163 
‘‘(iii) any other matter such des-
ignated Federal officer or the Board con-
siders appropriate. 
‘‘(C) SCHEDULING.—In scheduling a meet-
ing of the Board, such designated Federal offi-
cer shall coordinate, to the greatest extent prac-
ticable, with the members of the Board to de-
termine the date and time of the meeting. 
‘‘(D) NOTIFICATION.—Not less than 30 
days before each scheduled meeting of the 
Board, such designated Federal officer shall no-
tify each member of the Board of the time, 
date, and location of the meeting. 
‘‘(2) STAFF.— 
‘‘(A) DESIGNATION.—The chairperson and 
the ranking member of the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate and the chairperson and the ranking mem-
ber of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
may each designate 1 staff member of each 
such Committees. 
‘‘(B) ROLE.—Staff designated under sub-
paragraph (A)— 
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‘‘(i) may attend and participate in vis-
its and carry out consultations described 
under subsection (c)(1) and attend and 
participate in meetings described under 
paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(ii) may not otherwise carry out du-
ties or take actions reserved to members of 
the Board under this section. 
‘‘(3) ADVISORS.—If approved by the Secretary, 
the Board may consult with advisors in carrying out 
the duties of the Board under this section. 
‘‘(4) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 60 
days after the date on which the Board con-
ducts a meeting of the Board under paragraph 
(1), the Deputy Commandant for Mission Sup-
port, in consultation with the Board, shall sub-
mit a report on the actions of the Board during 
the meeting and the recommendations of the 
Board pertaining to the Academy to— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation and the Com-
mittee on Armed Services of the Senate; 
and 
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‘‘(iii) the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure and the Com-
mittee on Armed Services of the House of 
Representatives. 
‘‘(B) PUBLICATION.—Each report sub-
mitted under this paragraph shall be published 
on a publicly accessible website of the Coast 
Guard. 
‘‘(e) DISCLOSURE.—The Commandant and the Su-
perintendent of the Academy shall ensure candid and com-
plete disclosure to the Board, consistent with applicable 
laws relating to disclosure of information, with respect 
to— 
‘‘(1) each issue described in subsection (c)(2); 
and 
‘‘(2) any other issue the Board or the Com-
mandant considers appropriate. 
‘‘(f) COAST GUARD SUPPORT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall— 
‘‘(A) provide support to the Board, as 
Board considers necessary for the performance 
of the duties of the Board; 
‘‘(B) designate a Federal officer to support 
the performance of the duties of the Board; and 
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‘‘(C) in cooperation with the Super-
intendent of the Academy, advise the Board of 
any institutional issues, consistent with applica-
ble laws concerning the disclosure of informa-
tion. 
‘‘(2) REIMBURSEMENT.—Each member of the 
Board and each advisor consulted by the Board 
under subsection (d)(3) shall be reimbursed, to the 
extent permitted by law, by the Coast Guard for ac-
tual expenses incurred while engaged in duties as a 
member or advisor. 
‘‘(g) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which the first session of each Congress con-
venes, the Commandant shall provide to the chairperson 
and ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the chair-
person and ranking member of the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives, and the President notification of the requirements 
of this section.’’. 
SEC. 262. 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 Annual Board of Visitors established under section 
1903 of title 14, United States Code, and Board of Trust-
ees established under the United States Coast Guard 
Academy Board of Trustees Charter. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study under sub-
section (a), the Commandant shall examine— 
(1) the authorities regarding Coast Guard and 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
oversight of the Coast Guard Academy, including 
considerations of how the Coast Guard and depart-
ment may impact accreditation review at the Acad-
emy; 
(2) the roles and responsibilities of the Board 
of Trustees and Board of Visitors of such Academy; 
(3) the Coast Guard roles and responsibilities 
with respect to management and facilitation of the 
Board of Trustees and Board of Visitors of such 
Academy; 
(4) the advisory functions of the Board of 
Trustees and Board of Visitors of such Academy; 
and 
(5) the membership of the Board of Trustees 
and Board of Visitors for the 10-year period pre-
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ceding the date of enactment of this Act, to include 
expertise, objectiveness, and effectiveness in con-
ducting oversight of such Academy. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a re-
port 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. 263. ELECTRONIC LOCKING MECHANISMS TO ENSURE 
COAST GUARD ACADEMY CADET ROOM SECU-
RITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in con-
sultation with the Superintendent of the Coast Guard 
Academy (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Super-
intendent’’), shall— 
(1) install an electronic locking mechanism for 
each room at the Coast Guard Academy within 
which 1 or more Coast Guard Academy cadets reside 
overnight; 
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(2) test each such mechanism not less than 
once every 6 months for proper function and main-
tained in proper working order; and 
(3) use a system that electronically records the 
date, time, and identity of each individual who ac-
cesses a cadet room using an electronic access token, 
code, card, or other electronic means, which shall be 
maintained in accordance with the general schedule 
for records retention, or a period of five years, 
whichever is later. 
(b) ELECTRONIC LOCKING MECHANISMS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each electronic locking 
mechanism described in subsection (a) shall be coded 
in a manner that provides access to a room de-
scribed in such subsection only to— 
(A) the 1 or more cadets assigned to the 
room; and 
(B) such Coast Guard Academy officers, 
administrators, staff, or security personnel, in-
cluding personnel of the Coast Guard Investiga-
tive Service, as are necessary to access the 
room in the event of an emergency. 
(2) EXISTING MECHANISMS.—Not later than 30 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Su-
perintendent shall ensure that electronic locking 
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mechanisms installed in academic buildings of the 
Coast Guard Academy, Chase Hall common spaces, 
and in any other location at the Coast Guard Acad-
emy are maintained in proper working order. 
(c) ACCESS POLICY INSTRUCTION.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Super-
intendent shall promulgate a policy regarding cadet room 
security policies and procedures, which shall include, at 
a minimum— 
(1) a prohibition on sharing with any other 
cadet, employee, or other individual electronic access 
tokens, codes, cards, or other electronic means of ac-
cessing a cadet room; 
(2) procedures for resetting electronic locking 
mechanisms in the event of a lost, stolen, or other-
wise compromised electronic access token, code, 
card, or other electronic means of accessing a cadet 
room; 
(3) procedures to maintain the identity of each 
individual who accesses a cadet room using an elec-
tronic access token, code, card, or other electronic 
means, while ensuring the security of personally 
identifiable information and protecting the privacy of 
any such individual, as appropriate; 
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(4) procedures by which cadets may report to 
the chain of command the malfunction of an elec-
tronic locking mechanism; and 
(5) a schedule of testing to ensure the proper 
functioning of electronic locking mechanisms. 
(d) MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.—The Su-
perintendent shall ensure that each Coast Guard Academy 
cadet receives, not later than 1 day after the date of the 
initial arrival of the cadet at the Coast Guard Academy, 
an initial training session, and any other training the Su-
perintendent considers necessary, on— 
(1) the use of electronic locking mechanisms in-
stalled under this section; and 
(2) the policy promulgated under subsection (c). 
SEC. 264. REPORT ON EXISTING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND 
WELLNESS SUPPORT SERVICES FACILITIES 
AT COAST GUARD ACADEMY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate and the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
a report on existing behavioral health and wellness support 
services facilities at the Coast Guard Academy in which 
Coast Guard Academy cadets and officer candidates, re-
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spectively, may receive timely and independent behavioral 
health and wellness support services, including via tele-
medicine. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
(1) an identification of each building at the 
Coast Guard Academy that contains a dormitory or 
other overnight accommodations for cadets or officer 
candidates; and 
(2)(A) an identification of additional behavioral 
health or wellness support services that would be 
beneficial to cadets and officer candidates, such as 
additional facilities with secure access to telemedi-
cine; 
(B) a description of the benefits that such 
services would provide to cadets and officer can-
didates, particularly to cadets and officer can-
didates who have experienced sexual assault or 
sexual harassment; and 
(C) a description of the resources nec-
essary to provide such services. 
SEC. 265. REQUIRED POSTING OF INFORMATION. 
The Commandant shall ensure that, in each building 
at the Coast Guard Academy that contains a dormitory 
or other overnight accommodations for cadets or officer 
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candidates, written information is posted in a visible loca-
tion with respect to— 
(1) the methods and means by which a cadet or 
officer candidate may report a crime, including har-
assment, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and any 
other offense; 
(2) the contact information for the Coast Guard 
Investigative Service; 
(3) external resources for— 
(A) wellness support; 
(B) work-life; 
(C) medical services; and 
(D) support relating to behavioral health, 
civil rights, sexual assault, and sexual harass-
ment; and 
(4) cadet and officer candidate rights with re-
spect to reporting incidents to the Coast Guard In-
vestigative Service, civilian authorities, the Office of 
the Inspector General of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating, and any other applica-
ble entity. 
SEC. 266. INSTALLATION OF MULTIPURPOSE MEDICAL PRI-
VACY ROOMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the depart-
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ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall install 
or construct at the Coast Guard Academy not fewer than 
2 rooms to be used for the purpose of providing privacy 
to cadets and officer candidates seeking medical or other 
health-related services. 
(b) STANDARDS OF ROOMS.—Each room installed or 
constructed under this section shall— 
(1) be equipped— 
(A) in a manner that ensures the protec-
tion of the privacy of cadets and officer can-
didates, consistent with law and policy; 
(B) with a telephone and computer to 
allow for the provision of telehealth appoint-
ments or other services both virtual and in per-
son; and 
(C) with an accessible and private wireless 
internet connection for the use of personal com-
munications devices at the discretion of the 
cadet or officer candidate concerned; and 
(2) to the extent practicable and consistent with 
good order and discipline, be accessible to cadets 
and officer candidates at all times; and 
(3) contain the written information described in 
section 265, which shall be posted in a visible loca-
tion. 
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SEC. 267. COAST GUARD ACADEMY ROOM REASSIGNMENT. 
Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) ROOM REASSIGNMENT.—Coast Guard Academy 
cadets may request room reassignment if experiencing dis-
comfort due to Coast Guard Academy rooming assign-
ments, consistent with policy.’’. 
SEC. 268. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF COAST GUARD 
ACADEMY FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT BY 
COVERED FOUNDATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 19 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 1908. Authorization for use of Coast Guard Acad-
emy facilities and equipment by covered 
foundations 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—Subject to subsections (b) and 
(c), the Secretary, with the concurrence of the Super-
intendent of the Coast Guard Academy, may authorize a 
covered foundation to use, on a reimbursable or nonreim-
bursable basis as determined by the Secretary, facilities 
or equipment of the Coast Guard Academy. 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITION.—The Secretary may not author-
ize any use of facilities or equipment under subsection (a) 
if such use may jeopardize the health, safety, or well-being 
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of any member of the Coast Guard or cadet of the Coast 
Guard Academy. 
‘‘(c) LIMITATIONS.—The Secretary may only author-
ize the use of facilities or equipment under subsection (a) 
if such use— 
‘‘(1) is without any liability of the United 
States to the covered foundation; 
‘‘(2) does not— 
‘‘(A) 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; 
‘‘(B) compromise the integrity or appear-
ance of integrity of any program of the Coast 
Guard, or any individual involved in any such 
program; or 
‘‘(C) include the participation of any cadet 
of the Coast Guard Academy at an event of the 
covered foundation, other than participation of 
such a cadet in an honor guard; 
‘‘(3) complies with any applicable ethics regula-
tion; and 
‘‘(4) has been reviewed and approved by an at-
torney of the Coast Guard. 
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‘‘(d) ISSUANCE OF POLICIES.—The Secretary shall 
issue Coast Guard policies to carry out this section. 
‘‘(e) BRIEFING.—For any fiscal year in which the 
Secretary exercises the authority under subsection (a), not 
later than the last day of such fiscal year, the Com-
mandant shall provide a briefing to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives on the number of events or 
activities of a covered foundation supported by such exer-
cise of authority during the fiscal year. 
‘‘(f) COVERED FOUNDATION DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘covered foundation’ means an organization 
that— 
‘‘(1) is a charitable, educational, or civic non-
profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and 
‘‘(2) the Secretary determines operates exclu-
sively to support— 
‘‘(A) recruiting activities with respect to 
the Coast Guard Academy; 
‘‘(B) parent or alumni development in sup-
port of the Coast Guard Academy; 
‘‘(C) academic, leadership, or character de-
velopment of Coast Guard Academy cadets; 
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‘‘(D) institutional development of the 
Coast Guard Academy; or 
‘‘(E) athletics in support of the Coast 
Guard Academy.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended 
by inserting after the item relating to item 1907 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘1908. Authorization for use of Coast Guard Academy facilities and equipment 
by covered foundations.’’. 
SEC. 269. CONCURRENT JURISDICTION AT COAST GUARD 
ACADEMY. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Sec-
retary of the department in which the Coast Guard is op-
erating may establish concurrent jurisdiction between the 
Federal Government and the State of Connecticut over the 
lands constituting the Coast Guard Academy in New Lon-
don, Connecticut, as necessary to facilitate the ability of 
the State of Connecticut and City of New London to inves-
tigate and prosecute any crimes cognizable under Con-
necticut law that are committed on such Coast Guard 
Academy property. 
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Subtitle F—Reports and Policies 
SEC. 271. POLICY AND BRIEFING ON AVAILABILITY OF 
NALOXONE TO TREAT OPIOID, INCLUDING 
FENTANYL, OVERDOSES. 
(a) POLICY.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall update 
the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medica-
tion to treat drug overdoses, including the use of naloxone 
or other similar medication to treat opioid, including 
fentanyl, overdoses. 
(b) AVAILABILITY.—The updated policy required 
under subsection (a) shall require naloxone or other simi-
lar medication be available for members of the Coast 
Guard— 
(1) on all Coast Guard installations; and 
(2) in each operational environment. 
(c) PARTICIPATION
IN TRACKING SYSTEM.—Not 
later than 1 year after the earlier of the date of enactment 
of this Act or the date on which the tracking system estab-
lished under section 706 of the National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 1090 note) 
is established, the Commandant shall ensure the participa-
tion of the Coast Guard in the such tracking system. 
(d) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.—Not later 
than 1 year after the earlier of the date of enactment of 
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this Act or the date on which the tracking system estab-
lished under section 706 of the National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 1090 note) 
is established, the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a 
service in the Navy and the Secretary of Defense shall fi-
nalize a memorandum of understanding to facilitate Coast 
Guard access such tracking system. 
(e) BRIEFING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives a briefing on the use, by 
members and personnel of the Coast Guard at Coast 
Guard facilities, onboard Coast Guard assets, and 
during Coast Guard operations, of— 
(A) naloxone or other similar medication to 
treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses; and 
(B) opioids, including fentanyl. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The briefing required under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A description of— 
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(i) the progress made in the imple-
mentation of the updated policy required 
under subsection (a); 
(ii) the prevalence and incidence of 
the illegal use of fentanyl and other con-
trolled substances in the Coast Guard dur-
ing the 5-year period preceding the brief-
ing; 
(iii) processes of the Coast Guard to 
mitigate substance abuse in the Coast 
Guard, 
particularly 
with 
respect 
to 
fentanyl; and 
(iv) the status of the memorandum of 
understanding required under subsection 
(d). 
(B) For the 5-year period preceding the 
briefing, a review of instances in which 
naloxone or other similar medication was used 
to treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses at 
a Coast Guard facility, onboard a Coast Guard 
asset, or during a Coast Guard operation. 
(f) PRIVACY.—In carrying out the requirements of 
this section, the Commandant shall ensure compliance 
with all applicable privacy law, including section 552a of 
title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the 
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‘‘Privacy Act’’), and the privacy regulations promulgated 
under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability 
and Accountability Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note). 
