal year 2017.
            ``(2) For the acquisition, construction, renovation, and 
        improvement of aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels, 
        and aircraft, including equipment related thereto, and for 
        maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, and operation of facilities 
        and equipment--
                    ``(A) $1,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $1,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.
            ``(3) For the Coast Guard Reserve program, including 
        operations and maintenance of the program, personnel and 
        training costs, equipment, and services--
                    ``(A) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2017.
            ``(4) For the environmental compliance and restoration 
        functions of the Coast Guard under chapter 19 of this title--
                    ``(A) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2017.
            ``(5) To the Commandant of the Coast Guard for research, 
        development, test, and evaluation of technologies, materials, 
        and human factors directly related to improving the performance 
        of the Coast Guard's mission with respect to search and rescue, 
        aids to navigation, marine safety, marine environmental 
        protection, enforcement of laws and treaties, ice operations, 
        oceanographic research, and defense readiness, and for 
        maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, and operation of facilities 
        and equipment--
                    ``(A) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2017.
``Sec. 2704. <<NOTE: 14 USC 2704.>> Authorized levels of military 
                  strength and training

    ``(a) Active Duty Strength.--The Coast Guard is authorized an end-
of-year strength for active duty personnel of 43,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 and 2017.
    ``(b) Military Training Student Loads.--The Coast Guard is 
authorized average military training student loads for each of fiscal 
years 2016 and 2017 as follows:
            ``(1) For recruit and special training, 2,500 student years.
            ``(2) For flight training, 165 student years.

[[Page 130 STAT. 30]]

            ``(3) For professional training in military and civilian 
        institutions, 350 student years.
            ``(4) For officer acquisition, 1,200 student years.

``CHAPTER 29-- <<NOTE: 14 USC 2901 prec.>> REPORTS

``Sec.
``2904. Manpower requirements plan.

``Sec. 2904. <<NOTE: 14 USC 2904.>> Manpower requirements plan

    ``(a) In General.--On the date on which the President submits to the 
Congress a budget for fiscal year 2017 under section 1105 of title 31, 
on the date on which the President submits to the Congress a budget for 
fiscal year 2019 under such section, and every 4 years 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 manpower 
requirements plan.
    ``(b) Scope.--A manpower requirements plan submitted under 
subsection (a) shall include for each mission of the Coast Guard--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Assessment.>> an assessment of all projected 
        mission requirements for the upcoming fiscal year and for each 
        of the 3 fiscal years thereafter;
            ``(2) the number of active duty, reserve, and civilian 
        personnel assigned or available to fulfill such mission 
        requirements--
                    ``(A) currently; and
                    ``(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal year and 
                each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter;
            ``(3) the number of active duty, reserve, and civilian 
        personnel required to fulfill such mission requirements--
                    ``(A) currently; and
                    ``(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal year and 
                each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter;
            ``(4) an identification of any capability gaps between 
        mission requirements and mission performance caused by 
        deficiencies in the numbers of personnel available--
                    ``(A) currently; and
                    ``(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal year and 
                each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter; and
            ``(5) an identification of the actions the Commandant will 
        take to address capability gaps identified under paragraph (4).

    ``(c) Consideration.--In composing a manpower requirements plan for 
submission under subsection (a), the Commandant shall consider--
            ``(1) the marine safety strategy required under section 2116 
        of title 46;
            ``(2) information on the adequacy of the acquisition 
        workforce included in the most recent report under section 2903 
        of this title; and
            ``(3) any other Federal strategic planning effort the 
        Commandant considers appropriate.''.

    (b) Requirement for Prior Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 
662 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) <<NOTE: 14 USC 2701.>> by redesignating such section as 
        section 2701;

[[Page 130 STAT. 31]]

            (2) by transferring such section to appear before section 
        2702 of such title (as added by subsection (a) of this section); 
        and
            (3) by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(1) For the operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard, 
        not otherwise provided for.
            ``(2) For the acquisition, construction, renovation, and 
        improvement of aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels, 
        and aircraft, including equipment related thereto, and for 
        maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, and operation of facilities 
        and equipment.
            ``(3) For the Coast Guard Reserve program, including 
        operations and maintenance of the program, personnel and 
        training costs, equipment, and services.
            ``(4) For the environmental compliance and restoration 
        functions of the Coast Guard under chapter 19 of this title.
            ``(5) For research, development, test, and evaluation of 
        technologies, materials, and human factors directly related to 
        improving the performance of the Coast Guard.
            ``(6) For alteration or removal of bridges over navigable 
        waters of the United States constituting obstructions to 
        navigation, and for personnel and administrative costs 
        associated with the Alteration of Bridges Program.''.

    (c) Authorization of Personnel End Strengths.--Section 661 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) <<NOTE: 14 USC 2703.>> by redesignating such section as 
        section 2703; and
            (2) by transferring such section to appear before section 
        2704 of such title (as added by subsection (a) of this section).

    (d) Reports.--
            (1) Transmission of annual coast guard authorization 
        request.--Section 662a of title 14, United States Code, is 
        amended--
                    (A) <<NOTE: 14 USC 2901.>> by redesignating such 
                section as section 2901;
                    (B) by transferring such section to appear before 
                section 2904 of such title (as added by subsection (a) 
                of this section); and
                    (C) in subsection (b)--
                          (i) in paragraph (1) by striking ``described 
                      in section 661'' and inserting ``described in 
                      section 2703''; and
                          (ii) in paragraph (2) by striking ``described 
                      in section 662'' and inserting ``described in 
                      section 2701''.
            (2) Capital investment plan.--Section 663 of title 14, 
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) <<NOTE: 14 USC 2902.>> by redesignating such 
                section as section 2902; and
                    (B) by transferring such section to appear after 
                section 2901 of such title (as so redesignated and 
                transferred by paragraph (1) of this subsection).
            (3) Major acquisitions.--Section 569a of title 14, United 
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) <<NOTE: 14 USC 2903.>> by redesignating such 
                section as section 2903;
                    (B) by transferring such section to appear after 
                section 2902 of such title (as so redesignated and 
                transferred by paragraph (2) of this subsection); and
                    (C) in subsection (c)(2) by striking ``of this 
                subchapter''.

    (e) Icebreakers.--

[[Page 130 STAT. 32]]

            (1) Icebreaking on the great lakes.--For fiscal years 2016 
        and 2017, the Commandant of the Coast Guard may use funds made 
        available pursuant to section 2702(2) of title 14, United States 
        Code (as added by subsection (a) of this section) for the 
        selection of a design for and the construction of an icebreaker 
        that is capable of buoy tending to enhance icebreaking capacity 
        on the Great Lakes.
            (2) Polar icebreaking.--Of the amounts authorized to be 
        appropriated under section 2702(2) of title 14, United States 
        Code, as amended by subsection (a), there is authorized to be 
        appropriated to the Coast Guard $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2016 
        and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 for preacquisition 
        activities for a new polar icebreaker, including initial 
        specification development and feasibility studies.

    (f) <<NOTE: 14 USC 569 note.>> Additional Submissions.--The 
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
Security of the House of Representatives--
            (1) each plan required under section 2904 of title 14, 
        United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section;
            (2) each plan required under section 2903(e) of title 14, 
        United States Code, as added by section 206 of this Act;
            (3) each plan required under section 2902 of title 14, 
        United States Code, as redesignated by subsection (d) of this 
        section; and
            (4) each mission need statement required under section 569 
        of title 14, United States Code.
SEC. 102. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Analysis for Title 14.--The analysis for title 14, United States 
Code, <<NOTE: 14 USC 1 prec.>> is amended by adding after the item 
relating to part II the following:

``III. Coast Guard Authorizations and Reports to Congress........2701''.

    (b) Analysis for Chapter 15.--The analysis for chapter 15 of title 
14, United States Code, <<NOTE: 14 USC 561 prec.>> is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 569a.

    (c) Analysis for Chapter 17.--The analysis for chapter 17 of title 
14, United States Code, <<NOTE: 14 USC 631 prec.>> is amended by 
striking the items relating to sections 661, 662, 662a, and 663.

    (d) Analysis for Chapter 27.--The analysis for chapter 27 of title 
14, United States Code, as added by section 101(a) of this 
Act, <<NOTE: 14 USC 2701 prec.>> is amended by inserting--
            (1) before the item relating to section 2702 the following:

``2701. Requirement for prior authorization of appropriations.'';

        and
            (2) before the item relating to section 2704 the following:

``2703. Authorization of personnel end strengths.''.

    (e) Analysis for Chapter 29.--The analysis for chapter 29 of title 
14, United States Code, as added by section 101(a) of this 
Act, <<NOTE: 14 USC 2901 prec.>> is amended by inserting before the item 
relating to section 2904 the following:

``2901. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request.
``2902. Capital investment plan.
``2903. Major acquisitions.''.

[[Page 130 STAT. 33]]

    (f) Mission Need Statement.--Section 569(b) of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2) by striking ``in section 569a(e)'' and 
        inserting ``in section 2903''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3) by striking ``under section 663(a)(1)'' 
        and inserting ``under section 2902(a)(1)''.

                          TITLE II--COAST GUARD

SEC. 201. VICE COMMANDANT.

    (a) Grades and Ratings.--Section 41 of title 14, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ``an admiral,'' and inserting ``admirals 
(two);''.
    (b) Vice Commandant; Appointment.--Section 47 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``vice admiral'' and inserting 
``admiral''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 51 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by inserting ``admiral or'' before 
        ``vice admiral,'';
            (2) in subsection (b) by inserting ``admiral or'' before 
        ``vice admiral,'' each place it appears; and
            (3) in subsection (c) by inserting ``admiral or'' before 
        ``vice admiral,''.
SEC. 202. VICE ADMIRALS.

    Section 50 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
                following:

    ``(1) <<NOTE: President.>> The President may--
            ``(A) designate, within the Coast Guard, no more than five 
        positions of importance and responsibility that shall be held by 
        officers who, while so serving--
                    ``(i) shall have the grade of vice admiral, with the 
                pay and allowances of that grade; and
                    ``(ii) shall perform such duties as the Commandant 
                may prescribe, except that if the President designates 
                five such positions, one position shall be the Chief of 
                Staff of the Coast Guard; and
            ``(B) designate, within the executive branch, other than 
        within the Coast Guard or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration, positions of importance and responsibility that 
        shall be held by officers who, while so serving, shall have the 
        grade of vice admiral, with the pay and allowances of that 
        grade.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ``under 
                paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``under paragraph 
                (1)(A)''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
                subparagraph (D); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the 
                following:
            ``(C) at the discretion of the Secretary, while awaiting 
        orders after being relieved from the position, beginning on

[[Page 130 STAT. 34]]

        the day the officer is relieved from the position, but not for 
        more than 60 days; and''.
SEC. 203. COAST GUARD REMISSION OF INDEBTEDNESS.

    (a) Expansion of Authority to Remit Indebtedness.--Section 461 of 
title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 461. Remission of indebtedness

    ``The Secretary may have remitted or cancelled any part of a 
person's indebtedness to the United States or any instrumentality of the 
United States if--
            ``(1) the indebtedness was incurred while the person served 
        on active duty as a member of the Coast Guard; and
            ``(2) the Secretary determines that remitting or cancelling 
        the indebtedness is in the best interest of the United 
        States.''.

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 13 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 
461 and inserting the following:

``461. Remission of indebtedness.''.

SEC. 204. ACQUISITION REFORM.

    (a) Minimum Performance Standards.--Section 572(d)(3) of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (H) as 
        subparagraphs (E) through (J), respectively;
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
                    ``(B) the performance data to be used to determine 
                whether the key performance parameters have been 
                resolved;''; and
            (4) by inserting after subparagraph (C), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2) of this subsection, the following:
                    ``(D) the results during test and evaluation that 
                will be required to demonstrate that a capability, 
                asset, or subsystem meets performance requirements;''.

    (b) Capital Investment Plan.--Section 2902 of title 14, United 
States Code, as redesignated and otherwise amended by this Act, is 
further amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``completion;'' 
                and inserting ``completion based on the proposed 
                appropriations included in the budget;''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``at the 
                projected funding levels;'' and inserting ``based on the 
                proposed appropriations included in the budget;''; and
            (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c), and 
        inserting after subsection (a) the following:

    ``(b) New Capital Assets.--In the fiscal year following each fiscal 
year for which appropriations are enacted for a new capital asset, the 
report submitted under subsection (a) shall include--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Cost estimate.>> an estimated life-cycle cost 
        estimate for the new capital asset;
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Assessment.>> an assessment of the impact the 
        new capital asset will have on--
                    ``(A) delivery dates for each capital asset;

[[Page 130 STAT. 35]]

                    ``(B) estimated completion dates for each capital 
                asset;
                    ``(C) the total estimated cost to complete each 
                capital asset; and
                    ``(D) other planned construction or improvement 
                projects; and
            ``(3) recommended funding levels for each capital asset 
        necessary to meet the estimated completion dates and total 
        estimated costs included in the such asset's approved 
        acquisition program baseline.''; and
            (3) by amending subsection (c), as so redesignated, to read 
        as follows:

    ``(c) <<NOTE: 14 USC 93 note.>> Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `unfunded priority' means a program or 
        mission requirement that--
                    ``(A) has not been selected for funding in the 
                applicable proposed budget;
                    ``(B) is necessary to fulfill a requirement 
                associated with an operational need; and
                    ``(C) the Commandant would have recommended for 
                inclusion in the applicable proposed budget had 
                additional resources been available or had the 
                requirement emerged before the budget was submitted; and
            ``(2) the term `new capital asset' means--
                    ``(A) an acquisition program that does not have an 
                approved acquisition program baseline; or
                    ``(B) the acquisition of a capital asset in excess 
                of the number included in the approved acquisition 
                program baseline.''.

    (c) Days Away From Homeport.-- <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Not later than 1 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall--
            (1) implement a standard for tracking operational days at 
        sea for Coast Guard cutters that does not include days during 
        which such cutters are undergoing maintenance or repair; and
            (2) <<NOTE: Notification.>> notify the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate of the standard implemented under 
        paragraph (1).

    (d) Fixed Wing Aircraft Fleet Mix Analysis.-- 
<<NOTE: Deadline.>> Not later than September 30, 2016, 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 revised fleet mix 
analysis of Coast Guard fixed wing aircraft.

    (e) Long-Term Major Acquisitions Plan.--Section 2903 of title 14, 
United States Code, as redesignated and otherwise amended by this Act, 
is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

    ``(e) Long-term Major Acquisitions Plan.--Each report under 
subsection (a) shall include a plan that describes for the upcoming 
fiscal year, and for each of the 20 fiscal years thereafter--
            ``(1) the numbers and types of cutters and aircraft to be 
        decommissioned;
            ``(2) the numbers and types of cutters and aircraft to be 
        acquired to--

[[Page 130 STAT. 36]]

                    ``(A) replace the cutters and aircraft identified 
                under paragraph (1); or
                    ``(B) address an identified capability gap; and
            ``(3) the estimated level of funding in each fiscal year 
        required to--
                    ``(A) acquire the cutters and aircraft identified 
                under paragraph (2);
                    ``(B) acquire related command, control, 
                communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, 
                and reconnaissance systems; and
                    ``(C) acquire, construct, or renovate shoreside 
                infrastructure.

    ``(f) Quarterly Updates on Risks of Programs.--
            ``(1) In general.-- <<NOTE: Deadline. Assessment.>> Not 
        later than 15 days after the end of each fiscal year quarter, 
        the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the committees 
        of Congress specified in subsection (a) an update setting forth 
        a current assessment of the risks associated with all current 
        major acquisition programs.
            ``(2) Elements.--Each update under this subsection shall set 
        forth, for each current major acquisition program, the 
        following:
                    ``(A) The top five current risks to such program.
                    ``(B) Any failure of such program to demonstrate a 
                key performance parameter or threshold during 
                operational test and evaluation conducted during the 
                fiscal year quarter preceding such update.
                    ``(C) Whether there has been any decision during 
                such fiscal year quarter to order full-rate production 
                before all key performance parameters or thresholds are 
                met.
                    ``(D) Whether there has been any breach of major 
                acquisition program cost (as defined by the Major 
                Systems Acquisition Manual) during such fiscal year 
                quarter.
                    ``(E) Whether there has been any breach of major 
                acquisition program schedule (as so defined) during such 
                fiscal year quarter.''.
SEC. 205. AUXILIARY JURISDICTION.

