IB 
Union Calendar No. 411 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7659 
[Report No. 118–495] 
To authorize and amend authorities, programs, and statutes administered 
by the Coast Guard. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 13, 2024 
Mr. GRAVES of Missouri (for himself, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. WEB-
STER of Florida, and Mr. CARBAJAL) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
MAY 8, 2024 
Additional sponsor: Mrs. GONZA´LEZ-COLO´N 
MAY 8, 2024 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 13, 2024] 
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A BILL 
To authorize and amend authorities, programs, and statutes 
administered by the Coast Guard. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Commandant defined. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 102. Shoreside infrastructure and facilities and information technology. 
Sec. 103. Availability of amounts for acquisition of additional vessels and air-
craft. 
Sec. 104. Authorization for certain programs and services. 
Sec. 105. Authorized levels of military strength and training. 
TITLE II—COAST GUARD 
Subtitle A—Organization and Authorities 
Sec. 201. Prohibition on use of lead systems integrators. 
Sec. 202. Minor construction increase. 
Sec. 203. Tsunami evacuation plans. 
Sec. 204. Service life extension programs. 
Sec. 205. Maritime domain awareness in Coast Guard sector for Puerto Rico and 
Virgin Islands. 
Sec. 206. Public availability of information on monthly drug and migrant inter-
dictions. 
Sec. 207. Report on establishment of unmanned systems capabilities office. 
Sec. 208. Great Lakes icebreaker. 
Sec. 209. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for acquisition and procure-
ment. 
Sec. 210. Authorization of certain support for Coast Guard Academy foundations. 
Sec. 211. National Coast Guard Museum. 
Sec. 212. Regular Polar Security Cutter updates. 
Sec. 213. Technology pilot program. 
Sec. 214. Report on condition of Missouri River dayboards. 
Sec. 215. Delegation of ports and waterways safety authorities in St. Lawrence 
seaway. 
Sec. 216. Study on Coast Guard missions. 
Sec. 217. Additional Pribilof Island transition completion actions. 
Subtitle B—Personnel 
Sec. 221. Direct hire authority for civilian faculty at the Coast Guard Academy. 
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Sec. 222. Temporary exemption from authorized end strength for Coast Guard en-
listed members on active duty. 
Sec. 223. Additional available guidance and considerations for reserve selection 
boards. 
Sec. 224. Parental leave parity for members of certain reserve components of 
Coast Guard. 
Sec. 225. Authorization for maternity uniform allowance for officers. 
Sec. 226. Report on GAO recommendations on housing program. 
TITLE III—SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION 
Subtitle A—Vessel Operations 
Sec. 301. Definitions. 
Sec. 302. Notification. 
Sec. 303. Publication of fines and penalties. 
Subtitle B—Merchant Mariner Credentialing 
Sec. 311. Revising merchant mariner deck training requirements. 
Sec. 312. Amendments. 
Sec. 313. Renewal of merchant mariner licenses and documents. 
Sec. 314. Merchant seamen licenses, certificates, and documents; manning of ves-
sels. 
Subtitle C—Vessel Safety 
Sec. 321. Grossly negligent operations of a vessel. 
Sec. 322. Administrative procedure for security risks. 
Sec. 323. Requirements for DUKW amphibious passenger vessels. 
Sec. 324. Risk based examination of tank vessels. 
Sec. 325. Ports and waterways safety. 
Sec. 326. Study on Bering Strait vessel traffic projections and emergency re-
sponse posture at the port of Point Spencer, Alaska. 
Sec. 327. Underwater inspections brief. 
Sec. 328. St. Lucie River railroad bridge. 
Sec. 329. Rulemaking regarding port access routes. 
Sec. 330. Articulated tug-barge manning. 
Subtitle D—Other Matters 
Sec. 341. Anchor handling activities. 
Sec. 342. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Mari-
time Systems. 
Sec. 343. Controlled substance onboard vessels. 
Sec. 344. Nonoperating individual. 
Sec. 345. Information on type approval certificates. 
Sec. 346. Manning and crewing requirements for certain vessels, vehicles, and 
structures. 
Sec. 347. Classification societies. 
Sec. 348. Authority to establish safety zones for special activities in exclusive eco-
nomic zone. 
Sec. 349. Fishing vessel and fisherman training safety. 
Sec. 350. Authority over Deepwater Port Act of 1974. 
Sec. 351. National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee composition. 
Sec. 352. Improving Vessel Traffic Service monitoring. 
Sec. 353. Abandoned and derelict vessel removals. 
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Sec. 354. Near shore cable laying barge. 
Sec. 355. Anchorages. 
TITLE IV—OIL POLLUTION INCIDENT LIABILITY 
Sec. 401. Vessel response plans. 
Sec. 402. Use of marine casualty investigations. 
Sec. 403. Timing of review. 
Sec. 404. Online incident reporting system. 
TITLE V—IMPLEMENTATION OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND 
TRANSPARENCY REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS 
Sec. 501. Implementation status of directed actions. 
Sec. 502. Independent review of Coast Guard reforms. 
Sec. 503. Requirement to maintain certain records. 
Sec. 504. Study on Coast Guard Academy oversight. 
Sec. 505. Providing for the transfer of a cadet who is the victim of a sexual as-
sault or related offense. 
Sec. 506. Designation of officers with particular expertise in military justice or 
healthcare. 
Sec. 507. Direct hire authority for certain personnel of Coast Guard. 
Sec. 508. Safe-to-report policy for Coast Guard. 
Sec. 509. Modification of delivery date of Coast Guard sexual assault report. 
Sec. 510. Higher-level review of board of determination decisions. 
Sec. 511. Review of discharge or dismissal. 
Sec. 512. Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial. 
Sec. 513. Coast Guard Academy room reassignment. 
TITLE VI—AMENDMENTS 
Sec. 601. Amendments. 
SEC. 2. COMMANDANT DEFINED. 
In this Act, the term ‘‘Commandant’’ means the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF 
APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 4902 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
striking ‘‘fiscal years 2022 and 2023’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal years 2025 and 2026’’; 
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(2) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking clauses 
(i) and (ii) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) $11,287,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
and 
‘‘(ii) $11,851,875,000 for fiscal year 2026.’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking 
‘‘$23,456,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$25,570,000’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (C) by striking 
‘‘$24,353,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$26,848,500’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2)(A) by striking clauses (i) 
and (ii) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) $3,477,600,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
and 
‘‘(ii) $3,651,480,000 for fiscal year 2026.’’; 
(4) in paragraph (3) by striking subparagraphs 
(A) and (B) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) $15,415,000 for fiscal year 2025; and 
‘‘(B) $16,185,750 for fiscal year 2026.’’; and 
(5) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(4) For retired pay, including the payment of 
obligations otherwise chargeable to lapsed appropria-
tions for purposes of retired pay, payments under the 
Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan and the 
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Survivor Benefit Plan, payment for career status bo-
nuses, payment of continuation pay under section 
356 of title 37, concurrent receipts, combat-related 
special compensation, and payments for medical care 
of retired personnel and their dependents under chap-
ter 55 of title 10, $1,210,840,000 for fiscal year 
2025.’’. 
SEC. 102. SHORESIDE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES 
AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. 
(a) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.—Of the amounts au-
thorized to be appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of title 
14, United States Code— 
(1) for fiscal year 2025, $36,300,000 is author-
ized to modernize the Coast Guard’s information tech-
nology systems, of which $11,000,000 is authorized to 
fund the acquisition, development, and implementa-
tion of a new credentialing system for the Merchant 
Mariner credentialing program; and 
(2) for fiscal year 2026, $36,300,000 is author-
ized to modernize the Coast Guard’s information tech-
nology systems. 
(b) SHORESIDE INFRASTRUCTURE.—Of the amounts 
authorized to be appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of 
title 14, United States Code— 
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(1) for fiscal year 2025, $500,000,000 is author-
ized to fund maintenance, construction, and repairs 
for Coast Guard shoreside infrastructure, of which— 
(A) $225,000,000 is authorized for the pur-
poses of improvements to facilities at the United 
States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May 
in Cape May, New Jersey; 
(B) $10,000,000 is authorized to fund the 
creation of an infrastructure development plan 
for the Coast Guard Academy in New London, 
Connecticut; 
(C) $50,000,000 is authorized to complete 
repairs and improvements of Chase Hall at the 
Coast Guard Academy in New London, Con-
necticut, including remediation of asbestos, lead, 
and mold and upgrading the electric outlet 
availability and storage space in student rooms, 
and making changes to house not more than 2 
Officer Candidates in a room; 
(D) $70,000,000 is authorized for the pur-
poses of planning, designing, and building a 
floating drydock at the United States Coast 
Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland; 
(E) $40,000,000 is authorized for the pur-
poses of planning, designing, and building a 
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hangar to house, at a minimum, 2 HC–130J 
Super Hercules aircraft at Air Station Barbers 
Point in Kapolei, Hawaii; and 
(F) $90,000,000 is authorized to fund wa-
terfront improvements of Coast Guard Base Se-
attle; and 
(2) for fiscal year 2026, $600,000,000 is author-
ized to fund maintenance, construction, and repairs 
for Coast Guard shoreside infrastructure, of which— 
(A) $125,000,000 is authorized for the pur-
poses of improvements to facilities at the United 
States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May 
in Cape May, New Jersey; 
(B) $100,000,000 is authorized to execute 
the infrastructure development plan for the Coast 
Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut de-
veloped in paragraph (1)(C); 
(C) $100,000,000 is authorized for the pur-
poses of planning, designing, and building a 
floating drydock at the United States Coast 
Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland; 
(D) $40,000,000 is authorized for the pur-
poses of planning, designing, and building a 
hangar to house at a minimum 2 HC–130J 
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Super Hercules aircraft at Air Station Barbers 
Point in Kapolei, Hawaii; and 
(E) $90,000,000 is authorized to fund wa-
terfront improvements of Coast Guard Base Se-
attle. 
SEC. 103. AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS FOR ACQUISITION OF 
ADDITIONAL VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT. 
(a) FISCAL YEAR 2025.—Of the amounts authorized 
to be appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of title 14, 
United States Code, for fiscal year 2025— 
(1) $138,500,000 is authorized for the acquisi-
tion or procurement of 1 missionized HC–130J Super 
Hercules aircraft; and 
(2) $36,000,000 is authorized for the service life 
extension program and any necessary upgrades of the 
47-foot Motor Life Boat. 
(b) FISCAL YEAR 2026.—Of the amounts authorized 
to be appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of title 14, 
United States Code, for fiscal year 2026— 
(1) $1,200,000,000 is authorized for the acquisi-
tion of a Polar Security Cutter; 
(2) $1,100,000,000 is authorized for the acquisi-
tion of 2 Offshore Patrol Cutters; 
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mandant’s Directed Actions-Accountability and Trans-
parency’’, dated November 27, 2023. 
SEC. 105. AUTHORIZED LEVELS OF MILITARY STRENGTH 
AND TRAINING. 
Section 4904 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘fiscal years 
2022 and 2023’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal years 2025 and 
2026’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘fiscal years 
2022 and 2023’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal years 2025 and 
2026’’. 
TITLE II—COAST GUARD 
Subtitle A—Organization and 
Authorities 
SEC. 201. PROHIBITION ON USE OF LEAD SYSTEMS INTE-
GRATORS. 
Section 1105 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) LEAD SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘lead systems integrator’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 805(c) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109– 
163).’’. 
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SEC. 202. MINOR CONSTRUCTION INCREASE. 
Section 903(d)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended 
by 
striking 
‘‘$1,500,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$2,000,000’’. 
SEC. 203. TSUNAMI EVACUATION PLANS. 
(a) TSUNAMI EVACUATION PLANS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, 
in consultation with the Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and 
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency, shall establish location specific tsunami 
evacuation plans for each unit and sector of the Coast 
Guard that has facilities, personnel, or assets located 
within areas— 
(A) designated by the Administrator of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion as high risk or very high risk of a United 
States tsunami hazard; and 
(B) that are located inside a tsunami inun-
dation zone. 
