I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4188 
To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2016 and 
2017, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 8, 2015 
Mr. HUNTER (for himself, Mr. GARAMENDI, Mr. SHUSTER, and Mr. DEFA-
ZIO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal 
years 2016 and 2017, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Coast Guard Author-
ization Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title. 
Sec. 2. Table of contents. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS 
Sec. 101. Authorizations. 
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Sec. 102. Conforming amendments. 
TITLE II—COAST GUARD 
Sec. 201. Vice Commandant. 
Sec. 202. Vice admirals. 
Sec. 203. Coast Guard remission of indebtedness. 
Sec. 204. Acquisition reform. 
Sec. 205. Auxiliary jurisdiction. 
Sec. 206. Coast Guard communities. 
Sec. 207. Polar icebreakers. 
Sec. 208. Air facility closures. 
Sec. 209. Technical corrections to title 14, United States Code. 
Sec. 210. Discontinuance of an aid to navigation. 
Sec. 211. Mission performance measures. 
Sec. 212. Communications. 
Sec. 213. Coast Guard graduate maritime operations education. 
Sec. 214. Professional development. 
Sec. 215. Senior enlisted member continuation boards. 
Sec. 216. Coast Guard member pay. 
Sec. 217. Transfer of funds necessary to provide medical care. 
Sec. 218. Participation of the Coast Guard Academy in Federal, State, or other 
educational research grants. 
Sec. 219. National Coast Guard Museum. 
Sec. 220. Investigations. 
Sec. 221. Clarification of eligibility of members of the Coast Guard for combat- 
related special compensation. 
Sec. 222. Leave policies for the Coast Guard. 
TITLE III—SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION 
Sec. 301. Survival craft. 
Sec. 302. Vessel replacement. 
Sec. 303. Model years for recreational vessels. 
Sec. 304. Merchant mariner credential expiration harmonization. 
Sec. 305. Safety zones for permitted marine events. 
Sec. 306. Technical corrections. 
Sec. 307. Recommendations for improvements of marine casualty reporting. 
Sec. 308. Recreational vessel engine weights. 
Sec. 309. Merchant mariner medical certification reform. 
Sec. 310. Atlantic Coast port access route study. 
Sec. 311. Certificates of documentation for recreational vessels. 
Sec. 312. Program guidelines. 
Sec. 313. Repeals. 
Sec. 314. Maritime drug law enforcement. 
Sec. 315. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials. 
Sec. 316. Higher volume port area regulatory definition change. 
Sec. 317. Recognition of port security assessments conducted by other entities. 
Sec. 318. Fishing vessel and fish tender vessel certification. 
Sec. 319. Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research. 
Sec. 320. International port and facility inspection coordination. 
TITLE IV—FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION 
Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 402. Duties of the Chairman. 
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Sec. 403. Prohibition on awards. 
TITLE V—CONVEYANCES 
Subtitle A—Miscellaneous Conveyances 
Sec. 501. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Point Reyes Station, Cali-
fornia. 
Sec. 502. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Tok, Alaska. 
Subtitle B—Pribilof Islands 
Sec. 521. Short title. 
Sec. 522. Transfer and disposition of property. 
Sec. 523. Notice of certification. 
Sec. 524. Redundant capability. 
Subtitle C—Conveyance of Coast Guard Property at Point Spencer, Alaska 
Sec. 531. Findings. 
Sec. 532. Definitions. 
Sec. 533. Authority to convey land in Point Spencer. 
Sec. 534. Environmental compliance, liability, and monitoring. 
Sec. 535. Easements and access. 
Sec. 536. Relationship to Public Land Order 2650. 
Sec. 537. Archeological and cultural resources. 
Sec. 538. Maps and legal descriptions. 
Sec. 539. Chargeability for land conveyed. 
Sec. 540. Redundant capability. 
Sec. 541. Port Coordination Council for Point Spencer. 
TITLE VI—MISCELLANEOUS 
Sec. 601. Modification of reports. 
Sec. 602. Safe vessel operation in the Great Lakes. 
Sec. 603. Use of vessel sale proceeds. 
Sec. 604. National Academy of Sciences cost assessment. 
Sec. 605. Penalty wages. 
Sec. 606. Recourse for noncitizens. 
Sec. 607. Coastwise endorsements. 
Sec. 608. International Ice Patrol. 
Sec. 609. Assessment of oil spill response and cleanup activities in the Great 
Lakes. 
Sec. 610. Report on status of technology detecting passengers who have fallen 
overboard. 
Sec. 611. Venue. 
Sec. 612. Disposition of infrastructure related to E–LORAN. 
Sec. 613. Parking. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS 
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘PART III—COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATIONS AND 
REPORTS TO CONGRESS 
‘‘Chap.
Sec. 
‘‘27. Authorizations ..........................................................................
2701 
‘‘29. Reports .........................................................................................
2901 
‘‘CHAPTER 27—AUTHORIZATIONS 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘2702. Authorization of appropriations. 
‘‘2704. Authorized levels of military strength and training. 
‘‘§ 2702. Authorization of appropriations 
‘‘Funds are authorized to be appropriated for each 
of fiscal years 2016 and 2017 for necessary expenses of 
the Coast Guard as follows: 
‘‘(1) For the operation and maintenance of the 
Coast Guard, not otherwise provided for— 
‘‘(A) $6,981,036,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
and 
‘‘(B) $6,981,036,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
‘‘(2) For the acquisition, construction, renova-
tion, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore 
facilities, vessels, and aircraft, including equipment 
related thereto, and for maintenance, rehabilitation, 
lease, and operation of facilities and equipment— 
‘‘(A) $1,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
and 
‘‘(B) $1,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
‘‘(3) For the Coast Guard Reserve program, in-
cluding operations and maintenance of the program, 
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personnel and training costs, equipment, and serv-
ices— 
‘‘(A) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
and 
‘‘(B) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
‘‘(4) For the environmental compliance and res-
toration functions of the Coast Guard under chapter 
19 of this title— 
‘‘(A) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
‘‘(B) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
‘‘(5) To the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
for research, development, test, and evaluation of 
technologies, materials, and human factors directly 
related to improving the performance of the Coast 
Guard’s mission with respect to search and rescue, 
aids to navigation, marine safety, marine environ-
mental protection, enforcement of laws and treaties, 
ice operations, oceanographic research, and defense 
readiness, and for maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, 
and operation of facilities and equipment— 
‘‘(A) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
‘‘(B) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
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‘‘§ 2704. Authorized levels of military strength and 
training 
‘‘(a) ACTIVE DUTY STRENGTH.—The Coast Guard is 
authorized an end-of-year strength for active duty per-
sonnel of 43,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017. 
‘‘(b) MILITARY TRAINING STUDENT LOADS.—The 
Coast Guard is authorized average military training stu-
dent loads for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017 as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) For recruit and special training, 2,500 
student years. 
‘‘(2) For flight training, 165 student years. 
‘‘(3) For professional training in military and 
civilian institutions, 350 student years. 
‘‘(4) For officer acquisition, 1,200 student 
years. 
‘‘CHAPTER 29—REPORTS 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘2904. Manpower requirements plan. 
‘‘§ 2904. Manpower requirements plan 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—On the date on which the Presi-
dent submits to the Congress a budget for fiscal year 2017 
under section 1105 of title 31, on the date on which the 
President submits to the Congress a budget for fiscal year 
2019 under such section, and every 4 years thereafter, the 
Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
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tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a manpower requirements plan. 
‘‘(b) SCOPE.—A manpower requirements plan sub-
mitted under subsection (a) shall include for each mission 
of the Coast Guard— 
‘‘(1) an assessment of all projected mission re-
quirements for the upcoming fiscal year and for each 
of the 3 fiscal years thereafter; 
‘‘(2) the number of active duty, reserve, and ci-
vilian personnel assigned or available to fulfill such 
mission requirements— 
‘‘(A) currently; and 
‘‘(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal 
year and each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter; 
‘‘(3) the number of active duty, reserve, and ci-
vilian personnel required to fulfill such mission re-
quirements— 
‘‘(A) currently; and 
‘‘(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal 
year and each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter; 
‘‘(4) an identification of any capability gaps be-
tween mission requirements and mission perform-
ance caused by deficiencies in the numbers of per-
sonnel available— 
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‘‘(A) currently; and 
‘‘(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal 
year and each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter; 
and 
‘‘(5) an identification of the actions the Com-
mandant will take to address capability gaps identi-
fied under paragraph (4). 
‘‘(c) CONSIDERATION.—In composing a manpower 
requirements plan for submission under subsection (a), 
the Commandant shall consider— 
‘‘(1) the marine safety strategy required under 
section 2116 of title 46; 
‘‘(2) information on the adequacy of the acqui-
sition workforce included in the most recent report 
under section 2903 of this title; and 
‘‘(3) any other Federal strategic planning effort 
the Commandant considers appropriate.’’. 
(b) REQUIREMENT FOR PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF 
APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 662 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating such section as section 
2701; 
(2) by transferring such section to appear be-
fore section 2702 of such title (as added by sub-
section (a) of this section); and 
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(3) by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) For the operation and maintenance of the 
Coast Guard, not otherwise provided for. 
‘‘(2) For the acquisition, construction, renova-
tion, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore 
facilities, vessels, and aircraft, including equipment 
related thereto, and for maintenance, rehabilitation, 
lease, and operation of facilities and equipment. 
‘‘(3) For the Coast Guard Reserve program, in-
cluding operations and maintenance of the program, 
personnel and training costs, equipment, and serv-
ices. 
‘‘(4) For the environmental compliance and res-
toration functions of the Coast Guard under chapter 
19 of this title. 
‘‘(5) For research, development, test, and eval-
uation of technologies, materials, and human factors 
directly related to improving the performance of the 
Coast Guard. 
‘‘(6) For alteration or removal of bridges over 
navigable waters of the United States constituting 
obstructions to navigation, and for personnel and 
administrative costs associated with the Alteration of 
Bridges Program.’’. 
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(c) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
PERSONNEL
END 
STRENGTHS.—Section 661 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating such section as section 
2703; and 
(2) by transferring such section to appear be-
fore section 2704 of such title (as added by sub-
section (a) of this section). 
(d) REPORTS.— 
(1) TRANSMISSION OF ANNUAL COAST GUARD 
AUTHORIZATION
REQUEST.—Section 662a of title 
14, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by redesignating such section as sec-
tion 2901; 
(B) by transferring such section to appear 
before section 2904 of such title (as added by 
subsection (a) of this section); and 
(C) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘de-
scribed in section 661’’ and inserting ‘‘de-
scribed in section 2703’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘de-
scribed in section 662’’ and inserting ‘‘de-
scribed in section 2701’’. 
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(2) CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN.—Section 663 
of title 14, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by redesignating such section as sec-
tion 2902; and 
(B) by transferring such section to appear 
after section 2901 of such title (as so redesig-
nated and transferred by paragraph (1) of this 
subsection). 
(3) MAJOR
ACQUISITIONS.—Section 569a of 
title 14, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by redesignating such section as sec-
tion 2903; 
(B) by transferring such section to appear 
after section 2902 of such title (as so redesig-
nated and transferred by paragraph (2) of this 
subsection); and 
(C) in subsection (c)(2) by striking ‘‘of this 
subchapter’’. 
(e) ICEBREAKERS.— 
(1) ICEBREAKING ON THE GREAT LAKES.—For 
fiscal years 2016 and 2017, the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard may use funds made available pursuant 
to section 2702(2) of title 14, United States Code 
(as added by subsection (a) of this section), for the 
selection of a design for and the construction of an 
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icebreaker that is capable of buoy tending to en-
hance icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes. 
(2) POLAR ICEBREAKING.—Of the amounts au-
thorized to be appropriated under section 2702(2) of 
title 14, United States Code, as amended by sub-
section (a), there is authorized to be appropriated to 
the Coast Guard $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2016 
and 
$10,000,000 
for 
fiscal 
year 
2017 
for 
preacquisition activities for a new polar icebreaker, 
including initial specification development and feasi-
bility studies. 
(f) ADDITIONAL SUBMISSIONS.—The Commandant 
of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on 
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives— 
(1) each plan required under section 2904 of 
title 14, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a) of this section; 
(2) each plan required under section 2903(e) of 
title 14, United States Code, as added by section 
206 of this Act; 
(3) each plan required under section 2902 of 
title 14, United States Code, as redesignated by sub-
section (d) of this section; and 
(4) each mission need statement required under 
section 569 of title 14, United States Code. 
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SEC. 102. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) ANALYSIS FOR TITLE 14.—The analysis for title 
14, United States Code, is amended by adding after the 
item relating to part II the following: 
‘‘III. Coast Guard Authorizations and Reports to Con-
gress ............................................................................ 2701’’. 
(b) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 15.—The analysis for 
chapter 15 of title 14, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 569a. 
(c) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 17.—The analysis for 
chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the items relating to sections 661, 662, 662a, 
and 663. 
(d) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 27.—The analysis for 
chapter 27 of title 14, United States Code, as added by 
section 101(a) of this Act, is amended by inserting— 
(1) before the item relating to section 2702 the 
following: 
‘‘2701. Requirement for prior authorization of appropriations.’’; 
and 
(2) before the item relating to section 2704 the 
following: 
‘‘2703. Authorization of personnel end strengths.’’. 
(e) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 29.—The analysis for 
chapter 29 of title 14, United States Code, as added by 
section 101(a) of this Act, is amended by inserting before 
the item relating to section 2904 the following: 
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‘‘2901. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request. 
‘‘2902. Capital investment plan. 
‘‘2903. Major acquisitions.’’. 
(f) MISSION NEED STATEMENT.—Section 569(b) of 
title 14, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘in section 
569a(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘in section 2903’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘under section 
663(a)(1)’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘under 
section 
2902(a)(1)’’. 
TITLE II—COAST GUARD 
SEC. 201. VICE COMMANDANT. 
(a) GRADES AND RATINGS.—Section 41 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘an admiral,’’ 
and inserting ‘‘admirals (two);’’. 
(b) VICE COMMANDANT; APPOINTMENT.—Section 47 
of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘vice admiral’’ and inserting ‘‘admiral’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 51 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by inserting ‘‘admiral or’’ 
before ‘‘vice admiral,’’; 
(2) in subsection (b) by inserting ‘‘admiral or’’ 
before ‘‘vice admiral,’’ each place it appears; and 
(3) in subsection (c) by inserting ‘‘admiral or’’ 
before ‘‘vice admiral,’’. 
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SEC. 202. VICE ADMIRALS. 
Section 50 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(1) The President may— 
‘‘(A) designate, within the Coast Guard, no 
more than five positions of importance and responsi-
bility that shall be held by officers who, while so 
serving— 
‘‘(i) shall have the grade of vice admiral, 
with the pay and allowances of that grade; and 
‘‘(ii) shall perform such duties as the Com-
mandant may prescribe, except that if the 
President designates five such positions, one po-
sition shall be the Chief of Staff of the Coast 
Guard; and 
‘‘(B) designate, within the executive branch, 
other than within the Coast Guard or the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, positions 
of importance and responsibility that shall be held 
by officers who, while so serving, shall have the 
grade of vice admiral, with the pay and allowances 
of that grade.’’; and 
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(B) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking 
‘‘under paragraph (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘under 
paragraph (1)(A)’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
subparagraph (D); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) 
the following: 
‘‘(C) at the discretion of the Secretary, while 
awaiting orders after being relieved from the posi-
tion, beginning on the day the officer is relieved 
from the position, but not for more than 60 days; 
and’’. 
SEC. 203. COAST GUARD REMISSION OF INDEBTEDNESS. 
(a) EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY TO REMIT INDEBT-
EDNESS.—Section 461 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 461. Remission of indebtedness 
‘‘The Secretary may have remitted or cancelled any 
part of a person’s indebtedness to the United States or 
any instrumentality of the United States if— 
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‘‘(1) the indebtedness was incurred while the 
person served on active duty as a member of the 
Coast Guard; and 
‘‘(2) the Secretary determines that remitting or 
cancelling the indebtedness is in the best interest of 
the United States.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 13 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 461 and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘461. Remission of indebtedness.’’. 
SEC. 204. ACQUISITION REFORM. 