    (a) In General.--Section 822 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``The purpose'' and inserting the following:

    ``(a) In General.--The purpose''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(b) Limitation.--The Auxiliary may conduct a patrol of a waterway, 
or a portion thereof, only if--
            ``(1) the Commandant has determined such waterway, or 
        portion thereof, is navigable for purposes of the jurisdiction 
        of the Coast Guard; or
            ``(2) a State or other proper authority has requested such 
        patrol pursuant to section 141 of this title or section 13109 of 
        title 46.''.

    (b) Notification.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall--
            (1) <<NOTE: Review.>> review the waterways patrolled by the 
        Coast Guard Auxiliary in the most recently completed fiscal year 
        to determine whether such waterways are eligible or ineligible 
        for

[[Page 130 STAT. 37]]

        patrol under section 822(b) of title 14, United States Code (as 
        added by subsection (a)); and
            (2) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> not later than 180 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, 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 written notification of--
                    (A) any waterways determined ineligible for patrol 
                under paragraph (1); and
                    (B) the actions taken by the Commandant to ensure 
                Auxiliary patrols do not occur on such waterways.
SEC. 206. COAST GUARD COMMUNITIES.

    Section 409 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (14 U.S.C. 
639 note) is amended in the second sentence by striking ``90 days'' and 
inserting ``30 days''.
SEC. 207. POLAR ICEBREAKERS.

    (a) <<NOTE: 14 USC 87 note.>> Incremental Funding Authority for 
Polar Icebreakers.--In fiscal year 2016 and each fiscal year thereafter, 
the Commandant of the Coast Guard may enter into a contract or contracts 
for the acquisition of polar icebreakers and associated equipment using 
incremental funding.

    (b) ``Polar Sea'' Materiel Condition Assessment and Service Life 
Extension.--Section 222 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-213; 126 Stat. 1560) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

    ``(a) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In General.--Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Assessment.>> complete a materiel condition 
        assessment with respect to the Polar Sea;
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Determination.>> make a determination of 
        whether it is cost effective to reactivate the Polar Sea 
        compared with other options to provide icebreaking services as 
        part of a strategy to maintain polar icebreaking services; and
            ``(3) submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
        Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate--
                    ``(A) the assessment required under paragraph (1); 
                and
                    ``(B) written notification of the determination 
                required under paragraph (2).'';
            (2) in subsection (b) by striking ``analysis'' and inserting 
        ``written notification'';
            (3) by striking subsection (c);
            (4) by redesignating subsections (d) through (h) as 
        subsections (c) through (g), respectively;
            (5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (4) of 
        this section)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                          (i) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``based on 
                      the analysis required''; and
                          (ii) in subparagraph (C) by striking 
                      ``analysis'' and inserting ``written 
                      notification'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--

[[Page 130 STAT. 38]]

                          (i) by striking ``analysis'' each place it 
                      appears and inserting ``written notification'';
                          (ii) by striking ``subsection (a)'' and 
                      inserting ``subsection (a)(3)(B)'';
                          (iii) by striking ``subsection (c)'' each 
                      place it appears and inserting ``that 
                      subsection''; and
                          (iv) by striking ``under subsection (a)(5)''; 
                      and
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                          (i) by striking ``in the analysis submitted 
                      under this section'';
                          (ii) by striking ``(a)(5)'' and inserting 
                      ``(a)'';
                          (iii) by striking ``then'' and all that 
                      follows through ``(A)'' and inserting ``then'';
                          (iv) by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
                      period; and
                          (v) by striking subparagraph (B); and
            (6) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (4) of 
        this subsection) by striking ``in subsection (d)'' and inserting 
        ``in subsection (c)''.
SEC. 208. AIR FACILITY CLOSURES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 676 the following:
``Sec. 676a. <<NOTE: 14 USC 676a.>> Air facility closures

    ``(a) Prohibition.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Coast Guard may not--
                    ``(A) close a Coast Guard air facility that was in 
                operation on November 30, 2014; or
                    ``(B) retire, transfer, relocate, or deploy an 
                aviation asset from an air facility described in 
                subparagraph (A) for the purpose of closing such 
                facility.
            ``(2) Sunset.--Paragraph (1) shall have no force or effect 
        beginning on the later of--
                    ``(A) January 1, 2018; or
                    ``(B) the date on which the Secretary submits to the 
                Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
                House of Representatives, and to the Committee on 
                Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 
                rotary wing strategic plans prepared in accordance with 
                section 208(b) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
                2015.

    ``(b) Closures.--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Effective date.>> In general.--Beginning on 
        January 1, 2018, the Secretary may not close a Coast Guard air 
        facility, except as specified by this section.
            ``(2) Determinations.--The Secretary may not propose closing 
        or terminating operations at a Coast Guard air facility unless 
        the Secretary determines that--
                    ``(A) remaining search and rescue capabilities 
                maintain the safety of the maritime public in the area 
                of the air facility;
                    ``(B) regional or local prevailing weather and 
                marine conditions, including water temperatures or 
                unusual tide and current conditions, do not require 
                continued operation of the air facility; and
                    ``(C) Coast Guard search and rescue standards 
                related to search and response times are met.

[[Page 130 STAT. 39]]

            ``(3) Public notice and comment.--Prior to closing an air 
        facility, the Secretary shall provide opportunities for public 
        comment, including the convening of public meetings in 
        communities in the area of responsibility of the air facility 
        with regard to the proposed closure or cessation of operations 
        at the air facility.
            ``(4) Notice to congress.--Prior to closure, cessation of 
        operations, or any significant reduction in personnel and use of 
        a Coast Guard air facility that is in operation on or after 
        December 31, 2015, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) <<NOTE: Proposal.>> submit to the Congress a 
                proposal for such closure, cessation, or reduction in 
                operations along with the budget of the President 
                submitted to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31 
                for the fiscal year in which the action will be carried 
                out; and
                    ``(B) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> not later than 7 days 
                after the date a proposal for an air facility is 
                submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A), provide written 
                notice of such proposal to each of the following:
                          ``(i) Each member of the House of 
                      Representatives who represents a district in which 
                      the air facility is located.
                          ``(ii) Each member of the Senate who 
                      represents a State in which the air facility is 
                      located.
                          ``(iii) Each member of the House of 
                      Representatives who represents a district in which 
                      assets of the air facility conduct search and 
                      rescue operations.
                          ``(iv) Each member of the Senate who 
                      represents a State in which assets of the air 
                      facility conduct search and rescue operations.
                          ``(v) The Committee on Appropriations of the 
                      House of Representatives.
                          ``(vi) The Committee on Transportation and 
                      Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
                          ``(vii) The Committee on Appropriations of the 
                      Senate.
                          ``(viii) The Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                      and Transportation of the Senate.

    ``(c) Operational Flexibility.--The Secretary may implement any 
reasonable management efficiencies within the air station and air 
facility network, such as modifying the operational posture of units or 
reallocating resources as necessary to ensure the safety of the maritime 
public nationwide.''.
    (b) Rotary Wing Strategic Plans.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of the department in which 
        the Coast Guard is operating shall prepare the plans specified 
        in paragraph (2) to adequately address contingencies arising 
        from potential future aviation casualties or the planned or 
        unplanned retirement of rotary wing airframes to avoid to the 
        greatest extent practicable any substantial gap or diminishment 
        in Coast Guard operational capabilities.
            (2) Rotary wing strategic plans.--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Rotary wing contingency 
                plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
                of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which 
                the Coast Guard is operating shall develop and submit to 
                the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
                the House of Representatives

[[Page 130 STAT. 40]]

                and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate a contingency plan--
                          (i) to address the planned or unplanned losses 
                      of rotary wing airframes;
                          (ii) to reallocate resources as necessary to 
                      ensure the safety of the maritime public 
                      nationwide; and
                          (iii) to ensure the operational posture of 
                      Coast Guard units.
                    (B) Rotary wing replacement capital investment 
                plan.--
                          (i) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In general.--Not later 
                      than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
                      Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
                      Coast Guard is operating shall develop and 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 capital investment 
                      plan for the acquisition of new rotary wing 
                      airframes to replace the Coast Guard's legacy 
                      helicopters and fulfil all existing mission 
                      requirements.
                          (ii) Requirements.--The plan developed under 
                      this subparagraph shall provide--
                                    (I) a total estimated cost for 
                                completion;
                                    (II) a timetable for completion of 
                                the acquisition project and phased in 
                                transition to new airframes; and
                                    (III) projected annual funding 
                                levels for each fiscal year.

    (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Analysis for chapter 17.--The analysis for chapter 17 of 
        title 14, United States Code, <<NOTE: 14 USC 631 prec.>> is 
        amended by inserting after the item relating to section 676 the 
        following:

``676a. Air facility closures.''.

            (2) Repeal of prohibition.--Section 225 of the Howard Coble 
        Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 
        113-281; 128 Stat. 3022) is amended--
                    (A) by striking subsection (b); and
                    (B) by striking ``(a) In General.--''.
SEC. 209. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO TITLE 14, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further 
amended--
            (1) in the analysis for part I, <<NOTE: 14 USC 1 prec.>> by 
        striking the item relating to chapter 19 and inserting the 
        following:

``19. Environmental Compliance and Restoration Program............690'';

            (2) in section 46(a), by striking ``subsection'' and 
        inserting ``section'';
            (3) in section 47, in the section heading by striking 
        ``commandant'' and inserting ``Commandant'';
            (4) in section 93(f), by striking paragraph (2) and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(2) Limitation.--The Commandant may lease submerged lands 
        and tidelands under paragraph (1) only if--
                    ``(A) the lease is for cash exclusively;

[[Page 130 STAT. 41]]

                    ``(B) the lease amount is equal to the fair market 
                value of the use of the leased submerged lands or 
                tidelands for the period during which such lands are 
                leased, as determined by the Commandant;
                    ``(C) the lease does not provide authority to or 
                commit the Coast Guard to use or support any 
                improvements to such submerged lands and tidelands, or 
                obtain goods and services from the lessee; and
                    ``(D) proceeds from the lease are deposited in the 
                Coast Guard Housing Fund established under section 
                687.'';
            (5) in the analysis for chapter 9, <<NOTE: 14 USC 181 
        prec.>> by striking the item relating to section 199 and 
        inserting the following:

``199. Marine safety curriculum.'';

            (6) in section 427(b)(2), by striking ``this chapter'' and 
        inserting ``chapter 61 of title 10'';
            (7) in the analysis for chapter 15 before the item relating 
        to section 571, <<NOTE: 14 USC 561 prec.>> by striking the 
        following:

``Sec.'';

            (8) in section 581(5)(B), by striking ``$300,000,0000,'' and 
        inserting ``$300,000,000,'';
            (9) in section 637(c)(3), in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A) by inserting ``it is'' before ``any'';
            (10) in section 641(d)(3), by striking ``Guard, 
        installation'' and inserting ``Guard installation'';
            (11) in section 691(c)(3), by striking ``state'' and 
        inserting ``State'';
            (12) in the analysis for chapter 21-- <<NOTE: 14 USC 701 
        prec.>> 
                    (A) by striking the item relating to section 709 and 
                inserting the following:

``709. Reserve student aviation pilots; Reserve aviation pilots; 
           appointments in commissioned grade.'';

                and
                    (B) by striking the item relating to section 740 and 
                inserting the following:

``740. Failure of selection and removal from an active status.'';

            (13) in section 742(c), by striking ``subsection'' and 
        inserting ``subsections'';
            (14) in section 821(b)(1), by striking ``Chapter 26'' and 
        inserting ``Chapter 171''; and
            (15) in section 823a(b)(1), by striking ``Chapter 26'' and 
        inserting ``Chapter 171''.
SEC. 210. <<NOTE: 14 USC 81 note.>> DISCONTINUANCE OF AN AID TO 
                        NAVIGATION.

    (a) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In General.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish a process for the 
discontinuance of an aid to navigation (other than a seasonal or 
temporary aid) established, maintained, or operated by the Coast Guard.

    (b) <<NOTE: Procedures. Notification. Public 
information.>> Requirement.--The process established under subsection 
(a) shall include procedures to notify the public of any discontinuance 
of an aid to navigation described in that subsection.

[[Page 130 STAT. 42]]

    (c) Consultation.--In establishing a process under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall consult with and consider any recommendations of the 
Navigation Safety Advisory Council.
    (d) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Notification.--Not later than 30 days after 
establishing a process under subsection (a), the Secretary shall notify 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate of the process established.
SEC. 211. <<NOTE: Deadline. Assessment.>> MISSION PERFORMANCE 
                        MEASURES.

    Not later than 1 year 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 and the Committee on 
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an assessment of the 
efficacy of the Coast Guard's Standard Operational Planning Process with 
respect to annual mission performance measures.
SEC. 212. <<NOTE: 6 USC 194 note.>> COMMUNICATIONS.

    (a) <<NOTE: Determination.>> In General.--If the Secretary of 
Homeland Security determines that there are at least two communications 
systems described under paragraph (1)(B) and certified under paragraph 
(2), the Secretary shall establish and carry out a pilot program across 
not less than three components of the Department of Homeland Security to 
assess the effectiveness of a communications system that--
            (1) provides for--
                    (A) multiagency collaboration and interoperability; 
                and
                    (B) wide-area, secure, and peer-invitation- and-
                acceptance-based multimedia communications;
            (2) is certified by the Department of Defense Joint 
        Interoperability Test Center; and
            (3) is composed of commercially available, off-the-shelf 
        technology.

    (b) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Assessment.--Not later than 6 months after 
the date on which the pilot program is completed, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an assessment 
of the pilot program, including the impacts of the program with respect 
to interagency and Coast Guard response capabilities.

    (c) Strategy.--The pilot program shall be consistent with the 
strategy required by the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable 
Communications Act (Public Law 114-29).
    (d) Timing.--The pilot program shall commence within 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act or within 60 days after the 
completion of the strategy required by the Department of Homeland 
Security Interoperable Communications Act (Public Law 114-29), whichever 
is later.
SEC. 213. <<NOTE: Deadline. 14 USC 470 note.>> COAST GUARD 
                        GRADUATE MARITIME OPERATIONS EDUCATION.

    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 an education program, for members and employees of the 
Coast Guard, that--

[[Page 130 STAT. 43]]

            (1) offers a master's degree in maritime operations;
            (2) is relevant to the professional development of such 
        members and employees;
            (3) provides resident and distant education options, 
        including the ability to utilize both options; and
            (4) to the greatest extent practicable, is conducted using 
        existing academic programs at an accredited public academic 
        institution that--
                    (A) is located near a significant number of Coast 
                Guard, maritime, and other Department of Homeland 
                Security law enforcement personnel; and
                    (B) has an ability to simulate operations normally 
                conducted at a command center.
SEC. 214. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Multirater Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, 
        is amended by inserting after section 428 the following:
``Sec. 429. <<NOTE: 14 USC 429.>> Multirater assessment of certain 
                personnel

    ``(a) Multirater Assessment of Certain Personnel.--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Effective date. Deadlines. Plan.>> In 
        general.--Commencing not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, the 
        Commandant of the Coast Guard shall develop and implement a plan 
        to conduct every two years a multirater assessment for each of 
        the following:
                    ``(A) Each flag officer of the Coast Guard.
                    ``(B) Each member of the Senior Executive Service of 
                the Coast Guard.
                    ``(C) Each officer of the Coast Guard nominated for 
                promotion to the grade of flag officer.
            ``(2) Post-assessment elements.--Following an assessment of 
        an individual pursuant to paragraph (1), the individual shall be 
        provided appropriate post-assessment counseling and leadership 
        coaching.

    ``(b) Multirater Assessment Defined.--In this section, the term 
`multirater assessment' means a review that seeks opinion from members 
senior to the reviewee and the peers and subordinates of the 
reviewee.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
        such chapter <<NOTE: 14 USC 211 prec.>> is amended by inserting 
        after the item related to section 428 the following:

``429. Multirater assessment of certain personnel.''.