(2) EVACUATION
PLANS.—In establishing the 
evacuation plans under paragraph (1), the Com-
mandant shall ensure that such plans— 
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(A) are included in the emergency action 
plans for each unit or sector located inside of a 
tsunami inundation zone; 
(B) designate an evacuation route to an as-
sembly area located outside of a tsunami inun-
dation zone; 
(C) include a map or diagram of all tsu-
nami inundation zone evacuation routes; 
(D) include evacuation routes for all Coast 
Guard personnel and dependents of such per-
sonnel living in Coast Guard housing; 
(E) are feasible for all servicemembers and 
dependents of such servicemembers present on 
Coast Guard property or living in Coast Guard 
provided housing; 
(F) include procedures to begin evacuations 
once a major seismic event is detected; 
(G) include evacuation plans for air and 
water assets that do not impinge on the safety of 
human life; 
(H) are able to be completely executed with-
in 15 minutes of detection of a seismic event or, 
if not possible within 15 minutes, within a rea-
sonable timeframe; 
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(I) are able to be completely executed by 
servicemembers on foot from any location within 
the tsunami inundation zone; 
(J) are exercised biennially by each unit 
and sector located in a tsunami inundation zone; 
and 
(K) are evaluated by leadership at each unit 
and sector located in a tsunami inundation zone 
annually. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In establishing the evacu-
ation plans under paragraph (1), the Commandant 
shall consult local governments. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and provide a 
briefing to each such Committee on, a report on— 
(1) the status of the implementation and feasi-
bility of the plans established under subsection (a)(1); 
(2) a risk evaluation and vulnerability assess-
ment of the infrastructure and assets located within 
tsunami inundation zones; 
(3) the need for vertical evacuation structures for 
units and sectors in which an evacuation of a tsu-
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nami inundation zone cannot be completed on foot 
within 15 minutes of the detection of a seismic event; 
and 
(4) whether the plans established under sub-
section (a)(1) achieve the purpose to protect human 
life and ensure the ability for the Coast Guard to pro-
vide search and rescue operations following a tsunami 
event in the area. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) SEISMIC EVENT.—The term ‘‘seismic event’’ 
means an earthquake, volcanic eruption, submarine 
landslide, coastal rockfall, or other event with the 
magnitude to cause a tsunami. 
(2) TSUNAMI
INUNDATION
ZONE.—The term 
‘‘tsunami inundation zone’’ means an area of inland 
flooding modeled, predicted, or forecasted as a poten-
tial result of a tsunami or seismic event. 
(3) VERTICAL
EVACUATION
STRUCTURE.—The 
term ‘‘vertical evacuation structure’’ means an ele-
vated structure above the tsunami inundation zone 
designated as a place of refuge from flood waters. 
SEC. 204. SERVICE LIFE EXTENSION PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 11 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
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‘‘§ 1138. Service life extension programs 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Requirements for a Level 1 or 
Level 2 acquisition project or program under sections 1131 
through 1134 shall not apply to an acquisition by the Coast 
Guard that is a service life extension program. 
‘‘(b) SERVICE LIFE EXTENSION PROGRAM DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘service life extension program’ 
means a capital investment that is solely intended to extend 
the service life and address obsolescence of components or 
systems of a particular capability or asset.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 1137 the following: 
‘‘1138. Service life extension programs.’’. 
SEC. 205. MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS IN COAST GUARD 
SECTOR FOR PUERTO RICO AND VIRGIN IS-
LANDS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report containing— 
(1) an overview of the maritime domain aware-
ness in the area of responsibility of the Coast Guard 
sector responsible for Puerto Rico and the United 
States Virgin Islands, including— 
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(A) the average volume of known maritime 
traffic that transited the area during fiscal years 
2020 through 2023; 
(B) current sensor platforms deployed by 
such sector to monitor illicit activity occurring 
at sea in such area; 
(C) the number of illicit activity incidents 
at sea in such area that the sector responded to 
during fiscal years 2020 through 2023; 
(D) an estimate of the volume of traffic en-
gaged in illicit activity at sea in such area and 
the type and description of any vessels used to 
carry out illicit activities that such sector re-
sponded to during fiscal years 2020 through 
2023; and 
(E) the maritime domain awareness re-
quirements to effectively meet the mission of such 
sector; 
(2) a description of current actions taken by the 
Coast Guard to partner with Federal, regional, State, 
and local entities to meet the maritime domain 
awareness needs of such area; 
(3) a description of any gaps in maritime do-
main awareness within the area of responsibility of 
such sector resulting from an inability to meet the en-
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during maritime domain awareness requirements of 
the sector or adequately respond to maritime disorder, 
including illicit drug and migrant activity; 
(4) an identification of current technology and 
assets the Coast Guard has to mitigate the gaps iden-
tified in paragraph (3); 
(5) an identification of capabilities needed to 
mitigate such gaps, including any capabilities the 
Coast Guard currently possesses that can be deployed 
to the sector; 
(6) an identification of technology and assets the 
Coast Guard does not currently possess and are need-
ed to acquire in order to address such gaps; and 
(7) an identification of any financial obstacles 
that prevent the Coast Guard from deploying existing 
commercially available sensor technology to address 
such gaps. 
SEC. 206. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION ON 
MONTHLY DRUG AND MIGRANT INTERDIC-
TIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 11269 of the Don Young 
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117– 
263) is— 
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(1) transferred to appear at the end of sub-
chapter II of chapter 5 of title 14, United States 
Code; 
(2) redesignated as section 529; and 
(3) amended— 
(A) by striking the section enumerator and 
heading and inserting the following: 
‘‘§ 529. Public availability of information on monthly 
drug and migrant interdictions’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘Not later than’’ and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than’’; 
(C) by inserting ‘‘drug and’’ before ‘‘mi-
grant interdictions’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—In making information about inter-
dictions publicly available under subsection (a), the Com-
mandant shall include a description of the following: 
‘‘(1) The number of incidents in which drugs 
were interdicted, the amount and type of drugs inter-
dicted, and the Coast Guard sectors and geographic 
areas of responsibility in which such incidents oc-
curred. 
‘‘(2) The number of incidents in which migrants 
were interdicted, the number of migrants interdicted, 
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and the Coast Guard sectors and geographic areas of 
responsibility in which such incidents occurred.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) The analysis for chapter 5 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 528 the following: 
‘‘529. Public availability of information on monthly drug and migrant interdic-
tions.’’. 
(2) The table of sections in section 11001(b) of 
the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
2022 (division K of Public Law 117–263) is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 11269. 
SEC. 207. REPORT ON ESTABLISHMENT OF UNMANNED SYS-
TEMS CAPABILITIES OFFICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that out-
lines a plan for establishing an unmanned systems capa-
bilities office within the Coast Guard responsible for the ac-
quisition and development of unmanned system and 
counter-unmanned system technologies and to expand the 
capabilities of the Coast Guard with respect to such tech-
nologies. 
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(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) A management strategy for the acquisition, 
development, and deployment of unmanned system 
and counter-unmanned system technologies. 
(2) A service-wide coordination strategy to syn-
chronize and integrate efforts across the Coast Guard 
in order to— 
(A) support the primary duties of the Coast 
Guard pursuant to section 102 of title 14, 
United States Code; and 
(B) pursue expanded research, development, 
testing, and evaluation opportunities and fund-
ing to expand and accelerate identification and 
transition of unmanned system and counter-un-
manned system technologies. 
(3) The identification of contracting and acqui-
sition authorities needed to expedite the development 
and deployment of unmanned system and counter-un-
manned system technologies. 
(4) A detailed list of commercially available un-
manned system and counter-unmanned system tech-
nologies with capabilities determined to be useful for 
the Coast Guard. 
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(5) A cross-agency collaboration plan to engage 
with the Department of Homeland Security, the De-
partment of Defense, and other relevant agencies to 
identify common requirements and opportunities to 
partner in acquiring, contracting, and sustaining un-
manned system and counter-unmanned system capa-
bilities. 
(6) Opportunities to obtain and share unmanned 
system data from government and commercial sources 
to improve maritime domain awareness. 
(7) The development of a concept of operations 
for a data ecosystem that supports and integrates un-
manned system and counter-unmanned system tech-
nologies with key enablers, including enterprise com-
munications networks, data storage and management, 
artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, and 
information sharing and dissemination capabilities. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COUNTER-UNMANNED
SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘counter-unmanned system’’ means a system or device 
capable of lawfully and safely disabling, disrupting, 
or seizing control of an unmanned system, including 
a counter-UAS system (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 44801 of title 49, United States Code). 
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(2) UNMANNED SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘unmanned 
system’’ means an unmanned surface, undersea, or 
aircraft and associated elements (including commu-
nication links and the components that control the 
unmanned system) that are required for the operator 
to operate the system safely and efficiently, including 
an unmanned aircraft system (as such term is defined 
in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code). 
SEC. 208. GREAT LAKES ICEBREAKER. 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a strategy detailing how the 
Coast Guard will complete design and construction of the 
Great Lakes icebreaker at least as capable as the Coast 
Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WLBB–30) in not more than 3 
years after funding is provided for such icebreaker. 
SEC. 209. CONSIDERATION OF LIFE-CYCLE COST ESTIMATES 
FOR ACQUISITION AND PROCUREMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 11 of title 
14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
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‘‘§ 1139. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for 
acquisition and procurement 
‘‘In carrying out the acquisition and procurement of 
vessels and aircraft, the Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard, shall consider the life- 
cycle cost estimates of vessels and aircraft, as applicable, 
during the design and evaluation processes to the maximum 
extent practicable.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 1138 (as added by this 
Act) the following: 
‘‘1139. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for acquisition and procurement.’’. 
SEC. 210. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN SUPPORT FOR 
COAST GUARD ACADEMY FOUNDATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 19 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 1907. Authorization of certain support for Coast 
Guard Academy foundations 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—Subject to subsection (b) and pur-
suant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Super-
intendent of the Coast Guard Academy may authorize a 
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covered foundation to use, on an unreimbursed basis, facili-
ties or equipment of the Coast Guard Academy. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.—Use of facilities or equipment 
under subsection (a) may be provided only if such use has 
been reviewed and approved by an attorney of the Coast 
Guard and only if such use— 
‘‘(1) is without any liability of the United States 
to the covered foundation; 
‘‘(2) does not affect the ability of any official or 
employee of the Coast Guard, or any member of the 
armed forces, to carry out any responsibility or duty 
in a fair and objective manner; 
‘‘(3) does not compromise the integrity or ap-
pearance of integrity of any program of the Coast 
Guard, or any individual involved in such a pro-
gram; 
‘‘(4) does not include the participation of any 
cadet other than participation in an honor guard at 
an event of the covered foundation; and 
‘‘(5) complies with any applicable ethics regula-
tions. 
‘‘(c) BRIEFING.—In any fiscal year during which the 
Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy exercises the 
authority under subsection (a), the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall provide a briefing to the Committee on 
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Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than the last day 
of that fiscal year regarding the number of events or activi-
ties of a covered foundation supported by such exercise dur-
ing such fiscal year. 
‘‘(d) COVERED FOUNDATION DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘covered foundation’ means a charitable, edu-
cational, or civic nonprofit organization under section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that the 
Secretary concerned determines operates exclusively to sup-
port, with respect to a Service Academy, any of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) Recruiting. 
‘‘(2) Parent or alumni development. 
‘‘(3) Academic, leadership, or character develop-
ment. 
‘‘(4) Institutional development. 
‘‘(5) Athletics.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
19 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 1906 the following: 
‘‘1907. Authorization of certain support for Coast Guard Academy foundations.’’. 
SEC. 211. NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM. 
Section 316 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
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(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), the Secretary’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘engineer-
ing and design of a Museum’’ and inserting ‘‘de-
sign of a Museum, and engineering, construction 
administration, and quality assurance services of 
a Museum’’; 
(2) by amending subsection (e)(2)(A) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(A) lease from the Association for Coast Guard 
operations the Museum and properties owned by the 
Association adjacent to the railroad tracks to which 
the property on which the Museum is located are ad-
jacent; and’’; and 
(3) by amending subsection (g) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(g) SERVICES.—With respect to the services related 
to the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Mu-
seum, the Commandant may— 
‘‘(1) solicit and accept services from nonprofit 
entities, including the Association; and 
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‘‘(2) enter into contracts or memorandums of 
agreement with or make grants to the Association to 
acquire such services.’’. 
SEC. 212. REGULAR POLAR SECURITY CUTTER UPDATES. 
(a) REPORT.— 
(1) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 60 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the status 
of acquisition of the first Polar Security Cutter. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report under paragraph 
(1) shall include— 
(A) a detailed timeline for the acquisition 
process of the first Polar Security Cutter, includ-
ing expected milestones and projected commis-
sioning date; 
(B) an accounting of the previously appro-
priated funds spent to date on the Polar Secu-
rity Cutter Program, updated cost projections for 
the first Polar Security Cutter, and projections 
for when additional funds will be required; 
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(C) potential factors and risks that could 
further delay or imperil the completion of the 
first Polar Security Cutter; and 
(D) a review of the acquisition of the first 
Polar Security Cutter to date, including factors 
that led to substantial cost overruns and delivery 
delays. 
(b) BRIEFINGS.— 
(1) PROVISION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 60 
days after the submission of the report under sub-
section (a), and not less frequently than every 60 days 
thereafter, the Commandant shall provide to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
briefing on the status of the Polar Security Cutter ac-
quisition process. 
(2) TIMELINE.—The briefings under paragraph 
(1) shall occur after any key milestone in the Polar 
Security Cutter acquisition process, but not less fre-
quently than every 60 days. 
(3) ELEMENTS.—Each briefing under paragraph 
(1) shall include— 
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(A) a summary of acquisition progress since 
the most recent previous briefing conducted pur-
suant to paragraph (1); 
(B) an updated timeline and budget esti-
mate for acquisition and building of pending 
Polar Security Cutters; and 
(C) an explanation of any delays or addi-
tional costs incurred in the acquisition progress. 
