4022 
•HRES 1512 EH 
SEC. 11412. EXPANSION OF ACCESS TO COUNSELING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall hire, 
train, and deploy not fewer than an additional 5 behavioral 
health specialists. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—Through the hiring process re-
quired under subsection (a), the Commandant shall ensure 
that at least 35 percent of behavioral health specialists em-
ployed by the Coast Guard have experience in behavioral 
healthcare for the purpose of supporting members of the 
Coast Guard with needs for perinatal mental health care and 
counseling service for miscarriage, child loss, and postpartum 
depression. 
(c) ACCESSIBILITY.—The support provided by the behav-
ioral health specialists described in subsection (a)— 
(1) may include care delivered via telemedicine; and 
(2) shall be made widely available to members of 
the Coast Guard. 
SEC. 11413. EXPANSION OF POSTGRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES 
FOR MEMBERS OF COAST GUARD IN MEDICAL AND 
RELATED FIELDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall expand op-
portunities for members of the Coast Guard to secure post-
graduate degrees in medical and related professional dis-
ciplines for the purpose of supporting Coast Guard clinics 
and operations.
4023 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(b) APPLICATION OF LAW.—Individuals who receive as-
sistance pursuant to subsection (a) shall be subject to the 
service obligations required under section 2114 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(c) MILITARY
TRAINING
STUDENT
LOADS.—Section 
4904(b)(3) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘350’’ and inserting ‘‘385’’. 
SEC. 11414. STUDY ON COAST GUARD MEDICAL FACILITIES 
NEEDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall commence a study on Coast Guard med-
ical facilities needs. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study required by subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) A list of Coast Guard medical facilities, includ-
ing clinics, sickbays, and shipboard facilities. 
(2) A summary of capital needs for Coast Guard 
medical facilities, including construction and repair. 
(3) A summary of equipment upgrade backlogs of 
Coast Guard medical facilities. 
(4) An assessment of improvements to Coast Guard 
medical facilities, including improvements to information 
technology infrastructure, required to enable the Coast
4024 
•HRES 1512 EH 
Guard to fully use telemedicine and implement other 
modernization initiatives. 
(5) An evaluation of the process used by the Coast 
Guard to identify, monitor, and construct Coast Guard 
medical facilities. 
(6) A description of the resources necessary to fully 
address all Coast Guard medical facilities needs. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after commencing 
the study required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
a report on the findings of the study. 
SEC. 11415. STUDY ON COAST GUARD TELEMEDICINE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall commence a study on the Coast Guard 
telemedicine program. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study required under subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment of— 
(A) the current capabilities and limitations of 
the Coast Guard telemedicine program;
4025 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(B) the degree of integration of such program 
with existing electronic health records; 
(C) the capability and accessibility of such pro-
gram, as compared to the capability and accessi-
bility of the telemedicine programs of the Depart-
ment of Defense and commercial medical providers; 
(D) the manner in which the Coast Guard tele-
medicine program may be expanded to provide bet-
ter clinical and behavioral medical services to mem-
bers of the Coast Guard, including such members 
stationed at remote units or onboard Coast Guard 
cutters at sea; and 
(E) the costs savings associated with the provi-
sion of— 
(i) care through telemedicine; and 
(ii) preventative care. 
(2) An identification of barriers to full use or ex-
pansion of such program. 
(3) A description of the resources necessary to ex-
pand such program to its full capability. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after commencing 
the study required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Trans-
4026 
•HRES 1512 EH 
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
a report on the findings of the study. 
Subtitle C—Housing 
SEC. 11416. STUDY ON COAST GUARD HOUSING ACCESS, COST, 
AND CHALLENGES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall commence a study on housing access, 
cost, and associated challenges facing members of the Coast 
Guard. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study required under subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment of— 
(A) the extent to which— 
(i) the Commandant has evaluated the 
sufficiency, availability, and affordability of 
housing options for members of the Coast 
Guard and their dependents; and 
(ii) the Coast Guard owns and leases 
housing for members of the Coast Guard and 
their dependents; 
(B) the methods used by the Commandant to 
manage housing data, and the manner in which the 
Commandant uses such data—
4027 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(i) to inform Coast Guard housing policy; 
and 
(ii) to guide investments in Coast Guard- 
owned housing capacity and other investments 
in housing, such as long-term leases and other 
housing options; and 
(C) the process used by the Commandant to 
gather and provide information used to calculate 
housing allowances for members of the Coast Guard 
and their dependents, including whether the Com-
mandant has established best practices to manage 
low-data areas. 
(2) An assessment as to whether the Department of 
Defense basic allowance for housing is sufficient for 
members of the Coast Guard. 
(3) Recommendations for actions the Commandant 
should take to improve the availability and affordability 
of housing for members of the Coast Guard and their 
dependents who are stationed in— 
(A) remote units located in areas in which 
members of the Coast Guard and their dependents 
are eligible for TRICARE Prime Remote; or 
(B) units located in areas with a high number 
of vacation rental properties.
4028 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after commencing 
the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report on the findings of the study. 
(d) STRATEGY.—Not later than 180 days after the sub-
mission of the report required under subsection (c), the Com-
mandant shall publish a Coast Guard housing strategy that 
addresses the findings set forth in the report. Such strategy 
shall, at a minimum— 
(1) address housing inventory shortages and afford-
ability; and 
(2) include a Coast Guard-owned housing infra-
structure investment prioritization plan. 
SEC. 11417. AUDIT OF CERTAIN MILITARY HOUSING CONDI-
TIONS OF ENLISTED MEMBERS OF COAST GUARD 
IN KEY WEST, FLORIDA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in coordination 
with the Secretary of the Navy, shall commence an audit to 
assess— 
(1) the conditions of housing units of enlisted mem-
bers of the Coast Guard located at Naval Air Station 
Key West Sigsbee Park Annex;
4029 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(2) the percentage of such units that are considered 
unsafe or unhealthy housing units for enlisted members 
of the Coast Guard and their families; 
(3) the process used by enlisted members of the 
Coast Guard and their families to report housing con-
cerns; 
(4) the extent to which enlisted members of the 
Coast Guard and their families experience unsafe or 
unhealthy housing units, relocate, receive a per diem, or 
expend similar expenses as a direct result of displace-
ment that are not covered by a landlord, insurance, or 
claims process; 
(5) the feasibility of providing reimbursement for 
uncovered expenses described in paragraph (4); and 
(6) what resources are needed to provide appro-
priate and safe housing for enlisted members of the 
Coast Guard and their families in Key West, Florida. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this section , the Commandant shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the re-
sults of the audit. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CONGRESS.— 
The 
term 
‘‘appropriate 
committees 
of 
Congress’’ 
means—
4030 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 
and 
(B) the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity of the House of Representatives. 
(2) UNSAFE OR UNHEALTHY HOUSING UNIT.—The 
term ‘‘unsafe or unhealthy housing unit’’ means a unit 
of housing unit in which is present, at levels exceeding 
relevant governmental health or housing standards or 
guidelines, at least 1 of the following hazards: 
(A) Physiological hazards, including the fol-
lowing: 
(i) Dampness or microbial growth. 
(ii) Lead-based paint. 
(iii) Asbestos or manmade fibers. 
(iv) Ionizing radiation. 
(v) Biocides. 
(vi) Carbon monoxide. 
(vii) Volatile organic compounds. 
(viii) Infectious agents. 
(ix) Fine particulate matter. 
(B) Psychological hazards, including the fol-
lowing:
4031 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(i) Ease of access by unlawful intruders. 
(ii) Lighting issues. 
(iii) Poor ventilation. 
(iv) Safety hazards. 
(v) Other hazards similar to the hazards 
specified in clauses (i) through (iv). 
SEC. 11418. STUDY ON COAST GUARD HOUSING AUTHORITIES 
AND PRIVATIZED HOUSING. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States shall commence a study that— 
(A) evaluates the authorities of the Coast 
Guard relating to construction, operation, and 
maintenance of housing provided to members of the 
Coast Guard and their dependents; and 
(B) assesses other options to meet Coast 
Guard housing needs in rural and urban housing 
markets, including public-private partnerships, long- 
term lease agreements, privately owned housing, 
and any other housing option the Comptroller Gen-
eral identifies. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The study required under para-
graph (1) shall include the following:
4032 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(A) A review of authorities, regulations, and 
policies available to the Secretary with respect to 
construction, maintenance, and operation of housing 
for members of the Coast Guard and their depend-
ents, including unaccompanied member housing, 
that considers— 
(i) housing that is owned and managed by 
the Coast Guard; 
(ii) long-term leasing or extended-rental 
housing; 
(iii) public-private partnerships or other 
privatized housing options for which the Sec-
retary may enter into 1 or more contracts with 
a private entity to build, maintain, and manage 
privatized housing for members of the Coast 
Guard and their dependents; 
(iv) on-installation and off-installation 
housing options, and the availability of, and 
authorities relating to, such options; and 
(v) housing availability near Coast Guard 
units, readiness needs, and safety. 