    (b) <<NOTE: 14 USC 60.>> Training Course on Workings of Congress.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Deadline. Consultation.>> In general.--Chapter 3 
        of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
        the following:
``Sec. 60. Training course on workings of Congress

    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, the Commandant, 
in consultation with the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy and 
such other individuals and organizations as the Commandant considers 
appropriate, shall develop a training course on the workings of the 
Congress and offer that training course at least once each year.

[[Page 130 STAT. 44]]

    ``(b) Course Subject Matter.--The training course required by this 
section shall provide an overview and introduction to the Congress and 
the Federal legislative process, including--
            ``(1) the history and structure of the Congress and the 
        committee systems of the House of Representatives and the 
        Senate, including the functions and responsibilities of the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate;
            ``(2) the documents produced by the Congress, including 
        bills, resolutions, committee reports, and conference reports, 
        and the purposes and functions of those documents;
            ``(3) the legislative processes and rules of the House of 
        Representatives and the Senate, including similarities and 
        differences between the two processes and rules, including--
                    ``(A) the congressional budget process;
                    ``(B) the congressional authorization and 
                appropriation processes;
                    ``(C) the Senate advice and consent process for 
                Presidential nominees;
                    ``(D) the Senate advice and consent process for 
                treaty ratification;
            ``(4) the roles of Members of Congress and congressional 
        staff in the legislative process; and
            ``(5) the concept and underlying purposes of congressional 
        oversight within our governance framework of separation of 
        powers.

    ``(c) Lecturers and Panelists.--
            ``(1) Outside experts.--The Commandant shall ensure that not 
        less than 60 percent of the lecturers, panelists, and other 
        individuals providing education and instruction as part of the 
        training course required by this section are experts on the 
        Congress and the Federal legislative process who are not 
        employed by the executive branch of the Federal Government.
            ``(2) Authority to accept pro bono services.--In satisfying 
        the requirement under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall seek, 
        and may accept, educational and instructional services of 
        lecturers, panelists, and other individuals and organizations 
        provided to the Coast Guard on a pro bono basis.

    ``(d) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> Completion of Required Training.--
            ``(1) Current flag officers and employees.--A Coast Guard 
        flag officer appointed or assigned to a billet in the National 
        Capital Region on the date of the enactment of this section, and 
        a Coast Guard Senior Executive Service employee employed in the 
        National Capital Region on the date of the enactment of this 
        section, shall complete a training course that meets the 
        requirements of this section within 60 days after the date on 
        which the Commandant completes the development of the training 
        course.
            ``(2) New flag officers and employees.--A Coast Guard flag 
        officer who is newly appointed or assigned to a billet in the 
        National Capital Region, and a Coast Guard Senior Executive 
        Service employee who is newly employed in the National Capital 
        Region, shall complete a training course that meets the 
        requirements of this section not later than 60 days after 
        reporting for duty.''.

[[Page 130 STAT. 45]]

            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
        such chapter <<NOTE: 14 USC 41 prec.>> is amended by adding at 
        the end the following:

``60. Training course on workings of Congress.''.

    (c) Report on Leadership Development.--
            (1) In general.--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 Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
        and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on 
        Coast Guard leadership development.
            (2) <<NOTE: Assessments.>> Contents.--The report shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) An assessment of the feasibility of--
                          (i) all officers (other than officers covered 
                      by section 429(a) of title 14, United States Code, 
                      as amended by this section) completing a 
                      multirater assessment;
                          (ii) all members (other than officers covered 
                      by such section) in command positions completing a 
                      multirater assessment;
                          (iii) all enlisted members in a supervisory 
                      position completing a multirater assessment; and
                          (iv) members completing periodic multirater 
                      assessments.
                    (B) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>> Such 
                recommendations as the Commandant considers appropriate 
                for the implementation or expansion of a multirater 
                assessment in the personnel development programs of the 
                Coast Guard.
                    (C) An overview of each of the current leadership 
                development courses of the Coast Guard, an assessment of 
                the feasibility of the expansion of any such course, and 
                a description of the resources, if any, required to 
                expand such courses.
                    (D) An assessment on the state of leadership 
                training in the Coast Guard, and recommendations on the 
                implementation of a policy to prevent leadership that 
                has adverse effects on subordinates, the organization, 
                or mission performance, including--
                          (i) a description of methods that will be used 
                      by the Coast Guard to identify, monitor, and 
                      counsel individuals whose leadership may have 
                      adverse effects on subordinates, the organization, 
                      or mission performance;
                          (ii) the implementation of leadership 
                      recognition training to recognize such leadership 
                      in one's self and others;
                          (iii) the establishment of procedures for the 
                      administrative separation of leaders whose 
                      leadership may have adverse effects on 
                      subordinates, the organization, or mission 
                      performance; and
                          (iv) a description of the resources needed to 
                      implement this subsection.
SEC. 215. SENIOR ENLISTED MEMBER CONTINUATION BOARDS.

    (a) In General.--Section 357 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking subsections (a) through (h) and subsection 
        (j); and

[[Page 130 STAT. 46]]

            (2) in subsection (i), by striking ``(i)''.

    (b) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Heading amendment.--The heading of such section is 
        amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 357. Retirement of enlisted members: increase in retired 
                pay''
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
        chapter 11 of such title <<NOTE: 14 USC 211 prec.>> is amended 
        by striking the item relating to such section and inserting the 
        following:

``357. Retirement of enlisted members: increase in retired pay.''.

SEC. 216. COAST GUARD MEMBER PAY.

    (a) Annual Audit of Pay and Allowances of Members Undergoing 
Permanent Change of Station.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 13 of title 14, United States Code, 
        is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 519. <<NOTE: 14 USC 519.>> Annual audit of pay and 
                allowances of members undergoing permanent change 
                of station

    ``The Commandant shall conduct each calendar year an audit of member 
pay and allowances for the members who transferred to new units during 
such calendar year. The audit for a calendar year shall be completed by 
the end of the calendar year.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
        such chapter <<NOTE: 14 USC 461 prec.>> is amended by adding at 
        the end the following:

``519. Annual audit of pay and allowances of members undergoing 
           permanent change of station.''.

    (b) <<NOTE: Assessments.>> Report.--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 Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives a report on alternative methods for 
notifying members of the Coast Guard of their monthly earnings. The 
report shall include--
            (1) an assessment of the feasibility of providing members a 
        monthly notification of their earnings, categorized by pay and 
        allowance type; and
            (2) a description and assessment of mechanisms that may be 
        used to provide members with notification of their earnings, 
        categorized by pay and allowance type.
SEC. 217. <<NOTE: 10 USC 1085 note.>> TRANSFER OF FUNDS NECESSARY 
                        TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE.

    (a) Transfer Required.--In lieu of the reimbursement required under 
section 1085 of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall transfer to the Secretary of Defense an amount that 
represents the actuarial valuation of treatment or care--
            (1) that the Department of Defense shall provide to members 
        of the Coast Guard, former members of the Coast Guard, and 
        dependents of such members and former members (other than former 
        members and dependents of former members who are a Medicare-
        eligible beneficiary or for whom the payment for treatment or 
        care is made from the Medicare-Eligible

[[Page 130 STAT. 47]]

        Retiree Health Care Fund) at facilities under the jurisdiction 
        of the Department of Defense or a military department; and
            (2) for which a reimbursement would otherwise be made under 
        section 1085.

    (b) Amount.--The amount transferred under subsection (a) shall be--
            (1) in the case of treatment or care to be provided to 
        members of the Coast Guard and their dependents, derived from 
        amounts appropriated for the operating expenses of the Coast 
        Guard;
            (2) in the case of treatment or care to be provided former 
        members of the Coast Guard and their dependents, derived from 
        amounts appropriated for retired pay;
            (3) determined under procedures established by the Secretary 
        of Defense;
            (4) transferred during the fiscal year in which treatment or 
        care is provided; and
            (5) subject to adjustment or reconciliation as the 
        Secretaries determine appropriate during or promptly after such 
        fiscal year in cases in which the amount transferred is 
        determined excessive or insufficient based on the services 
        actually provided.

    (c) No Transfer When Service in Navy.--No transfer shall be made 
under this section for any period during which the Coast Guard operates 
as a service in the Navy.
    (d) Relationship to TRICARE.--This section shall not be construed to 
require a payment for, or the transfer of an amount that represents the 
value of, treatment or care provided under any TRICARE program.
SEC. 218. PARTICIPATION OF THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY IN FEDERAL, 
                        STATE, OR OTHER EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH 
                        GRANTS.

    Section 196 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before the first 
        sentence; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(b) Qualified Organizations.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard may--
                    ``(A) enter into a contract, cooperative agreement, 
                lease, or licensing agreement with a qualified 
                organization;
                    ``(B) allow a qualified organization to use, at no 
                cost, personal property of the Coast Guard; and
                    ``(C) notwithstanding section 93, accept funds, 
                supplies, and services from a qualified organization.
            ``(2) Sole-source basis.--Notwithstanding chapter 65 of 
        title 31 and chapter 137 of title 10, the Commandant may enter 
        into a contract or cooperative agreement under paragraph (1)(A) 
        on a sole-source basis.
            ``(3) Maintaining fairness, objectivity, and integrity.--The 
        Commandant shall ensure that contributions under this subsection 
        do not--
                    ``(A) reflect unfavorably on the ability of the 
                Coast Guard, any of its employees, or any member of the 
                armed forces to carry out any responsibility or duty in 
                a fair and objective manner; or

[[Page 130 STAT. 48]]

                    ``(B) compromise the integrity or appearance of 
                integrity of any program of the Coast Guard, or any 
                individual involved in such a program.
            ``(4) Limitation.--For purposes of this subsection, 
        employees or personnel of a qualified organization shall not be 
        employees of the United States.
            ``(5) Qualified organization defined.--In this subsection 
        the term `qualified organization' means an organization--
                    ``(A) described under section 501(c)(3) of the 
                Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation 
                under section 501(a) of that Code; and
                    ``(B) established by the Coast Guard Academy Alumni 
                Association solely for the purpose of supporting 
                academic research and applying for and administering 
                Federal, State, or other educational research grants on 
                behalf of the Coast Guard Academy.''.
SEC. 219. NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM.

    Section 98(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``any appropriated Federal 
        funds for'' and insert ``any funds appropriated to the Coast 
        Guard on''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``artifacts.'' and 
        inserting ``artifacts, including the design, fabrication, and 
        installation of exhibits or displays in which such artifacts are 
        included.''.
SEC. 220. INVESTIGATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 430. <<NOTE: 14 USC 430.>> Investigations of flag officers 
                and Senior Executive Service employees

    ``In conducting an investigation into an allegation of misconduct by 
a flag officer or member of the Senior Executive Service serving in the 
Coast Guard, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland 
Security shall--
            ``(1) conduct the investigation in a manner consistent with 
        Department of Defense policies for such an investigation; and
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Consultation.>> consult with the Inspector 
        General of the Department of Defense.''.

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of such 
chapter <<NOTE: 14 USC 211 prec.>> is further amended by inserting after 
the item related to section 429 the following:

``430. Investigations of flag officers and Senior Executive Service 
           employees.''.

SEC. 221. <<NOTE: 10 USC 1413a note.>> CLARIFICATION OF 
                        ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD 
                        FOR COMBAT-RELATED SPECIAL COMPENSATION.

    (a) Consideration of Eligibility.--
            
        (1) <<NOTE: Deadline. Procedures. Criteria. Determination.>> In 
        general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
        of this Act, the Secretary of the department is which the Coast 
        Guard is operating shall issue procedures and criteria to use in 
        determining whether the disability of a member of the Coast 
        Guard is a combat-related disability for purposes of the 
        eligibility of such member for combat-related special 
        compensation under section 1413a of title 10, United States 
        Code. Such procedures and criteria shall include the procedures 
        and criteria prescribed by the Secretary of Defense

[[Page 130 STAT. 49]]

        pursuant to subsection (e)(2) of such 
        section. <<NOTE: Applicability.>> Such procedures and criteria 
        shall apply in determining whether the disability of a member of 
        the Coast Guard is a combat-related disability for purposes of 
        determining the eligibility of such member for combat-related 
        special compensation under such section.
            (2) Disability for which a determination is made.--For the 
        purposes of this section, and in the case of a member of the 
        Coast Guard, a disability under section 1413a(e)(2)(B) of title 
        10, United States Code, includes a disability incurred during 
        aviation duty, diving duty, rescue swimmer or similar duty, and 
        hazardous service duty onboard a small vessel (such as duty as a 
        surfman)--
                    (A) in the performance of duties for which special 
                or incentive pay was paid pursuant to section 301, 301a, 
                304, 307, 334, or 351 of title 37, United States Code;
                    (B) in the performance of duties related to a 
                statutory mission of the Coast Guard under paragraph (1) 
                or paragraph (2) of section 888(a) of the Homeland 
                Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(a)), including--
                          (i) law enforcement, including drug or migrant 
                      interdiction;
                          (ii) defense readiness; or
                          (iii) search and rescue; or
                    (C) while engaged in a training exercise for the 
                performance of a duty described in subparagraphs (A) and 
                (B).

    (b) <<NOTE: Effective date.>> Applicability of Procedures and 
Criteria.--The procedures and criteria issued pursuant to subsection (a) 
shall apply to disabilities described in that subsection that are 
incurred on or after the effective date provided in section 636(a)(2) of 
the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 
(Public Law 107-314; 116 Stat. 2574; 10 U.S.C. 1413a note).

    (c) <<NOTE: Time period.>> Reapplication for Compensation.--Any 
member of the Coast Guard who was denied combat-related special 
compensation under section 1413a of title 10, United States Code, during 
the period beginning on the effective date specified in subsection (b) 
and ending on the date of the issuance of the procedures and criteria 
required by subsection (a) may reapply for combat-related special 
compensation under such section on the basis of such procedures and 
criteria in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall specify.
SEC. 222. LEAVE POLICIES FOR THE COAST GUARD.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is 
further amended by inserting after section 430 the following:
``Sec. 431. <<NOTE: 14 USC 431.>> Leave policies for the Coast 
                Guard

    ``Not <<NOTE: Deadline. Regulations.>> later than 1 year after the 
date on which the Secretary of the Navy promulgates a new rule, policy, 
or memorandum pursuant to section 704 of title 10, United States Code, 
with respect to leave associated with the birth or adoption of a child, 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall promulgate a similar rule, policy, or memorandum that provides 
leave to officers and enlisted members of the Coast Guard that is equal 
in duration and compensation to that provided by the Secretary of the 
Navy.''.

[[Page 130 STAT. 50]]

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of such 
chapter <<NOTE: 14 USC 211 prec.>> is further amended by inserting after 
the item related to section 430 the following:

``431. Leave policies for the Coast Guard.''.

                   TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION

SEC. 301. SURVIVAL CRAFT.

    (a) In General.--Section 3104 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3104. Survival craft

    ``(a) Requirement To Equip.--The Secretary shall require that a 
passenger vessel be equipped with survival craft that ensures that no 
part of an individual is immersed in water, if--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> such vessel is built or undergoes 
        a major conversion after January 1, 2016; and
            ``(2) operates in cold waters as determined by the 
        Secretary.

    ``(b) Higher Standard of Safety.--The Secretary may revise part 117 
or part 180 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect 
before January 1, 2016, if such revision provides a higher standard of 
safety than is provided by the regulations in effect on or before the 
date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015.
    ``(c) Innovative and Novel Designs.--The Secretary may, in lieu of 
the requirements set out in part 117 or part 180 of title 46, Code of 
Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the 
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, allow a passenger vessel to be 
equipped with a life-saving appliance or arrangement of an innovative or 
novel design that--
            ``(1) ensures no part of an individual is immersed in water; 
        and
            ``(2) provides an equal or higher standard of safety than is 
        provided by such requirements as in effect before such date of 
        the enactment.