(c) NOTIFICATIONS.—In addition to the briefings re-
quired under subsection (b), the Commandant shall notify 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate within 3 business 
days of any significant change to the scope or funding level 
of the Polar Security Cutter acquisition strategy of such 
change. 
SEC. 213. TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM. 
Section 319(b)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘2’’ and inserting ‘‘4’’. 
SEC. 214. REPORT ON CONDITION OF MISSOURI RIVER 
DAYBOARDS. 
(a) PROVISION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
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Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report on the condition of dayboards and the 
placement of buoys on the Missouri River. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under paragraph (1) shall 
include— 
(1) a list of the most recent date on which each 
dayboard and buoy was serviced by the Coast Guard; 
(2) an overview of the plan of the Coast Guard 
to systematically service each dayboard and buoy on 
the Missouri River; and 
(3) assigned points of contact. 
SEC. 215. DELEGATION OF PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY 
AUTHORITIES IN ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY. 
Section 70032 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70032. Saint Lawrence Seaway 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), the authority granted to the Secretary under sections 
70001, 70002, 70003, 70004, and 70011 may not be dele-
gated with respect to the Saint Lawrence Seaway to any 
agency other than the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway 
Development Corporation. Any other authority granted the 
Secretary under subchapters I through III and this sub-
chapter shall be delegated by the Secretary to the Great 
Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation to 
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the extent the Secretary determines such delegation is nec-
essary for the proper operation of the Saint Lawrence Sea-
way. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating, after consultation with 
the Secretary of Transportation, or the head of an agency 
to which the Secretary has delegated the authorities in sub-
section (a), may— 
‘‘(1) issue and enforce special orders in accord-
ance with section 70002; 
‘‘(2) establish water or waterfront safety zones, 
or other measures, for limited, controlled, or condi-
tional access and activity when necessary for the pro-
tection of any vessel structure, waters, or shore area, 
as permitted in section 70011(b)(2); and 
‘‘(3) take actions for port, harbor, and coastal fa-
cility security in accordance with section 70116.’’. 
SEC. 216. STUDY ON COAST GUARD MISSIONS. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
shall seek to enter into an agreement with a federally 
funded research and development center with relevant 
expertise under which such center shall conduct an as-
sessment of the operational capabilities and ability of 
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the Coast Guard to conduct the primary duties of the 
Coast Guard under section 102 of title 14, United 
States Code, and missions under section 888 of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—In carrying out the assessment 
required under paragraph (1), the federally funded re-
search and development center selected under such 
subsection shall, with respect to the primary duties 
and missions described in paragraph (1), include the 
following: 
(A) An analysis of the extent to which the 
Coast Guard is able to effectively carry out such 
duties and missions. 
(B) Recommendations for the Coast Guard 
to more effectively carry out such duties and 
missions, in light of manpower and asset con-
straints. 
(C) Recommendations of which such duties 
and missions should be transferred to other de-
partments or eliminated in light of the man-
power and asset constraints of the Coast Guard. 
(D) An analysis of the benefits and draw-
backs of transferring the Coast Guard or any of 
the duties and missions of the Coast Guard to 
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other appropriate Federal departments or inde-
pendent agencies. 
(b) ASSESSMENT TO COMMANDANT.—Not later than 1 
year after the date on which Commandant enters into an 
agreement under section (a), the federally funded research 
and development center selected under such subsection shall 
submit to the Commandant the assessment required under 
subsection (a). 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
receipt of the assessment under subsection (b), the 
Commandant shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
that includes recommendations included in the assess-
ment to strengthen the ability of the Coast Guard to 
carry out such duties and missions. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) The assessment received by the Com-
mandant under subsection (b). 
(B) For each recommendation included in 
the such assessment— 
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(i) an assessment by the Commandant 
of the feasibility and advisability of imple-
menting such recommendation; and 
(ii) if the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard considers the implementation of such 
recommendation feasible and advisable, a 
description of the actions taken, or to be 
taken, to implement such recommendation. 
SEC. 217. ADDITIONAL PRIBILOF ISLAND TRANSITION COM-
PLETION ACTIONS. 
Section 11221 of the Don Young Coast Guard Author-
ization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) ADDITIONAL REPORTS ON STATUS OF USE OF FA-
CILITIES AND HELICOPTER BASING.—Beginning with the 
first quarterly report required under subsection (a) sub-
mitted after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Au-
thorization Act of 2024, the Secretary shall include in each 
such report— 
‘‘(1) the status of the use of recently renovated 
Coast Guard housing facilities, food preparation fa-
cilities, and maintenance and repair facilities on St. 
Paul Island, Alaska, including a projected date for 
full use and occupancy of such facilities in support 
of Coast Guard missions in the Bering Sea; and 
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‘‘(2) a detailed plan for the acquisition and con-
struction of a hangar in close proximity to existing 
St. Paul airport facilities to house 1 or more Coast 
Guard helicopters for the prosecution of Coast Guard 
operational missions, including plans for the use of 
land needed for such hangar.’’. 
Subtitle B—Personnel 
SEC. 221. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY FOR CIVILIAN FACULTY 
AT THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY. 
Section 1941 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection 
(c); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) The Secretary may, without regard to the ap-
pointment requirements of title 5, United States Code, non-
competitively appoint a highly qualified candidate to a fac-
ulty position in the excepted service.’’. 
SEC. 222. TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM AUTHORIZED END 
STRENGTH FOR COAST GUARD ENLISTED 
MEMBERS ON ACTIVE DUTY. 
Notwithstanding section 517 of title 10, United States 
Code, and until October 1, 2027, the authorized end strength 
for enlisted members on active duty (other than for train-
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ing) in the Coast Guard in pay grades E–8 and E–9 may 
be more than 3.0 percent and 1.25 percent respectively of 
the number of enlisted members of the Coast Guard who 
are on active duty other than for training. 
SEC. 223. ADDITIONAL AVAILABLE GUIDANCE AND CONSID-
ERATIONS 
FOR 
RESERVE 
SELECTION 
BOARDS. 
Section 3740(f) of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 2117’’ and inserting ‘‘sections 
2115 and 2117’’. 
SEC. 224. PARENTAL LEAVE PARITY FOR MEMBERS OF CER-
TAIN 
RESERVE 
COMPONENTS 
OF 
COAST 
GUARD. 
(a) PARENTAL LEAVE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 29 of 
title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 2907. Parental leave for members of certain reserve 
components of Coast Guard 
‘‘(a)(1) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, 
a member of the reserve component of the Coast Guard de-
scribed in subsection (b) is allowed parental leave for a du-
ration of up to 12 inactive-duty training periods, under 
section 206 of title 37, during the one-year period beginning 
after the following events: 
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‘‘(A) the birth or adoption of a child of the mem-
ber and to care for such child; or 
‘‘(B) the placement of a minor child with the 
member for adoption or long-term foster care. 
‘‘(2)(A) The Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating, may authorize leave described 
under subparagraph (A) to be taken after the one-year pe-
riod described in subparagraph (A) in the case of a member 
described in subsection (b) who, except for this subpara-
graph, would lose unused parental leave at the end of the 
one-year period described in subparagraph (A) as a result 
of— 
‘‘(i) operational requirements; 
‘‘(ii) professional military education obligations; 
or 
‘‘(iii) other circumstances that the Secretary de-
termines reasonable and appropriate. 
‘‘(B) The regulations prescribed under clause (i) shall 
require that any leave authorized to be taken after the one- 
year period described in subparagraph (A) shall be taken 
within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the 
Secretary in which the department is operating, after ces-
sation of the circumstances warranting the extended dead-
line. 
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‘‘(b) A member described in this subsection is a mem-
ber of the Coast Guard who is a member of— 
‘‘(1) the selected reserve who is entitled to com-
pensation under section 206 of title 37; or 
‘‘(2) the individual ready reserve who is entitled 
to compensation under section 206 of title 37 when 
attending or participating in a sufficient number of 
periods of inactive-duty training during a year to 
count the year as a qualifying year of creditable serv-
ice toward eligibility for retired pay.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 29 of title 14, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 2906 the 
following: 
‘‘2907. Parental leave for members of certain reserve components of Coast Guard.’’. 
(b) COMPENSATION.—Section 206(a)(4) of title 37, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting before the pe-
riod at the end ‘‘or parental leave under section 2907 of 
title 14’’. 
SEC. 225. AUTHORIZATION FOR MATERNITY UNIFORM AL-
LOWANCE FOR OFFICERS. 
Section 2708 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) The Coast Guard may provide a cash allowance 
in such amount as the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall determine in regulations 
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to be paid to pregnant officer personnel for the purchase 
of maternity-related uniform items if such uniform items 
are not so furnished to the member.’’. 
SEC. 226. REPORT ON GAO RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOUS-
ING PROGRAM. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the status of the 
implementation of the recommendations contained in the 
report of the Government Accountability Office titled ‘‘Coast 
Guard: Better Feedback Collection and Information Could 
Enhance Housing Program’’, and issued February 5, 2024 
(GAO–24–106388). 
TITLE III—SHIPPING AND 
NAVIGATION 
Subtitle A—Vessel Operations 
SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) OUTER
CONTINENTAL
SHELF.—The term 
‘‘outer Continental Shelf’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 2 of the Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331). 
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(2) RULING LETTER.—The term ‘‘ruling letter’’ 
means any ruling letter or headquarters ruling letter 
relating to the enforcement of chapters 121 and 551 
of title 46, United States Code (commonly referred to 
as the ‘‘Jones Act’’), issued by the Commissioner of 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection pursuant to sec-
tions 502(a) or 625 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 
U.S.C. 1502(a) and 1625). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through 
the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Pro-
tection. 
SEC. 302. NOTIFICATION. 
(a) ADVANCE NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.—Prior to en-
gaging in any activity or operations on the outer Conti-
nental Shelf, the operator of a foreign vessel used in such 
activity or operations shall file with the Secretary a notifi-
cation describing all activities and operations to be per-
formed on the outer Continental Shelf and an identification 
of applicable ruling letters issued by the Secretary that have 
approved the use of a foreign vessel in a substantially simi-
lar activity or operation. 
(b) PUBLICATION OF NOTICES.— 
(1) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish 
a notification under subsection (a) in the Customs 
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Bulletin and Decisions within 14 days of receipt of 
such notification. 
(2) CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION.—The Sec-
retary shall redact any information exempt from dis-
closure under section 552 of title 5, United States 
Code, in a notification published under paragraph 
(1). 
SEC. 303. PUBLICATION OF FINES AND PENALTIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 55102 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) PUBLICATION OF PENALTY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 14 days after 
the issuance of a pre-penalty notice or a penalty, in-
cluding a settlement, under subsection (c), the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security shall publish such pre- 
penalty notice or a notification of such penalty in the 
Customs Bulletin and Decisions to the party im-
pacted by the penalty. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—A pre-penalty notice or pen-
alty notification published under paragraph (1) shall 
include— 
‘‘(A) the name and the International Mari-
time Organization identification number of the 
vessel that is the subject of the penalty; 
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‘‘(B) the name of the owner of the vessel 
that is the subject of the penalty; 
‘‘(C) the amount of the fine or value of mer-
chandise seized; and 
‘‘(D) a summary of the alleged misconduct 
and justification for imposing a penalty.’’. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such 
regulations as are necessary to implement the amendments 
made by subsection (a), including— 
(1) regulations regarding the information to be 
contained in a penalty notification under section 
55102(d) of title 46, United States Code (as amended 
by such subsection); and 
(2) any changes to existing regulations relating 
to penalties issued by the Secretary. 
Subtitle B—Merchant Mariner 
Credentialing 
SEC. 311. REVISING MERCHANT MARINER DECK TRAINING 
REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) GENERAL DEFINITIONS.—Section 2101 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (20) through 
(56) as paragraphs (21) through (57), respectively; 
and 
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(2) by inserting after paragraph (19) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(20) ‘merchant mariner credential’ means a 
merchant mariner license, certificate, or document 
that the Secretary is authorized to issue pursuant to 
this title.’’. 
(b) EXAMINATIONS.—Section 7116 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by striking subsection (c). 
(c) MERCHANT MARINERS DOCUMENTS.— 
(1) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.—Section 7306 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘§ 7306. General requirements and classifications for 
members of deck departments 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may issue a mer-
chant mariner credential, to members of the deck depart-
ment in the following classes: 
‘‘(1) Able Seaman-Unlimited. 
‘‘(2) Able Seaman-Limited. 
‘‘(3) Able Seaman-Special. 
‘‘(4) Able Seaman-Offshore Supply Vessels. 
‘‘(5) Able Seaman-Sail. 
‘‘(6) Able Seaman-Fishing Industry. 
‘‘(7) Ordinary Seaman. 
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‘‘(b) CLASSIFICATION
OF CREDENTIALS.—The Sec-
retary may classify the merchant mariner credential issued 
under subsection (a) based on— 
‘‘(1) the tonnage and means of propulsion of ves-
sels; 
‘‘(2) the waters on which vessels are to be oper-
ated; or 
‘‘(3) other appropriate standards. 