(B) A review of the housing-related authorities, 
regulations, and policies available to the Secretary 
of Defense, and an identification of the differences 
between such authorities afforded to the Secretary
4033 
•HRES 1512 EH 
of Defense and the housing-related authorities, reg-
ulations, and policies afforded to the Secretary. 
(C) A description of lessons learned, or rec-
ommendations for, the Coast Guard based on the 
use of private housing by the Department of De-
fense, including the recommendations set forth in 
the report of the Government Accountability Office 
titled ‘‘Privatized Military Housing: Update on 
DOD’s Efforts to Address Oversight Challenges’’ 
(GAO–22–105866), issued in March 2022. 
(D) An assessment of the extent to which the 
Secretary uses the authorities provided in sub-
chapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States 
Code. 
(E) An analysis of immediate and long-term 
costs associated with housing owned and operated 
by the Coast Guard, as compared to opportunities 
for long-term leases, private housing, and other 
public-private partnerships in urban and remote lo-
cations. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the re-
sults of the study conducted under subsection (a).
4034 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
on which the report required under subsection (b) is sub-
mitted, the Commandant or the Secretary shall provide a 
briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress on— 
(1) the actions the Commandant has, or has not, 
taken with respect to the results of the study; 
(2) a plan for addressing areas identified in the re-
port that present opportunities for improving the hous-
ing options available to members of the Coast Guard and 
their dependents; and 
(3) the need for, or potential manner of use of, any 
authorities the Coast Guard does not have with respect 
to housing, as compared to the Department of Defense. 
(d) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ 
means the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 11419. STRATEGY TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE AT RE-
MOTE UNITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not more than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall develop 
a strategy to improve the quality of life for members of the 
Coast Guard and their dependents who are stationed in re-
mote units.
4035 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The strategy developed under sub-
section (a) shall address the following: 
(1) Methods to improve the availability or afford-
ability of housing options for such members and their 
dependents through— 
(A) Coast Guard-owned housing; or 
(B) Coast Guard-facilitated housing. 
(2) A review of whether current methods for deter-
mining the amount of basic housing allowances received 
by such members of the Coast Guard accurately reflect 
the costs of privately owned or privately rented housing 
in such areas. 
(3) Methods to improve access by such members 
and their dependents to— 
(A) medical, dental, and pediatric care; and 
(B) behavioral health care that is covered 
under the TRICARE program (as defined in section 
1072 of title 10, United States Code). 
(4) Methods to increase access to child care services 
in such areas, including recommendations for increasing 
child care capacity and opportunities for care within the 
Coast Guard and in the private sector. 
(5) Methods to improve non-Coast Guard network 
internet access at remote units—
4036 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(A) to improve communications between mem-
bers of the Coast Guard on active duty who are as-
signed or attached to a remote unit and the family 
members of such members who are not located in 
the same location as such member; and 
(B) for other purposes such as education and 
training. 
(6) Methods to support spouses and other depend-
ents of members serving in such areas who face chal-
lenges specific to remote locations. 
(7) Any other matter the Commandant considers 
appropriate. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the strat-
egy developed under subsection (a) is completed, the Com-
mandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives a briefing on the strategy. 
(d) REMOTE UNIT DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘remote unit’’ means a unit located in an area in which mem-
bers of the Coast Guard and their dependents are eligible for 
TRICARE Prime Remote.
4037 
•HRES 1512 EH 
Subtitle D—Other Matters 
SEC. 11420. REPORT ON AVAILABILITY OF EMERGENCY SUP-
PLIES FOR COAST GUARD PERSONNEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report on the availability of appropriate emer-
gency supplies at Coast Guard units. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the extent to which— 
(A) the Commandant ensures that Coast 
Guard units assess risks and plan accordingly to ob-
tain and maintain appropriate emergency supplies; 
and 
(B) Coast Guard units have emergency food 
and water supplies available according to local 
emergency preparedness needs. 
(2) A description of any challenge the Commandant 
faces in planning for and maintaining adequate emer-
gency supplies for Coast Guard personnel. 
(c) PUBLICATION.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of submission of the report required by subsection (a),
4038 
•HRES 1512 EH 
the Commandant shall publish a strategy and recommenda-
tions in response to the report that includes— 
(1) a plan for improving emergency preparedness 
and emergency supplies for Coast Guard units; and 
(2) a process for periodic review and engagement 
with Coast Guard units to ensure emerging emergency 
response supply needs are achieved and maintained. 
SEC. 11421. FLEET MIX ANALYSIS AND SHORE INFRASTRUC-
TURE INVESTMENT PLAN. 
(a) FLEET MIX ANALYSIS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall conduct 
an updated fleet mix analysis that provides for a fleet 
mix sufficient, as determined by the Commandant— 
(A) to carry out— 
(i) the missions of the Coast Guard; and 
(ii) emerging mission requirements; and 
(B) to address— 
(i) national security threats; and 
(ii) the global deployment of the Coast 
Guard to counter great power competitors. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit 
to Congress a report on the results of the updated fleet 
mix analysis required under paragraph (1). 
(b) SHORE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN.—
4039 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall develop 
an updated shore infrastructure investment plan that in-
cludes— 
(A) the construction of additional facilities to 
accommodate the updated fleet mix described in 
subsection (a)(1); 
(B) improvements necessary to ensure that ex-
isting facilities meet requirements and remain oper-
ational for the lifespan of such fleet mix, including 
necessary improvements to information technology 
infrastructure; 
(C) a timeline for the construction and im-
provement of the facilities described in subpara-
graphs (A) and (B); and 
(D) a cost estimate for construction and life- 
cycle support of such facilities, including for nec-
essary personnel. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
on which the report under subsection (a)(2) is sub-
mitted, the Commandant shall submit to Congress a re-
port on the plan required under paragraph (1).
4040 
•HRES 1512 EH 
TITLE CXV—MARITIME 
Subtitle A—Vessel Safety 
SEC. 11501. RESPONSES TO SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 7 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 721. Responses to safety recommendations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
National Transportation Safety Board submits to the Com-
mandant a recommendation, and supporting justification for 
such recommendation, relating to transportation safety, the 
Commandant shall submit to the National Transportation 
Safety Board a written response to the recommendation, in-
cluding whether the Commandant— 
‘‘(1) concurs with the recommendation; 
‘‘(2) partially concurs with the recommendation; or 
‘‘(3) does not concur with the recommendation. 
‘‘(b) EXPLANATION
OF
CONCURRENCE.—The Com-
mandant shall include in a response submitted under sub-
section (a)— 
‘‘(1) with respect to a recommendation with which 
the Commandant concurs or partially concurs, an expla-
nation of the actions the Commandant intends to take 
to implement such recommendation or part of such rec-
ommendation; and
4041 
•HRES 1512 EH 
‘‘(2) with respect to a recommendation with which 
the Commandant does not concur, the reasons the Com-
mandant does not concur. 
‘‘(c) FAILURE TO RESPOND.—If the National Transpor-
tation Safety Board has not received the written response re-
quired under subsection (a) by the end of the time period de-
scribed in such subsection, the National Transportation Safe-
ty Board shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives that such response has not been received.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 7 
of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘721. Responses to safety recommendations.’’. 
SEC. 11502. REQUIREMENTS FOR DUKW AMPHIBIOUS PAS-
SENGER VESSELS. 
(a) RULEMAKING REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall 
initiate a rulemaking to establish additional safety 
standards for DUKW amphibious passenger vessels. 
(2) DEADLINE
FOR
REGULATIONS.—The regula-
tions issued under paragraph (1) shall take effect not 
later than 18 months after the Commandant promul-
gates a final rule pursuant to such paragraph.
4042 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The regulations required under 
subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) A requirement that operators of DUKW am-
phibious passenger vessels provide reserve buoyancy for 
such vessels through passive means, including watertight 
compartmentalization, built-in flotation, or such other 
means as determined appropriate by the Commandant, 
in order to ensure that such vessels remain afloat and 
upright in the event of flooding, including when carrying 
a full complement of passengers and crew. 
(2) An identification, in consultation with the 
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmos-
phere, of limiting environmental conditions, such as 
weather, in which DUKW amphibious passenger vessels 
may safely operate and a requirement that such limiting 
conditions be described in the certificate of inspection of 
each DUKW amphibious passenger vessel. 
(3) Requirements that an operator of a DUKW am-
phibious passenger vessel— 
(A) proceed to the nearest harbor or safe ref-
uge in any case in which a watch or warning is 
issued for wind speeds exceeding the wind speed 
equivalent used to certify the stability of such 
DUKW amphibious passenger vessel; and
4043 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(B) maintain and monitor a weather monitor 
radio receiver at the operator station of the vessel 
that is automatically activated by the warning 
alarm device of the National Weather Service. 
