IIB 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3409 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JULY 25, 2019 
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation 
AN ACT 
To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Coast Guard Author-
ization Act of 2019’’. 
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title. 
Sec. 2. Table of contents. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS 
Sec. 101. Authorizations of appropriations. 
Sec. 102. Authorized levels of military strength and training. 
Sec. 103. Determination of budgetary effects. 
TITLE II—COAST GUARD 
Sec. 201. Grade on retirement. 
Sec. 202. Congressional affairs; Director. 
Sec. 203. Limitations on claims. 
Sec. 204. Authority for officers to opt out of promotion board consideration. 
Sec. 205. Temporary promotion authority for officers in certain grades with 
critical skills. 
Sec. 206. Career intermission program. 
Sec. 207. Major acquisitions; operation and sustainment costs. 
Sec. 208. Employment assistance. 
Sec. 209. Reports on gender diversity in the Coast Guard. 
Sec. 210. Disposition of infrastructure related to E–LORAN. 
Sec. 211. Positions of importance and responsibility. 
Sec. 212. Research projects; transactions other than contracts and grants. 
Sec. 213. Acquisition workforce authorities. 
Sec. 214. Report on Coast Guard defense readiness resources allocation. 
Sec. 215. Report on the feasibility of liquefied natural gas fueled vessels. 
TITLE III—SHIPPING 
Sec. 301. Electronic charts; equivalency. 
Sec. 302. Passenger vessel security and safety requirements; application. 
Sec. 303. Non-operating individual. 
Sec. 304. Small passenger vessels and uninspected passenger vessels. 
Sec. 305. Installation vessels. 
Sec. 306. Advisory committees. 
Sec. 307. Expired maritime liens. 
Sec. 308. Training; emergency response providers. 
Sec. 309. Aiming a laser pointer at a vessel. 
Sec. 310. Maritime transportation assessment. 
Sec. 311. Safety of special activities. 
Sec. 312. Engine cut-off switches; use requirement. 
Sec. 313. Exemptions and equivalents. 
Sec. 314. Security plans; reviews. 
Sec. 315. Waiver of navigation and vessel inspection laws. 
Sec. 316. Requirement for small shipyard grantees. 
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Sec. 317. Independent study on the United States Merchant Marine Academy. 
Sec. 318. Centers of excellence for domestic maritime workforce training and 
education. 
Sec. 319. Renewal of merchant mariner licenses and documents. 
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS 
Sec. 401. Coastwise trade. 
Sec. 402. Unmanned maritime systems and satellite vessel tracking tech-
nologies. 
Sec. 403. Expedited transfer in cases of sexual assault; dependents of members 
of the Coast Guard. 
Sec. 404. Towing vessels; operation outside the boundary line. 
Sec. 405. Coast Guard authorities study. 
Sec. 406. Cloud computing strategy. 
Sec. 407. Report on effects of climate change on Coast Guard. 
Sec. 408. Shore infrastructure. 
Sec. 409. Physical access control system report. 
Sec. 410. Coastwise endorsements. 
Sec. 411. Polar security cutter acquisition report. 
Sec. 412. Sense of the Congress on the need for a new Great Lakes icebreaker. 
Sec. 413. Cargo preference study. 
Sec. 414. Insider Threat program. 
Sec. 415. Fishing safety grants. 
Sec. 416. Plans for demonstration programs. 
Sec. 417. Waters deemed not navigable waters of the United States for certain 
purposes. 
Sec. 418. Coast Guard housing; status and authorities briefing. 
Sec. 419. Conveyance of Coast Guard property at Point Spencer, Alaska. 
Sec. 420. Prohibition. 
Sec. 421. Certificate extensions. 
Sec. 422. Homeland security rotational cybersecurity research program at the 
Coast Guard Academy. 
Sec. 423. Towing vessel inspection fees. 
Sec. 424. Subrogated claims. 
Sec. 425. Loan provisions under Oil Pollution Act of 1990. 
Sec. 426. Liability limits. 
Sec. 427. Report on drug interdiction in the Caribbean basin. 
Sec. 428. Voting Requirement. 
Sec. 429. Transportation work identification card pilot program. 
Sec. 430. Plan for wing-in-ground demonstration plan. 
TITLE V—REORGANIZATION 
Sec. 501. Uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels. 
Sec. 502. Transfers. 
Sec. 503. Repeals. 
TITLE VI—TECHNICAL, CONFORMING, AND CLARIFYING 
AMENDMENTS 
Sec. 601. Maritime transportation system. 
Sec. 602. References to ‘‘persons’’ and ‘‘seamen’’. 
Sec. 603. Common appropriation structure. 
Sec. 604. References to ‘‘himself’’ and ‘‘his’’. 
Sec. 605. References to ‘‘motorboats’’ and ‘‘yachts’’. 
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Sec. 606. Miscellaneous technical corrections. 
Sec. 607. Technical corrections relating to codification of Ports and Waterways 
Safety Act. 
TITLE VII—FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION 
Sec. 701. Short title. 
Sec. 702. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE VIII—COAST GUARD ACADEMY IMPROVEMENT ACT 
Sec. 801. Short title. 
Sec. 802. Coast Guard Academy study. 
Sec. 803. Annual report. 
Sec. 804. Assessment of Coast Guard Academy admission processes. 
Sec. 805. Coast Guard Academy minority outreach team program. 
Sec. 806. Coast Guard college student pre-commissioning initiative. 
Sec. 807. Annual board of visitors. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS 
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 4902 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘year 2019’’ and inserting ‘‘years 2020 and 
2021’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘provided 
for, $7,914,195,000 for fiscal year 2019.’’ and in-
serting ‘‘provided for— 
‘‘(i) $8,122,912,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
and 
‘‘(ii) 
$8,538,324,000 
for 
fiscal 
year 
2021.’’; 
(3) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘subpara-
graph (A)—’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraph (A)(i), 
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$17,035,000 shall be for environmental compliance 
and restoration.’’; 
(4) by striking paragraphs (1)(B)(i) and 
(1)(B)(ii); 
(5) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(C) Of the amount authorized under subpara-
graph (A)(ii) $17,376,000 shall be for environmental 
compliance and restoration.’’; 
(6) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘For the procurement’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(A) For the procurement’’; 
(B) 
by 
striking 
‘‘and 
equipment, 
$2,694,745,000 for fiscal year 2019.’’ and in-
serting ‘‘and equipment— 
‘‘(i) $2,748,640,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
and 
‘‘(ii) 
$2,803,613,000 
for 
fiscal 
year 
2021.’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) Of the amounts authorized under subpara-
graph (A), the following amounts shall be for the al-
teration of bridges: 
‘‘(i) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
‘‘(ii) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.’’; 
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(7) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and equip-
ment, $29,141,000 for fiscal year 2019.’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘and equipment— 
‘‘(A) $13,834,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
‘‘(B) $14,111,000 for fiscal year 2021.’’; 
and 
(8) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) For the Coast Guard’s Medicare-eligible 
retiree health care fund contribution to the Depart-
ment of Defense— 
‘‘(A) $205,107,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
and 
‘‘(B) $209,209,000 for fiscal year 2021.’’. 
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZED LEVELS OF MILITARY STRENGTH 
AND TRAINING. 
Section 4904 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘43,000 for 
fiscal year 2018 and 44,500 for fiscal year 2019’’ 
and inserting ‘‘44,500 for each of fiscal years 2020 
and 2021’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘fiscal years 
2018 and 2019’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal years 2020 
and 2021’’. 
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SEC. 103. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS. 
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, 
shall be determined by reference to the latest statement 
titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation’’ for this 
Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record 
by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, pro-
vided that such statement has been submitted prior to the 
vote on passage. 
TITLE II—COAST GUARD 
SEC. 201. GRADE ON RETIREMENT. 
(a) COMMANDANT OR VICE COMMANDANT.—Section 
303 of title 14, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ‘‘A’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Subject to sec-
tion 2501, a’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘An’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Subject to section 2501, an’’. 
(b) OTHER OFFICERS.—Section 306 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘An officer’’ each place it ap-
pears and inserting ‘‘Subject to section 2501, an of-
ficer’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘his’’ and in-
serting ‘‘the officer’s’’. 
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(c) COMMISSIONED OR WARRANT OFFICER.—Section 
2501 of title 14, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Any’’ and inserting ‘‘COM-
MISSIONED OFFICER.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Any’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘him’’ and inserting ‘‘such 
officer’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘his’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
officer’s’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) CONDITIONAL DETERMINATION.—When an 
officer is under investigation for alleged misconduct 
at the time of retirement, the Secretary may condi-
tionally determine the highest grade of satisfactory 
service of the officer pending completion of the in-
vestigation. Such grade is subject to resolution 
under subsection (c)(2).’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Any’’ and inserting 
‘‘WARRANT OFFICER.—Any’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘him’’ and inserting ‘‘such 
warrant officer’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘his’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
warrant officer’s’’; and 
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(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) RETIREMENT IN LOWER GRADE.— 
‘‘(1) MISCONDUCT IN LOWER GRADE.—In the 
case of an officer whom the Secretary determines 
committed misconduct in a lower grade, the Sec-
retary may determine the officer has not served sat-
isfactorily in any grade equal to or higher than that 
lower grade. 