‘‘(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In issuing the credential 
under subsection (a), the Secretary may consider the fol-
lowing qualifications of the merchant mariner: 
‘‘(1) Age. 
‘‘(2) Character. 
‘‘(3) Habits of life. 
‘‘(4) Experience. 
‘‘(5) Professional qualifications demonstrated by 
satisfactory completion of applicable examinations or 
other educational requirements. 
‘‘(6) Physical condition, including sight and 
hearing. 
‘‘(7) Other requirements established by the Sec-
retary, including career patterns and service appro-
priate to the particular service, industry, or job func-
tions the individual is engaged.’’. 
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(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 7306 and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘7306. General requirements and classifications for members of deck depart-
ments.’’. 
(3) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERS OF 
ENGINE DEPARTMENTS.—Section 7313(b) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and coal 
passer’’. 
(4) TRAINING.—Section 7315 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(A) by amending subsection (a) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(a) Graduation from a nautical school program ap-
proved by the Secretary may be substituted for the service 
requirements under sections 7307–7312 and 7314.’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘one-third’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘one-half’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘7307–7311 of this 
title’’ and inserting ‘‘7307–7312 and 7314’’; 
and 
(C) by striking subsection (c). 
(d) REDUCTION OF LENGTHS OF CERTAIN PERIODS OF 
SERVICE.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Title 46, United States Code, 
is amended as follows: 
(A) Section 7307 is amended by striking ‘‘3 
years’’ and inserting ‘‘18 months’’. 
(B) Section 7308 is amended by striking 
‘‘18 months’’ and inserting ‘‘12 months’’. 
(C) Section 7309 is amended by striking 
‘‘12 months’’ and inserting ‘‘6 months’’. 
(2) TEMPORARY
REDUCTION
OF
LENGTHS
OF 
CERTAIN PERIODS OF SERVICE.—Section 3534(j) of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31) is repealed. 
(e) MERCHANT
MARINER
CREDENTIALS.—Section 
7510 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 
subsection (d). 
(f) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall imple-
ment the amended requirements under subsections (c)(3), 
(c)(4), and (c)(6) of this section without regard to chapters 
5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, and Executive Orders 
12866 and 13563 (5 U.S.C. 601 note). 
SEC. 312. AMENDMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The heading for subtitle II of title 
46, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Seamen’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Seafarer’’. 
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(b) MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALS.—The head-
ing for part E of subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘MERCHANT
SEAMEN
LI-
CENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND DOCUMENTS’’ and in-
serting ‘‘MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALS’’. 
(c) ABLE SEAFARERS—UNLIMITED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The section heading for sec-
tion 7307 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further 
amended in the item relating to section 7307 by strik-
ing ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
(d) ABLE SEAMEN—LIMITED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The section heading for sec-
tion 7308 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further 
amended in the item relating to section 7308 by strik-
ing ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
(e) ABLE SEAFARERS—SPECIAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The section heading for sec-
tion 7309 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
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(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further 
amended in the item relating to section 7309 by strik-
ing ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
(f) ABLE
SEAFARERS—OFFSHORE
SUPPLY
VES-
SELS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The section heading for sec-
tion 7310 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further 
amended in the item relating to section 7310 by strik-
ing ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
(g) ABLE SEAFARERS—SAIL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The section heading for sec-
tion 7311 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further 
amended in the item relating to section 7311 by strik-
ing ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
(h) ABLE SEAMEN—FISHING INDUSTRY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The section heading for sec-
tion 7311a of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
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ed by striking ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘sea-
farers’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further 
amended in the item relating to section 7311a by 
striking ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘seafarers’’. 
(i) PARTS E AND F.—Parts E and F of subtitle II 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘seaman’’ and inserting ‘‘sea-
farer’’ each place it appears; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘sea-
farers’’ each place it appears. 
(j) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—(1) The analysis for 
subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is amended in 
the item relating to part E by striking ‘‘MERCHANT SEA-
MEN 
LICENSES, 
CERTIFICATES, 
AND 
DOCU-
MENTS’’ and inserting ‘‘MERCHANT MARINER CRE-
DENTIALS’’. 
(2) The analysis of subtitles at the beginning of title 
46, United States Code, is amended in the item relating 
to subtitle II by striking ‘‘SEAMEN’’ and inserting ‘‘SEA-
FARER’’ 
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SEC. 313. RENEWAL OF MERCHANT MARINER LICENSES 
AND DOCUMENTS. 
Section 7507 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) RENEWAL.—With respect to any renewal of an 
active merchant mariner credential issued under this part 
that is not an extension under subsection (a) or (b), such 
credential shall begin the day after the expiration of the 
active credential of the credential holder.’’. 
SEC. 314. MERCHANT SEAMEN LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, 
AND DOCUMENTS; MANNING OF VESSELS. 
(a) CITIZENSHIP OR NONCITIZEN NATIONALITY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 7102 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in the section heading by inserting ‘‘or 
noncitizen nationality’’ after ‘‘Citizen-
ship’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or noncitizen nationals 
(as such term is described in section 308 of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1408))’’ after ‘‘citizens’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 71 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 7102 and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘7102. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality.’’. 
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(b) CITIZENSHIP OR NONCITIZEN NATIONALITY NOTA-
TION ON MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 7304 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in the section heading by inserting ‘‘or 
noncitizen nationality’’ after ‘‘Citizen-
ship’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or noncitizen national (as 
such term is described in section 308 of the Im-
migration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1408))’’ after ‘‘citizen’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 7304 and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘7304. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality notation on merchant mariners’ doc-
uments.’’. 
(c) CITIZENSHIP OR NONCITIZEN NATIONALITY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 8103 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in the section heading by inserting ‘‘or 
noncitizen nationality’’ after ‘‘Citizen-
ship’’; 
(B) in subsection (a) by inserting ‘‘or non-
citizen national’’ after ‘‘citizen’’; 
(C) in subsection (b)— 
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(i) in paragraph (1)(A)(i) by inserting 
‘‘or noncitizen national’’ after ‘‘citizen’’; 
(ii) in paragraph (3) by inserting ‘‘or 
noncitizen nationality’’ after ‘‘citizenship’’; 
and 
(iii) in paragraph (3)(C) by inserting 
‘‘or noncitizen nationals’’ after ‘‘citizens’’; 
(D) in subsection (c) by inserting ‘‘or non-
citizen nationals’’ after ‘‘citizens’’; 
(E) in subsection (d)— 
(i) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘or 
noncitizen nationals’’ after ‘‘citizens’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2) by inserting ‘‘or 
noncitizen national’’ after ‘‘citizen’’ each 
place it appears; 
(F) in subsection (e) by inserting ‘‘or non-
citizen national’’ after ‘‘citizen’’ each place it 
appears; 
(G) in subsection (i)(1)(A) by inserting ‘‘or 
noncitizen national’’ after ‘‘citizen’’; 
(H) in subsection (k)(1)(A) by inserting ‘‘or 
noncitizen national’’ after ‘‘citizen’’; and 
(I) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(l) NONCITIZEN NATIONAL DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘noncitizen national’ means an individual 
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described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408).’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 81 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 8103 and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘8103. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality and Navy Reserve requirements.’’. 
(d) COMMAND OF DOCUMENTED VESSELS.—Section 
12131(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting ‘‘or noncitizen national (as such term is described 
in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
U.S.C. 1408))’’ after ‘‘citizen’’. 
(e) INVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATES OF DOCUMENTA-
TION.—Section 12135(2) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘or noncitizen national (as such term 
is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))’’ after ‘‘citizen’’. 
Subtitle C—Vessel Safety 
SEC. 321. GROSSLY NEGLIGENT OPERATIONS OF A VESSEL. 
Section 2302(b) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) GROSSLY NEGLIGENT OPERATION.— 
‘‘(1) MISDEMEANOR.—A person operating a ves-
sel in a grossly negligent manner that endangers the 
life, limb, or property of a person commits a class A 
misdemeanor. 
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‘‘(2) FELONY.—A person operating a vessel in a 
grossly negligent manner that results in serious bodily 
injury, as defined in section 1365(h)(3) of title 18— 
‘‘(A) commits a class E felony; and 
‘‘(B) may be assessed a civil penalty of not 
more than $35,000.’’. 
SEC. 322. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE FOR SECURITY 
RISKS. 
(a) SECURITY RISK.—Section 7702(d)(1) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B) by redesignating 
clauses (i) through (iv) as subclauses (I) through (IV), 
respectively (and by conforming the margins accord-
ingly); 
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively (and by con-
forming the margins accordingly); 
(3) by striking ‘‘an individual if—’’ and insert-
ing the following: ‘‘an individual— 
‘‘(A) if—’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (A)(ii)(IV), as so redesig-
nated, by striking the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘; or’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(B) if there is probable cause to believe that the 
individual has violated company policy and is a se-
curity risk that poses a threat to other individuals on 
the vessel.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 2101(47)(B) of 
title 46, United States Code (as so redesignated), is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting ‘‘; or’’. 
SEC. 323. REQUIREMENTS FOR DUKW AMPHIBIOUS PAS-
SENGER VESSELS. 
Section 11502 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117– 
263) is amended— 
(1) in the section header by striking ‘‘DUKW 
AMPHIBIOUS PASSENGER VESSELS’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘COMMERCIAL
AMPHIBIOUS
SMALL
PAS-
SENGER VESSELS’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘DUKW amphibious passenger 
vessel’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘commer-
cial amphibious small passenger vessel’’; 
(3) by striking ‘‘DUKW amphibious passenger 
vessels’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘commer-
cial amphibious small passenger vessels’’; 
(4) in subsection (h)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘DEFINITIONS’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘The term ‘appropriate congres-
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sional committees’ ’’ and inserting ‘‘APPRO-
PRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES
DE-
FINED.—The term ‘appropriate congressional 
committees’ ’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (2); and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) APPLICATION.—This section shall apply to am-
phibious vessels operating as a small passenger vessel in 
waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, as 
such term is defined in section 2.38 of title 33, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of 
the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024).’’. 
SEC. 324. RISK BASED EXAMINATION OF TANK VESSELS. 
Section 3714 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in sub-
section (c), the Secretary’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
(d); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) RISK-BASED EXAMINATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to examinations 
of foreign-flagged vessels to which this chapter applies, 
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the Secretary may adopt a risk-based examination 
schedule to which such vessels shall be examined and 
the frequency with which the examinations occur. 
‘‘(2) RESTRICTION.—The Secretary may not 
adopt a risk-based examination schedule under para-
graph (1) until the Secretary has— 
‘‘(A) received and reviewed the study by the 
National Academies required under section 
8254(b) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2021 (Public Law 116–283); 
‘‘(B) conducted the assessment recommended 
in the report of the Government Accountability 
Office submitted under section 8254(a) of such 
Act; 
‘‘(C) concluded through such assessment that 
a risk-based examination schedule provides not 
less than the level of safety provided by the an-
nual examinations required under subsection 
(a)(1); and 
‘‘(D) provided the results of such assessment 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate.’’. 
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SEC. 325. PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY. 
(a) WATERFRONT SAFETY.—Section 70011(a) of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘, including 
damage or destruction resulting from cyber incidents, 
transnational organized crime, or foreign state 
threats’’ after ‘‘adjacent to such waters’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2) by inserting ‘‘or harm re-
sulting from cyber incidents, transnational organized 
crime, or foreign state threats’’ after ‘‘loss’’. 
(b) REGULATION OF ANCHORAGE AND MOVEMENT OF 
VESSELS DURING NATIONAL EMERGENCY.—Section 70051 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
‘‘or cyber incidents, or transnational organized crime, or 
foreign state threats,’’ after ‘‘threatened war, or invasion, 
or insurrection, or subversive activity,’’. 
(c) FACILITY VISIT
BY STATE SPONSOR
OF TER-
RORISM.—Section 70011(b) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) prohibiting a representative of a govern-
ment of country that the Secretary of State has deter-
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mined has repeatedly provided support for acts of 
international terrorism under section 620A of the 
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371) from 
visiting a facility for which a facility security plan 
is required under section 70103(c).’’. 
SEC. 326. STUDY ON BERING STRAIT VESSEL TRAFFIC PRO-
JECTIONS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POS-
TURE AT THE PORT OF POINT SPENCER, 
ALASKA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek 
to enter into an agreement with the National Academies 
of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, under which the 
Marine Board of the Transportation Research Board (in 
this section referred to as the ‘‘Board’’) shall conduct a 
study to— 
(1) analyze commercial vessel traffic that tran-
sits through the Bering Strait and projections for the 
growth of such traffic during the 10-year period be-
ginning after such date of enactment; and 
(2) assess the adequacy of emergency response ca-
pabilities and infrastructure at the Port of Point 
Spencer, Alaska, to address navigation safety risks 
and geographic challenges necessary to conduct emer-
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gency maritime response operations in the Arctic en-
vironment. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study required under subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) An analysis of the volume and types of do-
mestic and international commercial vessel traffic 
through the Bering Strait and the projected growth of 
such traffic, including a summary of— 
(A) the sizes, ages, and flag states of vessels; 
and 
(B) the oil and product tankers that are— 
(i) in transit to or from Russia or 
China; or 
(ii) owned or operated by a Russian or 
Chinese entity. 