(4) A requirement that— 
(A) operators of DUKW amphibious passenger 
vessels inform passengers that seat belts may not be 
worn during waterborne operations; 
(B) before the commencement of waterborne 
operations, a crew member shall visually check that 
the seatbelt of each passenger is unbuckled; and 
(C) operators or crew maintain a log recording 
the actions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B). 
(5) A requirement for annual training for operators 
and crew of DUKW amphibious passenger vessels, in-
cluding— 
(A) training for personal flotation and seat belt 
requirements, verifying the integrity of the vessel at 
the onset of each waterborne departure, identifica-
tion of weather hazards, and use of National 
Weather Service resources prior to operation; and 
(B) training for crew to respond to emergency 
situations, including flooding, engine compartment 
fires, man-overboard situations, and in water emer-
gency egress procedures.
4044 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(c) CONSIDERATION.—In issuing the regulations re-
quired under subsection (a), the Commandant shall consider 
whether personal flotation devices should be required for the 
duration of the waterborne transit of a DUKW amphibious 
passenger vessel. 
(d) WAIVER.—The Commandant may waive the reserve 
buoyancy requirements described in subsection (b)(1) for a 
DUKW amphibious passenger vessel if the Commandant cer-
tifies in writing, using the best available science, to the ap-
propriate congressional committees that such requirement is 
not practicable or technically or practically achievable for 
such vessel. 
(e) NOTICE
TO PASSENGERS.—A DUKW amphibious 
passenger vessel that receives a waiver under subsection (d) 
shall provide a prominently displayed notice on its website, 
ticket counter, and each ticket for passengers that the vessel 
is exempt from meeting Coast Guard safety compliance 
standards concerning reserve buoyancy. 
(f) INTERIM REQUIREMENTS.—Prior to issuing final 
regulations pursuant to subsection (a) and not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant shall require that operators of DUKW amphibious 
passenger vessels implement the following requirements: 
(1) Remove the canopies and any window coverings 
of such vessels for waterborne operations, or install in
4045 
•HRES 1512 EH 
such vessels a canopy that does not restrict horizontal or 
vertical escape by passengers in the event of flooding or 
sinking. 
(2) If a canopy and window coverings are removed 
from any such vessel pursuant to paragraph (1), require 
that all passengers wear a personal flotation device ap-
proved by the Coast Guard before the onset of water-
borne operations of such vessel. 
(3) Reengineer such vessels to permanently close all 
unnecessary access plugs and reduce all through-hull 
penetrations to the minimum number and size necessary 
for operation. 
(4) Install in such vessels independently powered 
electric bilge pumps that are capable of dewatering such 
vessels at the volume of the largest remaining penetra-
tion in order to supplement an operable Higgins pump 
or a dewatering pump of equivalent or greater capacity. 
(5) Install in such vessels not fewer than 4 inde-
pendently powered bilge alarms. 
(6) Conduct an in-water inspection of any such ves-
sel after each time a through-hull penetration of such 
vessel has been removed or uncovered. 
(7) Verify through an in-water inspection the water-
tight integrity of any such vessel at the outset of each 
waterborne departure of such vessel.
4046 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(8) Install underwater LED lights that activate 
automatically in an emergency. 
(9) Otherwise comply with any other provisions of 
relevant Coast Guard guidance or instructions in the in-
spection, configuration, and operation of such vessels. 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Commandant shall imple-
ment the interim requirements under subsection (f) without 
regard to chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, 
and Executive Order Nos. 12866 and 13563 (5 U.S.C. 601 
note). 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.— 
The term ‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means 
the Committee Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(2) DUKW AMPHIBIOUS PASSENGER VESSEL.—The 
term ‘‘DUKW amphibious passenger vessel’’ means a 
vessel that uses, modifies, or is derived from the GMC 
DUKW–353 design, and which is operating as a small 
passenger vessel in waters subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States, as defined in section 2.38 of title 33, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).
4047 
•HRES 1512 EH 
SEC. 11503. EXONERATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR 
SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS. 
(a) RESTRUCTURING.—Chapter 305 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting before section 30501 the following: 
‘‘Subchapter I—General Provisions’’; 
(2) by inserting before section 30503 the following: 
‘‘Subchapter II—Exoneration and Limitation of 
Liability’’; 
and 
(3) by redesignating sections 30503 through 30512 
as sections 30521 through 30530, respectively. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—Section 30501 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 30501. Definitions 
‘‘In this chapter: 
‘‘(1) COVERED
SMALL
PASSENGER
VESSEL.—The 
term ‘covered small passenger vessel’— 
‘‘(A) means a small passenger vessel, as de-
fined in section 2101, that is— 
‘‘(i) not a wing-in-ground craft; and 
‘‘(ii) carrying— 
‘‘(I) not more than 49 passengers on 
an overnight domestic voyage; and
4048 
•HRES 1512 EH 
‘‘(II) not more than 150 passengers 
on any voyage that is not an overnight do-
mestic voyage; and 
‘‘(B) includes any wooden vessel constructed 
prior to March 11, 1996, carrying at least 1 pas-
senger for hire. 
‘‘(2) 
OWNER.—The 
term 
‘owner’ 
includes 
a 
charterer that mans, supplies, and navigates a vessel at 
the charterer’s own expense or by the charterer’s own 
procurement.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—Section 30502 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 30502. Application 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided, this 
chapter (except section 30521) applies to seagoing vessels 
and vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, 
including canal boats, barges, and lighters. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—This chapter (except for section 
30526) shall not apply to covered small passenger vessels.’’. 
(d) PROVISIONS REQUIRING NOTICE OF CLAIM OR LIM-
ITING TIME FOR BRINGING ACTION.—Section 30526(b) of 
title 46, United States Code, as redesignated by subsection 
(a), is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)—
4049 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, in the case of seagoing ves-
sels,’’ after ‘‘personal injury or death’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, or in the case of covered 
small passenger vessels, to less than two years after 
the date of the injury or death’’ after ‘‘date of the 
injury or death’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, in the case of seagoing ves-
sels,’’ after ‘‘personal injury or death’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, or in the case of covered 
small passenger vessels, to less than two years after 
the date of the injury or death’’ after ‘‘date of the 
injury or death’’. 
(e) CHAPTER ANALYSIS.—The analysis for chapter 305 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting before the item relating to section 
30501 the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS’’; 
(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 
30502 the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—EXONERATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY’’; 
(3) by striking the item relating to section 30501 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘30501. Definitions.’’; 
and
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•HRES 1512 EH 
(4) by redesignating the items relating to sections 
30503 through 30512 as items relating to sections 
30521 through 30530, respectively. 
(f) CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Title 46, United 
States Code, is further amended— 
(1) in section 14305(a)(5) by striking ‘‘section 
30506’’ and inserting ‘‘section 30524’’; 
(2) in section 30523(a), as redesignated by sub-
section (a), by striking ‘‘section 30506’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 30524’’; 
(3) in section 30524(b), as redesignated by sub-
section (a), by striking ‘‘section 30505’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 30523’’; and 
(4) in section 30525, as redesignated by subsection 
(a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
striking ‘‘sections 30505 and 30506’’ and inserting 
‘‘sections 30523 and 30524’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘section 
30505’’ and inserting ‘‘section 30523’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘section 
30506(b)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 30524(b)’’. 
SEC. 11504. AT-SEA RECOVERY OPERATIONS PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a pilot 
program to evaluate the potential use of remotely controlled
4051 
•HRES 1512 EH 
or autonomous operation and monitoring of certain vessels 
for the purposes of— 
(1) better understanding the complexities of such 
at-sea operations and potential risks to navigation safe-
ty, vessel security, maritime workers, the public, and the 
environment; 
(2) gathering observational and performance data 
from monitoring the use of remotely-controlled or auton-
omous vessels; and 
(3) assessing and evaluating regulatory require-
ments necessary to guide the development of future oc-
currences of such operations and monitoring activities. 
(b) DURATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE.—The duration of 
the pilot program established under this section shall be not 
more than 5 years beginning on the date on which the pilot 
program is established, which shall be not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—The activities authorized 
under this section include— 
(1) remote over-the-horizon monitoring operations 
related to the active at-sea recovery of spaceflight com-
ponents on an unmanned vessel or platform; 
(2) procedures for the unaccompanied operation 
and monitoring of an unmanned spaceflight recovery ves-
sel or platform; and
4052 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(3) unmanned vessel transits and testing operations 
without a physical tow line related to space launch and 
recovery operations, except within 12 nautical miles of a 
port. 