(a) MINIMUM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.—Section 
572(d)(3) of title 14, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through 
(H) as subparagraphs (E) through (J), respectively; 
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as sub-
paragraph (C); 
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(B) the performance data to be used to 
determine whether the key performance param-
eters have been resolved;’’; and 
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (C), as re-
designated by paragraph (2) of this subsection, the 
following: 
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‘‘(D) the results during test and evaluation 
that will be required to demonstrate that a ca-
pability, asset, or subsystem meets performance 
requirements;’’. 
(b) CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN.—Section 2902 of 
title 14, United States Code, as redesignated and other-
wise amended by this Act, is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘completion;’’ and inserting ‘‘completion based 
on the proposed appropriations included in the 
budget;’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘at 
the projected funding levels;’’ and inserting 
‘‘based on the proposed appropriations included 
in the budget;’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as sub-
section (c), and inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) NEW CAPITAL ASSETS.—In the fiscal year fol-
lowing each fiscal year for which appropriations are en-
acted for a new capital asset, the report submitted under 
subsection (a) shall include— 
‘‘(1) an estimated life-cycle cost estimate for 
the new capital asset; 
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‘‘(2) an assessment of the impact the new cap-
ital asset will have on— 
‘‘(A) delivery dates for each capital asset; 
‘‘(B) estimated completion dates for each 
capital asset; 
‘‘(C) the total estimated cost to complete 
each capital asset; and 
‘‘(D) other planned construction or im-
provement projects; and 
‘‘(3) recommended funding levels for each cap-
ital asset necessary to meet the estimated completion 
dates and total estimated costs included in the such 
asset’s approved acquisition program baseline.’’; and 
(3) by amending subsection (c), as so redesig-
nated, to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘unfunded priority’ means a pro-
gram or mission requirement that— 
‘‘(A) has not been selected for funding in 
the applicable proposed budget; 
‘‘(B) is necessary to fulfill a requirement 
associated with an operational need; and 
‘‘(C) the Commandant would have rec-
ommended for inclusion in the applicable pro-
posed budget had additional resources been 
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available or had the requirement emerged be-
fore the budget was submitted; and 
‘‘(2) the term ‘new capital asset’ means— 
‘‘(A) an acquisition program that does not 
have an approved acquisition program baseline; 
or 
‘‘(B) the acquisition of a capital asset in 
excess of the number included in the approved 
acquisition program baseline.’’. 
(c) DAYS AWAY FROM HOMEPORT.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall— 
(1) implement a standard for tracking oper-
ational days at sea for Coast Guard cutters that 
does not include days during which such cutters are 
undergoing maintenance or repair; and 
(2) notify the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate of the standard imple-
mented under paragraph (1). 
(d) FIXED WING AIRCRAFT FLEET MIX ANALYSIS.— 
Not later than September 30, 2016, the Commandant of 
the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
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tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a revised fleet mix analysis 
of Coast Guard fixed wing aircraft. 
(e) LONG-TERM MAJOR ACQUISITIONS PLAN.—Sec-
tion 2903 of title 14, United States Code, as redesignated 
and otherwise amended by this Act, is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as sub-
section (g); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) LONG-TERM MAJOR ACQUISITIONS PLAN.— 
Each report under subsection (a) shall include a plan that 
describes for the upcoming fiscal year, and for each of the 
20 fiscal years thereafter— 
‘‘(1) the numbers and types of cutters and air-
craft to be decommissioned; 
‘‘(2) the numbers and types of cutters and air-
craft to be acquired to— 
‘‘(A) replace the cutters and aircraft iden-
tified under paragraph (1); or 
‘‘(B) address an identified capability gap; 
and 
‘‘(3) the estimated level of funding in each fis-
cal year required to— 
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‘‘(A) acquire the cutters and aircraft iden-
tified under paragraph (2); 
‘‘(B) acquire related command, control, 
communications, computer, intelligence, surveil-
lance, and reconnaissance systems; and 
‘‘(C) acquire, construct, or renovate shore-
side infrastructure. 
‘‘(f) QUARTERLY UPDATES
ON RISKS
OF PRO-
GRAMS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 15 days 
after the end of each fiscal year quarter, the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the 
committees of Congress specified in subsection (a) 
an update setting forth a current assessment of the 
risks associated with all current major acquisition 
programs. 
‘‘(2) ELEMENTS.—Each update under this sub-
section shall set forth, for each current major acqui-
sition program, the following: 
‘‘(A) The top five current risks to such 
program. 
‘‘(B) Any failure of such program to dem-
onstrate a key performance parameter or 
threshold during operational test and evaluation 
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conducted during the fiscal year quarter pre-
ceding such update. 
‘‘(C) Whether there has been any decision 
during such fiscal year quarter to order full- 
rate production before all key performance pa-
rameters or thresholds are met. 
‘‘(D) Whether there has been any breach 
of major acquisition program cost (as defined 
by the Major Systems Acquisition Manual) dur-
ing such fiscal year quarter. 
‘‘(E) Whether there has been any breach 
of major acquisition program schedule (as so 
defined) during such fiscal year quarter.’’. 
SEC. 205. AUXILIARY JURISDICTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 822 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The purpose’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The purpose’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION.—The Auxiliary may conduct a pa-
trol of a waterway, or a portion thereof, only if— 
‘‘(1) the Commandant has determined such wa-
terway, or portion thereof, is navigable for purposes 
of the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard; or 
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‘‘(2) a State or other proper authority has re-
quested such patrol pursuant to section 141 of this 
title or section 13109 of title 46.’’. 
(b) NOTIFICATION.—The Commandant of the Coast 
Guard shall— 
(1) review the waterways patrolled by the Coast 
Guard Auxiliary in the most recently completed fis-
cal year to determine whether such waterways are 
eligible or ineligible for patrol under section 822(b) 
of title 14, United States Code (as added by sub-
section (a)); and 
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, provide to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written 
notification of— 
(A) any waterways determined ineligible 
for patrol under paragraph (1); and 
(B) the actions taken by the Commandant 
to ensure Auxiliary patrols do not occur on such 
waterways. 
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SEC. 206. COAST GUARD COMMUNITIES. 
Section 409 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 1998 (14 U.S.C. 639 note) is amended in the second 
sentence by striking ‘‘90 days’’ and inserting ‘‘30 days’’. 
SEC. 207. POLAR ICEBREAKERS. 
(a) INCREMENTAL FUNDING AUTHORITY FOR POLAR 
ICEBREAKERS.—In fiscal year 2016 and each fiscal year 
thereafter, the Commandant of the Coast Guard may 
enter into a contract or contracts for the acquisition of 
polar icebreakers and associated equipment using incre-
mental funding. 
(b) ‘‘POLAR SEA’’ MATERIEL CONDITION ASSESS-
MENT AND SERVICE LIFE EXTENSION.—Section 222 of 
the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 
2012 (Public Law 112–213; 126 Stat. 1560) is amend-
ed— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2015, the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall— 
‘‘(1) complete a materiel condition assessment 
with respect to the Polar Sea; 
‘‘(2) make a determination of whether it is cost 
effective to reactivate the Polar Sea compared with 
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other options to provide icebreaking services as part 
of a strategy to maintain polar icebreaking services; 
and 
‘‘(3) submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate— 
‘‘(A) the assessment required under para-
graph (1); and 
‘‘(B) written notification of the determina-
tion required under paragraph (2).’’; 
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘analysis’’ and 
inserting ‘‘written notification’’; 
(3) by striking subsection (c); 
(4) by redesignating subsections (d) through (h) 
as subsections (c) through (g), respectively; 
(5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by para-
graph (4) of this section)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A) by striking 
‘‘based on the analysis required’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (C) by striking 
‘‘analysis’’ and inserting ‘‘written notifica-
tion’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
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(i) by striking ‘‘analysis’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘written notifica-
tion’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘subsection (a)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(3)(B)’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘subsection (c)’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘that sub-
section’’; and 
(iv) by striking ‘‘under subsection 
(a)(5)’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘in the analysis sub-
mitted under this section’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘(a)(5)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(a)’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘then’’ and all that 
follows 
through 
‘‘(A)’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘then’’; 
(iv) by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting a 
period; and 
(v) by striking subparagraph (B); and 
(6) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by para-
graph (4) of this subsection) by striking ‘‘in sub-
section (d)’’ and inserting ‘‘in subsection (c)’’. 
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SEC. 208. AIR FACILITY CLOSURES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 17 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 676 the 
following: 
‘‘§ 676a. Air facility closures 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Coast Guard may 
not— 
‘‘(A) close a Coast Guard air facility that 
was in operation on November 30, 2014; or 
‘‘(B) retire, transfer, relocate, or deploy an 
aviation asset from an air facility described in 
subparagraph (A) for the purpose of closing 
such facility. 
‘‘(2) SUNSET.—Paragraph (1) shall have no 
force or effect beginning on the later of— 
‘‘(A) January 1, 2018; or 
‘‘(B) the date on which the Secretary sub-
mits to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, 
and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate, rotary wing 
strategic plans prepared in accordance with sec-
tion 208(b) of the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2015. 
‘‘(b) CLOSURES.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on January 1, 
2018, the Secretary may not close a Coast Guard air 
facility, except as specified by this section. 
‘‘(2) DETERMINATIONS.—The Secretary may 
not propose closing or terminating operations at a 
Coast Guard air facility unless the Secretary deter-
mines that— 
‘‘(A) remaining search and rescue capabili-
ties maintain the safety of the maritime public 
in the area of the air facility; 
‘‘(B) regional or local prevailing weather 
and marine conditions, including water tem-
peratures or unusual tide and current condi-
tions, do not require continued operation of the 
air facility; and 
‘‘(C) Coast Guard search and rescue 
standards related to search and response times 
are met. 
‘‘(3) PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENT.—Prior to 
closing an air facility, the Secretary shall provide op-
portunities for public comment, including the con-
vening of public meetings in communities in the area 
of responsibility of the air facility with regard to the 
proposed closure or cessation of operations at the air 
facility. 
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‘‘(4) NOTICE TO CONGRESS.—Prior to closure, 
cessation of operations, or any significant reduction 
in personnel and use of a Coast Guard air facility 
that is in operation on or after December 31, 2015, 
the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) submit to the Congress a proposal for 
such closure, cessation, or reduction in oper-
ations along with the budget of the President 
submitted to Congress under section 1105(a) of 
title 31 for the fiscal year in which the action 
will be carried out; and 
‘‘(B) not later than 7 days after the date 
a proposal for an air facility is submitted pur-
suant to subparagraph (A), provide written no-
tice of such proposal to each of the following: 
‘‘(i) Each member of the House of 
Representatives who represents a district 
in which the air facility is located. 
‘‘(ii) Each member of the Senate who 
represents a State in which the air facility 
is located. 
‘‘(iii) Each member of the House of 
Representatives who represents a district 
in which assets of the air facility conduct 
search and rescue operations. 
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‘‘(iv) Each member of the Senate who 
represents a State in which assets of the 
air facility conduct search and rescue oper-
ations. 
‘‘(v) The Committee on Appropria-
tions of the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(vi) The Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives. 
‘‘(vii) The Committee on Appropria-
tions of the Senate. 
‘‘(viii) The Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
‘‘(c) OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY.—The Secretary 
may implement any reasonable management efficiencies 
within the air station and air facility network, such as 
modifying the operational posture of units or reallocating 
resources as necessary to ensure the safety of the mari-
time public nationwide.’’. 
(b) ROTARY WING STRATEGIC PLANS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
prepare the plans specified in paragraph (2) to ade-
quately address contingencies arising from potential 
future aviation casualties or the planned or un-
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planned retirement of rotary wing airframes to avoid 
to the greatest extent practicable any substantial 
gap or diminishment in Coast Guard operational ca-
pabilities. 
(2) ROTARY WING STRATEGIC PLANS.— 
(A) ROTARY WING CONTINGENCY PLAN.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall develop and submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a contingency plan— 
(i) to address the planned or un-
planned losses of rotary wing airframes; 
(ii) to reallocate resources as nec-
essary to ensure the safety of the maritime 
public nationwide; and 
(iii) to ensure the operational posture 
of Coast Guard units. 
(B) ROTARY WING REPLACEMENT CAPITAL 
INVESTMENT PLAN.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of this 
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Act, the Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
develop and submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate a capital invest-
ment plan for the acquisition of new rotary 
wing airframes to replace the Coast 
Guard’s legacy helicopters and fulfil all ex-
isting mission requirements. 
(ii) REQUIREMENTS.—The plan devel-
oped under this subparagraph shall pro-
vide— 
(I) a total estimated cost for 
completion; 
(II) a timetable for completion of 
the acquisition project and phased in 
transition to new airframes; and 
(III) projected annual funding 
levels for each fiscal year. 
(c) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 17.—The analysis 
for chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, is 
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amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 676 the following: 
‘‘676a. Air facility closures.’’. 
(2) REPEAL OF PROHIBITION.—Section 225 of 
the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–281; 
128 Stat. 3022) is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (b); and 
(B) by striking ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’. 
SEC. 209. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO TITLE 14, UNITED 
STATES CODE. 
Title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, 
is further amended— 
(1) in the analysis for part I, by striking the 
item relating to chapter 19 and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘19. Environmental Compliance and Restoration Pro-
gram ............................................................................
690’’; 
(2) in section 46(a), by striking ‘‘subsection’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section’’; 
(3) in section 47, in the section heading by 
striking ‘‘commandant’’ and inserting ‘‘Com-
mandant’’; 
(4) in section 93(f), by striking paragraph (2) 
and inserting the following: 
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‘‘(2) 
LIMITATION.—The 
Commandant 
may 
lease submerged lands and tidelands under para-
graph (1) only if— 
‘‘(A) the lease is for cash exclusively; 
‘‘(B) the lease amount is equal to the fair 
market value of the use of the leased sub-
merged lands or tidelands for the period during 
which such lands are leased, as determined by 
the Commandant; 
‘‘(C) the lease does not provide authority 
to or commit the Coast Guard to use or support 
any improvements to such submerged lands and 
tidelands, or obtain goods and services from the 
lessee; and 
‘‘(D) proceeds from the lease are deposited 
in the Coast Guard Housing Fund established 
under section 687.’’; 
(5) in the analysis for chapter 9, by striking the 
item relating to section 199 and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘199. Marine safety curriculum.’’; 
(6) in section 427(b)(2), by striking ‘‘this chap-
ter’’ and inserting ‘‘chapter 61 of title 10’’; 
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(7) in the analysis for chapter 15 before the 
item relating to section 571, by striking the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘Sec.’’; 
(8) 
in 
section 
581(5)(B), 
by 
striking 
‘‘$300,000,0000,’’ and inserting ‘‘$300,000,000,’’; 
(9) in section 637(c)(3), in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A) by inserting ‘‘it is’’ before 
‘‘any’’; 
(10) in section 641(d)(3), by striking ‘‘Guard, 
installation’’ and inserting ‘‘Guard installation’’; 
(11) in section 691(c)(3), by striking ‘‘state’’ 
and inserting ‘‘State’’; 
(12) in the analysis for chapter 21— 
(A) by striking the item relating to section 
709 and inserting the following: 
‘‘709. Reserve student aviation pilots; Reserve aviation pilots; appointments in 
commissioned grade.’’; 
and 
(B) by striking the item relating to section 
740 and inserting the following: 
‘‘740. Failure of selection and removal from an active status.’’; 
(13) in section 742(c), by striking ‘‘subsection’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subsections’’; 
(14) in section 821(b)(1), by striking ‘‘Chapter 
26’’ and inserting ‘‘Chapter 171’’; and 
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(15) in section 823a(b)(1), by striking ‘‘Chap-
ter 26’’ and inserting ‘‘Chapter 171’’. 
SEC. 210. DISCONTINUANCE OF AN AID TO NAVIGATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
establish a process for the discontinuance of an aid to 
navigation (other than a seasonal or temporary aid) estab-
lished, maintained, or operated by the Coast Guard. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—The process established under 
subsection (a) shall include procedures to notify the public 
of any discontinuance of an aid to navigation described 
in that subsection. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In establishing a process under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with and con-
sider any recommendations of the Navigation Safety Advi-
sory Council. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 30 days after es-
tablishing a process under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate of the process established. 
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SEC. 211. MISSION PERFORMANCE MEASURES. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an as-
sessment of the efficacy of the Coast Guard’s Standard 
Operational Planning Process with respect to annual mis-
sion performance measures. 
