H. R. 7776—1462 
‘‘(B) interpreting and enforcing regulations that impact 
the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound; 
‘‘(C) issuing Federal licenses or permits that impact 
the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound; and 
‘‘(D) granting Federal assistance to State, local, and 
Tribal governments for activities related to the restoration 
and protection of the Puget Sound.’’. 
(c) LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN RESTORATION PROGRAM.— 
(1) REVIEW OF COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN.—Sec-
tion 121 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1273) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (c)— 
(i) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; 
(ii) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) ensure that the comprehensive conservation and 
management plan approved for the Basin under section 320 
is reviewed and revised in accordance with section 320 not 
less often than once every 5 years, beginning on the date 
of enactment of this paragraph.’’; and 
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘recommended by 
a management conference convened for the Basin under 
section 320’’ and inserting ‘‘identified in the comprehensive 
conservation and management plan approved for the Basin 
under section 320’’. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—Section 121(e)(1) of the Federal Water 
Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1273(e)(1)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘, a 5,000 square mile’’ and inserting ‘‘, a 10,000 square 
mile’’. 
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Section 121(f) of the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1273(f)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more than 5 percent 
of the amounts appropriated to carry out this section may 
be used for administrative expenses.’’. 
SEC. 8502. NONPOINT SOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS. 
Section 319(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
U.S.C. 1329(j)) is amended by striking ‘‘subsections (h) and (i) 
not to exceed’’ and all that follows through ‘‘fiscal year 1991’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsections (h) and (i) $200,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2023 through 2027’’. 
SEC. 8503. WASTEWATER ASSISTANCE TO COLONIAS. 
Section 307 of the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 
1996 (33 U.S.C. 1281 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as para-
graphs (3) and (4), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) COVERED
ENTITY.—The term ‘covered entity’ means 
each of the following: 
‘‘(A) A border State. 
‘‘(B) A local government with jurisdiction over an 
eligible community.’’;
H. R. 7776—1463 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘border State’’ and 
inserting ‘‘covered entity’’; 
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘shall not exceed 50 per-
cent’’ and inserting ‘‘may not be less than 80 percent’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e)— 
(A) 
by 
striking 
‘‘$25,000,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$100,000,000’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘1997 through 1999’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023 through 2027’’. 
DIVISION I—DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
AUTHORIZATIONS 
SEC. 9001. SHORT TITLE. 
This division may be cited as the ‘‘Department of State 
Authorization Act of 2022’’. 
SEC. 9002. DEFINITIONS. 
In this division: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the 
Administrator of USAID. 
(2) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term 
‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means the Committee 
on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. 
(3) DEPARTMENT.—Unless otherwise specified, the term 
‘‘Department’’ means the Department of State. 
(4) SECRETARY.—Unless otherwise specified, the term ‘‘Sec-
retary’’ means the Secretary of State. 
(5) USAID.—The term ‘‘USAID’’ means the United States 
Agency for International Development. 
TITLE XCI—ORGANIZATION AND OPER-
ATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
STATE 
SEC. 
9101. 
MODERNIZING 
THE 
BUREAU 
OF 
ARMS 
CONTROL, 
VERIFICATION, AND COMPLIANCE AND THE BUREAU OF 
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND NONPROLIFERATION. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Secretary should take steps to address staffing 
shortfalls in the chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons issue 
areas in the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compli-
ance and in the Bureau of International Security and Non-
proliferation; 
(2) maintaining a fully staffed and resourced Bureau of 
Arms Control, Verification and Compliance and Bureau of Inter-
national Security and Nonproliferation is necessary to effec-
tively confront the threat of increased global proliferation; and 
(3) the Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Arms Con-
trol, Verification and Compliance and the Bureau of Inter-
national Security and Nonproliferation, should increase efforts 
and dedicate resources to combat the dangers posed by the 
People’s Republic of China’s conventional and nuclear build-
H. R. 7776—1464 
up, the Russian Federation’s tactical nuclear weapons and new 
types of nuclear weapons, bioweapons proliferation, dual use 
of life sciences research, and chemical weapons. 
SEC. 9102. NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS FOR UNITED STATES 
NATIONALS UNLAWFULLY OR WRONGFULLY DETAINED 
ABROAD. 
Section 302 of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hos-
tage-Taking Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 1741) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by inserting ‘‘, as expeditiously as possible,’’ after ‘‘review’’; 
and 
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) REFERRALS
TO SPECIAL ENVOY; NOTIFICATION
TO CON-
GRESS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon a determination by the Secretary 
of State, based on the totality of the circumstances, that there 
is credible information that the detention of a United States 
national abroad is unlawful or wrongful, and regardless of 
whether the detention is by a foreign government or a non-
governmental actor, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) expeditiously transfer responsibility for such case 
from the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department 
of State to the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage 
Affairs; and 
‘‘(B) not later than 14 days after such determination, 
notify the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, 
the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representa-
tives, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 
of the House of Representatives of such determination and 
provide such committees with a summary of the facts that 
led to such determination. 
‘‘(2) FORM.—The notification described in paragraph (1)(B) 
may be classified, if necessary.’’. 
SEC. 9103. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR. 
Section 303 of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hos-
tage-Taking Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 1741a) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) FAMILY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR.—There shall be, in 
the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, 
a Family Engagement Coordinator, who shall ensure— 
‘‘(1) for a United States national unlawfully or wrongfully 
detained abroad, that— 
‘‘(A) any interaction by executive branch officials with 
any family member of such United States national occurs 
in a coordinated fashion; 
‘‘(B) such family member receives consistent and 
accurate information from the United States Government; 
and 
‘‘(C) appropriate coordination with the Family Engage-
ment Coordinator described in section 304(c)(2); and 
‘‘(2) for a United States national held hostage abroad, that 
any engagement with a family member is coordinated with, 
consistent with, and not duplicative of the efforts of the Family 
Engagement Coordinator described in section 304(c)(2).’’.