(d) INTERIM AUTHORITY.—In recognition of potential 
risks to navigation safety, vessel security, maritime workers, 
the public, and the environment, and the unique cir-
cumstances requiring the use of remotely operated or autono-
mous vessels, the Secretary, in the pilot program established 
under subsection (a), may— 
(1) allow remotely controlled or autonomous vessel 
operations to proceed consistent to the extent practicable 
under the proposed title 33, United States Code, and 46, 
United States Code, including navigation and manning 
laws and regulations; 
(2) modify or waive applicable regulations and guid-
ance as the Secretary considers appropriate to— 
(A) allow remote and autonomous vessel at-sea 
operations and activities to occur while ensuring 
navigation safety; and 
(B) ensure the reliable, safe, and secure oper-
ation of remotely-controlled or autonomous vessels; 
and
4053 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(3) require each remotely operated or autonomous 
vessel to be at all times under the supervision of 1 or 
more individuals— 
(A) holding a merchant mariner credential 
which is suitable to the satisfaction of the Coast 
Guard; and 
(B) who shall practice due regard for the safe-
ty of navigation of the autonomous vessel, to in-
clude collision avoidance. 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to authorize the Secretary to— 
(1) permit foreign vessels to participate in the pilot 
program established under subsection (a); 
(2) waive or modify applicable laws and regulations 
under the proposed title 33, United States Code, and 
title 46, United States Code, except to the extent au-
thorized under subsection (d)(2); 
(3) waive or modify applicable laws and regulations 
under titles 49 and 51 of the United States Code; or 
(4) waive or modify any regulations arising under 
international conventions. 
(f) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this section may 
be construed to authorize the employment in the coastwise 
trade of a vessel or platform that does not meet the require-
4054 
•HRES 1512 EH 
ments of sections 12112, 55102, 55103, and 55111 of title 
46, United States Code. 
(g) AUTHORITY UNAFFECTED.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to affect, impinge, or alter any authority 
of the Secretary of Transportation under titles 49 and 51, 
United States Code. 
(h) BRIEFINGS.—The Secretary or the designee of the 
Secretary shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives on the program established under subsection (a) on a 
quarterly basis. 
(i) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the expira-
tion of the pilot program established under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives a final report regarding an assessment of the execution 
of the pilot program and implications for maintaining naviga-
tion safety, the safety of maritime workers, and the preserva-
tion of the environment. 
(j) GAO REPORT.—
4055 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives a report on 
the state of autonomous and remote technologies in the 
operation of shipboard equipment and the safe and se-
cure navigation of vessels in Federal waters of the 
United States. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under para-
graph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of commercially available 
autonomous and remote technologies in the oper-
ation of shipboard equipment and the safe and se-
cure navigation of vessels during the 10 years im-
mediately preceding the date of the report. 
(B) An analysis of the safety, physical security, 
cybersecurity, and collision avoidance risks and ben-
efits associated with autonomous and remote tech-
nologies in the operation of shipboard equipment 
and the safe and secure navigation of vessels, in-
cluding environmental considerations.
4056 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(C) An assessment of the impact of such au-
tonomous and remote technologies, and all associ-
ated technologies, on labor, including— 
(i) 
roles 
for 
credentialed 
and 
noncredentialed workers regarding such auton-
omous, remote, and associated technologies; 
and 
(ii) training and workforce development 
needs associated with such technologies. 
(D) An assessment and evaluation of regu-
latory requirements necessary to guide the develop-
ment of future autonomous, remote, and associated 
technologies in the operation of shipboard equip-
ment and safe and secure navigation of vessels. 
(E) An assessment of the extent to which such 
technologies are being used in other countries and 
how such countries have regulated such tech-
nologies. 
(F) Recommendations regarding authorization, 
infrastructure, and other requirements necessary for 
the implementation of such technologies in the 
United States. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—The report required under 
paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, consultation 
with the maritime industry including—
4057 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(A) vessel operators, including commercial car-
riers, entities engaged in exploring for, developing, 
or producing resources, including non-mineral en-
ergy resources in its offshore areas, and supporting 
entities in the maritime industry; 
(B) shipboard personnel impacted by any 
change to autonomous vessel operations, in order to 
assess the various benefits and risks associated with 
the implementation of autonomous, remote, and as-
sociated technologies in the operation of shipboard 
equipment and safe and secure navigation of vessels 
and the impact such technologies would have on 
maritime jobs and maritime manpower; 
(C) relevant federally funded research institu-
tions, non-governmental organizations, and aca-
demia; and 
(D) the commercial space industry. 
(k) MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘merchant mariner credential’’ means 
a merchant mariner license, certificate, or document that the 
Secretary is authorized to issue pursuant to title 46, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 11505. HISTORIC WOOD SAILING VESSELS. 
(a) REPORT ON HISTORIC WOOD SAILING VESSELS.—
4058 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives a report evaluating 
the 
practicability 
of 
the 
application 
of 
section 
3306(n)(3)(A)(v) of title 46, United States Code, to his-
toric wood sailing vessels. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under para-
graph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of the compliance, as of the 
date on which the report is submitted under para-
graph (1), of historic wood sailing vessels with sec-
tion 3306(n)(3)(A)(v) of title 46, United States 
Code. 
(B) An assessment of the safety record of his-
toric wood sailing vessels. 
(C) An assessment of any risk that modifying 
the requirements under such section would have on 
the safety of passengers and crew of historic wood 
sailing vessels. 
(D) An evaluation of the economic practica-
bility of requiring the compliance of historic wood 
sailing vessels with such section and whether such
4059 
•HRES 1512 EH 
compliance would meaningfully improve safety of 
passengers and crew in a manner that is both fea-
sible and economically practicable. 
(E) Any recommendations to improve safety in 
addition to, or in lieu of, applying such section to 
historic wood sailing vessels. 
(F) Any other recommendations as the Comp-
troller General determines are appropriate with re-
spect to the applicability of such section to historic 
wood sailing vessels. 
(G) An assessment to determine if historic 
wood sailing vessels could be provided an exemption 
to such section and the changes to legislative or 
rulemaking requirements, including modifications to 
section 177.500(q) of title 46, Code of Federal Reg-
ulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of 
this Act), that are necessary to provide the Com-
mandant the authority to make such exemption or 
to otherwise provide for such exemption. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In completing the report required 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General may consult 
with— 
(1) the National Transportation Safety Board; 
(2) the Coast Guard; and
4060 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(3) the maritime industry, including relevant feder-
ally funded research institutions, nongovernmental orga-
nizations, and academia. 
(c) WAIVER FOR COVERED HISTORIC VESSELS.—The 
captain of a port may waive the requirements of section 
3306(n)(3)(A)(v) of title 46, United States Code, with re-
spect to covered historic vessels for not more than 2 years 
after the date on which the report required under subsection 
(a) is submitted. 
(d) WAIVER FOR OTHER HISTORIC WOOD SAILING VES-
SELS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The captain of a port may, upon 
the request of the owner or operator of a historic wood 
sailing vessel that is not a covered historic vessel, waive 
the requirements of section 3306(n)(3)(A)(v) of title 46, 
United States Code, with respect to the historic wood 
sailing vessel for not more than 2 years after date on 
which the report required under subsection (a) is sub-
mitted, if the captain of the port— 
(A) determines that it is technically infeasible 
for the historic wood sailing vessel to comply with 
the 
requirements 
described 
in 
section 
3306(n)(3)(A)(v) of title 46, United States Code, 
due to its age; and
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•HRES 1512 EH 
(B) approves the alternative arrangements pro-
posed for the historic wood sailing vessel in accord-
ance with paragraph (2). 
(2) 
REQUEST
AND
ALTERNATIVE
ARRANGE-
MENTS.—An owner or operator of a historic wood sailing 
vessel requesting a waiver under paragraph (1) shall 
submit such a request to the captain of a port that in-
cludes the alternative arrangements the owner or oper-
ator will take to ensure an equivalent level of safety, to 
the maximum extent practicable, to the requirements 
under section 3306(n)(3)(A)(v) of title 46, United States 
Code. 
(e) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall 
limit any authority available, as of the date of enactment of 
this Act, to the captain of a port with respect to safety meas-
ures or any other authority as necessary for the safety of his-
toric wood sailing vessels. 
(f) NOTICE TO PASSENGERS.—Any vessel that receives 
a waiver under subsection (c) or subsection (d) shall, begin-
ning on the date on which the requirements under section 
3306(n)(3)(v) of title 46, United States Code, take effect, 
provide a prominently displayed notice on its website, ticket 
counter, and each ticket for a passenger that the vessel is ex-
empt from meeting the Coast Guard safety compliance stand-
ards concerning egress as described under such section.
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•HRES 1512 EH 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED HISTORIC VESSELS.—The term ‘‘cov-
ered historic vessels’’ means each of the following: 
(A) Adventuress (Official Number 210877). 
(B) 
American 
Eagle 
(Official 
Number 
229913). 
(C) Angelique (Official Number 623562). 
(D) Heritage (Official Number 649561). 
(E) J & E Riggin (Official Number 226422). 