(g) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—For purposes of the 
availability requirement under subsection (b), with respect 
to a Coast Guard installation comprised of multiple Coast 
Guard facilities or units, naloxone or other similar medica-
tion available at a single Coast Guard facility within the 
installation shall be considered to be available to all Coast 
Guard facilities or units on the installation if appropriate 
arrangements are in place to ensure access, at all times 
during operations, to the naloxone or other similar medica-
tion contained within such single Coast Guard facility. 
SEC. 272. POLICY ON METHODS TO REDUCE INCENTIVES 
FOR ILLICIT MARITIME DRUG TRAFFICKING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in con-
sultation with the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement 
Administration, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary 
of Defense, shall develop a policy, consistent with the Con-
stitution of the United States, as well as domestic and 
international law, to address, disincentivize, and interdict 
illicit trafficking by sea of controlled substances (and pre-
cursors of controlled substances) being transported to 
produce illicit synthetic drugs. 
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(b) ELEMENTS.—The policy required under sub-
section (a) shall— 
(1) include a requirement that, to the maximum 
extent practicable, a vessel unlawfully transporting a 
controlled substance or precursors of a controlled 
substance being transported to produce illicit syn-
thetic drugs, be seized or appropriately disposed of 
consistent with domestic and international law, as 
well as any international agreements to which the 
United States is a party; and 
(2) aim to reduce incentives for illicit maritime 
drug trafficking on a global scale, including in the 
Eastern Pacific Ocean, the Indo-Pacific region, the 
Caribbean, and the Middle East. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall brief the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 
the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee 
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the 
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Rep-
resentatives on— 
(1) the policy developed pursuant to subsection 
(a); and 
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(2) recommendations with respect to— 
(A) additional methods for reducing illicit 
drug trafficking; and 
(B) additional resources necessary to im-
plement the policy required under subsection 
(a) and methods recommended under subpara-
graph (A). 
SEC. 273. REPORT ON CONDITION OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION. 
(a) PROVISION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 270 
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 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, the First 
Coast Guard District, and the Thirteenth Coast Guard 
District. 
(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; 
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(3) an overview of the plan of the Coast Guard 
to systematically service each buoy located in the 
First Coast Guard District; 
(4) an overview of the plan of the Coast Guard 
to systematically service each buoy located in the 
Thirteenth Coast Guard District; and 
(5) assigned points of contact. 
(c) LIMITATION.—Beginning on the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Commandant may not remove the 
aids to navigation covered in subsection (a), unless there 
is an imminent threat to life or safety, until a period of 
180 days has elapsed following the date on which the Com-
mandant submits the report required under subsection (a). 
SEC. 274. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON SUPPORTING ADDI-
TIONAL PORT VISITS AND DEPLOYMENTS IN 
SUPPORT OF OPERATION BLUE PACIFIC. 
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 when not operating as a service 
in the Navy, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, 
shall— 
(1) complete a study on the feasibility and ad-
visability of supporting additional Coast Guard port 
visits and deployments in support of Operation Blue 
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Pacific, or any successor operation oriented toward 
Oceania; 
(2) include, as part of the study under para-
graph (1), an analysis of where any Coast Guard as-
sets used for port visits and deployments in support 
of Operation Blue Pacific, or any successor oper-
ation oriented toward Oceania, will be transferred 
from and any associated gaps in Coast Guard cov-
erage any such transfer will create; and 
(3) submit to the Committee on Armed Services 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Armed Services and the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
atives a report on the findings of such study. 
SEC. 275. STUDY AND GAP ANALYSIS WITH RESPECT TO 
COAST GUARD AIR STATION CORPUS CHRISTI 
AVIATION HANGAR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall com-
mence a study and gap analysis with respect to the avia-
tion hangar at Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi 
and the capacity of such hangar to accommodate the air-
craft currently assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Cor-
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pus Christi and any aircraft anticipated to be so assigned 
in the future. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study and gap analysis re-
quired by subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An identification of hangar infrastructure 
requirements needed— 
(A) to meet mission requirements for all 
aircraft currently assigned to Coast Guard Air 
Station Corpus Christi; and 
(B) to accommodate the assignment of an 
additional HC–144 Ocean Sentry aircraft to 
Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi. 
(2) An assessment as to whether the aviation 
hangar at Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi 
is sufficient to accommodate all rotary-wing assets 
assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi. 
(3) In the case of an assessment that such 
hangar is insufficient to accommodate all such ro-
tary-wing assets, a description of the facility modi-
fications that would be required to do so. 
(4) An assessment of the facility modifications 
of such hangar that would be required to accommo-
date all aircraft assigned to Coast Guard Air Station 
Corpus Christi upon completion of the transition 
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from the MH–65 rotary-wing aircraft to the MH– 
60T rotary-wing aircraft. 
(5) An evaluation with respect to which fixed- 
wing assets assigned to Coast Guard Air Station 
Corpus Christi should be enclosed in such hangar so 
as to most effectively mitigate the effects of corro-
sion while meeting mission requirements. 
(6) An evaluation as to whether, and to what 
extent, the storage of fixed-wing assets outside such 
hangar would compromise the material condition 
and safety of such assets. 
(7) An evaluation of the extent to which any 
material condition and safety issue identified under 
paragraph (6) may be mitigated through the use of 
gust locks, chocks, tie-downs, or related equipment. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the com-
mencement of the study and gap analysis required under 
subsection (a), the Commandant shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives a report on the 
results of the study and gap analysis. 
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SEC. 276. REPORT ON IMPACTS OF JOINT TRAVEL REGULA-
TIONS ON MEMBERS OF COAST GUARD WHO 
RELY ON FERRY SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in coordi-
nation with the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel 
and Readiness, shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the impacts of the Joint Travel 
Regulations on members of the Coast Guard who are com-
muting, on permanent change of station travel, or on other 
official travel to or from locations served by ferry systems. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under sub-
section (a) shall include an analysis of the impacts on such 
members of the Coast Guard of the following policies 
under the Joint Travel Regulations: 
(1) The one-vehicle shipping policy. 
(2) The unavailability of reimbursement of 
costs incurred by such members due to ferry sched-
ule unavailability, sailing cancellations, and other 
sailing delays during commuting, permanent change 
of station travel, or other official travel. 
(3) The unavailability of local infrastructure to 
support vehicles or goods shipped to duty stations in 
locations outside the contiguous United States that 
are not connected by the road system, including lo-
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cations served by the Alaska Marine Highway Sys-
tem. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) 
APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CON-
GRESS.—The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Con-
gress’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Armed Services and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate; and 
(B) the Committee on Armed Services and 
the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Mari-
time Transportation of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives. 
(2) JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS.—The term 
‘‘Joint Travel Regulations’’, with respect to official 
travel, means the terms, rates, conditions, and regu-
lations maintained under section 464 of title 37, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 277. REPORT ON JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAIN-
ING CORPS PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate and the Committee on Transpor-
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tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
a report on the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps 
program. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) A description of the standards and criteria 
prescribed by the Coast Guard for educational insti-
tution participation in the Coast Guard Junior Re-
serve Officers’ Training Corps program. 
(2) With respect to each educational institution 
offering a Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ 
Training Corps program— 
(A) a description of— 
(i) the training and course of military 
instruction provided to students; 
(ii) the facilities and drill areas used 
for the program; 
(iii) the type and amount of Coast 
Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training 
Corps program resources provided by the 
Coast Guard; 
(iv) the type and amount of Coast 
Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training 
Corps program resources provided by the 
educational institution; and 
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(v) any other matter relating to pro-
gram requirements the Commandant con-
siders appropriate; 
(B) an assessment as to whether the edu-
cational institution is located in an education-
ally and economically deprived area (as de-
scribed in section 2031 of title 10, United 
States Code); 
(C) beginning with the year in which the 
program was established at the educational in-
stitution, the number of students who have par-
ticipated in the program, disaggregated by gen-
der, race, and grade of student participants; 
and 
(D) an assessment of the participants in 
the program, including— 
(i) the performance of the participants 
in the program; 
(ii) the number of participants in the 
program who express an intent to pursue 
a commission or enlistment in the Coast 
Guard; and 
(iii) a description of any other factor 
or matter considered by the Commandant 
to be important in assessing the success of 
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program participants at the educational in-
stitution. 
(3) With respect to any unit of the Coast Guard 
Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps suspended 
or placed on probation pursuant to section 2031(h) 
of title 10, United States Code— 
(A) a description of the unit; 
(B) the reason for such suspension or 
placement on probation; 
(C) the year the unit was so suspended or 
placed on probation; and 
(D) with respect to any unit that was rein-
stated after previously being suspended or 
placed on probation, a justification for the rein-
statement of such unit. 
(4) A description of the resources and personnel 
required to maintain, implement, and provide over-
sight for the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ 
Training Corps program at each participating edu-
cational institution and within the Coast Guard, in-
cluding the funding provided to each such edu-
cational institution, disaggregated by educational in-
stitution and year. 
(5) A recommendation with respect to— 
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(A) whether the number of educational in-
stitutions participating in the Coast Guard Jun-
ior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program 
should be increased; and 
(B) in the case of a recommendation that 
such number should be increased, additional 
recommendations relating to such an increase, 
including— 
(i) the number of additional edu-
cational institutions that should be in-
cluded in the program; 
(ii) the locations of such institutions; 
(iii) any additional authorities or re-
sources necessary for such an increase; and 
(iv) any other matter the Com-
mandant considers appropriate. 
(6) Any other matter the Commandant con-
siders necessary in order to provide a full assess-
ment of the effectiveness of the Coast Guard Junior 
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. 
SEC. 278. REPORT AND BRIEFINGS ON IMPLEMENTING SEC-
TION 564 OF TITLE 14. 
Section 11272(c) of the James M. Inhofe National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public 
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Law 117–263) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(7) PUBLIC REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 30 
days after the date of enactment of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Com-
mandant shall brief the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House or 
Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting 
the requirements of section 564 of title 14, 
United States Code, in fiscal year 2024. 
‘‘(B) SECONDARY
BRIEFINGS.—Not later 
than November 1, 2025 and November, 1, 
2026, the Commandant shall brief the commit-
tees described in subparagraph (A) on the cost 
to the Coast Guard of meeting the requirements 
of section 564 of title 14, United States Code, 
in fiscal years 2025 and 2026, respectively.’’. 
SEC. 279. REPORT ON ROLE OF COAST GUARD. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating when it is not operating as a Service in the 
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Navy, shall prepare a report on the role the Coast Guard 
is expected to play in the 5, 10, and 20 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act in providing assistance to 
the military departments in— 
(1) working with the navies and domestic coast 
guard of nations located in the Indo-Pacific region 
on building capacity to protect the territorial waters 
of such nations from incursions by other nations; 
(2) providing a presence in the Arctic and Ant-
arctic to protect United States sovereign national se-
curity interests in the regions; and 
(3) providing law enforcement capabilities 
which the military departments do not possess for 
national security, piracy, alien and drug interdiction, 
and fishery law enforcement on the high seas. 
SEC. 280. REPORT ON COAST GUARD PERSONNEL SKILLS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with Assist-
ant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
that includes the following: 
(1) An analysis of the skills and experience of 
Coast Guard personnel, particularly such personnel 
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with backgrounds in engineering, navigation, heavy 
equipment operation, and maintenance, that are di-
rectly transferable to the dredging industry. 
(2) A plan for developing and implementing tar-
geted outreach and recruitment strategies to connect 
separating or retiring Coast Guard personnel with 
employment opportunities, including registered ap-
prentice programs, in the dredging industry. 
(3) An evaluation of the potential for estab-
lishing programs to recognize the skills of Coast 
Guard personnel for the merchant mariner creden-
tials necessary for employment in the dredging in-
dustry. 
(4) A description of any existing or planned co-
ordination with the Corps of Engineers, employers, 
relevant labor organizations, and other relevant 
agencies to facilitate the transition of Coast Guard 
personnel into the dredging industry. 
SEC. 281. REPORT ON COAST GUARD SEARCH AND RESCUE 
OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, 
the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
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Transportation of the Senate a report detailing the search 
and rescue operations at impacted Coast Guard facilities 
that contains the following: 
(1) The number of impacted Coast Guard facili-
ties. 
(2) The number of active Coast Guard facilities 
operating as scheduled mission stations. 
(3) The number of active search and rescue 
personnel at each impacted Coast Guard facility. 
(4) The number of search and rescue personnel 
at each impacted Coast Guard facility beginning in 
2021 and accounted for annually thereafter. 
(5) A description of active and past first re-
sponder cooperative agreements made between each 
impacted Coast Guard facility and local law enforce-
ment or first responders for search and rescue oper-
ations. 
(6) The average response time for all search 
and rescue operations at each impacted Coast Guard 
facility beginning in 2021 and accounted for annu-
ally thereafter. 
(7) The number of lives lost during search and 
rescue operations at each impacted Coast Guard fa-
cility beginning in 2021 and accounted for annually 
thereafter. 
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(8) The number of vessel safety checks adminis-
tered by an impacted Coast Guard facility beginning 
in 2021 and accounted for annually thereafter. 
(9) The number of search and rescue incidents 
in which a facility responded to a search and rescue 
incident in an area previously covered by an im-
pacted Coast Guard facility but was unable to fulfill 
the mission, including— 
(A) the distance traveled to the destination 
of each incident; 
(B) the duration time traveled to reach the 
destination of each incident; 
(C) whether the incident resulted in a loss 
of life; 
(D) whether the search and rescue team 
was able to reach the destination of the incident 
to complete operations; 
(E) whether the Coast Guard had to rely 
on local authorities to address the incident due 
to operational limitations for Coast Guard; and 
(F) identifying the local authorities ad-
dressing search and rescue incidents under sub-
paragraph (E). 
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(10) The number of ice rescue missions taken 
by impacted Coast Guard facilities beginning in 
2021 and accounted for annually thereafter. 
(11) The area of responsibility covered by each 
impacted Coast Guard facility. 
(12) Any other metrics determined to be rel-
evant by the Commandant to convey the changes to 
search and rescue operations at impacted Coast 
Guard facilities. 
(b) DEFINITION OF IMPACTED COAST GUARD FACIL-
ITY.—In this section, the term ‘‘impacted Coast Guard fa-
cility’’ means a facility or station that was designated as 
a schedule mission station or closed under either the As-
signment Year 2023 Force Alignment Initiative or the As-
signment Year 2024 Force Alignment Initiative. 
TITLE III—SHIPPING AND 
NAVIGATION 
Subtitle A—Merchant Mariner 
Credentials 
SECTION 301. MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALING. 
(a) REDUCTION OF LENGTHS OF CERTAIN PERIODS 
OF SERVICE.—Section 3534 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118– 
31) is amended— 
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(1) by redesignating subsection (k) as sub-
section (u); and 
(2) by striking subsection (j) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(j) REVISING MERCHANT MARINER DECK TRAIN-
ING REQUIREMENTS.—Section 2101 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
‘‘(1) by redesignating paragraphs (20) through 
(56) as paragraphs (21), (22), (24), (25), (26), (27), 
(28), (29), (30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), (36), 
(37), (38), (39), (40), (41), (42), (43), (44), (45), 
(46), (47), (48), (49), (50), (51), (52), (53), (54), 
(55), (56), (57), and (58), respectively; and 
‘‘(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.’; and 
‘‘(3) by inserting after paragraph (22), as so 
redesignated, the following: 
‘‘ ‘(23) ‘‘nautical school program’’ means a pro-
gram that— 
‘‘ ‘(A) offers a comprehensive program of 
training that includes substantial sea service on 
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nautical school vessels or merchant vessels of 
the United States primarily to train individuals 
for service in the merchant marine; and 
‘‘ ‘(B) is approved by the Secretary for 
purposes of section 7315, in accordance with 
regulations promulgated by the Secretary.’. 