SEC. 212. COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity determines that there are at least two communica-
tions systems described under paragraph (1)(B) and cer-
tified under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall establish 
and carry out a pilot program across not less than three 
components of the Department of Homeland Security to 
assess the effectiveness of a communications system 
that— 
(1) provides for— 
(A) multiagency collaboration and inter-
operability; and 
(B) wide-area, secure, and peer-invitation- 
and acceptance-based multimedia communica-
tions; 
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(2) is certified by the Department of Defense 
Joint Interoperability Test Center; and 
(3) is composed of commercially available, off- 
the-shelf technology. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date on which the pilot program is completed, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Com-
mittee Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
the Senate an assessment of the pilot program, including 
the impacts of the program with respect to interagency 
and Coast Guard response capabilities. 
(c) STRATEGY.—The pilot program shall be con-
sistent with the strategy required by the Department of 
Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act 
(Public Law 114–29). 
(d) TIMING.—The pilot program shall commence 
within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act 
or within 60 days after the completion of the strategy re-
quired by the Department of Homeland Security Inter-
operable Communications Act (Public Law 114–29), 
whichever is later. 
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SEC. 213. COAST GUARD GRADUATE MARITIME OPER-
ATIONS EDUCATION. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall establish an education pro-
gram, for members and employees of the Coast Guard, 
that— 
(1) offers a master’s degree in maritime oper-
ations; 
(2) is relevant to the professional development 
of such members and employees; 
(3) provides resident and distant education op-
tions, including the ability to utilize both options; 
and 
(4) to the greatest extent practicable, is con-
ducted using existing academic programs at an ac-
credited public academic institution that— 
(A) is located near a significant number of 
Coast Guard, maritime, and other Department 
of Homeland Security law enforcement per-
sonnel; and 
(B) has an ability to simulate operations 
normally conducted at a command center. 
SEC. 214. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) MULTIRATER ASSESSMENT.— 
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(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 11 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
section 428 the following: 
‘‘§ 429. Multirater assessment of certain personnel 
‘‘(a) MULTIRATER ASSESSMENT OF CERTAIN PER-
SONNEL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Commencing not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of the 
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard shall develop and im-
plement a plan to conduct every two years a 
multirater assessment for each of the following: 
‘‘(A) Each flag officer of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(B) Each member of the Senior Executive 
Service of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(C) Each officer of the Coast Guard nom-
inated for promotion to the grade of flag offi-
cer. 
‘‘(2) POST-ASSESSMENT ELEMENTS.—Following 
an assessment of an individual pursuant to para-
graph (1), the individual shall be provided appro-
priate post-assessment counseling and leadership 
coaching. 
‘‘(b) MULTIRATER ASSESSMENT DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘multirater assessment’ means a review 
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that seeks opinion from members senior to the reviewee 
and the peers and subordinates of the reviewee.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by insert-
ing after the item related to section 428 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘429. Multirater assessment of certain personnel.’’. 
(b) TRAINING COURSE
ON WORKINGS
OF CON-
GRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 60. Training course on workings of Congress 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authoriza-
tion Act of 2015, the Commandant, in consultation with 
the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy and such 
other individuals and organizations as the Commandant 
considers appropriate, shall develop a training course on 
the workings of the Congress and offer that training 
course at least once each year. 
‘‘(b) COURSE
SUBJECT
MATTER.—The training 
course required by this section shall provide an overview 
and introduction to the Congress and the Federal legisla-
tive process, including— 
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‘‘(1) the history and structure of the Congress 
and the committee systems of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Senate, including the functions 
and responsibilities of the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate; 
‘‘(2) the documents produced by the Congress, 
including bills, resolutions, committee reports, and 
conference reports, and the purposes and functions 
of those documents; 
‘‘(3) the legislative processes and rules of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate, including 
similarities and differences between the two proc-
esses and rules, including— 
‘‘(A) the congressional budget process; 
‘‘(B) the congressional authorization and 
appropriation processes; 
‘‘(C) the Senate advice and consent process 
for Presidential nominees; and 
‘‘(D) the Senate advice and consent proc-
ess for treaty ratification; 
‘‘(4) the roles of Members of Congress and con-
gressional staff in the legislative process; and 
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‘‘(5) the concept and underlying purposes of 
congressional oversight within our governance frame-
work of separation of powers. 
‘‘(c) LECTURERS AND PANELISTS.— 
‘‘(1) OUTSIDE
EXPERTS.—The Commandant 
shall ensure that not less than 60 percent of the lec-
turers, panelists, and other individuals providing 
education and instruction as part of the training 
course required by this section are experts on the 
Congress and the Federal legislative process who are 
not employed by the executive branch of the Federal 
Government. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT PRO BONO SERV-
ICES.—In satisfying the requirement under para-
graph (1), the Commandant shall seek, and may ac-
cept, educational and instructional services of lec-
turers, panelists, and other individuals and organiza-
tions provided to the Coast Guard on a pro bono 
basis. 
‘‘(d) COMPLETION OF REQUIRED TRAINING.— 
‘‘(1) CURRENT FLAG OFFICERS AND EMPLOY-
EES.—A Coast Guard flag officer appointed or as-
signed to a billet in the National Capital Region on 
the date of the enactment of this section, and a 
Coast Guard Senior Executive Service employee em-
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ployed in the National Capital Region on the date of 
the enactment of this section, shall complete a train-
ing course that meets the requirements of this sec-
tion within 60 days after the date on which the 
Commandant completes the development of the 
training course. 
‘‘(2) NEW FLAG OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.— 
A Coast Guard flag officer who is newly appointed 
or assigned to a billet in the National Capital Re-
gion, and a Coast Guard Senior Executive Service 
employee who is newly employed in the National 
Capital Region, shall complete a training course that 
meets the requirements of this section not later than 
60 days after reporting for duty.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘60. Training course on workings of Congress.’’. 
(c) REPORT ON LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
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resentatives a report on Coast Guard leadership de-
velopment. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report shall include the 
following: 
(A) An assessment of the feasibility of— 
(i) all officers (other than officers cov-
ered by section 429(a) of title 14, United 
States Code, as amended by this section) 
completing a multirater assessment; 
(ii) all members (other than officers 
covered by such section) in command posi-
tions completing a multirater assessment; 
(iii) all enlisted members in a super-
visory position completing a multirater as-
sessment; and 
(iv) 
members 
completing 
periodic 
multirater assessments. 
(B) Such recommendations as the Com-
mandant considers appropriate for the imple-
mentation or expansion of a multirater assess-
ment in the personnel development programs of 
the Coast Guard. 
(C) An overview of each of the current 
leadership development courses of the Coast 
Guard, an assessment of the feasibility of the 
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expansion of any such course, and a description 
of the resources, if any, required to expand 
such courses. 
(D) An assessment on the state of leader-
ship training in the Coast Guard, and rec-
ommendations on the implementation of a pol-
icy to prevent leadership that has adverse ef-
fects on subordinates, the organization, or mis-
sion performance, including— 
(i) a description of methods that will 
be used by the Coast Guard to identify, 
monitor, and counsel individuals whose 
leadership may have adverse effects on 
subordinates, the organization, or mission 
performance; 
(ii) the implementation of leadership 
recognition training to recognize such lead-
ership in one’s self and others; 
(iii) the establishment of procedures 
for the administrative separation of leaders 
whose leadership may have adverse effects 
on subordinates, the organization, or mis-
sion performance; and 
(iv) a description of the resources 
needed to implement this section. 
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SEC. 215. SENIOR ENLISTED MEMBER CONTINUATION 
BOARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 357 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (a) through (h) and 
subsection (j); and 
(2) in subsection (i), by striking ‘‘(i)’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) HEADING
AMENDMENT.—The heading of 
such section is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 357. Retirement of enlisted members: increase in 
retired pay’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at 
the beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended 
by striking the item relating to such section and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘357. Retirement of enlisted members: increase in retired pay.’’. 
SEC. 216. COAST GUARD MEMBER PAY. 
(a) ANNUAL AUDIT OF PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF 
MEMBERS UNDERGOING PERMANENT CHANGE OF STA-
TION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 13 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
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‘‘§ 519. Annual audit of pay and allowances of mem-
bers undergoing permanent change of 
station 
‘‘The Commandant shall conduct each calendar year 
an audit of member pay and allowances for the members 
who transferred to new units during such calendar year. 
The audit for a calendar year shall be completed by the 
end of the calendar year.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘519. Annual audit of pay and allowances of members undergoing permanent 
change of station.’’. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives a report on alternative methods for no-
tifying members of the Coast Guard of their monthly earn-
ings. The report shall include— 
(1) an assessment of the feasibility of providing 
members a monthly notification of their earnings, 
categorized by pay and allowance type; and 
(2) a description and assessment of mechanisms 
that may be used to provide members with notifica-
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tion of their earnings, categorized by pay and allow-
ance type. 
SEC. 217. TRANSFER OF FUNDS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE 
MEDICAL CARE. 
(a) TRANSFER REQUIRED.—In lieu of the reimburse-
ment required under section 1085 of title 10, United 
States Code, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
transfer to the Secretary of Defense an amount that rep-
resents the actuarial valuation of treatment or care— 
(1) that the Department of Defense shall pro-
vide to members of the Coast Guard, former mem-
bers of the Coast Guard, and dependents of such 
members and former members (other than former 
members and dependents of former members who 
are a Medicare-eligible beneficiary or for whom the 
payment for treatment or care is made from the 
Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund) at fa-
cilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of 
Defense or a military department; and 
(2) for which a reimbursement would otherwise 
be made under section 1085. 
(b) AMOUNT.—The amount transferred under sub-
section (a) shall be— 
(1) in the case of treatment or care to be pro-
vided to members of the Coast Guard and their de-
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pendents, derived from amounts appropriated for the 
operating expenses of the Coast Guard; 
(2) in the case of treatment or care to be pro-
vided former members of the Coast Guard and their 
dependents, derived from amounts appropriated for 
retired pay; 
(3) determined under procedures established by 
the Secretary of Defense; 
(4) transferred during the fiscal year in which 
treatment or care is provided; and 
(5) subject to adjustment or reconciliation as 
the Secretaries determine appropriate during or 
promptly after such fiscal year in cases in which the 
amount transferred is determined excessive or insuf-
ficient based on the services actually provided. 
(c) NO TRANSFER WHEN SERVICE IN NAVY.—No 
transfer shall be made under this section for any period 
during which the Coast Guard operates as a service in the 
Navy. 
(d) RELATIONSHIP
TO TRICARE.—This section 
shall not be construed to require a payment for, or the 
transfer of an amount that represents the value of, treat-
ment or care provided under any TRICARE program. 
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SEC. 218. PARTICIPATION OF THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY 
IN 
FEDERAL, 
STATE, 
OR 
OTHER 
EDU-
CATIONAL RESEARCH GRANTS. 
Section 196 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before 
the first sentence; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant of the 
Coast Guard may— 
‘‘(A) enter into a contract, cooperative 
agreement, lease, or licensing agreement with a 
qualified organization; 
‘‘(B) allow a qualified organization to use, 
at no cost, personal property of the Coast 
Guard; and 
‘‘(C) notwithstanding section 93, accept 
funds, supplies, and services from a qualified 
organization. 
‘‘(2) SOLE-SOURCE
BASIS.—Notwithstanding 
chapter 65 of title 31 and chapter 137 of title 10, 
the Commandant may enter into a contract or coop-
erative agreement under paragraph (1)(A) on a sole- 
source basis. 
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‘‘(3) MAINTAINING
FAIRNESS, 
OBJECTIVITY, 
AND
INTEGRITY.—The Commandant shall ensure 
that contributions under this subsection do not— 
‘‘(A) reflect unfavorably on the ability of 
the Coast Guard, any of its employees, or any 
member of the armed forces to carry out any 
responsibility or duty in a fair and objective 
manner; or 
‘‘(B) compromise the integrity or appear-
ance of integrity of any program of the Coast 
Guard, or any individual involved in such a pro-
gram. 
‘‘(4) LIMITATION.—For purposes of this sub-
section, employees or personnel of a qualified organi-
zation shall not be employees of the United States. 
‘‘(5) QUALIFIED ORGANIZATION DEFINED.—In 
this subsection the term ‘qualified organization’ 
means an organization— 
‘‘(A) described under section 501(c)(3) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt 
from taxation under section 501(a) of that 
Code; and 
‘‘(B) established by the Coast Guard Acad-
emy Alumni Association solely for the purpose 
of supporting academic research and applying 
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for and administering Federal, State, or other 
educational research grants on behalf of the 
Coast Guard Academy.’’. 
SEC. 219. NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM. 
Section 98(b) of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘any appro-
priated Federal funds for’’ and insert ‘‘any funds 
appropriated to the Coast Guard on’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘artifacts.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘artifacts, including the design, fab-
rication, and installation of exhibits or displays in 
which such artifacts are included.’’. 
SEC. 220. INVESTIGATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 11 of title 14, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 430. Investigations of flag officers and Senior Exec-
utive Service employees 
‘‘In conducting an investigation into an allegation of 
misconduct by a flag officer or member of the Senior Ex-
ecutive Service serving in the Coast Guard, the Inspector 
General of the Department of Homeland Security shall— 
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‘‘(1) conduct the investigation in a manner con-
sistent with Department of Defense policies for such 
an investigation; and 
‘‘(2) consult with the Inspector General of the 
Department of Defense.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the be-
ginning of such chapter is further amended by inserting 
after the item related to section 429 the following: 
‘‘430. Investigations of flag officers and Senior Executive Service employees.’’. 
SEC. 221. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF 
THE COAST GUARD FOR COMBAT-RELATED 
SPECIAL COMPENSATION. 
(a) CONSIDERATION OF ELIGIBILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of the department is which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating shall issue procedures and criteria to use in 
determining whether the disability of a member of 
the Coast Guard is a combat-related disability for 
purposes of the eligibility of such member for com-
bat-related special compensation under section 
1413a of title 10, United States Code. Such proce-
dures and criteria shall include the procedures and 
criteria prescribed by the Secretary of Defense pur-
suant to subsection (e)(2) of such section. Such pro-
cedures and criteria shall apply in determining 
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whether the disability of a member of the Coast 
Guard is a combat-related disability for purposes of 
determining the eligibility of such member for com-
bat-related special compensation under such section. 
(2) DISABILITY FOR WHICH A DETERMINATION 
IS MADE.—For the purposes of this section, and in 
the case of a member of the Coast Guard, a dis-
ability under section 1413a(e)(2)(B) of title 10, 
United States Code, includes a disability incurred 
during aviation duty, diving duty, rescue swimmer or 
similar duty, and hazardous service duty onboard a 
small vessel (such as duty as a surfman)— 
(A) in the performance of duties for which 
special or incentive pay was paid pursuant to 
section 301, 301a, 304, 307, 334, or 351 of 
title 37, United States Code; 
(B) in the performance of duties related 
to— 
(i) law enforcement, including drug or 
migrant interdiction; 
(ii) defense readiness; or 
(iii) search and rescue; or 
(C) while engaged in a training exercise for 
the performance of a duty described in subpara-
graphs (A) and (B). 
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(b) APPLICABILITY
OF GUIDANCE.—The guidance 
issued pursuant to subsection (a) shall apply to disabilities 
described in that subsection that are incurred on or after 
the effective date provided in section 636(a)(2) of the Bob 
Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2003 (Public Law 107–314; 116 Stat. 2574; 10 
U.S.C. 1413a note). 
(c) REAPPLICATION
FOR
COMPENSATION.—Any 
member of the Coast Guard who was denied combat-re-
lated special compensation under section 1413a of title 10, 
United States Code, during the period beginning on the 
effective date specified in subsection (b) and ending on 
the date of the issuance of the guidance required by sub-
section (a) may reapply for combat-related special com-
pensation under such section on the basis of such guidance 
in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary of 
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall specify. 
SEC. 222. LEAVE POLICIES FOR THE COAST GUARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 11 of title 14, United 
States Code, is further amended by inserting after section 
430 the following: 
‘‘§ 431. Leave policies for the Coast Guard 
‘‘Not later than 1 year after the date on which the 
Secretary of the Navy promulgates a new rule, policy, or 
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memorandum pursuant to section 704 of title 10, United 
States Code, with respect to leave associated with the birth 
or adoption of a child, the Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall promulgate 
a similar rule, policy, or memorandum that provides leave 
to officers and enlisted members of the Coast Guard that 
is equal in duration and compensation to that provided 
by the Secretary of the Navy.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the be-
ginning of such chapter is further amended by inserting 
after the item related to section 430 the following: 
‘‘431. Leave policies for the Coast Guard.’’. 
