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‘‘(b) DETERMINATION OF ABANDONMENT.— 
‘‘(1) NOTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—With respect to a cov-
ered vessel that appears to be abandoned, the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall— 
‘‘(i) attempt to identify the owner 
using the vessel registration number, hull 
identification number, or any other infor-
mation that can be reasonably inferred or 
gathered; and 
‘‘(ii) notify such owner— 
‘‘(I) of the penalty described in 
subsection (c); and 
‘‘(II) that the vessel will be re-
moved at the expense of the owner if 
the Commandant determines that the 
vessel is abandoned and the owner 
does not remove or account for the 
vessel. 
‘‘(B) FORM.—The Commandant shall pro-
vide the notice required under subparagraph 
(A)— 
‘‘(i) if the owner can be identified, via 
certified mail or other appropriate forms 
determined by the Commandant; or 
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‘‘(ii) if the owner cannot be identified, 
via an announcement in a local publication 
and on a website maintained by the Coast 
Guard. 
‘‘(2) 
DETERMINATION.—The 
Commandant 
shall make a determination not earlier than 45 days 
after the date on which the Commandant provides 
the notification required under paragraph (1) of 
whether a covered vessel described in such para-
graph is abandoned. 
‘‘(c) PENALTY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant may as-
sess a civil penalty of not more than $500 against 
an owner or operator of a covered vessel determined 
to be abandoned under subsection (b) for a violation 
of subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) LIABILITY IN REM.—The owner or oper-
ator of a covered vessel shall also be liable in rem 
for a penalty imposed under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(d) VESSELS NOT ABANDONED.—The Commandant 
may not determine that a covered vessel is abandoned 
under this section if— 
‘‘(1) such vessel is located at a federally ap-
proved or State approved mooring area; 
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‘‘(2) such vessel is located on private property 
with the permission of the owner of such property; 
‘‘(3) the owner or operator of such vessel pro-
vides a notification to the Commandant that— 
‘‘(A) indicates the location of the vessel; 
‘‘(B) indicates that the vessel is not aban-
doned; and 
‘‘(C) contains documentation proving that 
the vessel is allowed to be in such location; or 
‘‘(4) the Commandant determines that such an 
abandonment determination would not be in the 
public interest. 
‘‘§ 4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Commandant, in 
consultation with the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration and relevant State 
agencies, shall establish and maintain a national inventory 
of covered vessels that are abandoned. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The inventory established and 
maintained under subsection (a) shall include data on each 
vessel, including geographic information system data re-
lated to the location of each such vessel. 
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‘‘(c) PUBLICATION.—The Commandant shall make 
the inventory established under subsection (a) publicly 
available on a website of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(d) REPORTING
OF
POTENTIALLY
ABANDONED 
VESSELS.—In carrying out this section, the Commandant 
shall develop a process by which— 
‘‘(1) a State, Indian Tribe, or person may re-
port a covered vessel that may be abandoned to the 
Commandant for potential inclusion in the inventory 
established under subsection (a); and 
‘‘(2) the Commandant shall review any such re-
port and add such vessel to the inventory if the 
Commandant determines that the reported vessel is 
abandoned pursuant to section 4711.’’. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—The Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating, in consultation 
with the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief 
of Engineers, and the Secretary of Commerce, acting 
through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, 
shall issue regulations with respect to the procedures for 
determining that a vessel is abandoned for the purposes 
of subchapter II of chapter 47 of title 46, United States 
Code (as added by this section). 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 47 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
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(1) in section 4701— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
chapter’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘chapter’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’; 
(2) in section 4703 by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subchapter’’; 
(3) in section 4704 by striking ‘‘chapter’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’; and 
(4) in section 4705 by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subchapter’’. 
(d) CLERICAL
AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for 
chapter 47 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting before the item relating to sec-
tion 4701 the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—BARGES’’; AND 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—NON-BARGE VESSELS 
‘‘4710. Definitions. 
‘‘4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited. 
‘‘4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels.’’. 
SEC. 354. ANCHORAGES. 
Section 8437 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 
(Public Law 116–283) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (d) and (e); 
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(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (d); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) PROHIBITION.—The Commandant shall prohibit 
any vessel anchoring on the reach of the Hudson River 
described in subsection (a) unless such anchoring is within 
any anchorage established before January 1, 2021.’’. 
