H. Res. 602
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
October 15, 1998.
Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution the
House shall be considered to have taken from the Speaker’s
table the bill (H.R. 2204) to authorize appropriations for fis-
cal years 1998 and 1999 for the Coast Guard, and for other
purposes, and the Senate amendment thereto, and to have
concurred in the Senate amendment with an amendment as
follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the Sen-
ate amendment, insert the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Coast Guard Author-
ization Act of 1998’’.
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—AUTHORIZATION
Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 102. Authorized levels of military strength and training.
Sec. 103. LORAN-C.
TITLE II—COAST GUARD MANAGEMENT
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Sec. 201. Severance pay.
Sec. 202. Authority to implement and fund certain awards programs.
Sec. 203. Use of appropriated funds for commercial vehicles at military funer-
als.
Sec. 204. Authority to reimburse Novato, California, Reuse Commission.
Sec. 205. Law enforcement authority for special agents of the Coast Guard In-
vestigative Service.
Sec. 206. Report on excess Coast Guard property.
Sec. 207. Fees for navigation assistance service.
Sec. 208. Aids to navigation report.
TITLE III—MARINE SAFETY
Sec. 301. Extension of territorial sea for certain laws.
Sec. 302. Penalties for interfering with the safe operation of a vessel.
Sec. 303. Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee.
Sec. 304. Alcohol testing.
Sec. 305. Protect marine casualty investigations from mandatory release.
Sec. 306. Safety management code report and policy.
Sec. 307. Oil and hazardous substance definition and report.
Sec. 308. National Marine Transportation System.
Sec. 309. Availability and use of EPIRBS for recreational vessels.
Sec. 310. Search and rescue helicopter coverage.
Sec. 311. Petroleum transportation.
Sec. 312. Seasonal Coast Guard helicopter air rescue capability.
Sec. 313. Ship reporting systems.
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 401. Vessel identification system amendments.
Sec. 402. Conveyance of Coast Guard Reserve training facility, Jacksonville,
Florida.
Sec. 403. Documentation of certain vessels.
Sec. 404. Conveyance of Nahant parcel, Essex County, Massachusetts.
Sec. 405. Unreasonable obstruction to navigation.
Sec. 406. Financial responsibility for oil spill response vessels.
Sec. 407. Conveyance of Coast Guard property to Jacksonville University in
Jacksonville, Florida.
Sec. 408. Penalty for violation of International Safety Convention.
Sec. 409. Coast Guard City, USA.
Sec. 410. Conveyance of Communication Station Boston Marshfield Receiver
Site, Massachusetts.
Sec. 411. Clarification of liability of persons engaging in oil spill prevention and
response activities.
Sec. 412. Vessels not seagoing motor vessels.
Sec. 413. Land conveyance, Coast Guard Station Ocracoke, North Carolina.
Sec. 414. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Sault Sainte Marie, Michi-
gan.
Sec. 415. Interim authority for dry bulk cargo residue disposal.
Sec. 416. Conveyance of lighthouses.
Sec. 417. Conveyance of Coast Guard LORAN Station Nantucket.
Sec. 418. Conveyance of decommissioned Coast Guard vessels.
Sec. 419. Amendment to conveyance of vessel S/S RED OAK VICTORY.
Sec. 420. Transfer of Ocracoke Light Station to Secretary of the Interior.
Sec. 421. Vessel documentation clarification.
Sec. 422. Dredge clarification.
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Sec. 423. Double hull alternative designs study.
Sec. 424. Vessel sharing agreements.
Sec. 425. Reports.
Sec. 426. Report on tonnage calculation methodology.
Sec. 427. Authority to convey National Defense Reserve Fleet Vessels.
Sec. 428. Authority to convey National Defense Reserve Fleet Vessel, JOHN
HENRY.
Sec. 429. Applicability of authority to release restrictions and encumbrances.
Sec. 430. Barge APL–60.
Sec. 431. Vessel financing flexibility.
Sec. 432. Hydrographic functions.