(2) An assessment of the state and adequacy of 
vessel traffic services and oil spill and emergency re-
sponse capabilities in the vicinity of the Bering 
Strait, including its approaches. 
(3) A risk assessment of the projected growth in 
commercial vessel traffic in the Bering Strait and 
higher probability of increased frequency in the num-
ber of maritime accidents, including spill events, and 
the potential impacts to the Arctic maritime environ-
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ment and Native Alaskan village communities in the 
vicinity of the Bering Strait. 
(4) An evaluation of the ability of the Port of 
Point Spencer, Alaska, to serve as a port of refuge 
and as a staging, logistics, and operations center to 
conduct and support maritime emergency and spill 
response activities. 
(5) Recommendations for practical actions that 
can be taken by the Congress, Federal agencies, the 
State of Alaska, vessel carriers and operators, the ma-
rine salvage and emergency response industry, and 
other relevant stakeholders to mitigate risks, upgrade 
infrastructure, and improve the posture of the Port of 
Point Spencer, Alaska, to function as a strategic stag-
ing and logistics center for maritime emergency and 
spill response operations in the Bering Strait region. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), the Board shall consult with— 
(1) the Department of Transportation; 
(2) the Corps of Engineers; 
(3) the National Transportation Safety Board; 
(4) relevant ministries of the government of Can-
ada; 
(5) the Port Coordination Council for the Port of 
Point Spencer; and 
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(6) non-government entities with relevant exper-
tise in monitoring and characterizing vessel traffic in 
the Arctic. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after initiating 
the study under subsection (a), the Board shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report con-
taining the findings and recommendations of the study. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ARCTIC.—The term ‘‘Arctic’’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 112 of the Arctic Re-
search and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111). 
(2) PORT
COORDINATION
COUNCIL
FOR
THE 
PORT OF POINT SPENCER.—The term ‘‘Port Coordina-
tion Council for the Port of Point Spencer’’ means the 
Council established under section 541 of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (Public Law 114– 
120). 
SEC. 327. UNDERWATER INSPECTIONS BRIEF. 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Commandant, or a designated individual, shall 
brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
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underwater inspection in lieu of drydock program estab-
lished under section 176.615 of title 46, Code of Federal 
Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
Act). 
SEC. 328. ST. LUCIE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE. 
Regarding Docket Number USCG–2022–0222, before 
adopting a final rule, the Commandant shall conduct an 
independent boat traffic study at mile 7.4 of the St. Lucie 
River. 
SEC. 329. RULEMAKING REGARDING PORT ACCESS ROUTES. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall issue a final rule for the 
Atlantic Coast Port Route Access Study for which an Ad-
vanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled ‘‘Shipping 
Safety Fairways Along the Atlantic Coast’’ was issued on 
June 19, 2020. 
SEC. 330. ARTICULATED TUG-BARGE MANNING. 
Section 11508 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117– 
263) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 11508. ARTICULATED TUG-BARGE MANNING. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding the watch setting 
requirements set forth in section 8104 of title 46, United 
States Code, or any other provision of law or regulation, 
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an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection may authorize a 
covered vessel— 
‘‘(1) when engaged on a domestic voyage of more 
than 600 miles, to be manned with a minimum num-
ber of 2 licensed engineers in the engine department; 
and 
‘‘(2) when engaged on a voyage of less than 600 
miles, to be manned with a minimum number of 1 
licensed engineer in the engine department. 
‘‘(b) COVERED VESSEL DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘covered vessel’ means a towing vessel issued a certifi-
cate of inspection under subchapter M of chapter I of title 
46, Code of Federal Regulations, which— 
‘‘(1) forms part of an articulated tug-barge unit; 
and 
‘‘(2) is either— 
‘‘(A) equipped with engineering control and 
monitoring systems of a type accepted by a rec-
ognized classification society for a periodically 
unmanned machinery space notation or accepted 
by the Commandant for a periodically unat-
tended machinery space endorsement; or 
‘‘(B) is a vessel that, prior to July 19, 2022, 
was issued a minimum safe manning document 
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or certificate of inspection that authorized equiv-
alent or less manning levels.’’. 
Subtitle D—Other Matters 
SEC. 341. ANCHOR HANDLING ACTIVITIES. 
Section 12111(d) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ‘‘or 
other energy production or transmission facility, 
or vessel engaged in the launch, recovery, or sup-
port of commercial space transportation or space 
exploration activities’’ after ‘‘drilling unit’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ‘‘or 
other energy production or transmission facility, 
or vessel engaged in the launch, recovery, or sup-
port of commercial space transportation or space 
exploration activities’’ after ‘‘drilling unit’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) ENERGY PRODUCTION OR TRANSMISSION FA-
CILITY DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘energy 
production or transmission facility’ means a floating 
offshore facility that is— 
‘‘(A) not a vessel; 
‘‘(B) securely and substantially moored to 
the seabed, but not by driven pile anchors; and 
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‘‘(C) equipped with wind turbines which 
are used for the generation and transmission of 
non-mineral energy resources.’’. 
SEC. 342. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ON AUTONOMOUS MARITIME SYS-
TEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 151 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 15110. Establishment of National Advisory Com-
mittee on Autonomous Maritime Systems 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Na-
tional Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Sys-
tems (in this section referred to as the ‘Committee’). 
‘‘(b) FUNCTION.—The Committee shall advise the Sec-
retary on matters relating to the regulation and use of Au-
tonomous Systems within the territorial waters of the 
United States. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall consist 
of 9 members appointed by the Secretary in accord-
ance 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.—Each of the following 
groups shall be represented by at least 1 member on 
the Committee: 
‘‘(A) Marine safety or security entities. 
‘‘(B) Vessel design and construction entities. 
‘‘(C) Entities engaged in the production or 
research of unmanned vehicles, including drones, 
autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, or any 
other product or service integral to the provision, 
maintenance, or management of such products or 
services. 
‘‘(D) Port districts, authorities, or terminal 
operators. 
‘‘(E) Vessel operators. 
‘‘(F) National labor unions representing 
merchant mariners. 
‘‘(G) Maritime pilots. 
‘‘(H) Commercial space transportation op-
erators. 
‘‘(I) Academic institutions.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for chap-
ter 151 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘15110. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime 
Systems.’’. 
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(c) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish 
the Committee under section 15110 of title 46, United 
States Code (as added by this section). 
SEC. 343. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ONBOARD VESSELS. 
Section 70503(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
striking ‘‘While on board a covered vessel, an indi-
vidual’’ and inserting ‘‘An individual’’; 
(2) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) manufacture or distribute, possess with in-
tent to manufacture or distribute, or place or cause 
to be placed with intent to manufacture or distribute 
a controlled substance on board a covered vessel;’’; 
and 
(3) in paragraph (2) by inserting ‘‘aboard a cov-
ered vessel’’ after ‘‘Comprehensive Drug Abuse Preven-
tion and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 881(a))’’. 
SEC. 344. NONOPERATING INDIVIDUAL. 
Section 8313(b) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 
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(Public Law 116– 283) is amended by striking ‘‘2025’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2027’’. 
SEC. 345. INFORMATION ON TYPE APPROVAL CERTIFI-
CATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IX of the Frank LoBiondo 
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115– 
282) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 904. INFORMATION ON TYPE APPROVAL CERTIFI-
CATES. 
‘‘The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall, upon re-
quest by any State, the District of Columbia, or any terri-
tory of the United States, provide all data possessed by the 
Coast Guard pertaining to challenge water quality charac-
teristics, challenge water biological organism concentra-
tions, post-treatment water quality characteristics, and 
post-treatment biological organism concentrations data for 
a ballast water management system with a type approval 
certificate approved by the Coast Guard pursuant to sub-
part 162.060 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in 
section 2 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authoriza-
tion Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–282) is amended by in-
serting after the item relating to section 903 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 904. Information on type approval certificates.’’. 
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SEC. 346. MANNING AND CREWING REQUIREMENTS FOR 
CERTAIN VESSELS, VEHICLES, AND STRUC-
TURES. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF LIMITED EXEMPTIONS FROM 
MANNING AND CREW REQUIREMENT.—Chapter 81 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 8109. Exemptions from manning and crew require-
ments 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may provide an ex-
emption described in subsection (b) to the owner or operator 
of a covered facility if each individual who is manning or 
crewing the covered facility is— 
‘‘(1) a citizen of the United States; 
‘‘(2) an alien lawfully admitted to the United 
States for permanent residence; or 
‘‘(3) a citizen of the nation under the laws of 
which the vessel is documented. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR EXEMP-
TION.—An exemption under this subsection is an exemption 
from the regulations established pursuant to section 
302(a)(3) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
U.S.C. 1356(a)(3)). 
‘‘(c) LIMITATIONS.—An exemption under this sec-
tion— 
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‘‘(1) shall provide that the number of individuals 
manning or crewing the covered facility who are de-
scribed in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) 
may not exceed two and one- half times the number 
of individuals required to man or crew the covered fa-
cility under the laws of the nation under the laws of 
which the covered facility is documented; and 
‘‘(2) shall be effective for not more than 12 
months, but may be renewed by application to and 
approval by the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) APPLICATION.—To be eligible for an exemption 
or a renewal of an exemption under this section, the owner 
or operator of a covered facility shall apply to the Secretary 
with an application that includes a sworn statement by the 
applicant of all information required for the issuance of 
the exemption. 
‘‘(e) REVOCATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary— 
‘‘(A) may revoke an exemption for a covered 
facility under this section if the Secretary deter-
mines that information provided in the applica-
tion for the exemption was false or incomplete, 
or is no longer true or complete; and 
‘‘(B) shall immediately revoke such an ex-
emption if the Secretary determines that the cov-
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ered facility, in the effective period of the exemp-
tion, was manned or crewed in a manner not 
authorized by the exemption. 
‘‘(2) NOTICE
REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall 
provides notice of a determination under subpara-
graph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) to the owner or 
operator of the covered facility. 
‘‘(f) REVIEW OF COMPLIANCE.—The Secretary shall 
periodically, but not less than once annually, inspect each 
covered facility that operates under an exemption under 
this section to verify the owner or operator of the covered 
facility’s compliance with the exemption. During an inspec-
tion under this subsection, the Secretary shall require all 
crew members serving under the exemption to hold a valid 
transportation security card issued under section 70105. 
‘‘(g) PENALTY.—In addition to revocation under sub-
section (e), the Secretary may impose on the owner or oper-
ator of a covered facility a civil penalty of $10,000 per day 
for each day the covered facility— 
‘‘(1) is manned or crewed in violation of an ex-
emption under this subsection; or 
‘‘(2) operated under an exemption under this 
subsection that the Secretary determines was not val-
idly obtained. 
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‘‘(h) NOTIFICATION OF SECRETARY OF STATE.—The 
Secretary shall notify the Secretary of State of each exemp-
tion issued under this section, including the effective period 
of the exemption. 
‘‘(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COVERED FACILITY.—The term ‘covered fa-
cility’ means any vessel, rig, platform, or other vehi-
cle or structure, over 50 percent of which is owned by 
citizens of a foreign nation or with respect to which 
the citizens of a foreign nation have the right effec-
tively to control, except to the extent and to the degree 
that the President determines that the government of 
such foreign nation or any of its political subdivi-
sions has implemented, by statute, regulation, policy, 
or practice, a national manning requirement for 
equipment engaged in the exploring for, developing, or 
producing resources, including non-mineral energy re-
sources in its offshore areas. 
‘‘(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating.’’. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and annually there-
after, the Secretary of the department in which the 
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Coast Guard is operating shall submit to Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
containing information on each letter of nonapplica-
bility of section 8109 of title 46, United States Code, 
with respect to a covered facility that was issued by 
the Secretary during the preceding year. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report under paragraph (1) 
shall include, for each covered facility— 
(A) the name and International Maritime 
Organization number; 
(B) the nation in which the covered facility 
is documented; 
(C) the nationality of owner or owners; and 
(D) for any covered facility that was pre-
viously issued a letter of nonapplicability in a 
prior year, any changes in the information de-
scribed in subparagraphs (A) through (C). 
(c) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall pro-
mulgate regulations that specify the documentary and other 
requirements for the issuance of an exemption under the 
amendment made by this section. 
(d) EXISTING EXEMPTIONS.— 
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(1) EFFECT OF AMENDMENTS; TERMINATION.— 
Each exemption under section 30(c)(2) of the Outer 
Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1356(c)(2)) 
issued before the date of the enactment of this Act— 
(A) shall not be affected by the amendments 
made by this section during the 120-day period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
Act; and 
(B) shall not be effective after such period. 