‘‘(k) NONCITIZENSHIP NATIONALITY.— 
‘‘(1) CITIZENSHIP
OR
NONCITIZEN
NATION-
ALITY.—Section 7102 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended— 
‘‘(A) in the section heading by inserting 
‘or noncitizen nationality’ after ‘Citi-
zenship’; 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) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 7304 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
‘‘(i) in the section heading by insert-
ing ‘or noncitizen nationality’ after 
‘Citizenship’; and 
‘‘(ii) by inserting ‘or noncitizen na-
tionals (as such term is described in sec-
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tion 308 of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))’ after ‘citizens’. 
‘‘(B) CITIZENSHIP
AND
NAVY
RESERVE 
REQUIREMENTS.—Section 8103 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
‘‘(i) in the section heading by insert-
ing ‘or noncitizen nationality’ after 
‘Citizenship’; 
‘‘(ii) in subsection (a) by inserting ‘or 
noncitizen national’ after ‘citizen’; 
‘‘(iii) in subsection (b)— 
‘‘(I) in paragraph (1)(A)(i) by in-
serting ‘or noncitizen national’ after 
‘citizen’; 
‘‘(II) in paragraph (3) by insert-
ing ‘or noncitizen nationality’ after 
‘citizenship’; and 
‘‘(III) in paragraph (3)(C) by in-
serting ‘or noncitizen nationals’ after 
‘citizens’; 
‘‘(iv) in subsection (c) by inserting ‘or 
noncitizen nationals’ after ‘citizens’; 
‘‘(v) in subsection (d)— 
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‘‘(I) in paragraph (1) by insert-
ing ‘or noncitizen nationals’ after ‘citi-
zens’; and 
‘‘(II) in paragraph (2) by insert-
ing ‘or noncitizen national’ after ‘cit-
izen’ each place it appears; 
‘‘(vi) in subsection (e) by inserting ‘or 
noncitizen national’ after ‘citizen’ each 
place it appears; 
‘‘(vii) in subsection (i)(1)(A) by in-
serting ‘or noncitizen national’ after ‘cit-
izen’; 
‘‘(viii) in subsection (k)— 
‘‘(I) in paragraph (1)(A) by in-
serting ‘or noncitizen national’ after 
‘citizen’; and 
‘‘(II) in paragraph (2)— 
‘‘(aa) by striking ‘Not more 
than’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘ ‘(A) Not more than’; and 
‘‘(bb) by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘ ‘(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
for the period beginning on the date of enact-
ment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
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2025 and ending on December 31, 2065, not 
more than 50 percent of the unlicensed seamen 
on a vessel described in paragraph (1) may be 
aliens referred to in subparagraph (B) or (C) of 
such paragraph. ’; and 
‘‘(ix) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘ ‘(l) NONCITIZEN NATIONAL DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘noncitizen national’’ means an individual 
described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408).’. 
‘‘(C) COMMAND
OF
DOCUMENTED
VES-
SELS.—Section 12131(a) of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting ‘or noncit-
izen national (as such term is described in sec-
tion 308 of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))’ after ‘citizen’. 
‘‘(D) INVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATES OF 
DOCUMENTATION.—Section 12135(2) of title 
46, United States Code, is amended by insert-
ing ‘or noncitizen national (as such term is de-
scribed in section 308 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))’ after ‘cit-
izen’. 
‘‘(3) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The analysis for chap-
ter 71 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 
7102 and inserting the following: 
‘‘ ‘7102. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality.’. 
‘‘(B) SECTION
7304.—The analysis for 
chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 
7304 and inserting the following: 
‘‘ ‘7304. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality notation on merchant mariners’ 
documents.’. 
‘‘(C) SECTION
8103.—The analysis for 
chapter 81 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 
8103 and inserting the following: 
‘‘ ‘8103. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality and Navy Reserve requirements.’. 
‘‘(l) EXAMINATIONS.—Section 7116 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (c). 
‘‘(m) MERCHANT MARINERS DOCUMENTS.—Chapter 
73 of title 46, United States Code is amended— 
‘‘(1) by amending section 7306 to read as fol-
lows: 
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‘‘ ‘§ 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. 
‘‘ ‘(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 
vessels; 
‘‘ ‘(2) the waters on which vessels are to be op-
erated; or 
‘‘ ‘(3) other appropriate standards. 
‘‘ ‘(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—To qualify for a credential 
under this section, an applicant shall provide satisfactory 
proof that the applicant— 
‘‘ ‘(1) is at least 18 years of age; 
‘‘ ‘(2) has the service required by the applicable 
section of this part; 
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‘‘ ‘(3) is qualified professionally as dem-
onstrated by an applicable examination or edu-
cational requirements; 
‘‘ ‘(4) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and phys-
ical condition to perform the seafarer’s duties; and 
‘‘ ‘(5) has satisfied any additional requirements 
established by the Secretary, including career pat-
terns and service appropriate to the particular serv-
ice, industry, or job functions the individual is en-
gaged.’; 
‘‘(2) in section 7307 by striking ‘3 years’ and 
inserting ‘18 months’; 
‘‘(3) in section 7308 by striking ‘18 months’ 
and inserting ‘12 months’; 
‘‘(4) in section 7309 by striking ‘12 months’ 
and inserting ‘6 months’; 
‘‘(5) in section 7313— 
‘‘(A) in subsection (b) by striking ‘and coal 
passer’; and 
‘‘(B) by striking subsection (c) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘ ‘(c) CLASSIFICATION OF CREDENTIALS.—The Sec-
retary may classify the merchant mariner credential issued 
under subsection (a) based on— 
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209 
‘‘ ‘(1) the tonnage and means of propulsion of 
vessels; 
‘‘ ‘(2) the waters on which vessels are to be op-
erated; or 
‘‘ ‘(3) other appropriate standards. 
‘‘ ‘(d) QUALIFICATIONS.—To qualify for a credential 
under this section, an applicant shall provide satisfactory 
proof that the applicant— 
‘‘ ‘(1) is at least 18 years of age; 
‘‘ ‘(2) has a minimum of 6-months service in 
the related entry rating; 
‘‘ ‘(3) is qualified professionally as dem-
onstrated by an applicable examination or edu-
cational requirements; and 
‘‘ ‘(4) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and phys-
ical condition to perform the member’s duties.’; and 
‘‘(6) by amending section 7315 to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘ ‘§ 7315. Training 
‘‘ ‘(a) NAUTICAL SCHOOL PROGRAM.—Graduation 
from a nautical school program may be substituted for the 
sea service requirements under sections 7307 through 
7311a and 7313 of this title. 
‘‘ ‘(b) OTHER APPROVED TRAINING PROGRAMS.— 
The satisfactory completion of a training program ap-
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210 
proved by the Secretary may be substituted for not more 
than one-half of the sea service requirements under sec-
tions 7307 through 7311a and 7313 of this title in accord-
ance with subsection (c). 
‘‘ ‘(c) TRAINING DAYS.—For purposes of subsection 
(b), training days undertaken in connection with training 
programs approved by the Secretary may be substituted 
for days of required sea service under sections 7307 
through 7311a and 7313 of this title as follows: 
‘‘ ‘(1) Each shore-based training day in the 
form of classroom lectures may be substituted for 2 
days of sea service requirements. 
‘‘ ‘(2) Each training day of laboratory training, 
practical demonstrations, and other similar training, 
may be substituted for 4 days of sea service require-
ments. 
‘‘ ‘(3) Each training day of full mission simu-
lator training may be substituted for 6 days of sea 
service requirements. 
‘‘ ‘(4) Each training day underway on a vessel 
while enrolled in an approved training program may 
be substituted for 11⁄2 days of sea service require-
ments, as long as— 
‘‘ ‘(A) the structured training provided 
while underway on a vessel is— 
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211 
‘‘ ‘(i) acceptable to the Secretary as 
part of the approved training program; and 
‘‘ ‘(ii) fully completed by the indi-
vidual; and 
‘‘ ‘(B) the tonnage of such vessel is appro-
priate to the endorsement being sought. 
‘‘ ‘(d) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘train-
ing day’’ means a day that consists of not less than 7 
hours of training.’. 
‘‘(n) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall implement the requirements under subsection 
(c) of section 7306 of title 46, United States Code 
(as amended by 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). 
‘‘(2) SECTION 7315.—The Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall implement the requirements of section 7315 of 
title 46, United States Code, as amended by this 
subsection, without regard to chapters 5 and 6 of 
title 5, United States Code, and Executive Orders 
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212 
12866 and 13563 (5 U.S.C. 601 note) and 14094 
(88 Fed. Reg. 21879). 
‘‘(o) REPEAL.—Section 7314 of title 46, United 
States Code, and the item relating to such section in the 
analysis for chapter 73 of such title, are repealed. 
‘‘(p) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 7306 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘ ‘7306. General requirements and classifications for members of deck depart-
ments.’. 
‘‘(q) AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 75.—Chapter 75 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
‘‘(1) in section 7507 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.’; and 
‘‘(2) in section 7510(c)— 
‘‘(A) in the subsection heading by striking 
‘EXAM
REVIEW’ 
and 
inserting 
‘WORKING 
GROUP’; 
‘‘(B) in paragraph (1)— 
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‘‘(i) by striking ‘90 days’ and insert-
ing ‘180 days’; 
‘‘(ii) by striking ‘Coast Guard Author-
ization Act of 2016’ and insert ‘Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2025’; 
‘‘(iii) by striking ‘new questions for 
inclusion in’ and inserting ‘questions, con-
tent, and relevancy of’; 
‘‘(iv) by redesignating subparagraphs 
(E), (F), and (G) as subparagraphs (G), 
(H), and (I), respectively; and 
‘‘(v) by inserting after subparagraph 
(D) the following: 
‘‘ ‘(E) at least 2 individuals that have 
taken and passed the examination in the 5 
years before the commissioning of the working 
group; 
‘‘ ‘(F) at least 1 representative from the 
United States Merchant Marine Academy; ’; 
‘‘(C) in paragraph (4)— 
‘‘(i) in the paragraph heading by 
striking ‘BASELINE REVIEW’ and inserting 
‘REVIEW’; 
‘‘(ii) in subparagraph (A)— 
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‘‘(I) by striking ‘Within 1 year’ 
and inserting ‘Not later than 270 
days’; 
‘‘(II) by striking ‘Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2016’ and insert-
ing ‘Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
2025’; 
‘‘(III) by striking ‘Secretary’ and 
inserting ‘Commandant’; 
‘‘(IV) by redesignating clauses 
(i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) as clauses (ii), 
(iii), (iv), and (vii), respectively; 
‘‘(V) in clause (iv), as so redesig-
nated, by striking ‘; and’ and insert-
ing a semicolon; 
‘‘(VI) by inserting before clause 
(ii) the following: 
‘‘ ‘(i) industry standards, practices, 
and technology to be considered in the 
Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examina-
tion; ’; and 
‘‘(VII) by inserting after clause 
(iv) the following: 
‘‘ ‘(v) the relevancy of examination 
topics and contents; 
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‘‘ ‘(vi) any redundancy of core com-
petencies between the Merchant Mariner 
Credentialing Examination and Standards 
of 
Training, 
Certification, 
and 
Watchingkeeping competencies; and’; 
‘‘(iii) by striking subparagraph (B) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘ ‘(B) REPORT
TO
COMMANDANT.—Upon 
completion of the review under this paragraph, 
a report shall be provided to the Commandant 
which shall include findings of the review with 
recommendations for updates to the Merchant 
Marine Credentialling Examination. ’; 
‘‘(D) by striking paragraphs (3), (5), and 
(8); 
‘‘(E) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and 
(9) as paragraphs (5) and (8), respectively; and 
‘‘(F) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
following: 
‘‘ ‘(3) MEETING OF WORKING GROUP.— 
‘‘ ‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Commandant 
shall convene the working group annually or at 
the creation of new examination questions, 
whichever occurs sooner. 
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216 
‘‘ ‘(B) 
REMOTE
PARTICIPATION.—The 
Commandant shall allow any member of the 
working group to participate remotely if the 
member of the working group does not have the 
means to participate in person. 
‘‘ ‘(4) USE OF QUESTIONS.—The Commandant 
may not use questions developed for use in the Mer-
chant Mariner Credentialing Examination until such 
questions are reviewed and approved by the working 
group.’. 
‘‘(r) PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 270 days 
after the completion of the review under paragraph 
(4) of subsection (c), the Commandant shall develop 
a plan to update and modernize the Merchant Mar-
iner Credentialing Examination and implement the 
recommendations developed by the review under 
such paragraph. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The plan developed under 
paragraph (1) shall not diminish demonstrated com-
petency standards and shall include— 
‘‘(A) the elimination of redundant topics 
between the Merchant Mariner Credentialing 
Examination and other examinations required 
to obtain a Merchant Mariner Credential; 
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217 
‘‘(B) the elimination or updating of out-
dated topics, contents, core competencies, or 
questions covered by the Merchant Mariner 
Credentialing Examination; 
‘‘(C) the modernization of testing proce-
dures consistent with contemporary procedures 
for standardized testing administration and 
evaluation; and 
‘‘(D) the development of methods to ana-
lyze examination data related to the effective-
ness of questions in determining competency. 
‘‘(3) COORDINATION.—In developing the plan 
under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall develop 
such plan in consultation with the working group 
and individuals with expertise in modern best prac-
tices for relevant standardized testing. 
‘‘(4) BRIEFING REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2025, the Coast Guard shall 
provide to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a briefing on the review and 
plan developed under this subsection. 
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218 
‘‘(s) AMENDMENTS
TO
CHAPTER
77.—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 
accordingly); 
‘‘(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 insert-
ing ‘; or’; and 
‘‘(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘ ‘(B) if there is probable cause to believe that 
the individual has violated company policy and is a 
security risk that poses a threat to other individuals 
on the vessel.’. 
‘‘(t) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) TITLE 46.—Title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
‘‘(A) in section 2101(47)(B) by striking ‘; 
and’ and inserting ‘; or’; 
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219 
‘‘(B) in section 2113(3) by striking ‘sec-
tion 
2101(53)(A)’ 
and 
inserting 
‘section 
2101(55)(A)’; 
‘‘(C) in section 3202(a)(1)(A) by striking 
‘section 2101(29)(A)’ and inserting ‘section 
2101(31)(A)’; 
‘‘(D) in section 3507(k)(1) by striking 
‘section 
2101(31)’ 
and 
inserting 
‘section 
2101(33)’; 
‘‘(E) in section 4105(d) by striking ‘sec-
tion 
2101(53)(A)’ 
and 
inserting 
‘section 
2101(55)(A)’; 
‘‘(F) in section 12119(a)(3) by striking 
‘section 
2101(26)’ 
and 
inserting 
‘section 
2101(28)’; and 
‘‘(G) in section 51706(c)(6)(C)(ii) by strik-
ing ‘section 2101(24)’ and inserting ‘section 
2101(26)’. 
‘‘(2) OTHER LAWS.— 
‘‘(A) Section 3(3) of the Magnuson-Ste-
vens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1802(3)) is amended by striking 
‘2101(30) of title 46’ and inserting ‘2101 of 
title 46’. 
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220 
‘‘(B) Section 1992(d)(7) of title 18, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘section 
2101(31) of title 46’ and inserting ‘section 
2101 of title 46’. 
‘‘(C) Section 311(a)(26)(D) of the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1321(a)(26)(D)) is amended by striking ‘section 
2101(23)’ and inserting ‘section 2101’. 
‘‘(D) Section 1101 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘Section 
2101(23)’ and inserting ‘Section 2101(24)’.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 302. NONOPERATING INDIVIDUAL. 