TITLE V—ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS FOR JONES ACT WAIVERS
Sec. 501. Findings.
Sec. 502. Administrative waiver of coastwise trade laws.
Sec. 503. Revocation.
Sec. 504. Definitions.
Sec. 505. Sunset.
TITLE VI—HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS AND HYPOXIA
Sec. 601. Short title.
Sec. 602. Findings.
Sec. 603. Assessments.
Sec. 604. Northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxia.
Sec. 605. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 606. Protection of States’ rights.
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Funds are authorized to be appropriated for nec-
essary expenses of the Coast Guard, as follows:
(1) For the operation and maintenance of the
Coast Guard—
(A) for fiscal year 1998, $2,715,400,000;
and
(B) for fiscal year 1999, $2,854,700,000;
of which $25,000,000 shall be derived each fis-
cal year from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund
to carry out the purposes of section 1012(a)(5)
of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and of which
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not less than $408,000,000 shall be available
for expenses related to drug interdiction.
(2) For the acquisition, construction, rebuild-
ing, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore
and offshore facilities, vessels, and aircraft, includ-
ing equipment related thereto—
(A) for fiscal year 1998, $399,850,000, of
which $2,000,000 shall be made available for
concept evaluation for a replacement vessel for
the Coast Guard icebreaker MACKINAW; and
(B) for fiscal year 1999, $510,300,000, of
which $5,300,000 shall be made available to
complete the conceptual design for a replace-
ment vessel for the Coast Guard icebreaker
MACKINAW;
to remain available until expended, of which
$20,000,000 shall be derived each fiscal year from
the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out the
purposes of section 1012(a)(5) of the Oil Pollution
Act of 1990 and of which not less than $62,000,000
shall be available for expenses related to drug inter-
diction.
(3) For research, development, test, and evalua-
tion of technologies, materials, and human factors
directly relating to improving the performance of the
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Coast Guard’s mission in support of search and res-
cue, aids to navigation, marine safety, marine envi-
ronmental protection, enforcement of laws and trea-
ties, ice operations, oceanographic research, and de-
fense readiness—
(A) for fiscal year 1998, $19,000,000; and
(B) for fiscal year 1999, $18,300,000;
to remain available until expended, of which
$3,500,000 shall be derived each fiscal year from the
Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out the pur-
poses of section 1012(a)(5) of the Oil Pollution Act
of 1990.
(4) For retired pay (including the payment of
obligations otherwise chargeable to lapsed appropria-
tions for this purpose), payments under the Retired
Serviceman’s Family Protection and Survivor Bene-
fit Plans, and payments for medical care of retired
personnel and their dependents under chapter 55 of
title 10, United States Code—
(A) for fiscal year 1998, $653,196,000;
and
(B) for fiscal year 1999, $691,493,000.
(5) For alteration or removal of bridges over
navigable waters of the United States constituting
obstructions to navigation, and for personnel and
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administrative costs associated with the Bridge Al-
teration Program—
(A) for fiscal year 1998, $17,000,000; and
(B) for fiscal year 1999, $26,000,000,
to remain available until expended.
(6) For environmental compliance and restora-
tion at Coast Guard facilities (other than parts and
equipment associated with operations and mainte-
nance), $26,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998
and 1999, to remain available until expended.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZED LEVELS OF MILITARY STRENGTH
AND TRAINING.
(a) ACTIVE DUTY STRENGTH.—The Coast Guard is
authorized an end-of-year strength for active duty person-
nel of—
(1) 37,944 as of September 30, 1998; and
(2) 38,038 as of September 30, 1999.
(b) MILITARY TRAINING STUDENT LOADS.—The
Coast Guard is authorized average military training stu-
dent loads as follows:
(1) For recruit and special training—
(A) for fiscal year 1998, 1,424 student
years; and
(B) for fiscal year 1999, 1,424 student
years.
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(2) For flight training—
(A) for fiscal year 1998, 98 student years;
and
(B) for fiscal year 1999, 98 student years.