TITLE III—SHIPPING AND 
NAVIGATION 
SEC. 301. SURVIVAL CRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3104 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 3104. Survival craft 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT TO EQUIP.—The Secretary shall 
require that a passenger vessel be equipped with survival 
craft that ensures that no part of an individual is im-
mersed in water, if— 
‘‘(1) such vessel is built or undergoes a major 
conversion after January 1, 2016; and 
‘‘(2) operates in cold waters as determined by 
the Secretary. 
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‘‘(b) HIGHER STANDARD
OF SAFETY.—The Sec-
retary may revise part 117 or part 180 of title 46, Code 
of Federal Regulations, as in effect before January 1, 
2016, if such revision provides a higher standard of safety 
than is provided by the regulations in effect on or before 
the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authoriza-
tion Act of 2015. 
‘‘(c) INNOVATIVE AND NOVEL DESIGNS.—The Sec-
retary may, in lieu of the requirements set out in part 
117 or part 180 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, 
as in effect on the date of the enactment of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2015, allow a passenger vessel 
to be equipped with a life-saving appliance or arrangement 
of an innovative or novel design that— 
‘‘(1) ensures no part of an individual is im-
mersed in water; and 
‘‘(2) provides an equal or higher standard of 
safety than is provided by such requirements as in 
effect before such date of the enactment. 
‘‘(d) BUILT DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘built’ has the meaning that term has under section 
4503(e).’’. 
(b) REVIEW; REVISION OF REGULATIONS.— 
(1) REVIEW.—Not later than December 31, 
2016, the Secretary of the department in which the 
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Coast Guard is operating shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a review of— 
(A) the number of casualties for individ-
uals with disabilities, children, and the elderly 
as a result of immersion in water, reported to 
the Coast Guard over the preceding 30-year pe-
riod, by vessel type and area of operation; 
(B) the risks to individuals with disabil-
ities, children, and the elderly as a result of im-
mersion in water, by passenger vessel type and 
area of operation; 
(C) the effect that carriage of survival 
craft that ensure that no part of an individual 
is immersed in water has on— 
(i) passenger vessel safety, including 
stability and safe navigation; 
(ii) improving the survivability of indi-
viduals, including individuals with disabil-
ities, children, and the elderly; and 
(iii) the costs, the incremental cost 
difference to vessel operators, and the cost 
effectiveness of requiring the carriage of 
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such survival craft to address the risks to 
individuals with disabilities, children, and 
the elderly; 
(D) the efficacy of alternative safety sys-
tems, devices, or measures in improving surviv-
ability of individuals with disabilities, children, 
and the elderly; and 
(E) the number of small businesses and 
nonprofit vessel operators that would be af-
fected by requiring the carriage of such survival 
craft on passenger vessels to address the risks 
to individuals with disabilities, children, and the 
elderly. 
(2) REVISION.—Based on the review conducted 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary may revise regu-
lations concerning the carriage of survival craft pur-
suant to section 3104(c) of title 46, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 302. VESSEL REPLACEMENT. 
(a) LOANS AND GUARANTEES.—Chapter 537 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 53701— 
(A) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(8) 
through (14) as paragraphs (9) through (15), 
respectively; and 
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(B) by inserting after paragraph (7) the 
following: 
‘‘(8) HISTORICAL USES.—The term ‘historical 
uses’ includes— 
‘‘(A) refurbishing, repairing, rebuilding, or 
replacing equipment on a fishing vessel, without 
materially increasing harvesting capacity; 
‘‘(B) purchasing a used fishing vessel; 
‘‘(C) purchasing, constructing, expanding, 
or reconditioning a fishery facility; 
‘‘(D) refinancing existing debt; 
‘‘(E) reducing fishing capacity; and 
‘‘(F) making upgrades to a fishing vessel, 
including upgrades in technology, gear, or 
equipment, that improve— 
‘‘(i) collection and reporting of fish-
ery-dependent data; 
‘‘(ii) bycatch reduction or avoidance; 
‘‘(iii) gear selectivity; 
‘‘(iv) adverse impacts caused by fish-
ing gear; or 
‘‘(v) safety.’’; and 
(2) in section 53702(b), by adding at the end 
the following: 
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‘‘(3) MINIMUM
OBLIGATIONS
AVAILABLE
FOR 
HISTORIC
USES.—Of the direct loan obligations 
issued by the Secretary under this chapter, the Sec-
retary shall make a minimum of $59,000,000 avail-
able each fiscal year for historic uses. 
‘‘(4) USE OF OBLIGATIONS IN LIMITED ACCESS 
FISHERIES.—In addition to the other eligible pur-
poses and uses of direct loan obligations provided for 
in this chapter, the Secretary may issue direct loan 
obligations for the purpose of— 
‘‘(A) financing the construction or recon-
struction of a fishing vessel in a fishery man-
aged under a limited access system; or 
‘‘(B) financing the purchase of harvesting 
rights in a fishery that is federally managed 
under a limited access system.’’. 
(b) LIMITATION ON APPLICATION TO CERTAIN FISH-
ING VESSELS
OF PROHIBITION UNDER VESSEL CON-
STRUCTION PROGRAM.—Section 302(b)(2) of the Fish-
eries Financing Act (title III of Public Law 104–297; 46 
U.S.C. 53706 note) is amended— 
(1) in the second sentence— 
(A) by striking ‘‘or in’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
in’’; and 
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(B) by inserting before the period the fol-
lowing: ‘‘, in fisheries that are under the juris-
diction of the North Pacific Fishery Manage-
ment Council and managed under a fishery 
management plan issued under the Magnuson- 
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), or in the Pacific 
whiting fishery that is under the jurisdiction of 
the Pacific Fishery Management Council and 
managed under a fishery management plan 
issued under that Act’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘Any 
fishing vessel operated in fisheries under the juris-
diction of the North Pacific Fishery Management 
Council and managed under a fishery management 
plan issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 
et seq.), or in the Pacific whiting fishery under the 
jurisdiction of the Pacific Fishery Management 
Council and managed under a fishery management 
plan issued under that Act, and that is replaced by 
a vessel that is constructed or rebuilt with a loan or 
loan guarantee provided by the Federal Government 
may not be used to harvest fish in any fishery under 
the jurisdiction of any regional fishery management 
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council, other than a fishery under the jurisdiction 
of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council or 
the Pacific Fishery Management Council.’’. 
SEC. 303. MODEL YEARS FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4302 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e)(1) If in prescribing regulations under this sec-
tion the Secretary establishes a model year for recreational 
vessels and associated equipment, such model year shall, 
except as provided in paragraph (2)— 
‘‘(A) begin on June 1 of a year and end on July 
31 of the following year; and 
‘‘(B) be designated by the year in which it ends. 
‘‘(2) Upon the request of a recreational vessel manu-
facturer to which this chapter applies, the Secretary may 
alter a model year for a model of recreational vessel of 
the manufacturer and associated equipment, by no more 
than 6 months from the model year described in para-
graph (1).’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—This section shall only apply with 
respect to recreational vessels and associated equipment 
constructed or manufactured, respectively, on or after 
June 1, 2015. 
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(c) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
publish guidance to implement section 4302(d)(2) of title 
46, United States Code. 
SEC. 304. MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL EXPIRATION 
HARMONIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(c) and not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall establish a process to 
harmonize the expiration dates of merchant mariner cre-
dentials, mariner medical certificates, and radar observer 
endorsements for individuals applying to the Secretary for 
a new merchant mariner credential or for renewal of an 
existing merchant mariner credential. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the process established under subsection (a)— 
(1) does not require an individual to renew a 
merchant mariner credential earlier than the date on 
which the individual’s current credential expires; and 
(2) results in harmonization of expiration dates 
for merchant mariner credentials, mariner medical 
certificates, and radar observer endorsements for all 
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individuals by not later than 6 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) EXCEPTION.—The process established under sub-
section (a) does not apply to individuals— 
(1) holding a merchant mariner credential 
with— 
(A) an active Standards of Training, Cer-
tification, and Watchkeeping endorsement; or 
(B) Federal first-class pilot endorsement; 
or 
(2) who have been issued a time-restricted med-
ical certificate. 
SEC. 305. SAFETY ZONES FOR PERMITTED MARINE EVENTS. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall establish and imple-
ment a process to— 
(1) account for the number of safety zones es-
tablished for permitted marine events; 
(2) differentiate whether the event sponsor who 
requested a permit for such an event is— 
(A) an individual; 
(B) an organization; or 
(C) a government entity; and 
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(3) account for Coast Guard resources utilized 
to enforce safety zones established for permitted ma-
rine events, including for— 
(A) the number of Coast Guard or Coast 
Guard Auxiliary vessels used; and 
(B) the number of Coast Guard or Coast 
Guard Auxiliary patrol hours required. 
SEC. 306. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) TITLE 46.—Title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in section 103, by striking ‘‘(33 U.S.C. 
151).’’ and inserting ‘‘(33 U.S.C. 151(b)).’’; 
(2) in section 2118— 
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter pre-
ceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘title,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subtitle,’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘title’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subtitle’’; 
(3) in the analysis for chapter 35— 
(A) by adding a period at the end of the 
item relating to section 3507; and 
(B) by adding a period at the end of the 
item relating to section 3508; 
(4) in section 3715(a)(2), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
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(5) in section 4506, by striking ‘‘(a)’’; 
(6) in section 8103(b)(1)(A)(iii), by striking 
‘‘Academy.’’ and inserting ‘‘Academy; and’’; 
(7) in section 11113(c)(1)(A)(i), by striking 
‘‘under this Act’’; 
(8) in the analysis for chapter 701— 
(A) by adding a period at the end of the 
item relating to section 70107A; 
(B) in the item relating to section 70112, 
by striking ‘‘security advisory committees.’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Security Advisory Committees.’’; and 
(C) in the item relating to section 70122, 
by striking ‘‘watch program.’’ and inserting 
‘‘Watch Program.’’; 
(9) in section 70105(c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(B)(xv)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘18, popularly’’ and in-
serting ‘‘18 (popularly’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Act’’ and inserting 
‘‘Act)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘(D) 
paragraph’’ and inserting ‘‘(D) of paragraph’’; 
(10) in section 70107— 
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(A) in subsection (b)(2), by striking 
‘‘5121(j)(8)),’’ and inserting ‘‘5196(j)(8)),’’; 
and 
(B) in subsection (m)(3)(C)(iii), by strik-
ing ‘‘that is’’ and inserting ‘‘that the appli-
cant’’; 
(11) in section 70122, in the section heading, 
by striking ‘‘watch program’’ and inserting 
‘‘Watch Program’’; and 
(12) in the analysis for chapter 705, by adding 
a period at the end of the item relating to section 
70508. 
(b) GENERAL BRIDGE STATUTES.— 
(1) ACT OF MARCH 3, 1899.—The Act of March 
3, 1899, popularly known as the Rivers and Harbors 
Appropriations Act of 1899, is amended— 
(A) in section 9 (33 U.S.C. 401), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
and 
(B) in section 18 (33 U.S.C. 502), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
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department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating’’. 
(2) ACT OF MARCH 23, 1906.—The Act of March 
23, 1906, popularly known as the Bridge Act of 
1906, is amended— 
(A) in the first section (33 U.S.C. 491), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
(B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 494), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Homeland Security’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating’’; and 
(C) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 495), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’. 
(3) ACT OF AUGUST 18, 1894.—Section 5 of the 
Act entitled ‘‘An Act making appropriations for the 
construction, repair, and preservation of certain pub-
lic works on rivers and harbors, and for other pur-
poses’’, approved August 18, 1894 (33 U.S.C. 499), 
is amended by striking ‘‘Secretary of Transpor-
tation’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Sec-
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retary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating’’. 
(4) ACT OF JUNE 21, 1940.—The Act of June 
21, 1940, popularly known as the Truman-Hobbs 
Act, is amended— 
(A) in section 1 (33 U.S.C. 511), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating’’; 
(B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 514), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating’’; 
(C) in section 7 (33 U.S.C. 517), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
and 
(D) in section 13 (33 U.S.C. 523), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating’’. 
(5) GENERAL BRIDGE ACT OF 1946.—The Gen-
eral Bridge Act of 1946 is amended— 
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(A) in section 502(b) (33 U.S.C. 525(b)), 
by striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating’’; and 
(B) in section 510 (33 U.S.C. 533), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating’’. 
(6) INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE ACT OF 1972.—The 
International Bridge Act of 1972 is amended— 
(A) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 535c), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
(B) in section 8 (33 U.S.C. 535e), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating’’; and 
(C) by striking section 11 (33 U.S.C. 
535h). 
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SEC. 307. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS OF MA-
RINE CASUALTY REPORTING. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate of the actions the Commandant will take to imple-
ment recommendations on improvements to the Coast 
Guard’s marine casualty reporting requirements and pro-
cedures included in— 
(1) the Department of Homeland Security Of-
fice of Inspector General report entitled ‘‘Marine Ac-
cident Reporting, Investigations, and Enforcement 
in the United States Coast Guard’’, released on May 
23, 2013; and 
(2) the Towing Safety Advisory Committee re-
port entitled ‘‘Recommendations for Improvement of 
Marine Casualty Reporting’’, released on March 26, 
2015. 
SEC. 308. RECREATIONAL VESSEL ENGINE WEIGHTS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall issue regulations 
amending table 4 to subpart H of part 183 of title 33, 
Code of Federal Regulations (relating to Weights 
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(Pounds) of Outboard Motor and Related Equipment for 
Various Boat Horsepower Ratings), as appropriate to re-
flect ‘‘Standard 30–Outboard Engine and Related Equip-
ment Weights’’ published by the American Boat and Yacht 
Council, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 309. MERCHANT MARINER MEDICAL CERTIFICATION 
REFORM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 75 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 7509. Medical certification by trusted agents 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of law and pursuant to regulations prescribed by 
the Secretary, a trusted agent may issue a medical certifi-
cate to an individual who— 
‘‘(1) must hold such certificate to qualify for a 
license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s 
document, or endorsement thereto under this part; 
and 
‘‘(2) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and phys-
ical condition to perform the duties of such license, 
certificate, document, or endorsement, as determined 
by the trusted agent. 
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‘‘(b) PROCESS FOR ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES BY 
SECRETARY.—A final rule implementing this section shall 
include a process for— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating to issue medical certifi-
cates to mariners who submit applications for such 
certificates to the Secretary; and 
‘‘(2) a trusted agent to defer to the Secretary 
the issuance of a medical certificate. 
‘‘(c) TRUSTED AGENT DEFINED.—In this section the 
term ‘trusted agent’ means a medical practitioner certified 
by the Secretary to perform physical examinations of an 
individual for purposes of a license, certificate of registry, 
or merchant mariner’s document under this part.’’. 
(b) DEADLINE.—Not later than 5 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
issue a final rule implementing section 7509 of title 46, 
United States Code, as added by this section. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘7509. Medical certification by trusted agents.’’. 
SEC. 310. ATLANTIC COAST PORT ACCESS ROUTE STUDY. 
(a) 
ATLANTIC
COAST
PORT
ACCESS
ROUTE 
STUDY.—Not later than April 1, 2016, the Commandant 
of the Coast Guard shall conclude the Atlantic Coast Port 
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Access Route Study and submit the results of such study 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(b) NANTUCKET SOUND.—Not later than December 
1, 2016, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall com-
plete and submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a port access route study of Nantucket Sound 
using the standards and methodology of the Atlantic Coast 
Port Access Route Study, to determine whether the Coast 
Guard should revise existing regulations to improve navi-
gation safety in Nantucket Sound due to factors such as 
increased vessel traffic, changing vessel traffic patterns, 
weather conditions, or navigational difficulty in the vicin-
ity. 
SEC. 311. CERTIFICATES OF DOCUMENTATION FOR REC-
REATIONAL VESSELS. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall issue regulations 
that— 
(1) make certificates of documentation for rec-
reational vessels effective for 5 years; and 
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(2) require the owner of such a vessel— 
(A) to notify the Coast Guard of each 
change in the information on which the 
issuance of the certificate of documentation is 
based, that occurs before the expiration of the 
certificate; and 
(B) apply for a new certificate of docu-
mentation for such a vessel if there is any such 
change. 