Section 8313(b) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 
(Public Law 116–283) is amended by striking ‘‘2025’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2029’’. 
Subtitle B—Vessel Safety 
SEC. 311. 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.— 
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‘‘(1) MISDEMEANOR.—A person operating a 
vessel in a grossly negligent manner that endangers 
the life, limb, or property of a person commits a 
class A misdemeanor. 
‘‘(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. 312. PERFORMANCE DRIVEN EXAMINATION SCHED-
ULE. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 3714 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(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 sub-
section (d); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) PERFORMANCE-DRIVEN EXAMINATION SCHED-
ULE.— 
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222 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to examina-
tions of foreign vessels to which this chapter applies, 
and subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary may 
adopt a performance-driven examination schedule to 
which such vessels are to be examined and the fre-
quency with which such examinations occur, includ-
ing the frequency of examinations for each vessel. 
Such schedule shall be consistent with the Sec-
retary’s assessment of the safety performance of 
such vessels, including each vessel participating in 
the performance-driven examination schedule, in ac-
cordance with paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing an ex-
amination schedule under paragraph (1) and subject 
to paragraph (3), with respect to each vessel in de-
termining eligibility to participate in the perform-
ance based examination schedule— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary shall consider— 
‘‘(i) certificate of compliance and ex-
amination history, to include those con-
ducted by foreign countries; 
‘‘(ii) history of violations, vessel deten-
tions, incidents, and casualties; 
‘‘(iii) history of notices of violation 
issued by the Coast Guard; 
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223 
‘‘(iv) safety related information pro-
vided by the flag state of the vessel; 
‘‘(v) owner and operator history; 
‘‘(vi) historical classification society 
data, which may include relevant surveys; 
‘‘(vii) cargo-specific documentation; 
‘‘(viii) data from port state control 
safety exams; and 
‘‘(ix) relevant repair and maintenance 
history; and 
‘‘(B) the Secretary may consider— 
‘‘(i) data from relevant vessel quality 
assurance and risk assessment programs 
including Quality Shipping for the 21st 
Century (QUALSHIP 21); 
‘‘(ii) data from industry inspection re-
gimes; 
‘‘(iii) data from vessel self assess-
ments submitted to the International Mari-
time Organization or other maritime orga-
nizations; and 
‘‘(iv) other safety relevant data or in-
formation as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBILITY.—In developing an examina-
tion schedule under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
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224 
shall not consider a vessel eligible to take part in a 
performance-driven 
examination 
schedule 
under 
paragraph (1) if, within the last 36 months, the ves-
sel has— 
‘‘(A) been detained by the Coast Guard; 
‘‘(B) a record of a violation issued by the 
Coast Guard against the owners or operators 
with a finding of proved; or 
‘‘(C) suffered a marine casualty that, as 
determined by the Secretary, involves the safe 
operation of the vessel and overall performance 
of the vessel. 
‘‘(4) RESTRICTIONS.—The Secretary may not 
adopt a performance-driven examination schedule 
under paragraph (1) until the Secretary has— 
‘‘(A) 
conducted 
the 
assessment 
rec-
ommended in the Government Accountability 
Office report submitted under section 8254(a) 
of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 
(Public Law 116–283); 
‘‘(B) concluded through such assessment 
that a performance-driven examination schedule 
provides not less than the level of safety pro-
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225 
vided by the annual examinations required 
under subsection (a)(1); and 
‘‘(C) provided the results of such assess-
ment to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives.’’. 
(b) CAREER INCENTIVE PAY FOR MARINE INSPEC-
TORS.—Subsection (a) of section 11237 of the James M. 
Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2023 (Public Law 117–263) is amended as follows: 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSIGNMENT PAY OR 
SPECIAL DUTY PAY.—For the purposes of addressing an 
identified shortage of marine inspectors, the Secretary 
may provide assignment pay or special duty pay under sec-
tion 352 of title 37, United States Code, to a member of 
the Coast Guard serving in a prevention position that— 
‘‘(1) is assigned in support of or is serving as 
a marine inspector pursuant to section 312 of title 
14, United States Code; and 
‘‘(2) is assigned to a billet that is difficult to fill 
due to geographic location, requisite experience or 
certifications, or lack of sufficient candidates, as de-
termined by the Commandant, in an effort to ad-
dress inspector workforce gaps.’’. 
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(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and annually for 2 years 
after the implementation of a performance-driven exam-
ination schedule program under section 3714(c) of title 
46, United States Code, the Commandant shall brief the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives on— 
(1) the status of utilizing the performance-driv-
en examination schedule program, including the 
quantity of examinations conducted and duration be-
tween examinations for each individual vessel exam-
ined under the performance-driven examination 
schedule; 
(2) an overview of the size of the Coast Guard 
marine inspector workforce, including any personnel 
shortages assessed by the Coast Guard, for inspec-
tors that conduct inspections under section 3714 of 
such title; and 
(3) recommendations for the inspection, govern-
ance, or oversight of vessels inspected under section 
3714 of such title. 
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SEC. 313. FISHING VESSEL AND FISHERMAN TRAINING 
SAFETY. 
Section 4502 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(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 
(ii) by striking ‘‘subsection on a com-
petitive basis’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘subsection— 
‘‘(A) on a competitive basis; and 
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‘‘(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 Serv-
ices $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025, 
and 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029’’; 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 
(ii) by striking ‘‘subsection on a com-
petitive basis’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘subsection— 
‘‘(A) on a competitive basis; and 
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‘‘(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 Serv-
ices $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 , 
and 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029’’. 
SEC. 314. DESIGNATING PILOTAGE WATERS FOR THE 
STRAITS OF MACKINAC. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 9302(a)(1)(A) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘in waters’’ 
and inserting ‘‘in the Straits of Mackinac and in all other 
waters’’. 
(b) DEFINITION OF THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC.— 
Section 9302 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) DEFINITION OF THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC.— 
In this section, the term ‘Straits of Mackinac’ includes all 
of the United States navigable waters bounded by lon-
gitudes 84 degrees 20 minutes west and 85 degrees 10 
minutes west and latitudes 45 degrees 39 minutes north 
and 45 degrees 54 minutes north, including Gray’s Reef 
Passage, the South Channel, and Round Island Passage, 
and approaches thereto.’’. 
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230 
SEC. 315. RECEIPTS; INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS FOR 
ICE PATROL SERVICES. 
Section 80301(c) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by striking the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘and shall remain available until expended for the purpose 
of the Coast Guard international ice patrol program under 
this chapter.’’. 
SEC. 316. STUDY OF AMPHIBIOUS VESSELS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall conduct 
a study to determine the applicability of current safety 
regulations that apply to commercial amphibious vessels. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study required under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An overview and analysis that identifies 
safety regulations that apply to commercial amphib-
ious vessels; 
(2) An evaluation of whether safety gaps and 
risks exist associated with the application of regula-
tions identified in subsection (b)(1) to the operation 
of commercial amphibious vessels; 
(3) An evaluation of whether aspects of the reg-
ulations established in section 11502 of the James 
M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2023 (46 U.S.C. 3306 note) should 
apply to amphibious commercial vessels; and 
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(4) Recommendations on potential regulations 
that should apply to commercial amphibious vessels. 
(c) 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 
report containing the findings, conclusions, and rec-
ommendations from the study required under subsection 
(a). 
(d) DEFINITION OF AMPHIBIOUS VESSEL.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘amphibious vessel’’ means a vessel 
which is operating as a small passenger vessel in waters 
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, as defined 
in section 2.38 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations 
(or a successor regulation) and is operating as a motor 
vehicle as defined in section 216 of the Clean Air Act (42 
U.S.C. 7550) and that is not a DUKW amphibious pas-
senger vessel as defined in section 11502 of the James 
M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2023 (46 U.S.C. 3306 note). 
SEC. 317. ST. LUCIE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE. 
Regarding Docket Number USCG–2022–0222, be-
fore adopting a final rule, the Commandant shall conduct 
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an independent boat traffic study at mile 7.4 of the St. 
Lucie River. 
Subtitle C—Ports 
SEC. 321. PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 8343 of the William M. 
(Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘2-year pilot program’’ and in-
serting ‘‘pilot program’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (d); and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION.—The pilot program under 
subsection (a) is authorized for fiscal years 2025, 2026, 
2027, 2028, and 2029.’’. 
(b) 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 inci-
dents, 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’’. 
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233 
(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 de-
termined 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).’’. 
(d) GREAT LAKES AND SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY 
NAVIGATION.—Section 70032 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70032. Delegation of ports and waterways authori-
ties in 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 St. Lawrence Seaway 
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Development Corporation. Any other authority granted 
the Secretary under subchapters I through III and this 
subchapter shall be delegated by the Secretary to the 
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corpora-
tion to the extent the Secretary determines such delega-
tion is necessary for the proper operation of the Saint 
Lawrence Seaway. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating, after consultation 
with the Secretary or the head of an agency to which the 
Secretary has delegated the authorities in subsection (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 
protection of any vessel structure, waters, or shore 
area, as permitted in section 70011(b)(3); and 
‘‘(3) take actions for port, harbor, and coastal 
facility security in accordance with section 70116.’’. 
(e) REGULATION OF ANCHORAGE AND MOVEMENT 
OF VESSELS DURING NATIONAL EMERGENCY.—Section 
70051 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by in-
serting ‘‘or cyber incidents, or transnational organized 
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crime, or foreign state threats,’’ after ‘‘threatened war, or 
invasion, or insurrection, or subversive activity,’’. 
(f) GREAT LAKES AND SAINT LAWRENCE RIVER CO-
OPERATIVE VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE.—Not later than 
2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of the department in which the Coast Guard is op-
erating shall issue or amend such regulations as are nec-
essary to address any applicable arrangements with the 
Canadian Coast Guard regarding vessel traffic services co-
operation and vessel traffic management data exchanges 
within the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes. 
(g) CLERICAL
AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for 
chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 70007 the following: 
‘‘70008. Special activities in exclusive economic zone.’’; and 
(2) by striking the item relating to section 
70032 and inserting the following: 
‘‘70032. Delegation of ports and waterways authorities in Saint Lawrence Sea-
way.’’. 
SEC. 322. STUDY ON BERING STRAIT VESSEL TRAFFIC PRO-
JECTIONS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POS-
TURE AT PORTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
(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 
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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 
beginning after such date of enactment; and 
(2) assess the adequacy of emergency response 
capabilities and infrastructure at the Port of Point 
Spencer, Alaska, to address navigation safety risks 
and geographic challenges necessary to conduct 
emergency maritime response operations in the Arc-
tic environment. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study required under sub-
section (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 ves-
sels; and 
(B) the oil and product tankers that are— 
(i) in transit to or from Russia or 
China; or 
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(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 
number of maritime accidents, including spill events, 
and the potential impacts to the Arctic maritime en-
vironment 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 
marine 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 
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strategic staging and logistics center for maritime 
emergency and spill response operations in the Ber-
ing Strait region. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study re-
quired 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 
Canada; 
(5) the Port Coordination Council for the Port 
of Point Spencer; and 
(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 containing the findings and recommendations of the 
study. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(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 Coordi-
nation 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. 323. 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 en-
actment of this Act, the Commandant shall imple-
ment the November 2021 proposed plan of the Ves-
sel Traffic Service Los Angeles-Long Beach for re-
structuring the Federal anchorages in San Pedro 
Bay described on page 54 of the Report of the Na-
tional 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 
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240 
than the San Pedro Bay Federal anchorages in 
which the distance between the center of an ap-
proved 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 
Commandant 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 Sen-
ate a report on the results of the study required 
under paragraph (2). 
(B) CONTENTS.—The report under sub-
paragraph (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.— 
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(1) AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARMS.—The Com-
mandant shall consult with the providers of vessel 
monitoring systems to add to the monitoring sys-
tems for vessel traffic services audible and visual 
alarms that alert the watchstander when an an-
chored 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 sub-
merged pipelines within the vessel traffic service 
area of responsibility. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and annually for the 
subsequent 3 years, the Commandant shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report on the implementation of para-
graphs (1) and (2). 
SEC. 324. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ONBOARD VESSELS. 
Section 70503(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
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(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
striking ‘‘While on board a covered vessel, an’’ and 
inserting ‘‘An’’; 
(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;’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2) by inserting ‘‘on board a 
covered vessel’’ before the semicolon; and 
(4) in paragraph (3) by inserting ‘‘while on 
board a covered vessel’’ after ‘‘such individual’’. 
SEC. 325. CYBER-INCIDENT TRAINING. 
Section 70103(c) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) The Secretary may conduct no-notice exercises 
in Captain of the Port Zones (as described in part 3 of 
title 33, Code of Federal Regulations as in effect on the 
date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2025) involving a facility or vessel required to maintain 
a security plan under this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 326. NAVIGATIONAL PROTOCOLS. 
The Commandant, in consultation with the Undersec-
retary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall ex-
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amine the navigational protocols used for foreign allied na-
tions governing port and vessel operations in fog and low 
visibility operations and how those nations utilize ad-
vanced navigation technologies such as remote sensing, 
radar, tracking, and unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor 
visibility and manage port and vessels operations. 
Subtitle D—Matters Involving 
Autonomous Systems 
SEC. 331. 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 fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 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 
Secretary on matters relating to the regulation and use 
of Autonomous Systems within the territorial waters of 
the United States. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall con-
sist of 15 members appointed by the Secretary in ac-
cordance with this section and section 15109. 
‘‘(2) EXPERTISE.—Each member of the Com-
mittee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, 
and experience in matters relating to the function of 
the Committee. 
‘‘(3) REPRESENTATION.—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 enti-
ties. 
‘‘(C) Entities engaged in the production or 
research of uncrewed vehicles, including drones, 
autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, or 
any other product or service integral to the pro-
vision, 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. 
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245 
‘‘(H) Commercial space transportation op-
erators. 
‘‘(I) Academic institutions.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL
AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for 
chapter 151 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘15110. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Mari-
time Systems.’’. 
(c) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
department 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. 332. PILOT PROGRAM FOR GOVERNANCE AND OVER-
SIGHT OF SMALL UNCREWED MARITIME SYS-
TEMS. 
(a) LIMITATION.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, for the period beginning on the date of enact-
ment of this Act and ending on the date that is 2 years 
after such date of enactment, small uncrewed maritime 
systems owned, operated, or chartered by the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or that are per-
forming specified oceanographic surveys on behalf of and 
pursuant to a contract or other written agreement with 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
shall not be subject to any vessel inspection, design, oper-
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246 
ations, navigation, credentialing, or training requirement, 
law, or regulation, that the Assistant Administrator of the 
Office of Marine and Aviation Operations of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determines will 
harm real-time operational extreme weather oceanographic 
and atmospheric data collection and predictions. 
(b) OTHER AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this section 
shall limit the authority of the Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating, acting 
through the Commandant, if there is an immediate safety 
or security concern regarding small uncrewed maritime 
systems. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) SMALL UNCREWED MARITIME SYSTEMS.— 
The term ‘‘small uncrewed maritime systems’’ 
means unmanned maritime systems (as defined in 
section 2 of the CENOTE Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 
4101)), that— 
(A) are not greater than 35 feet overall in 
length; 
(B) are operated remotely or autono-
mously; and 
(C) exclusively perform oceanographic sur-
veys or scientific research. 
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(2) UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘uncrewed 
system’’— 
(A) means an uncrewed surface, undersea, 
or aircraft system and associated elements (in-
cluding communication links and the compo-
nents that control the uncrewed system) that 
are required for the operator to operate the sys-
tem safely and efficiently; and 
(B) includes an unmanned aircraft system 
(as such term is defined in section 44801 of 
title 49, United States Code). 