‘‘(2) CONDITIONAL DETERMINATION.—A deter-
mination of the retired grade of an officer shall be 
resolved following a conditional determination under 
subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) if the investigation of or 
personnel action against the officer or warrant offi-
cer, as applicable, results in adverse findings. 
‘‘(3) RETIRED
PAY; RECALCULATION.—If the 
retired grade of an officer is reduced, the retired pay 
of the officer under chapter 71 of title 10 shall be 
recalculated, and any modification of the retired pay 
of the officer shall go into effect on the effective date 
of the reduction in retired grade. 
‘‘(d) FINALITY
OF RETIRED GRADE DETERMINA-
TIONS.— 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATIVE
FINALITY.—Except as 
otherwise provided by law, a determination of the re-
tired grade of an officer pursuant to this section is 
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administratively final on the day the officer is re-
tired, and may not be reopened. 
‘‘(2) REOPENING
DETERMINATION.—A deter-
mination of the retired grade of an officer may be 
reopened as follows: 
‘‘(A) If the retirement or retired grade of 
the officer was procured by fraud. 
‘‘(B) If substantial evidence comes to light 
after the retirement that could have led to a 
lower retired grade under this section if known 
by competent authority at the time of retire-
ment. 
‘‘(C) If a mistake of law or calculation was 
made in the determination of the retired grade. 
‘‘(D) In the case of a retired grade fol-
lowing a conditional determination under sub-
section (a)(2) or (b)(2), if the investigation of 
or personnel action against the officer, as appli-
cable, results in an adverse finding. 
‘‘(E) If the Secretary determines, pursuant 
to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that 
good cause exists to reopen the determination 
or certification. 
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‘‘(3) NOTIFICATION OF REOPENING.—If a de-
termination or certification of the retired grade of 
an officer is reopened, the Secretary— 
‘‘(A) shall notify the officer of the reopen-
ing; and 
‘‘(B) may not make an adverse determina-
tion on the retired grade of the officer until the 
officer has had a reasonable opportunity to re-
spond regarding the basis of the reopening. 
‘‘(4) RETIRED
PAY; RECALCULATION.—If the 
retired grade of an officer is reduced through the re-
opening of the officer’s or warrant officer’s retired 
grade, the retired pay of the officer under chapter 
71 of title 10 shall be recalculated, and any modi-
fication of the retired pay of the officer shall go into 
effect on the effective date of the reduction of the 
officer’s retired grade.’’. 
SEC. 202. CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS; DIRECTOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 14, United 
States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 320. Congressional affairs; Director 
‘‘The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall appoint 
a Director of Congressional Affairs from among officers 
of the Coast Guard who are in a grade above captain.’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 3 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this 
Act, is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘320. Congressional affairs; Director.’’. 
SEC. 203. LIMITATIONS ON CLAIMS. 
(a) ADMIRALTY CLAIMS.—Section 937 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended in subsection (a) by strik-
ing ‘‘$100,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$425,000’’. 
(b) CLAIMS FOR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OF THE 
UNITED STATES.—Section 938 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘$100,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$425,000’’. 
SEC. 204. AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS TO OPT OUT OF PRO-
MOTION BOARD CONSIDERATION. 
(a) ELIGIBILITY OF OFFICERS FOR CONSIDERATION 
FOR PROMOTION.—Section 2113 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Com-
mandant may provide that an officer may, upon the offi-
cer’s request and with the approval of the Commandant, 
be excluded from consideration by a selection board con-
vened under section 2106(a). 
‘‘(2) The Commandant shall approve a request under 
paragraph (1) only if— 
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‘‘(A) the basis for the request is to allow the of-
ficer to complete a broadening assignment, advanced 
education, another assignment of significant value to 
the Coast Guard, a career progression requirement 
delayed by the assignment or education, or a quali-
fying personal or professional circumstance, as de-
termined by the Commandant; 
‘‘(B) the Commandant determines the exclusion 
from consideration is in the best interest of the 
Coast Guard; and 
‘‘(C) the officer has not previously failed of se-
lection for promotion to the grade for which the offi-
cer requests the exclusion from consideration.’’. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY OF RESERVE OFFICER FOR PRO-
MOTION.—Section 3743 of title 14, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 3743. Eligibility for promotion 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), a Reserve officer is eligible for consideration for pro-
motion and for promotion under this subchapter, if that 
officer is in an active status. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—A Reserve officer who has been 
considered but not recommended for retention in an active 
status by a board convened under subsection 3752(a) of 
this title, is not eligible for consideration for promotion. 
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‘‘(c) REQUEST FOR EXCLUSION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant may pro-
vide that an officer may, upon the officer’s request 
and with the approval of the Commandant, be ex-
cluded from consideration by a selection board con-
vened under section 3740(b) of this title to consider 
officers for promotion to the next higher grade. 
‘‘(2) APPROVAL
OF
REQUEST.—The Com-
mandant shall approve a request under paragraph 
(1) only if— 
‘‘(A) the basis for the request is to allow 
an officer to complete a broadening assignment, 
advanced education, another assignment of sig-
nificant value to the Coast Guard, a career pro-
gression requirement delayed by the assignment 
or education, or a qualifying personal or profes-
sional circumstance, as determined by the Com-
mandant; 
‘‘(B) the Commandant determines the ex-
clusion from consideration is in the best inter-
est of the Coast Guard; and 
‘‘(C) the officer has not previously failed of 
selection for promotion to the grade for which 
the officer requests the exclusion from consider-
ation.’’. 
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SEC. 205. TEMPORARY PROMOTION AUTHORITY FOR OFFI-
CERS IN CERTAIN GRADES WITH CRITICAL 
SKILLS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of Chapter 21 of 
title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 2130. Promotion to certain grades for officers with 
critical skills: captain, commander, lieu-
tenant commander, lieutenant 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An officer in the grade of lieu-
tenant (junior grade), lieutenant, lieutenant commander, 
or commander, who is described in subsection (b) may be 
temporarily promoted to the grade of lieutenant, lieuten-
ant commander, commander, or captain under regulations 
prescribed by the Secretary. Appointments under this sec-
tion shall be made by the President, by and with the advice 
and consent of the Senate. 
‘‘(b) COVERED OFFICERS.—An officer described in 
this subsection is any officer in a grade specified in sub-
section (a) who— 
‘‘(1) has a skill in which the Coast Guard has 
a critical shortage of personnel (as determined by 
the Secretary); and 
‘‘(2) is serving in a position (as determined by 
the Secretary) that— 
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‘‘(A) is designated to be held by a lieuten-
ant, lieutenant commander, commander, or cap-
tain; and 
‘‘(B) requires that an officer serving in 
such position have the skill possessed by such 
officer. 
‘‘(c) PRESERVATION OF POSITION AND STATUS OF 
OFFICERS APPOINTED.— 
‘‘(1) The temporary positions authorized under 
this section shall not be counted among or included 
in the list of positions on the active duty promotion 
list. 
‘‘(2) An appointment under this section does 
not change the position on the active-duty list or the 
permanent, probationary, or acting status of the of-
ficer so appointed, prejudice the officer in regard to 
other promotions or appointments, or abridge the 
rights or benefits of the officer. 
‘‘(d) BOARD RECOMMENDATION REQUIRED.—A tem-
porary promotion under this section may be made only 
upon the recommendation of a board of officers convened 
by the Secretary for the purpose of recommending officers 
for such promotions. 
‘‘(e) ACCEPTANCE AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF AP-
POINTMENT.—Each appointment under this section, un-
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less expressly declined, is, without formal acceptance, re-
garded as accepted on the date such appointment is made, 
and a member so appointed is entitled to the pay and al-
lowances of the grade of the temporary promotion under 
this section beginning on the date the appointment is 
made. 
‘‘(f) TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT.—Unless soon-
er terminated, an appointment under this section termi-
nates— 
‘‘(1) on the date the officer who received the 
appointment is promoted to the permanent grade of 
lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, or 
captain; 
‘‘(2) on the date the officer is detached from a 
position described in subsection (b)(2), unless the of-
ficer is on a promotion list to the permanent grade 
of lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, or 
captain, in which case the appointment terminates 
on the date the officer is promoted to that grade; or 
‘‘(3) when the appointment officer determines 
that the officer who received the appointment has 
engaged in misconduct or has displayed substandard 
performance. 
‘‘(g) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE POSI-
TIONS.—An appointment under this section may only be 
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made for service in a position designated by the Secretary 
for the purposes of this section. The number of positions 
so designated may not exceed the following percentages 
of the respective grades: 
‘‘(1) As lieutenant, 0.5 percent. 
‘‘(2) As lieutenant commander, 3.0 percent. 
‘‘(3) As commander, 2.6 percent. 
‘‘(4) As captain, 2.6 percent.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
subchapter is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘2130. Promotion to certain grades for officers with critical skills: captain, com-
mander, lieutenant commander, lieutenant.’’. 
SEC. 206. CAREER INTERMISSION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 2514. Career flexibility to enhance retention of 
members 
‘‘(a) PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED.—The Commandant 
may carry out a program under which members of the 
Coast Guard may be inactivated from active service in 
order to meet personal or professional needs and returned 
to active service at the end of such period of inactivation 
from active service. 