SEC. 312. PROGRAM GUIDELINES. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall— 
(1) develop guidelines to implement the pro-
gram authorized under section 304(a) of the Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 
(Public Law 109–241), including specific actions to 
ensure 
the 
future 
availability 
of 
able 
and 
credentialed United States licensed and unlicensed 
seafarers including— 
(A) incentives to encourage partnership 
agreements with operators of foreign-flag ves-
sels that carry liquified natural gas, that pro-
vide no less than one training billet per vessel 
for United States merchant mariners in order 
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to meet minimum mandatory sea service re-
quirements; 
(B) development of appropriate training 
curricula for use by public and private maritime 
training institutions to meet all United States 
merchant mariner license, certification, and 
document laws and requirements under the 
International Convention on Standards of 
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for 
Seafarers, 1978; and 
(C) steps to promote greater outreach and 
awareness of additional job opportunities for 
sea service veterans of the United States Armed 
Forces; and 
(2) submit such guidelines to the Committee 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 313. REPEALS. 
(a) REPEALS, MERCHANT MARINE ACT, 1936.—Sec-
tions 601 through 606, 608 through 611, 613 through 
616, 802, and 809 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 
U.S.C. 53101 note) are repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 575 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
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(1) in section 57501, by striking ‘‘titles V and 
VI’’ and inserting ‘‘title V’’; and 
(2) in section 57531(a), by striking ‘‘titles V 
and VI’’ and inserting ‘‘title V’’. 
(c) TRANSFER FROM MERCHANT MARINE ACT, 
1936.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 801 of the Merchant 
Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 53101 note)— 
(A) is redesignated as section 57522 of 
title 46, United States Code, and transferred to 
appear after section 57521 of such title; and 
(B) as so redesignated and transferred, is 
amended— 
(i) by striking so much as precedes 
the first sentence and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and in-
spection and auditing’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the provision of title 
VI or VII of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘this 
chapter’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘: Provided, That’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘Commis-
sion’’. 
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(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 575, of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 57521 the following: 
‘‘57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and inspection and auditing.’’. 
(d) REPEALS, TITLE 46, U.S.C.—Section 8103 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended in subsections 
(c) and (d) by striking ‘‘or operating’’ each place it ap-
pears. 
SEC. 314. MARITIME DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT. 
(a) PROHIBITIONS.—Section 70503(a) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITIONS.—While on board a covered ves-
sel, an individual may not knowingly or intentionally— 
‘‘(1) manufacture or distribute, or possess with 
intent to manufacture or distribute, a controlled sub-
stance; 
‘‘(2) destroy (including jettisoning any item or 
scuttling, burning, or hastily cleaning a vessel), or 
attempt or conspire to destroy, property that is sub-
ject to forfeiture under section 511(a) of the Com-
prehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act 
of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 881(a)); or 
‘‘(3) conceal, or attempt or conspire to conceal, 
more than $100,000 in currency or other monetary 
instruments on the person of such individual or in 
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any conveyance, article of luggage, merchandise, or 
other container, or compartment of or aboard the 
covered vessel if that vessel is outfitted for smug-
gling.’’. 
(b) COVERED VESSEL DEFINED.—Section 70503 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(e) COVERED VESSEL DEFINED.—In this section 
the term ‘covered vessel’ means— 
‘‘(1) a vessel of the United States or a vessel 
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or 
‘‘(2) any other vessel if the individual is a cit-
izen of the United States or a resident alien of the 
United States.’’. 
(c) PENALTIES.—Section 70506 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘A person vio-
lating section 70503’’ and inserting ‘‘A person vio-
lating paragraph (1) of section 70503(a)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) PENALTY.—A person violating paragraph (2) or 
(3) of section 70503(a) shall be fined in accordance with 
section 3571 of title 18, imprisoned not more than 15 
years, or both.’’. 
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(d) SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE.—Section 70507(a) 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘section 70503’’ and inserting ‘‘section 70503 or 70508’’. 
(e) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) The heading of section 70503 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70503. Prohibited acts’’. 
(2) The analysis for chapter 705 of title 46, 
United States Code, is further amended by striking 
the item relating to section 70503 and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘70503. Prohibited acts.’’. 
SEC. 315. EXAMINATIONS FOR MERCHANT MARINER CRE-
DENTIALS. 
(a) DISCLOSURE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 75 of title 46, 
United States Code, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 7510. Examinations for merchant mariner creden-
tials 
‘‘(a) 
DISCLOSURE
NOT
REQUIRED.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, the Secretary is not 
required to disclose to the public— 
‘‘(1) a question from any examination for a 
merchant mariner credential; 
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‘‘(2) the answer to such a question, including 
any correct or incorrect answer that may be pre-
sented with such question; and 
‘‘(3) any quality or characteristic of such a 
question, including— 
‘‘(A) the manner in which such question 
has been, is, or may be selected for an examina-
tion; 
‘‘(B) the frequency of such selection; and 
‘‘(C) the frequency that an examinee cor-
rectly or incorrectly answered such question. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN QUESTIONS.—Not-
withstanding subsection (a), the Secretary may, for the 
purpose of preparation by the general public for examina-
tions required for merchant mariner credentials, release 
an examination question and answer that the Secretary 
has retired or is not presently on or part of an examina-
tion, or that the Secretary determines is appropriate for 
release. 
‘‘(c) EXAM REVIEW.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2015, and once every two years 
thereafter, the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
shall commission a working group to review new 
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questions for inclusion in examinations required for 
merchant mariner credentials, composed of— 
‘‘(A) 1 subject matter expert from the 
Coast Guard; 
‘‘(B) representatives from training facili-
ties and the maritime industry, of whom— 
‘‘(i) one-half shall be representatives 
from approved training facilities; and 
‘‘(ii) one-half shall be representatives 
from the appropriate maritime industry; 
‘‘(C) at least 1 representative from the 
Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Com-
mittee; 
‘‘(D) at least 2 representatives from the 
State maritime academies, of whom one shall be 
a representative from the deck training track 
and one shall be a representative of the engine 
license track; 
‘‘(E) representatives from other Coast 
Guard Federal advisory committees, as appro-
priate, for the industry segment associated with 
the subject examinations; 
‘‘(F) at least 1 subject matter expert from 
the Maritime Administration; and 
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‘‘(G) at least 1 human performance tech-
nology representative. 
‘‘(2) INCLUSION OF PERSONS KNOWLEDGEABLE 
ABOUT
EXAMINATION
TYPE.—The working group 
shall include representatives knowledgeable about 
the examination type under review. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—The requirement to convene 
a working group under paragraph (1) does not apply 
unless there are new examination questions to re-
view. 
‘‘(4) BASELINE REVIEW.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Within 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2015, the Secretary shall 
convene the working group to complete a base-
line review of the Coast Guard’s Merchant Mar-
iner Credentialing Examination, including re-
view of— 
‘‘(i) the accuracy of examination ques-
tions; 
‘‘(ii) the accuracy and availability of 
examination references; 
‘‘(iii) the length of merchant mariner 
examinations; and 
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‘‘(iv) the use of standard technologies 
in administering, scoring, and analyzing 
the examinations. 
‘‘(B) 
PROGRESS
REPORT.—The 
Coast 
Guard shall provide a progress report to the ap-
propriate congressional committees on the re-
view under this paragraph. 
‘‘(5) FULL MEMBERSHIP NOT REQUIRED.—The 
Coast Guard may convene the working group with-
out all members present if any non-Coast-Guard 
representative is present. 
‘‘(6) NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT.—The Sec-
retary shall require all members of the working 
group to sign a nondisclosure agreement with the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(7) TREATMENT
OF
MEMBERS
AS
FEDERAL 
EMPLOYEES.—A member of the working group who 
is not a Federal Government employee shall not be 
considered a Federal employee in the service or the 
employment of the Federal Government, except that 
such a member shall be considered a special govern-
ment employee, as defined in section 202(a) of title 
18 for purposes of sections 203, 205, 207, 208, and 
209 of such title and shall be subject to any admin-
istrative standards of conduct applicable to an em-
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ployee of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating. 
‘‘(8) FORMAL
EXAM
REVIEW.—The Secretary 
shall ensure that the Coast Guard Performance 
Technology Center— 
‘‘(A) prioritizes the review of examinations 
required for merchant mariner credentials; and 
‘‘(B) not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2015, completes a formal review, includ-
ing an appropriate analysis, of the topics and 
testing methodology employed by the National 
Maritime Center for merchant seamen licensing. 
‘‘(9) FACA.—The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to any working 
group created under this section to review the Coast 
Guard’s merchant mariner credentialing examina-
tions. 
‘‘(d) 
MERCHANT
MARINER
CREDENTIAL
DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘merchant mariner cre-
dential’ means a merchant seaman license, certificate, or 
document that the Secretary is authorized to issue pursu-
ant to this title.’’. 
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(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
such chapter is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘7510. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.’’. 
(b) EXAMINATIONS FOR MERCHANT MARINER CRE-
DENTIALS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 71 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 7116. Examinations for merchant mariner creden-
tials 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT FOR SAMPLE EXAMS.—The Sec-
retary shall develop a sample merchant mariner credential 
examination and outline of merchant mariner examination 
topics on an annual basis. 
‘‘(b) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Each sample examina-
tion and outline of topics developed under subsection (a) 
shall be readily available to the public. 
‘‘(c) MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘merchant mariner credential’ has 
the meaning that term has in section 7510.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘7116. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.’’. 
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(c) DISCLOSURE TO CONGRESS.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed to authorize the withholding of in-
formation from an appropriate inspector general, the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate, or the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 316. HIGHER VOLUME PORT AREA REGULATORY DEFI-
NITION CHANGE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 710 of 
the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 
111–281; 124 Stat. 2986) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) HIGHER
VOLUME
PORTS.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the requirements of subparts 
D, F, and G of part 155 of title 33, Code of Federal Regu-
lations, that apply to the higher volume port area for the 
Strait of Juan de Fuca at Port Angeles, Washington (in-
cluding any water area within 50 nautical miles seaward), 
to and including Puget Sound, shall apply, in the same 
manner, and to the same extent, to the Strait of Juan 
de Fuca at Cape Flattery, Washington (including any 
water area within 50 nautical miles seaward), to and in-
cluding Puget Sound.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (b) of 
such section is amended by striking ‘‘the modification of 
the higher volume port area definition required by sub-
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section (a).’’ and inserting ‘‘higher volume port require-
ments made applicable under subsection (a).’’. 
SEC. 317. RECOGNITION OF PORT SECURITY ASSESSMENTS 
CONDUCTED BY OTHER ENTITIES. 
Section 70108 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) RECOGNITION OF ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED BY 
OTHER ENTITIES.— 
‘‘(1) CERTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF AS-
SESSMENTS.—For the purposes of this section and 
section 70109, the Secretary may treat an assess-
ment that a foreign government (including, for the 
purposes of this subsection, an entity of or operating 
under the auspices of the European Union) or inter-
national organization has conducted as an assess-
ment that the Secretary has conducted for the pur-
poses of subsection (a), provided that the Secretary 
certifies that the foreign government or international 
organization has— 
‘‘(A) conducted the assessment in accord-
ance with subsection (b); and 
‘‘(B) provided the Secretary with sufficient 
information pertaining to its assessment (in-
cluding, but not limited to, information on the 
outcome of the assessment). 
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‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION
TO
ENTER
INTO
AN 
AGREEMENT.—For the purposes of this section and 
section 70109, the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretary of State, may enter into an agreement 
with a foreign government (including, for the pur-
poses of this subsection, an entity of or operating 
under the auspices of the European Union) or inter-
national organization, under which parties to the 
agreement— 
‘‘(A) conduct an assessment, required 
under subsection (a); 
‘‘(B) share information pertaining to such 
assessment (including, but not limited to, infor-
mation on the outcome of the assessment); or 
‘‘(C) both. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATIONS.—Nothing in this subsection 
shall be construed to— 
‘‘(A) require the Secretary to recognize an 
assessment that a foreign government or an 
international organization has conducted; or 
‘‘(B) limit the discretion or ability of the 
Secretary to conduct an assessment under this 
section. 
‘‘(4) NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 30 days before entering into an agreement or 
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arrangement with a foreign government under para-
graph (2), the Secretary shall notify the Committee 
on Homeland Security and the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate of the 
proposed terms of such agreement or arrangement.’’. 
SEC. 318. FISHING VESSEL AND FISH TENDER VESSEL CER-
TIFICATION. 
(a) ALTERNATIVE
SAFETY
COMPLIANCE
PRO-
GRAMS.—Section 4503 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘this section’’ 
and inserting ‘‘this subsection’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘This section’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in subsection (d), 
subsection (a)’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘This section’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
subsection (a)’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) Subsection (a) does not apply to a fishing vessel 
or fish tender vessel to which section 4502(b) of this title 
applies, if the vessel— 
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‘‘(A) is at least 50 feet overall in length, and 
not more than 79 feet overall in length; and 
‘‘(B)(i) is built after January 1, 2016, and 
complies with the alternative safety compliance pro-
gram established under subsection (e); or 
‘‘(ii) is built after the date of the enactment of 
the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 and be-
fore the establishment of the alternative safety com-
pliance program required under subsection (e), and 
complies with the requirements described in sub-
section (f).’’; and 
(4) by redesignating subsection (e) as sub-
section (g), and inserting after subsection (d) the 
following: 
‘‘(e)(1) Not later than 5 years after the date of the 
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, 
the Secretary shall establish an alternative safety compli-
ance program for fishing vessels or fish tender vessels (or 
both) that are described in subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) 
of subsection (c)(2). 
‘‘(2) The alternative safety compliance program es-
tablished under paragraph (1) shall include requirements 
for— 
‘‘(A) vessel construction; 
‘‘(B) a vessel stability test; 
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‘‘(C) vessel stability and loading instructions; 
‘‘(D) an assigned vessel loading mark; 
‘‘(E) a vessel condition survey at least bienni-
ally; 
‘‘(F) an out-of-water vessel survey at least once 
every 5 years; 
‘‘(G) maintenance of records to demonstrate 
compliance with the program, and the availability of 
such records for inspection; and 
‘‘(H) such other aspects of vessel safety as the 
Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(f) The requirements referred to in subsection 
(c)(2)(B)(ii) are the following: 
‘‘(1) The vessel is designed by an individual li-
censed by a State as a naval architect or marine en-
gineer, and the design incorporates standards equiv-
alent to those prescribed by a classification society 
to which the Secretary has delegated authority 
under section 3316 or another qualified organization 
approved by the Secretary for purposes of this para-
graph. 
‘‘(2) Construction of the vessel is overseen and 
certified as being in accordance with its design by a 
marine surveyor of an organization accepted by the 
Secretary. 
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‘‘(3) The vessel— 
‘‘(A) completes a stability test performed 
by a qualified individual; 
‘‘(B) has written stability and loading in-
structions from a qualified individual that are 
provided to the owner or operator; and 
‘‘(C) has an assigned loading mark. 
‘‘(4) The vessel is not substantially modified or 
changed without the review and approval of an indi-
vidual licensed by a State as a naval architect or 
marine engineer before the beginning of such sub-
stantial modification or change. 
‘‘(5) The vessel undergoes a condition survey at 
least biennially to the satisfaction of a marine sur-
veyor of an organization accepted by the Secretary. 
‘‘(6) The vessel undergoes an out-of-water sur-
vey at least once every 5 years to the satisfaction of 
a certified marine surveyor of an organization ac-
cepted by the Secretary. 
‘‘(7) Once every 5 years and at the time of a 
modification or substantial change to such vessel, 
compliance of the vessel with the requirements of 
paragraph (3) is reviewed and updated as necessary. 
‘‘(8) For the life of the vessel, the owner of the 
vessel maintains records to demonstrate compliance 
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with this subsection and makes such records readily 
available for inspection by an official authorized to 
enforce this chapter.’’. 
(b) GAO REPORT ON COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL 
SAFETY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 12 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on commercial fishing 
vessel safety. The report shall include— 
(A) national and regional trends that can 
be identified with respect to rates of marine 
causalities, human injuries, and deaths aboard 
or involving fishing vessels greater than 79 feet 
in length that operate beyond the 3-nautical- 
mile demarcation line; 
(B) a comparison of United States regula-
tions for classification of fishing vessels to those 
established by other countries, including the 
vessel length at which such regulations apply; 
(C) the additional costs imposed on vessel 
owners as a result of the requirement in section 
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4503(a) of title 46, United States Code, and 
how the those costs vary in relation to vessel 
size and from region to region; 
(D) savings that result from the applica-
tion of the requirement in section 4503(a) of 
title 46, United States Code, including reduc-
tions in insurance rates or reduction in the 
number of fishing vessels or fish tender vessels 
lost to major safety casualties, nationally and 
regionally; 
(E) a national and regional comparison of 
the additional costs and safety benefits associ-
ated with fishing vessels or fish tender vessels 
that are built and maintained to class through 
a classification society to the additional costs 
and safety benefits associated with fishing ves-
sels or fish tender vessels that are built to 
standards equivalent to classification society 
construction standards and maintained to 
standards equivalent to classification society 
standards with verification by independent sur-
veyors; and 
(F) the impact on the cost of production 
and availability of qualified shipyards, nation-
ally and regionally, resulting from the applica-
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tion of the requirement in section 4503(a) of 
title 46, United States Code. 