(3) For professional training in military and ci-
vilian institutions—
(A) for fiscal year 1998, 283 student
years; and
(B) for fiscal year 1999, 283 student
years.
(4) For officer acquisition—
(A) for fiscal year 1998, 814 student
years; and
(B) for fiscal year 1999, 810 student
years.
SEC. 103. LORAN-C.
(a) FISCAL YEAR 1999.—There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Transportation, in ad-
dition to the funds authorized for the Coast Guard for
operation of the LORAN-C System, for capital expenses
related 
to 
LORAN-C 
navigation 
infrastructure,
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 1999. The Secretary of Trans-
portation may transfer from the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration and other agencies of the department funds ap-
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propriated as authorized under this section in order to re-
imburse the Coast Guard for related expenses.
(b) COST-SHARING PLAN.—Not later than 6 months
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Transportation shall develop and submit to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a plan for cost-sharing
arrangements among Federal agencies for such capital
and operating expenses related to LORAN-C navigation
infrastructure, including such expenses of the Coast
Guard and the Federal Aviation Administration.
TITLE II—COAST GUARD
MANAGEMENT
SEC. 201. SEVERANCE PAY.
(a) WARRANT OFFICERS.—Section 286a(d) of title
14, United States Code, is amended by striking the last
sentence.
(b) SEPARATED OFFICERS.—Section 286a of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by striking the period at
the end of subsection (b) and inserting ‘‘, unless the Sec-
retary determines that the conditions under which the offi-
cer is discharged or separated do not warrant payment
of that amount of severance pay.’’.
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(c) EXCEPTION.—Section 327 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended by striking the period at the end
of paragraph (b)(3) and inserting ‘‘, unless the Secretary
determines that the conditions under which the officer is
discharged or separated do not warrant payment of that
amount of severance pay.’’.
SEC. 202. AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT AND FUND CERTAIN
AWARDS PROGRAMS.
Section 93 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed—
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon at the
end of paragraph (u);
(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (v) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(w) provide for the honorary recognition of in-
dividuals and organizations that significantly con-
tribute to Coast Guard programs, missions, or oper-
ations, including State and local governments and
commercial and nonprofit organizations, and pay
for, using any appropriations or funds available to
the Coast Guard, plaques, medals, trophies, badges,
and similar items to acknowledge such contribution
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(including reasonable expenses of ceremony and
presentation).’’.
SEC. 203. USE OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS FOR COMMER-
CIAL VEHICLES AT MILITARY FUNERALS.
Section 93 of title 14, United States Code, as amend-
ed by section 202 of this Act, is further amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon at the
end of paragraph (v);
(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (w) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(x) rent or lease, under such terms and condi-
tions as are considered by the Secretary to be advis-
able, commercial vehicles to transport the next of
kin of eligible retired Coast Guard military personnel
to attend funeral services of the service member at
a national cemetery.’’.
SEC. 204. AUTHORITY TO REIMBURSE NOVATO, CALIFOR-
NIA, REUSE COMMISSION.
The Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
may use up to $25,000 to provide economic adjustment
assistance for the City of Novato, California, for the cost
of revising the Hamilton Reuse Planning Authority’s reuse
plan as a result of the Coast Guard’s request for housing
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at Hamilton Air Force Base. If the Department of De-
fense provides such economic adjustment assistance to the
City of Novato on behalf of the Coast Guard, then the
Coast Guard may use the amount authorized for use in
the preceding sentence to reimburse the Department of
Defense for the amount of economic adjustment assistance
provided to the City of Novato by the Department of De-
fense.
SEC. 205. LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY FOR SPECIAL
AGENTS OF THE COAST GUARD INVESTIGA-
TIVE SERVICE.
(a) AUTHORITY.—Section 95 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘§ 95. Special agents of the Coast Guard Investiga-
tive Service law enforcement authority
‘‘(a)(1) A special agent of the Coast Guard Investiga-
tive Service designated under subsection (b) has the fol-
lowing authority:
‘‘(A) To carry firearms.