‘‘(b) PERIOD OF INACTIVATION FROM ACTIVE SERV-
ICE; EFFECT OF INACTIVATION.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The period of inactivation 
from active service under a program under this sec-
tion of a member participating in the program shall 
be such period as the Commandant shall specify in 
the agreement of the member under subsection (c), 
except that such period may not exceed 3 years. 
‘‘(2) EXCLUSION FROM YEARS OF SERVICE.— 
Any service by a Reserve officer while participating 
in a program under this section shall be excluded 
from computation of the total years of service of 
that officer pursuant to section 14706(a) of title 10. 
‘‘(3) EXCLUSION FROM RETIREMENT.—Any pe-
riod of participation of a member in a program 
under this section shall not count toward— 
‘‘(A) eligibility for retirement or transfer 
to the Ready Reserve under either chapter 571 
or 1223 of title 10; or 
‘‘(B) computation of retired or retainer 
pay under chapter 71 or 1223 of title 10. 
‘‘(c) AGREEMENT.—Each member of the Coast 
Guard who participates in a program under this section 
shall enter into a written agreement with the Commandant 
under which that member shall agree as follows: 
‘‘(1) To accept an appointment or enlist, as ap-
plicable, and serve in the Coast Guard Ready Re-
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serve during the period of the inactivation of the 
member from active service under the program. 
‘‘(2) To undergo during the period of the inac-
tivation of the member from active service under the 
program such inactive service training as the Com-
mandant shall require in order to ensure that the 
member retains proficiency, at a level determined by 
the Commandant to be sufficient, in the military 
skills, professional qualifications, and physical readi-
ness of the member during the inactivation of the 
member from active service. 
‘‘(3) Following completion of the period of the 
inactivation of the member from active service under 
the program, to serve 2 months as a member of the 
Coast Guard on active service for each month of the 
period of the inactivation of the member from active 
service under the program. 
‘‘(d) CONDITIONS OF RELEASE.—The Commandant 
shall prescribe regulations specifying the guidelines re-
garding the conditions of release that must be considered 
and addressed in the agreement required by subsection 
(c). At a minimum, the Commandant shall prescribe the 
procedures and standards to be used to instruct a member 
on the obligations to be assumed by the member under 
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paragraph (2) of such subsection while the member is re-
leased from active service. 
‘‘(e) ORDER TO ACTIVE SERVICE.—Under regula-
tions prescribed by the Commandant, a member of the 
Coast Guard participating in a program under this section 
may, in the discretion of the Commandant, be required 
to terminate participation in the program and be ordered 
to active service. 
‘‘(f) PAY AND ALLOWANCES.— 
‘‘(1) BASIC PAY.—During each month of par-
ticipation in a program under this section, a member 
who participates in the program shall be paid basic 
pay in an amount equal to two-thirtieths of the 
amount of monthly basic pay to which the member 
would otherwise be entitled under section 204 of title 
37 as a member of the uniformed services on active 
service in the grade and years of service of the mem-
ber when the member commences participation in 
the program. 
‘‘(2) SPECIAL OR INCENTIVE PAY OR BONUS.— 
‘‘(A) PROHIBITION.—A member who par-
ticipates in such a program shall not, while par-
ticipating in the program, be paid any special 
or incentive pay or bonus to which the member 
is otherwise entitled under an agreement under 
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chapter 5 of title 37 or section 1925 of this title 
that is in force when the member commences 
participation in the program. 
‘‘(B) NOT TREATED AS FAILURE TO PER-
FORM SERVICES.—The inactivation from active 
service of a member participating in a program 
shall not be treated as a failure of the member 
to perform any period of service required of the 
member in connection with an agreement for a 
special or incentive pay or bonus under chapter 
5 of title 37 that is in force when the member 
commences participation in the program. 
‘‘(3) RETURN TO ACTIVE SERVICE.— 
‘‘(A) SPECIAL
OR
INCENTIVE
PAY
OR 
BONUS.—Subject to subparagraph (B), upon 
the return of a member to active service after 
completion by the member of participation in a 
program— 
‘‘(i) any agreement entered into by 
the member under chapter 5 of title 37 for 
the payment of a special or incentive pay 
or bonus that was in force when the mem-
ber commenced participation in the pro-
gram shall be revived, with the term of 
such agreement after revival being the pe-
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riod of the agreement remaining to run 
when the member commenced participation 
in the program; and 
‘‘(ii) any special or incentive pay or 
bonus shall be payable to the member in 
accordance with the terms of the agree-
ment concerned for the term specified in 
clause (i). 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subparagraph (A) 
shall not apply to any special or incentive 
pay or bonus otherwise covered by that 
subparagraph with respect to a member if, 
at the time of the return of the member to 
active service as described in that subpara-
graph— 
‘‘(I) such pay or bonus is no 
longer authorized by law; or 
‘‘(II) the member does not satisfy 
eligibility criteria for such pay or 
bonus as in effect at the time of the 
return of the member to active serv-
ice. 
‘‘(ii) PAY OR BONUS CEASES BEING 
AUTHORIZED.—Subparagraph 
(A) 
shall 
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cease to apply to any special or incentive 
pay or bonus otherwise covered by that 
subparagraph with respect to a member if, 
during the term of the revived agreement 
of the member under subparagraph (A)(i), 
such pay or bonus ceases being authorized 
by law. 
‘‘(C) REPAYMENT.—A member who is in-
eligible for payment of a special or incentive 
pay or bonus otherwise covered by this para-
graph by reason of subparagraph (B)(i)(II) 
shall be subject to the requirements for repay-
ment of such pay or bonus in accordance with 
the terms of the applicable agreement of the 
member under chapter 5 of title 37. 
‘‘(D) 
REQUIRED
SERVICE
IS
ADDI-
TIONAL.—Any service required of a member 
under an agreement covered by this paragraph 
after the member returns to active service as 
described in subparagraph (A) shall be in addi-
tion to any service required of the member 
under an agreement under subsection (c). 
‘‘(4) TRAVEL
AND
TRANSPORTATION
ALLOW-
ANCE.— 
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cordance with section 701 of title 10, but not to ex-
ceed 60 days. 
‘‘(g) PROMOTION.— 
‘‘(1) OFFICERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—An officer partici-
pating in a program under this section shall 
not, while participating in the program, be eligi-
ble for consideration for promotion under chap-
ter 21 or 37 of this title. 
‘‘(B) RETURN TO SERVICE.—Upon the re-
turn of an officer to active service after comple-
tion by the officer of participation in a pro-
gram— 
‘‘(i) the Commandant may adjust the 
date of rank of the officer in such manner 
as the Commandant shall prescribe in reg-
ulations for purposes of this section; and 
‘‘(ii) the officer shall be eligible for 
consideration for promotion when officers 
of the same competitive category, grade, 
and seniority are eligible for consideration 
for promotion. 
‘‘(2) ENLISTED MEMBERS.—An enlisted mem-
ber participating in a program shall not be eligible 
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for consideration for advancement during the period 
that— 
‘‘(A) begins on the date of the inactivation 
of the member from active service under the 
program; and 
‘‘(B) ends at such time after the return of 
the member to active service under the program 
that the member is treatable as eligible for pro-
motion by reason of time in grade and such 
other requirements as the Commandant shall 
prescribe in regulations for purposes of the pro-
gram. 
‘‘(h) CONTINUED ENTITLEMENTS.—A member par-
ticipating in a program under this section shall, while par-
ticipating in the program, be treated as a member of the 
Armed Forces on active duty for a period of more than 
30 days for purposes of— 
‘‘(1) the entitlement of the member and of the 
dependents of the member to medical and dental 
care under the provisions of chapter 55 of this title; 
and 
‘‘(2) retirement or separation for physical dis-
ability under the provisions of chapter 61 of title 10 
and chapters 21 and 23 of this title.’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 2513 the following: 
‘‘2514. Career flexibility to enhance retention of members.’’. 
SEC. 
207. 
MAJOR 
ACQUISITIONS; 
OPERATION 
AND 
SUSTAINMENT COSTS. 
Section 5103(e)(3) of title 14, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and 
(C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D) respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(B) operate and sustain the cutters and 
aircraft described under paragraph (2);’’. 
SEC. 208. EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 27 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 2713. Employment assistance 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to improve the accuracy 
and completeness of a certification or verification of job 
skills and experience required by section 1143(a)(1) of 
title 10, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) establish a database to record all training 
performed by members of the Coast Guard that may 
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have application to employment in the civilian sector; 
and 
‘‘(2) make unclassified information regarding 
such information available to States and other po-
tential employers referred to in section 1143(c) of 
title 10 so that State and other entities may allow 
military training to satisfy licensing or certification 
requirements to engage in a civilian profession. 
‘‘(b) FORM OF CERTIFICATION OR VERIFICATION.— 
The Secretary shall ensure that a certification or 
verification of job skills and experience required by section 
1143(a)(1) of title 10 is rendered in such a way that 
States and other potential employers can confirm the ac-
curacy and authenticity of the certification or verification. 
‘‘(c) REQUESTS BY STATES.—A State may request 
that the Secretary confirm the accuracy and authenticity 
of a certification or verification of jobs skills and experi-
ence provided under section 1143(c) of title 10.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 2712 the following: 
‘‘2713. Employment assistance.’’. 