TITLE IV—OIL POLLUTION 
INCIDENT LIABILITY 
SEC. 401. VESSEL RESPONSE PLANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 311(j)(6) of the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(6)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(6) 
EQUIPMENT
REQUIREMENTS, 
VERIFICATION, AND INSPECTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The President may re-
quire— 
‘‘(i) periodic inspection of containment 
booms, skimmers, vessels, and other major 
equipment used to remove discharges; 
‘‘(ii) periodic inspection of vessels, sal-
vage and marine firefighting equipment, 
and other major equipment used to re-
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spond to marine casualties or prevent dis-
charges; 
‘‘(iii) periodic verification of capabili-
ties to appropriately, and in a timely man-
ner, respond to a marine casualty, a worst 
case discharge, or a substantial threat of a 
discharge, including— 
‘‘(I) drills, with or without prior 
notice; 
‘‘(II) review of contracts and rel-
evant third-party agreements; 
‘‘(III) testing of equipment; 
‘‘(IV) review of training; and 
‘‘(V) other evaluations of re-
sponse capabilities, as determined ap-
propriate by the President; and 
‘‘(iv) vessels operating on navigable 
waters and carrying oil or a hazardous 
substance in bulk as cargo, and nontank 
vessels carrying oil of any kind as fuel for 
main propulsion, to carry appropriate re-
moval equipment that employs the best 
technology economically feasible and that 
is compatible with the safe operation of the 
vessel. 
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‘‘(B) MARINE
CASUALTY.—In this para-
graph, the term ‘marine casualty’ means a ma-
rine casualty that is required to be reported 
pursuant to section 6101 of title 46, United 
States Code.’’. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the state of marine firefighting 
authorities, jurisdiction, plan review, and other con-
siderations with respect to vessel fires at waterfront 
facilities and within the navigable waters of the 
United States up to 3 nautical miles from the shore-
line. 
(2) CONTENTS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), 
the Comptroller General shall— 
(A) examine factors that affect Federal 
and non-Federal collaboration aimed at reduc-
ing vessel and waterfront facility fire risk to 
local communities; 
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(B) focus on the prevalence and frequency 
of vessel fires described in paragraph (1); and 
(C) make recommendations for prepared-
ness, responses to, training for, and other items 
for consideration. 
SEC. 402. USE OF MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATIONS. 
Section 6308 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘initiated’’ and 
inserting ‘‘conducted’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) For purposes of this section, an administrative 
proceeding conducted by the United States includes pro-
ceedings under section 7701 and claims adjudicated under 
section 1013 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 
2713).’’. 
SEC. 403. TIMING OF REVIEW. 
Section 1017 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 
U.S.C. 2717) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(g) TIMING OF REVIEW.—Before the date of com-
pletion of a removal action, no person may bring an action 
under this Act, section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321), or chapter 7 of title 5, 
United States Code, challenging any decision relating to 
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such removal action that is made by an on-scene coordi-
nator appointed under the National Contingency Plan.’’. 
SEC. 404. ONLINE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the National Response Cen-
ter shall— 
(1) develop an online capacity through a web- 
based application to receive a notification of an oil 
discharge or release of a hazardous substance; and 
(2) allow any such notification to the National 
Response Center that is required under Federal law 
or regulation to be made online using the applica-
tion. 
(b) USE
OF APPLICATION.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the National Response Center may not require 
the notification of an oil discharge or release of a haz-
ardous substance to be made using the application devel-
oped under such subsection. 
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TITLE V—IMPLEMENTATION OF 
ACCOUNTABILITY 
AND 
TRANSPARENCY REVIEW REC-
OMMENDATIONS 
SEC. 501. IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF DIRECTED AC-
TIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 51 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 5116. Implementation status of directed actions 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2025, 
and not later than March 1 of each of the 3 subsequent 
years thereafter, the Commandant shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the status of the implementation of each directed action 
outlined in enclosure 1 of the memorandum of the Com-
mandant titled ‘Commandant’s Directed Actions—Ac-
countability and Transparency’, dated November 27, 
2023. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under section 
(a) shall contain the following: 
‘‘(1) The status of the implementation of each 
directed action from enclosure 1 of the memorandum 
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titled ‘Commandant’s Directed Actions—Account-
ability and Transparency’ dated November 27, 2023. 