(2) CONSULTATION
REQUIREMENT.—In pre-
paring the report under paragraph (1), the Comp-
troller General shall— 
(A) consult with owners and operators of 
fishing vessels or fish tender vessels, classifica-
tion societies, shipyards, the National Institute 
for Occupational Safety and Health, the Na-
tional Transportation Safety Board, the Coast 
Guard, academics, and marine safety non-
governmental organizations; and 
(B) obtain relevant data from the Coast 
Guard including data collected from enforce-
ment actions, boardings, investigations of ma-
rine casualties, and serious marine incidents. 
(3) TREATMENT OF DATA.—In preparing the 
report under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General 
shall— 
(A) disaggregate data regionally for each 
of the regions managed by the regional fishery 
management councils established under section 
302 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Con-
servation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1852), the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 
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100 
Commission, the Pacific States Marine Fish-
eries Commission, and the Gulf States Marine 
Fisheries Commission; and 
(B) include qualitative data on the types of 
fishing vessels or fish tender vessels included in 
the report. 
SEC. 319. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON 
OIL POLLUTION RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7001(a)(3) of the Oil Pol-
lution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761(a)(3)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Minerals Management Service’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Manage-
ment,’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘the United States Arctic Re-
search Commission,’’ after ‘‘National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration,’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Section 7001 of the 
Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2), in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘Department 
of Transportation’’ and inserting ‘‘department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating’’; and 
(2) 
in 
subsection 
(c)(8)(A), 
by 
striking 
‘‘(1989)’’ and inserting ‘‘(2010)’’. 
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101 
SEC. 320. INTERNATIONAL PORT AND FACILITY INSPEC-
TION COORDINATION. 
Section 825(a) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2010 (6 U.S.C. 945 note; Public Law 111–281) is 
amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1)— 
(1) by striking ‘‘the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating’’ and inserting ‘‘Homeland 
Security’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘they are integrated and con-
ducted by the Coast Guard’’ and inserting ‘‘the as-
sessments are coordinated between the Coast Guard 
and Customs and Border Protection’’. 
TITLE IV—FEDERAL MARITIME 
COMMISSION 
SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 308. Authorization of appropriations 
‘‘There is authorized to be appropriated to the Fed-
eral Maritime Commission $24,700,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 and 2017 for the activities of the Commission 
authorized under this chapter and subtitle IV.’’. 
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102 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 3 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘308. Authorization of appropriations.’’. 
SEC. 402. DUTIES OF THE CHAIRMAN. 
Section 301(c)(3)(A) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in clause (ii) by striking ‘‘units, but only 
after consultation with the other Commissioners;’’ 
and inserting ‘‘units (with such appointments sub-
ject to the approval of the Commission);’’; 
(2) in clause (iv) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(3) in clause (v) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(vi) prepare and submit to the Presi-
dent and the Congress requests for appro-
priations for the Commission (with such 
requests subject to the approval of the 
Commission).’’. 
SEC. 403. PROHIBITION ON AWARDS. 
Section 307 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Federal Maritime Commis-
sion’’ and inserting the following: 
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103 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Maritime Commis-
sion’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITION.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), 
the Federal Maritime Commission may not expend any 
funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it to 
a non-Federal entity to issue an award, prize, commenda-
tion, or other honor that is not related to the purposes 
set forth in section 40101.’’. 
TITLE V—CONVEYANCES 
Subtitle A—Miscellaneous 
Conveyances 
SEC. 501. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN 
POINT REYES STATION, CALIFORNIA. 
(a) CONVEYANCE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall convey to the County of Marin, 
California, all right, title, and interest of the United 
States in and to the covered property— 
(A) for fair market value, as provided in 
paragraph (2); 
(B) subject to the conditions required by 
this section; and 
(C) subject to any other term or condition 
that the Commandant considers appropriate 
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104 
and reasonable to protect the interests of the 
United States. 
(2) FAIR
MARKET
VALUE.—The fair market 
value of the covered property shall be— 
(A) determined by a real estate appraiser 
who has been selected by the County and is li-
censed to practice in California; and 
(B) approved by the Commandant. 
(3) PROCEEDS.—The Commandant shall de-
posit the proceeds from a conveyance under para-
graph (1) in the Coast Guard Housing Fund estab-
lished by section 687 of title 14, United States Code. 
(b) CONDITION OF CONVEYANCE.—As a condition of 
any conveyance of the covered property under this section, 
the Commandant shall require that all right, title, and in-
terest in and to the covered property shall revert to the 
United States if the covered property or any part thereof 
ceases to be used for affordable housing, as defined by 
the County and the Commandant at the time of convey-
ance, or to provide a public benefit approved by the Coun-
ty. 
(c) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal descrip-
tion of the covered property shall be determined by a sur-
vey satisfactory to the Commandant. 
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(d) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed to affect or limit the application 
of or obligation to comply with any environmental law, in-
cluding section 120(h) of the Comprehensive Environ-
mental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)). 
(e) COVERED PROPERTY DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered property’’ means the approximately 32 
acres of real property (including all improvements located 
on the property) that are— 
(1) located in Point Reyes Station in the Coun-
ty of Marin, California; 
(2) under the administrative control of the 
Coast Guard; and 
(3) described as ‘‘Parcel A, Tract 1’’, ‘‘Parcel 
B, Tract 2’’, ‘‘Parcel C’’, and ‘‘Parcel D’’ in the 
Declaration of Taking (Civil No. C 71–1245 SC) 
filed June 28, 1971, in the United States District 
Court for the Northern District of California. 
(f) EXPIRATION.—The authority to convey the cov-
ered property under this section shall expire on the date 
that is four years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
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SEC. 502. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN 
TOK, ALASKA. 
(a) CONVEYANCE AUTHORIZED.—The Commandant 
of the Coast Guard may convey to the Tanana Chiefs’ 
Conference all right, title, and interest of the United 
States in and to the covered property, upon payment to 
the United States of the fair market value of the covered 
property. 
(b) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal descrip-
tion of the covered property shall be determined by a sur-
vey satisfactory to the Commandant. 
(c) FAIR MARKET VALUE.—The fair market value of 
the covered property shall be— 
(1) determined by appraisal; and 
(2) subject to the approval of the Commandant. 
(d) COSTS OF CONVEYANCE.—The responsibility for 
all reasonable and necessary costs, including real estate 
transaction and environmental documentation costs, asso-
ciated with a conveyance under this section shall be deter-
mined by the Commandant and the purchaser. 
(e) ADDITIONAL TERMS
AND CONDITIONS.—The 
Commandant may require such additional terms and con-
ditions in connection with a conveyance under this section 
as the Commandant considers appropriate and reasonable 
to protect the interests of the United States. 
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(f) DEPOSIT OF PROCEEDS.—Any proceeds received 
by the United States from a conveyance under this section 
shall be deposited in the Coast Guard Housing Fund es-
tablished under section 687 of title 14, United States 
Code. 
(g) COVERED PROPERTY DEFINED.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In this section, the term 
‘‘covered property’’ means the approximately 3.25 
acres of real property (including all improvements 
located on the property) that are— 
(A) located in Tok, Alaska; 
(B) under the administrative control of the 
Coast Guard; and 
(C) described in paragraph (2). 
(2) DESCRIPTION.—The property described in 
this paragraph is the following: 
(A) Lots 11, 12 and 13, block ‘‘G’’, Sec-
ond Addition to Hartsell Subdivision, Section 
20, Township 18 North, Range 13 East, Cop-
per River Meridian, Alaska as appears by Plat 
No. 72–39 filed in the Office of the Recorder 
for the Fairbanks Recording District of Alaska, 
bearing seal dated 25 September 1972, all con-
taining approximately 1.25 acres and commonly 
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known as 2–PLEX – Jackie Circle, Units A 
and B. 
(B) Beginning at a point being the SE cor-
ner of the SE 1⁄4 of the SE 1⁄4 Section 24, 
Township 18 North, Range 12 East, Copper 
River Meridian, Alaska; thence running west-
erly along the south line of said SE 1⁄4 of the 
NE 1⁄4 260 feet; thence northerly parallel to the 
east line of said SE 1⁄4 of the NE 1⁄4 335 feet; 
thence easterly parallel to the south line 260 
feet; then south 335 feet along the east bound-
ary of Section 24 to the point of beginning; all 
containing approximately 2.0 acres and com-
monly known as 4–PLEX – West ‘‘C’’ and Wil-
low, Units A, B, C and D. 
(h) EXPIRATION.—The authority to convey the cov-
ered property under this section shall expire on the date 
that is 4 years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
Subtitle B—Pribilof Islands 
SEC. 521. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Pribilof Island 
Transition Completion Act of 2015’’. 
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SEC. 522. TRANSFER AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY. 
(a) TRANSFER.—To further accomplish the settle-
ment of land claims under the Alaska Native Claims Set-
tlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), the Secretary of 
Commerce shall, subject to paragraph (2), and notwith-
standing section 105(a) of the Pribilof Islands Transition 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1161 note; Public Law 106–562), convey 
all right, title, and interest in the following property to 
the Alaska native village corporation for St. Paul Island: 
(1) Lots 4, 5, and 6A, Block 18, Tract A, U.S. 
Survey 4943, Alaska, the plat of which was Offi-
cially Filed on January 20, 2004, aggregating 
13,006 square feet (0.30 acres). 
(2) On the termination of the license described 
in subsection (b)(3), T. 35 S., R. 131 W., Seward 
Meridian, Alaska, Tract 43, the plat of which was 
Officially Filed on May 14, 1986, containing 84.88 
acres. 
(b) FEDERAL USE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating may op-
erate, maintain, keep, locate, inspect, repair, and re-
place any Federal aid to navigation located on the 
property described in subsection (a) as long as the 
aid is needed for navigational purposes. 
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(2) ADMINISTRATION.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Secretary may enter the property, at 
any time for as long as the aid is needed for naviga-
tional purposes, without notice to the extent that it 
is not practicable to provide advance notice. 
(3) LICENSE.—The Secretary of the Depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating may 
maintain a license in effect on the date of the enact-
ment of this Act with respect to the real property 
and improvements under subsection (a) until the ter-
mination of the license. 
(4) REPORTS.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act and not less than 
once every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on— 
(A) efforts taken to remediate contami-
nated soils on tract 43 described in subsection 
(a)(2); 
(B) a schedule for the completion of con-
taminated soil remediation on tract 43; and 
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(C) any use of tract 43 to carry out Coast 
Guard navigation activities. 
(c) AGREEMENT ON TRANSFER OF OTHER PROP-
ERTY ON ST. PAUL ISLAND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the property 
transferred under subsection (a), not later than 60 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Commerce and the presiding officer of 
the Alaska native village corporation for St. Paul Is-
land shall enter into an agreement to exchange of 
property on Tracts 50 and 38 on St. Paul Island 
and to finalize the recording of deeds, to reflect the 
boundaries and ownership of Tracts 50 and 38 as 
depicted on a survey of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, to be filed with the Of-
fice of the Recorder for the Department of Natural 
Resources for the State of Alaska. 
(2) EASEMENTS.—The survey described in sub-
section (a) shall include respective easements grant-
ed to the Secretary and the Alaska native village 
corporation for the purpose of utilities, drainage, 
road access, and salt lagoon conservation. 
SEC. 523. NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION. 
Section 105 of the Pribilof Islands Transition Act (16 
U.S.C. 1161 note; Public Law 106–562) is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’ and inserting ‘‘Notwithstanding paragraph 
(2) and effective beginning on the date the Secretary 
publishes the notice of certification required by sub-
section (b)(5), the Secretary’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘sec-
tion 205 of the Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 1165)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 205(a) of 
the Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 
1165(a))’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) NOTICE
OF
CERTIFICATION.—The Sec-
retary shall promptly publish and submit to the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate notice 
that the certification described in paragraph (2) has 
been made.’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘makes the certification described in 
subsection (b)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘publishes the 
notice of certification required by subsection 
(b)(5)’’; and 
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(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Section 
205’’ and inserting ‘‘Subsections (a), (b), (c), 
and (d) of section 205’’; 
(4) by redesignating subsection (e) as sub-
section (g); and 
(5) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) NOTIFICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days 
after the Secretary makes a determination under 
subsection (f) that land on St. Paul Island, Alaska, 
not specified for transfer in the document entitled 
‘Transfer of Property on the Pribilof Islands: De-
scriptions, Terms and Conditions’ or section 522 of 
the Pribilof Island Transition Completion Act of 
2015 is in excess of the needs of the Secretary and 
the Federal Government, the Secretary shall notify 
the Alaska native village corporation for St. Paul Is-
land of the determination. 
‘‘(2) ELECTION TO RECEIVE.—Not later than 
60 days after the date receipt of the notification of 
the Secretary under subsection (a), the Alaska na-
tive village corporation for St. Paul Island shall no-
tify the Secretary in writing whether the Alaska na-
tive village corporation elects to receive all right, 
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title, and interest in the land or a portion of the 
land. 
‘‘(3) TRANSFER.—If the Alaska native village 
corporation provides notice under paragraph (2) that 
the Alaska native village corporation elects to receive 
all right, title and interest in the land or a portion 
of the land, the Secretary shall transfer all right, 
title, and interest in the land or portion to the Alas-
ka native village corporation at no cost. 
‘‘(4) OTHER DISPOSITION.—If the Alaska na-
tive village corporation does not provide notice under 
paragraph (2) that the Alaska native village corpora-
tion elects to receive all right, title, and interest in 
the land or a portion of the land, the Secretary may 
dispose of the land in accordance with other applica-
ble law. 
‘‘(f) DETERMINATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this subsection 
and not less than once every 5 years thereafter, the 
Secretary shall determine whether property located 
on St. Paul Island and not transferred to the Na-
tives of the Pribilof Islands is in excess of the small-
est practicable tract enclosing land— 
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‘‘(A) needed by the Secretary for the pur-
poses of carrying out the Fur Seal Act of 1966 
(16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.); 
‘‘(B) in the case of land withdrawn by the 
Secretary on behalf of other Federal agencies, 
needed for carrying out the missions of those 
agencies for which land was withdrawn; or 
‘‘(C) actually used by the Federal Govern-
ment in connection with the administration of 
any Federal installation on St. Paul Island. 
‘‘(2) REPORT
OF
DETERMINATION.—When a 
determination is made under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall report the determination to— 
‘‘(A) the Committee on Natural Resources 
of the House of Representatives; 
‘‘(B) 
the 
Committee 
on 
Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and 
‘‘(C) the Alaska native village corporation 
for St. Paul Island.’’. 
SEC. 524. REDUNDANT CAPABILITY. 
(a) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Except as provided 
in subsection (b), section 681 of title 14, United States 
Code, as amended by this Act, shall not be construed to 
prohibit any transfer or conveyance of lands under this 
subtitle or any actions that involve the dismantling or dis-
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posal of infrastructure that supported the former LORAN 
system that are associated with the transfer or conveyance 
of lands under section 522. 
(b) REDUNDANT CAPABILITY.—If, within the 5-year 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating determines that a facility on Tract 43, if 
transferred under this subtitle, is subsequently required 
to provide a positioning, navigation, and timing system to 
provide redundant capability in the event GPS signals are 
disrupted, the Secretary may— 
(1) operate, maintain, keep, locate, inspect, re-
pair, and replace such facility; and 
(2) in carrying out the activities described in 
paragraph (1), enter, at any time, the facility with-
out notice to the extent that it is not possible to pro-
vide advance notice, for as long as such facility is 
needed to provide such capability. 
Subtitle C—Conveyance of Coast 
Guard Property at Point Spen-
cer, Alaska 
SEC. 531. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds as follows: 
(1) Major shipping traffic is increasing through 
the Bering Strait, the Bering and Chukchi Seas, and 
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the Arctic Ocean, and will continue to increase 
whether or not development of the Outer Continental 
Shelf of the United States is undertaken in the fu-
ture, and will increase further if such Outer Conti-
nental Shelf development is undertaken. 