SEC. 209. REPORTS ON GENDER DIVERSITY IN THE COAST 
GUARD. 
(a) ACTION PLAN.— 
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(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall— 
(A) determine which recommendations in 
the RAND gender diversity report can prac-
ticably be implemented to promote gender di-
versity in the Coast Guard; and 
(B) submit a report to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate on the actions the Coast Guard has taken 
or plans to take to implement such rec-
ommendations. 
(2) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘RAND diversity report’’ means the RAND Cor-
poration’s Homeland Security Operational Analysis 
Center 2019 report entitled ‘‘Improving Gender Di-
versity in the U.S. Coast Guard: Identifying Bar-
riers to Female Retention’’. 
(b) RECURRING REPORT.—Chapter 51 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
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‘‘§ 5109. Report on gender diversity in the Coast 
Guard 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 15, 
2022, and biennially thereafter, the Commandant shall 
submit a report on gender diversity in the Coast Guard 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under sub-
section (a) shall contain the following: 
‘‘(1) GENDER DIVERSITY OVERVIEW.—An over-
view of Coast Guard active duty and Reserve mem-
bers, including the number of officers and enlisted 
members and the percentages of men and women in 
each. 
‘‘(2) RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.—(A) An 
analysis of the changes in the recruitment and reten-
tion of women over the previous 2 years. 
‘‘(B) A discussion of any changes to Coast 
Guard recruitment and retention over the previous 2 
years that were aimed at increasing the recruitment 
and retention of female members. 
‘‘(3) PARENTAL LEAVE.—(A) The number of 
men and women who took parental leave during each 
year covered by the report, including the average 
length of such leave periods. 
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‘‘(B) A discussion of the ways in which the 
Coast Guard worked to mitigate the impacts of pa-
rental leave on Coast Guard operations and on the 
careers of the members taking such leave. 
‘‘(4) LIMITATIONS.—An analysis of current 
gender-based limitations on Coast Guard career op-
portunities, including discussion of— 
‘‘(A) shipboard opportunities; 
‘‘(B) opportunities to serve at remote 
units; and 
‘‘(C) any other limitations on the opportu-
nities of female members. 
‘‘(5) PROGRESS UPDATE.—An update on the 
Coast Guard’s progress on the implementation of the 
action plan required under section 209 of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2019.’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘5109. Report on gender diversity in the Coast Guard.’’. 
SEC. 210. DISPOSITION OF INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TO 
E–LORAN. 
Section 914 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘date’’ and inserting ‘‘later 
of the date of the conveyance of the properties 
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directed under section 533(a) of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2016 (Public Law 
114–120) or the date’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘determination by the Sec-
retary’’ and inserting ‘‘determination by the 
Secretary of Transportation under section 
312(d) of title 49’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY
OF
PROCEEDS.—The pro-
ceeds of such sales, less the costs of sale incurred by 
the General Services Administration, shall be depos-
ited into the Coast Guard Housing Fund for uses 
authorized under section 2946 of this title.’’. 
SEC. 211. POSITIONS OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSI-
BILITY. 
Section 2103(c)(3) of title 14, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘rear admiral (lower half)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘vice admiral’’. 
SEC. 212. RESEARCH PROJECTS; TRANSACTIONS OTHER 
THAN CONTRACTS AND GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 7 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘§ 720. Research projects; transactions other than 
contracts and grants 
‘‘(a) ADDITIONAL FORMS
OF TRANSACTIONS AU-
THORIZED.—The Commandant may enter into trans-
actions (other than contracts, cooperative agreements, and 
grants) in carrying out basic, applied, and advanced re-
search projects. The authority under this subsection is in 
addition to the authority provided in section 717 to use 
contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants in carrying 
out such projects. 
‘‘(b) ADVANCE PAYMENTS.—The authority under 
subsection (a) may be exercised without regard to section 
3324 of title 31. 
‘‘(c) RECOVERY OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (d), a 
cooperative agreement for performance of basic, ap-
plied, or advanced research authorized by section 
717, and a transaction authorized by subsection (a), 
may include a clause that requires a person or other 
entity to make payments to the Coast Guard or any 
other department or agency of the Federal Govern-
ment as a condition for receiving support under the 
agreement or transaction, respectively. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—The amount of 
any payment received by the Federal Government 
pursuant to a requirement imposed under paragraph 
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(1) may be credited, to the extent authorized by the 
Commandant, to an appropriate appropriations ac-
count. Amounts so credited shall be merged with 
other funds in the account and shall be available for 
the same purposes and the same period for which 
other funds in such account are available. 
‘‘(d) CONDITIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall en-
sure that— 
‘‘(A) to the extent that the Commandant 
determines practicable, no cooperative agree-
ment containing a clause described in sub-
section (c)(1), and no transaction entered into 
under subsection (a), provides for research that 
duplicates research being conducted under ex-
isting programs carried out by the Coast 
Guard; and 
‘‘(B) to the extent that the Commandant 
determines practicable, the funds provided by 
the Federal Government under a cooperative 
agreement containing a clause described in sub-
section (c)(1), or under a transaction author-
ized by subsection (a), do not exceed the total 
amount provided by other parties to the cooper-
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ative agreement or other transaction, respec-
tively. 
‘‘(2) OTHER AGREEMENTS NOT FEASIBLE.—A 
cooperative agreement containing a clause described 
in subsection (c)(1), or under a transaction author-
ized by subsection (a), may be used for a research 
project only if the use of a standard contract, grant, 
or cooperative agreement for such project is not fea-
sible or appropriate. 
‘‘(e) EDUCATION AND TRAINING.—The Commandant 
shall— 
‘‘(1) ensure that management, technical, and 
contracting personnel of the Coast Guard involved in 
the award or administration of transactions under 
this section or other innovative forms of contracting 
are afforded opportunities for adequate education 
and training; and 
‘‘(2) establish minimum levels and requirements 
for continuous and experiential learning for such 
personnel, including levels and requirements for ac-
quisition certification programs. 
‘‘(f) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall prescribe 
regulations, as necessary, to carry out this section. 
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‘‘(g) PROTECTION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION FROM 
DISCLOSURE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Disclosure of information 
described in paragraph (2) is not required, and may 
not be compelled, under section 552 of title 5 for 5 
years after the date on which the information is re-
ceived by the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) applies 
to information described in subparagraph (B) 
that is in the records of the Coast Guard only 
if the information was submitted to the Coast 
Guard in a competitive or noncompetitive proc-
ess having the potential for resulting in an 
award, to the party submitting the information, 
of a cooperative agreement for performance of 
basic, applied, or advanced research authorized 
by section 717 or another transaction author-
ized by subsection (a). 
‘‘(B) INFORMATION DESCRIBED.—The in-
formation referred to in subparagraph (A) is 
the following: 
‘‘(i) A proposal, proposal abstract, 
and supporting documents. 
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‘‘(ii) A business plan submitted on a 
confidential basis. 
‘‘(iii) Technical information submitted 
on a confidential basis. 
‘‘(h) ANNUAL REPORT.—On the date on which the 
President submits to Congress a budget pursuant to sec-
tion 1105 of title 31, the Commandant shall submit to 
the Committees on Appropriations and Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committees on Appropriations and Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report de-
scribing each use of the authority provided under this sec-
tion during the most recently completed fiscal year, includ-
ing details of each use consisting of— 
‘‘(1) the amount of each transaction; 
‘‘(2) the entities or organizations involved; 
‘‘(3) the product or service received; and 
‘‘(4) the research project for which the product 
or service was required.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘720. Research projects; transactions other than contracts and grants.’’. 
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SEC. 213. ACQUISITION WORKFORCE AUTHORITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 11 of title 14, United 
States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended 
by inserting after section 1110 the following: 
‘‘§ 1111. Acquisition workforce authorities 
‘‘(a) EXPEDITED HIRING AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For the purposes of section 
3304 of title 5, the Commandant may— 
‘‘(A) designate any category of acquisition 
positions within the Coast Guard as shortage 
category positions; and 
‘‘(B) use the authorities in such section to 
recruit and appoint highly qualified persons di-
rectly to positions so designated. 
‘‘(2) REPORTS.—The Commandant shall in-
clude in reports under section 1102 information de-
scribed in that section regarding positions des-
ignated under this subsection. 
‘‘(b) REEMPLOYMENT AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), if an annuitant receiving an annuity from 
the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund be-
comes employed in any category of acquisition posi-
tions designated by the Commandant under sub-
section (a), the annuity of the annuitant so em-
ployed shall continue. The annuitant so reemployed 
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shall not be considered an employee for purposes of 
subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 
5. 
‘‘(2)(A) 
ELECTION.—An 
annuitant 
retired 
under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, 
receiving an annuity from the Civil Service Retire-
ment and Disability Fund, who becomes employed in 
any category of acquisition positions designated by 
the Commandant under subsection (a) after date of 
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
2019, may elect to be subject to section 8344 or 
8468 of such title (as the case may be). 
‘‘(i) DEADLINE.—An election for coverage 
under this subsection shall be filed not later 
than 90 days after the Commandant takes rea-
sonable actions to notify an employee who may 
file an election. 