    ``(d) Built Defined.--In this section, the term `built' has the 
meaning that term has under section 4503(e).''.
    (b) <<NOTE: 46 USC 3104 note.>> Review; Revision of Regulations.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Review.--Not later than December 31, 
        2016, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
        is operating 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 review 
        of--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Time period.>> the number of casualties 
                for individuals with disabilities, children, and the 
                elderly as a result of immersion in water, reported to 
                the Coast Guard over the preceding 30-year period, by 
                vessel type and area of operation;
                    (B) the risks to individuals with disabilities, 
                children, and the elderly as a result of immersion in 
                water, by passenger vessel type and area of operation;
                    (C) the effect that carriage of survival craft that 
                ensure that no part of an individual is immersed in 
                water has on--
                          (i) passenger vessel safety, including 
                      stability and safe navigation;

[[Page 130 STAT. 51]]

                          (ii) improving the survivability of 
                      individuals, including individuals with 
                      disabilities, children, and the elderly; and
                          (iii) the costs, the incremental cost 
                      difference to vessel operators, and the cost 
                      effectiveness of requiring the carriage of such 
                      survival craft to address the risks to individuals 
                      with disabilities, children, and the elderly;
                    (D) the efficacy of alternative safety systems, 
                devices, or measures in improving survivability of 
                individuals with disabilities, children, and the 
                elderly; and
                    (E) the number of small businesses and nonprofit 
                vessel operators that would be affected by requiring the 
                carriage of such survival craft on passenger vessels to 
                address the risks to individuals with disabilities, 
                children, and the elderly.
            (2) Scope.--In conducting the review under paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary shall include an examination of passenger vessel 
        casualties that have occurred in the waters of other nations.
            (3) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Updates.--The Secretary shall update 
        the review required under paragraph (1) every 5 years.
            (4) <<NOTE: Regulations.>> Revision.--Based on the review 
        conducted under paragraph (1), including updates thereto, the 
        Secretary shall revise regulations concerning the carriage of 
        survival craft under section 3104(c) of title 46, United States 
        Code.

    (c) GAO Study.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Deadline. Reports.>> In general.--Not later than 
        5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
        General of the United States shall complete and 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 to determine any adverse 
        or positive changes in public safety after the implementation of 
        the amendments and requirements under this section and section 
        3104 of title 46, United States Code.
            (2) <<NOTE: Examination.>> Requirements.--In completing the 
        report under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall 
        examine--
                    (A) the number of casualties, by vessel type and 
                area of operation, as the result of immersion in water 
                reported to the Coast Guard for each of the 10 most 
                recent fiscal years for which such data are available;
                    (B) data for each fiscal year on--
                          (i) vessel safety, including stability and 
                      safe navigation; and
                          (ii) survivability of individuals, including 
                      individuals with disabilities, children, and the 
                      elderly;
                    (C) the efficacy of alternative safety systems, 
                devices, or measures; and
                    (D) any available data on the costs of the 
                amendments and requirements under this section and 
                section 3104 of title 46, United States Code.
SEC. 302. VESSEL REPLACEMENT.

    (a) Loans and Guarantees.--Chapter 537 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in section 53701--

[[Page 130 STAT. 52]]

                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (14) as 
                paragraphs (9) through (15), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
            ``(8) <<NOTE: Definition.>> Historical uses.--The term 
        `historical uses' includes--
                    ``(A) refurbishing, repairing, rebuilding, or 
                replacing equipment on a fishing vessel, without 
                materially increasing harvesting capacity;
                    ``(B) purchasing a used fishing vessel;
                    ``(C) purchasing, constructing, expanding, or 
                reconditioning a fishery facility;
                    ``(D) refinancing existing debt;
                    ``(E) reducing fishing capacity; and
                    ``(F) making upgrades to a fishing vessel, including 
                upgrades in technology, gear, or equipment, that 
                improve--
                          ``(i) collection and reporting of fishery-
                      dependent data;
                          ``(ii) bycatch reduction or avoidance;
                          ``(iii) gear selectivity;
                          ``(iv) adverse impacts caused by fishing gear; 
                      or
                          ``(v) safety.''; and
            (2) in section 53702(b), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Minimum obligations available for historic uses.--Of 
        the direct loan obligations issued by the Secretary under this 
        chapter, the Secretary shall make a minimum of $59,000,000 
        available each fiscal year for historic uses.
            ``(4) Use of obligations in limited access fisheries.--In 
        addition to the other eligible purposes and uses of direct loan 
        obligations provided for in this chapter, the Secretary may 
        issue direct loan obligations for the purpose of--
                    ``(A) financing the construction or reconstruction 
                of a fishing vessel in a fishery managed under a limited 
                access system; or
                    ``(B) financing the purchase of harvesting rights in 
                a fishery that is federally managed under a limited 
                access system.''.

    (b) Limitation on Application to Certain Fishing Vessels of 
Prohibition Under Vessel Construction Program.--Section 302(b)(2) of the 
Fisheries Financing Act (title III of Public Law 104-297; 46 U.S.C. 
53706 note) is amended--
            (1) in the second sentence--
                    (A) by striking ``or in'' and inserting ``, in''; 
                and
                    (B) by inserting before the period the following: 
                ``, in fisheries that are under the jurisdiction of the 
                North Pacific Fishery Management Council and managed 
                under a fishery management plan issued under the 
                Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
                (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), or in the Pacific whiting 
                fishery that is under the jurisdiction of the Pacific 
                Fishery Management Council and managed under a fishery 
                management plan issued under that Act''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following: ``Any fishing vessel 
        operated in fisheries under the jurisdiction of the North 
        Pacific Fishery Management Council and managed under a fishery 
        management plan issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
        Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), or in 
        the Pacific whiting fishery under the jurisdiction of the

[[Page 130 STAT. 53]]

        Pacific Fishery Management Council and managed under a fishery 
        management plan issued under that Act, and that is replaced by a 
        vessel that is constructed or rebuilt with a loan or loan 
        guarantee provided by the Federal Government may not be used to 
        harvest fish in any fishery under the jurisdiction of any 
        regional fishery management council, other than a fishery under 
        the jurisdiction of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
        or the Pacific Fishery Management Council.''.
SEC. 303. MODEL YEARS FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS.

    (a) In General.--Section 4302 of title 46, United States Code is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e)(1) Under this section, a model year for recreational vessels 
and associated equipment shall, except as provided in paragraph (2)--
            ``(A) <<NOTE: Effective date. Termination date.>> begin on 
        June 1 of a year and end on July 31 of the following year; and
            ``(B) be designated by the year in which it ends.

    ``(2) Upon the request of a recreational vessel manufacturer to 
which this chapter applies, the Secretary may alter a model year for a 
model of recreational vessel of the manufacturer and associated 
equipment, by no more than 6 months from the model year described in 
paragraph (1).''.
    (b) <<NOTE: 46 USC 4302 note.>> Application.--This section shall 
only apply with respect to recreational vessels and associated equipment 
constructed or manufactured, respectively, on or after the date of 
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 304. <<NOTE: Deadlines. 46 USC 7302 note.>> MERCHANT MARINER 
                        CREDENTIAL EXPIRATION HARMONIZATION.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (c) and 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 
a process to harmonize the expiration dates of merchant mariner 
credentials, mariner medical certificates, and radar observer 
endorsements for individuals applying to the Secretary for a new 
merchant mariner credential or for renewal of an existing merchant 
mariner credential.
    (b) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that the process 
established under subsection (a)--
            (1) does not require an individual to renew a merchant 
        mariner credential earlier than the date on which the 
        individual's current credential expires; and
            (2) results in harmonization of expiration dates for 
        merchant mariner credentials, mariner medical certificates, and 
        radar observer endorsements for all individuals by not later 
        than 6 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

    (c) Exception.--The process established under subsection (a) does 
not apply to individuals--
            (1) holding a merchant mariner credential with--
                    (A) an active Standards of Training, Certification, 
                and Watchkeeping endorsement; or
                    (B) Federal first-class pilot endorsement; or
            (2) who have been issued a time-restricted medical 
        certificate.

[[Page 130 STAT. 54]]

SEC. 305. <<NOTE: Deadline. 33 USC 1231 note.>> SAFETY ZONES FOR 
                        PERMITTED MARINE EVENTS.

    Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall establish and implement a process to--
            (1) account for the number of safety zones established for 
        permitted marine events;
            (2) differentiate whether the event sponsor who requested a 
        permit for such an event is--
                    (A) an individual;
                    (B) an organization; or
                    (C) a government entity; and
            (3) account for Coast Guard resources utilized to enforce 
        safety zones established for permitted marine events, including 
        for--
                    (A) the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard 
                Auxiliary vessels used; and
                    (B) the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard 
                Auxiliary patrol hours required.
SEC. 306. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    (a) Title 46.--Title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in section 103, by striking ``(33 U.S.C. 151).'' and 
        inserting ``(33 U.S.C. 151(b)).'';
            (2) in section 2118--
                    (A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
                paragraph (1), by striking ``title,'' and inserting 
                ``subtitle,''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``title'' and 
                inserting ``subtitle'';
            (3) <<NOTE: 46 USC 3501 prec.>> in the analysis for chapter 
        35--
                    (A) by adding a period at the end of the item 
                relating to section 3507; and
                    (B) by adding a period at the end of the item 
                relating to section 3508;
            (4) in section 3715(a)(2), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (5) in section 4506, by striking ``(a)'';
            (6) in section 8103(b)(1)(A)(iii), by striking ``Academy.'' 
        and inserting ``Academy; and'';
            (7) in section 11113(c)(1)(A)(i), by striking ``under this 
        Act'';
            (8) <<NOTE: 46 USC 70101 prec.>> in the analysis for chapter 
        701--
                    (A) by adding a period at the end of the item 
                relating to section 70107A;
                    (B) in the item relating to section 70112, by 
                striking ``security advisory committees.'' and inserting 
                ``Security Advisory Committees.''; and
                    (C) in the item relating to section 70122, by 
                striking ``watch program.'' and inserting ``Watch 
                Program.'';
            (9) in section 70105(c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(B)(xv)--
                          (i) by striking ``18, popularly'' and 
                      inserting ``18 (popularly''; and
                          (ii) by striking ``Act'' and inserting 
                      ``Act)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(D) paragraph'' 
                and inserting ``(D) of paragraph'';
            (10) in section 70107--
                    (A) in subsection (b)(2), by striking 
                ``5121(j)(8)),'' and inserting ``5196(j)(8)),''; and

[[Page 130 STAT. 55]]

                    (B) in subsection (m)(3)(C)(iii), by striking ``that 
                is'' and inserting ``that the applicant'';
            (11) in section 70122, in the section heading, by striking 
        ``watch program'' and inserting ``Watch Program''; and
            (12) <<NOTE: 46 USC 70501 prec.>> in the analysis for 
        chapter 705, by adding a period at the end of the item relating 
        to section 70508.

    (b) General Bridge Statutes.--
            (1) Act of march 3, 1899.--The Act of March 3, 1899, 
        popularly known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 
        1899, is amended--
                    (A) in section 9 (33 U.S.C. 401), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which the 
                Coast Guard is operating''; and
                    (B) in section 18 (33 U.S.C. 502), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which the 
                Coast Guard is operating''.
            (2) Act of march 23, 1906.--The Act of March 23, 1906, 
        popularly known as the Bridge Act of 1906, is amended--
                    (A) in the first section (33 U.S.C. 491), by 
                striking ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating'';
                    (B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 494), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Homeland Security'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which the 
                Coast Guard is operating''; and
                    (C) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 495), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which the 
                Coast Guard is operating''.
            (3) Act of august 18, 1894.--Section 5 of the Act entitled 
        ``An Act making appropriations for the construction, repair, and 
        preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and 
        for other purposes'', approved August 18, 1894 (33 U.S.C. 499) 
        is amended by striking ``Secretary of Transportation'' each 
        place it appears and inserting ``Secretary of the department in 
        which the Coast Guard is operating''.
            (4) Act of june 21, 1940.--The Act of June 21, 1940, 
        popularly known as the Truman-Hobbs Act, is amended--
                    (A) in section 1 (33 U.S.C. 511), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating'';
                    (B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 514), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating'';
                    (C) in section 7 (33 U.S.C. 517), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which the 
                Coast Guard is operating''; and
                    (D) in section 13 (33 U.S.C. 523), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating''.
            (5) General bridge act of 1946.--The General Bridge Act of 
        1946 is amended--
                    (A) in section 502(b) (33 U.S.C. 525(b)), by 
                striking ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of

[[Page 130 STAT. 56]]

                the department in which the Coast Guard is operating''; 
                and
                    (B) in section 510 (33 U.S.C. 533), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which the 
                Coast Guard is operating''.
            (6) International bridge act of 1972.--The International 
        Bridge Act of 1972 is amended--
                    (A) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 535c), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating'';
                    (B) in section 8 (33 U.S.C. 535e), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which the 
                Coast Guard is operating''; and
                    (C) by striking section 11 (33 U.S.C. 535h).
SEC. 307. <<NOTE: Notification.>> RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS 
                        OF MARINE CASUALTY REPORTING.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall notify the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of 
the actions the Commandant will take to implement recommendations on 
improvements to the Coast Guard's marine casualty reporting requirements 
and procedures included in--
            (1) the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector 
        General report entitled ``Marine Accident Reporting, 
        Investigations, and Enforcement in the United States Coast 
        Guard'', released on May 23, 2013; and
            (2) the Towing Safety Advisory Committee report entitled 
        ``Recommendations for Improvement of Marine Casualty 
        Reporting'', released on March 26, 2015.
SEC. 308. <<NOTE: Deadline. Regulations.>> RECREATIONAL VESSEL 
                        ENGINE WEIGHTS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall issue regulations amending table 4 to subpart H of part 183 of 
title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to Weights (Pounds) of 
Outboard Motor and Related Equipment for Various Boat Horsepower 
Ratings) as appropriate to reflect ``Standard 30-Outboard Engine and 
Related Equipment Weights'' published by the American Boat and Yacht 
Council, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 309. MERCHANT MARINER MEDICAL CERTIFICATION REFORM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 7509. <<NOTE: 46 USC 7509.>> Medical certification by 
                  trusted agents

    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law and 
pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a trusted agent may 
issue a medical certificate to an individual who--
            ``(1) must hold such certificate to qualify for a license, 
        certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document, or 
        endorsement thereto under this part; and

[[Page 130 STAT. 57]]

            ``(2) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical 
        condition to perform the duties of such license, certificate, 
        document, or endorsement, as determined by the trusted agent.

    ``(b) <<NOTE: Regulations.>> Process for Issuance of Certificates by 
Secretary.--A final rule implementing this section shall include a 
process for--
            ``(1) the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
        Guard is operating to issue medical certificates to mariners who 
        submit applications for such certificates to the Secretary; and
            ``(2) a trusted agent to defer to the Secretary the issuance 
        of a medical certificate.

    ``(c) Trusted Agent Defined.--In this section the term `trusted 
agent' means a medical practitioner certified by the Secretary to 
perform physical examinations of an individual for purposes of a 
license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document under 
this part.''.
    (b) <<NOTE: Regulations. 46 USC 7509 note.>> Deadline.--Not later 
than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue a 
final rule implementing section 7509 of title 46, United States Code, as 
added by this section.

    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter <<NOTE: 46 
USC 7501 prec.>> is amended by adding at the end the following:

``7509. Medical certification by trusted agents.''.

SEC. 310. <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> ATLANTIC COAST PORT ACCESS ROUTE 
                        STUDY.

    (a) Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study.--Not later than April 1, 
2016, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall conclude the Atlantic 
Coast Port Access Route Study and submit the results of such study to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.
    (b) Nantucket Sound.--Not later than December 1, 2016, the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall complete and 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 
port access route study of Nantucket Sound using the standards and 
methodology of the Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study, to determine 
whether the Coast Guard should revise existing regulations to improve 
navigation safety in Nantucket Sound due to factors such as increased 
vessel traffic, changing vessel traffic patterns, weather conditions, or 
navigational difficulty in the vicinity.
SEC. 311. <<NOTE: Deadlines. Regulations. 46 USC 12105 
                        note.>> CERTIFICATES OF DOCUMENTATION FOR 
                        RECREATIONAL VESSELS.

    Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall issue regulations that--
            (1) make certificates of documentation for recreational 
        vessels effective for 5 years; and
            (2) require the owner of such a vessel--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Notification.>> to notify the Coast 
                Guard of each change in the information on which the 
                issuance of the certificate of documentation is based, 
                that occurs before the expiration of the certificate; 
                and

[[Page 130 STAT. 58]]

                    (B) apply for a new certificate of documentation for 
                such a vessel if there is any such change.
SEC. 312. <<NOTE: Deadline. 33 USC 1503 note.>> PROGRAM 
                        GUIDELINES.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment this Act, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall--
            (1) develop guidelines to implement the program authorized 
        under section 304(a) of the Coast Guard and Maritime 
        Transportation Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-241), including 
        specific actions to ensure the future availability of able and 
        credentialed United States licensed and unlicensed seafarers 
        including--
                    (A) incentives to encourage partnership agreements 
                with operators of foreign-flag vessels that carry 
                liquified natural gas, that provide no less than one 
                training billet per vessel for United States merchant 
                mariners in order to meet minimum mandatory sea service 
                requirements;
                    (B) development of appropriate training curricula 
                for use by public and private maritime training 
                institutions to meet all United States merchant mariner 
                license, certification, and document laws and 
                requirements under the International Convention on 
                Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 
                for Seafarers, 1978; and
                    (C) steps to promote greater outreach and awareness 
                of additional job opportunities for sea service veterans 
                of the United States Armed Forces; and
            (2) submit such guidelines to the Committee Transportation 
        and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate.
SEC. 313. REPEALS.

    (a) Repeals, Merchant Marine Act, 1936.--Sections 601 through 606, 
608 through 611, 613 through 616, 802, and 809 of the Merchant Marine 
Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 53101 note) are repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Chapter 575 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in section 57501, by striking ``titles V and VI'' and 
        inserting ``title V''; and
            (2) in section 57531(a), by striking ``titles V and VI'' and 
        inserting ``title V''.

    (c) Transfer From Merchant Marine Act, 1936.--
            (1) In general.--Section 801 of the Merchant Marine Act, 
        1936 (46 U.S.C. 53101 note) is--
                    (A) redesignated as section 57522 of title 46, 
                United States Code, and transferred to appear after 
                section 57521 of such title; and
                    (B) as so redesignated and transferred, is amended--
                          (i) by striking so much as precedes the first 
                      sentence and inserting the following:
``Sec. 57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and inspection 
                    and auditing'';
                          (ii) by striking ``the provision of title VI 
                      or VII of this Act'' and inserting ``this 
                      chapter''; and
                          (iii) by striking ``: Provided, That'' and all 
                      that follows through ``Commission''.

[[Page 130 STAT. 59]]

            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 575, of 
        title 46, United States Code, <<NOTE: 46 USC 57501 prec.>> is 
        amended by inserting after the item relating to section 57521 
        the following:

``57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and inspection and 
           auditing.''.

    (d) Repeals, Title 46, U.S.C.--Section 8103 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended in subsections (c) and (d) by striking ``or 
operating'' each place it appears.
SEC. 314. MARITIME DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Prohibitions.--Section 70503(a) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Prohibitions.--While on board a covered vessel, an individual 
may not knowingly or intentionally--
            ``(1) manufacture or distribute, or possess with intent to 
        manufacture or distribute, a controlled substance;
            ``(2) destroy (including jettisoning any item or scuttling, 
        burning, or hastily cleaning a vessel), or attempt or conspire 
        to destroy, property that is subject to forfeiture under section 
        511(a) of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control 
        Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 881(a)); or
            ``(3) conceal, or attempt or conspire to conceal, more than 
        $100,000 in currency or other monetary instruments on the person 
        of such individual or in any conveyance, article of luggage, 
        merchandise, or other container, or compartment of or aboard the 
        covered vessel if that vessel is outfitted for smuggling.''.

    (b) Covered Vessel Defined.--Section 70503 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Covered Vessel Defined.--In this section the term `covered 
vessel' means--
            ``(1) a vessel of the United States or a vessel subject to 
        the jurisdiction of the United States; or
            ``(2) any other vessel if the individual is a citizen of the 
        United States or a resident alien of the United States.''.

    (c) Penalties.--Section 70506 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``A person violating 
        section 70503'' and inserting ``A person violating paragraph (1) 
        of section 70503(a)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(d) Penalty.--A person violating paragraph (2) or (3) of section 
70503(a) shall be fined in accordance with section 3571 of title 18, 
imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.''.
    (d) Seizure and Forfeiture.--Section 70507(a) of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``section 70503'' and inserting 
``section 70503 or 70508''.
    (e) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) The heading of section 70503 of title 46, United States 
        Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 70503. Prohibited acts''
            (2) The analysis for chapter 705 of title 46, United States 
        Code, <<NOTE: 46 USC 70501 prec.>> is further amended by 
        striking the item relating to section 70503 and inserting the 
        following:

``70503. Prohibited acts.''.

[[Page 130 STAT. 60]]

SEC. 315. EXAMINATIONS FOR MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALS.

    (a) Disclosure.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, 
        is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 7510. <<NOTE: 46 USC 7510.>> Examinations for merchant 
                  mariner credentials

    ``(a) Disclosure Not Required.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the Secretary is not required to disclose to the public--
            ``(1) a question from any examination for a merchant mariner 
        credential;
            ``(2) the answer to such a question, including any correct 
        or incorrect answer that may be presented with such question; 
        and
            ``(3) any quality or characteristic of such a question, 
        including--
                    ``(A) the manner in which such question has been, 
                is, or may be selected for an examination;
                    ``(B) the frequency of such selection; and
                    ``(C) the frequency that an examinee correctly or 
                incorrectly answered such question.

    ``(b) Exception for Certain Questions.--Notwithstanding subsection 
(a), the Secretary may, for the purpose of preparation by the general 
public for examinations required for merchant mariner credentials, 
release an examination question and answer that the Secretary has 
retired or is not presently on or part of an examination, or that the 
Secretary determines is appropriate for release.
    ``(c) Exam Review.--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Deadlines. Establishment.>> In general.--Not 
        later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Coast 
        Guard Authorization Act of 2015, and once every two years 
        thereafter, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall commission a 
        working group to review new questions for inclusion in 
        examinations required for merchant mariner credentials, composed 
        of--
                    ``(A) 1 subject matter expert from the Coast Guard;
                    ``(B) representatives from training facilities and 
                the maritime industry, of whom--
                          ``(i) one-half shall be representatives from 
                      approved training facilities; and
                          ``(ii) one-half shall be representatives from 
                      the appropriate maritime industry;
                    ``(C) at least 1 representative from the Merchant 
                Marine Personnel Advisory Committee;
                    ``(D) at least 2 representatives from the State 
                maritime academies, of whom one shall be a 
                representative from the deck training track and one 
                shall be a representative of the engine license track;
                    ``(E) representatives from other Coast Guard Federal 
                advisory committees, as appropriate, for the industry 
                segment associated with the subject examinations;
                    ``(F) at least 1 subject matter expert from the 
                Maritime Administration; and
                    ``(G) at least 1 human performance technology 
                representative.

[[Page 130 STAT. 61]]

            ``(2) Inclusion of persons knowledgeable about examination 
        type.--The working group shall include representatives 
        knowledgeable about the examination type under review.
            ``(3) Limitation.--The requirement to convene a working 
        group under paragraph (1) does not apply unless there are new 
        examination questions to review.
            ``(4) Baseline review.--
                    ``(A) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In general.--Within 1 year 
                after the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard 
                Authorization Act of 2015, the Secretary shall convene 
                the working group to complete a baseline review of the 
                Coast Guard's Merchant Mariner Credentialing 
                Examination, including review of--
                          ``(i) the accuracy of examination questions;
                          ``(ii) the accuracy and availability of 
                      examination references;
                          ``(iii) the length of merchant mariner 
                      examinations; and
                          ``(iv) the use of standard technologies in 
                      administering, scoring, and analyzing the 
                      examinations.
                    ``(B) Progress report.--The Coast Guard shall 
                provide a progress report to the appropriate 
                congressional committees on the review under this 
                paragraph.
            ``(5) Full membership not required.--The Coast Guard may 
        convene the working group without all members present if any 
        non-Coast-Guard representative is present.
            ``(6) Nondisclosure agreement.--The Secretary shall require 
        all members of the working group to sign a nondisclosure 
        agreement with the Secretary.
            ``(7) Treatment of members as federal employees.--A member 
        of the working group who is not a Federal Government employee 
        shall not be considered a Federal employee in the service or the 
        employment of the Federal Government, except that such a member 
        shall be considered a special government employee, as defined in 
        section 202(a) of title 18 for purposes of sections 203, 205, 
        207, 208, and 209 of such title and shall be subject to any 
        administrative standards of conduct applicable to an employee of 
        the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
            ``(8) Formal exam review.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
        the Coast Guard Performance Technology Center--
                    ``(A) prioritizes the review of examinations 
                required for merchant mariner credentials; and
                    ``(B) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> not later than 3 years 
                after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard 
                Authorization Act of 2015, completes a formal review, 
                including an appropriate analysis, of the topics and 
                testing methodology employed by the National Maritime 
                Center for merchant seamen licensing.
            ``(9) FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
        App) shall not apply to any working group created under this 
        section to review the Coast Guard's merchant mariner 
        credentialing examinations.

    ``(d) Merchant Mariner Credential Defined.--In this section, the 
term `merchant mariner credential' means a merchant seaman license, 
certificate, or document that the Secretary is authorized to issue 
pursuant to this title.''.

[[Page 130 STAT. 62]]

            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for such <<NOTE: 46 
        USC 7501 prec.>> chapter is further amended by adding at the end 
        the following:

``7510. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.''.

    (b) Examinations for Merchant Mariner Credentials.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 71 of title 46, United States Code, 
        is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 7116. <<NOTE: 46 USC 7116.>> Examinations for merchant 
                  mariner credentials

    ``(a) Requirement for Sample Exams.--The Secretary shall develop a 
sample merchant mariner credential examination and outline of merchant 
mariner examination topics on an annual basis.
    ``(b) Public Availability.--Each sample examination and outline of 
topics developed under subsection (a) shall be readily available to the 
public.
    ``(c) Merchant Mariner Credential Defined.--In this section, the 
term `merchant mariner credential' has the meaning that term has in 
section 7510.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for such <<NOTE: 46 
        USC 7101 prec.>> chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:

``7116. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.''.

    (c) <<NOTE: 46 USC 7510 note.>> Disclosure to Congress.--Nothing in 
this section may be construed to authorize the withholding of 
information from an appropriate inspector general, the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 316. HIGHER VOLUME PORT AREA REGULATORY DEFINITION CHANGE.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 710 of the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-281; 124 Stat. 2986) is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) <<NOTE: Applicability. Washington.>> Higher Volume Ports.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the requirements of subparts 
D, F, and G of part 155 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, that 
apply to the higher volume port area for the Strait of Juan de Fuca at 
Port Angeles, Washington (including any water area within 50 nautical 
miles seaward), to and including Puget Sound, shall apply, in the same 
manner, and to the same extent, to the Strait of Juan de Fuca at Cape 
Flattery, Washington (including any water area within 50 nautical miles 
seaward), to and including Puget Sound.''.

    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended 
by striking ``the modification of the higher volume port area definition 
required by subsection (a).'' and inserting ``higher volume port 
requirements made applicable under subsection (a).''.
SEC. 317. RECOGNITION OF PORT SECURITY ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED BY 
                        OTHER ENTITIES.

    Section 70108 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(f) Recognition of Assessment Conducted by Other Entities.--
            ``(1) Certification and treatment of assessments.--For the 
        purposes of this section and section 70109, the Secretary may 
        treat an assessment that a foreign government (including, for 
        the purposes of this subsection, an entity of or operating

[[Page 130 STAT. 63]]

        under the auspices of the European Union) or international 
        organization has conducted as an assessment that the Secretary 
        has conducted for the purposes of subsection (a), provided that 
        the Secretary certifies that the foreign government or 
        international organization has--
                    ``(A) conducted the assessment in accordance with 
                subsection (b); and
                    ``(B) provided the Secretary with sufficient 
                information pertaining to its assessment (including, but 
                not limited to, information on the outcome of the 
                assessment).
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Consultation.>> Authorization to enter into an 
        agreement.--For the purposes of this section and section 70109, 
        the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may 
        enter into an agreement with a foreign government (including, 
        for the purposes of this subsection, an entity of or operating 
        under the auspices of the European Union) or international 
        organization, under which parties to the agreement--
                    ``(A) conduct an assessment, required under 
                subsection (a);
                    ``(B) share information pertaining to such 
                assessment (including, but not limited to, information 
                on the outcome of the assessment); or
                    ``(C) both.
            ``(3) Limitations.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
        construed to--
                    ``(A) require the Secretary to recognize an 
                assessment that a foreign government or an international 
                organization has conducted; or
                    ``(B) limit the discretion or ability of the 
                Secretary to conduct an assessment under this section.
            ``(4) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Notification to congress.--Not 
        later than 30 days before entering into an agreement or 
        arrangement with a foreign government under paragraph (2), the 
        Secretary shall notify the Committee on Homeland Security and 
        the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
        of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate of the proposed terms of such 
        agreement or arrangement.''.
SEC. 318. FISHING VESSEL AND FISH TENDER VESSEL CERTIFICATION.

    (a) Alternative Safety Compliance Programs.--Section 4503 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``this section'' and 
        inserting ``this subsection'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``This section'' and 
        inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (d), subsection 
        (a)'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking ``This section'' and inserting ``(1) 
                Except as provided in paragraph (2), subsection (a)''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(2) Subsection (a) does not apply to a fishing vessel or fish 
tender vessel to which section 4502(b) of this title applies, if the 
vessel--
            ``(A) is at least 50 feet overall in length, and not more 
        than 79 feet overall in length as listed on the vessel's 
        certificate of documentation or certificate of number; and

[[Page 130 STAT. 64]]

            ``(B)(i) is built after the date of the enactment of the 
        Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015; and
            ``(ii) complies with--
                    ``(I) the requirements described in subsection (e); 
                or
                    ``(II) the alternative requirements established by 
                the Secretary under subsection (f).''; and
            (4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g), and 
        inserting after subsection (d) the following:

    ``(e) The requirements referred to in subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii)(I) 
are the following:
            ``(1) The vessel is designed by an individual licensed by a 
        State as a naval architect or marine engineer, and the design 
        incorporates 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 the vessel is overseen and certified 
        as being in accordance with its design by a marine surveyor of 
        an organization accepted by the Secretary.
            ``(3) The vessel--
                    ``(A) completes a stability test performed by a 
                qualified individual;
                    ``(B) has written stability and loading instructions 
                from a qualified individual that are provided to the 
                owner or operator; and
                    ``(C) has an assigned loading mark.
            ``(4) The vessel is not 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) The vessel undergoes a condition survey at least twice 
        in 5 years, not to exceed 3 years between surveys, to the 
        satisfaction of a marine surveyor of an organization accepted by 
        the Secretary.
            ``(6) The vessel undergoes 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 such vessel, compliance of the vessel with the 
        requirements of paragraph (3) is reviewed and updated as 
        necessary.
            ``(8) For the life of the vessel, the owner of the vessel 
        maintains records to demonstrate compliance with this subsection 
        and makes such records readily available for inspection by an 
        official authorized to enforce this chapter.

    ``(f)(1) <<NOTE: Deadline. Reports. Analysis.>> Not later than 10 
years after the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2015, 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 requirements 
under subsection (e) in maintaining the safety of the fishing vessels 
and fish tender vessels which are described in subsection (c)(2) and 
which comply with the requirements of subsection (e).

    ``(2) <<NOTE: Determination.>> If the report required under this 
subsection includes a determination that the safety requirements under 
subsection (e) are not adequate or that additional safety measures are 
necessary,

[[Page 130 STAT. 65]]

that the Secretary may establish an alternative safety compliance 
program for fishing vessels or fish tender vessels (or both) which are 
described in subsection (c)(2) and which comply with the requirements of 
subsection (e).

    ``(3) The alternative safety compliance program established under 
this subsection shall include requirements for--
            ``(A) vessel construction;
            ``(B) a vessel stability test;
            ``(C) vessel stability and loading instructions;
            ``(D) an assigned vessel loading mark;
            ``(E) a vessel condition survey at least twice in 5 years, 
        not to exceed 3 years between surveys;
            ``(F) an out-of-water vessel survey at least once every 5 
        years;
            ``(G) maintenance of records to demonstrate compliance with 
        the program, and the availability of such records for 
        inspection; and
            ``(H) such other aspects of vessel safety as the Secretary 
        considers appropriate.''.