SEC. 333. COAST GUARD TRAINING COURSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—For the period beginning on the 
date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date that 
is 3 years after such date of enactment, the Commandant, 
or such other individual or organization as the Com-
mandant considers appropriate, shall develop a training 
course on small uncrewed maritime systems and offer such 
training course at least once each year for Coast Guard 
personnel working with or regulating small uncrewed mar-
itime systems. 
(b) COURSE SUBJECT MATTER.—The training course 
developed under subsection (a) shall— 
(1) provide an overview and introduction to 
small uncrewed maritime systems, including exam-
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ples of those used by the Federal Government, in 
academic settings, and in commercial sectors; 
(2) address the benefits and disadvantages of 
use of small uncrewed maritime systems; 
(3) address safe navigation of small uncrewed 
maritime systems, including measures to ensure col-
lision avoidance; 
(4) address the ability of small uncrewed mari-
time systems to communicate with and alert other 
vessels in the vicinity; 
(5) address the ability of small uncrewed mari-
time systems to respond to system alarms and fail-
ures to ensure control commensurate with the risk 
posed by the systems; 
(6) provide present and future capabilities of 
small uncrewed maritime systems; and 
(7) provide an overview of the role of the Inter-
national Maritime Organization in the governance of 
small uncrewed maritime systems. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) SMALL UNCREWED MARITIME SYSTEMS.— 
The term ‘‘small uncrewed maritime systems’’ 
means unmanned maritime systems (as defined in 
section 2 of the CENOTE Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 
4101)), that— 
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(A) are not greater than 35 feet overall in 
length; 
(B) are operated remotely or autono-
mously; and 
(C) exclusively perform oceanographic sur-
veys or scientific research. 
(2) UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘uncrewed 
system’’— 
(A) means an uncrewed surface, undersea, 
or aircraft system and associated elements (in-
cluding communication links and the compo-
nents that control the uncrewed system) that 
are required for the operator to operate the sys-
tem safely and efficiently; and 
(B) includes an unmanned aircraft system 
(as such term is defined in section 44801 of 
title 49, United States Code). 
SEC. 334. NOAA MEMBERSHIP ON AUTONOMOUS VESSEL 
POLICY COUNCIL. 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant, with the concurrence of the 
Assistant Administrator of the Office of Marine and Avia-
tion Operations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, shall establish the permanent membership 
of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
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employee to the Automated and Autonomous Vessel Policy 
Council of the Coast Guard. 
SEC. 335. TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM. 
Section 319(b)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘2 or more’’ and inserting ‘‘up to 
4’’. 
SEC. 336. UNCREWED SYSTEMS CAPABILITIES REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) 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 report that outlines 
a plan for establishing an uncrewed systems capa-
bilities office within the Coast Guard responsible for 
the acquisition and development of uncrewed system 
and counter-uncrewed system technologies and to ex-
pand the capabilities of the Coast Guard with re-
spect to such technologies. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A management strategy for the acqui-
sition, 
development, 
and 
deployment 
of 
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uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system 
technologies. 
(B) A service-wide coordination strategy to 
synchronize and integrate efforts across the 
Coast Guard in order to— 
(i) support the primary duties of the 
Coast Guard pursuant to section 102 of 
title 14, United States Code; and 
(ii) pursue expanded research, devel-
opment, testing, and evaluation opportuni-
ties and funding to expand and accelerate 
identification and transition of uncrewed 
system and counter-uncrewed system tech-
nologies. 
(C) The identification of contracting and 
acquisition authorities needed to expedite the 
development and deployment of uncrewed sys-
tem and counter-uncrewed system technologies. 
(D) A detailed list of commercially avail-
able uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed 
system technologies with capabilities determined 
to be useful for the Coast Guard. 
(E) A cross-agency collaboration plan to 
engage with the Department of Defense and 
other relevant agencies to identify common re-
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quirements and opportunities to partner in ac-
quiring, contracting, and sustaining uncrewed 
system and counter-uncrewed system capabili-
ties. 
(F) Opportunities to obtain and share 
uncrewed system data from government and 
commercial sources to improve maritime do-
main awareness. 
(G) The development of a concept of oper-
ations for a data system that supports and inte-
grates uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed 
system technologies with key enablers, including 
enterprise communications networks, data stor-
age and management, artificial intelligence and 
machine learning tools, and information sharing 
and dissemination capabilities. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COUNTER-UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘counter-uncrewed system’’— 
(A) means a system or device capable of 
lawfully and safely disabling, disrupting, or 
seizing control of an uncrewed system; and 
(B) includes a counter-UAS system (as 
such term is defined in section 44801 of title 
49, United States Code). 
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(2) UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘uncrewed 
system’’— 
(A) means an uncrewed surface, undersea, 
or aircraft system and associated elements (in-
cluding communication links and the compo-
nents that control the uncrewed system) that 
are required for the operator to operate the sys-
tem safely and efficiently; and 
(B) includes an unmanned aircraft system 
(as such term is defined in section 44801 of 
title 49, United States Code). 
SEC. 337. MEDIUM UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS CAPA-
BILITIES STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall con-
duct a study to determine the feasibility of expanding the 
National Security Cutter’s medium unmanned aircraft 
system capabilities to Medium Endurance Cutters and 
Offshore Patrol Cutters. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) 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 
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Transportation of the Senate a written report that 
contains the results of the study conducted under 
subsection (a). 
(2) CONTENTS.—In submitting the study under 
paragraph (1), the Commandant shall determine— 
(A) the feasibility of equipping Offshore 
Patrol Cutters and Medium Endurance Cutters 
with medium unmanned aircraft systems; 
(B) the missions capabilities that would be 
strengthen by the use of such systems; and 
(V) projected procurement and operational 
costs for acquiring such systems. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COUNTER-UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘counter-uncrewed system’’— 
(A) means a system or device capable of 
lawfully and safely disabling, disrupting, or 
seizing control of an uncrewed system; and 
(B) includes a counter-UAS system (as 
such term is defined in section 44801 of title 
49, United States Code). 
(2) UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘uncrewed 
system’’— 
(A) means an uncrewed surface, undersea, 
or aircraft system and associated elements (in-
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cluding communication links and the compo-
nents that control the uncrewed system) that 
are required for the operator to operate the sys-
tem safely and efficiently; and 
(B) includes an unmanned aircraft system 
(as such term is defined in section 44801 of 
title 49, United States Code). 
SEC. 338. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON COAST 
GUARD ACQUISITION AND DEPLOYMENT OF 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
Senate the first of multiple reports of the use and acquisi-
tion of the Coast Guard of unmanned systems, with subse-
quent reports submitted after the first report. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The reports required by subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) An inventory of the current unmanned sys-
tems of the Coast Guard, including the missions and 
assets on which such systems are deployed. 
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(2) Cost, schedule, and performance status of 
the unmanned system acquisition programs of the 
Coast Guard. 
(3) The extent to which the Coast Guard has 
assessed how the use of such systems support the 
primary duties of the Coast Guard pursuant to sec-
tion 102 of title 14, United States Code. 
(4) An evaluation of the acquisition strategy of 
the Coast Guard for unmanned systems, including 
the extent to which the Coast Guard has evaluated 
the benefits and costs of acquiring— 
(A) commercially available systems; and 
(B) autonomous capabilities. 
(5) An evaluation of the progress of the Coast 
Guard in establishing an unmanned systems capa-
bilities office responsible for the acquisition and de-
velopment of unmanned system technologies, and the 
effectiveness of such office, including the ability to— 
(A) support the acquisition, development, 
leasing, and deployment of unmanned systems 
technologies, including autonomous capabilities; 
(B) execute a service-wide coordination 
strategy to synchronize and integrate efforts 
across the Coast Guard; 
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(C) pursue expanded research, develop-
ment, experimentation, testing, and evaluation 
opportunities and funding to expand and accel-
erate identification and transition of unmanned 
system technologies; and 
(D) execute cross-agency collaboration to 
engage with the Department of Homeland Se-
curity, the Department of Defense, and other 
relevant agencies to identify common require-
ments and opportunities to partner in acquir-
ing, contracting, and sustaining unmanned sys-
tem capabilities. 
(6) Recommendations to improve the ability of 
the Coast Guard to evaluate, acquire, and deploy un-
manned systems technologies. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In developing the report re-
quired under subsection (a), the Comptroller General may 
consult with— 
(1) the maritime and aviation industries; 
(2) Federal Government agencies familiar with 
the use and deployment of unmanned systems; and 
(3) any relevant— 
(A) federally funded research institutions; 
(B) nongovernmental organizations; and 
(C) manufactures of unmanned systems. 
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SEC. 339. NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES REPORT ON 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND USE OF DATA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek 
to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy 
of Sciences under which the Academy shall prepare an as-
sessment of available unmanned, autonomous, or re-
motely-controlled maritime domain awareness technologies 
for use by the Coast Guard. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—In carrying out the assessment 
under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences 
shall— 
(1) describe the potential benefits and limita-
tions of current and emerging unmanned, autono-
mous, or remotely controlled systems used in the 
maritime domain for— 
(A) ocean observation; 
(B) vessel monitoring and identification; 
(C) weather observation; 
(D) search and rescue operations; 
(E) to the extent practicable for consider-
ation by the Academy, intelligence gathering, 
surveillance, and reconnaissance; and 
(F) communications; 
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(2) assess how technologies described in para-
graph (1) can help prioritize Federal investment by 
examining— 
(A) affordability, including acquisition, op-
erations, maintenance and lifecycle costs; 
(B) reliability; 
(C) versatility; 
(D) efficiency; and 
(E) estimated service life and persistence 
of effort; 
(3) analyze whether the use of new and emerg-
ing maritime domain awareness technologies can be 
used to— 
(A) effectively carry out Coast Guard mis-
sions at lower costs and reduced manpower 
needs; 
(B) expand the scope and range of Coast 
Guard maritime domain awareness; and 
(C) allow the Coast Guard to more effi-
ciently and effectively allocate Coast Guard ves-
sels, aircraft, and personnel; 
(4) evaluate the extent to which such systems 
have moved from the research and development 
phase to effective operations since the National 
Academy of Sciences published the study titled 
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‘‘Leveraging Unmanned Systems for Coast Guard 
Missions’’ and issued in 2020; and 
(5) identify adjustments that would be nec-
essary in Coast Guard authorities, policies, proce-
dures, and protocols to incorporate unmanned tech-
nologies to enhance efficiency. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after entering into an arrangement under subsection (a), 
the National Academy of Sciences 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 the as-
sessment prepared under this section. 
(d) USE
OF INFORMATION.—In formulating costs 
pursuant to subsection (b), the National Academy of 
Sciences may utilize information from other Coast Guard 
reports, assessments, or analyses regarding existing Coast 
Guard manpower requirements or other reports, assess-
ments, or analyses for the acquisition of unmanned, auton-
omous, or remotely-controlled technologies by the Federal 
Government. 
SEC. 340. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter IV of chapter 5 of 
title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
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‘‘§ 566. Use of unmanned aircraft systems 
‘‘With respect to any unmanned aircraft system pro-
cured by the Coast Guard, the Commandant shall ensure 
that such system be used to support the primary duties 
of the Coast Guard pursuant to section 102.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘566. Use of unmanned aircraft systems.’’. 
Subtitle E—Other Matters 
SEC. 341. 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. 
‘‘Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard shall, upon request by any 
State, the District of Columbia, any Indian Tribe, or any 
territory of the United States, provide all data possessed 
by the Coast Guard for a ballast water management sys-
tem with a type approval certificate approved by the Coast 
Guard pursuant to subpart 162.060 of title 46, Code of 
Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment 
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of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 pertaining 
to— 
‘‘(1) challenge water (as defined in section 
162.060–3 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, 
as in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2025) quality character-
istics; 
‘‘(2) post-treatment water quality characteris-
tics; 
‘‘(3) challenge water (as defined in section 
162.060–3 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, 
as in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2025) biologic organism 
concentrations data; and 
‘‘(4) post-treatment water biologic organism 
concentrations data.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
for the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2018 (Public Law 115–282) is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 903 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 904. Information on type approval certificates.’’. 
SEC. 342. CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES. 
(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 
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U.S.C. 468(b)), the Secretary shall have the authority to 
issue regulations 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 sub-
section (a) thereof.’’. 
(b) NEPA COMPLIANCE.—Section 5 of the Deep-
water Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1504) is amended by 
striking subsection (f) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(f) NEPA COMPLIANCE.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF LEAD AGENCY.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘lead agency’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 111 of the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336e). 
‘‘(2) LEAD AGENCY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For all applications, 
the Maritime Administration shall be the Fed-
eral lead agency for purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.). 
‘‘(B) EFFECT OF COMPLIANCE.—Compli-
ance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in accord-
ance with subparagraph (A) shall fulfill the re-
quirement of the Federal lead agency in car-
rying out the responsibilities under the National 
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Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) pursuant to this Act.’’. 
(c) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant shall transfer the authorities provided to 
the Coast Guard in part 148 of title 33, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of en-
actment of this Act), except as provided in para-
graph (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 safe-
ty. 
(3) UPDATES
TO
AUTHORITY.—As soon as 
practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall issue such reg-
ulations 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 
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Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) or any other 
law. 
(e) APPLICATIONS.—Nothing in this section, or the 
amendments made by this section, shall apply to any ap-
plication submitted before the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 343. AMENDMENTS TO PASSENGER VESSEL SECURITY 
AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) MAINTENANCE
OF SUPPLIES THAT PREVENT 
SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED
DISEASES.—Section 
3507(d)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting ‘‘(taking into consideration the length of the 
voyage and the number of passengers and crewmembers 
that the vessel can accommodate)’’ after ‘‘a sexual as-
sault’’. 
(b) CREW ACCESS
TO PASSENGER STATEROOMS; 
PROCEDURES AND RESTRICTIONS.—Section 3507(f) of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) 
the following: 
‘‘(C) a system that electronically records 
the date, time, and identity of each crew mem-
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ber accessing each passenger stateroom; and’’; 
and 
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(2) ensure that the procedures and restrictions 
are— 
‘‘(A) fully and properly implemented; 
‘‘(B) reviewed annually; and 
‘‘(C) updated as necessary.’’. 
SEC. 344. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH A 
CETACEAN DESK FOR PUGET SOUND REGION. 
Section 11304(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Don Young Coast 
Guard Reauthorization Act of 2022 (division K of Public 
Law 117–263; 16 U.S.C. 1390 note) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘4 years’’ and inserting ‘‘6 years’’. 
SEC. 345. SUSPENSION OF ENFORCEMENT OF USE OF DE-
VICES BROADCASTING ON AIS FOR PUR-
POSES OF MARKING FISHING GEAR. 
Section 11320 of the Don Young Coast Guard Au-
thorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 
4092) is amended by striking ‘‘during the period’’ and all 
that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘until December 31, 2029.’’. 
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267 
SEC. 346. 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— 
‘‘(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 
society from the People’s Republic of China.’’. 
SEC. 347. 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 fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—BARGES’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘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 
vessel’ means a vessel that is not a barge to which 
subchapter I applies. 
‘‘(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). 
‘‘(4) NATIVE
HAWAIIAN
ORGANIZATION.—The 
term ‘Native Hawaiian organization’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 6207 of the Elemen-
tary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Depart-
ment of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of 
Hawaiian Affairs. 
‘‘§ 4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An owner or operator of a cov-
ered vessel may not abandon such vessel on the navigable 
waters of the United States. 
‘‘(b) DETERMINATION OF ABANDONMENT.— 
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‘‘(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 
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 
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‘‘(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 notification required under paragraph (1) of 
whether a covered vessel described in such para-
graph is abandoned. 