‘‘(ii) COVERAGE.—If an employee files an 
election under this subsection, coverage shall be 
effective beginning on the first day of the first 
applicable pay period beginning on or after the 
date of the filing of the election. 
‘‘(B) APPLICATION.—Paragraph (1) shall apply 
to an individual who is eligible to file an election 
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under such subparagraph and does not file a timely 
election under clause (i).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
of chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 1110 the 
following: 
‘‘1111. Acquisition workforce authorities.’’. 
SEC. 214. REPORT ON COAST GUARD DEFENSE READINESS 
RESOURCES ALLOCATION. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a report 
on the allocation of resources by the Coast Guard to sup-
port its defense readiness mission. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required by subsection 
(a) shall include the following elements: 
(1) Funding levels allocated by the Coast Guard 
to support defense readiness missions for each of the 
past 10 fiscal years. 
(2) Funding levels transferred or otherwise pro-
vided by the Department of Defense to the Coast 
Guard in support of the Coast Guard’s defense read-
iness missions for each of the past 10 fiscal years. 
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(3) The number of Coast Guard detachments 
assigned in support of the Coast Guard’s defense 
readiness mission for each of the past 10 fiscal 
years. 
(c) ASSESSMENT.—In addition to the elements de-
tailed in subsection (b), the report shall include an assess-
ment of the impacts on the Coast Guard’s non-defense 
mission readiness and operational capabilities due to the 
annual levels of reimbursement provided by the Depart-
ment of Defense to compensate the Coast Guard for its 
expenses to fulfill its defense readiness mission. 
SEC. 215. REPORT ON THE FEASIBILITY OF LIQUEFIED NAT-
URAL GAS FUELED VESSELS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall 
submit a report to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate on the following: 
(1) The feasibility, safety, and cost effectiveness 
of using liquefied natural gas to fuel new Coast 
Guard vessels. 
(2) The feasibility, safety, and cost effectiveness 
of converting existing vessels to run on liquefied nat-
ural gas fuels. 
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(3) The operational benefits of using liquefied 
natural gas to fuel Coast Guard vessels. 
TITLE III—SHIPPING 
SEC. 301. ELECTRONIC CHARTS; EQUIVALENCY. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS.—Section 3105(a)(1) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) ELECTRONIC CHARTS IN LIEU OF MARINE 
CHARTS, CHARTS, AND MAPS.—Subject to paragraph 
(2), the following vessels, while operating on the 
navigable waters of the United States, shall be 
equipped with and operate electronic navigational 
charts conforming to a standard acceptable to the 
Secretary in lieu of any marine charts, charts, and 
maps required by titles 33 and 46, Code of Federal 
Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enact-
ment of this paragraph: 
‘‘(A) A self-propelled commercial vessel of 
at least 65 feet overall length. 
‘‘(B) A vessel carrying more than a num-
ber of passengers for hire determined by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(C) A towing vessel of more than 26 feet 
in overall length and 600 horsepower. 
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‘‘(D) Any other vessel for which the Sec-
retary decides that electronic charts are nec-
essary for the safe navigation of the vessel.’’. 
(b) 
EXEMPTIONS
AND
WAIVERS.—Section 
3105(a)(2) of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘operates; 
and’’ and inserting ‘‘operates;’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘those 
waters.’’ and inserting ‘‘those waters; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) permit vessels that operate solely 
landward of the baseline from which the terri-
torial sea of the United States is measured to 
utilize 
software-based, 
platform-independent 
electronic chart systems that the Secretary de-
termines are capable of displaying electronic 
navigational charts with necessary scale and de-
tail to ensure safe navigation for the intended 
voyage.’’. 
SEC. 302. PASSENGER VESSEL SECURITY AND SAFETY RE-
QUIREMENTS; APPLICATION. 
Section 3507(k)(1) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
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(1) in subparagraph (B), by adding ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon at the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a period; and 
(3) by striking subparagraph (D). 
SEC. 303. NON-OPERATING INDIVIDUAL. 
(a) DEFINITION.—Section 2101 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (23) 
the following: 
‘‘(23a) ‘non-operating individual’ means an in-
dividual who— 
‘‘(A) does not perform— 
‘‘(i) with respect to the operation of a 
vessel, watchstanding, automated engine 
room duty watch, navigation, or personnel 
safety functions; 
‘‘(ii) with respect to the loading and 
unloading of merchandise, cargo handling 
functions, including any activity relating to 
the loading or unloading of cargo, the op-
eration of cargo-related equipment (wheth-
er or not integral to the vessel), and the 
handling of mooring lines on the dock 
when the vessel is made fast or let go; 
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‘‘(iii) vessel maintenance, including 
any repairs that can be performed by the 
vessel’s crew or a riding gang; or 
‘‘(iv) safety, security, or environ-
mental protection activities directly related 
to the operation of the vessel and normally 
conducted by the vessel’s crew; 
‘‘(B) does not serve as part of the crew 
complement required under section 8101; 
‘‘(C) does not serve as a riding gang mem-
ber; 
‘‘(D) is not a member of the steward’s de-
partment; 
‘‘(E) is not a citizen or temporary or per-
manent resident of a country designated by the 
United States as a sponsor of terrorism or any 
other country that the Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of State and the heads 
of other appropriate United States agencies, de-
termines to be a security threat to the United 
States; 
‘‘(F) is not specifically exempted from the 
requirement to have a merchant mariner’s doc-
ument under section 8701(a); 
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‘‘(G) has not been convicted in any juris-
diction of an offense described in paragraph (2) 
or (3) of section 7703; 
‘‘(H) whose license, certificate of registry, 
or merchant mariner’s document has not been 
suspended or revoked under section 7704; and 
‘‘(I) who does not otherwise constitute a 
threat to the safety of the vessel.’’. 
(b) CITIZENSHIP
AND NAVY RESERVE REQUIRE-
MENTS.—Section 8103(j) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended by— 
(1) striking ‘‘RIDING GANG MEMBER’’ and in-
serting ‘‘RIDING GANG MEMBER
OR NON-OPER-
ATING INDIVIDUAL’’; and 
(2) inserting ‘‘or a non-operating individual’’ 
before the period. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO NON-OPERATING 
INDIVIDUALS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 81 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by redesignating section 8107 as sec-
tion 8108; and 
(B) by inserting after section 8106 the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘§ 8107. Requirements relating to non-operating indi-
viduals 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The owner or managing operator 
of a merchant vessel of the United States of at least 100 
gross tons as measured under section 14502, or an alter-
nate tonnage measured under section 14302 as prescribed 
by the Secretary under section 14104, shall— 
‘‘(1) ensure that— 
‘‘(A) each non-operating individual on the 
vessel— 
‘‘(i) is a United States citizen or an 
alien lawfully admitted to the United 
States for permanent residence; or 
‘‘(ii) possesses a United States non- 
immigrant visa for individuals desiring to 
enter the United States temporarily for 
business, employment-related and personal 
identifying information, and any other doc-
umentation required by the Secretary; 
‘‘(B) all required documentation for such 
individual is kept on the vessel and available for 
inspection by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(C) each non-operating individual is iden-
tified on the manifest; 
‘‘(2) ensure that— 
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‘‘(A) each non-operating individual pos-
sesses— 
‘‘(i) a merchant mariner’s document; 
‘‘(ii) a transportation worker identi-
fication credential under section 70105; or 
‘‘(iii) a current security clearance 
issued by a Federal agency; or 
‘‘(B) the employer of such an individual at-
tests in a certificate to the owner or managing 
operator that— 
‘‘(i) the background of such individual 
has been examined and found to be free of 
any credible information indicating a mate-
rial risk to the security of the vessel, the 
vessel’s cargo, the ports the vessel visits, or 
other individuals onboard the vessel;; 
‘‘(ii) such examination— 
‘‘(I) met the requirements of sec-
tion 70105(d)(2), for persons de-
scribed in paragraph (1)(A)(i) of this 
subsection; or 
‘‘(II) consisted of a search of all 
information reasonably available to 
the owner or managing operator in 
the individual’s country of citizenship 
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and any other country in which the 
individual works, receives employment 
referrals, or resides, for persons de-
scribed in paragraph (1)(A)(ii) of this 
subsection; and 
‘‘(iii) the information derived from 
any such examination is made available to 
the Secretary upon request; 
‘‘(3) ensure that each non-operating individual 
of the vessel, while on board the vessel, is subject to 
the same random chemical testing and reporting re-
gimes as crew members; 
‘‘(4) ensure that each such individual employed 
on the vessel receives basic safety familiarization and 
basic safety training approved by the Coast Guard; 
and 
‘‘(5) ensure that every non-operating individual 
of the vessel is employed on board the vessel under 
conditions that meet or exceed the minimum inter-
national standards of all applicable international 
labor conventions to which the United States is a 
party, including all of the merchant seamen protec-
tion and relief provided under United States law. 
‘‘(b) RECORDKEEPING.—In addition to the require-
ments of subsection (a), the owner or managing operator 
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of a vessel to which subsection (a) applies shall ensure that 
all information necessary to ensure compliance with this 
section, as determined by the Secretary, is entered into 
the vessel’s official logbook required by chapter 113. 