‘‘(B) To execute and serve any warrant or other
process issued under the authority of the United
States.
‘‘(C) To make arrests without warrant for—
‘‘(i) any offense against the United States
committed in the agent’s presence; or
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‘‘(ii) any felony cognizable under the laws
of the United States if the agent has probable
cause to believe that the person to be arrested
has committed or is committing the felony.
‘‘(2) The authorities provided in paragraph (1) shall
be exercised only in the enforcement of statutes for which
the Coast Guard has law enforcement authority, or in exi-
gent circumstances.
‘‘(b) The Commandant may designate to have the au-
thority provided under subsection (a) any special agent of
the Coast Guard Investigative Service whose duties in-
clude conducting, supervising, or coordinating investiga-
tion of criminal activity in programs and operations of the
United States Coast Guard.
‘‘(c) The authority provided under subsection (a)
shall be exercised in accordance with guidelines prescribed
by the Commandant and approved by the Attorney Gen-
eral and any other applicable guidelines prescribed by the
Secretary of Transportation or the Attorney General.’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections
at the beginning of chapter 5 of title 14, United States
Code, is amended by striking the item related to section
95 and inserting the following:
‘‘95. Special agents of the Coast Guard Investigative Service law enforcement au-
thority.’’.
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SEC. 206. REPORT ON EXCESS COAST GUARD PROPERTY.
Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Administrator of the General Services Ad-
ministration and the Commandant of the Coast Guard
shall submit to the Congress a report on the current proce-
dures used to dispose of excess Coast Guard property and
provide recommendations to improve such procedures. The
recommendations shall take into consideration measures
that would—
(1) improve the efficiency of such procedures;
(2) improve notification of excess property deci-
sions to and enhance the participation in the prop-
erty disposal decisionmaking process of the States,
local communities, and appropriate non-profit orga-
nizations;
(3) facilitate the expeditious transfer of excess
property for recreation, historic preservation, edu-
cation, transportation, or other uses that benefit the
general public; and
(4) ensure that the interests of Federal tax-
payers are protected.
SEC. 207. FEES FOR NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE SERVICE.
Section 2110 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following:
‘‘(k) The Secretary may not plan, implement or final-
ize any regulation that would promulgate any new mari-
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time user fee which was not implemented and collected
prior to January 1, 1998, including a fee or charge for
any domestic icebreaking service or any other navigational
assistance service. This subsection expires on September
30, 2001.’’.
SEC. 208. AIDS TO NAVIGATION REPORT.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall
submit to Congress a report on the use of the Coast
Guard’s aids to navigation system. The report shall in-
clude an analysis of the respective use of the aids to navi-
gation system by commercial interests, members of the
general public for personal recreation, Federal and State
government for public safety, defense, and other similar
purposes. To the extent practicable within the time al-
lowed, the report shall include information regarding de-
gree of use of the various portions of the system.
TITLE III—MARINE SAFETY
SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF TERRITORIAL SEA FOR CERTAIN
LAWS.
(a) PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY ACT.—Section
102 of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C.
1222) is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(5) ‘Navigable waters of the United States’ in-
cludes all waters of the territorial sea of the United
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States as described in Presidential Proclamation
5928 of December 27, 1988.’’.
(b) SUBTITLE II OF TITLE 46.—
(1) Section 2101 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended—
(A) by redesignating paragraph (17a) as
paragraph (17b); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (17) the
following:
‘‘(17a) ‘navigable waters of the United States’
includes all waters of the territorial sea of the
United States as described in Presidential Proclama-
tion 5928 of December 27, 1988.’’.
(2) Section 2301 of that title is amended by in-
serting ‘‘(including the territorial sea of the United
States as described in Presidential Proclamation
5928 of December 27, 1988)’’ after ‘‘of the United
States’’.