H. R. 7776—1465 
SEC. 9104. REWARDS FOR JUSTICE. 
Section 36(b) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act 
of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2708(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘or (10);’’ and inserting 
‘‘(10), or (14);’’; 
(2) in paragraph (12), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(3) in paragraph (13), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(14) the prevention, frustration, or resolution of the hos-
tage taking of a United States person, the identification, loca-
tion, arrest, or conviction of a person responsible for the hostage 
taking of a United States person, or the location of a United 
States person who has been taken hostage, in any country.’’. 
SEC. 9105. ENSURING GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY AND ACCESSIBILITY 
OF PASSPORT AGENCIES. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
Department initiatives to expand passport services and accessibility, 
including through online modernization projects, should include 
the construction of new physical passport agencies. 
(b) REVIEW.—The Secretary shall conduct a review of the 
geographic diversity and accessibility of existing passport agencies 
to identify— 
(1) the geographic areas in the continental United States 
that are farther than 6 hours’ driving distance from the nearest 
passport agency; 
(2) the per capita demand for passport services in the 
areas described in paragraph (1); and 
(3) a plan to ensure that in-person services at physical 
passport agencies are accessible to all eligible Americans, 
including Americans living in large population centers, in rural 
areas, and in States with a high per capita demand for passport 
services. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—The Secretary shall consider the metrics 
identified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) when deter-
mining locations for the establishment of new physical passport 
agencies. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee 
on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the House of Representatives that contains the findings 
of the review conducted pursuant to subsection (b). 
SEC. 9106. CULTURAL ANTIQUITIES TASK FORCE. 
The Secretary is authorized to use up to $1,200,000 for grants 
to carry out the activities of the Cultural Antiquities Task Force. 
SEC. 9107. OFFICE OF SANCTIONS COORDINATION. 
(a) EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES.—Section 1 of the State Depart-
ment Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended, 
in paragraph (4)(B) of subsection (l), as redesignated by section 
9502(a)(2) of this Act, by striking ‘‘the date that is two years 
after the date of the enactment of this subsection’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2024’’.
H. R. 7776—1466 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Sec-
retary’s designee, shall brief the appropriate congressional commit-
tees with respect to the steps that the Office of Sanctions Coordina-
tion has taken to coordinate its activities with the Department 
of the Treasury and humanitarian aid programs, in an effort to 
help ensure appropriate flows of humanitarian assistance and goods 
to countries subject to United States sanctions. 
SEC. 9108. SENSE OF CONGRESS AND STRATEGIC PLAN REGARDING 
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S UNIT FOR SUBNATIONAL 
DIPLOMACY. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) MUNICIPAL.—The term ‘‘municipal’’ means the govern-
ment of a city in the United States with a population of not 
fewer than 100,000 people. 
(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the 50 States of the 
United States, the District of Columbia, and any territory or 
possession of the United States. 
(3) SUBNATIONAL
ENGAGEMENT.—The term ‘‘subnational 
engagement’’ means formal meetings or events between elected 
officials of a State or municipal government and their foreign 
counterparts. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the growth of subnational cooperation has enabled 
States and municipalities to play an increasingly significant 
role in foreign policy and complement the efforts of the Depart-
ment; 
(2) the Department’s recently established Unit for Sub-
national Diplomacy will play a critical role in leveraging the 
Department’s resources to support State and municipal govern-
ments in conducting subnational engagement and increasing 
cooperation with foreign allies and partners; and 
(3) in facilitating such subnational engagements, the 
Department should engage with a broad array of United States 
cities without regard to their population size or location; 
(c) STRATEGIC PLAN.—The Special Representative for Sub-
national Diplomacy shall submit a strategic plan to the appropriate 
congressional committees for the operations of the Unit for Sub-
national Diplomacy, including the Department’s plans for— 
(1) supporting subnational engagements involving policy-
makers from urban and rural areas to improve United States 
foreign policy effectiveness; 
(2) enhancing the awareness, understanding, and involve-
ment of United States citizens, including citizens residing in 
urban and rural areas, in the foreign policy process; 
(3) countering subnational diplomacy efforts from adver-
sarial nations; 
(4) strengthening engagement with foreign subnational 
governments; and 
(5) any other operations that the Secretary determines 
to be relevant. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection may 
be construed to preclude— 
(1) the Unit for Subnational Diplomacy Office from being 
elevated to a bureau within the Department; or
H. R. 7776—1467 
(2) the Special Representative for Subnational Diplomacy 
from being elevated to an Assistant Secretary if the addition 
of such Assistant Secretary position does not increase the 
number of Assistant Secretary positions at the Department 
above the number of such positions authorized under section 
1(c)(1) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 
(22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)(1)). 
TITLE XCII—PERSONNEL ISSUES 
SEC. 9201. DEPARTMENT OF STATE PAID STUDENT INTERNSHIP PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish the Department 
of State Student Internship Program (referred to in this section 
as the ‘‘Program’’) to offer internship opportunities at the Depart-
ment to eligible students to raise awareness of the essential role 
of diplomacy in the conduct of United States foreign policy and 
the realization of United States foreign policy objectives. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—An applicant is eligible to participate 
in the Program if the applicant is enrolled at— 
(A) an institution of higher education (as such term 
is defined in section 102(a) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(a))); or 
(B) an institution of higher education based outside 
the United States, as determined by the Secretary of State. 
(2) ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—An applicant in the 
Program should be— 
(A) enrolled at least half-time in an institution 
described in paragraph (1); and 
(B) eligible to receive and hold an appropriate security 
clearance. 
(c) SELECTION.—The Secretary shall establish selection criteria 
for students to be admitted into the Program that includes a dem-
onstrated interest in a career in foreign affairs. 