(2) There is a compelling national, State, Alas-
ka Native, and private sector need for permanent in-
frastructure development and for a presence in the 
Arctic region of Alaska by appropriate agencies of 
the Federal Government, particularly in proximity to 
the Bering Strait, to support and facilitate search 
and rescue, shipping safety, economic development, 
oil spill prevention and response, protection of Alas-
ka Native archaeological and cultural resources, port 
of refuge, arctic research, and maritime law enforce-
ment on the Bering Sea, the Chukchi Sea, and the 
Arctic Ocean. 
(3) The United States owns a parcel of land, 
known as Point Spencer, located between the Bering 
Strait and Port Clarence and adjacent to some of 
the best potential deepwater port sites on the coast 
of Alaska in the Arctic. 
(4) Prudent and effective use of Point Spencer 
may be best achieved through marshaling the en-
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ergy, resources, and leadership of the public and pri-
vate sectors. 
(5) It is in the national interest to develop in-
frastructure at Point Spencer that would aid the 
Coast Guard in performing its statutory duties and 
functions in the Arctic on a more permanent basis 
and to allow for public and private sector develop-
ment of facilities and other infrastructure to support 
purposes that are of benefit to the United States. 
SEC. 532. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) ARCTIC.—The term ‘‘Arctic’’ has the mean-
ing given that term in section 112 of the Arctic Re-
search and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111). 
(2) BSNC.—The term ‘‘BSNC’’ means the 
Bering Straits Native Corporation authorized under 
section 7 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement 
Act (43 U.S.C. 1606). 
(3) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Council’’ means the 
Port Coordination Council established under section 
541. 
(4) PLAN.—The term ‘‘Plan’’ means the Port 
Management Coordination Plan developed under sec-
tion 541. 
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(5) POINT SPENCER.—The term ‘‘Point Spen-
cer’’ means the land known as ‘‘Point Spencer’’ lo-
cated in Townships 2, 3, and 4 South, Range 40 
West, Kateel River Meridian, Alaska, between the 
Bering Strait and Port Clarence and withdrawn by 
Public Land Order 2650 (published in the Federal 
Register on April 12, 1962). 
(6) SECRETARY.—Except as otherwise specifi-
cally provided, the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec-
retary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating. 
(7) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State 
of Alaska. 
(8) TRACT.—The term ‘‘Tract’’ or ‘‘Tracts’’ 
means any of Tract 1, Tract 2, Tract 3, Tract 4, 
Tract 5, or Tract 6, as appropriate, or any portion 
of such Tract or Tracts. 
(9) TRACTS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, AND 6.—The terms 
‘‘Tract 1’’, ‘‘Tract 2’’, ‘‘Tract 3’’, ‘‘Tract 4’’, ‘‘Tract 
5’’, and ‘‘Tract 6’’ each mean the land generally de-
picted as Tract 1, Tract 2, Tract 3, Tract 4, Tract 
5, or Tract 6, respectively, on the map entitled the 
‘‘Point Spencer Land Retention and Conveyance 
Map’’, dated January 2015, and on file with the De-
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partment of Homeland Security and the Department 
of the Interior. 
SEC. 533. AUTHORITY TO CONVEY LAND IN POINT SPEN-
CER. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO CONVEY TRACTS 1, 3, AND 4.— 
Within 1 year after the Secretary notifies the Secretary 
of the Interior that the Coast Guard no longer needs to 
retain jurisdiction of Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 4 and 
subject to section 534, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
convey to BSNC or the State, subject to valid existing 
rights, all right, title, and interest of the United States 
in and to the surface and subsurface estates of that Tract 
in accordance with subsection (d). 
(b) AUTHORITY TO CONVEY TRACTS 2 AND 5.— 
Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this sec-
tion and subject to section 534, the Secretary of the Inte-
rior shall convey, subject to valid existing rights, all right, 
title, and interest of the United States in and to the sur-
face and subsurface estates of Tract 2 and Tract 5 in ac-
cordance with subsection (d). 
(c) AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER TRACT 6.—Within 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
subject to sections 534 and 535, the Secretary of the Inte-
rior shall convey, subject to valid existing rights, all right, 
title, and interest of the United States in and to the sur-
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face and subsurface estates of Tract 6 in accordance with 
subsection (e). 
(d) ORDER OF OFFER TO CONVEY TRACT 1, 2, 3, 
4, OR 5.— 
(1) DETERMINATION AND OFFER.— 
(A) TRACT 1, 3, OR 4.—If the Secretary 
makes the determination under subsection (a) 
and subject to section 534, the Secretary of the 
Interior shall offer Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 
4 for conveyance to BSNC under the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 
et seq.). 
(B) TRACT 2 AND 5.—Subject to section 
534, the Secretary of the Interior shall offer 
Tract 2 and Tract 5 to BSNC under the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 
et seq.). 
(2) OFFER TO BSNC.— 
(A) ACCEPTANCE
BY
BSNC.—If BSNC 
chooses to accept an offer of conveyance of a 
Tract under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the 
Interior shall consider Tract 6 as within 
BSNC’s entitlement under section 14(h)(8) of 
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
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U.S.C. 1613(h)(8)) and shall convey such Tract 
to BSNC. 
(B) DECLINE BY BSNC.—If BSNC declines 
to accept an offer of conveyance of a Tract 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Inte-
rior shall offer such Tract for conveyance to the 
State under the Act of July 7, 1958 (commonly 
known as the ‘‘Alaska Statehood Act’’) (48 
U.S.C. note prec. 21; Public Law 85–508). 
(3) OFFER TO STATE.— 
(A) ACCEPTANCE BY STATE.—If the State 
chooses to accept an offer of conveyance of a 
Tract under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary of 
the Interior shall consider such Tract as within 
the State’s entitlement under the Act of July 7, 
1958 (commonly known as the ‘‘Alaska State-
hood Act’’) (48 U.S.C. note prec. 21; Public 
Law 85–508) and shall convey such Tract to 
the State. 
(B) DECLINE BY STATE.—If the State de-
clines to accept an offer of conveyance of a 
Tract offered under paragraph (2)(B), such 
Tract shall be disposed of pursuant to applica-
ble public land laws. 
(e) ORDER OF OFFER TO CONVEY TRACT 6.— 
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(1) OFFER.—Subject to section 534, the Sec-
retary of the Interior shall offer Tract 6 for convey-
ance to the State. 
(2) OFFER TO STATE.— 
(A) ACCEPTANCE BY STATE.—If the State 
chooses to accept an offer of conveyance of 
Tract 6 under paragraph (1), the Secretary of 
the Interior shall consider Tract 6 as within the 
State’s entitlement under the Act of July 7, 
1958 (commonly known as the ‘‘Alaska State-
hood Act’’) (48 U.S.C. note prec. 21; Public 
Law 85–508) and shall convey Tract 6 to the 
State. 
(B) DECLINE BY STATE.—If the State de-
clines to accept an offer of conveyance of Tract 
6 under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the In-
terior shall offer Tract 6 for conveyance to 
BSNC under the Alaska Native Claims Settle-
ment Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). 
(3) OFFER TO BSNC.— 
(A) ACCEPTANCE BY BSNC.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to clause 
(ii), if BSNC chooses to accept an offer of 
conveyance of Tract 6 under paragraph 
(2)(B), the Secretary of the Interior shall 
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consider Tract 6 as within BSNC’s entitle-
ment under section 14(h)(8) of the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 
1613(h)(8)) and shall convey Tract 6 to 
BSNC. 
(ii) LEASE BY THE STATE.—The con-
veyance of Tract 6 to BSNC shall be sub-
ject to BSNC negotiating a lease of Tract 
6 to the State at no cost to the State, if 
the State requests such a lease. 
(B) DECLINE BY BSNC.—If BSNC declines 
to accept an offer of conveyance of Tract 6 
under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary of the 
Interior shall dispose of Tract 6 pursuant to 
the applicable public land laws. 
SEC. 534. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE, LIABILITY, AND 
MONITORING. 
(a) ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE.—Nothing in this 
Act or any amendment made by this Act may be construed 
to affect or limit the application of or obligation to comply 
with any applicable environmental law, including section 
120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
9620(h)). 
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(b) LIABILITY.—A person to which a conveyance is 
made under this subtitle shall hold the United States 
harmless from any liability with respect to activities car-
ried out on or after the date of the conveyance of the real 
property conveyed. The United States shall remain re-
sponsible for any liability with respect to activities carried 
out before such date on the real property conveyed. 
(c) MONITORING OF KNOWN CONTAMINATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—To the extent practicable 
and subject to paragraph (2), any contamination in 
a Tract to be conveyed to the State or BSNC under 
this subtitle that— 
(A) is identified in writing prior to the con-
veyance; and 
(B) does not pose an immediate or long- 
term risk to human health or the environment, 
may be routinely monitored and managed by the 
State or BSNC, as applicable, through institutional 
controls. 
(2) INSTITUTIONAL
CONTROLS.—Institutional 
controls may be used if— 
(A) the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency and the Governor of 
the State concur that such controls are protec-
tive of human health and the environment; and 
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(B) such controls are carried out in ac-
cordance with Federal and State law. 
SEC. 535. EASEMENTS AND ACCESS. 
(a) USE BY COAST GUARD.—The Secretary of the In-
terior shall make each conveyance of any relevant Tract 
under this subtitle subject to an easement granting the 
Coast Guard, at no cost to the Coast Guard— 
(1) use of all existing and future landing pads, 
airstrips, runways, and taxiways that are located on 
such Tract; and 
(2) the right to access such landing pads, air-
strips, runways, and taxiways. 
(b) USE BY STATE.—For any Tract conveyed to 
BSNC under this subtitle, BSNC shall provide to the 
State, if requested and pursuant to negotiated terms with 
the State, an easement granting to the State, at no cost 
to the State— 
(1) use of all existing and future landing pads, 
airstrips, runways, and taxiways located on such 
Tract; and 
(2) a right to access such landing pads, air-
strips, runways, and taxiways. 
(c) RIGHT OF ACCESS OR RIGHT OF WAY.—If the 
State requests a right of access or right of way for a road 
from the airstrip to the southern tip of Point Spencer, 
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the location of such right of access or right of way shall 
be determined by the State, in consultation with the Sec-
retary and BSNC, so that such right of access or right 
of way is compatible with other existing or planned infra-
structure development at Point Spencer. 
(d) ACCESS EASEMENT ACROSS TRACTS 2, 5, AND 
6.—In conveyance documents to the State and BSNC 
under this subtitle, the Coast Guard shall retain an access 
easement across Tracts 2, 5, and 6 reasonably necessary 
to afford the Coast Guard with access to Tracts 1, 3, and 
4 for its operations. 
(e) ACCESS.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Coast Guard shall pro-
vide to the State and BSNC, access to Tracts for plan-
ning, design, and engineering related to remediation and 
use of and construction on those Tracts. 
(f) PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENTS.—No public access 
easements may be reserved to the United States under 
section 17(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1616(b)) with respect to the land conveyed 
under this subtitle. 
SEC. 536. RELATIONSHIP TO PUBLIC LAND ORDER 2650. 
(a) TRACTS NOT CONVEYED.—Any Tract that is not 
conveyed under this subtitle shall remain withdrawn pur-
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suant to Public Land Order 2650 (published in the Fed-
eral Register on April 12, 1962). 
(b) TRACTS CONVEYED.—For any Tract conveyed 
under this subtitle, Public Land Order 2650 shall auto-
matically terminate upon issuance of a conveyance docu-
ment issued pursuant to this subtitle for such Tract. 
SEC. 537. ARCHEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES. 
Conveyance of any Tract under this subtitle shall not 
affect investigations, criminal jurisdiction, and responsibil-
ities regarding theft or vandalism of archeological or cul-
tural resources located in or on such Tract that took place 
prior to conveyance under this subtitle. 
SEC. 538. MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS. 
(a) PREPARATION OF MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIP-
TIONS.—As soon as practicable after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior in consulta-
tion with the Secretary shall prepare maps and legal de-
scriptions of Tract 1, Tract 2, Tract 3, Tract 4, Tract 
5, and Tract 6. In doing so, the Secretary of the Interior 
may use metes and bounds legal descriptions based upon 
the official survey plats of Point Spencer accepted by the 
Bureau of Land Management on December 6, 1978, and 
on information provided by the Secretary. 
(b) SURVEY.—Not later than 5 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
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shall survey Tracts conveyed under this subtitle and pat-
ent the Tracts in accordance with the official plats of sur-
vey. 
(c) LEGAL EFFECT.—The maps and legal descrip-
tions prepared under subsection (a) and the surveys pre-
pared under subsection (b) shall have the same force and 
effect as if the maps and legal descriptions were included 
in this Act. 
(d) CORRECTIONS.—The Secretary of the Interior 
may correct any clerical and typographical errors in the 
maps and legal descriptions prepared under subsection (a) 
and the surveys prepared under subsection (b). 
(e) AVAILABILITY.—Copies of the maps and legal de-
scriptions prepared under subsection (a) and the surveys 
prepared under subsection (b) shall be available for public 
inspection in the appropriate offices of— 
(1) the Bureau of Land Management; and 
(2) the Coast Guard. 
SEC. 539. CHARGEABILITY FOR LAND CONVEYED. 
(a) CONVEYANCES TO ALASKA.—The Secretary of 
the Interior shall charge any conveyance of land conveyed 
to the State of Alaska pursuant to this subtitle against 
the State’s remaining entitlement under section 6(b) of 
the Act of July 7, 1958 (commonly known as the ‘‘Alaska 
Statehood Act’’; Public Law 85–508; 72 Stat. 339). 
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(b) CONVEYANCES TO BSNC.—The Secretary of the 
Interior shall charge any conveyance of land conveyed to 
BSNC pursuant to this subtitle, against BSNC’s remain-
ing entitlement under section 14(h)(8) of the Alaska Na-
tive Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1613(h)(8)). 
SEC. 540. REDUNDANT CAPABILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), section 681 of title 14, United States Code, as amend-
ed by this Act, shall not be construed to prohibit any 
transfer or conveyance of lands under this subtitle or any 
actions that involve the dismantling or disposal of infra-
structure that supported the former LORAN system that 
are associated with the transfer or conveyance of lands 
under this subtitle. 
(b) CONTINUED ACCESS TO AND USE OF FACILI-
TIES.—If the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating determines, within the 5-year 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
that a facility on any of Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 4 that 
is transferred under this subtitle is subsequently required 
to provide a positioning, navigation, and timing system to 
provide redundant capability in the event GPS signals are 
disrupted, the Secretary may, for as long as such facility 
is needed to provide redundant capability— 
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(1) operate, maintain, keep, locate, inspect, re-
pair, and replace such facility; and 
(2) in carrying out the activities described in 
paragraph (1), enter, at any time, the facility with-
out notice to the extent that it is not possible to pro-
vide advance notice. 
SEC. 541. PORT COORDINATION COUNCIL FOR POINT SPEN-
CER. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Port 
Coordination Council for the Port of Point Spencer. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Council shall consist of a 
representative appointed by each of the following: 
(1) The State. 
(2) BSNC. 
(c) DUTIES.—The duties of the Council are as fol-
lows: 
(1) To develop a Port Management Coordina-
tion Plan to help coordinate infrastructure develop-
ment and operations at the Port of Point Spencer, 
that includes plans for— 
(A) construction; 
(B) funding eligibility; 
(C) land use planning and development; 
and 
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(D) public interest use and access, emer-
gency preparedness, law enforcement, protection 
of Alaska Native archaeological and cultural re-
sources, and other matters that are necessary 
for public and private entities to function in 
proximity together in a remote location. 
(2) Update the Plan annually for the first 5 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
biennially thereafter. 
(3) Facilitate coordination among BSNC, the 
State, and the Coast Guard, on the development and 
use of the land and coastline as such development 
relates to activities at the Port of Point Spencer. 
(4) Assess the need, benefits, efficacy, and de-
sirability of establishing in the future a port author-
ity at Point Spencer under State law and act upon 
that assessment, as appropriate, including taking 
steps for the potential formation of such a port au-
thority. 
(d) PLAN.—In addition to the requirements under 
subsection (c)(1) to the greatest extent practicable, the 
Plan developed by the Council shall facilitate and support 
the statutory missions and duties of the Coast Guard and 
operations of the Coast Guard in the Arctic. 