    (b) GAO Report on Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 12 months 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 commercial fishing vessel safety. The report shall include--
                    (A) national and regional trends that can be 
                identified with respect to rates of marine casualties, 
                human injuries, and deaths aboard or involving fishing 
                vessels greater than 79 feet in length that operate 
                beyond the 3-nautical-mile demarcation line;
                    (B) a comparison of United States regulations for 
                classification of fishing vessels to those established 
                by other countries, including the vessel length at which 
                such regulations apply;
                    (C) the additional costs imposed on vessel owners as 
                a result of the requirement in section 4503(a) of title 
                46, United States Code, and how the those costs vary in 
                relation to vessel size and from region to region;
                    (D) savings that result from the application of the 
                requirement in section 4503(a) of title 46, United 
                States Code, including reductions in insurance rates or 
                reduction in the number of fishing vessels or fish 
                tender vessels lost to major safety casualties, 
                nationally and regionally;
                    (E) a national and regional comparison of the 
                additional costs and safety benefits associated with 
                fishing vessels or fish tender vessels that are built 
                and maintained to class through a classification society 
                to the additional costs and safety benefits associated 
                with fishing vessels or fish tender vessels that are 
                built to standards equivalent to classification society 
                construction standards and maintained to standards 
                equivalent to classification society standards with 
                verification by independent surveyors; and
                    (F) the impact on the cost of production and 
                availability of qualified shipyards, nationally and 
                regionally, resulting

[[Page 130 STAT. 66]]

                from the application of the requirement in section 
                4503(a) of title 46, United States Code.
            (2) Consultation requirement.--In preparing the report under 
        paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall--
                    (A) consult with owners and operators of fishing 
                vessels or fish tender vessels, classification 
                societies, shipyards, the National Institute for 
                Occupational Safety and Health, the National 
                Transportation Safety Board, the Coast Guard, academics, 
                naval architects, and marine safety nongovernmental 
                organizations; and
                    (B) obtain relevant data from the Coast Guard 
                including data collected from enforcement actions, 
                boardings, investigations of marine casualties, and 
                serious marine incidents.
            (3) Treatment of data.--In preparing the report under 
        paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall--
                    (A) disaggregate data regionally for each of the 
                regions managed by the regional fishery management 
                councils established under section 302 of the Magnuson-
                Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (16 
                U.S.C. 1852), the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 
                Commission, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries 
                Commission, and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries 
                Commission; and
                    (B) include qualitative data on the types of fishing 
                vessels or fish tender vessels included in the report.
SEC. 319. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON OIL POLLUTION 
                        RESEARCH.

    (a) In General.--Section 7001(a)(3) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 
(33 U.S.C. 2761(a)(3)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Minerals Management Service'' and 
        inserting ``Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the 
        Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,''; and
            (2) by inserting ``the United States Arctic Research 
        Commission,'' after ``National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration,''.

    (b) Technical Amendments.--Section 7001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 
1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2), in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A), by striking ``Department of Transportation'' 
        and inserting ``department in which the Coast Guard is 
        operating''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(8)(A), by striking ``(1989)'' and 
        inserting ``(2010)''.
SEC. 320. INTERNATIONAL PORT AND FACILITY INSPECTION COORDINATION.

    Section 825(a) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (6 
U.S.C. 945 note; Public Law 111-281) is amended in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1)--
            (1) by striking ``the department in which the Coast Guard is 
        operating'' and inserting ``Homeland Security''; and
            (2) by striking ``they are integrated and conducted by the 
        Coast Guard'' and inserting ``the assessments are coordinated 
        between the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection''.

[[Page 130 STAT. 67]]

                  TITLE IV--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 308. <<NOTE: 46 USC 308.>> Authorization of appropriations

    ``There is authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Maritime 
Commission $24,700,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017 for the 
activities of the Commission authorized under this chapter and subtitle 
IV.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 3 of title 46, 
United States Code, <<NOTE: 46 USC 301 prec.>> is amended by adding at 
the end the following:

``308. Authorization of appropriations.''.

SEC. 402. DUTIES OF THE CHAIRMAN.

    Section 301(c)(3)(A) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in clause (ii) by striking ``units, but only after 
        consultation with the other Commissioners;'' and inserting 
        ``units (with such appointments subject to the approval of the 
        Commission);'';
            (2) in clause (iv) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (3) in clause (v) by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                          ``(vi) prepare and submit to the President and 
                      the Congress requests for appropriations for the 
                      Commission (with such requests subject to the 
                      approval of the Commission).''.
SEC. 403. PROHIBITION ON AWARDS.

    Section 307 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Federal Maritime Commission'' and 
        inserting the following:

    ``(a) In General.--The Federal Maritime Commission''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(b) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Federal 
Maritime Commission may not expend any funds appropriated or otherwise 
made available to it to a non-Federal entity to issue an award, prize, 
commendation, or other honor that is not related to the purposes set 
forth in section 40101.''.

                          TITLE V--CONVEYANCES

                  Subtitle A--Miscellaneous Conveyances

SEC. 501. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN POINT REYES 
                        STATION, CALIFORNIA.

    (a) Conveyance.--
            (1) In general.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall 
        convey to the County of Marin, California all right, title,

[[Page 130 STAT. 68]]

        and interest of the United States in and to the covered 
        property--
                    (A) for fair market value, as provided in paragraph 
                (2);
                    (B) subject to the conditions required by this 
                section; and
                    (C) subject to any other term or condition that the 
                Commandant considers appropriate and reasonable to 
                protect the interests of the United States.
            (2) Fair market value.--The fair market value of the covered 
        property shall be--
                    (A) determined by a real estate appraiser who has 
                been selected by the County and is licensed to practice 
                in California; and
                    (B) approved by the Commandant.
            (3) Proceeds.--The Commandant shall deposit the proceeds 
        from a conveyance under paragraph (1) in the Coast Guard Housing 
        Fund established by section 687 of title 14, United States Code.

    (b) Condition of Conveyance.--As a condition of any conveyance of 
the covered property under this section, the Commandant shall require 
that all right, title, and interest in and to the covered property shall 
revert to the United States if the covered property or any part thereof 
ceases to be used for affordable housing, as defined by the County and 
the Commandant at the time of conveyance, or to provide a public benefit 
approved by the County.
    (c) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the covered 
property shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Commandant.
    (d) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to affect or limit the application of or obligation to comply with any 
environmental law, including section 120(h) of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 
U.S.C. 9620(h)).
    (e) Covered Property Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered 
property'' means the approximately 32 acres of real property (including 
all improvements located on the property) that are--
            (1) located in Point Reyes Station in the County of Marin, 
        California;
            (2) under the administrative control of the Coast Guard; and
            (3) described as ``Parcel A, Tract 1'', ``Parcel B, Tract 
        2'', ``Parcel C'', and ``Parcel D'' in the Declaration of Taking 
        (Civil No. C 71-1245 SC) filed June 28, 1971, in the United 
        States District Court for the Northern District of California.

    (f) Expiration.--The authority to convey the covered property under 
this section shall expire on the date that is four years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 502. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN TOK, ALASKA.

    (a) Conveyance Authorized.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard may 
convey to the Tanana Chiefs' Conference all right, title, and interest 
of the United States in and to the covered property, upon payment to the 
United States of the fair market value of the covered property.

[[Page 130 STAT. 69]]

    (b) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the covered 
property shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Commandant.
    (c) Fair Market Value.--The fair market value of the covered 
property shall be--
            (1) determined by appraisal; and
            (2) subject to the approval of the Commandant.

    (d) Costs of Conveyance.--The responsibility for all reasonable and 
necessary costs, including real estate transaction and environmental 
documentation costs, associated with a conveyance under this section 
shall be determined by the Commandant and the purchaser.
    (e) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Commandant may require 
such additional terms and conditions in connection with a conveyance 
under this section as the Commandant considers appropriate and 
reasonable to protect the interests of the United States.
    (f) Deposit of Proceeds.--Any proceeds received by the United States 
from a conveyance under this section shall be deposited in the Coast 
Guard Housing Fund established under section 687 of title 14, United 
States Code.
    (g) Covered Property Defined.--
            (1) In general.--In this section, the term ``covered 
        property'' means the approximately 3.25 acres of real property 
        (including all improvements located on the property) that are--
                    (A) located in Tok, Alaska;
                    (B) under the administrative control of the Coast 
                Guard; and
                    (C) described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Description.--The property described in this paragraph 
        is the following:
                    (A) Lots 11, 12 and 13, block ``G'', Second Addition 
                to Hartsell Subdivision, Section 20, Township 18 North, 
                Range 13 East, Copper River Meridian, Alaska as appears 
                by Plat No. 72-39 filed in the Office of the Recorder 
                for the Fairbanks Recording District of Alaska, bearing 
                seal dated 25 September 1972, all containing 
                approximately 1.25 acres and commonly known as 2-PLEX - 
                Jackie Circle, Units A and B.
                    (B) Beginning at a point being the SE corner of the 
                SE \1/4\ of the SE \1/4\ Section 24, Township 18 North, 
                Range 12 East, Copper River Meridian, Alaska; thence 
                running westerly along the south line of said SE \1/4\ 
                of the NE \1/4\ 260 feet; thence northerly parallel to 
                the east line of said SE \1/4\ of the NE \1/4\ 335 feet; 
                thence easterly parallel to the south line 260 feet; 
                then south 335 feet along the east boundary of Section 
                24 to the point of beginning; all containing 
                approximately 2.0 acres and commonly known as 4-PLEX - 
                West ``C'' and Willow, Units A, B, C and D.

    (h) Expiration.--The authority to convey the covered property under 
this section shall expire on the date that is 4 years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.

[[Page 130 STAT. 70]]

   Subtitle B-- <<NOTE: Pribilof Island Transition Completion Act of 
2015.>> Pribilof Islands
SEC. 521. <<NOTE: 16 USC 1151 note.>> SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Pribilof Island Transition 
Completion Act of 2015''.
SEC. 522. TRANSFER AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY.

    (a) Transfer.--To further accomplish the settlement of land claims 
under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), 
the Secretary of Commerce shall, subject to paragraph (2), and 
notwithstanding section 105(a) of the Pribilof Islands Transition Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1161 note; Public Law 106-562), convey all right, title, and 
interest in the following property to the Alaska native village 
corporation for St. Paul Island:
            (1) Lots 4, 5, and 6A, Block 18, Tract A, U.S. Survey 4943, 
        Alaska, the plat of which was Officially Filed on January 20, 
        2004, aggregating 13,006 square feet (0.30 acres).
            (2) On the termination of the license described in 
        subsection (b)(3), T. 35 S., R. 131 W., Seward Meridian, Alaska, 
        Tract 43, the plat of which was Officially Filed on May 14, 
        1986, containing 84.88 acres.

    (b) Federal Use.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of the department in which 
        the Coast Guard is operating may operate, maintain, keep, 
        locate, inspect, repair, and replace any Federal aid to 
        navigation located on the property described in subsection (a) 
        as long as the aid is needed for navigational purposes.
            (2) Administration.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
        Secretary may enter the property, at any time for as long as the 
        aid is needed for navigational purposes, without notice to the 
        extent that it is not practicable to provide advance notice.
            (3) License.--The Secretary of the Department in which the 
        Coast Guard is operating may maintain a license in effect on the 
        date of the enactment of this Act with respect to the real 
        property and improvements under subsection (a) until the 
        termination of the license.
            (4) Reports.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act and not less than once every 2 years 
        thereafter, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
        Guard is operating shall submit to the Committee on Natural 
        Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
        on--
                    (A) efforts taken to remediate contaminated soils on 
                tract 43 described in subsection (a)(2);
                    (B) a schedule for the completion of contaminated 
                soil remediation on tract 43; and
                    (C) any use of tract 43 to carry out Coast Guard 
                navigation activities.

    (c) Agreement on Transfer of Other Property on St. Paul Island.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In general.--In addition to the 
        property transferred under subsection (a), not later than 60 
        days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
        of Commerce and the presiding officer of the Alaska native 
        village corporation

[[Page 130 STAT. 71]]

        for St. Paul Island shall enter into an agreement to exchange of 
        property on Tracts 50 and 38 on St. Paul Island and to finalize 
        the recording of deeds, to reflect the boundaries and ownership 
        of Tracts 50 and 38 as depicted on a survey of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to be filed with the 
        Office of the Recorder for the Department of Natural Resources 
        for the State of Alaska.
            (2) Easements.--The survey described in subsection (a) shall 
        include respective easements granted to the Secretary and the 
        Alaska native village corporation for the purpose of utilities, 
        drainage, road access, and salt lagoon conservation.
SEC. 523. NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION.

    Section 105 of the Pribilof Islands Transition Act (16 U.S.C. 1161 
note; Public Law 106-562) is amended--
            (1) <<NOTE: Effective date.>> in subsection (a)(1), by 
        striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``Notwithstanding 
        paragraph (2) and effective beginning on the date the Secretary 
        publishes the notice of certification required by subsection 
        (b)(5), the Secretary'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``section 205 
                of the Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 1165)'' and 
                inserting ``section 205(a) of the Fur Seal Act of 1966 
                (16 U.S.C. 1165(a))''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) <<NOTE: Publication.>> Notice of certification.--The 
        Secretary shall promptly publish and submit to the Committee on 
        Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
        notice that the certification described in paragraph (2) has 
        been made.''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``makes the certification described in 
                subsection (b)(2)'' and inserting ``publishes the notice 
                of certification required by subsection (b)(5)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Section 205'' 
                and inserting ``Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of 
                section 205'';
            (4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and
            (5) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

    ``(e) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> Notifications.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the 
        Secretary makes a determination under subsection (f) that land 
        on St. Paul Island, Alaska, not specified for transfer in the 
        document entitled `Transfer of Property on the Pribilof Islands: 
        Descriptions, Terms and Conditions' or section 522 of the 
        Pribilof Island Transition Completion Act of 2015 is in excess 
        of the needs of the Secretary and the Federal Government, the 
        Secretary shall notify the Alaska native village corporation for 
        St. Paul Island of the determination.
            ``(2) Election to receive.--Not later than 60 days after the 
        date receipt of the notification of the Secretary under 
        subsection (a), the Alaska native village corporation for St. 
        Paul Island shall notify the Secretary in writing whether the 
        Alaska native village corporation elects to receive all right, 
        title, and interest in the land or a portion of the land.

[[Page 130 STAT. 72]]

            ``(3) Transfer.--If the Alaska native village corporation 
        provides notice under paragraph (2) that the Alaska native 
        village corporation elects to receive all right, title and 
        interest in the land or a portion of the land, the Secretary 
        shall transfer all right, title, and interest in the land or 
        portion to the Alaska native village corporation at no cost.
            ``(4) Other disposition.--If the Alaska native village 
        corporation does not provide notice under paragraph (2) that the 
        Alaska native village corporation elects to receive all right, 
        title, and interest in the land or a portion of the land, the 
        Secretary may dispose of the land in accordance with other 
        applicable law.

    ``(f) Determination.--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> In general.--Not later than 2 
        years after the date of the enactment of this subsection and not 
        less than once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall 
        determine whether property located on St. Paul Island and not 
        transferred to the Natives of the Pribilof Islands is in excess 
        of the smallest practicable tract enclosing land--
                    ``(A) needed by the Secretary for the purposes of 
                carrying out the Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 1151 et 
                seq.);
                    ``(B) in the case of land withdrawn by the Secretary 
                on behalf of other Federal agencies, needed for carrying 
                out the missions of those agencies for which land was 
                withdrawn; or
                    ``(C) actually used by the Federal Government in 
                connection with the administration of any Federal 
                installation on St. Paul Island.
            ``(2) Report of determination.--When a determination is made 
        under subsection (a), the Secretary shall report the 
        determination to--
                    ``(A) the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
                House of Representatives;
                    ``(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate; and
                    ``(C) the Alaska native village corporation for St. 
                Paul Island.''.
SEC. 524. REDUNDANT CAPABILITY.