(F) Ladona (Official Number 222228). 
(G) 
Lady 
Washington 
(Official 
Number 
944970). 
(H) Lettie G. Howard (Official Number 
222838). 
(I) 
Lewis 
R. 
French 
(Official 
Number 
015801). 
(J) Mary Day (Official Number 288714). 
(K) Stephen Taber (Official Number 115409). 
(L) Victory Chimes (Official Number 136784). 
(M) Grace Bailey (Official Number 085754). 
(N) Mercantile (Official Number 214388). 
(O) Mistress (Official Number 509004). 
(P) Wendameen (Official Number 210173). 
(2) HISTORIC WOOD SAILING VESSEL.—The term 
‘‘historic wood sailing vessel’’ means a covered small pas-
4063 
•HRES 1512 EH 
senger vessel, as defined in section 3306(n)(5) of title 
46, United States Code, that— 
(A) has overnight passenger accommodations; 
(B) is a wood sailing vessel; 
(C) has a hull constructed of wood; 
(D) is principally equipped for propulsion by 
sail, even if the vessel has an auxiliary means of 
production; 
(E) has no fewer than three masts; and 
(F) was constructed before 1986. 
SEC. 11506. CERTIFICATES OF NUMBERS FOR UNDOCUMENTED 
VESSELS. 
Section 12304(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘shall be pocketsized,’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘in hard copy or digital form. Any 
certificate issued in hard copy under this section shall be 
pocketsized. The certificate shall be’’ after ‘‘and may 
be’’. 
SEC. 11507. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW AND REPORT ON 
COAST GUARD OVERSIGHT OF THIRD-PARTY OR-
GANIZATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
4064 
•HRES 1512 EH 
United States shall initiate a review that assesses the over-
sight of the Coast Guard of third-party organizations. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—In carrying out the review required 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall analyze 
the following: 
(1) Coast Guard use of third-party organizations in 
the prevention mission of the Coast Guard and the ex-
tent to which the Coast Guard plans to increase such 
use to enhance prevention mission performance, includ-
ing resource use and specialized expertise. 
(2) The extent to which the Coast Guard has as-
sessed the potential risks and benefits of using third- 
party organizations to support prevention mission activi-
ties. 
(3) The extent to which the Coast Guard provides 
oversight of third-party organizations authorized to sup-
port prevention mission activities. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after initiating the 
review required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
the results of such review.
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•HRES 1512 EH 
SEC. 11508. ARTICULATED TUG-BARGE MANNING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding the watch setting 
requirements set forth in section 8104 of title 46, United 
States Code, the Secretary shall authorize an Officer in 
Charge, Marine Inspection to issue an amended certificate of 
inspection that does not require engine room watch setting to 
inspected towing vessels certificated prior to July 19, 2022, 
forming part of an articulated tug-barge unit, provided that 
such vessels are equipped with engineering control and moni-
toring systems of a type accepted for no engine room watch 
setting under a previously approved minimum safe manning 
document or certificate of inspection for articulated tug-barge 
units. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION.—The term ‘‘cer-
tificate of inspection’’ means a certificate of inspection 
under subchapter M of chapter I of title 46, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
(2) INSPECTED TOWING VESSEL.—The term ‘‘in-
spected towing vessel’’ means a vessel issued a certificate 
of inspection. 
SEC. 11509. FISHING VESSEL SAFETY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 45 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 4502(f)(2) by striking ‘‘certain vessels 
described in subsection (b) if requested by the owner or
4066 
•HRES 1512 EH 
operator; and’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘vessels de-
scribed in subsection (b) if— 
‘‘(A) requested by an owner or operator; or 
‘‘(B) the vessel is— 
‘‘(i) at least 50 feet overall in length; 
‘‘(ii) built before July 1, 2013; and 
‘‘(iii) 25 years of age or older; and’’; 
(2) in section 4503(b) by striking ‘‘Except as pro-
vided in section 4503a, subsection (a)’’ and inserting 
‘‘Subsection (a)’’; and 
(3) by repealing section 4503a. 
(b) 
ALTERNATIVE
SAFETY
COMPLIANCE
AGREE-
MENTS.—Nothing in this section or the amendments made by 
this section shall be construed to affect or apply to any alter-
native compliance and safety agreement entered into by the 
Coast Guard that is in effect on the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(c) CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for 
chapter 45 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 4503a. 
SEC. 11510. EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTAIN PASSENGER VESSELS. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, require-
ments authorized under sections 3508 and 3509 of title 46, 
United States Code, shall not apply to any passenger vessel, 
as defined in section 2101 of such title —
4067 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(1) that carries in excess of 250 passengers; 
(2) that is, or was, in operation exclusively within 
the inland rivers and internal waters of the United 
States on voyages inside the Boundary Line, as defined 
in section 103 of such title, on or before July 27, 2030; 
and 
(3) the operators or charterers of which operated 
any documented vessels with a coastwise endorsement 
prior to January 1, 2024. 
Subtitle B—Merchant Mariner 
Credentialing 
SEC. 
11511. 
MODERNIZING 
MERCHANT 
MARINER 
CREDENTIALING SYSTEM. 
(a) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall 
submit to the Committees on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and Appropriations of the Senate, and 
the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure 
and Appropriations of the House of Representatives, a 
report on the financial, human, and information tech-
nology infrastructure resources needed to establish an 
electronic merchant mariner licensing and documenta-
tion system.
4068 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(2) 
LEGISLATIVE
AND
REGULATORY
SUGGES-
TIONS.—In preparing the report described in paragraph 
(1), the Commandant— 
(A) shall include recommendations for any leg-
islative or administrative actions as the Com-
mandant determines necessary to establish the elec-
tronic merchant mariner licensing and documenta-
tion system described in paragraph (1) as soon as 
possible; and 
(B) may include findings, conclusions, or rec-
ommendations from the study conducted under sub-
section (b). 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In preparing the report required 
under subsection (a), the Commandant and the Adminis-
trator of the Maritime Administration, in coordination 
with the Commander of the United States Transpor-
tation Command, shall conduct a study on the feasibility 
of developing and maintaining a database as part of an 
electronic merchant mariner licensing and documenta-
tion system that— 
(A) contains records with respect to each 
credentialed mariner, including credential validity, 
drug and alcohol testing results, and information on 
any final adjudicated agency action involving a
4069 
•HRES 1512 EH 
credentialed mariner or regarding any involvement 
in a marine casualty; and 
(B) maintains such records in a manner that 
allows data to be readily accessed by the Federal 
Government for the purpose of assessing workforce 
needs and for the purpose of the economic and na-
tional security of the United States. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The study required under para-
graph (1) shall— 
(A) include an assessment of the resources, in-
cluding information technology, and authorities nec-
essary to develop and maintain the database de-
scribed in such paragraph; 
(B) specifically address ways to protect the pri-
vacy interests of any individual whose information 
may be contained within such database, which shall 
include limiting access to the database or having ac-
cess to the database be monitored by, or accessed 
through, a member of the Coast Guard; and 
(C) address the feasibility of incorporating in 
such database a reporting mechanism to alert the 
Administrator of the Maritime Administration each 
time a mariner’s credential is reinstated upon com-
pletion of a period of suspension as the result of a 
suspension and revocation proceeding under section
4070 
•HRES 1512 EH 
7702 of title 46, United States Code, with details 
about the violation that led to such suspension. 
(c) ELECTRONIC MERCHANT MARINER LICENSING AND 
DOCUMENTATION SYSTEM.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of law, not later than 2 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall implement an electronic 
merchant mariner licensing and documentation system. 
SEC. 11512. ASSESSMENT REGARDING APPLICATION PROCESS 
FOR MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct an as-
sessment to determine the resources, including personnel and 
computing resources, required to reduce the amount of time 
necessary to process an application for a merchant mariner 
credential to not more than 2 weeks after the date of receipt 
of such application. 
(b) BRIEFING REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
provide a briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives with the results of the assessment required under 
subsection (a). 
SEC. 11513. GAO REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
4071 
•HRES 1512 EH 
United States shall prepare and submit a report to Congress 
that evaluates the processes of the National Maritime Center 
for processing and approving merchant mariner credentials, 
as of the date of enactment of this Act. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In preparing the report required under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall— 
(1) analyze the effectiveness of the merchant mar-
iner credentialing process, as of the date of enactment 
of this Act; 
(2) analyze the backlogs relating to the merchant 
mariner credentialing process and the reasons for such 
backlogs; and 
(3) provide recommendations for improving and ex-
pediting the merchant mariner credentialing process, in-
cluding funding needed to support improved processing 
times. 