(2) NOTIFICATION OF HOLDERS.—Not later than 
60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall notify all persons that hold such 
an exemption that it will expire as provided in para-
graph (1). 
(e) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
81 of the title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘8109. Exemptions from manning and crew requirements.’’. 
SEC. 347. CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES. 
Section 3316(d) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (2)(B)(i) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(i) the government of the foreign country in 
which the foreign society is headquartered— 
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‘‘(I) delegates that authority to the Amer-
ican Bureau of Shipping; or 
‘‘(II) does not delegate that authority to any 
classification society; or’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) CLARIFICATION
ON
AUTHORITY.—Nothing 
in this subsection authorizes the Secretary to make a 
delegation under paragraph (2) to a classification so-
ciety from the People’s Republic of China.’’. 
SEC. 348. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH SAFETY ZONES FOR 
SPECIAL 
ACTIVITIES 
IN 
EXCLUSIVE 
ECO-
NOMIC ZONE. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 8343 of the William M. (Mac) 
Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283) is repealed. 
(b) SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
IN EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC 
ZONE.—Subchapter I of chapter 700 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 70008. Special activities in exclusive economic zone 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating may establish safety 
zones to address special activities in the exclusive economic 
zone. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) SAFETY ZONE.—The term ‘safety zone’— 
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‘‘(A) means a water area, shore area, or 
water and shore area to which, for safety or en-
vironmental purposes, access is limited to au-
thorized persons, vehicles, or vessels; and 
‘‘(B) may be stationary and described by 
fixed limits or may be described as a zone 
around a vessel in motion. 
‘‘(2) SPECIAL ACTIVITIES.—The term ‘special ac-
tivities’ includes— 
‘‘(A) space activities, including launch and 
reentry (as such terms are defined in section 
50902 of title 51) carried out by United States 
citizens; and 
‘‘(B) offshore energy development activities, 
as described in section 8(p)(1)(C) of the Outer 
Continental 
Shelf 
Lands 
Act 
(43 
U.S.C. 
1337(p)(1)(C)), on or near fixed platforms (as 
such term is defined in section 2281(d) of title 
18). 
‘‘(3) 
UNITED
STATES
CITIZEN.—The 
term 
‘United States citizen’ has the meaning given the 
term ‘eligible owners’ in section 12103 of title 46, 
United States Code.’’. 
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(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
700 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 70007 the following: 
‘‘70008. Special activities in exclusive economic zone.’’. 
SEC. 349. FISHING VESSEL AND FISHERMAN TRAINING 
SAFETY. 
Section 4502 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (i)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)(ii) by striking 
‘‘; and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) 
as subparagraph (C); and 
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph 
(A) the following: 
‘‘(B) to conduct safety and prevention 
training that addresses behavioral and physical 
health risks, to include substance use disorder 
and worker fatigue, facing fishing vessel opera-
tors and crewmembers; and’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘, in consultation with 
and based on criteria established by the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard’’; and 
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(ii) by striking ‘‘subsection on a com-
petitive basis’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘subsection— 
‘‘(A) on a competitive basis; and 
‘‘(B) based on criteria developed in con-
sultation with the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard’’; and 
(C) 
in 
paragraph 
(4) 
by 
striking 
‘‘$3,000,000 for fiscal year 2023’’ and inserting 
‘‘to the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 
2026’’; and 
(2) in subsection (j)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘, and 
understanding and mitigating behavioral and 
physical health risks, to include substance use 
disorder and worker fatigue, facing members of 
the commercial fishing industry’’ after ‘‘weather 
detection’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘, in consultation with 
and based on criteria established by the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard,’’; and 
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(ii) by striking ‘‘subsection on a com-
petitive basis’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘subsection— 
‘‘(A) on a competitive basis; and 
‘‘(B) based on criteria developed in con-
sultation with the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard’’; and 
(C) 
in 
paragraph 
(4) 
by 
striking 
‘‘$3,000,000 for fiscal year 2023’’ and inserting 
‘‘to the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 
2026’’. 
SEC. 350. AUTHORITY OVER DEEPWATER PORT ACT OF 1974. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5(a) of the Deepwater Port 
Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1504(a)) is amended by striking 
the first sentence and inserting ‘‘Notwithstanding section 
888(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
468(b)), the Secretary shall have the authority to issue regu-
lations to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act, 
in accordance with the provisions of section 553 of title 5, 
United States Code, without regard to subsection (a) there-
of.’’. 
(b) AFFIRMING THE AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF 
TRANSPORTATION OVER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.—Sec-
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tion 5(f) of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 
1504(f) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) COMPLIANCE.—Notwithstanding section 888(b) of 
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(b)), the 
Secretary, in cooperation with other involved Federal agen-
cies and departments, shall comply with the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 
act as the lead agency under section 4336a of title 42, 
United States Code, for all applications under this Act. 
Such compliance shall fulfill the requirement of all Federal 
agencies in carrying out their responsibilities under the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 pursuant to this 
chapter.’’. 
(c) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
shall transfer the authorities provided to the Coast 
Guard in part 148 of title 33, Code of Federal Regu-
lations (as in effect on the date of the enactment of 
this Act), except as provided in paragraph (2), to the 
Secretary of Transportation. 
(2) RETENTION
OF
AUTHORITY.—The Com-
mandant shall retain responsibility for authorities 
pertaining to design, construction, equipment, and 
operation of deepwater ports and navigational safety. 
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(3) UPDATES TO AUTHORITY.—As soon as prac-
ticable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to 
reflect the updates to authorities prescribed by this 
subsection. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion, or the amendments made by this section, may be con-
strued to limit the authorities of other governmental agen-
cies previously delegated authorities of the Deepwater Port 
Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.). 
(e) APPLICATIONS.—Nothing in this section shall 
apply to any application submitted before the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 351. NATIONAL OFFSHORE SAFETY ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE COMPOSITION. 
Section 15106(c) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘15 members’’ 
and inserting ‘‘17 members’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3) by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(L) 2 members shall represent entities en-
gaged in non-mineral energy activities on the 
Outer Continental Shelf.’’. 
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SEC. 352. IMPROVING VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE MONI-
TORING. 
(a) PROXIMITY OF ANCHORAGES TO PIPELINES.— 
(1) 
IMPLEMENTATION
OF
RESTRUCTURING 
PLAN.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Commandant shall implement 
the November 2021 proposed plan of the Vessel Traffic 
Service Los Angeles-Long Beach for restructuring the 
Federal anchorages in San Pedro Bay described on 
page 54 of the Report of the National Transportation 
Safety Board titled ‘‘Anchor Strike of Underwater 
Pipeline and Eventual Crude Oil Release’’ and issued 
January 2, 2024. 
(2) STUDY.—The Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating shall conduct a 
study to identify any anchorage grounds other than 
the San Pedro Bay Federal anchorages in which the 
distance between the center of an approved anchorage 
ground and a pipeline is less than 1 mile. 
(3) REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant 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 
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a report on the results of the study required 
under paragraph (2). 
(B) CONTENTS.—The report under subpara-
graph (A) shall include— 
(i) a list of the anchorage grounds de-
scribed under paragraph (2); 
(ii) whether it is possible to move each 
such anchorage ground to provide a min-
imum distance of 1 mile; and 
(iii) a recommendation of whether to 
move any such anchorage ground and ex-
planation for the recommendation. 
(b) PROXIMITY TO PIPELINE ALERTS.— 
(1) AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARMS.—The Com-
mandant shall consult with the providers of vessel 
monitoring systems to add to the monitoring systems 
for vessel traffic services audible and visual alarms 
that alert the watchstander when an anchored vessel 
is encroaching on a pipeline. 
(2) NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Commandant shall develop procedures for all vessel 
traffic services to notify pipeline and utility operators 
following potential incursions on submerged pipelines 
within the vessel traffic service area of responsibility. 
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(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and annually there-
after, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on 
the implementation of paragraphs (1) and (2). 
SEC. 353. ABANDONED AND DERELICT VESSEL REMOVALS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 47 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) 
in 
the 
chapter 
heading 
by 
striking 
‘‘BARGES’’ and inserting ‘‘VESSELS’’; 
(2) by inserting before section 4701 the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—BARGES’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—NON-BARGE VESSELS 
‘‘§ 4710. Definitions 
‘‘In this subchapter: 
‘‘(1) ABANDON.—The term ‘abandon’ means to 
moor, strand, wreck, sink, or leave a covered vessel 
unattended for longer than 45 days. 
‘‘(2) COVERED VESSEL.—The term ‘covered ves-
sel’ means a vessel that is not a barge to which sub-
chapter I applies. 
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‘‘(3) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian Tribe’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘§ 4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An owner or operator of a covered 
vessel may not abandon such vessel on the navigable waters 
of the United States. 
‘‘(b) DETERMINATION OF ABANDONMENT.— 
‘‘(1) NOTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—With respect to a cov-
ered vessel that appears to be abandoned, the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall— 
‘‘(i) attempt to identify the owner 
using the vessel registration number, hull 
identification number, or any other infor-
mation that can be reasonably inferred or 
gathered; and 
‘‘(ii) notify such owner— 
‘‘(I) of the penalty described in 
subsection (c); and 
‘‘(II) that the vessel will be re-
moved at the expense of the owner if 
the Commandant determines that the 
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vessel is abandoned and the owner does 
not remove or account for the vessel. 
‘‘(B) FORM.—The Commandant shall pro-
vide the notice required under subparagraph 
(A)— 
‘‘(i) if the owner can be identified, via 
certified mail or other appropriate forms 
determined by the Commandant; or 
‘‘(ii) if the owner cannot be identified, 
via an announcement in a local publication 
and on a website maintained by the Coast 
Guard. 
‘‘(2) DETERMINATION.—The Commandant shall 
make a determination not earlier than 45 days after 
the date on which the Commandant provides the noti-
fication required under paragraph (1) of whether a 
covered vessel described in such paragraph is aban-
doned. 
‘‘(c) PENALTY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant may as-
sess a civil penalty of not more than $500 against an 
owner or operator of a covered vessel determined to be 
abandoned under subsection (b) for a violation of sub-
section (a). 
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‘‘(2) LIABILITY IN REM.—The owner or operator 
of a covered vessel shall also be liable in rem for a 
penalty imposed under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(d) VESSELS NOT ABANDONED.—The Commandant 
may not determine that a covered vessel is abandoned under 
this section if— 
‘‘(1) such vessel is located at a federally ap-
proved or State approved mooring area; 
‘‘(2) such vessel is located on private property 
with the permission of the owner of such property; 
‘‘(3) the owner or operator of such vessel provides 
a notification to the Commandant that— 
‘‘(A) indicates the location of the vessel; 
‘‘(B) indicates that the vessel is not aban-
doned; and 
‘‘(C) contains documentation proving that 
the vessel is allowed to be in such location; or 
‘‘(4) the Commandant determines that such an 
abandonment determination would not be in the pub-
lic interest. 
‘‘§ 4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Commandant, in con-
sultation with the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration and relevant State agen-
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cies, shall establish and maintain a national inventory of 
covered vessels that are abandoned. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The inventory established and main-
tained under subsection (a) shall include data on each ves-
sel, including geographic information system data related 
to the location of each such vessel. 
‘‘(c) PUBLICATION.—The Commandant shall make the 
inventory established under subsection (a) publicly avail-
able on a website of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(d) REPORTING OF POTENTIALLY ABANDONED VES-
SELS.—In carrying out this section, the Commandant shall 
develop a process by which— 
‘‘(1) a State, Indian Tribe, or person may report 
a covered vessel that may be abandoned to the Com-
mandant for potential inclusion in the inventory es-
tablished under subsection (a); and 
‘‘(2) the Commandant shall review any such re-
port and add such vessel to the inventory if the Com-
mandant determines that the reported vessel is aban-
doned pursuant to section 4711.’’. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—The Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating, in consultation with 
the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engi-
neers, and the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 
Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall issue 
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regulations with respect to the procedures for determining 
that a vessel is abandoned for the purposes of subchapter 
II of chapter 47 of title 46, United States Code (as added 
by this section). 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 47 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 4701— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
chapter’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘chapter’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’; 
(2) in section 4703 by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subchapter’’; 
(3) in section 4704 by striking ‘‘chapter’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’; and 
(4) in section 4705 by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subchapter’’. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for chap-
ter 47 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting before the item relating to sec-
tion 4701 the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—BARGES’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—VESSELS 
‘‘4710. Definitions. 
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‘‘4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited. 
‘‘4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels.’’. 
SEC. 354. NEAR SHORE CABLE LAYING BARGE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Until the date that is 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and notwithstanding sub-
section (b), the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating may not enforce citizenship re-
quirements under section 8103 of title 46, United States 
Code, or the credentialing requirements under section 8701 
of title 46, United States Code, with respect to a covered 
individual. 