‘‘(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 subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) LIABILITY IN REM.—The owner or oper-
ator of a covered vessel shall also be liable in rem 
for a penalty imposed under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—The Commandant shall not 
assess a penalty if the Commandant determines the 
vessel was abandoned due to major extenuating cir-
cumstances of the owner or operator of the vessel, 
including long term medical incapacitation of the 
owner or operator. 
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‘‘(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 pro-
vides 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 
public interest. 
‘‘§ 4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2025, the Commandant, in consultation with the Ad-
ministrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration and relevant State agencies, shall establish 
and maintain a national inventory of covered vessels that 
are abandoned. 
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‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The inventory established and 
maintained under subsection (a) shall include data on each 
vessel, including geographic information system data re-
lated to the location of each such vessel. 
‘‘(c) PUBLICATION.—The Commandant shall make 
the inventory established under subsection (a) publicly 
available on a website of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(d) REPORTING
OF
POTENTIALLY
ABANDONED 
VESSELS.—In carrying out this section, the Commandant 
shall develop a process by which— 
‘‘(1) a State, Indian Tribe, Native Hawaiian or-
ganization, or person may report a covered vessel 
that may be abandoned to the Commandant for po-
tential inclusion in the inventory established under 
subsection (a); 
‘‘(2) the Commandant shall review any such re-
port and add such vessel to the inventory if the 
Commandant determines that the reported vessel is 
abandoned pursuant to section 4711. 
‘‘(e) CLARIFICATION.—Except in a response action 
carried out under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pol-
lution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321) or in the case of im-
minent threat to life and safety, the Commandant shall 
not be responsible for removing any covered vessels listed 
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on the inventory established and maintained under sub-
section (a).’’. 
(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 Engineers, and the Secretary of Commerce, acting 
through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, 
shall issue 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’’. 
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(d) CLERICAL
AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for 
chapter 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—NON-BARGE VESSELS 
‘‘4710. Definitions. 
‘‘4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited. 
‘‘4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels.’’. 
SEC. 348. REPORT ON CERTAIN COAST GUARD REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall pre-
pare and submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report that provides legislative and regu-
latory recommendations to ensure the safe operation of 
vessels. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report under subsection (a) 
shall include recommendations— 
(1) to ensure that if cases of harassment re-
quired to be reported under section 10104 of title 
46, United States Code, are not the result of the 
policies and procedures of the responsible entity of 
a vessel, the Commandant shall not take administra-
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tive action against the responsible entity of a vessel 
as a result of the reporting of such cases; 
(2) to ensure that the Coast Guard’s delibera-
tive process for determining whether acts are harass-
ment, sexual harassment, or sexual assault does not 
prevent the responsible entity of a vessel from imme-
diately acting after learning of a potential incident 
of harassment; and 
(3) to clarify for mariners and the responsible 
entity of a vessel the types of behaviors that shall 
be reported to the Coast Guard. 
SEC. 349. OFFSHORE OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3702(b) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
striking ‘‘offshore drilling or production facilities in 
the oil industry’’ and inserting ‘‘exploration, develop-
ment, or production of offshore drilling or produc-
tion facilities in the oil industry and non-mineral en-
ergy production’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘oil exploi-
tation’’ and inserting ‘‘exploration, development, or 
production of offshore energy resources’’. 
(b) OIL FUEL TANK PROTECTION.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law and not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
shall amend section 125.115(b) of title 46, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as in effect on such date of en-
actment), to reflect the amendment made in sub-
section (a). 
(2) APPLICATION.—If the Commandant fails to 
amend the section described in paragraph (1) by the 
date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, then, in lieu of the application of such sec-
tion, the Secretary shall allow vessels to which sec-
tion 3702 of title 46, United States Code, applies to 
transfer fuel from the fuel supply tanks of such ves-
sel to offshore facilities in support of exploration, de-
velopment, or production of offshore energy re-
sources. 
(c) OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
shall amend section G6.3.a of the United States 
Coast Guard Marine Safety Manual, Volume II ti-
tled ‘‘Materiel Inspection: Outer Continental Shelf 
Activities’’, 
issued 
September 
20, 
2021 
(COMDTINST M16000.76) (as in effect on such 
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date of enactment), to reflect the amendment made 
in subsection (a). 
(2) APPLICATION.—If the Commandant fails to 
amend the section described in paragraph (1) by the 
date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, then the Secretary shall in lieu of such sec-
tion not apply section 3702 of title 46, United 
States Code, to a documented vessel transferring 
fuel from the fuel supply tanks of such vessel to an 
offshore facility if such vessel is not a tanker and is 
in the service of exploration, development, or produc-
tion of offshore energy resources. 
SEC. 350. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. 
Section 9(b) of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 
1958) is amended by striking ‘‘, of which not more than 
5 percent is authorized for each fiscal year for administra-
tive costs’’. 
Subtitle F—American Offshore 
Workers Fairness 
SEC. 361. MANNING AND CREWING REQUIREMENTS FOR 
CERTAIN OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF VES-
SELS, VEHICLES, AND STRUCTURES. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION
OF
LIMITED
EXEMPTIONS 
FROM MANNING
AND CREW REQUIREMENT.—Section 
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30(c) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
U.S.C. 1356(c)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(c) The regulations issued 
under’’ and all that follows through ‘‘to any vessel’’ 
in paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) EXEMPTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The regulations issued 
under subsection (a)(3) shall not apply to any ves-
sel’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)(C) by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting a period; and 
(3) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(2) to any vessel’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(2) EXEMPTION
FOR
CERTAIN
FOREIGN- 
OWNED
VESSELS, RIGS, PLATFORMS, AND
OTHER 
VEHICLES OR STRUCTURES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to the re-
quirements of this paragraph, the regulations 
issued under subsection (a)(3) shall not apply 
to any vessel’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clauses 
(ii) and (iii), an exemption under subpara-
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graph (A) shall require that each indi-
vidual who is manning or crewing the ves-
sel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or struc-
ture is— 
‘‘(I) a citizen of the United 
States; 
‘‘(II) an alien lawfully admitted 
to the United States for permanent 
residence; or 
‘‘(III) a citizen of the nation 
under the laws of which the vessel, 
rig, platform, or other vehicle or 
structure is documented. 
‘‘(ii) TIMELINE FOR APPLICATION.— 
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—Except as 
provided in subclause (II), beginning 
on the date of enactment of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the 
condition described in clause (i) shall 
apply to all activities pursuant to this 
Act on the outer Continental Shelf. 
‘‘(II) 
EXPORT
CABLE
LAY, 
INTER-ARRAY CABLE LAY, UMBILICAL 
CABLE
LAY, AND
PIPE
LAY
ACTIVI-
TIES.—Beginning on the date that is 
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3 years after the date of enactment of 
the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
2025, the requirement described in 
clause (i) shall apply, except as pro-
vided in section 30A, to any vessel 
paying out— 
‘‘(aa) export cables; 
‘‘(bb) inter-array cables; 
‘‘(cc) umbilical cables; or 
‘‘(dd) pipes. 
‘‘(iii) PAYING OUT DEFINED.—In this 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—The term 
‘paying out’, with respect to pipe or 
cable, means the specific act of paying 
out pipe, export cable, inter-array 
cable, or umbilical cable. 
‘‘(II) EXCLUSIONS.—The term 
‘paying out’ does not include repair or 
other activities incidental to the pay-
ing out of pipe, export cable, inter- 
array cable, or umbilical cable, such 
as— 
‘‘(aa) site clearance; 
‘‘(bb) trenching; 
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‘‘(cc) dredging; 
‘‘(dd) mattress installation; 
‘‘(ee) cable tie-ins; 
‘‘(ff) installation of pipeline 
end terminations or pipeline end 
manifolds; 
‘‘(gg) the setting or moving 
of any anchors associated with 
the cable or pipe; 
‘‘(hh) offshore cable or pipe 
burial; and 
‘‘(ii) other activities that are 
not the actual paying of the pipe 
or cable. 
‘‘(C) 
REQUIREMENTS.—An 
exemption 
under subparagraph (A)— 
‘‘(i) shall provide that the number of 
individuals manning or crewing the vessel, 
rig, platform, or other vehicle or structure 
who are individuals described in subclause 
(II) or (III) of subparagraph (B)(i) may 
not exceed 2.5 times the number of indi-
viduals required to man or crew the vessel, 
rig, platform, or other vehicle or structure 
under the laws of the nation in which the 
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vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or 
structure is documented; and 
‘‘(ii) subject to subparagraph (D), 
shall be effective for not more than 1 year. 
‘‘(D) APPLICATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The owner or op-
erator of a vessel, rig, platform, or other 
vehicle or structure described in subpara-
graph (A) may submit to the Secretary of 
the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating an application for an exemp-
tion or a renewal or extension of an ex-
emption under that subparagraph. 
‘‘(ii) 
CONTENTS.—An 
application 
under clause (i) shall include a sworn 
statement by the applicant of all informa-
tion required by the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is op-
erating for the issuance of the exemption 
or renewal or extension. 
‘‘(E) REVOCATIONS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of 
the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating may revoke an exemption for 
a vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or 
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structure under subparagraph (A) if the 
Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating determines that 
information provided in the application for 
the exemption or renewal or extension of 
such an exemption— 
‘‘(I) was false or incomplete; or 
‘‘(II) is no longer true or com-
plete. 
‘‘(ii) MANNING
OR
CREWING
VIOLA-
TION.—The Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
immediately revoke an exemption for a ves-
sel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or struc-
ture under subparagraph (A) if the Sec-
retary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating determines that, 
during the effective period of the exemp-
tion, the vessel, rig, platform, or other ve-
hicle or structure was manned or crewed in 
a manner that— 
‘‘(I) was not authorized by the 
exemption; or 
‘‘(II) does not otherwise comply 
with this paragraph. 
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‘‘(iii) NOTICE.—The Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is 
operating shall provide notice of a deter-
mination and revocation under clause (i) or 
(ii) to the owner, operator, agent, or mas-
ter of the vessel, rig, platform, or other ve-
hicle or structure. 
‘‘(F) REVIEW OF COMPLIANCE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of 
the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating shall periodically, but not less 
frequently than annually, inspect each ves-
sel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or struc-
ture for which an exemption under sub-
paragraph (A) has been granted to verify 
the compliance of the vessel, rig, platform, 
or other vehicle or structure with this 
paragraph. 
‘‘(ii) REQUIREMENT.—During each 
inspection of a vessel, rig, platform, or 
other vehicle or structure under clause (i), 
the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall require 
all individuals who are manning or crewing 
the vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or 
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285 
structure to hold a valid Transportation 
Worker Identification Credential. 
‘‘(G) CIVIL PENALTIES.—The Secretary of 
the department in which the Coast Guard is op-
erating may impose on the owner or operator of 
a vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or struc-
ture for which an exemption under subpara-
graph (A) has been granted a civil penalty of 
$10,000 per day for each day the vessel, rig, 
platform, or other vehicle or structure— 
‘‘(i) is manned or crewed in violation 
of this paragraph; or 
‘‘(ii) operates under the exemption, if 
the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating determines 
that— 
‘‘(I) the exemption was not val-
idly obtained; or 
‘‘(II) information provided in the 
application for the exemption was 
false or incomplete. 
‘‘(H) NOTIFICATION
TO
SECRETARY
OF 
STATE.—The Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating shall notify 
the Secretary of State of each exemption issued 
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under this subsection, including information on 
the effective period of the exemption.’’. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter, the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall submit to Con-
gress a report that describes the number of exemp-
tions granted under subsection (c)(2)(A) of section 
30 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
U.S.C. 1356) (as amended by this Act) during the 
year preceding the report. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—Each report under para-
graph (1) shall include a list of, with respect to each 
vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or structure 
granted an exemption during the period covered by 
the report, the following: 
(A) The name and International Maritime 
Organization number of the vessel, rig, plat-
form, or other vehicle or structure. 
(B) The nation in which the vessel, rig, 
platform, or other vehicle or structure is docu-
mented. 
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(C) The nationality of each owner of the 
vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or struc-
ture. 
(D) Any changes to the information de-
scribed in subparagraphs (A) through (C) appli-
cable to the vessel, rig, platform, or other vehi-
cle or structure if the vessel, rig, platform, or 
other vehicle or structure has received a prior 
exemption under subsection (c)(2)(A) or sub-
section (c)(2)(as in effect on the day before the 
date of enactment of this Act). 
(c) PIPE, INTER-ARRAY CABLE, UMBILICAL CABLE, 
OR EXPORT CABLE LAY VESSELS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) is amended by 
inserting after section 30 of such Act (43 U.S.C. 
1356) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 30A. PIPE, INTER-ARRAY CABLE, UMBILICAL CABLE, 
OR EXPORT CABLE LAY PROJECTS. 
‘‘(a) INITIAL DETERMINATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not prior to 180 days be-
fore the date on which subclause (II) of section 
30(c)(2)(B)(ii) takes effect, the Secretary shall de-
termine for each category of vessel described in 
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paragraph (2) whether there exists a coastwise-en-
dorsed vessel. 
‘‘(2) CATEGORIES.—The categories of vessels 
described in this paragraph are the following: 
‘‘(A) Pipe lay vessels. 
‘‘(B) Inter-array cable lay vessels. 
‘‘(C) Umbilical cable lay vessels. 
‘‘(D) Export cable lay vessels. 
‘‘(b) APPLICATION.—In the case the Secretary deter-
mines under subsection (a) that a coastwise-endorsed ves-
sel does not exist for a category of vessels described in 
subsection (a)(2), a vessel in such category shall, begin-
ning on the date on which the Secretary makes such deter-
mination, be exempt from the condition under section 
30(c)(2)(B) with respect to an applicable project. 
‘‘(c) REQUESTS FOR DETERMINATIONS OF COAST-
WISE-ENDORSED VESSELS.— 
‘‘(1) NEW DETERMINATIONS.—After the date 
on which the determination is made under sub-
section (a), the owner or operator of a vessel in the 
applicable category may seek a new determination 
from the Secretary that a coastwise-endorsed vessel 
for such category exists. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION
TO
NON-COASTWISE-EN-
DORSED VESSELS.—If the Secretary makes a deter-
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mination under paragraph (1) that a coastwise-en-
dorsed vessel for the applicable category exists, then 
the owner or operator of a vessel in such category 
that is not coastwise-endorsed shall seek a deter-
mination under paragraph (3) of the availability of 
a coastwise-endorsed vessel in such category for an 
applicable project before engaging in any such appli-
cable project that has not commenced or resumed 
prior to such determination under paragraph (1) 
that a coastwise-endorsed vessel for the applicable 
category exists. 