‘‘(c) CIVIL PENALTY.—A person (including an indi-
vidual) violating this section is liable to the United States 
Government for a civil penalty of $1,250.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for 
chapter 81 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 
8107 and inserting the following: 
‘‘8107. Requirements relating to non-operating individuals. 
‘‘8108. Use of force against piracy.’’. 
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) MERCHANT
MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS 
REQUIRED.—Section 8701 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(e) This section does not apply to non-operating in-
dividuals.’’. 
(B) 
TRAINING
FOR
USE
OF
FORCE 
AGAINST PIRACY.—Section 51705(4) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘46 
U.S.C. 8107 note’’ and inserting ‘‘46 U.S.C. 
8108 note’’. 
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SEC. 304. SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS AND UNINSPECTED 
PASSENGER VESSELS. 
Section 12121 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) was built in the United States; 
‘‘(B) was not built in the United States 
and is at least 3 years old; or 
‘‘(C) if rebuilt, was rebuilt— 
‘‘(i) in the United States; or 
‘‘(ii) outside the United States at 
least 3 years before the certificate re-
quested under subsection (b) would take 
effect.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘12132,’’ 
after ‘‘12113,’’. 
SEC. 305. INSTALLATION VESSELS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 551 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 55123. Installation vessels 
‘‘(a) INITIAL
DETERMINATION
OF
COASTWISE 
QUALIFIED VESSEL.—No later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall determine whether an installation 
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vessel exists for which a coastwise endorsement has been 
issued under section 12112. 
‘‘(b) APPLICATION.—If the Secretary of Transpor-
tation determines under subsection (a) that no such coast-
wise qualified vessel exists, then, after the date on which 
such determination is made, lifting operations between a 
vessel for which a coastwise endorsement has been issued 
under section 12112 and an installation vessel for which 
no such endorsement has been issued is not transportation 
of merchandise for the purposes of section 55102. 
‘‘(c) REQUESTS FOR DETERMINATIONS OF COAST-
WISE QUALIFIED VESSELS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—After the date on which the 
determination is made under subsection (a), an in-
stallation vessel for which a coastwise endorsement 
has been issued under section 12112, the owner or 
operator of such installation vessel may seek a new 
determination from the Secretary of Transportation 
that an installation vessel for which a coastwise en-
dorsement has been issued under section 12112 ex-
ists. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION
TO
NON-QUALIFIED
VES-
SELS.—If the Secretary of Transportation makes a 
determination under paragraph (1) that a coastwise 
qualified vessel exists, then— 
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‘‘(A) the owner or operator of an installa-
tion vessel for which no coastwise endorsement 
has been issued under section 12112 shall seek 
a determination of the availability of a coast-
wise qualified vessel under paragraph (3) before 
using such non-coastwise qualified vessel for the 
transportation of a platform jacket; and 
‘‘(B) after the date on which such deter-
mination is made, the owner or operator of an 
installation vessel for which no coastwise en-
dorsement has been issued under section 12112 
shall not use such non-coastwise qualified vessel 
for the transportation of a platform jacket un-
less the Secretary of Transportation determines 
a coastwise qualified is not available under 
paragraph (4). 
‘‘(3) CRITERIA FOR DETERMINATION OF AVAIL-
ABILITY.—The Secretary of Transportation shall de-
termine a coastwise qualified vessel is not available 
if— 
‘‘(A) the owner or operator of a non-coast-
wise qualified vessel submits to the Secretary of 
Transportation an application for the use of a 
non-coastwise qualified installation vessel for 
transportation of a platform jacket under this 
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section that includes all relevant information, 
including engineering details and timing re-
quirements, and such application is submitted 
not less than 1 year before the date such vessel 
is required for such use; 
‘‘(B) the Secretary provides the application 
made under subparagraph (A) to the owner of 
each coastwise qualified vessel listed as an in-
stallation vessel in the inventory under section 
12138(c) and promptly publishes in the Federal 
Register a notice— 
‘‘(i) describing the project and the 
platform jacket involved; 
‘‘(ii) advising that all relevant infor-
mation reasonably needed to assess the 
transportation and installation require-
ments for the platform jacket will be made 
available to an interested person on re-
quest; and 
‘‘(iii) requesting that information on 
the availability of coastwise qualified ves-
sels be submitted within a 45-day period 
beginning on the date of such publication; 
and 
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‘‘(C)(i) within such 45-day period no infor-
mation is submitted to the Secretary from own-
ers or operators of coastwise qualified installa-
tion vessels to meet the requirements of the ap-
plication required under paragraph (A); or 
‘‘(ii) the owner or operator of a coastwise 
qualified installation vessel submits information 
to the Secretary asserting that the owner or op-
erator has a suitable coastwise qualified instal-
lation vessel available to meet the requirements 
of the application required under paragraph 
(A), but the Secretary determines, within 90 
days after the notice is first published, that the 
coastwise qualified installation vessel is not 
suitable or reasonably available for the trans-
portation. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) INSTALLATION VESSEL.—The term ‘instal-
lation vessel’ means a vessel using a crane suitable 
for offshore use that— 
‘‘(A) is used to install platform jackets; 
‘‘(B) has a slewing or luffing capability; 
‘‘(C) has a lifting capacity of at least 
1,000 metric tons; and 
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‘‘(D) conducts lifting operations to con-
struct or remove offshore facilities or subsea in-
frastructure or to install and uninstall compo-
nent parts or materials from offshore facilities 
or subsea infrastructure. 
‘‘(2) LIFTING OPERATIONS.—The term ‘lifting 
operations’ means the lifting of platform jackets by 
crane from the time that the lifting activity begins 
when unlading from a vessel or removing offshore 
facilities or subsea infrastructure until the time that 
the lifting activities are terminated for a particular 
unlading, installation, or removal of offshore facili-
ties or subsea infrastructure. 
‘‘(3) PLATFORM JACKET.—The term ‘platform 
jacket’ has the meaning given such term in section 
55108(a).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 551 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘55123. Installation vessels.’’. 
(c) INVENTORY.—Section 12138(b) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the heading, by striking the period and 
inserting ‘‘, AND INSTALLATION.’’; 
(2) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall develop, maintain, and periodically up-
date an inventory of vessels that are— 
‘‘(A) documented under this chapter; 
‘‘(B) at least 200 feet in length; 
‘‘(C) have the capability to lay, maintain, 
or repair a submarine cable, without regard to 
whether a particular vessel is classed as a cable 
ship or cable vessel; and 
‘‘(D) installation vessels within the mean-
ing of such term in section 55123.’’; and 
(3) by amending paragraph (2)(B) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(B) the abilities and limitations of the 
vessel with respect to— 
‘‘(i) in the case of a vessel required to 
be inventoried under paragraph (1)(A), 
laying, maintaining, and repairing a sub-
marine cable; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a vessel required to 
be inventoried under paragraph (1)(B), in-
stalling platform jackets; and’’. 
(d) NOTICE OF MODIFICATION OR REVOCATION.—No 
later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Com-
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missioner of Customs and Border Protection, shall issue 
a notice, including an opportunity for public comment, on 
the modification or revocation of Letter Rulings 101925, 
108442, 113841, 114435, 115185, 115218, 115311, 
115487, 115522, 115771, 115938, 116078, H004242 
with respect to the application of the section 55102 of title 
46, Shipping, United States Code, to certain offshore op-
erations. 
SEC. 306. ADVISORY COMMITTEES. 
(a) NATIONAL OFFSHORE SAFETY ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE; REPRESENTATION.—Section 15106(c)(3) of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘mineral 
and oil operations, including geophysical services’’ 
and inserting ‘‘operations’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘explo-
ration and recovery’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘engaged 
in diving services related to offshore construction, 
inspection, and maintenance’’ and inserting ‘‘pro-
viding diving services to the offshore industry’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘engaged 
in safety and training services related to offshore ex-
ploration and construction’’ and inserting ‘‘providing 
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safety and training services to the offshore indus-
try’’; 
(5) in subparagraph (G), by striking ‘‘engaged 
in pipelaying services related to offshore construc-
tion’’ and inserting ‘‘providing subsea engineering, 
construction, or remotely operated vehicle support to 
the offshore industry’’; 
(6) in subparagraph (H), by striking ‘‘mineral 
and energy’’; 
(7) in subparagraph (I), by striking ‘‘national 
environmental entities’’ and inserting ‘‘entities pro-
viding environmental protection, compliance, or re-
sponse services to the offshore industry’’; and 
(8) in subparagraph (J), by striking ‘‘deepwater 
ports’’ and inserting ‘‘entities engaged in offshore oil 
exploration and production on the Outer Continental 
Shelf adjacent to Alaska’’. 
(b) ADVISORY COMMITTEES; TESTIMONY.—Section 
15109(j)(4) of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) TESTIMONY.—The members of a 
committee shall be available to testify before 
appropriate committees of the Congress with re-
spect to the advice, reports, and recommenda-
tions submitted under paragraph (2).’’. 
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(c) MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM NATIONAL 
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 555 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 55502. Maritime Transportation System National 
Advisory Committee 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Mari-
time Transportation System National Advisory Committee 
(in this section referred to as the ‘Committee’). 