(b) TRAINING.—Until the date that is 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall ensure 
that operators of near shore cable lay vertical trenching in-
jector equipment on barges on which covered individuals 
serve— 
(1) develop processes and requirements for con-
ducting certification and training such individuals; 
and 
(2) certify and train a sufficient cadre of quali-
fied individuals. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘‘covered 
individual’’ means an individual, including near 
shore cable lay vertical trenching injector operators or 
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near shore cable laying vertical trenching injector 
support personnel, who is— 
(A) engaged on board a barge for the pur-
pose of operating specialized equipment, includ-
ing a vertical trenching injector, necessary to lay 
near shore power cable in support of non-min-
eral energy exploration, development, and pro-
duction; and 
(B) not— 
(i) included in the complement of li-
censed individuals to be stated in the cer-
tificate of inspection issued under chapter 
33 of title 46, United States Code, to be nec-
essary by the Certificate of Inspection or to 
ensure the safe navigation of such vessel; or 
(ii) a member of the steward’s depart-
ment on such a barge. 
(2) QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘‘quali-
fied individual’’ means an individual qualified to— 
(A) serve on a vessel documented under 
chapter 121 of the title 46, United States Code, 
under section 8103 of such title; 
(B) receive a merchant mariner credential 
under section 8701 of title 46, United States 
Code; and 
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(C) available to operate and support the op-
eration of specialized near shore cable lay 
vertical trenching injectors on United States-doc-
umented barges in support of United States off-
shore non-mineral energy exploration, develop-
ment, and production. 
SEC. 355. ANCHORAGES. 
Section 8437 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub-
lic Law 116–283) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (d) and (e); 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
(d); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) PROHIBITION.—The Commandant shall prohibit 
any vessel anchoring on the reach of the Hudson River de-
scribed in subsection (a) unless such anchoring is within 
any anchorage established before January 1, 2021.’’. 
TITLE IV—OIL POLLUTION 
INCIDENT LIABILITY 
SEC. 401. VESSEL RESPONSE PLANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 311(j)(6) of the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(6)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
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‘‘(6) EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS, VERIFICATION, 
AND INSPECTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The President may re-
quire— 
‘‘(i) periodic inspection of containment 
booms, skimmers, vessels, and other major 
equipment used to remove discharges; 
‘‘(ii) periodic inspection of vessels, sal-
vage and marine firefighting equipment, 
and other major equipment used to respond 
to marine casualties or prevent discharges; 
‘‘(iii) periodic verification of capabili-
ties to appropriately, and in a timely man-
ner, respond to a marine casualty, a worst 
case discharge, or a substantial threat of a 
discharge, including— 
‘‘(I) drills, with or without prior 
notice; 
‘‘(II) review of contracts and rel-
evant third-party agreements; 
‘‘(III) testing of equipment; 
‘‘(IV) review of training; and 
‘‘(V) other evaluations of response 
capabilities, as determined appropriate 
by the President; and 
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‘‘(iv) vessels operating on navigable 
waters and carrying oil or a hazardous sub-
stance in bulk as cargo, and nontank vessels 
carrying oil of any kind as fuel for main 
propulsion, to carry appropriate removal 
equipment that employs the best technology 
economically feasible and that is compatible 
with the safe operation of the vessel. 
‘‘(B) MARINE
CASUALTY.—In this para-
graph, the term ‘marine casualty’ means a ma-
rine casualty that is required to be reported pur-
suant to section 6101 of title 46, United States 
Code.’’. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall submit to the Com-
mittee 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 state of marine firefighting authorities, 
jurisdiction, plan review, and other considerations 
with respect to vessel fires at waterfront facilities and 
within the navigable waters of the United States up 
to 3 nautical miles from the shoreline. 
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(2) CONTENTS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), 
the Comptroller General shall— 
(A) examine factors that affect Federal and 
non-Federal collaboration aimed at reducing ves-
sel and waterfront facility fire risk to local com-
munities; 
(B) focus on the prevalence and frequency of 
vessel fires described in paragraph (1); and 
(C) make recommendations for prepared-
ness, responses to, training for, and other items 
for consideration. 
SEC. 402. USE OF MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATIONS. 
Section 6308 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘initiated’’ and 
inserting ‘‘conducted’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) For purposes of this section, an administrative 
proceeding conducted by the United States includes pro-
ceedings under section 7701 and claims adjudicated under 
section 1013 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 
2713).’’. 
SEC. 403. TIMING OF REVIEW. 
Section 1017 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 
U.S.C. 2717) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(g) TIMING OF REVIEW.—Before the date of comple-
tion of a removal action, no person may bring an action 
under this Act, section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321), or chapter 7 of title 5, United 
States Code, challenging any decision relating to such re-
moval action that is made by an on-scene coordinator ap-
pointed under the National Contingency Plan.’’. 
SEC. 404. ONLINE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the National Response Center 
shall— 
(1) develop an online capacity through a web- 
based application to receive a notification of an oil 
discharge or release of a hazardous substance; and 
(2) allow any such notification to the National 
Response Center that is required under Federal law 
or regulation to be made online using the application. 
(b) USE OF APPLICATION.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the National Response Center may not require the noti-
fication of an oil discharge or release of a hazardous sub-
stance to be made using the application developed under 
such subsection. 
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100 
TITLE V—IMPLEMENTATION OF 
ACCOUNTABILITY 
AND 
TRANSPARENCY REVIEW REC-
OMMENDATIONS 
SEC. 501. IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF DIRECTED AC-
TIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 51 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 5116. Implementation status of directed actions 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2025, and 
not later than March 1 of each of the 3 subsequent years 
thereafter, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the status of the 
implementation of each directed action outlined in enclo-
sure 1 of the memorandum of the Commandant titled ‘Com-
mandant’s Directed Actions—Accountability and Trans-
parency’, dated November 27, 2023. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under section 
(a) shall contain the following: 
‘‘(1) The status of the implementation of each di-
rected action from enclosure 1 of the memorandum ti-
tled ‘Commandant’s Directed Actions—Accountability 
and Transparency’ dated November 27, 2023. 
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101 
‘‘(2) A plan and timeline for the next steps to be 
taken to complete outstanding directed actions in en-
closure 1 of the memorandum titled ‘Commandant’s 
Directed Actions—Accountability and Transparency’ 
dated November 27, 2023, including identifying the 
individual the Commandant has selected to ensure the 
successful completion of each directed action. 
‘‘(3) Metrics to determine the effectiveness of each 
directed action in such enclosure. 
‘‘(4) Any additional actions the Commandant is 
taking to mitigate instances of sexual assault and sex-
ual harassment within the Coast Guard.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
51 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘5116. Implementation status of directed actions.’’. 
SEC. 502. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF COAST GUARD RE-
FORMS. 
(a) GOVERNMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY
OFFICE
RE-
PORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall report to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
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102 
the efforts of the Coast Guard to mitigate cases of sex-
ual assault and sexual harassment within the service. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under 
paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) evaluate— 
(i) the efforts of the Commandant to 
implement the directed actions from enclo-
sure 1 of the memorandum titled ‘‘Com-
mandant’s 
Directed 
Actions—Account-
ability and Transparency’’ dated November 
27, 2023; 
(ii) whether the Commandant met the 
reporting requirements under section 5112 
of title 14, United States Code; and 
(iii) the effectiveness of the actions of 
the Coast Guard, including efforts outside of 
the actions described in the memorandum 
titled ‘‘Commandant’s Directed Actions— 
Accountability and Transparency’’ dated 
November 27, 2023, to mitigate instances of 
sexual assault and sexual harassment and 
improve the enforcement relating to such in-
stances within the Coast Guard, and how 
the Coast Guard is overcoming challenges in 
implementing such actions. 
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103 
(B) make recommendations to the Com-
mandant for improvements to the efforts of the 
service to mitigate instances of sexual assault 
and sexual harassment and improve the enforce-
ment relating to such instances within the Coast 
Guard; and 
(C) make recommendations to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate to mitigate instances of sexual assault 
and sexual harassment in the Coast Guard and 
improve the enforcement relating to such in-
stances within the Coast Guard, including pro-
posed changes to any legislative authorities. 
(b) REPORT BY COMMANDANT.—Not later than 90 
days after the date on which the Comptroller General com-
pletes all actions under subsection (a), the Commandant 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report that includes the following: 
(1) A plan for Coast Guard implementation, in-
cluding interim milestones and timeframes, of any 
recommendation made by the Comptroller General 
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under subsection (a)(2)(B) with which the Com-
mandant concurs. 
(2) With respect to any recommendation made 
under subsection (a)(2)(B) with which the Com-
mandant does not concur, an explanation of the rea-
sons why the Commandant does not concur. 
SEC. 503. REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN CERTAIN RECORDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 9 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 955. Requirement to maintain certain records 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall maintain 
all work product related to final action documenting a dis-
position decision on an investigation by the Coast Guard 
Investigative Service or other law enforcement entity inves-
tigating a Coast Guard member accused of misconduct for 
not less than 7 years from date of the disposition decision. 
‘‘(b) FINAL ACTION MEMO.—Upon a final action docu-
menting a disposition decision described in subsection (a), 
the convening authority or final decision making authority, 
as applicable, shall sign a final action memo that includes 
the following: 
‘‘(1) A reference section listing the materials re-
viewed in making a disposition decision. 
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‘‘(2) The Coast Guard Investigative Service re-
port of investigation listed as either a reference or an 
enclosure. 
‘‘(3) The prosecution memo, signed by the con-
vening authority or the final decision making author-
ity, listed and included as an enclosure. 
‘‘(4) The completed Coast Guard Investigative 
Service report of adjudication listed and included as 
an enclosure. 
‘‘(5) The disposition decision. 
‘‘(c) WORK PRODUCT.—In this section, the term ‘work 
product’ includes— 
‘‘(1) a prosecution memo; 
‘‘(2) emails, notes, and other correspondence re-
lated to a disposition decision; and 
‘‘(3) the content described in paragraphs (1) 
through (5) of subsection (b).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
9 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘955. Requirement to maintain certain records.’’. 
SEC. 504. STUDY ON COAST GUARD ACADEMY OVERSIGHT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in con-
sultation with relevant stakeholders, shall conduct a study 
on the governance of the Coast Guard Academy, including 
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examining the roles, responsibilities, authorities, advisory 
functions, and membership qualifications and expertise of 
the Board of Visitors and Board of Trustees of such Acad-
emy. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written report 
that contains— 
(1) the results of the study required under sub-
section (a); and 
(2) recommendations to improve governance at 
the Coast Guard Academy. 
SEC. 505. PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF A CADET WHO 
IS THE VICTIM OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT OR RE-
LATED OFFENSE. 
Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF 
CADET WHO IS THE VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR RE-
LATED OFFENSE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall pro-
vide for timely consideration of and action on a re-
quest submitted by a cadet appointed to the Coast 
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Guard Academy who is the victim of an alleged sex-
ual assault or other offense covered by section 920, 
920c, or 930 of title 10 (article 120, 120c, or 130 of 
the Uniform Code of Military Justice) for transfer to 
a Service Academy or to enroll in a Senior Reserve 
Officers’ Training Corps program affiliated with an-
other institution of higher education. 
‘‘(2) RULEMAKING.—The Commandant shall pre-
scribe regulations to carry out this subsection that— 
‘‘(A) ensure that any cadet who has been 
appointed to the Coast Guard Academy is in-
formed of the right to request a transfer pursu-
ant to this subsection, and that any formal re-
quest submitted by a cadet is processed as expe-
ditiously as practicable for review and action by 
the Superintendent; 
‘‘(B) direct the Superintendent of the Coast 
Guard Academy, in coordination with the Su-
perintendent of the Service Academy to which 
the cadet requests to transfer— 
‘‘(i) to act on a request for transfer 
under this subsection not later than 72 
hours after receiving the formal request 
from the cadet; 
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‘‘(ii) to approve such request for trans-
fer 
unless 
there 
are 
exceptional 
cir-
cumstances that require denial of the re-
quest; and 
‘‘(iii) upon approval of such request, to 
take all necessary and appropriate action to 
effectuate the transfer of the cadet to the 
Service Academy concerned as expeditiously 
as possible; and 
‘‘(C) direct the Superintendent of the Coast 
Guard Academy, in coordination with the Sec-
retary of the military department that sponsors 
the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps pro-
gram at the institution of higher education to 
which the cadet requests to transfer— 
‘‘(i) to act on a request for transfer 
under this subsection not later than 72 
hours after receiving the formal request 
from the cadet; 
‘‘(ii) subject to the cadet’s acceptance 
for admission to the institution of higher 
education to which the cadet wishes to 
transfer, to approve such request for trans-
fer 
unless 
there 
are 
exceptional 
cir-
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109 
cumstances that require denial of the re-
quest; and 
‘‘(iii) to take all necessary and appro-
priate action to effectuate the cadet’s enroll-
ment in the institution of higher education 
to which the cadet wishes to transfer and to 
process the cadet for participation in the 
relevant Senior Reserve Officers’ Training 
Corps program as expeditiously as possible. 
‘‘(3) DENIAL
OF
TRANSFER
REQUEST.—If the 
Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy denies a 
request for transfer under this subsection, the cadet 
may request review of the denial by the Secretary of 
the Department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating, who shall act on such request not later than 72 
hours after receipt of the formal request for review. 