    (a) Rule of Construction.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
section 681 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, 
shall not be construed to prohibit any transfer or conveyance of lands 
under this subtitle or any actions that involve the dismantling or 
disposal of infrastructure that supported the former LORAN system that 
are associated with the transfer or conveyance of lands under section 
522.
    (b) <<NOTE: Deadline. Time period. Effective 
date. Determination.>> Redundant Capability.--If, within the 5-year 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating determines that 
a facility on Tract 43, if transferred under this subtitle, is 
subsequently required to provide a positioning, navigation, and timing 
system to provide redundant capability in the event GPS signals are 
disrupted, the Secretary may--
            (1) operate, maintain, keep, locate, inspect, repair, and 
        replace such facility; and

[[Page 130 STAT. 73]]

            (2) in carrying out the activities described in paragraph 
        (1), enter, at any time, the facility without notice to the 
        extent that it is not possible to provide advance notice, for as 
        long as such facility is needed to provide such capability.

 Subtitle C--Conveyance of Coast Guard Property at Point Spencer, Alaska

SEC. 531. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) Major shipping traffic is increasing through the Bering 
        Strait, the Bering and Chukchi Seas, and the Arctic Ocean, and 
        will continue to increase whether or not development of the 
        Outer Continental Shelf of the United States is undertaken in 
        the future, and will increase further if such Outer Continental 
        Shelf development is undertaken.
            (2) There is a compelling national, State, Alaska Native, 
        and private sector need for permanent infrastructure development 
        and for a presence in the Arctic region of Alaska by appropriate 
        agencies of the Federal Government, particularly in proximity to 
        the Bering Strait, to support and facilitate search and rescue, 
        shipping safety, economic development, oil spill prevention and 
        response, protection of Alaska Native archaeological and 
        cultural resources, port of refuge, arctic research, and 
        maritime law enforcement on the Bering Sea, the Chukchi Sea, and 
        the Arctic Ocean.
            (3) The United States owns a parcel of land, known as Point 
        Spencer, located between the Bering Strait and Port Clarence and 
        adjacent to some of the best potential deepwater port sites on 
        the coast of Alaska in the Arctic.
            (4) Prudent and effective use of Point Spencer may be best 
        achieved through marshaling the energy, resources, and 
        leadership of the public and private sectors.
            (5) It is in the national interest to develop infrastructure 
        at Point Spencer that would aid the Coast Guard in performing 
        its statutory duties and functions in the Arctic on a more 
        permanent basis and to allow for public and private sector 
        development of facilities and other infrastructure to support 
        purposes that are of benefit to the United States.
SEC. 532. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (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) BSNC.--The term ``BSNC'' means the Bering Straits Native 
        Corporation authorized under section 7 of the Alaska Native 
        Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1606).
            (3) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Port 
        Coordination Council established under section 541.
            (4) Plan.--The term ``Plan'' means the Port Management 
        Coordination Plan developed under section 541.
            (5) Point spencer.--The term ``Point Spencer'' means the 
        land known as ``Point Spencer'' located in Townships 2, 3, and 4 
        South, Range 40 West, Kateel River Meridian, Alaska, between the 
        Bering Strait and Port Clarence and withdrawn

[[Page 130 STAT. 74]]

        by Public Land Order 2650 (published in the Federal Register on 
        April 12, 1962).
            (6) Secretary.--Except as otherwise specifically provided, 
        the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the department in 
        which the Coast Guard is operating.
            (7) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Alaska.
            (8) Tract.--The term ``Tract'' or ``Tracts'' means any of 
        Tract 1, Tract 2, Tract 3, Tract 4, Tract 5, or Tract 6, as 
        appropriate, or any portion of such Tract or Tracts.
            (9) Tracts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.--The terms ``Tract 1'', 
        ``Tract 2'', ``Tract 3'', ``Tract 4'', ``Tract 5'', and ``Tract 
        6'' each mean the land generally depicted as Tract 1, Tract 2, 
        Tract 3, Tract 4, Tract 5, or Tract 6, respectively, on the map 
        entitled the ``Point Spencer Land Retention and Conveyance 
        Map'', dated January 2015, and on file with the Department of 
        Homeland Security and the Department of the Interior.
SEC. 533. <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> AUTHORITY TO CONVEY LAND IN POINT 
                        SPENCER.

    (a) <<NOTE: Notification.>> Authority To Convey Tracts 1, 3, and 
4.--Within 1 year after the Secretary notifies the Secretary of the 
Interior that the Coast Guard no longer needs to retain jurisdiction of 
Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 4 and subject to section 534, the Secretary 
of the Interior shall convey to BSNC or the State, subject to valid 
existing rights, all right, title, and interest of the United States in 
and to the surface and subsurface estates of that Tract in accordance 
with subsection (d).

    (b) Authority To Convey Tracts 2 and 5.--Within 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this section and subject to section 534, the 
Secretary of the Interior shall convey, subject to valid existing 
rights, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
the surface and subsurface estates of Tract 2 and Tract 5 in accordance 
with subsection (d).
    (c) Authority to Transfer Tract 6.--Within one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act and subject to sections 534 and 535, the 
Secretary of the Interior shall convey, subject to valid existing 
rights, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
the surface and subsurface estates of Tract 6 in accordance with 
subsection (e).
    (d) Order of Offer to Convey Tract 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.--
            (1) Determination and offer.--
                    (A) Tract 1, 3, or 4.--If the Secretary makes the 
                determination under subsection (a) and subject to 
                section 534, the Secretary of the Interior shall offer 
                Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 4 for conveyance to BSNC 
                under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 
                1601 et seq.).
                    (B) Tract 2 and 5.--Subject to section 534, the 
                Secretary of the Interior shall offer Tract 2 and Tract 
                5 to BSNC under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
                (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
            (2) Offer to bsnc.--
                    (A) Acceptance by bsnc.--If BSNC chooses to accept 
                an offer of conveyance of a Tract under paragraph (1), 
                the Secretary of the Interior shall consider Tract 6 as 
                within BSNC's entitlement under section 14(h)(8) of the 
                Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 
                1613(h)(8)) and shall convey such Tract to BSNC.

[[Page 130 STAT. 75]]

                    (B) Decline by bsnc.--If BSNC declines to accept an 
                offer of conveyance of a Tract under paragraph (1), the 
                Secretary of the Interior shall offer such Tract for 
                conveyance to the State under the Act of July 7, 1958 
                (commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood Act'') (48 
                U.S.C. note prec. 21; Public Law 85-508).
            (3) Offer to state.--
                    (A) Acceptance by state.--If the State chooses to 
                accept an offer of conveyance of a Tract under paragraph 
                (2)(B), the Secretary of the Interior shall consider 
                such Tract as within the State's entitlement under the 
                Act of July 7, 1958 (commonly known as the ``Alaska 
                Statehood Act'') (48 U.S.C. note prec. 21; Public Law 
                85-508) and shall convey such Tract to the State.
                    (B) Decline by state.--If the State declines to 
                accept an offer of conveyance of a Tract offered under 
                paragraph (2)(B), such Tract shall be disposed of 
                pursuant to applicable public land laws.

    (e) Order of Offer to Convey Tract 6.--
            (1) Offer.--Subject to section 534, the Secretary of the 
        Interior shall offer Tract 6 for conveyance to the State.
            (2) Offer to state.--
                    (A) Acceptance by state.--If the State chooses to 
                accept an offer of conveyance of Tract 6 under paragraph 
                (1), the Secretary of the Interior shall consider Tract 
                6 as within the State's entitlement under the Act of 
                July 7, 1958 (commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood 
                Act'') (48 U.S.C. note prec. 21; Public Law 85-508) and 
                shall convey Tract 6 to the State.
                    (B) Decline by state.--If the State declines to 
                accept an offer of conveyance of Tract 6 under paragraph 
                (1), the Secretary of the Interior shall offer Tract 6 
                for conveyance to BSNC under the Alaska Native Claims 
                Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
            (3) Offer to bsnc.--
                    (A) Acceptance by bsnc.--
                          (i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), if 
                      BSNC chooses to accept an offer of conveyance of 
                      Tract 6 under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary of 
                      the Interior shall consider Tract 6 as within 
                      BSNC's entitlement under section 14(h)(8) of the 
                      Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 
                      1613(h)(8)) and shall convey Tract 6 to BSNC.
                          (ii) Lease by the state.--The conveyance of 
                      Tract 6 to BSNC shall be subject to BSNC 
                      negotiating a lease of Tract 6 to the State at no 
                      cost to the State, if the State requests such a 
                      lease.
                    (B) Decline by bsnc.--If BSNC declines to accept an 
                offer of conveyance of Tract 6 under paragraph (2)(B), 
                the Secretary of the Interior shall dispose of Tract 6 
                pursuant to the applicable public land laws.
SEC. 534. <<NOTE: 42 USC 9620 note.>> ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE, 
                        LIABILITY, AND MONITORING.

    (a) Environmental Compliance.--Nothing in this Act or any amendment 
made by this Act may be construed to affect or limit the application of 
or obligation to comply with any applicable

[[Page 130 STAT. 76]]

environmental law, including section 120(h) of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 
U.S.C. 9620(h)).
    (b) Liability.--A person to which a conveyance is made under this 
subtitle shall hold the United States harmless from any liability with 
respect to activities carried out on or after the date of the conveyance 
of the real property conveyed. The United States shall remain 
responsible for any liability with respect to activities carried out 
before such date on the real property conveyed.
    (c) Monitoring of Known Contamination.--
            (1) In general.--To the extent practicable and subject to 
        paragraph (2), any contamination in a Tract to be conveyed to 
        the State or BSNC under this subtitle that--
                    (A) is identified in writing prior to the 
                conveyance; and
                    (B) does not pose an immediate or long-term risk to 
                human health or the environment;
        may be routinely monitored and managed by the State or BSNC, as 
        applicable, through institutional controls.
            (2) Institutional controls.--Institutional controls may be 
        used if--
                    (A) the Administrator of the Environmental 
                Protection Agency and the Governor of the State concur 
                that such controls are protective of human health and 
                the environment; and
                    (B) such controls are carried out in accordance with 
                Federal and State law.
SEC. 535. EASEMENTS AND ACCESS.

    (a) Use by Coast Guard.--The Secretary of the Interior shall make 
each conveyance of any relevant Tract under this subtitle subject to an 
easement granting the Coast Guard, at no cost to the Coast Guard--
            (1) use of all existing and future landing pads, airstrips, 
        runways, and taxiways that are located on such Tract; and
            (2) the right to access such landing pads, airstrips, 
        runways, and taxiways.

    (b) Use by State.--For any Tract conveyed to BSNC under this 
subtitle, BSNC shall provide to the State, if requested and pursuant to 
negotiated terms with the State, an easement granting to the State, at 
no cost to the State--
            (1) use of all existing and future landing pads, airstrips, 
        runways, and taxiways located on such Tract; and
            (2) a right to access such landing pads, airstrips, runways, 
        and taxiways.

    (c) Right of Access or Right of Way.--If the State requests a right 
of access or right of way for a road from the airstrip to the southern 
tip of Point Spencer, the location of such right of access or right of 
way shall be determined by the State, in consultation with the Secretary 
and BSNC, so that such right of access or right of way is compatible 
with other existing or planned infrastructure development at Point 
Spencer.
    (d) Access Easement Across Tracts 2, 5, and 6.--In conveyance 
documents to the State and BSNC under this subtitle, the Coast Guard 
shall retain an access easement across Tracts 2, 5, and 6 reasonably 
necessary to afford the Coast Guard with access to Tracts 1, 3, and 4 
for its operations.

[[Page 130 STAT. 77]]

    (e) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Access.--Not later than 30 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Coast Guard shall provide to the 
State and BSNC, access to Tracts for planning, design, and engineering 
related to remediation and use of and construction on those Tracts.

    (f) Public Access Easements.--No public access easements may be 
reserved to the United States under section 17(b) of the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1616(b)) with respect to the land 
conveyed under this subtitle.
SEC. 536. RELATIONSHIP TO PUBLIC LAND ORDER 2650.

    (a) Tracts Not Conveyed.--Any Tract that is not conveyed under this 
subtitle shall remain withdrawn pursuant to Public Land Order 2650 
(published in the Federal Register on April 12, 1962).
    (b) <<NOTE: Termination.>> Tracts Conveyed.--For any Tract conveyed 
under this subtitle, Public Land Order 2650 shall automatically 
terminate upon issuance of a conveyance document issued pursuant to this 
subtitle for such Tract.
SEC. 537. ARCHEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES.

    Conveyance of any Tract under this subtitle shall not affect 
investigations, criminal jurisdiction, and responsibilities regarding 
theft or vandalism of archeological or cultural resources located in or 
on such Tract that took place prior to conveyance under this subtitle.
SEC. 538. MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.

    (a) <<NOTE: Consultation.>> Preparation of Maps and Legal 
Descriptions.--As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of the Interior in consultation with the 
Secretary shall prepare maps and legal descriptions of Tract 1, Tract 2, 
Tract 3, Tract 4, Tract 5, and Tract 6. In doing so, the Secretary of 
the Interior may use metes and bounds legal descriptions based upon the 
official survey plats of Point Spencer accepted by the Bureau of Land 
Management on December 6, 1978, and on information provided by the 
Secretary.

    (b) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Survey.--Not later than 5 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
survey Tracts conveyed under this subtitle and patent the Tracts in 
accordance with the official plats of survey.

    (c) Legal Effect.--The maps and legal descriptions prepared under 
subsection (a) and the surveys prepared under subsection (b) shall have 
the same force and effect as if the maps and legal descriptions were 
included in this Act.
    (d) Corrections.--The Secretary of the Interior may correct any 
clerical and typographical errors in the maps and legal descriptions 
prepared under subsection (a) and the surveys prepared under subsection 
(b).
    (e) Availability.--Copies of the maps and legal descriptions 
prepared under subsection (a) and the surveys prepared under subsection 
(b) shall be available for public inspection in the appropriate offices 
of--
            (1) the Bureau of Land Management; and
            (2) the Coast Guard.
SEC. 539. CHARGEABILITY FOR LAND CONVEYED.

    (a) Conveyances to Alaska.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
charge any conveyance of land conveyed to the State of Alaska

[[Page 130 STAT. 78]]

pursuant to this subtitle against the State's remaining entitlement 
under section 6(b) of the Act of July 7, 1958 (commonly known as the 
``Alaska Statehood Act''; Public Law 85-508: 72 Stat. 339).
    (b) Conveyances to BSNC.--The Secretary of the Interior shall charge 
any conveyance of land conveyed to BSNC pursuant to this subtitle, 
against BSNC's remaining entitlement under section 14(h)(8) of the 
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1613(h)(8)).
SEC. 540. REDUNDANT CAPABILITY.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), section 681 
of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, shall not be 
construed to prohibit any transfer or conveyance of lands under this 
subtitle or any actions that involve the dismantling or disposal of 
infrastructure that supported the former LORAN system that are 
associated with the transfer or conveyance of lands under this subtitle.
    (b) <<NOTE: Determination. Deadline. Time period. Effective 
date.>> Continued Access to and Use of Facilities.--If the Secretary of 
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating determines, within 
the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
that a facility on any of Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 4 that is 
transferred under this subtitle is subsequently required to provide a 
positioning, navigation, and timing system to provide redundant 
capability in the event GPS signals are disrupted, the Secretary may, 
for as long as such facility is needed to provide redundant capability--
            (1) operate, maintain, keep, locate, inspect, repair, and 
        replace such facility; and
            (2) in carrying out the activities described in paragraph 
        (1), enter, at any time, the facility without notice to the 
        extent that it is not possible to provide advance notice.
SEC. 541. PORT COORDINATION COUNCIL FOR POINT SPENCER.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a Port Coordination Council 
for the Port of Point Spencer.
    (b) Membership.--The Council shall consist of a representative 
appointed by each of the following:
            (1) The State.
            (2) BSNC.