‘‘(2) A plan and timeline for the next steps to 
be taken to complete outstanding directed actions in 
enclosure 1 of the memorandum titled ‘Com-
mandant’s Directed Actions—Accountability and 
Transparency’ dated November 27, 2023, including 
identifying the individual the Commandant has se-
lected to ensure the successful completion of each di-
rected action. 
‘‘(3) Metrics to determine the effectiveness of 
each directed action in such enclosure. 
‘‘(4) Any additional actions the Commandant is 
taking to mitigate instances of sexual assault and 
sexual harassment within the Coast Guard.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘5116. Implementation status of directed actions.’’. 
SEC. 502. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF COAST GUARD RE-
FORMS. 
(a) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE RE-
PORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall report to the 
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frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report that includes the following: 
(1) A plan for Coast Guard implementation, in-
cluding interim milestones and timeframes, of any 
recommendation made by the Comptroller General 
under subsection (a)(2)(B) with which the Com-
mandant concurs. 
(2) With respect to any recommendation made 
under subsection (a)(2)(B) with which the Com-
mandant does not concur, an explanation of the rea-
sons why the Commandant does not concur. 
SEC. 503. REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN CERTAIN RECORDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 9 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 955. Requirement to maintain certain records 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall maintain 
all work product related to documenting a disposition deci-
sion on an investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative 
Service or other law enforcement entity investigating a 
Coast Guard member accused of an offense against chap-
ter 47 of title 10. 
‘‘(b) RECORD RETENTION PERIOD.—Work product 
documents and the case action summary described in sub-
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section (c) shall be maintained for a period of not less 
than 7 years from date of the disposition decision. 
‘‘(c) CASE ACTION SUMMARY.—Upon a final disposi-
tion action for cases described in subsection (a), except 
for offenses of wrongful use or possession of a controlled 
substance under section 912a of title 10 (article 112a of 
the Uniform Code of Military Justice) where the member 
accused is an officer of pay grade O-4 and below or an 
enlisted member of pay grade E-7 and below, a convening 
authority shall sign a case action summary that includes 
the following: 
‘‘(1) The disposition actions. 
‘‘(2) The name and command of the referral 
authority. 
‘‘(3) Records documenting when a referral au-
thority consulted with a staff judge advocate or spe-
cial trial counsel, as applicable, before a disposition 
action was taken, to include the recommendation of 
the staff judge advocate or special trial counsel. 
‘‘(4) A reference section listing the materials re-
viewed in making a disposition decision. 
‘‘(5) The Coast Guard Investigative Service re-
port of investigation. 
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‘‘(6) The completed Coast Guard Investigative 
Service report of adjudication included as an enclo-
sure. 
‘‘(d) WORK PRODUCT.—In this section, the term 
‘work product’ includes— 
‘‘(1) a prosecution memorandum; 
‘‘(2) emails, notes, and other correspondence re-
lated to a disposition decision; and 
‘‘(3) the contents described in paragraphs (1) 
through (6) of subsection (c). 
‘‘(e) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section au-
thorizes or requires, or shall be construed to authorize or 
require, the discovery, inspection, or production of reports, 
memoranda, or other internal documents or work product 
generated by counsel, an attorney for the government, or 
their assistants or representatives.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 9 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘955. Requirement to maintain certain records.’’. 
SEC. 504. STUDY ON COAST GUARD ACADEMY OVERSIGHT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in con-
sultation with relevant stakeholders, shall conduct a study 
on the governance of the Coast Guard Academy, including 
examining the roles, responsibilities, authorities, advisory 
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functions, and membership qualifications and expertise of 
the Board of Visitors and Board of Trustees of such Acad-
emy. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
written report that contains— 
(1) the results of the study required under sub-
section (a); and 
(2) recommendations to improve governance at 
the Coast Guard Academy. 
SEC. 505. PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF A CADET 
WHO IS THE VICTIM OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT 
OR RELATED OFFENSE. 
Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR TRANSFER 
OF CADET WHO IS THE VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR 
RELATED OFFENSE.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commandant shall 
provide for timely consideration of and action on a 
request submitted by a cadet appointed to the Coast 
Guard Academy who is the victim of an alleged sex-
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ual assault or other offense covered by section 920, 
920c, or 930 of title 10 (article 120, 120c, or 130 
of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) for transfer 
to a Service Academy or to enroll in a Senior Re-
serve Officers’ Training Corps program affiliated 
with another institution of higher education. 