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(e) COSTS.—Operations and management costs for 
airstrips, runways, and taxiways at Point Spencer shall 
be determined pursuant to provisions of the Plan, as nego-
tiated by the Council. 
TITLE VI—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 601. MODIFICATION OF REPORTS. 
(a) DISTANT WATER TUNA FLEET.—Section 421(d) 
of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 
2006 (46 U.S.C. 8103 note) is amended by striking ‘‘On 
March 1, 2007, and annually thereafter’’ and inserting 
‘‘Not later than July 1 of each year’’. 
(b) ANNUAL UPDATES ON LIMITS TO LIABILITY.— 
Section 603(c)(3) of the Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation Act of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 2704 note) is 
amended by striking ‘‘on an annual basis.’’ and inserting 
‘‘not later than January 30 of the year following each year 
in which occurs an oil discharge from a vessel or nonvessel 
source that results or is likely to result in removal costs 
and damages (as those terms are defined in section 1001 
of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701)) that 
exceed liability limits established under section 1004 of the 
Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2704).’’. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall submit to the Secretary of the depart-
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134 
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating a report de-
tailing the specifications and capabilities for interoperable 
communications the Commandant determines are nec-
essary to allow the Coast Guard to successfully carry out 
its missions that require communications with other Fed-
eral agencies, State and local governments, and non-
governmental entities. 
SEC. 602. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT LAKES. 
The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Trans-
portation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–281) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in section 610, by— 
(A) striking the section enumerator and 
heading and inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 610. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT 
LAKES.’’; 
(B) striking ‘‘existing boundaries and any 
future expanded boundaries of the Thunder 
Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Under-
water Preserve’’ and inserting ‘‘boundaries of 
any national marine sanctuary that preserves 
shipwrecks or maritime heritage in the Great 
Lakes’’; and 
(C) inserting before the period at the end 
the following: ‘‘, unless the designation docu-
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135 
ments for such sanctuary do not allow taking 
up or discharging ballast water in such sanc-
tuary’’; and 
(2) in the table of contents in section 2, by 
striking the item relating to such section and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘Sec. 610. Safe vessel operation in the Great Lakes.’’. 
SEC. 603. USE OF VESSEL SALE PROCEEDS. 
(a) AUDIT.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct an audit of funds credited in each 
fiscal year after fiscal year 2004 to the Vessel Operations 
Revolving Fund that are attributable to the sale of obso-
lete vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet that 
were scrapped or sold under sections 57102, 57103, and 
57104 of title 46, United States Code, including— 
(1) a complete accounting of all vessel sale pro-
ceeds attributable to the sale of obsolete vessels in 
the National Defense Reserve Fleet that were 
scrapped or sold under sections 57102, 57103, and 
57104 of title 46, United States Code, in each fiscal 
year after fiscal year 2004; 
(2) the annual apportionment of proceeds ac-
counted for under paragraph (1) among the uses au-
thorized under section 308704 of title 54, United 
States Code, in each fiscal year after fiscal year 
2004, including— 
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(A) 
for 
National 
Maritime 
Heritage 
Grants, including a list of all annual National 
Maritime Heritage Grant grant and subgrant 
awards that identifies the respective grant and 
subgrant recipients and grant and subgrant 
amounts; 
(B) for the preservation and presentation 
to the public of maritime heritage property of 
the Maritime Administration; 
(C) to the United States Merchant Marine 
Academy and State maritime academies, includ-
ing a list of annual awards; and 
(D) for the acquisition, repair, recondi-
tioning, or improvement of vessels in the Na-
tional Defense Reserve Fleet; and 
(3) an accounting of proceeds, if any, attrib-
utable to the sale of obsolete vessels in the National 
Defense Reserve Fleet that were scrapped or sold 
under sections 57102, 57103, and 57104 of title 46, 
United States Code, in each fiscal year after fiscal 
year 2004, that were expended for uses not author-
ized under section 308704 of title 54, United States 
Code. 
(b) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment this Act, the Comp-
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troller General shall submit the audit conducted in sub-
section (a) to the Committee on Armed Services, the Com-
mittee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 604. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES COST ASSESS-
MENT. 
(a) COST ASSESSMENT.—The Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall seek 
to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy 
of Sciences under which the Academy, by no later than 
365 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate an assessment of the costs incurred by the Federal 
Government to carry out polar icebreaking missions. The 
assessment shall— 
(1) describe current and emerging requirements 
for the Coast Guard’s polar icebreaking capabilities, 
taking into account the rapidly changing ice cover in 
the Arctic environment, national security consider-
ations, and expanding commercial activities in the 
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Arctic and Antarctic, including marine transpor-
tation, energy development, fishing, and tourism; 
(2) identify potential design, procurement, leas-
ing, service contracts, crewing, and technology op-
tions that could minimize life-cycle costs and opti-
mize efficiency and reliability of Coast Guard polar 
icebreaker operations in the Arctic and Antarctic; 
and 
(3) examine— 
(A) Coast Guard estimates of the procure-
ment and operating costs of a Polar icebreaker 
capable of carrying out Coast Guard maritime 
safety, national security, and stewardship re-
sponsibilities including— 
(i) economies of scale that might be 
achieved for construction of multiple ves-
sels; and 
(ii) costs of renovating existing polar 
class icebreakers to operate for a period of 
no less than 10 years. 
(B) the incremental cost to augment the 
design of such an icebreaker for multiuse capa-
bilities for scientific missions; 
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(C) the potential to offset such incremental 
cost through cost-sharing agreements with 
other Federal departments and agencies; and 
(D) United States polar icebreaking capa-
bility in comparison with that of other Arctic 
nations, and with nations that conduct research 
in the Arctic. 
(b) INCLUDED COSTS.—For purposes of subsection 
(a), the assessment shall include costs incurred by the 
Federal Government for— 
(1) the lease or operation and maintenance of 
the vessel or vessels concerned; 
(2) disposal of such vessels at the end of the 
useful life of the vessels; 
(3) retirement and other benefits for Federal 
employees who operate such vessels; and 
(4) interest payments assumed to be incurred 
for Federal capital expenditures. 
(c) ASSUMPTIONS.—For purposes of comparing the 
costs of such alternatives, the Academy shall assume 
that— 
(1) each vessel under consideration is— 
(A) capable of breaking out McMurdo Sta-
tion and conducting Coast Guard missions in 
the Antarctic, and in the United States terri-
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tory in the Arctic (as that term is defined in 
section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy 
Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111)); and 
(B) operated for a period of 30 years; 
(2) the acquisition of services and the operation 
of each vessel begins on the same date; and 
(3) the periods for conducting Coast Guard 
missions in the Arctic are of equal lengths. 
(d) USE OF INFORMATION.—In formulating cost pur-
suant to subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences 
may utilize information from other Coast Guard reports, 
assessments, or analyses regarding existing Coast Guard 
Polar class icebreakers or for the acquisition of a polar 
icebreaker for the Federal Government. 
SEC. 605. PENALTY WAGES. 
(a) FOREIGN AND INTERCOASTAL VOYAGES.—Sec-
tion 10313(g) of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘all claims in a class action 
suit by seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘each claim by 
a seaman’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘the seamen’’ and inserting 
‘‘the seaman’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
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(A) by striking ‘‘class action’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘, by 
a seaman who is a claimant in the suit,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘by the seaman’’. 
(b) COASTWISE VOYAGES.—Section 10504(c) of such 
title is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘all claims in a class action 
suit by seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘each claim by 
a seaman’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘the seamen’’ and inserting 
‘‘the seaman’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘class action’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘, by 
a seaman who is a claimant in the suit,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘by the seaman’’. 
SEC. 606. RECOURSE FOR NONCITIZENS. 
Section 30104 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before 
the first sentence; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) RESTRICTION
ON
RECOVERY
FOR
NON-
RESIDENT ALIENS EMPLOYED ON FOREIGN PASSENGER 
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VESSELS.—A claim for damages or expenses relating to 
personal injury, illness, or death of a seaman who is a 
citizen of a foreign nation, arising during or from the en-
gagement of the seaman by or for a passenger vessel duly 
registered under the laws of a foreign nation, may not be 
brought under the laws of the United States if— 
‘‘(1) such seaman was not a permanent resident 
alien of the United States at the time the claim 
arose; 
‘‘(2) the injury, illness, or death arose outside 
the territorial waters of the United States; and 
‘‘(3) the seaman or the seaman’s personal rep-
resentative has or had a right to seek compensation 
for the injury, illness, or death in, or under the laws 
of— 
‘‘(A) the nation in which the vessel was 
registered at the time the claim arose; or 
‘‘(B) the nation in which the seaman main-
tained citizenship or residency at the time the 
claim arose. 
‘‘(c) COMPENSATION DEFINED.—As used in sub-
section (b), the term ‘compensation’ means— 
‘‘(1) a statutory workers’ compensation remedy 
that complies with Standard A4.2 of Regulation 4.2 
of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006; or 
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‘‘(2) in the absence of the remedy described in 
paragraph (1), a legal remedy that complies with 
Standard A4.2 of Regulation 4.2 of the Maritime 
Labour Convention, 2006, that permits recovery for 
lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical 
expenses.’’. 
SEC. 607. COASTWISE ENDORSEMENTS. 
(a) ‘‘ELETTRA III’’.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding sections 
12112 and 12132, of title 46, United States Code, 
and subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating may issue a certificate of documentation with 
a coastwise endorsement for the vessel M/V Elettra 
III (United States official number 694607). 
(2) LIMITATION
ON
OPERATION.—Coastwise 
trade authorized under a certificate of documenta-
tion issued under paragraph (1) shall be limited to 
the carriage of passengers and equipment in associa-
tion with the operation of the vessel in the Puget 
Sound region to support marine and maritime 
science education. 
(3) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF CER-
TIFICATE.—A certificate of documentation issued 
under paragraph (1) shall expire on the earlier of— 
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(A) the date of the sale of the vessel or the 
entity that owns the vessel; 
(B) the date any repairs or alterations are 
made to the vessel outside of the United States; 
or 
(C) the date the vessel is no longer oper-
ated as a vessel in the Puget Sound region to 
support the marine and maritime science edu-
cation. 
(b) ‘‘F/V RONDYS’’.—Notwithstanding section 12132 
of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating may issue 
a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorse-
ment for the F/V Rondys (O.N. 291085) 
SEC. 608. INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL. 
(a) REQUIREMENT FOR REPORT.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the 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 that 
describes the current operations to perform the Inter-
national Ice Patrol mission and on alternatives for car-
rying out that mission, including satellite surveillance 
technology. 
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(b) ALTERNATIVES.—The report required by sub-
section (a) shall include whether an alternative— 
(1) provides timely data on ice conditions with 
the highest possible resolution and accuracy; 
(2) is able to operate in all weather conditions 
or any time of day; and 
(3) is more cost effective than the cost of cur-
rent operations. 
SEC. 609. ASSESSMENT OF OIL SPILL RESPONSE AND 
CLEANUP ACTIVITIES IN THE GREAT LAKES. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Commandant of the Coast 
Guard, in consultation with the Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the 
head of any other agency the Commandant determines ap-
propriate, shall conduct an assessment of the effectiveness 
of oil spill response activities specific to the Great Lakes. 
Such assessment shall include— 
(1) an evaluation of new research into oil spill 
impacts in fresh water under a wide range of condi-
tions; and 
(2) an evaluation of oil spill prevention and 
clean up contingency plans, in order to improve un-
derstanding of oil spill impacts in the Great Lakes 
and foster innovative improvements to safety tech-
nologies and environmental protection systems. 
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(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Congress 
a report on the results of the assessment required by sub-
section (a). 
SEC. 610. REPORT ON STATUS OF TECHNOLOGY DETECT-
ING PASSENGERS WHO HAVE FALLEN OVER-
BOARD. 
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives that— 
(1) describes the status of technology for imme-
diately detecting passengers who have fallen over-
board; 
(2) includes a recommendation to cruise lines 
on the feasibility of implementing technology that 
immediately detects passengers who have fallen over-
board, factoring in cost and the risk of false 
positives; 
(3) includes data collected from cruise lines on 
the status of the integration of the technology de-
scribed in paragraph (2) on cruise ships, including— 
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(A) the number of cruise ships that have 
the technology to capture images of passengers 
who have fallen overboard; and 
(B) the number of cruise lines that have 
tested technology that can detect passengers 
who have fallen overboard; and 
(4) includes information on any other available 
technologies that cruise ships could integrate to as-
sist in facilitating the search and rescue of a pas-
senger who has fallen overboard. 
SEC. 611. VENUE. 
Section 311(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861(d)) 
is amended by striking the second sentence and inserting 
‘‘In the case of Hawaii or any possession of the United 
States in the Pacific Ocean, the appropriate court is the 
United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, 
except that in the case of Guam and Wake Island, the 
appropriate court is the United States District Court for 
the District of Guam, and in the case of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, the appropriate court is the United 
States District Court for the District of the Northern 
Mariana Islands.’’. 
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148 
SEC. 612. DISPOSITION OF INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TO 
E–LORAN. 
(a) DISPOSITION OF INFRASTRUCTURE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 17 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 681. Disposition of infrastructure related to E– 
LORAN 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may not carry out 
activities related to the dismantling or disposal of infra-
structure comprising the LORAN–C system until the date 
on which the Secretary provides to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate notice 
of a determination by the Secretary that such infrastruc-
ture is not required to provide a positioning, navigation, 
and timing system to provide redundant capability in the 
event the Global Positioning System signals are disrupted. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) does not apply to 
activities necessary for the safety of human life. 
‘‘(c) DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—On any date after the noti-
fication is made under subsection (a), the Adminis-
trator of General Services, acting on behalf of the 
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Secretary, may, notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, sell any real and personal property under the 
administrative control of the Coast Guard and used 
for the LORAN–C system, subject to such terms 
and conditions that the Secretary believes to be nec-
essary to protect government interests and program 
requirements of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY OF PROCEEDS.— 
‘‘(A) AVAILABILITY
OF
PROCEEDS.—The 
proceeds of such sales, less the costs of sale in-
curred by the General Services Administration, 
shall be deposited as offsetting collections into 
the Coast Guard ‘Environmental Compliance 
and Restoration’ account and, without further 
appropriation, shall be available until expended 
for— 
‘‘(i) environmental compliance and 
restoration purposes associated with the 
LORAN–C system; 
‘‘(ii) the costs of securing and main-
taining equipment that may be used as a 
backup to the Global Positioning System 
or to meet any other Federal navigation 
requirement; 
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‘‘(iii) the demolition of improvements 
on such real property; and 
‘‘(iv) the costs associated with the sale 
of such real and personal property, includ-
ing due diligence requirements, necessary 
environmental remediation, and reimburse-
ment of expenses incurred by the General 
Services Administration. 
‘‘(B) OTHER
ENVIRONMENTAL
COMPLI-
ANCE
AND
RESTORATION
ACTIVITIES.—After 
the completion of activities described in sub-
paragraph (A), the unexpended balances of 
such proceeds shall be available for any other 
environmental compliance and restoration ac-
tivities of the Coast Guard.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘681. Disposition of infrastructure related to E–LORAN.’’. 
(3) CONFORMING REPEALS.— 
(A) Section 229 of the Howard Coble 
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act 
of 2014 (Public Law 113–281; 128 Stat. 
3040), and the item relating to that section in 
section 2 of such Act, are repealed. 
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(B) Subsection 559(e) of the Department 
of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 
(Public Law 111–83; 123 Stat. 2180) is re-
pealed. 
(b) AGREEMENTS
TO
DEVELOP
BACKUP
POSI-
TIONING, NAVIGATION, AND TIMING SYSTEM.—Section 
93(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon at the end of paragraph 
(23), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (24) 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’, and by adding at the end the fol-
lowing the following: 
‘‘(25) enter into cooperative agreements, con-
tracts, and other agreements with Federal entities 
and other public or private entities, including aca-
demic entities, to develop a positioning, navigation, 
and timing system to provide redundant capability in 
the event Global Positioning System signals are dis-
rupted, which may consist of an enhanced LORAN 
system.’’. 
SEC. 613. PARKING. 
Section 611(a) of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and 
Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113– 
281; 128 Stat. 3064) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
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‘‘(3) REIMBURSEMENT.—Through September 30, 
2017, additional parking made available under paragraph 
(2) shall be made available at no cost to the Coast Guard 
or members and employees of the Coast Guard.’’. 
Æ 
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