‘‘(b) FUNCTION.—The Committee shall advise the 
Secretary of Transportation on matters relating to the 
United States maritime transportation system and its 
seamless integration with other segments of the transpor-
tation system, including the viability of the United States 
Merchant Marine. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall con-
sist of 27 members appointed by the Secretary of 
Transportation in accordance with this section and 
section 15109. 
‘‘(2) EXPERTISE.—Each member of the Com-
mittee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, 
and experience in matters relating to the function of 
the Committee. 
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‘‘(3) REPRESENTATION.—Members of the Com-
mittee shall be appointed as follows: 
‘‘(A) At least one member shall represent 
the Environmental Protection Agency. 
‘‘(B) At least one member shall represent 
the Department of Commerce. 
‘‘(C) At least one member shall represent 
the Army Corps of Engineers. 
‘‘(D) At least one member shall represent 
the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(E) At least one member shall represent 
Customs and Border Protection. 
‘‘(F) At least one member shall represent 
State and local governmental entities. 
‘‘(G) Additional members shall represent 
private sector entities that reflect a cross-sec-
tion of maritime industries, including port and 
water stakeholders, academia, and labor. 
‘‘(H) The Secretary may appoint addi-
tional representatives from other Federal agen-
cies as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(4) ADMINISTRATION.—For purposes of sec-
tion 15109— 
‘‘(A) the Committee shall be treated as a 
committee established under chapter 151; and 
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‘‘(B) the Secretary of Transportation shall 
fulfill all duties and responsibilities and have all 
authorities of the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity with regard to the Committee.’’. 
(2) TREATMENT OF EXISTING COMMITTEE.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law— 
(A) an advisory committee substantially 
similar to the Committee established by section 
55502 of title 46, United States Code, and that 
was in force or in effect on the day before the 
date of the enactment of this Act, including the 
charter, membership, and other aspects of such 
committee, may remain in force or in effect for 
the 2-year period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of this section; and 
(B) during such 2-year period— 
(i) requirements relating the Maritime 
Transportation System National Advisory 
Committee established by such section 
shall be treated as satisfied by such sub-
stantially similar advisory committee; and 
(ii) the enactment of this section shall 
not be the basis— 
(I) to deem, find, or declare such 
committee, 
including 
the 
charter, 
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membership, and other aspects there-
of, void, not in force, or not in effect; 
(II) to suspend the activities of 
such committee; or 
(III) to bar the members of such 
committee from a meeting. 
(3) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 555 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘55502. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee.’’. 
(4) REPEAL.—Section 55603 of title 46, United 
States Code, and the item relating to that section in 
the analysis for chapter 556 of that title, are re-
pealed. 
(d) GREAT
LAKES
PILOTAGE
ADVISORY
COM-
MITTEE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by striking section 9307 and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘§ 9307. Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Great 
Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘Committee’). 
‘‘(b) FUNCTION.—The Committee— 
‘‘(1) may review proposed Great Lakes pilotage 
regulations and policies and make recommendations 
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to the Secretary that the Committee considers ap-
propriate; 
‘‘(2) may advise, consult with, report to, and 
make recommendations to the Secretary on matters 
relating to Great Lakes pilotage; and 
‘‘(3) may only make recommendations to the 
Secretary under paragraph (2) if such recommenda-
tions have been approved by all but one of the mem-
bers then serving on such Committee. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall con-
sist of seven members appointed by the Secretary in 
accordance with this section and section 15109. 
‘‘(2) EXPERTISE.—Each member of the Com-
mittee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, 
and experience in matters relating to the function of 
the Committee. 
‘‘(3) REPRESENTATION.—Members of the Com-
mittee shall be appointed as follows: 
‘‘(A) The President of each of the three 
Great Lakes pilotage districts, or the Presi-
dent’s representative. 
‘‘(B) At least one member shall represent 
the interests of vessel operators that contract 
for Great Lakes pilotage services. 
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‘‘(C) At least one member shall represent 
the interests of Great Lakes ports. 
‘‘(D) At least one member shall represent 
the interests of shippers whose cargoes are 
transported through Great Lakes ports. 
‘‘(E) At least one member shall have a 
background in finance or accounting and must 
have been recommended to the Secretary by a 
unanimous vote of the other members of the 
Committee. 
‘‘(4) ADMINISTRATION.—For purposes of sec-
tion 15109, the Committee shall be treated as a 
committee established under chapter 151.’’. 
(2) TREATMENT OF EXISTING COMMITTEE.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law— 
(A) an advisory committee substantially 
similar to the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory 
Committee established by section 9307 of title 
46, United States Code, as amended by this 
section, and that was in force or in effect on 
the day before the date of the enactment of this 
Act, including the charter, membership, and 
other aspects of the committee, may remain in 
force or in effect for a period of 2 years from 
the date of enactment of this Act; and 
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(B) during such 2-year period— 
(i) requirements relating to the Great 
Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee estab-
lished by section 9307 of title 46, United 
States Code, as amended by this section, 
shall be treated as satisfied by the substan-
tially similar advisory committee; and 
(ii) the enactment of this section and 
the amendments made by this section shall 
not be the basis— 
(I) to deem, find, or declare such 
committee, 
including 
the 
charter, 
membership, and other aspects there-
of, void, not in force, or not in effect; 
(II) to suspend the activities of 
such committee; or 
(III) to bar the members of such 
committee from a meeting. 
(e) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.—Section 15109 of 
title 46 is amended by inserting ‘‘or to which this chapter 
applies’’ after ‘‘committee established under this chapter’’ 
each place it appears. 
SEC. 307. EXPIRED MARITIME LIENS. 
Section 31343(e) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
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(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘A notice’’; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1), as so des-
ignated by this section, the following: 
‘‘(2) On expiration of a notice of claim of lien under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall remove such expired no-
tice.’’. 
SEC. 308. TRAINING; EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROVIDERS. 
(a) SECURITY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS.— 
Section 70107 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘law enforce-
ment personnel’’ and inserting ‘‘emergency response 
providers’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(8), by striking ‘‘law en-
forcement personnel—’’ and inserting ‘‘emergency 
response providers—’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)(2)(C), by striking ‘‘law en-
forcement agency personnel’’ and inserting ‘‘emer-
gency response providers’’. 
(b) CREDENTIALING FOR STATE AND LOCAL SUP-
PORT.—Section 70132 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘law enforce-
ment personnel—’’ and inserting ‘‘emergency re-
sponse providers—’’; 
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(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘law enforce-
ment personnel’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘emergency response providers’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) DEFINITION.—For the purposes of this section, 
the term ‘emergency response providers’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act 
of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101).’’. 
SEC. 309. AIMING A LASER POINTER AT A VESSEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 700 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 70014. Aiming a laser pointer at a vessel 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—It shall be unlawful to cause the 
beam of a laser pointer to strike a vessel operating on the 
navigable waters of the United States. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTIONS.—This section shall not apply to 
a member or element of the Department of Defense or 
Department of Homeland Security acting in an official ca-
pacity for the purpose of research, development, oper-
ations, testing, or training. 
‘‘(c) LASER POINTER DEFINED.—In this section the 
term ‘laser pointer’ means any device designed or used to 
amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission 
that emits a beam designed to be used by the operator 
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as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark, or identify 
a specific position, place, item, or object.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items re-
lating to such subchapter the following: 
‘‘70014. Aiming a laser pointer at a vessel.’’. 
SEC. 310. MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT. 
Section 55501(e) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘an assess-
ment of the condition’’ and inserting ‘‘a conditions 
and performance analysis’’; 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; 
(3) in paragraph (5) by striking the period and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) a compendium of the Federal programs 
engaged in the maritime transportation system.’’. 
SEC. 311. SAFETY OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 70005 the following: 
‘‘§ 70006. Safety of special activities 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may establish a 
safety zone to address special activities in the exclusive 
economic zone. 
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‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘safety zone’ has the meaning 
provided in section 165.20 of title 33, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘special activities’ includes— 
‘‘(A) space activities, including launch and 
reentry, as those terms are defined in section 
50902 of title 51, carried out by United States 
citizens; and 
‘‘(B) offshore energy development activi-
ties, as described in section 8(p)(1)(C) of the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 
1337(p)(1)(C)), on or near a fixed platform. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘United States citizen’ has the 
meaning given the term ‘eligible owners’ in section 
12103. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘fixed platform’ means an artifi-
cial island, installation, or structure permanently at-
tached to the sea-bed for the purpose of exploration 
or exploitation of resources or for other economic 
purposes.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 70005 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘70006. Safety of special activities.’’. 
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(c) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating shall establish regulations to implement this 
section. 
(2) ALIGNMENT WITH OTHER REGULATIONS.— 
Such regulations shall align with subchapter C of 
chapter III of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 312. ENGINE CUT-OFF SWITCHES; USE REQUIREMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4312 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and 
(d) as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) USE REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An individual operating a 
covered recreational vessel shall use an engine cut- 
off switch link while operating on plane or above dis-
placement speed. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTIONS.—The requirement under 
paragraph (1) shall not apply if— 
‘‘(A) the main helm of the covered vessel 
is installed within an enclosed cabin; or 
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‘‘(B) the vessel does not have an engine 
cut-off switch and is not required to have one 
under subsection (a).’’. 