‘‘(4) CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS.—The Sec-
retary of the Department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating shall ensure that all records of any re-
quest, determination, transfer, or other action under 
this subsection remain confidential, consistent with 
applicable law and regulation. 
‘‘(5) APPOINTMENT
TO
SERVICE
ACADEMY.—A 
cadet who transfers under this subsection may retain 
the cadet’s appointment to the Coast Guard Academy 
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or may be appointed to the Service Academy to which 
the cadet transfers without regard to the limitations 
and requirements described in sections 7442, 8454, 
and 9442 of title 10. 
‘‘(6) APPOINTMENT UPON GRADUATION.— 
‘‘(A) PREFERENCE.—A cadet who transfers 
under this subsection to a Service Academy, is 
entitled, before graduating from such Academy, 
to state the preference of the cadet for appoint-
ment, upon graduation, as a commissioned offi-
cer in the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(B) MANNER
OF
APPOINTMENT.—Upon 
graduation, a cadet described in subparagraph 
(A) is entitled to be accepted for appointment as 
a permanent commissioned officer in the Regular 
Coast Guard in the same manner as graduates 
of the Coast Guard Academy as described in sec-
tion 2101. 
‘‘(7) COMMISSION INTO COAST GUARD.—A cadet 
who transfers under this subsection to a Senior Re-
serve Officers’ Training Corps program affiliated 
with another institution of higher education is enti-
tled upon graduation from the Senior Reserve Offi-
cers’ Training program to commission into the Coast 
Guard as described in section 3738a. 
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‘‘(8) SERVICE ACADEMY DEFINED.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘Service Academy’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 347 of title 10.’’. 
SEC. 506. DESIGNATION OF OFFICERS WITH PARTICULAR 
EXPERTISE 
IN 
MILITARY 
JUSTICE 
OR 
HEALTHCARE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 21 of title 
14, United States Code is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 2132. Designation of officers with particular exper-
tise in military justice or healthcare 
‘‘(a) SECRETARY DESIGNATION.—The Secretary may 
designate a limited number of officers of the Coast Guard 
as having particular expertise in— 
‘‘(1) military justice; or 
‘‘(2) healthcare. 
‘‘(b) PROMOTION AND GRADE.—An individual des-
ignated under this section— 
‘‘(1) shall not be included on the active duty pro-
motion list; 
‘‘(2) shall be promoted under section 2126; and 
‘‘(3) may not be promoted to a grade higher than 
captain.’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
21 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 2131 the following: 
‘‘2132. Designation of officers with particular expertise in military justice or 
healthcare.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 2102(a) of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended, in the second sentence, by striking 
‘‘and officers of the permanent commissioned teaching 
staff of the Coast Guard Academy’’ and inserting ‘‘of-
ficers of the permanent commissioned teaching staff of 
the Coast Guard Academy, and officers designated by 
the Secretary pursuant to section 2132’’. 
(2) Subsection (e) of section 2103 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) SECRETARY TO PRESCRIBE NUMBERS FOR CER-
TAIN OFFICERS.—The Secretary shall prescribe the number 
of officers authorized to be serving on active duty in each 
grade of— 
‘‘(1) the permanent commissioned teaching staff 
of the Coast Guard Academy; 
‘‘(2) the officers designated by the Secretary pur-
suant to section 2132; and 
‘‘(3) the officers of the Reserve serving in connec-
tion with organizing, administering, recruiting, in-
structing, or training the reserve components.’’. 
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(3) Section 2126 of title 14, United States Code, 
is amended, in the second sentence, by inserting ‘‘and 
as to officers designated by the Secretary pursuant to 
section 2132’’ after ‘‘reserve components’’. 
(4) Section 3736(a) of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(A) in the first sentence by striking ‘‘pro-
motion list and the’’ and inserting ‘‘promotion 
list, officers designated by the Secretary pursu-
ant to section 2132, and the officers on the’’; and 
(B) in the second sentence by striking ‘‘pro-
motion list or the’’ and inserting ‘‘promotion 
list, officers designated by the Secretary pursu-
ant to section 2132, or the officers on the’’. 
SEC. 507. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PER-
SONNEL OF COAST GUARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 2517. Direct hire authority for certain personnel of 
Coast Guard 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant may appoint, 
without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 
33 of title 5 (other than section 3303 and 3328 of such chap-
ter), qualified candidates to any non-clinical specialist in-
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tended to engage in the integrated primary prevention of 
harmful behaviors, including suicide, sexual assault, har-
assment, domestic abuse, and child abuse and qualified can-
didates to any criminal investigative law enforcement posi-
tion of the Coast Guard Criminal Investigative Service in-
tended to engage in the primary response to such harmful 
behaviors. 
‘‘(b) SUNSET.—Effective on September 30, 2034, the 
authority provided under subsection (a) shall cease.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item related to section 2516 the following: 
‘‘2517. Direct hire authority for certain personnel of United States Coast Guard.’’. 
SEC. 508. SAFE-TO-REPORT POLICY FOR COAST GUARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 19 of title 
14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘§ 1908. Safe-to-report policy for Coast Guard 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall, in consultation 
with the Secretaries of the military departments, issue such 
regulations as are necessary to establish the safe-to-report 
policy described in subsection (b) that applies with respect 
to all members of the Coast Guard (including members of 
the reserve and auxiliary components of the Coast Guard) 
and cadets at the Coast Guard Academy. 
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‘‘(b) SAFE-TO-REPORT
POLICY.—The safe-to-report 
policy described in this subsection is a policy that prescribes 
the handling of minor collateral misconduct involving a 
member of the Coast Guard who is the alleged victim or 
reporting witness of a sexual assault. 
‘‘(c) 
MITIGATING
AND
AGGRAVATING
CIR-
CUMSTANCES.—In issuing regulations under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall specify mitigating circumstances that 
decrease the gravity of minor collateral misconduct or the 
impact of such misconduct on good order and discipline and 
aggravating circumstances that increase the gravity of 
minor collateral misconduct or the impact of such mis-
conduct on good order and discipline for purposes of the 
safe-to-report policy. 
‘‘(d) TRACKING OF COLLATERAL MISCONDUCT INCI-
DENTS.—In conjunction with the issuance of regulations 
under subsection (a), Secretary shall develop and imple-
ment a process to anonymously track incidents of minor 
collateral misconduct that are subject to the safe-to-report 
policy established under such regulations. 
‘‘(e) MINOR COLLATERAL MISCONDUCT DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘minor collateral misconduct’ means 
any minor misconduct that is punishable under chapter 47 
of title 10 that— 
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‘‘(1) is committed close in time to or during a 
sexual assault and directly related to the incident 
that formed the basis of the sexual assault allegation; 
‘‘(2) is discovered as a direct result of the report 
of sexual assault or the ensuing investigation into 
such sexual assault; and 
‘‘(3) does not involve aggravating circumstances 
(as specified in the regulations issued under sub-
section (a)) that increase the gravity of the minor 
misconduct or the impact of such misconduct on good 
order and discipline.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
19 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 1907 (as added 
by this Act) the following: 
‘‘1908. Safe-to-report policy for Coast Guard.’’. 
SEC. 509. MODIFICATION OF DELIVERY DATE OF COAST 
GUARD SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORT. 
Section 5112(a) of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘January 15’’ and inserting ‘‘March 
1’’. 
SEC. 510. HIGHER-LEVEL REVIEW OF BOARD OF DETER-
MINATION DECISIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2158 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended— 
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(1) in the first sentence by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) HIGHER-LEVEL REVIEW OF SEXUAL ASSAULT 
CASES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If a board convened under 
this section determines that the officer should be re-
tained when the officer’s record indicates that the offi-
cer has committed a sexual assault offense, the board 
shall forward the record of the proceedings and rec-
ommendation of the board for higher-level review, in 
accordance with regulations prescribed by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORITY.—The official exercising higher- 
level review shall have authority to forward the case 
for consideration by a Board of Inquiry in accord-
ance with section 2159. 
‘‘(c) SEXUAL ASSAULT OFFENSE DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘sexual assault offense’ means a violation 
of section 920 or 920b of title 10, United States Code (arti-
cle 120 or 120b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) 
or attempt to commit an offense specified under section 920 
or 920b as punishable under section 880 of such title (arti-
cle 80 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).’’. 
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SEC. 511. REVIEW OF DISCHARGE OR DISMISSAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 
14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘§ 2518. Review of discharge or dismissal 
‘‘(a) DOWNGRADE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the require-
ments of section 1553 of title 10, a board of review 
for a former member of the Coast Guard established 
pursuant to such section may, upon a motion of the 
board and subject to review by the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating, 
downgrade an honorable discharge or dismissal to a 
general (under honorable conditions) discharge or dis-
missal upon a finding that a former member of the 
Coast Guard, while serving on active duty as a mem-
ber of the armed forces, committed sexual assault or 
sexual harassment in violation of section 920, 920b, 
or 934 of this title (article 120, 120b, or 134 of the 
Uniform Code of Military Justice). 
‘‘(2) EVIDENCE.—Any downgrade under para-
graph (1) shall be supported by clear and convincing 
evidence. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—The review board under 
paragraph (1) may not downgrade a discharge or dis-
missal of a former member of the Coast Guard if the 
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119 
same action described in paragraph (1) was consid-
ered prior to separation from active duty by an ad-
ministrative board in determining the characteriza-
tion of discharge as otherwise provided by law and in 
accordance with regulations prescribed by the Sec-
retary of the Department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating. 
‘‘(b) PROCEDURAL RIGHTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A review by a board estab-
lished under section 1553 of title 10 shall be based on 
the records of the armed forces concerned and such 
other evidence as may be presented to the board. 
‘‘(2) EVIDENCE
BY
WITNESS.—A witness may 
present evidence to the board in person or by affi-
davit. 
‘‘(3) APPEARANCE
BEFORE
BOARD.—A person 
who requests a review under this section may appear 
before the board in person or by counsel or an accred-
ited representative of an organization recognized by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under chapter 59 of 
title 38. 
‘‘(4) NOTIFICATION.—A former member of the 
Coast Guard who is subject to a downgrade in dis-
charge characterization review under subsection (b)(3) 
shall be notified in writing of such proceedings, af-
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forded the right to obtain copies of records and docu-
ments relevant to the proceedings, and the right to ap-
pear before the board in person or by counsel or an 
accredited representative of an organization recog-
nized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under 
chapter 59 of title 38.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 2517 (as added 
by this Act) the following: 
‘‘2518. Review of discharge or dismissal.’’. 
SEC. 512. CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER AS GROUNDS FOR DE-
NIAL. 
Section 7511(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘State, local, or 
Tribal law’’ and inserting ‘‘Federal, State, local, or 
Tribal law’’; 
(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as para-
graph (3); and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) section 920 or 920b of title 10 (article 120 
and 120b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice); 
or’’. 
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121 
SEC. 513. COAST GUARD ACADEMY ROOM REASSIGNMENT. 
Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) ROOM REASSIGNMENT.—Coast Guard Academy 
Cadets may request room reassignment if experiencing dis-
comfort due to Coast Guard Academy rooming assign-
ments.’’ 
TITLE VI—AMENDMENTS 
SEC. 601. AMENDMENTS. 
(a) PROHIBITION ON ENTRY AND OPERATION.—Sec-
tion 70022(b)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘Federal Register’’ and inserting ‘‘the Federal 
Register’’. 
(b) PORT, HARBOR, AND COASTAL FACILITY SECU-
RITY.—Section 70116(b) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘terrorism 
cyber’’ and inserting ‘‘terrorism, cyber’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2) by inserting a comma after 
‘‘acts of terrorism’’. 
(c) ENFORCEMENT BY STATE AND LOCAL OFFICERS.— 
Section 70118(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking ‘‘section 1 of title II of the Act 
of June 15, 1917 (chapter 30; 50 U.S.C. 191)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘section 70051’’; and 
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(g) OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990.—The Oil Pollution 
Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) is amended as follows: 
(1) Section 1001(32)(G) (33 U.S.C. 2701(32)(G)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘pipeline’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘offshore facility’’ and inserting ‘‘pipeline, 
offshore facility’’. 
(2) Section 1016 (33 U.S.C. 2716) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsections (e) through 
(i) as subsections (d) through (h), respectively; 
and 
(B) in subsection (e)(1)(B), as redesignated 
by subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (d)’’. 
(3) Section 1012(b)(2) (33 U.S.C. 2712(b)(2)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 1016(f)(1)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘section 1016(e)(1)’’. 
(4) 
Section 
1005(b)(5)(B) 
(33 
U.S.C. 
2705(b)(5)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘section 
1016(g)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 1016(f)’’. 
(5) Section 1018(c) (33 U.S.C. 2718(c)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘the Act of March 3, 1851 (46 
U.S.C. 183 et seq.)’’ and inserting ‘‘chapter 305 of 
title 46, United States Code’’. 
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