(d) OUTREACH.—The Secretary shall— 
(1) widely advertise the Program, including— 
(A) on the internet; 
(B) through the Department’s Diplomats in Residence 
program; and 
(C) through other outreach and recruiting initiatives 
targeting undergraduate and graduate students; and 
(2) conduct targeted outreach to encourage participation 
in the Program from— 
(A) individuals belonging to an underrepresented 
group; and 
(B) students enrolled at minority-serving institutions 
(which shall include any institution listed in section 371(a) 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)). 
(e) COMPENSATION.— 
(1) HOUSING ASSISTANCE.— 
(A) ABROAD.—The Secretary shall provide housing 
assistance to any student participating in the Program 
whose permanent address is within the United States if 
the location of the internship in which such student is 
participating is outside of the United States.
H. R. 7776—1468 
(B) DOMESTIC.—The Secretary may provide housing 
assistance to a student participating in the Program whose 
permanent address is within the United States if the loca-
tion of the internship in which such student is participating 
is more than 50 miles away from such student’s permanent 
address. 
(2) TRAVEL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall provide a stu-
dent participating in the Program whose permanent address 
is within the United States with financial assistance that is 
sufficient to cover the travel costs of a single round trip by 
air, train, bus, or other appropriate transportation between 
the student’s permanent address and the location of the intern-
ship in which such student is participating if such location 
is— 
(A) more than 50 miles from the student’s permanent 
address; or 
(B) outside of the United States. 
(f) WORKING WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall structure 
internships to ensure that such internships satisfy criteria for aca-
demic credit at the institutions of higher education in which partici-
pants in such internships are enrolled. 
(g) TRANSITION PERIOD.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraphs (2) 
and (3), beginning not later than 2 years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act— 
(A) the Secretary shall convert unpaid internship pro-
grams of the Department, including the Foreign Service 
Internship Program, to internship programs that offer com-
pensation; and 
(B) upon selection as a candidate for entry into an 
internship program of the Department, a participant in 
such 
internship 
program 
may 
refuse 
compensation, 
including if doing so allows such participant to receive 
college or university curricular credit. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—The transition required under paragraph 
(1) shall not apply to unpaid internship programs of the Depart-
ment that are part of the Virtual Student Federal Service 
internship program. 
(3) WAIVER.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may waive the 
requirement under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to a par-
ticular unpaid internship program if the Secretary, not 
later than 30 days after making a determination that the 
conversion of such internship program to a compensated 
internship program would not be consistent with effective 
management goals, submits a report explaining such deter-
mination to— 
(i) the appropriate congressional committees; 
(ii) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; 
and 
(iii) the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives. 
(B) REPORT.—The report required under subparagraph 
(A) shall— 
(i) describe the reasons why converting an unpaid 
internship program of the Department to an internship
H. R. 7776—1469 
program that offers compensation would not be con-
sistent with effective management goals; and 
(ii)(I) provide justification for maintaining such 
unpaid status indefinitely; or 
(II) identify any additional authorities or resources 
that would be necessary to convert such unpaid intern-
ship program to offer compensation in the future. 
(h) REPORTS.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
committees referred to in subsection (g)(3)(A) that includes— 
(1) data, to the extent the collection of such information 
is permissible by law, regarding the number of students who 
applied to the Program, were offered a position, and partici-
pated, respectively, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sex, 
institution of higher education, home State, State where each 
student graduated from high school, and disability status; 
(2) data regarding the number of security clearance inves-
tigations initiated for the students described in paragraph (1), 
including the timeline for such investigations, whether such 
investigations were completed, and when an interim security 
clearance was granted; 
(3) information on Program expenditures; 
(4) information regarding the Department’s compliance 
with subsection (g); and 
(5) the number of internship participants subsequently 
employed by the Department, if any, following their participa-
tion in the Program. 
(i) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this section may be construed 
to compel any student who is a participant in an internship 
program of the Department to participate in the collection 
of the data or divulge any personal information. Such students 
shall be informed that their participation in the data collection 
under this section is voluntary. 
(2) PRIVACY PROTECTION.—Any data collected under this 
section shall be subject to the relevant privacy protection stat-
utes and regulations applicable to Federal employees. 
(j) SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITY.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director 
of the Office of Personnel Management, with respect to the number 
of interns to be hired each year, may— 
(1) select, appoint, and employ individuals for up to 1 
year through compensated internships in the excepted service; 
and 
(2) remove any compensated intern employed pursuant to 
paragraph (1) without regard to the provisions of law governing 
appointments in the excepted service. 
SEC. 9202. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PREVENTION OF, AND THE 
RESPONSE TO, HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, SEXUAL 
ASSAULT, AND RELATED RETALIATION. 
(a) POLICIES.—The Secretary should develop and strengthen 
policies regarding harassment, discrimination, sexual assault, and 
related retaliation, including policies for— 
(1) addressing, reporting, and providing transitioning sup-
port;
H. R. 7776—1470 
(2) advocacy, service referrals, and travel accommodations; 
and 
(3) disciplining personnel that violate Department policies 
regarding harassment, discrimination, sexual assault, or related 
retaliation. 
(b) DISCIPLINARY ACTION.— 
(1) SEPARATION FOR CAUSE.—Section 610(a)(1) of the For-
eign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4010(a)(1)), is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘decide to’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, including upon receiving notification 
from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security that such member 
has engaged in criminal misconduct, such as murder, rape, 
or other sexual assault’’ before the period at the end. 
(2) UPDATE TO MANUAL.—The Director of Global Talent 
Management shall— 
(A) update the ‘‘Grounds for Disciplinary Action’’ and 
‘‘List of Disciplinary Offenses and Penalties’’ sections of 
the Foreign Affairs Manual to reflect the amendments 
made under paragraph (1); and 
(B) communicate such updates to Department staff 
through publication in Department Notices. 