‘‘(3) DETERMINATION OF AVAILABILITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable 
in accordance with this paragraph, the Sec-
retary shall determine whether a coastwise-en-
dorsed vessel in the applicable category is avail-
able for the applicable project that is the sub-
ject of a request under paragraph (2). The Sec-
retary shall determine that a coastwise-endorsed 
vessel in the applicable category is not available 
for such applicable project if— 
‘‘(i) the owner or operator of the non- 
coastwise endorsed vessel making such re-
quest submits to the Secretary an applica-
tion for the use of such vessel for such ap-
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plicable project that includes all relevant 
information and requirements for such ap-
plicable project, including engineering de-
tails and timing requirements; 
‘‘(ii) not later than 30 days after re-
ceiving such an application, the Secretary 
provides a copy of the application to the 
owner of each coastwise-endorsed vessel in 
the applicable category that is listed in the 
inventory under section 12138(b) of title 
46, United States Code, and promptly pub-
lishes in the Federal Register a notice— 
‘‘(I) describing such applicable 
project; 
‘‘(II) advising that all relevant 
information reasonably needed to as-
sess the transportation and installa-
tion requirements for the pipe, inter- 
array cables, umbilical cables, or ex-
port cables, as applicable, used in 
such applicable project will be made 
available to an interested person upon 
request; and 
‘‘(III) requesting that informa-
tion on the availability for such appli-
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cable project of coastwise-endorsed 
vessels in the applicable category be 
submitted within the 30-day period 
beginning on the date of such publica-
tion; and 
‘‘(iii)(I) within such 30-day period, no 
information is submitted to the Secretary 
from owners or operators of coastwise-en-
dorsed vessels in the applicable category to 
meet the requirements of the applicable 
project described in the application sub-
mitted under clause (i); or 
‘‘(II) the owner or operator of a 
coastwise-endorsed vessel in the appli-
cable category submits information to 
the Secretary asserting that the owner 
or operator has a suitable coastwise- 
endorsed vessel in the applicable cat-
egory to meet the requirements of the 
applicable project described in such 
application, but the Secretary deter-
mines, in consultation with the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard, within 
90 days after the notice is first pub-
lished, that such vessel is not suitable 
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or reasonably available for the trans-
portation required for such applicable 
project and no other vessel for which 
such information has been so sub-
mitted is so suitable and reasonably 
available for such transportation. 
‘‘(B) GUIDANCE.—For the purpose of pro-
viding guidance on making determinations re-
garding suitability or availability under this 
paragraph, the Secretary, to the maximum ex-
tent practicable, shall contract with the Amer-
ican Bureau of Shipping or another classifica-
tion society recognized by the Secretary as 
meeting acceptable standards to provide such 
guidance. 
‘‘(4) IMPACT OF DETERMINATION.— 
‘‘(A) 
COASTWISE-ENDORSED
VESSEL 
AVAILABILITY.—After the date on which a de-
termination is made under paragraph (3) that 
a coastwise-endorsed vessel in the applicable 
category is available for an applicable project, 
the owner or operator of a vessel in the applica-
ble category that is not coastwise-endorsed— 
‘‘(i) shall engage only in the applica-
ble project for which the vessel began or 
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resumed prior to the date of the deter-
mination under paragraph (1) that a 
coastwise-endorsed vessel in the applicable 
category exists and pursuant to the exemp-
tion under subsection (b); and 
‘‘(ii) may not engage or resume in any 
further applicable projects until the vessel 
is in compliance with the condition under 
section 30(c)(2)(B). 
‘‘(B) NO
COASTWISE-ENDORSED
VESSEL 
AVAILABILITY.—After the date on which a de-
termination is made under paragraph (3) that 
a coastwise-endorsed vessel in the applicable 
category is not available for an applicable 
project, the owner or operator of the vessel in 
the applicable category that is not coastwise-en-
dorsed shall be permitted to engage in the ap-
plicable project as authorized under subsection 
(b) without regard to whether such applicable 
project has commenced or resumed prior to the 
date of the determination under paragraph (1) 
that a coastwise-endorsed vessel in the applica-
ble category exists. 
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‘‘(5) TIME PERIODS.—The Secretary shall not 
extend any period under paragraph (3)(A) beyond 
the period as required under such paragraph. 
‘‘(6) DEEMED APPROVAL.—If the Secretary has 
failed to take an action required of the Secretary 
under paragraph (3)(A) within the period required 
for such action under such paragraph with respect 
to an application submitted under clause (i) of such 
paragraph, the owner or operator who submitted 
such application shall be deemed permitted under 
paragraph (4)(B) to engage in the applicable project 
that is the subject of such application. 
‘‘(d) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall coordi-
nate with the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating in order to apply an exemption 
determined under this section to the condition under sec-
tion 30(c)(2)(B) with respect to an applicable project. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) APPLICABLE CATEGORY.—The term ‘appli-
cable category’, with respect to a vessel for which a 
determination is made under subsection (a), means 
the category of such vessel as described in para-
graph (2) of such subsection. 
‘‘(2) APPLICABLE PROJECT.—The term ‘appli-
cable project’— 
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‘‘(A) with respect to a pipe lay vessel, 
means a project paying out pipe; 
‘‘(B) with respect to an inter-array cable 
lay vessel, means a project paying out inter- 
array cables; 
‘‘(C) with respect to an umbilical cable lay 
vessel, means a project paying out umbilical ca-
bles; and 
‘‘(D) with respect to an export cable lay 
vessel, means a project paying out export ca-
bles. 
‘‘(3) COASTWISE-ENDORSED.—The term ‘coast-
wise-endorsed’, with respect to a vessel, means that 
the vessel has been issued a certificate of docu-
mentation with a coastwise endorsement under chap-
ter 121 of title 46, United States Code. 
‘‘(4) INTER-ARRAY CABLE LAY VESSEL.—The 
term ‘inter-array cable lay vessel’ means a vessel 
paying out inter-array cables to which section 
30(c)(2)(B)(ii)(II) applies, including paying out a 
submarine inter-array cable described in section 
12138(b) of title 46, United States Code. 
‘‘(5) EXPORT CABLE LAY VESSEL.—The term 
‘export cable lay vessel’ means a vessel paying out 
export cables to which section 30(c)(2)(B)(ii)(II) ap-
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plies, including paying out a submarine export cable 
described in section 12138(b) of title 46, United 
States Code. 
‘‘(6) PIPE LAY VESSEL.—The term ‘pipe lay 
vessel’ means a vessel paying out pipe to which sec-
tion 30(c)(2)(B)(ii)(II) applies, including paying out 
a submarine pipe described in such section 
12138(b). 
‘‘(7) UMBILICAL
CABLE
LAY
VESSEL.—The 
term ‘umbilical cable lay vessel’ means a vessel pay-
ing 
out 
umbilical 
cables 
to 
which 
section 
30(c)(2)(B)(ii)(II) applies, including paying out a 
submarine umbilical cable described in such section 
12138(b). 
‘‘(8) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means 
the Secretary of Transportation.’’. 
(2) INVENTORY.—Section 12138(b) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in the heading by striking ‘‘VESSELS 
FOR CABLE LAYING, MAINTENANCE, AND RE-
PAIR’’ and inserting ‘‘VESSELS
FOR PAYING 
OUT PIPE, INTER-ARRAY CABLES, UMBILICAL 
CABLES, OR EXPORT CABLES, MAINTENANCE, 
AND REPAIR’’; 
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(B) by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall develop, maintain, and periodically up-
date an inventory of vessels that— 
‘‘(A) are documented under this chapter; 
‘‘(B) are at least 200 feet in length; and 
‘‘(C) have the capability to pay out, main-
tain, or repair a submarine export cable, inter- 
array cable, umbilical cable, or pipe without re-
gard to whether a particular vessel is classed as 
a cable or pipe lay ship or cable or pipe lay ves-
sel.’’; 
(C) by amending paragraph (2)(B) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(B) the abilities and limitations of the 
vessel with respect to paying out, maintaining, 
and repairing a submarine export, inter-array, 
or umbilical cable or submarine pipeline; and’’; 
and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) CATEGORIES.—For purposes of subsection 
(c)(3)(A)(ii) of section 30A of the Outer Continental 
Shelf Lands Act, the Secretary of Transportation 
shall note the category of each vessel included in the 
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inventory under this subsection in accordance with 
the categories described in subsection (a)(2) of such 
section 30A.’’. 
(d) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue 
regulations that specify the application requirements for 
an exemption under subsection (c)(2)(A) of section 30 of 
the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 
1356(c)(2)(A)) (as amended by this Act). 
(e) EXISTING EXEMPTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each exemption granted to 
a vessel before the date of enactment of this Act 
under section 30(c)(2) of the Outer Continental 
Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1356(c)(2)) (as in effect 
on the day before such effective date) shall remain 
in effect until the applicable date described in sec-
tion 30(c)(2)(B) of the Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act (43 U.S.C.1356(c)(2)(B)) (as amended 
by this Act) based on the activity of the vessel. 
(2) TERMINATION.—On the day after the last 
day of the period described in paragraph (1), each 
exemption described in that paragraph shall termi-
nate, except to the extent the exemption is continued 
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for certain vessels under section 30A of the Outer 
Continental Shelf Lands Act (as added by this Act). 
(3) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating shall notify all persons that hold an ex-
emption described in paragraph (1) that the exemp-
tion will terminate in accordance with paragraph 
(2). 
(f) SAVINGS PROVISIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this section or 
the amendments made by this section shall authorize 
a pipe lay vessel, inter-array cable lay vessel, umbil-
ical cable lay vessel, or export cable lay vessel that 
is not coastwise-endorsed to engage in the transpor-
tation of merchandise in coastwise trade. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) 
COASTWISE-ENDORSED.—The 
term 
‘‘coastwise-endorsed’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 30A(e) of the Outer Continental 
Shelf Lands Act (as added by this Act). 
(B) EXPORT CABLE LAY VESSEL; INTER- 
ARRAY CABLE LAY VESSEL; PIPE LAY VESSEL; 
AND
UMBILICAL
CABLE
LAY
VESSEL.—The 
terms ‘‘export cable lay vessel’’, ‘‘inter-array 
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cable lay vessel’’, ‘‘pipe lay vessel’’, and ‘‘umbil-
ical cable lay vessel’’ have the meanings given 
such terms in section 30A(e) of the Outer Con-
tinental Shelf Lands Act (as added by this 
Act). 
(g) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion or an amendment made by this section shall be con-
strued as adopting any agency interpretations of any pro-
visions of, or terms within, chapter 551 of title 46, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 362. OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF. 
(a) AMENDMENT TO EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN FOR-
EIGN-OWNED VESSELS, RIGS, PLATFORMS, AND OTHER 
VEHICLES OR STRUCTURES.—Section 30(c)(2)(A) of the 
Outer 
Continental 
Shelf 
Lands 
Act 
(43 
U.S.C. 
1356(c)(2)(A)), as so designated by this Act, is further 
amended by striking ‘‘the exploration, development, or 
production of oil and gas’’ and inserting ‘‘exploring for, 
developing, or producing resources, including nonmineral 
energy resources,’’. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION OF AMENDMENT TO JURISDIC-
TION OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE OUTER CONTI-
NENTAL SHELF.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue regula-
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301 
tions to implement the amendment made by section 9503 
of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116– 
283; 134 Stat. 4822) to section 4(a)(1) of the Outer Con-
tinental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1333(a)(1)) with re-
spect to laws administered by such Secretary. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act 
or the amendments made by this Act may be construed 
to nullify or supersede any other provision of law relating 
to the outer Continental Shelf (as such term is defined 
in section 2 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
U.S.C. 1331)), except as expressly provided in this Act 
or an amendment made by this Act. 
SEC. 363. FOREIGN VESSEL NOTIFICATIONS. 
(a) PUBLICATION OF PENALTIES.—Section 55102 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(d) PUBLICATION OF PENALTIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 7 days after 
a final agency action regarding a violation of this 
section by a vessel that does not have a coastwise 
endorsement under chapter 121 of this title or is not 
otherwise authorized to engage in the coastwise 
trade, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall publish in the Cus-
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302 
toms Bulletin and Decisions a notification pursuant 
to paragraph (2) with respect to the violation. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The notification under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) the name of the vessel involved in the 
violation; 
‘‘(B) the name of the owner of such vessel; 
‘‘(C) the amount of the fine imposed, or 
value of merchandise seized, pursuant to sub-
section (c) as a result of the violation; and 
‘‘(D) a summary of the misconduct com-
prising the violation; and 
‘‘(E) justification for imposing a penalty, 
as identified in the final agency action with re-
spect to the violation. 
‘‘(e) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2025, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
prescribe regulations implementing subsection (d), which 
may include amending regulations relating to penalties 
issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, particu-
larly with respect to the information to be contained in 
the notification under such subsection.’’. 
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(b) INTERPRETIVE RULING PROCESS.—Chapter 551 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘§ 55124. Interpretive ruling process 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COASTWISE
QUALIFIED
VESSEL.—The 
term ‘coastwise qualified vessel’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 55108 of this title. 
‘‘(2) INTERESTED
PARTY.—The term ‘inter-
ested party’ means— 
‘‘(A) the owner or operator of a vessel en-
gaged in coastwise trade; 
‘‘(B) a manufacturer of coastwise qualified 
vessels; 
‘‘(C) a certified labor organization, recog-
nized labor organization, or group of workers or 
mariners which is representative of an industry 
engaged or employed in— 
‘‘(i) the coastwise trade; or 
‘‘(ii) coastwise qualified vessel con-
struction; 
‘‘(D) a trade or business association, a ma-
jority of whose members are— 
‘‘(i) owners or operators of vessels en-
gaged in coastwise trade; or 
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‘‘(ii) manufacturers of coastwise quali-
fied vessels; or 
‘‘(E) an association, a majority of whose 
members are composed of persons described in 
subparagraphs (A) through (D). 
‘‘(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating. 
‘‘(b) INTERPRETIVE RULINGS PROCESS.—Upon writ-
ten request by an interested party, the Secretary shall fur-
nish, by not later than 60 days after such request, an in-
terpretive ruling regarding a non-coastwise qualified ves-
sel’s activities and compliance with United States laws in 
the internal waters of the United States, the territorial 
sea, and the waters of the outer Continental Shelf, includ-
ing the vessel’s compliance with sections 50503 and 55101 
through 55121 of this title. 
‘‘(c) PETITION.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—After the Secretary fur-
nishes an interpretive ruling requested under sub-
section (b) or any other interpretive ruling regarding 
the interpretation, application, or enforcement of the 
coastwise laws, an interested party that believes the 
ruling is incorrect may file a petition with the Sec-
retary setting forth— 
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‘‘(A) the interested party’s understanding 
of the factual scenario; 
‘‘(B) the outcome of the decision that the 
interested party believes to be proper in the 
provided factual scenario; and 
‘‘(C) the reasons for the belief of the inter-
ested party. 
‘‘(2) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall pub-
lish online— 
‘‘(A) the name of an interested party filing 
a petition under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) the ruling that such party believes is 
incorrect. 
‘‘(d) DETERMINATION ON PETITION.— 
‘‘(1) CORRECTION
OF
INTERPRETIVE
RUL-
ING.—If, after receipt and consideration of a peti-
tion filed under subsection (c) by an interested 
party, the Secretary determines that the conclusion 
reached in the contested interpretive ruling is not 
correct, the Secretary shall, by not later than 60 
days after such receipt, determine the proper out-
come and notify the interested party of the deter-
minations of the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) CONTEST BY PETITIONER.— 
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‘‘(A) DETERMINATION.—If after receipt 
and consideration of a petition filed under sub-
section (c) by an interested party, the Secretary 
determines that the contested interpretive rul-
ing under subsection (b) is correct, the Sec-
retary shall, not later than 30 days after such 
receipt, notify the interested party. 
‘‘(B) APPEAL.—An interested party that 
receives a notice under subparagraph (A) may 
file an appeal to contest the ruling by not later 
than 30 days after the date of the notification. 
‘‘(C) DETERMINATION
IN
RESPONSE
TO 
APPEAL.— Not later than 7 days after the re-
ceipt of an appeal from the interested party 
under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall 
make a determination of the interpretive ruling 
contested in the original ruling under sub-
section (b). 
‘‘(3) PUBLICATION.—Not later than 3 days 
after making a determination under paragraph (1) 
or (2), the Secretary shall publish such determina-
tion on a website of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(e) REVIEW OF INTERPRETIVE RULING.—Not later 
than 90 days after the Secretary makes a determination 
regarding an interpretive ruling under subsection 
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(d)(2)(B), any interested party may commence an action 
in any district court of the United States, subject to the 
venue requirements of section 1391 of title 28, by filing 
concurrently a summons and complaint, each with the con-
tent and in the form, manner, and style prescribed by the 
rules of such court, contesting any legal conclusions of the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(f) REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING REQUIRED PRO-
CEDURES.—Not later than 90 days after the date of en-
actment of this section, the Secretary shall prescribe regu-
lations to carry out this section.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions for chapter 551 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
55123 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 55124. Interpretive ruling process.’’. 