    (c) Duties.--The duties of the Council are as follows:
            (1) To develop a Port Management Coordination Plan to help 
        coordinate infrastructure development and operations at the Port 
        of Point Spencer, that includes plans for--
                    (A) construction;
                    (B) funding eligibility;
                    (C) land use planning and development; and
                    (D) public interest use and access, emergency 
                preparedness, law enforcement, protection of Alaska 
                Native archaeological and cultural resources, and other 
                matters that are necessary for public and private 
                entities to function in proximity together in a remote 
                location.
            (2) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> Update the Plan annually for the 
        first 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
        biennially thereafter.
            (3) Facilitate coordination among BSNC, the State, and the 
        Coast Guard, on the development and use of the land and 
        coastline as such development relates to activities at the Port 
        of Point Spencer.

[[Page 130 STAT. 79]]

            (4) Assess the need, benefits, efficacy, and desirability of 
        establishing in the future a port authority at Point Spencer 
        under State law and act upon that assessment, as appropriate, 
        including taking steps for the potential formation of such a 
        port authority.

    (d) Plan.--In addition to the requirements under subsection (c)(1) 
to the greatest extent practicable, the Plan developed by the Council 
shall facilitate and support the statutory missions and duties of the 
Coast Guard and operations of the Coast Guard in the Arctic.
    (e) Costs.--Operations and management costs for airstrips, runways, 
and taxiways at Point Spencer shall be determined pursuant to provisions 
of the Plan, as negotiated by the Council.

                         TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 601. MODIFICATION OF REPORTS.

    (a) Distant Water Tuna Fleet.--Section 421(d) of the Coast Guard and 
Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (46 U.S.C. 8103 note) is amended by 
striking ``On March 1, 2007, and annually thereafter'' and inserting 
``Not later than July 1 of each year''.
    (b) Annual Updates on Limits to Liability.--Section 603(c)(3) of the 
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 2704 
note) is amended by striking ``on an annual basis.'' and inserting ``not 
later than January 30 of the year following each year in which occurs an 
oil discharge from a vessel or nonvessel source that results or is 
likely to result in removal costs and damages (as those terms are 
defined in section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 
2701)) that exceed liability limits established under section 1004 of 
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2704).''.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the 
Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating a 
report detailing the specifications and capabilities for interoperable 
communications the Commandant determines are necessary to allow the 
Coast Guard to successfully carry out its missions that require 
communications with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, 
and nongovernmental entities.
SEC. 602. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT LAKES.

    The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 
(Public Law 113-281) is amended--
            (1) in section 610, <<NOTE: 16 USC 1431 note.>>  by--
                    (A) striking the section enumerator and heading and 
                inserting the following:
``SEC. 610. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT LAKES.'';
                    (B) striking ``existing boundaries and any future 
                expanded boundaries of the Thunder Bay National Marine 
                Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve'' and inserting 
                ``boundaries of any national marine sanctuary that 
                preserves shipwrecks or maritime heritage in the Great 
                Lakes''; and
                    (C) inserting before the period at the end the 
                following: ``, unless the designation documents for such 
                sanctuary do not allow taking up or discharging ballast 
                water in such sanctuary''; and

[[Page 130 STAT. 80]]

            (2) in the table of contents in section 2, by striking the 
        item relating to such section and inserting the following:

``Sec. 610. Safe vessel operation in the Great Lakes.''.

SEC. 603. USE OF VESSEL SALE PROCEEDS.

    (a) Audit.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct an audit of funds credited in each fiscal year after fiscal year 
2004 to the Vessel Operations Revolving Fund that are attributable to 
the sale of obsolete vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet that 
were scrapped or sold under sections 57102, 57103, and 57104 of title 
46, United States Code, including--
            (1) a complete accounting of all vessel sale proceeds 
        attributable to the sale of obsolete vessels in the National 
        Defense Reserve Fleet that were scrapped or sold under sections 
        57102, 57103, and 57104 of title 46, United States Code, in each 
        fiscal year after fiscal year 2004;
            (2) the annual apportionment of proceeds accounted for under 
        paragraph (1) among the uses authorized under section 308704 of 
        title 54, United States Code, in each fiscal year after fiscal 
        year 2004, including--
                    (A) for National Maritime Heritage Grants, including 
                a list of all annual National Maritime Heritage Grant 
                grant and subgrant awards that identifies the respective 
                grant and subgrant recipients and grant and subgrant 
                amounts;
                    (B) for the preservation and presentation to the 
                public of maritime heritage property of the Maritime 
                Administration;
                    (C) to the United States Merchant Marine Academy and 
                State maritime academies, including a list of annual 
                awards; and
                    (D) for the acquisition, repair, reconditioning, or 
                improvement of vessels in the National Defense Reserve 
                Fleet; and
            (3) an accounting of proceeds, if any, attributable to the 
        sale of obsolete vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet 
        that were scrapped or sold under sections 57102, 57103, and 
        57104 of title 46, United States Code, in each fiscal year after 
        fiscal year 2004, that were expended for uses not authorized 
        under section 308704 of title 54, United States Code.

    (b) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Submission to Congress.--Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit the audit conducted in subsection (a) to the Committee on 
Armed Services, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
SEC. 604. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES COST ASSESSMENT.

    (a) <<NOTE: Contracts. Deadline.>> Cost Assessment.--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 under 
which the Academy, by no later than 365 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee

[[Page 130 STAT. 81]]

on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an assessment of 
the costs incurred by the Federal Government to carry out polar 
icebreaking missions. The assessment shall--
            (1) describe current and emerging requirements for the Coast 
        Guard's polar icebreaking capabilities, taking into account the 
        rapidly changing ice cover in the Arctic environment, national 
        security considerations, and expanding commercial activities in 
        the Arctic and Antarctic, including marine transportation, 
        energy development, fishing, and tourism;
            (2) identify potential design, procurement, leasing, service 
        contracts, crewing, and technology options that could minimize 
        life-cycle costs and optimize efficiency and reliability of 
        Coast Guard polar icebreaker operations in the Arctic and 
        Antarctic; and
            (3) <<NOTE:  Examination.>> examine--
                    (A) Coast Guard estimates of the procurement and 
                operating costs of a Polar icebreaker capable of 
                carrying out Coast Guard maritime safety, national 
                security, and stewardship responsibilities including--
                          (i) economies of scale that might be achieved 
                      for construction of multiple vessels; and
                          (ii) costs of renovating existing polar class 
                      icebreakers to operate for a period of no less 
                      than 10 years.
                    (B) the incremental cost to augment the design of 
                such an icebreaker for multiuse capabilities for 
                scientific missions;
                    (C) the potential to offset such incremental cost 
                through cost-sharing agreements with other Federal 
                departments and agencies; and
                    (D) United States polar icebreaking capability in 
                comparison with that of other Arctic nations, and with 
                nations that conduct research in the Arctic.

    (b) Included Costs.--For purposes of subsection (a), the assessment 
shall include costs incurred by the Federal Government for--
            (1) the lease or operation and maintenance of the vessel or 
        vessels concerned;
            (2) disposal of such vessels at the end of the useful life 
        of the vessels;
            (3) retirement and other benefits for Federal employees who 
        operate such vessels; and
            (4) interest payments assumed to be incurred for Federal 
        capital expenditures.

    (c) Assumptions.--For purposes of comparing the costs of such 
alternatives, the Academy shall assume that--
            (1) each vessel under consideration is--
                    (A) capable of breaking out McMurdo Station and 
                conducting Coast Guard missions in the Antarctic, and in 
                the United States territory in the Arctic (as that term 
                is defined in section 112 of the Arctic Research and 
                Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111)); and
                    (B) operated for a period of 30 years;
            (2) the acquisition of services and the operation of each 
        vessel begins on the same date; and
            (3) the periods for conducting Coast Guard missions in the 
        Arctic are of equal lengths.

[[Page 130 STAT. 82]]

    (d) Use of Information.--In formulating cost pursuant to subsection 
(a), the National Academy of Sciences may utilize information from other 
Coast Guard reports, assessments, or analyses regarding existing Coast 
Guard Polar class icebreakers or for the acquisition of a polar 
icebreaker for the Federal Government.
SEC. 605. COASTWISE ENDORSEMENTS.

    (a) ``Elettra III''.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding sections 12112 and 12132, 
        of title 46, United States Code, and subject to paragraphs (2) 
        and (3), 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 M/V Elettra III (United 
        States official number 694607).
            (2) Limitation on operation.--Coastwise trade authorized 
        under a certificate of documentation issued under paragraph (1) 
        shall be limited to the carriage of passengers and equipment in 
        association with the operation of the vessel in the Puget Sound 
        region to support marine and maritime science education.
            (3) Termination of effectiveness of certificate.--A 
        certificate of documentation issued under paragraph (1) shall 
        expire on the earlier of--
                    (A) the date of the sale of the vessel or the entity 
                that owns the vessel;
                    (B) the date any repairs or alterations are made to 
                the vessel outside of the United States; or
                    (C) the date the vessel is no longer operated as a 
                vessel in the Puget Sound region to support the marine 
                and maritime science education.

    (b) ``F/V Rondys''.--Notwithstanding section 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 F/V Rondys (O.N. 291085)
SEC. 606. INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL.

    (a) Requirement for Report.--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 Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives a report that describes the current operations to 
perform the International Ice Patrol mission and on alternatives for 
carrying out that mission, including satellite surveillance technology.
    (b) Alternatives.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
include whether an alternative--
            (1) provides timely data on ice conditions with the highest 
        possible resolution and accuracy;
            (2) is able to operate in all weather conditions or any time 
        of day; and
            (3) is more cost effective than the cost of current 
        operations.
SEC. 607. ASSESSMENT OF OIL SPILL RESPONSE AND CLEANUP ACTIVITIES 
                        IN THE GREAT LAKES.

    (a) <<NOTE: Consultation.>> Assessment.--The Commandant of the Coast 
Guard, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration and the head of any other agency

[[Page 130 STAT. 83]]

the Commandant determines appropriate, shall conduct an assessment of 
the effectiveness of oil spill response activities specific to the Great 
Lakes. <<NOTE: Evaluation.>> Such assessment shall include--
            (1) an evaluation of new research into oil spill impacts in 
        fresh water under a wide range of conditions; and
            (2) an evaluation of oil spill prevention and clean up 
        contingency plans, in order to improve understanding of oil 
        spill impacts in the Great Lakes and foster innovative 
        improvements to safety technologies and environmental protection 
        systems.

    (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall 
submit to the Congress a report on the results of the assessment 
required by subsection (a).
SEC. 608. REPORT ON STATUS OF TECHNOLOGY DETECTING PASSENGERS WHO 
                        HAVE FALLEN OVERBOARD.

    Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit a report to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives that--
            (1) describes the status of technology for immediately 
        detecting passengers who have fallen overboard;
            (2) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tion.>> includes a recommendation to 
        cruise lines on the feasibility of implementing technology that 
        immediately detects passengers who have fallen overboard, 
        factoring in cost and the risk of false positives;
            (3) includes data collected from cruise lines on the status 
        of the integration of the technology described in paragraph (2) 
        on cruise ships, including--
                    (A) the number of cruise ships that have the 
                technology to capture images of passengers who have 
                fallen overboard; and
                    (B) the number of cruise lines that have tested 
                technology that can detect passengers who have fallen 
                overboard; and
            (4) includes information on any other available technologies 
        that cruise ships could integrate to assist in facilitating the 
        search and rescue of a passenger who has fallen overboard.
SEC. 609. VENUE.

    Section 311(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861(d)) is amended by striking the second 
sentence and inserting ``In the case of Hawaii or any possession of the 
United States in the Pacific Ocean, the appropriate court is the United 
States District Court for the District of Hawaii, except that in the 
case of Guam and Wake Island, the appropriate court is the United States 
District Court for the District of Guam, and in the case of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, the appropriate court is the United States District 
Court for the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.''.
SEC. 610. DISPOSITION OF INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TO E-LORAN.

    (a)  Disposition of Infrastructure.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, 
        is amended by adding at the end the following:

[[Page 130 STAT. 84]]

``Sec. 681. <<NOTE: 14 USC 681.>> Disposition of infrastructure 
                related to E-LORAN

    ``(a) <<NOTE: Notification. Determination.>> In General.--The 
Secretary may not carry out activities related to the dismantling or 
disposal of infrastructure comprising the LORAN-C system until the date 
on which the Secretary provides to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate notice 
of a determination by the Secretary that such infrastructure is not 
required to provide a positioning, navigation, and timing system to 
provide redundant capability in the event the Global Positioning System 
signals are disrupted.

    ``(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) does not apply to activities 
necessary for the safety of human life.
    ``(c) Disposition of Property.--
            ``(1) In general.--On any date after the notification is 
        made under subsection (a), the Administrator of General 
        Services, acting on behalf of the Secretary, may, 
        notwithstanding any other provision of law, sell any real and 
        personal property under the administrative control of the Coast 
        Guard and used for the LORAN-C system, subject to such terms and 
        conditions that the Secretary believes to be necessary to 
        protect government interests and program requirements of the 
        Coast Guard.
            ``(2) Availability of proceeds.--
                    ``(A) Availability of proceeds.--The proceeds of 
                such sales, less the costs of sale incurred by the 
                General Services Administration, shall be deposited as 
                offsetting collections into the Coast Guard 
                `Environmental Compliance and Restoration' account and, 
                without further appropriation, shall be available until 
                expended for--
                          ``(i) environmental compliance and restoration 
                      purposes associated with the LORAN-C system;
                          ``(ii) the costs of securing and maintaining 
                      equipment that may be used as a backup to the 
                      Global Positioning System or to meet any other 
                      Federal navigation requirement;
                          ``(iii) the demolition of improvements on such 
                      real property; and
                          ``(iv) the costs associated with the sale of 
                      such real and personal property, including due 
                      diligence requirements, necessary environmental 
                      remediation, and reimbursement of expenses 
                      incurred by the General Services Administration.
                    ``(B) Other environmental compliance and restoration 
                activities.--After the completion of activities 
                described in subparagraph (A), the unexpended balances 
                of such proceeds shall be available for any other 
                environmental compliance and restoration activities of 
                the Coast Guard.''
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
        such chapter <<NOTE: 14 USC 631 prec.>> is amended by adding at 
        the end the following:

``681. Disposition of infrastructure related to E-LORAN.''.

            (3) Conforming repeals.--
                    (A) Section 229 of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and 
                Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-

[[Page 130 STAT. 85]]

                281; 128 Stat. 3040), and the item relating to that 
                section in section 2 of such Act, are repealed.
                    (B) Subsection 559(e) of the Department of Homeland 
                Security Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-83; 
                123 Stat. 2180) is repealed.

    (b) Agreements To Develop Backup Positioning, Navigation, and Timing 
System.--Section 93(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of paragraph (23), by 
striking the period at the end of paragraph (24) and inserting ``; 
and'', and by adding at the end the following the following:
            ``(25) enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, and 
        other agreements with Federal entities and other public or 
        private entities, including academic entities, to develop a 
        positioning, navigation, and timing system to provide redundant 
        capability in the event Global Positioning System signals are 
        disrupted, which may consist of an enhanced LORAN system.''.
SEC. 611. PARKING.

    Section 611(a) of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-281; 128 Stat. 3064) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(3) Reimbursement.--Through September 30, 2017, additional parking 
made available under paragraph (2) shall be made available at no cost to 
the Coast Guard or members and employees of the Coast Guard.''.
SEC. 612. INAPPLICABILITY OF LOAD LINE REQUIREMENTS TO CERTAIN 
                        UNITED STATES VESSELS TRAVELING IN THE 
                        GULF OF MEXICO.

    Section 5102(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
            ``(13) a vessel of the United States on a domestic voyage 
        that is within the Gulf of Mexico and operating not more than 15 
        nautical miles seaward of the base line from which the 
        territorial sea of the United States is measured between Crystal 
        Bay, Florida and Hudson Creek, Florida.''.

    Approved February 8, 2016.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 4188 (S. 1611):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SENATE REPORTS: No. 114-168 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation) accompanying S. 1611.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
                                                        Vol. 161 (2015):
                                    Dec. 10, considered and passed 
                                        House.
                                    Dec. 18, considered and passed 
                                        Senate, amended.
                                                        Vol. 162 (2016):
                                    Feb. 1, House concurred in Senate 
                                        amendment.

                                  <all>
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