(c) SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE VICTIM ADVO-
CATES.—The Secretary shall ensure that the Diplomatic Security 
Service’s Victims’ Resource Advocacy Program— 
(1) is appropriately staffed by advocates who are physically 
present at— 
(A) the headquarters of the Department; and 
(B) major domestic and international facilities and 
embassies, as determined by the Secretary; 
(2) considers the logistics that are necessary to allow for 
the expedient travel of victims from Department facilities that 
do not have advocates; and 
(3) uses funds available to the Department to provide emer-
gency food, shelter, clothing, and transportation for victims 
involved in matters being investigated by the Diplomatic Secu-
rity Service. 
SEC. 9203. INCREASING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT AUTHORIZED FOR 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP GRANTS AND 
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS. 
Section 504(e)(3) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, 
Fiscal Year 1979 (22 U.S.C. 2656d(e)(3)) is amended by striking 
‘‘$500,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$2,000,000’’. 
SEC. 9204. ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO ADDRESS BACKLOGS IN 
HIRING AND INVESTIGATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall seek to increase the 
number of personnel within the Bureau of Global Talent Manage-
ment and the Office of Civil Rights to address backlogs in hiring 
and investigations into complaints conducted by the Office of Civil 
Rights. 
(b) EMPLOYMENT
TARGETS.—The Secretary shall seek to 
employ— 
(1) not fewer than 15 additional personnel in the Bureau 
of Global Talent Management and the Office of Civil Rights 
(compared to the number of personnel so employed as of the 
day before the date of the enactment of this Act) by the date 
that is 180 days after such date of enactment; and
H. R. 7776—1471 
(2) not fewer than 15 additional personnel in such Bureau 
and Office (compared to the number of personnel so employed 
as of the day before the date of the enactment of this Act) 
by the date that is 1 year after such date of enactment. 
SEC. 9205. FOREIGN AFFAIRS TRAINING. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) Congress has recognized, including in division E of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 
(Public Law 117–81), that the Department is a crucial national 
security agency, whose employees, both Foreign Service and 
Civil Service, require the best possible training and professional 
development at every stage of their careers to prepare them 
to promote and defend United States national interests and 
the health and safety of United States citizens abroad; and 
(2) the new and evolving challenges of national security 
in the 21st century necessitate the expansion of standardized 
training and professional development opportunities linked to 
equal, accountable, and transparent promotion and leadership 
practices for Department and other national security agency 
personnel. 
(b) DEFINED TERM.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate 
committees of Congress’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; 
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; 
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
(c) 
TRAINING
AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT 
PRIORITIZATION.—Section 5108(c) of division E of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117– 
81) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) 
TRAINING
AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT 
PRIORITIZATION.—In order to provide the Civil Service and the 
Foreign Service with the level of professional development and 
training needed to effectively advance United States interests across 
the world, the Secretary of State shall— 
‘‘(1) increase relevant offerings provided by the Department 
of State— 
‘‘(A) of interactive virtual instruction to make training 
and professional development more accessible and useful 
to personnel deployed throughout the world; or 
‘‘(B) at partner organizations, including universities, 
industry entities, and nongovernmental organizations, 
throughout the United States to provide useful outside 
perspectives to Department of State personnel by providing 
such personnel— 
‘‘(i) a more comprehensive outlook on different sec-
tors of United States society; 
‘‘(ii) practical experience dealing with commercial 
corporations, universities, labor unions, and other 
institutions critical to United States diplomatic success; 
and 
‘‘(iii) courses specifically focused on commercial 
diplomacy that increase the understanding of private
H. R. 7776—1472 
sector needs that arise as United States companies 
enter and compete in the international market; 
‘‘(2) provide the opportunity to participate in courses using 
computer-based or computer-assisted simulations, allowing 
civilian officers to lead decision making in a crisis environment, 
and encourage officers of the Department of State, and recip-
rocally, officers of other Federal departments to participate 
in similar exercises held by the Department of State or other 
government organizations and the private sector; 
‘‘(3) increase the duration and expand the focus of certain 
training and professional development courses, including by 
extending— 
‘‘(A) the A–100 entry-level course to as long as 12 
weeks, which better matches the length of entry-level 
training and professional development provided to the offi-
cers in other national security departments and agencies; 
and 
‘‘(B) the Chief of Mission course to as long as 6 weeks 
for first time Chiefs of Mission and creating comparable 
courses for new Assistant Secretaries and Deputy Assistant 
Secretaries to more accurately reflect the significant 
responsibilities accompanying such roles; and 
‘‘(4) ensure that Foreign Service officers who are assigned 
to a country experiencing significant population displacement 
due to the impacts of climatic and non-climatic shocks and 
stresses, including rising sea levels and lack of access to afford-
able and reliable energy and electricity, receive specific instruc-
tion on United States policy with respect to resiliency and 
adaptation to such climatic and non-climatic shocks and 
stresses.’’. 
(d) FELLOWSHIPS.—The Director General of the Foreign Service 
shall— 
(1) expand and establish new fellowship programs for For-
eign Service and Civil Service officers that include short- and 
long-term opportunities at organizations, including— 
(A) think tanks and nongovernmental organizations; 
(B) the Department of Defense and other relevant Fed-
eral agencies; 
(C) industry entities, especially such entities related 
to technology, global operations, finance, and other fields 
directly relevant to international affairs; and 
(D) schools of international relations and other relevant 
programs at universities throughout the United States; 
and 
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, submit a report to Congress that describes how 
the Department could expand the Pearson Fellows Program 
for Foreign Service Officers and the Brookings Fellow Program 
for Civil Servants to provide fellows in such programs with 
the opportunity to undertake a follow-on assignment within 
the Department in an office in which fellows will gain practical 
knowledge of the people and processes of Congress, including 
offices other than the Legislative Affairs Bureau, including— 
(A) an assessment of the current state of congressional 
fellowships, including the demand for fellowships, support 
for applicants to pursue and perform such fellowships, and
H. R. 7776—1473 
the value the fellowships provide to both the career of 
the officer and to the Department; and 
(B) an assessment of the options for making congres-
sional fellowships for both the Foreign Service and the 
Civil Service more career-enhancing. 