(d) RULING LETTERS.—Nothing in this Act or the 
amendments made by this Act may be construed as con-
gressional validation of a ruling letter, interpretative guid-
ance, or doctrine issued, or other action taken, by the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security. 
(e) FOREIGN VESSEL NOTIFICATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 700 
of title 46, United States Code, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘§ 70009. Foreign vessel notifications 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(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). 
‘‘(2) RULING LETTER.—The term ‘ruling letter’ 
means any ruling letter or headquarters ruling letter 
relating to the enforcement of chapters 121 and 551 
(commonly referred to as the ‘Jones Act’), issued by 
the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Pro-
tection pursuant to section 502(a) or 625 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1502(a), 1625). 
‘‘(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means 
the Secretary of the department in which the United 
States Customs and Border Protection is operating, 
acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection. 
‘‘(b) NOTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(1) ADVANCE
NOTIFICATION
REQUIRED.— 
Prior to engaging in any activity or operation on the 
outer Continental Shelf, the operator of a foreign 
vessel used in such activity or operations shall file 
with the Secretary a notification describing all ac-
tivities and operations to be performed by the oper-
ator on the outer Continental Shelf and, if applica-
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309 
ble, an identification of each applicable ruling letter 
issued by such Secretary to approve the use of a for-
eign vessel in an identical activity or operation. 
‘‘(2) PUBLICATION
OF
NOTICES.—Not later 
than 14 days after the receipt of a notification under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) if necessary, redact any information 
exempt from public disclosure under section 
552 of title 5; and 
‘‘(B) publish the notification, as so re-
dacted, in the Customs Bulletin and Decisions. 
‘‘(3) EXCEPTIONS.—This subsection shall not 
apply to— 
‘‘(A) any vessel that— 
‘‘(i) is performing an offshore lift, as 
defined in section 30(c)(2)(B)(iv)(I) of the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
U.S.C. 1356(c)(2)(B)(iv)(I)); and 
‘‘(ii) has a crane height capability of 
180 meters; and 
‘‘(B) any rig or unit described in section 
30(d) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1356(d)).’’. 
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(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘70009. Foreign vessel notifications.’’. 
SEC. 364. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
Sections 361, 362, and 363, and the amendments 
made by sections 361, 362, and 363, shall take effect on 
the day that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 365. 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 
support 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 
support of commercial space transportation or 
space exploration activities’’ after ‘‘drilling 
unit’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(3) ENERGY PRODUCTION OR TRANSMISSION 
FACILITY 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; and 
‘‘(C) equipped with wind turbines which 
are used for the generation and transmission of 
non-mineral energy resources.’’. 
SEC. 366. NEAR SHORE CABLE LAYING BARGES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Until the date that is 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, notwithstanding 
subsection (b), the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating may not enforce citizenship 
requirements 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 injector equipment on barges on which covered 
individuals serve— 
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(1) develop processes and requirements for con-
ducting certification and training for such individ-
uals; 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 a near 
shore cable lay vertical trenching injector operator or 
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- 
mineral energy exploration, development, and 
production; 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 
necessary by the certificate of inspection or 
to ensure the safe navigation of such 
barge; or 
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313 
(ii) a member of the steward’s depart-
ment on such barge. 
(2) QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘‘quali-
fied individual’’ means an individual qualified to— 
(A) serve on a vessel documented under 
chapter 121 of 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 
(C) be available to operate and support the 
operation of specialized near shore cable lay 
vertical trenching injectors on barges that are 
documented under chapter 121 of title 46, 
United States Code, in support of United 
States offshore non-mineral energy exploration, 
development, and production. 
TITLE IV—OIL POLLUTION 
RESPONSE 
SEC. 401. VESSEL RESPONSE PLANS. 
(a) SALVAGE AND MARINE FIREFIGHTING RESPONSE 
CAPABILITY.—Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollu-
tion Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
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314 
‘‘(10) SALVAGE
AND
MARINE
FIREFIGHTING 
RESPONSE CAPABILITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The President, acting 
through the Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating unless oth-
erwise delegated by the President, may re-
quire— 
‘‘(i) periodic inspection of vessels and 
salvage equipment, firefighting equipment, 
and other major marine casualty response 
equipment on or associated with vessels; 
‘‘(ii) periodic verification of capabili-
ties to appropriately, and in a timely man-
ner, respond to a marine casualty, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(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 marine 
casualty response capabilities, as de-
termined appropriate by the Presi-
dent; and 
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315 
‘‘(iii) carrying of appropriate response 
equipment for responding to a marine cas-
ualty that employs the best technology eco-
nomically feasible and that is compatible 
with the safe operation of the vessel. 
‘‘(B) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph: 
‘‘(i) MARINE
CASUALTY.—The term 
‘marine casualty’ means a marine casualty 
that is required to be reported pursuant to 
paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of section 6101 
of title 46, United States Code. 
‘‘(ii) 
SALVAGE
EQUIPMENT.—The 
term ‘salvage equipment’ means any equip-
ment that is capable of being used to assist 
a vessel in potential or actual danger in 
order to prevent loss of life, damage or de-
struction of the vessel or its cargo, or re-
lease of its contents into the marine envi-
ronment.’’. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
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316 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on— 
(A) the state of marine firefighting au-
thorities, jurisdiction, and plan review; and 
(B) other considerations with respect to 
fires at waterfront facilities (including vessel 
fires) and vessel fires on the navigable waters 
(as such term is defined in section 502 of the 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1362)). 
(2) CONTENTS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), 
the Comptroller General shall— 
(A) examine— 
(i) collaboration among Federal and 
non-Federal entities for purposes of reduc-
ing the risks to local communities of fires 
described in paragraph (1); 
(ii) the prevalence and frequency of 
such fires; and 
(iii) the extent to which firefighters 
and marine firefighters are aware of the 
dangers of lithium-ion battery fires, includ-
ing lithium-ion batteries used for vehicles, 
and how to respond to such fires; 
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317 
(B) review methods of documenting and 
sharing best practices throughout the maritime 
community for responding to vessel fires; and 
(C) make recommendations for— 
(i) preparing for, responding to, and 
training for such fires; 
(ii) clarifying roles and responsibilities 
of Federal and non-Federal entities in pre-
paring for, responding to, and training for 
such fires; and 
(iii) other topics for consideration. 
SEC. 402. USE OF MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATIONS. 
Section 6308 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(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).’’. 
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318 
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 fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(g) TIMING OF REVIEW.—Before the date of com-
pletion 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 removal action that is made by an on-scene coordi-
nator appointed under the National Contingency Plan.’’. 
SEC. 404. ONLINE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the National Response Cen-
ter shall submit to Congress a plan to design, fund, and 
staff the National Response Center to develop and main-
tain a web-based application by which the National Re-
sponse Center may receive notifications of oil discharges 
or releases of hazardous substances. 
(b) DEVELOPMENT
OF APPLICATION.—Not later 
than 2 years after the date on which the plan is submitted 
under subsection (a), the National Response Center 
shall— 
(1) complete development of the application de-
scribed in such subsection; and 
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319 
(2) allow notifications described in such sub-
section that are required under Federal law or regu-
lation to be made online using such application. 
(c) USE
OF APPLICATION.—In carrying out sub-
section (b), the National Response Center may not require 
the notification of an oil discharge or release of a haz-
ardous substance to be made using the application devel-
oped under such subsection. 
SEC. 405. INVESTMENT OF EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL 
COURT RECOVERY IN HIGH YIELD INVEST-
MENTS AND MARINE RESEARCH. 
Section 350 of Public Law 106–113 (43 U.S.C. 
1474b note) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (5); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), 
(6), and (7) as subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), 
respectively, and indenting the subsections appro-
priately; 
(3) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(1) Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law and subject to the provi-
sions of paragraphs (5) and (7)’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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320 
‘‘(1) CONSENT
DECREE.—The term ‘Consent 
Decree’ means the consent decree issued in United 
States v. Exxon Corporation, et al. (No. A91–082 
CIV) and State of Alaska v. Exxon Corporation, et 
al. (No. A91–083 CIV). 
‘‘(2) FUND.—The term ‘Fund’ means the Nat-
ural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration 
Fund established pursuant to title I of the Depart-
ment of the Interior and Related Agencies Appro-
priations Act, 1992 (43 U.S.C. 1474b). 
‘‘(3) OUTSIDE
ACCOUNT.—The term ‘outside 
account’ means any account outside the United 
States Treasury. 
‘‘(4) TRUSTEE.—The term ‘Trustee’ means a 
Federal or State natural resource trustee for the 
Exxon Valdez oil spill. 
‘‘(b) DEPOSITS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law and subject to subsection (g)’’; 
(4) in subsection (b)(1) (as so designated)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A) by striking ‘‘issued in United States v. 
Exxon Corporation, et al. (No. A91–082 CIV) 
and State of Alaska v. Exxon Corporation, et 
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321 
al. (No. A91–083 CIV) (hereafter referred to as 
the ‘Consent Decree’),’’; 
(B) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) the Fund; 
‘‘(B) an outside account; or’’; and 
(C) in the undesignated matter following 
subparagraph (C)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘the Federal and State 
natural resource trustees for the Exxon 
Valdez oil spill (‘trustees’)’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Trustees’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Any funds’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENT FOR DEPOSITS IN OUTSIDE 
ACCOUNTS.—Any funds’’; 
(5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2)) by striking ‘‘(C) Joint’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(c) TRANSFERS.—Any joint’’; 
(6) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2)) by striking ‘‘(D) The transfer’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(d) NO EFFECT ON JURISDICTION.—The transfer’’; 
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322 
(7) in subsection (e) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2))— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(E) Nothing herein shall 
affect’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(e) EFFECT ON OTHER LAW.—Nothing in this sec-
tion affects’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘trustees’’ and inserting 
‘‘Trustees’’; 
(8) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2))— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(F) The Federal trustees 
and the State trustees’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(f) GRANTS.—The Trustees’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘this program’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘this section, prioritizing the issuance of 
grants to facilitate habitat protection and habi-
tat restoration programs’’; and 
(9) in subsection (g) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2))— 
(A) in the second sentence, by striking 
‘‘Upon the expiration of the authorities granted 
in this section all’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) RETURN OF FUNDS.—On expiration of the 
authority provided in this section, all’’; and 
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323 
(B) by striking ‘‘(G) The authority’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(g) EXPIRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The authority’’. 
SEC. 406. ADDITIONAL RESPONSE ASSETS. 
(a) EXEMPTION AND REQUIREMENTS.—Section 3302 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(o) ADDITIONAL RESPONSE ASSETS.— 
‘‘(1) VESSELS
EXEMPT
FROM
INSPECTION.— 
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a 
qualified vessel engaged in a qualified oil spill re-
sponse shall not be subject to inspection if the quali-
fied vessel— 
‘‘(A) has— 
‘‘(i) an agreement by contract or 
other approved means with an oil spill re-
moval organization to support a response 
plan under section 311(j) of the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1321(j)), including training and exercises 
related to oil spill response activities; or 
‘‘(ii) been approved by the Secretary 
to respond to a discharge of oil or to par-
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324 
ticipate in training and exercises related to 
oil spill response activities; 
‘‘(B) is normally and substantially involved 
in activities other than, and not adapted to, 
spill response; 
‘‘(C) complies with all applicable laws for 
the use of such vessel in the activities for which 
such vessel is normally and substantially oper-
ated, including any inspection requirement 
under this title for such use; and 
‘‘(D) has at least 1 crewmember possessing 
certifications for, or who are in training for, ap-
plicable hazardous waste operations and emer-
gency response. 
‘‘(2) ALLOWANCES.—A qualified vessel under 
paragraph (1) may— 
‘‘(A) unless otherwise inspected as a tow-
ing vessel under this title, tow only— 
‘‘(i) another vessel or a device, includ-
ing a bladder, designed to carry oil or oil 
residues with the capacity of less than 250 
barrels; or 
‘‘(ii) oil spill response equipment, in-
cluding boom, skimmers, or other response 
equipment; 
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325 
‘‘(B) carry— 
‘‘(i) temporary storage containers on 
board for recovered oil or oil-contaminated 
materials collected during an oil spill re-
sponse, including bags, drums, and totes 
as approved by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) oil spill response equipment; or 
‘‘(iii) no more than 6 passengers for 
hire in support of a response plan under 
Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollu-
tion Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) ap-
proved by the Secretary unless the vessel 
has been inspected under paragraph (4) or 
(8) of section 3301 or is authorized by the 
Secretary to carry more than 6 passengers 
for hire; 
‘‘(C) if the qualified vessel is a tank vessel, 
be used for storage of recovered oil only if not 
carrying oil as cargo at the time of an oil spill 
response; or 
‘‘(D) conduct any other operation, or en-
gage in training or exercises, in support of a re-
sponse plan under section 311(j) of the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1321(j)) approved by the Secretary. 
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326 
‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) 
QUALIFIED
VESSEL.—The 
term 
‘qualified vessel’ means a vessel operating in 
any part of the area of responsibility— 
‘‘(i) of the Western Alaska Captain of 
the Port Zone as in effect of the date of 
enactment of the Coast Guard Authoriza-
tion Act of 2025; or 
‘‘(ii) the Prince William Sound Cap-
tain of the Port Zone as in effect of the 
date of enactment of the Coast Guard Au-
thorization Act of 2025. 
‘‘(B) QUALIFIED
OIL
SPILL.—The term 
‘qualified oil spill’ means an oil spill occurring 
in any part of the area of responsibility— 
‘‘(i) of the Western Alaska Captain of 
the Port Zone as in effect of the date of 
enactment of the Coast Guard Authoriza-
tion Act of 2025; or 
‘‘(ii) the Prince William Sound Cap-
tain of the Port Zone as in effect of the 
date of enactment of the Coast Guard Au-
thorization Act of 2025.’’. 
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327 
(b) REPEAL.—Section 11316 of the James M. Inhofe 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 
(Public Law 117–263) is repealed. 
SEC. 407. INTERNATIONAL MARITIME OIL SPILL RESPONSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall, in 
coordination with the Secretary of State, review and up-
date the Canada-US Joint Maritime Pollution Contin-
gency Plan. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Commandant shall— 
(1) review each geographic annex within the 
contingency plan; 
(2) analyze the vessel traffic patterns, including 
the types of vessels transiting the area, and assess 
the risks of a pollution incident; and 
(3) determine if any of the areas should be ex-
panded or modified. 
(c) EXERCISES.—The Commandant, in coordination 
with the Secretary of State, shall conduct a joint training 
exercise not less than once a year to determine emergency 
response capabilities and identify other types of support 
necessary to effectuate a successful oil spill response, in 
accordance with the Canada-US Joint Maritime Pollution 
Contingency Plan. 
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328 
TITLE V—SEXUAL ASSAULT AND 
SEXUAL 
HARASSMENT 
RE-
SPONSE 
SEC. 501. 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 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate on the efforts of the Coast Guard to mitigate 
cases of sexual 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; 
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329 
(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 memo-
randum titled ‘‘Commandant’s Directed 
Actions—Accountability 
and 
Trans-
parency’’ dated November 27, 2023, to 
mitigate instances of sexual assault and 
sexual harassment and improve the en-
forcement relating to such instances within 
the Coast Guard, and how the Coast 
Guard is overcoming challenges in imple-
menting such actions; 
(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 en-
forcement 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 Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
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