(3) Section 4102(e) of that title is amended by
striking ‘‘operating on the high seas’’ and inserting
‘‘owned in the United States and operating beyond
3 nautical miles from the baselines from which the
territorial sea of the United States is measured’’.
(4) Section 4301(a) of that title is amended by
inserting ‘‘(including the territorial sea of the United
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States as described in Presidential Proclamation
5928 of December 27, 1988)’’ after ‘‘of the United
States’’.
(5) Section 4502(a)(7) of that title is amended
by striking ‘‘on the high seas’’ and inserting ‘‘be-
yond 3 nautical miles from the baselines from which
the territorial sea of the United States is measured,
and which are owned in the United States’’.
(6) Section 4506(b) of that title is amended by
striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
‘‘(2) is operating—
‘‘(A) in internal waters of the United
States; or
‘‘(B) within 3 nautical miles from the
baselines from which the territorial sea of the
United States is measured.’’.
(7) Section 8502(a)(3) of that title is amended
by striking ‘‘not on the high seas’’ and inserting:
‘‘not beyond 3 nautical miles from the baselines
from which the territorial sea of the United States
is measured’’.
(8) Section 8503(a)(2) of that title is amended
by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the follow-
ing:
‘‘(2) operating—
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‘‘(A) in internal waters of the United
States; or
‘‘(B) within 3 nautical miles from the
baselines from which the territorial sea of the
United States is measured.’’.
SEC. 302. PENALTIES FOR INTERFERING WITH THE SAFE
OPERATION OF A VESSEL.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2302 of title 46, United
States Code, is amended—
(1) by amending the section heading to read as
follows:
‘‘§ 2302. Penalties for negligent operations and inter-
fering with safe operation’’;
and
(2) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘that endan-
gers’’ and inserting ‘‘or interfering with the safe op-
eration of a vessel, so as to endanger’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections
at the beginning of chapter 23 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section
2302 and inserting the following:
‘‘2302. Penalties for negligent operations and interfering with safe operation.’’.
SEC. 303. GREAT LAKES PILOTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Section 9307 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
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‘‘§ 9307. Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee
‘‘(a) The Secretary shall establish a Great Lakes Pi-
lotage Advisory Committee. The Committee—
‘‘(1) may review proposed Great Lakes pilotage
regulations and policies and make recommendations
to the Secretary that the Committee considers ap-
propriate;
‘‘(2) may advise, consult with, report to, and
make recommendations to the Secretary on matters
relating to Great Lakes pilotage;
‘‘(3) may make available to the Congress rec-
ommendations that the Committee makes to the Sec-
retary; and
‘‘(4) shall meet at the call of—
‘‘(A) the Secretary, who shall call such a
meeting at least once during each calendar
year; or
‘‘(B) a majority of the Committee.
‘‘(b)(1) The Committee shall consist of 7 members
appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this sub-
section, each of whom has at least 5 years practical experi-
ence in maritime operations. The term of each member
is for a period of not more than 5 years, specified by the
Secretary. Before filling a position on the Committee, the
Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register
soliciting nominations for membership on the Committee.
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‘‘(2) The membership of the Committee shall in-
clude—
‘‘(A) 3 members who are practicing Great
Lakes pilots and who reflect a regional balance;
‘‘(B) 1 member representing the interests of
vessel operators that contract for Great Lakes pilot-
age services;
‘‘(C) 1 member representing the interests of
Great Lakes ports;
‘‘(D) 1 member representing the interests of
shippers whose cargoes are transported through
Great Lakes ports; and
‘‘(E) 1 member representing the interests of the
general public, who is an independent expert on the
Great Lakes maritime industry.
‘‘(c)(1) The Committee shall elect one of its members
as the Chairman and one of its members as the Vice
Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall act as Chairman in
the absence or incapacity of the Chairman, or in the event
of a vacancy in the office of the Chairman.