(e) BOARD OF VISITORS OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary is authorized to estab-
lish a Board of Visitors of the Foreign Service Institute (referred 
to in this subsection as the ‘‘Board’’). It is the sense of Congress 
that the Board should be established not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) DUTIES.—The Board authorized by this subsection shall 
be comprised of 12 members, who shall be appointed by the 
Secretary and shall provide the Secretary with independent 
advice and recommendations regarding organizational manage-
ment, strategic planning, resource management, curriculum 
development, and other matters of interest to the Foreign 
Service Institute, including regular observations about how well 
the Department is integrating training and professional 
development into the work of the Bureau for Global Talent 
Management. 
(3) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(A) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the Board shall be 
appointed from among individuals who— 
(i) are not officers or employees of the Federal 
Government; and 
(ii) are eminent authorities in the fields of diplo-
macy, national security, management, leadership, 
economics, trade, technology, or advanced international 
relations education. 
(B) OUTSIDE EXPERTISE.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Not fewer than 6 members of 
the Board shall have a minimum of 10 years of relevant 
expertise outside the field of diplomacy. 
(ii) PRIOR SENIOR SERVICE AT THE DEPARTMENT.— 
Not more than 6 members of the Board may be persons 
who previously served in the Senior Foreign Service 
or the Senior Executive Service at the Department. 
(4) TERMS.—Each member of the Board shall be appointed 
for a term of 3 years, except that of the members first 
appointed— 
(A) 4 members shall be appointed for a term of 3 
years; 
(B) 4 members shall be appointed for a term of 2 
years; and 
(C) 4 members shall be appointed for a term of 1 
year. 
(5) CHAIRPERSON; VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
(A) APPROVAL.—The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson 
of the Board shall be approved by the Secretary of State 
based upon a recommendation from the members of the 
Board. 
(B) SERVICE.—The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson 
shall serve at the discretion of the Secretary. 
(6) MEETINGS.—The Board shall meet— 
(A) at the call of the Director of the Foreign Service 
Institute and the Chairperson; and
H. R. 7776—1474 
(B) not fewer than 2 times per year. 
(7) COMPENSATION.—Each member of the Board shall serve 
without compensation, except that a member of the Board 
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business 
in the performance of service for the Board. Notwithstanding 
section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary 
may accept the voluntary and uncompensated service of mem-
bers of the Board. 
(8) APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.— 
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall 
apply to the Board established under this subsection. 
(f) ESTABLISHMENT
OF PROVOST
OF
THE FOREIGN SERVICE 
INSTITUTE.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Foreign 
Service Institute the position of Provost. 
(2) APPOINTMENT; REPORTING.—The Provost shall— 
(A) be appointed by the Secretary; and 
(B) report to the Director of the Foreign Service 
Institute. 
(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Provost, who should be a 
member of the Senior Executive Service, shall have— 
(A) experience in the field of diplomacy, national secu-
rity, education, management, leadership, economics, his-
tory, trade, adult education, or technology; and 
(B) significant experience outside the Department, 
whether in other national security agencies or in the pri-
vate sector, and preferably in positions of authority in 
educational institutions or the field of professional develop-
ment and mid-career training with oversight for the evalua-
tion of academic programs. 
(4) DUTIES.—The Provost shall— 
(A) oversee, review, evaluate, and coordinate the aca-
demic curriculum for all courses taught and administered 
by the Foreign Service Institute; and 
(B) coordinate the development of an evaluation system 
to ascertain the utility of the information and skills 
imparted by each such course, such that, to the extent 
practicable, performance assessments can be included in 
the personnel records maintained by the Bureau of Global 
Talent Management and utilized in Foreign Service Selec-
tion Boards. 
(5) COMPENSATION.—The Provost shall receive a salary 
commensurate with the rank and experience of a member of 
the Senior Executive Service, as determined by the Secretary. 
(g) OTHER AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR 
CONGRESSIONAL STAFF.— 
(1) OTHER
AGENCIES.—National security agencies other 
than the Department should be afforded the ability to increase 
the enrollment of their personnel in courses at the Foreign 
Service Institute and other training and professional develop-
ment facilities of the Department to promote a whole-of-govern-
ment approach to mitigating national security challenges. 
(2) CONGRESSIONAL STAFF.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
H. R. 7776—1475 
submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress 
that describes— 
(A) 
the 
training 
and 
professional 
development 
opportunities at the Foreign Service Institute and other 
Department facilities available to congressional staff; 
(B) the budget impacts of offering such opportunities 
to congressional staff; and 
(C) potential course offerings. 
(h) STRATEGY
FOR ADAPTING TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
FOR 
MODERN DIPLOMATIC NEEDS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy 
for adapting and evolving training requirements to better meet 
the Department’s current and future needs for 21st century 
diplomacy. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The strategy required under paragraph (1) 
shall include the following elements: 
(A) Integrating training requirements into the Depart-
ment’s promotion policies, including establishing edu-
cational and professional development standards for 
training and attainment to be used as a part of tenure 
and promotion guidelines. 