‘‘(2) RULEMAKING.—The Commandant shall 
prescribe regulations to carry out this subsection 
that— 
‘‘(A) ensure that any cadet who has been 
appointed to the Coast Guard Academy is in-
formed of the right to request a transfer pursu-
ant to this subsection, and that any formal re-
quest submitted by a cadet is processed as ex-
peditiously as practicable for review and action 
by the Superintendent; 
‘‘(B) direct the Superintendent of the 
Coast Guard Academy, in coordination with the 
Superintendent of the Service Academy to 
which the cadet requests to transfer— 
‘‘(i) to act on a request for transfer 
under this subsection not later than 72 
hours after receiving the formal request 
from the cadet; 
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‘‘(ii) to approve such request for 
transfer unless there are exceptional cir-
cumstances that require denial of the re-
quest; and 
‘‘(iii) upon approval of such request, 
to take all necessary and appropriate ac-
tion to effectuate the transfer of the cadet 
to the Service Academy concerned as expe-
ditiously as possible; and 
‘‘(C) direct the Superintendent of the 
Coast Guard Academy, in coordination with the 
Secretary of the military department that spon-
sors the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training 
Corps program at the institution of higher edu-
cation to which the cadet requests to transfer— 
‘‘(i) to act on a request for transfer 
under this subsection not later than 72 
hours after receiving the formal request 
from the cadet; 
‘‘(ii) subject to the cadet’s acceptance 
for admission to the institution of higher 
education to which the cadet wishes to 
transfer, to approve such request for trans-
fer unless there are exceptional cir-
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cumstances that require denial of the re-
quest; and 
‘‘(iii) to take all necessary and appro-
priate action to effectuate the cadet’s en-
rollment in the institution of higher edu-
cation to which the cadet wishes to trans-
fer and to process the cadet for participa-
tion in the relevant Senior Reserve Offi-
cers’ Training Corps program as expedi-
tiously as possible. 
‘‘(3) DENIAL OF TRANSFER REQUEST.—If the 
Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy denies 
a request for transfer under this subsection, the 
cadet may request review of the denial by the Sec-
retary of the Department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating, who shall act on such request not later 
than 72 hours after receipt of the formal request for 
review. 
‘‘(4) CONFIDENTIALITY
OF
RECORDS.—The 
Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating shall ensure that all records of 
any request, determination, transfer, or other action 
under this subsection remain confidential, consistent 
with applicable law and regulation. 
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‘‘(5) APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE ACADEMY.—A 
cadet who transfers under this subsection may retain 
the cadet’s appointment to the Coast Guard Acad-
emy or may be appointed to the Service Academy to 
which the cadet transfers without regard to the limi-
tations and requirements described in sections 7442, 
8454, and 9442 of title 10. 
‘‘(6) APPOINTMENT UPON GRADUATION.— 
‘‘(A) PREFERENCE.—A cadet who trans-
fers under this subsection to a Service Acad-
emy, is entitled, before graduating from such 
Academy, to state the preference of the cadet 
for appointment, upon graduation, as a com-
missioned officer in the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(B) MANNER
OF
APPOINTMENT.—Upon 
graduation, a cadet described in subparagraph 
(A) is entitled to be accepted for appointment 
as a permanent commissioned officer in the 
Regular Coast Guard in the same manner as 
graduates of the Coast Guard Academy as de-
scribed in section 2101. 
‘‘(7) COMMISSION
INTO
COAST
GUARD.—A 
cadet who transfers under this subsection to a Sen-
ior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program affili-
ated with another institution of higher education is 
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entitled upon graduation from the Senior Reserve 
Officers’ Training program to commission into the 
Coast Guard as described in section 3738a. 
‘‘(8) SERVICE
ACADEMY
DEFINED.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘Service Academy’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 347 of title 10.’’. 
SEC. 506. DESIGNATION OF OFFICERS WITH PARTICULAR 
EXPERTISE 
IN 
MILITARY 
JUSTICE 
OR 
HEALTHCARE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 21 of title 
14, United States Code is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 2132. Designation of officers with particular exper-
tise in military justice or healthcare 
‘‘(a) SECRETARY DESIGNATION.—The Secretary may 
designate a limited number of officers of the Coast Guard 
as having particular expertise in— 
‘‘(1) military justice; or 
‘‘(2) healthcare. 