(b) CIVIL PENALTY.—Section 4311 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by— 
(1) redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), 
and (g) as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), re-
spectively; and 
(2) inserting after subsection (b) the following: 
‘‘(c) A person violating section 4312(b) of this title 
is liable to the United States Government for a civil pen-
alty of not more than— 
‘‘(1) $100 for the first offense; 
‘‘(2) $250 for the second offense; and 
‘‘(3) $500 for any subsequent offense.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made in 
subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this section, unless the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard, prior to the date that is 90 
days after the date of the enactment of this section, deter-
mines that the use requirement enacted in subsection (a) 
would not promote recreational boating safety. 
SEC. 313. EXEMPTIONS AND EQUIVALENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4305 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
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(1) by striking the heading and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘§ 4305. Exemptions and equivalents’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘If the Secretary’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) EXEMPTIONS.—If the Secretary’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) EQUIVALENTS.—The Secretary may accept a 
substitution for associated equipment performance or 
other safety standards for a recreational vessel if the sub-
stitution provides an equivalent level of safety.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 43 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 4305 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘4305. Exemptions and equivalents.’’. 
SEC. 314. SECURITY PLANS; REVIEWS. 
Section 70103 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (b)(3) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall review and approve 
Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and 
updates under this subsection.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)(4), by inserting ‘‘or up-
date’’ after ‘‘plan’’ each place it appears. 
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SEC. 315. WAIVER OF NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPEC-
TION LAWS. 
Section 501(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘On request’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—On request’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) EXPLANATION.—Not later than 24 hours 
after making a request under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees 
on Transportation and Infrastructure and Armed 
Services of the House of Representatives and the 
Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation and Armed Services of the Senate a written 
explanation of the circumstances requiring such a 
waiver in the interest of national defense, including 
a confirmation that there are insufficient qualified 
vessels to meet the needs of national defense without 
such a waiver.’’. 
SEC. 316. REQUIREMENT FOR SMALL SHIPYARD GRANTEES. 
Section 54101(d) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Grants awarded’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Grants awarded’’; and 
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(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) BUY AMERICA.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), no funds may be obligated by the 
Administrator of the Maritime Administration 
under this section, unless each product and ma-
terial purchased with those funds (including 
products and materials purchased by a grant-
ee), and including any commercially available 
off-the-shelf item, is— 
‘‘(i) an unmanufactured article, mate-
rial, or supply that has been mined or pro-
duced in the United States; or 
‘‘(ii) a manufactured article, material, 
or supply that has been manufactured in 
the United States substantially all from ar-
ticles, materials, or supplies mined, pro-
duced, or manufactured in the United 
States. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding 
subparagraph (A), the requirements of 
that subparagraph shall not apply with re-
spect to a particular product or material if 
such Administrator determines— 
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‘‘(I) that the application of those 
requirements would be inconsistent 
with the public interest; 
‘‘(II) that such product or mate-
rial is not available in the United 
States in sufficient and reasonably 
available quantities, of a satisfactory 
quality, or on a timely basis; or 
‘‘(III) that inclusion of a domes-
tic product or material will increase 
the cost of that product or material by 
more than 25 percent, with respect to 
a certain contract between a grantee 
and that grantee’s supplier. 
‘‘(ii) FEDERAL
REGISTER.—A deter-
mination made by such Administrator 
under this subparagraph shall be published 
in the Federal Register. 
‘‘(C) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph: 
‘‘(i) COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE OFF- 
THE-SHELF
ITEM.—The term ‘commer-
cially available off-the-shelf item’ means— 
‘‘(I) any item of supply (includ-
ing construction material) that is— 
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‘‘(aa) a commercial item, as 
defined by section 2.101 of title 
48, Code of Federal Regulations; 
and 
‘‘(bb) sold in substantial 
quantities 
in 
the 
commercial 
marketplace; and 
‘‘(II) does not include bulk cargo, 
as that term is defined in section 
40102(4) of this title, such as agricul-
tural products and petroleum prod-
ucts. 
‘‘(ii) PRODUCT
OR
MATERIAL.—The 
term ‘product or material’ means an arti-
cle, material, or supply brought to the site 
by the recipient for incorporation into the 
building, work, or project. The term also 
includes an item brought to the site 
preassembled from articles, materials, or 
supplies. However, emergency life safety 
systems, such as emergency lighting, fire 
alarm, and audio evacuation systems, that 
are discrete systems incorporated into a 
public building or work and that are pro-
duced as complete systems, are evaluated 
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as a single and distinct construction mate-
rial regardless of when or how the indi-
vidual parts or components of those sys-
tems are delivered to the construction site. 
‘‘(iii) UNITED
STATES.—The term 
‘United States’ includes the District of Co-
lumbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, 
American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands.’’. 
SEC. 317. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON THE UNITED STATES 
MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Na-
tional Academy of Public Administration (referred to in 
this section as the ‘‘Academy’’) to carry out the activities 
described in this section. 
(b) STUDY ELEMENTS.—In accordance with the 
agreement described in subsection (a), the Academy shall 
conduct a study of the United States Merchant Marine 
Academy that consists of the following: 
(1) A comprehensive assessment of the United 
States Merchant Marine Academy’s systems, train-
ing, facilities, infrastructure, information technology, 
and stakeholder engagement. 
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(2) Identification of needs and opportunities for 
modernization to help the United States Merchant 
Marine Academy keep pace with more modern cam-
puses. 
(3) Development of an action plan for the 
United States Merchant Marine Academy with spe-
cific recommendations for— 
(A) improvements or updates relating to 
the opportunities described in paragraph (2); 
and 
(B) systemic changes needed to help the 
United States Merchant Marine Academy 
achieve its mission of inspiring and educating 
the next generation of the mariner workforce on 
a long-term basis. 
(c) DEADLINE AND REPORT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the agreement described in subsection 
(a), the Academy shall prepare and submit to the Adminis-
trator of the Maritime Administration a report containing 
the action plan described in subsection (b)(3), including 
specific findings and recommendations. 
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SEC. 318. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR DOMESTIC MARI-
TIME 
WORKFORCE 
TRAINING 
AND 
EDU-
CATION. 
Section 54102 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘or sub-
section (d)’’ after ‘‘designated under subsection (a)’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) STATE MARITIME ACADEMY.—The Secretary of 
Transportation shall designate each State maritime acad-
emy, as defined in section 51102(4) of this title, as a cen-
ter of excellence under this section.’’. 
SEC. 319. RENEWAL OF MERCHANT MARINER LICENSES 
AND DOCUMENTS. 
Section 7507 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) RENEWAL.—With respect to any renewal of an 
existing merchant mariner credential that is not an exten-
sion under subsection (a) or (b), such credential shall 
begin the day after the expiration of the credential holder’s 
existing credential.’’. 
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 401. COASTWISE TRADE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant of the Coast 
Guard shall review the adequacy of and continuing need 
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for provisions in title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, 
that require a United States vessel documented under 
chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, possessing 
a coastwise endorsement under that chapter, and engaged 
in coastwise trade, to comply with regulations for vessels 
engaged in an international voyage. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of 
the Coast Guard shall provide to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a briefing on the findings 
of the review required under subsection (a) and a discus-
sion of how existing laws and regulations could be amend-
ed to ensure the safety of vessels described in subsection 
(a) while infringing as little as possible on commerce. 
SEC. 402. UNMANNED MARITIME SYSTEMS AND SATELLITE 
VESSEL TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commandant of the 
Coast Guard, acting through the Blue Technology 
Center of Expertise, shall regularly assess available 
unmanned maritime systems and satellite vessel 
tracking technologies for potential use to support 
missions of the Coast Guard. 
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Pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
HR 3409 RFS
(2) CONSULTATION.—The Commandant shall 
make the assessment required under paragraph (1) 
after consultation with the Department of Defense, 
other Federal agencies, the academic sector, and de-
velopers and manufacturers of unmanned maritime 
systems and satellite vessel tracking technologies. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and biennially 
thereafter, the Commandant shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a report on the actual and potential effects of 
the use of then-existing unmanned maritime systems 
and satellite vessel tracking technologies on the mis-
sion effectiveness of the Coast Guard. 
(2) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) An inventory of current unmanned 
maritime systems used by the Coast Guard, an 
overview of such usage, and a discussion of the 
mission effectiveness of such systems, including 
any benefits realized or risks or negative as-
pects of such usage. 
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HR 3409 RFS
(1) a listing of the agencies and organizations 
required to comply with the United States Cargo 
Preference Laws; 
(2) an analysis of the compliance or noncompli-
ance of such agencies and organizations with such 
laws, including— 
(A) the total amount of oceangoing cargo 
that each such agency, organization, or con-
tractor procured for its own account or for 
which financing was in any way provided with 
Federal funds, including loan guarantees; 
(B) the percentage of such cargo shipped 
on privately owned commercial vessels of the 
United States; 
(C) an assessment of internal programs 
and controls used by each such agency or orga-
nization to monitor and ensure compliance with 
the United States Cargo Preference Laws, to 
include education, training, and supervision of 
its contracting personnel, and the procedures 
and controls used to monitor compliance with 
cargo preference requirements by contractors 
and subcontractors; and 
(D) instances in which cargoes are shipped 
on foreign-flag vessels under non-availability de-
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