SEC. 11514. MILITARY TO MARINERS ACT OF 2022. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 
‘‘Military to Mariners Act of 2022’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION
OF SEA SERVICE REQUIREMENTS 
FOR MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALS
FOR VETERANS 
AND MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES.— 
(1) REVIEW AND REGULATIONS.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
4072 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(A) review and examine— 
(i) the timeframes and impediments for 
veterans and members of the uniformed serv-
ices to receive a merchant mariner credential; 
(ii) the classifications of sea service ac-
quired through training and service as a mem-
ber of the Uniformed Services and level of 
equivalence such service has with respect to sea 
service on merchant vessels; and 
(iii) the amount of sea service, including 
percent of the total time onboard for purposes 
of equivalent underway service, that will be ac-
cepted as required experience for all endorse-
ments for applicants for a merchant mariner 
credential who are veterans or members of the 
Uniformed Services; and 
(B) issue new regulations to— 
(i) streamline, ensure the accuracy of, and 
expedite the transfer, review and acceptance of 
information pertaining to training and sea time 
for applicants for a merchant mariner creden-
tial who are veterans or members of the Uni-
formed Services; 
(ii) increase the acceptable percentages of 
time equivalent to sea service for such appli-
4073 
•HRES 1512 EH 
cants pursuant to findings of the review and 
examination conducted under subparagraph 
(A); and 
(iii) reduce burdens and create a means of 
alternative compliance to demonstrate instruc-
tor competency for Standards of Training, Cer-
tification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 
courses. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out paragraph 
(2), the Secretary shall consult with the National Mer-
chant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee and shall 
take into account the present and future needs of the 
United States Merchant Marine labor workforce. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the United States Com-
mittee on the Marine Transportation System shall sub-
mit to the Committees on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and Armed Services of the Senate and 
the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure 
and Armed Services of the House of Representatives, a 
report that contains an update on the activities carried 
out to implement— 
(A) the July 2020 report by the Committee on 
the Marine Transportation System to the White 
House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy on
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the implementation of Executive Order 13860 (84 
Fed. Reg. 8407; relating to supporting the transi-
tion of active duty servicemembers and military vet-
erans into the Merchant Marine); and 
(B) section 3511 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (46 U.S.C. 
3702 note). 
(c) ASSESSMENT OF SKILLBRIDGE FOR EMPLOYMENT 
AS A MERCHANT MARINER.—The Secretary, in collaboration 
with the Secretary of Defense, shall assess the use of the 
SkillBridge program of the Department of Defense as a 
means for transitioning active duty sea service personnel to 
employment as merchant mariners. 
SEC. 11515. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) 
CREDENTIALED
MARINER.—The 
term 
‘‘credentialed mariner’’ means an individual with a mer-
chant mariner credential. 
(2) MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL.—The term 
‘‘merchant mariner credential’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 7510(d) of title 46, United States 
Code. 
(3) UNIFORMED SERVICES.—The term ‘‘uniformed 
services’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘uniformed 
services’’ in section 2101 of title 5, United States Code.
4075 
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Subtitle C—Other Matters 
SEC. 11516. NONOPERATING INDIVIDUAL. 
Section 8313(b) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 
(Public Law 116–283) is amended by striking ‘‘the date that 
is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act’’ and 
inserting ‘‘January 1, 2025’’. 
SEC. 11517. OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH VESSELS. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation, in consultation with the Secretary, 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 detailing 
the total number of vessels known or estimated to operate or 
to have operated under section 50503 of title 46, United 
States Code, during each of the past 10 fiscal years. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under subsection 
(a) shall include the following elements: 
(1) The total number of foreign-flagged vessels 
known or estimated to operate or to have operated as 
oceanographic research vessels (as such term is defined 
in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code) during 
each of the past 10 fiscal years.
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Senate on the status of each study and the implementation 
of any recommendations made in each such study. 
SEC. 11519. DEFINITION OF STATELESS VESSEL. 
Section 70502(d)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the 
semicolon; 
(2) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph: 
‘‘(D) a vessel aboard which no individual, on 
request of an officer of the United States author-
ized to enforce applicable provisions of United 
States law, claims to be the master or is identified 
as the individual in charge, and that has no other 
claim of nationality or registry under paragraph (1) 
or (2) of subsection (e).’’. 
SEC. 11520. LIMITATION ON RECOVERY FOR CERTAIN INJURIES 
INCURRED IN AQUACULTURE ACTIVITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—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:
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‘‘(b) LIMITATION
ON
RECOVERY
BY
AQUACULTURE 
WORKERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of subsection (a), 
the term ‘seaman’ does not include an individual who— 
‘‘(A) is an aquaculture worker if State work-
ers’ compensation is available to such individual; 
and 
‘‘(B) was, at the time of injury, engaged in 
aquaculture in a place where such individual had 
lawful access. 
‘‘(2) AQUACULTURE
WORKER
DEFINED.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘aquaculture worker’ means an indi-
vidual who— 
‘‘(A) is employed by a commercial enterprise 
that is involved in the controlled cultivation and 
harvest of aquatic plants and animals, including— 
‘‘(i) the cleaning, processing, or canning 
of fish and fish products; 
‘‘(ii) the cultivation and harvesting of 
shellfish; and 
‘‘(iii) the controlled growing and har-
vesting of other aquatic species; 
‘‘(B) does not hold a license issued under sec-
tion 7101(c); and
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‘‘(C) is not required to hold a merchant mar-
iner credential under part F of subtitle II.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by this sec-
tion shall apply to an injury incurred on or after the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 11521. REPORT ON SECURING VESSELS AND CARGO. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study that assesses the efforts 
of the Coast Guard with respect to securing vessels and mari-
time cargo bound for the United States from national secu-
rity related risks and threats. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—In conducting the study under sub-
section (a), the Comptroller General shall assess the fol-
lowing: 
(1) Programs of the Coast Guard to secure vessels 
and maritime cargo bound for the United States from 
national security related risks and threats and the extent 
to which such programs cover the critical components of 
the global supply chain. 
(2) The extent to which the Coast Guard has imple-
mented leading practices in such programs, including the 
extent to which the Coast Guard has collaborated with 
foreign countries or foreign ports that ship goods to the 
United States to implement such leading practices.
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•HRES 1512 EH 
(3) The extent to which the Coast Guard has as-
sessed the effectiveness of such programs. 
(c) REPORT.—Upon completion of the study conducted 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives the results of the 
study conducted under this section. 
SEC. 11522. REPORT ON ENFORCEMENT OF COASTWISE LAWS. 
Not later than 1 year of the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Commandant shall submit to Congress a report de-
scribing any changes to the enforcement of chapters 121 and 
551 of title 46, United States Code, as a result of the amend-
ments to section 4(a)(1) of the Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1333(a)(1)) made by section 9503 of 
the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283). 
SEC. 
11523. 
LAND 
CONVEYANCE, 
SHARPE 
ARMY 
DEPOT, 
LATHROP, CALIFORNIA. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator of the Maritime Administration shall 
complete the land conveyance required under section 2833 of 
the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283).
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SEC. 11524. PROHIBITION ON ENTRY AND OPERATION. 
(a) PROHIBITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in 
this section, during the period in which Executive Order 
14065 (87 Fed. Reg. 10293, relating to blocking certain 
Russian property or transactions), or any successor Ex-
ecutive Order is in effect, no vessel described in sub-
section (b) may enter or operate in the navigable waters 
of the United States or transfer cargo in any port or 
place under the jurisdiction of the United States. 
(2) LIMITATIONS ON APPLICATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The prohibition under 
paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a ves-
sel described in subsection (b) if the Secretary of 
State determines that— 
(i) the vessel is owned or operated by a 
Russian national or operated by the govern-
ment of the Russian Federation; and 
(ii) it is in the national security interest 
not to apply the prohibition to such vessel. 
(B) NOTICE.—Not later than 15 days after 
making a determination under subparagraph (A), 
the Secretary of State shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Re-
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•HRES 1512 EH 
lations and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate written notice of 
the determination and the basis upon which the de-
termination was made. 
(C) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary of State 
shall publish a notice in the Federal Register of 
each determination made under subparagraph (A). 
(3) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—The prohibition under para-
graph (1) shall not apply with respect to vessels engaged 
in passage permitted under international law. 
(b) VESSELS DESCRIBED.—A vessel referred to in sub-
section (a) is a vessel owned or operated by a Russian na-
tional or operated by the government of the Russian Federa-
tion. 
(c) INFORMATION AND PUBLICATION.—The Secretary, 
with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, shall— 
(1) maintain timely information on the registrations 
of all foreign vessels owned or operated by or on behalf 
of the Government of the Russian Federation, a Russian 
national, or a entity organized under the laws of the 
Russian Federation or any jurisdiction within the Rus-
sian Federation; and 
(2) periodically publish in the Federal Register a 
list of the vessels described in paragraph (1). 
(d) NOTIFICATION OF GOVERNMENTS.—
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•HRES 1512 EH 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State shall no-
tify each government, the agents or instrumentalities of 
which are maintaining a registration of a foreign vessel 
that is included on a list published under subsection 
(c)(2), not later than 30 days after such publication, 
that all vessels registered under such government’s au-
thority are subject to subsection (a). 