‘‘(b) PROMOTION AND GRADE.—An individual des-
ignated under this section— 
‘‘(1) shall not be included on the active duty 
promotion list; 
‘‘(2) shall be promoted under section 2126; and 
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‘‘(3) may not be promoted to a grade higher 
than captain.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 21 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by in-
serting after the item relating to section 2131 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘2132. Designation of officers with particular expertise in military justice or 
healthcare.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 2102(a) of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended, in the second sentence, by strik-
ing ‘‘and officers of the permanent commissioned 
teaching staff of the Coast Guard Academy’’ and in-
serting ‘‘officers of the permanent commissioned 
teaching staff of the Coast Guard Academy, and of-
ficers designated by the Secretary pursuant to sec-
tion 2132’’. 
(2) Subsection (e) of section 2103 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) SECRETARY TO PRESCRIBE NUMBERS FOR CER-
TAIN OFFICERS.—The Secretary shall prescribe the num-
ber of officers authorized to be serving on active duty in 
each grade of— 
‘‘(1) the permanent commissioned teaching 
staff of the Coast Guard Academy; 
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‘‘(2) the officers designated by the Secretary 
pursuant to section 2132; and 
‘‘(3) the officers of the Reserve serving in con-
nection with organizing, administering, recruiting, 
instructing, or training the reserve components.’’. 
(3) Section 2126 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended, in the second sentence, by insert-
ing ‘‘and as to officers designated by the Secretary 
pursuant to section 2132’’ after ‘‘reserve compo-
nents’’. 
(4) Section 3736(a) of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(A) in the first sentence by striking ‘‘pro-
motion list and the’’ and inserting ‘‘promotion 
list, officers designated by the Secretary pursu-
ant to section 2132, and the officers on the’’; 
and 
(B) in the second sentence by striking 
‘‘promotion list or the’’ and inserting ‘‘pro-
motion list, officers designated by the Secretary 
pursuant to section 2132, or the officers on 
the’’. 
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SEC. 507. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PER-
SONNEL OF COAST GUARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 2517. Direct hire authority for certain personnel of 
Coast Guard 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant may appoint, 
without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 
33 of title 5 (other than section 3303 and 3328 of such 
chapter), qualified candidates to any non-clinical specialist 
intended to engage in the integrated primary prevention 
of harmful behaviors, including suicide, sexual assault, 
harassment, domestic abuse, and child abuse and qualified 
candidates to any criminal investigative law enforcement 
position of the Coast Guard Criminal Investigative Service 
intended to engage in the primary response to such harm-
ful behaviors. 
‘‘(b) SUNSET.—Effective on September 30, 2034, the 
authority provided under subsection (a) shall cease.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by in-
serting after the item related to section 2516 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘2517. Direct hire authority for certain personnel of United States Coast 
Guard.’’. 
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SEC. 508. SAFE-TO-REPORT POLICY FOR COAST GUARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 19 of title 
14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘§ 1908. Safe-to-report policy for Coast Guard 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall, in consulta-
tion with the Secretaries of the military departments, issue 
such regulations as are necessary to establish the safe-to- 
report policy described in subsection (b) that applies with 
respect to all members of the Coast Guard (including 
members of the reserve and auxiliary components of the 
Coast Guard) and cadets at the Coast Guard Academy. 
‘‘(b) SAFE-TO-REPORT POLICY.—The safe-to-report 
policy described in this subsection is a policy that pre-
scribes the handling of minor collateral misconduct involv-
ing a member of the Coast Guard who is the alleged victim 
or reporting witness of a sexual assault. 
‘‘(c) 
MITIGATING
AND
AGGRAVATING
CIR-
CUMSTANCES.—In issuing regulations under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall specify mitigating circumstances 
that decrease the gravity of minor collateral misconduct 
or the impact of such misconduct on good order and dis-
cipline and aggravating circumstances that increase the 
gravity of minor collateral misconduct or the impact of 
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such misconduct on good order and discipline for purposes 
of the safe-to-report policy. 
‘‘(d) TRACKING OF COLLATERAL MISCONDUCT INCI-
DENTS.—In conjunction with the issuance of regulations 
under subsection (a), Secretary shall develop and imple-
ment a process to anonymously track incidents of minor 
collateral misconduct that are subject to the safe-to-report 
policy established under such regulations. 