(B) Addressing multiple existing and emerging national 
security challenges, including— 
(i) democratic backsliding and authoritarianism; 
(ii) countering, and assisting United States allies 
to address, state-sponsored disinformation, including 
through the Global Engagement Center; 
(iii) cyber threats; 
(iv) the aggression and malign influence of Russia, 
Cuba, Iran, North Korea, the Maduro Regime, and 
the Chinese Communist Party’s multi-faceted and com-
prehensive challenge to the rules-based order; 
(v) the implications of climate change for United 
States diplomacy; and 
(vi) nuclear threats. 
(C) An examination of the likely advantages and dis-
advantages of establishing residential training for the A– 
100 orientation course administered by the Foreign Service 
Institute and evaluating the feasibility of residential 
training for other long-term training opportunities. 
(D) An examination of the likely advantages and dis-
advantages of establishing a press freedom curriculum for 
the National Foreign Affairs Training Center that enables 
Foreign Service officers to better understand issues of press 
freedom and the tools that are available to help protect 
journalists and promote freedom of the press norms, which 
may include— 
(i) the historic and current issues facing press 
freedom, including countries of specific concern; 
(ii) the Department’s role in promoting press 
freedom as an American value, a human rights issue, 
and a national security imperative; 
(iii) ways to incorporate press freedom promotion 
into other aspects of diplomacy; and
H. R. 7776—1476 
(iv) existing tools to assist journalists in distress 
and methods for engaging foreign governments and 
institutions on behalf of individuals engaged in journal-
istic activity who are at risk of harm. 
(E) The expansion of external courses offered by the 
Foreign Service Institute at academic institutions or profes-
sional associations on specific topics, including in-person 
and virtual courses on monitoring and evaluation, audience 
analysis, and the use of emerging technologies in diplo-
macy. 
(3) UTILIZATION
OF
EXISTING
RESOURCES.—In examining 
the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a residential 
training program pursuant to paragraph (2)(C), the Secretary 
shall— 
(A) collaborate with other national security depart-
ments and agencies that employ residential training for 
their orientation courses; and 
(B) consider using the Department’s Foreign Affairs 
Security Training Center in Blackstone, Virginia. 
(i) REPORT AND BRIEFING REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report 
to the appropriate committees of Congress that includes— 
(A) a strategy for broadening and deepening profes-
sional development and training at the Department, 
including assessing current and future needs for 21st cen-
tury diplomacy; 
(B) the process used and resources needed to imple-
ment the strategy referred to in subparagraph (A) through-
out the Department; and 
(C) the results and impact of the strategy on the 
workforce of the Department, particularly the relationship 
between professional development and training and pro-
motions for Department personnel, and the measurement 
and evaluation methods used to evaluate such results. 
(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the Secretary submits the report required under para-
graph (1), and annually thereafter for 2 years, the Secretary 
shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
briefing on the information required to be included in the 
report. 
(j) FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAINTENANCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary is authorized to estab-
lish and implement an incentive program, with a similar struc-
ture as the Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus offered by 
the Department of Defense, to encourage members of the For-
eign Service who possess language proficiency in any of the 
languages that qualify for additional incentive pay, as deter-
mined by the Secretary, to maintain critical foreign language 
skills. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report 
to the appropriate committees of Congress that includes a 
detailed plan for implementing the program authorized under 
paragraph (1), including anticipated resource requirements to 
carry out such program.
H. R. 7776—1477 
SEC. 9206. FACILITATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF TRAINING AND 
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR FOREIGN SERVICE 
AND CIVIL SERVICE PERSONNEL. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
recognition throughout the Department of the value and importance 
of training and professional development for Foreign Service and 
Civil Service personnel is vital to the development and maintenance 
by such personnel of the skills and expertise required for the 
Department to contribute fully and effectively to the conduct of 
the foreign affairs of the United States. 
(b) STUDY AND REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall conduct a study of 
the feasibility and cost of establishing a diplomatic officers’ 
reserve corps or similar mechanism to augment the Depart-
ment’s personnel needs at any level on a temporary or perma-
nent basis. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—In conducting the study required under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider whether the diplo-
matic officers’ reserve corps should be modeled on the Senior 
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps established under chapter 103 
of title 10, United States Code, to encourage the recruitment 
and retention of personnel who have the critical language skills 
necessary to meet the requirements of the Foreign Service 
by providing financial assistance to students studying critical 
languages at institutions of higher education. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report 
to the appropriate congressional committees that contains the 
results of the study conducted pursuant to paragraph (1). 
(c) TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT IN PROMOTION PRECEPTS AND 
EVALUATION CRITERIA.— 
(1) FOREIGN
SERVICE.—The Secretary shall take appro-
priate action to ensure accountability and transparency in the 
evaluation of the precepts described in section 603 of the For-
eign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4003) upon which the 
selection boards established pursuant to section 602 of such 
Act (22 U.S.C. 4002) make recommendations for the promotion 
of members of the Foreign Service under section 601 of such 
Act (22 U.S.C. 4001) by affording equal consideration to the 
undertaking of training, professional development, and foreign 
language acquisition and retention among any other objective 
criteria considered by selection boards in making such rec-
ommendations. 
(2) CIVIL SERVICE.—The Secretary shall take appropriate 
action to ensure that the performance standards for any job 
performance appraisal system for Civil Service personnel of 
the Department afford equal consideration to the undertaking 
of training, professional development, and foreign language 
acquisition and retention among any other objective criteria 
in the evaluation of the job performance of such personnel. 
(d) RESPONSE TO SUBORDINATE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 
NEEDS IN EVALUATION OF SUPERVISOR PERFORMANCE.— 
(1) FOREIGN
SERVICE.—The Secretary shall take appro-
priate action to ensure that the evaluation of precepts for 
recommendations for promotion described in subsection (c)(1) 
for members of the Foreign Service in supervisory positions
H. R. 7776—1478 
incorporates the extent to which such members appropriately 
address the training and professional development needs of 
the personnel under their supervision. 