(2) ADDITIONAL NOTIFICATION.—In the case of a 
government that continues to maintain a registration for 
a vessel that is included on such list after receiving an 
initial notification under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall issue an additional notification to such government 
not later than 120 days after the publication of a list 
under subsection (c)(2). 
(e) NOTIFICATION OF VESSELS.—Upon receiving a no-
tice of arrival under section 70001(a)(5) of title 46, United 
States Code, from a vessel described in subsection (b), the 
Secretary shall notify the master of such vessel that the ves-
sel may not enter or operate in the navigable waters of the 
United States or transfer cargo in any port or place under 
the jurisdiction of the United States, unless— 
(1) the Secretary of State has made a determina-
tion under subsection (a)(2); or
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•HRES 1512 EH 
(2) the Secretary allows provisional entry of the ves-
sel, or transfer of cargo from the vessel, under sub-
section (f). 
(f) PROVISIONAL ENTRY OR CARGO TRANSFER.—Not-
withstanding any other provision of this section, the Sec-
retary may allow provisional entry of, or transfer of cargo 
from, a vessel, if such entry or transfer is necessary for the 
safety of the vessel or persons aboard. 
SEC. 11525. FLOATING DRY DOCKS. 
Section 55122(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(C)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘2015; and’’ and inserting 
‘‘2015; or’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘(C) was’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(C)(i) was’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) had a letter of intent for purchase by such 
shipyard or affiliate signed prior to such date of en-
actment; and’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2) by inserting ‘‘or, in the case 
of a dry dock described in paragraph (1)(C)(ii), occurs 
between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii’’ 
before the period at the end.
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•HRES 1512 EH 
SEC. 11526. UPDATED REQUIREMENTS FOR FISHING CREW 
AGREEMENTS. 
Section 10601(b) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the 
semicolon; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
(4); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) in the case of a seaman employed on a vessel 
that is a catcher processor or fish processing vessel that 
employs more than 25 crewmembers, include a require-
ment that each crewmember shall be served not less than 
three meals a day that— 
‘‘(A) total not less than 3,100 calories; and 
‘‘(B) include adequate water and minerals in 
accordance with the United States Recommended 
Daily Allowances; and’’. 
TITLE 
CXVI—SEXUAL 
ASSAULT 
AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT PRE-
VENTION AND RESPONSE 
SEC. 11601. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2101 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (45) through (54) 
as paragraphs (47) through (56), respectively; and
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•HRES 1512 EH 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (44) the following: 
‘‘(45) ‘sexual assault’ means any form of abuse or 
contact as defined in chapter 109A of title 18, or a sub-
stantially similar offense under State, local, or Tribal 
law. 
‘‘(46) ‘sexual harassment’ means— 
‘‘(A) conduct that— 
‘‘(i) involves unwelcome sexual advances, 
requests for sexual favors, or deliberate or re-
peated offensive comments or gestures of a 
sexual nature if any— 
‘‘(I) submission to such conduct is 
made either explicitly or implicitly a term 
or condition of employment, pay, career, 
benefits, or entitlements of the individual; 
‘‘(II) submission to, or rejection, of 
such conduct by an individual is used as 
a basis for decisions affecting that individ-
ual’s job, pay, career, benefits, or entitle-
ments; 
‘‘(III) such conduct has the purpose 
or effect of unreasonably interfering with 
an individual’s work performance or cre-
ates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive 
work environment; or
4087 
•HRES 1512 EH 
‘‘(IV) conduct may have been by an 
individual’s supervisor, a supervisor in an-
other area, a co-worker, or another 
credentialed mariner; and 
‘‘(ii) is so severe or pervasive that a rea-
sonable person would perceive, and the victim 
does perceive, the environment as hostile or of-
fensive; 
‘‘(B) any use or condonation associated with 
first-hand or personal knowledge, by any individual 
in a supervisory or command position, of any form 
of sexual behavior to control, influence, or affect the 
career, pay, benefits, entitlements, or employment 
of a subordinate; and 
‘‘(C) any intentional or repeated unwelcome 
verbal comment or gesture of a sexual nature to-
wards or about an individual by the individual’s su-
pervisor, a supervisor in another area, a coworker, 
or another credentialed mariner.’’. 
(b) REPORT.—The Commandant shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing 
any changes the Commandant may propose to the definitions 
added by the amendments in subsection (a).
4088 
•HRES 1512 EH 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) AUTHORITY TO EXEMPT CERTAIN VESSELS.— 
Section 2113(3) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 2101(51)(A)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘section 2101(53)(A)’’. 
(2) UNINSPECTED
PASSENGER
VESSELS.—Section 
4105 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsections (b)(1) and (c) by striking 
‘‘section 2101(51)’’ each place it appears and in-
serting ‘‘section 2101’’; and 
(B) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘section 
2101(51)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 2101(53)(A)’’. 
(3) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—Section 1131(a)(1)(E) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘section 2101(46)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 116’’. 
SEC. 11602. CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER AS GROUNDS FOR DE-
NIAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 75 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 7511. Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial 
‘‘(a) SEXUAL ABUSE.—A license, certificate of registry, 
or merchant mariner’s document authorized to be issued 
under this part shall be denied to an individual who has been 
convicted of a sexual offense prohibited under—
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‘‘(1) chapter 109A of title 18, except for subsection 
(b) of section 2244 of title 18; or 
‘‘(2) a substantially similar offense under State, 
local, or Tribal law. 
‘‘(b) ABUSIVE SEXUAL CONTACT.—A license, certificate 
of registry, or merchant mariner’s document authorized to be 
issued under this part may be denied to an individual who 
within 5 years before applying for the license, certificate, or 
document, has been convicted of a sexual offense prohibited 
under subsection (b) of section 2244 of title 18, or a substan-
tially similar offense under State, local, or Tribal law.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
75 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘7511. Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial.’’. 
SEC. 11603. SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR SEXUAL ASSAULT AS 
GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 77 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after section 7704 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 7704a. Sexual harassment or sexual assault as grounds 
for suspension or revocation 
‘‘(a) SEXUAL HARASSMENT.—If it is shown at a hearing 
under this chapter that a holder of a license, certificate of 
registry, or merchant mariner’s document issued under this 
part, within 5 years before the beginning of the suspension
4090 
•HRES 1512 EH 
and revocation proceedings, is the subject of an official find-
ing of sexual harassment, then the license, certificate of reg-
istry, or merchant mariner’s document may be suspended or 
revoked. 
‘‘(b) SEXUAL ASSAULT.—If it is shown at a hearing 
under this chapter that a holder of a license, certificate of 
registry, or merchant mariner’s document issued under this 
part, within 10 years before the beginning of the suspension 
and revocation proceedings, is the subject of an official find-
ing of sexual assault, then the license, certificate of registry, 
or merchant mariner’s document shall be revoked. 
‘‘(c) OFFICIAL FINDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In this section, the term ‘offi-
cial finding’ means— 
‘‘(A) a legal proceeding or agency finding or 
decision that determines the individual committed 
sexual harassment or sexual assault in violation of 
any Federal, State, local, or Tribal law or regula-
tion; or 
‘‘(B) a determination after an investigation by 
the Coast Guard that, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, the individual committed sexual harass-
ment or sexual assault if the investigation affords 
appropriate due process rights to the subject of the 
investigation.
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•HRES 1512 EH 
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE REVIEW.— 
‘‘(A) COAST GUARD INVESTIGATION.—A deter-
mination under paragraph (1)(B) shall be reviewed 
and affirmed by an administrative law judge within 
the same proceeding as any suspension or revoca-
tion of a license, certificate of registry, or merchant 
mariner’s document under subsection (a) or (b). 
‘‘(B) LEGAL
PROCEEDING.—A determination 
under paragraph (1)(A) that an individual com-
mitted sexual harassment or sexual assault is con-
clusive in suspension and revocation proceedings.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
77 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 7704 the following: 
‘‘7704a. Sexual harassment or sexual assault as grounds for suspension or rev-
ocation.’’. 
SEC. 11604. ACCOMMODATION; NOTICES. 