‘‘(e) MINOR COLLATERAL MISCONDUCT DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘minor collateral misconduct’ 
means any minor misconduct that is punishable under 
chapter 47 of title 10 that— 
‘‘(1) is committed close in time to or during a 
sexual assault and directly related to the incident 
that formed the basis of the sexual assault allega-
tion; 
‘‘(2) is discovered as a direct result of the re-
port of sexual assault or the ensuing investigation 
into such sexual assault; and 
‘‘(3) does not involve aggravating circumstances 
(as specified in the regulations issued under sub-
section (a)) that increase the gravity of the minor 
misconduct or the impact of such misconduct on 
good order and discipline.’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 1907 (as 
added by this Act) the following: 
‘‘1908. Safe-to-report policy for Coast Guard.’’. 
SEC. 509. MODIFICATION OF DELIVERY DATE OF COAST 
GUARD SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORT. 
Section 5112(a) of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘January 15’’ and inserting ‘‘March 
1’’. 
SEC. 510. HIGHER-LEVEL REVIEW OF BOARD OF DETER-
MINATION DECISIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2158 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the first sentence by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) HIGHER-LEVEL REVIEW OF SEXUAL ASSAULT 
CASES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If a board convened under 
this section determines that the officer should be re-
tained when the officer’s record indicates that the 
officer has committed a sexual assault offense, the 
board shall forward the record of the proceedings 
and recommendation of the board for higher-level re-
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view, in accordance with regulations prescribed by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORITY.—The official exercising high-
er-level review shall have authority to forward the 
case for consideration by a Board of Inquiry in ac-
cordance with section 2159. 
‘‘(c) SEXUAL ASSAULT OFFENSE DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘sexual assault offense’ means a violation 
of section 920 or 920b of title 10, United States Code 
(article 120 or 120b of the Uniform Code of Military Jus-
tice) or attempt to commit an offense specified under sec-
tion 920 or 920b as punishable under section 880 of such 
title (article 80 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).’’. 
SEC. 511. REVIEW OF DISCHARGE OR DISMISSAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 
14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘§ 2518. Review of discharge or dismissal 
‘‘(a) DOWNGRADE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the require-
ments of section 1553 of title 10, a board of review 
for a former member of the Coast Guard established 
pursuant to such section may, upon a motion of the 
board and subject to review by the Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating, 
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downgrade an honorable discharge or dismissal to a 
general (under honorable conditions) discharge or 
dismissal upon a finding that a former member of 
the Coast Guard, while serving on active duty as a 
member of the armed forces, committed sexual as-
sault or sexual harassment in violation of section 
920, 920b, or 934 of this title (article 120, 120b, or 
134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice). 
‘‘(2) EVIDENCE.—Any downgrade under para-
graph (1) shall be supported by clear and convincing 
evidence. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—The review board under 
paragraph (1) may not downgrade a discharge or 
dismissal of a former member of the Coast Guard if 
the same action described in paragraph (1) was con-
sidered prior to separation from active duty by an 
administrative board in determining the character-
ization of discharge as otherwise provided by law 
and in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating. 
‘‘(b) PROCEDURAL RIGHTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A review by a board estab-
lished under section 1553 of title 10 shall be based 
on the records of the armed forces concerned and 
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such other evidence as may be presented to the 
board. 
‘‘(2) EVIDENCE BY WITNESS.—A witness may 
present evidence to the board in person or by affi-
davit. 
‘‘(3) APPEARANCE BEFORE BOARD.—A person 
who requests a review under this section may appear 
before the board in person or by counsel or an ac-
credited representative of an organization recognized 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under chapter 
59 of title 38. 
‘‘(4) NOTIFICATION.—A former member of the 
Coast Guard who is subject to a downgrade in dis-
charge characterization review under subsection 
(b)(3) shall be notified in writing of such pro-
ceedings, afforded the right to obtain copies of 
records and documents relevant to the proceedings, 
and the right to appear before the board in person 
or by counsel or an accredited representative of an 
organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs under chapter 59 of title 38.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 2517 (as 
added by this Act) the following: 
‘‘2518. Review of discharge or dismissal.’’. 
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SEC. 512. CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER AS GROUNDS FOR 
DENIAL. 
Section 7511(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘State, local, 
or Tribal law’’ and inserting ‘‘Federal, State, local, 
or Tribal law’’; 
(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as para-
graph (3); and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) section 920 or 920b of title 10 (article 120 
and 120b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice); 
or’’. 
SEC. 513. COAST GUARD ACADEMY ROOM REASSIGNMENT. 
Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is fur-
ther amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) ROOM REASSIGNMENT.—Coast Guard Academy 
Cadets may request room reassignment if experiencing 
discomfort due to Coast Guard Academy rooming assign-
ments.’’ 
TITLE VI—AMENDMENTS 
SEC. 601. AMENDMENTS. 
(a) PROHIBITION ON ENTRY AND OPERATION.—Sec-
tion 70022(b)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is 
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amended by striking ‘‘Federal Register’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Federal Register’’. 
(b) PORT, HARBOR, AND COASTAL FACILITY SECU-
RITY.—Section 70116(b) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘terrorism 
cyber’’ and inserting ‘‘terrorism, cyber’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2) by inserting a comma 
after ‘‘acts of terrorism’’. 
(c) ENFORCEMENT
BY STATE
AND LOCAL OFFI-
CERS.—Section 70118(a) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘section 1 of title II of the Act 
of June 15, 1917 (chapter 30; 50 U.S.C. 191)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘section 70051’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘section 7(b) of the Ports and 
Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1226(b))’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 70116(b)’’. 
(d) CHAPTER 701 DEFINITIONS.—Section 70131(2) 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘section 1 of title II of the Act 
of June 15, 1917 (50 U.S.C. 191)’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 70051’’; and 
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(2) by striking ‘‘section 7(b) of the Ports and 
Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1226(b))’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 70116(b)’’. 
(e) NOTICE OF ARRIVAL REQUIREMENTS FOR VES-
SELS ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF.— 
(1) 
PREPARATORY
CONFORMING
AMEND-
MENT.—Section 70001 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by redesignating subsections (l) 
and (m) as subsections (m) and (n), respectively. 
(2) TRANSFER OF PROVISION.—Section 704 of 
the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act 
2012 (Public Law 112–213; 46 U.S.C. 70001 note) 
is— 
(A) amended by striking ‘‘of title 46, 
United States Code,’’; 
(B) transferred to appear after 70001(k) 
of title 46, United States Code; and 
(C) redesignated as subsection (l). 
(f) TITLE 46.—Title 46, United States Code, is 
amended as follows: 
(1) Section 2101(2) is amended by striking 
‘‘section 1’’ and inserting ‘‘section 101’’. 
(2) Section 2116(b)(1)(D) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘section 93(c)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 504(c)’’. 
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(3) In the analysis for subtitle VII by striking 
the period after ‘‘70001’’ in the item relating to 
chapter 700. 
(4) In the analysis for chapter 700 by striking 
the item relating to section 70006 and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘70006. Establishment by Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating of anchorage grounds and regulations gen-
erally.’’. 
(5) In the heading for subchapter IV in the 
analysis for chapter 700 by inserting a comma after 
‘‘DEFINITIONS’’. 
(6) In the heading for subchapter VI in the 
analysis for chapter 700 by striking ‘‘OF THE 
UNITED’’and inserting ‘‘OF UNITED’’. 
(7) Section 70052(e)(1) is amended by striking 
‘‘section 4197 of the Revised Statutes of the United 
States (46 U.S.C. App. 91)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
60105’’. 
(g) OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990.—The Oil Pollu-
tion Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) is amended as 
follows: 
(1) 
Section 
1001(32)(G) 
(33 
U.S.C. 
2701(32)(G)) is amended by striking ‘‘pipeline’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘offshore facility’’ and in-
serting ‘‘pipeline, offshore facility’’. 
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(2) Section 1016 (33 U.S.C. 2716) is amend-
ed— 
(A) 
by 
redesignating 
subsections 
(e) 
through (i) as subsections (d) through (h), re-
spectively; and 
(B) in subsection (e)(1)(B), as redesig-
nated by subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘sub-
section (e)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (d)’’. 
(3) Section 1012(b)(2) (33 U.S.C. 2712(b)(2)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘section 1016(f)(1)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 1016(e)(1)’’. 
(4) 
Section 
1005(b)(5)(B) 
(33 
U.S.C. 
2705(b)(5)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘section 
1016(g)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 1016(f)’’. 
(5) Section 1018(c) (33 U.S.C. 2718(c)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘the Act of March 3, 1851 (46 
U.S.C. 183 et seq.)’’ and inserting ‘‘chapter 305 of 
title 46, United States Code’’. 
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(6) Section 7001(h)(1) (33 U.S.C. 2761(h)(1)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘subsection (c)(4)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘subsection (e)(4)’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives May 14, 2024. 
Attest: 
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER, 
Clerk. 
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