(2) CIVIL SERVICE.—The Secretary shall take appropriate 
action to ensure that the performance standards described in 
subsection (c)(2) for Civil Service personnel of the Department 
in supervisory positions afford appropriate weight to addressing 
the training and professional development needs of the per-
sonnel under their supervision. 
SEC. 9207. SECURITY CLEARANCE APPROVAL PROCESS. 
(a) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with 
the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit recommendations 
to the appropriate congressional committees for streamlining the 
security clearance approval process within the Bureau of Diplomatic 
Security so that the security clearance approval process for Civil 
Service and Foreign Service applicants is completed within 6 
months, on average, and within 1 year, in the vast majority of 
cases. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the recommendations 
are submitted pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit 
a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, 
the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Perma-
nent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representa-
tives that— 
(1) describes the status of the efforts of the Department 
to streamline the security clearance approval process; and 
(2) identifies any remaining obstacles preventing security 
clearances from being completed within the time frames set 
forth in subsection (a), including lack of cooperation or other 
actions by other Federal departments and agencies. 
SEC. 9208. ADDENDUM FOR STUDY ON FOREIGN SERVICE ALLOW-
ANCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appro-
priate congressional committees an addendum to the report required 
under section 5302 of the Department of State Authorization Act 
of 2021 (division E of Public Law 117–81), which shall be entitled 
the ‘‘Report on Bidding for Domestic and Overseas Posts and Filling 
Unfilled Positions’’. The addendum shall be prepared using input 
from the same federally funded research and development center 
that prepared the analysis conducted for the purposes of such 
report. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The addendum required under subsection (a) 
shall include— 
(1) the total number of domestic and overseas positions 
open during the most recent summer bidding cycle; 
(2) the total number of bids each position received; 
(3) the number of unfilled positions at the conclusion of 
the most recent summer bidding cycle, disaggregated by bureau; 
and 
(4) detailed recommendations and a timeline for— 
(A) increasing the number of qualified bidders for 
underbid positions; and
H. R. 7776—1532 
driven management, and the policymaking, programmatic, 
and personnel aspects of the Department. 
(B) RESTRICTIONS.— 
(i) FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT OF 1938.— 
No member of the Commission may be a current or 
former registrant under the Foreign Agents Registra-
tion Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.). 
(ii) MEMBERS
OF
CONGRESS.—Not more than 4 
members of the Commission may be Members of Con-
gress, who may only be appointed by the Majority 
Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the 
Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
and the Minority Leader of the House of Representa-
tives in accordance with paragraph (1). None of the 
members of the Commission may be individuals who 
are eligible to make such appointments. 
(3) APPOINTMENTS.— 
(A) DEADLINE.—Members of the Commission shall be 
appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) not later than 90 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(B) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.—Members of 
the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the 
Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not 
affect the powers of the Commission and shall be filled 
in the same manner as the original appointment. 
(C) NOTIFICATIONS.—Individuals making appointments 
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall notify the Chair and 
Ranking Member of the appropriate committees of Con-
gress and the Secretary of State of such appointments. 
(D) CO-CHAIRPERSONS.— 
(i) DEMOCRATIC LEADERS.—The Democratic leader 
in the Senate and the Democratic leader in the House 
of Representatives shall jointly select 1 member of 
the Commission appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) 
to serve as a co-chairperson of the Commission. 
(ii) REPUBLICAN LEADERS.—The Republican leader 
in the Senate and the Republican leader in the House 
of Representatives shall jointly select 1 member of 
the Commission appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) 
to serve as a co-chairperson of the Commission. 
(4) REMOVAL.—A member may be removed from the 
Commission for cause by the individual serving in the position 
responsible for the original appointment of such member under 
paragraph (1) if— 
(A) notice was provided to such member describing 
the cause for removal; and 
(B) such removal was voted and agreed upon by a 
majority of the members serving on the Commission. 
(5) MEETINGS.— 
(A) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after 
a majority of the members of the Commission have been 
appointed, the Commission shall hold the first meeting 
and shall begin operations as soon as practicable. 
(B) FREQUENCY.—The Commission shall meet upon the 
call of the co-chairpersons, acting jointly. 
(C) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the 
Commission, or a majority of the members of a panel,
H. R. 7776—1611 
(8) $650,000,000 is authorized for the continued acquisition 
of Offshore Patrol Cutters. 
(b) TREATMENT
OF ACQUIRED CUTTER.—Any cutter acquired 
using amounts authorized under subsection (a) shall be in addition 
to the National Security Cutters and Fast Response Cutters 
approved under the existing acquisition baseline in the program 
of record for the National Security Cutter and Fast Response Cutter. 
SEC. 11105. SHORESIDE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated 
under section 4902(2)(A) of title 14, United States Code— 
(1) for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, $1,000,000,000 
is authorized to fund maintenance, construction, and repairs 
for Coast Guard shoreside infrastructure; and 
(2) for fiscal year 2023, $127,000,000 is authorized for 
improvements to facilities of the Coast Guard Yard. 
(b) SET-ASIDES.—Of the amounts authorized under subsection 
(a)(1)— 
(1) up to $60,000,000 is authorized to fund Phase I, in 
fiscal year 2022, and $60,000,000 is authorized to fund Phase 
II, in fiscal year 2023, for the recapitalization of the barracks 
at the United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May 
in Cape May, New Jersey; 
(2) $67,500,000 is authorized for the construction of addi-
tional new child care development centers not constructed using 
funds authorized by title V of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58); and 
(3) up to $1,200,000 is authorized to— 
(A) complete repairs to the United States Coast Guard 
Station, New York, waterfront, including repairs to the 
concrete pier; and 
(B) replace floating piers Alpha and Bravo, the South 
Breakwater and Ice Screen, the North Breakwater and 
Ice Screen and the seawall. 