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall, and any other interested
agency may, designate a representative to participate as
an observer with the Committee. The representatives shall,
as appropriate, report to and advise the Committee on
matters relating to Great Lakes pilotage. The Secretary’s
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designated representative shall act as the executive sec-
retary of the Committee and shall perform the duties set
forth in section 10(c) of the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
‘‘(d)(1) The Secretary shall, whenever practicable,
consult with the Committee before taking any significant
action relating to Great Lakes pilotage.
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall consider the information,
advice, and recommendations of the Committee in formu-
lating policy regarding matters affecting Great Lakes pi-
lotage.
‘‘(e)(1) A member of the Committee, when attending
meetings of the Committee or when otherwise engaged in
the business of the Committee, is entitled to receive—
‘‘(A) compensation at a rate fixed by the Sec-
retary, not exceeding the daily equivalent of the cur-
rent rate of basic pay in effect for GS–18 of the
General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5 in-
cluding travel time; and
‘‘(B) travel or transportation expenses under
section 5703 of title 5.
‘‘(2) A member of the Committee shall not be consid-
ered to be an officer or employee of the United States for
any purpose based on their receipt of any payment under
this subsection.
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‘‘(f)(1) The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.) applies to the Committee, except that the
Committee terminates on September 30, 2003.
‘‘(2) 2 years before the termination date set forth in
paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Committee shall sub-
mit to the Congress its recommendation regarding wheth-
er the Committee should be renewed and continued beyond
the termination date.’’.
SEC. 304. ALCOHOL TESTING.
(a) ADMINSTRATIVE PROCEDURE.—Section 7702 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the
second sentence of subsection (c)(2) and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘The testing may include preemployment (with re-
spect to dangerous drugs only), periodic, random, and rea-
sonable cause testing, and shall include post-accident test-
ing.’’.
(b) INCREASE IN CIVIL PENALTY.—Section 2115 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
‘‘$1,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$5,000’’.
(c) INCREASE IN NEGLIGENCE PENALTY.—Section
2302(c)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended
by striking ‘‘$1,000 for a first violation and not more than
$5,000 for a subsequent violation; or’’ and inserting
‘‘$5,000; or’’.
(d) POST SERIOUS MARINE CASUALTY TESTING.—
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(1) Chapter 23 of title 46, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 2303 the fol-
lowing:
‘‘§2303a. Post serious marine casualty alcohol testing
‘‘(a) The Secretary shall establish procedures to en-
sure that after a serious marine casualty occurs, alcohol
testing of crew members or other persons responsible for
the operation or other safety-sensitive functions of the ves-
sel or vessels involved in such casualty is conducted no
later than 2 hours after the casualty occurs, unless such
testing cannot be completed within that time due to safety
concerns directly related to the casualty.
‘‘(b) The procedures in subsection (a) shall require
that if alcohol testing cannot be completed within 2 hours
of the occurrence of the casualty, such testing shall be con-
ducted as soon thereafter as the safety concerns in sub-
section (a) have been adequately addressed to permit such
testing, except that such testing may not be required more
than 8 hours after the casualty occurs.’’.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 23 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after the item related to sec-
tion 2303 the following:
‘‘2303a. Post serious marine casualty alcohol testing’’.
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the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives—
(1) identifying waters out to 50 miles from the
territorial sea of Maine and other States that cannot
currently be served by a Coast Guard search and
rescue helicopter within 2 hours of a report of dis-
tress or request for assistance from such waters;
(2) providing options for ensuring that all wa-
ters of the area referred to in paragraph (1) can be
served by a Coast Guard search and rescue heli-
copter within 2 hours of a report of distress or re-
quest for assistance from such waters;
(3) providing an analysis assessing the overall
capability of Coast Guard search and rescue assets
to serve each area referred to in paragraph (1) with-
in 2 hours of a report of distress or request for as-
sistance from such waters; and
(4) identifying, among any other options the
Commandant may provide as required by paragraph
(2), locations in the State of Maine that may be
suitable for the stationing of a Coast Guard search
and rescue helicopter and crew, including any Coast
Guard facility in Maine, the Bangor Air National
Guard Base, and any other locations.