(c) MITIGATION
OF HAZARD RISKS.—In carrying out projects 
with funds authorized under subsection (a), the Coast Guard shall 
mitigate, to the greatest extent practicable, natural hazard risks 
identified in any Shore Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment 
for Phase I related to such projects. 
SEC. 11106. COAST GUARD YARD RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENT. 
There is authorized to appropriated for the period of fiscal 
years 2023 through 2028 for the Secretary— 
(1) $273,000,000 for the purposes of improvements to facili-
ties of the Coast Guard Yard; and 
(2) $236,000,000 for the acquisition of a new floating dry-
dock at the Yard.
H. R. 7776—1633 
adopted by the Coast Guard and developed and adopted 
by other organizations for military missions and business 
operations. 
(C) Consideration of the identification, adoption, and 
procurement of artificial intelligence technologies for use 
in operational and mission support activities. 
(3) SUBMISSION TO COMMANDANT.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the designated official 
shall submit to the Commandant the plan developed under 
paragraph (1). 
(4) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives the plan developed 
under paragraph (1). 
SEC. 11227. REVIEW OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONS AND 
ESTABLISHMENT OF PERFORMANCE METRICS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall— 
(1) review the potential applications of artificial intelligence 
and digital technology to the platforms, processes, and oper-
ations of the Coast Guard; 
(2) identify the resources necessary to improve the use 
of artificial intelligence and digital technology in such plat-
forms, processes, and operations; and 
(3) establish performance objectives and accompanying 
metrics for the incorporation of artificial intelligence and digital 
readiness into such platforms, processes, and operations. 
(b) PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND ACCOMPANYING METRICS.— 
(1) SKILL GAPS.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Com-
mandant shall— 
(A) conduct a comprehensive review and assessment 
of— 
(i) skill gaps in the fields of software development, 
software engineering, data science, and artificial intel-
ligence; 
(ii) the qualifications of civilian personnel needed 
for both management and specialist tracks in such 
fields; and 
(iii) the qualifications of military personnel (officer 
and enlisted) needed for both management and spe-
cialist tracks in such fields; and 
(B) establish recruiting, training, and talent manage-
ment performance objectives and accompanying metrics for 
achieving and maintaining staffing levels needed to fill 
identified gaps and meet the needs of the Coast Guard 
for skilled personnel. 
(2) AI MODERNIZATION ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Commandant shall— 
(A) assess investment by the Coast Guard in artificial 
intelligence innovation, science and technology, and 
research and development; 
(B) assess investment by the Coast Guard in test and 
evaluation of artificial intelligence capabilities;
H. R. 7776—1634 
(C) assess the integration of, and the resources nec-
essary to better use artificial intelligence in wargames, 
exercises, and experimentation; 
(D) assess the application of, and the resources nec-
essary to better use, artificial intelligence in logistics and 
sustainment systems; 
(E) assess the integration of, and the resources nec-
essary to better use, artificial intelligence for administra-
tive functions; 
(F) establish performance objectives and accompanying 
metrics for artificial intelligence modernization activities 
of the Coast Guard; and 
(G) identify the resources necessary to effectively use 
artificial intelligence to carry out the missions of the Coast 
Guard. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days after the 
completion of the review required under subsection (a)(1), the Com-
mandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representa-
tives a report on— 
(1) the findings of the Commandant with respect to such 
review and any action taken or proposed to be taken by the 
Commandant, and the resources necessary to address such 
findings; 
(2) the performance objectives and accompanying metrics 
established under subsections (a)(3) and (b)(1)(B); and 
(3) any recommendation with respect to proposals for legis-
lative change necessary to successfully implement artificial 
intelligence applications within the Coast Guard. 
SEC. 11228. CYBER DATA MANAGEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant and the Director of the 
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency shall— 
(1) develop policies, processes, and operating procedures 
governing— 
(A) access to and the ingestion, structure, storage, and 
analysis of information and data relevant to the Coast 
Guard Cyber Mission, including— 
(i) intelligence data relevant to Coast Guard mis-
sions; 
(ii) internet traffic, topology, and activity data rel-
evant to such missions; and 
(iii) cyber threat information relevant to such mis-
sions; and 
(B) data management and analytic platforms relating 
to such missions; and 
(2) evaluate data management platforms referred to in 
paragraph (1)(B) to ensure that such platforms operate consist-
ently with the Coast Guard Data Strategy. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and
H. R. 7776—1762 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 101 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘10105. Reports to Congress.’’. 
TITLE CXVII—NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 
Subtitle A—National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration Commissioned Of-
ficer Corps 
SEC. 11701. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 212(b) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 
3002(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) UNDER SECRETARY.—The term ‘Under Secretary’ means 
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.’’. 
SEC. 11702. REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENTS. 
Section 221(c) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 
3021(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘may not be given’’ and inserting 
the following: ‘‘may— 
‘‘(1) be given only to an individual who is a citizen of 
the United States; and 
‘‘(2) not be given.’’. 
SEC. 11703. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT TO PROMOTE ENSIGNS AFTER 
3 YEARS OF SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 223 of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 
2002 (33 U.S.C. 3023) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 223. SEPARATION OF ENSIGNS FOUND NOT FULLY QUALIFIED. 
‘‘If an officer in the permanent grade of ensign is at any 
time found not fully qualified, the officer’s commission shall be 
revoked and the officer shall be separated from the commissioned 
service.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in section 
1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic 
Services Improvement Act of 1998, and for other purposes’’ (Public 
Law 107–372) is amended by striking the item relating to section 
223 and inserting the following: 
‘‘Sec. 223. Separation of ensigns found not fully qualified.’’. 
SEC. 11704. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle A of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 
2002 (33 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 220. AWARDS AND DECORATIONS. 
‘‘The Under Secretary may provide ribbons, medals, badges, 
trophies, and similar devices to members of the commissioned officer