Section 11101 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in subsection (a)(4) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; 
(3) in subsection (a) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing:
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•HRES 1512 EH 
‘‘(5) each crew berthing area shall be equipped with 
information regarding— 
‘‘(A) vessel owner or company policies prohib-
iting sexual assault and sexual harassment, retalia-
tion, and drug and alcohol usage; and 
‘‘(B) procedures and resources to report 
crimes, including sexual assault and sexual harass-
ment, including information— 
‘‘(i) on the telephone number, website ad-
dress, and email address for reporting allega-
tions of sexual assault and sexual harassment 
to the Coast Guard; 
‘‘(ii) on vessel owner or company proce-
dures to report violations of company policy 
and access resources; 
‘‘(iii) on resources provided by outside or-
ganizations such as sexual assault hotlines and 
counseling; 
‘‘(iv) on the retention period for surveil-
lance video recording after an incident of sex-
ual harassment or sexual assault is reported; 
and 
‘‘(v) additional items specified in regula-
tions issued by, and at the discretion of, the
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•HRES 1512 EH 
Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (d) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: ‘‘In each washing space in a visible location there 
shall be information regarding procedures and resources 
to report crimes upon the vessel, including sexual assault 
and sexual harassment, and vessel owner or company 
policies prohibiting sexual assault and sexual harass-
ment, retaliation, and drug and alcohol usage.’’. 
SEC. 11605. PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION. 
Section 2114(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) 
by 
redesignating 
subparagraphs 
(B) 
through (G) as subparagraphs (C) through (H), re-
spectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
following: 
‘‘(B) the seaman in good faith has reported or is 
about to report to the vessel owner, Coast Guard or 
other appropriate Federal agency or department sexual 
harassment or sexual assault against the seaman or 
knowledge of sexual harassment or sexual assault 
against another seaman;’’; and
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•HRES 1512 EH 
(2) in paragraphs (2) and (3) by striking ‘‘para-
graph (1)(B)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (1)(C)’’. 
SEC. 11606. ALCOHOL AT SEA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall seek to enter 
into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act 
under which the National Academy of Sciences shall prepare 
an assessment to determine safe levels of alcohol consumption 
and possession by crew members aboard vessels of the United 
States engaged in commercial service, except when such pos-
session is associated with the commercial sale to individuals 
aboard the vessel who are not crew members. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—The assessment prepared pursuant 
to subsection (a) shall— 
(1) take into account the safety and security of 
every individual on the vessel; 
(2) take into account reported incidences of sexual 
harassment or sexual assault, as defined in section 2101 
of title 46, United States Code; and 
(3) provide any appropriate recommendations for 
any changes to laws, regulations, or employer policies. 
(c) SUBMISSION.—Upon completion of the assessment 
under this section, the National Academy of Sciences shall 
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation
4095 
•HRES 1512 EH 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mandant, and the Secretary the assessment prepared pursu-
ant to subsection (a). 
(d) REGULATIONS.—The Commandant— 
(1) shall, not later than 180 days after receiving the 
submission of the assessment under subsection (c), re-
view the changes to regulations recommended in such as-
sessment; and 
(2) taking into account the safety and security of 
every individual on vessels of the United States engaged 
in commercial service, may issue regulations relating to 
alcohol consumption on such vessels. 
(e) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—To the extent the Commandant 
issues regulations establishing safe levels of alcohol consump-
tion in accordance with subsection (d), the Commandant may 
not issue regulations which prohibit— 
(1) the owner or operator of a vessel from imposing 
additional restrictions on the consumption of alcohol, in-
cluding the prohibition of the consumption of alcohol on 
such vessels; and 
(2) possession of alcohol associated with the com-
mercial sale to individuals aboard the vessel who are not 
crew members. 
(f) REPORT REQUIRED.—If, by the date that is 2 years 
after the receipt of the assessment under subsection (c), the
4096 
•HRES 1512 EH 
Commandant does not issue regulations under subsection (d), 
the Commandant shall provide a report by such date to the 
committees described in subsection (c)— 
(1) containing the rationale for not issuing such 
regulations; and 
(2) providing other recommendations as necessary 
to ensure safety at sea. 
SEC. 11607. SURVEILLANCE REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Part B of subtitle II of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘CHAPTER 49—OCEANGOING NON- 
PASSENGER COMMERCIAL VESSELS 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘4901. Surveillance requirements. 
‘‘§ 4901. Surveillance requirements 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A vessel engaged in commercial 
service that does not carry passengers, shall maintain a video 
surveillance system. 
‘‘(b) APPLICABILITY.—The requirements in this section 
shall apply to— 
‘‘(1) documented vessels with overnight accommoda-
tions for at least 10 individuals on board that are— 
‘‘(A) on a voyage of at least 600 miles and 
crosses seaward of the Boundary Line; or
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•HRES 1512 EH 
‘‘(B) at least 24 meters (79 feet) in overall 
length and required to have a load line under chap-
ter 51; 
‘‘(2) documented vessels of at least 500 gross tons 
as measured under section 14502, or an alternate ton-
nage measured under section 14302 as prescribed by the 
Secretary under section 14104 on an international voy-
age; and 
‘‘(3) vessels with overnight accommodations for at 
least 10 individuals on board that are operating for no 
less than 72 hours on waters superjacent to the outer 
Continental Shelf (as defined in section 2(a) of the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(a)). 
‘‘(c) PLACEMENT OF VIDEO AND AUDIO SURVEILLANCE 
EQUIPMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The owner of a vessel to which 
this section applies shall install video and audio surveil-
lance equipment aboard the vessel not later than 2 years 
after enactment of the Don Young Coast Guard Author-
ization Act of 2022, or during the next scheduled dry-
dock, whichever is later. 
‘‘(2) LOCATIONS.—Video and audio surveillance 
equipment shall be placed in passageways on to which 
doors from staterooms open. Such equipment shall be
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•HRES 1512 EH 
placed in a manner ensuring the visibility of every door 
in each such passageway. 
‘‘(d) NOTICE OF VIDEO AND AUDIO SURVEILLANCE.— 
The owner of a vessel to which this section applies shall pro-
vide clear and conspicuous signs on board the vessel notifying 
the crew of the presence of video and audio surveillance 
equipment. 
‘‘(e) ACCESS
TO VIDEO
AND AUDIO RECORDS.—The 
owner of a vessel to which this section applies shall ensure 
that access to records of video and audio surveillance is not 
used as part of a labor action against a crew member or em-
ployment dispute unless used in a criminal or civil action. 
‘‘(f) RETENTION REQUIREMENTS.—The owner of a ves-
sel to which this section applies shall retain all records of 
audio and video surveillance for not less than 1 year after the 
footage is obtained. Any video and audio surveillance found 
to be associated with an alleged incident should be preserved 
for not less than 5 years from the date of the alleged inci-
dent. 
‘‘(g) PERSONNEL TRAINING.—A vessel owner or em-
ployer of a seafarer shall provide training for all individuals 
employed by the owner or employer for the purpose of re-
sponding to incidents of sexual assault or sexual harassment, 
including— 
‘‘(1) such training to ensure the individuals—
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‘‘(A) retain audio and visual records and other 
evidence objectively; and 
‘‘(B) act impartially without influence from the 
company or others; and 
‘‘(2) training on applicable Federal, State, Tribal, 
and local laws and regulations regarding sexual assault 
and sexual harassment investigations and reporting re-
quirements. 
‘‘(g) DEFINITION OF OWNER.—In this section, the term 
‘owner’ means the owner, charterer, managing operator, mas-
ter, or other individual in charge of a vessel. 
‘‘(h) EXEMPTION.—Fishing vessels, fish processing ves-
sels, and fish tender vessels are exempt from this section.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of chapters for 
subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
adding after the item related to chapter 47 the following: 
‘‘49. Oceangoing Non-Passenger Commercial Vessels ........ 4901’’. 
SEC. 11608. MASTER KEY CONTROL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 31 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 3106. Master key control system 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The owner of a vessel subject to in-
spection under section 3301 shall— 
‘‘(1) ensure that such vessel is equipped with a ves-
sel master key control system, manual or electronic, 
which provides controlled access to all copies of the ves-
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sel’s master key of which access shall only be available 
to the individuals described in paragraph (2); 
‘‘(2) establish a list of all crew, identified by posi-
tion, allowed to access and use the master key and main-
tain such list upon the vessel, within owner records and 
included in the vessel safety management system; 
‘‘(3) record in a log book information on all access 
and use of the vessel’s master key, including— 
‘‘(A) dates and times of access; 
‘‘(B) the room or location accessed; and 
‘‘(C) the name and rank of the crew member 
that used the master key; and 
‘‘(4) make the list under paragraph (2) and the log 
book under paragraph (3) available upon request to any 
agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, any mem-
ber of the Coast Guard, and any law enforcement officer 
performing official duties in the course and scope of an 
investigation. 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITED USE.—Crew not included on the list 
described in subsection (a)(2) shall not have access to or use 
the master key unless in an emergency and shall immediately 
notify the master and owner of the vessel following use of 
such key.
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‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR LOG BOOK.—The log book de-
scribed in subsection (a)(3) and required to be included in a 
safety management system under section 3203(a)(6)— 
‘‘(1) may be electronic; and 
‘‘(2) shall be located in a centralized location that 
is readily accessible to law enforcement personnel. 
‘‘(d) PENALTY.—Any crew member who uses the master 
key without having been granted access pursuant to sub-
section (a)(2) shall be liable to the United States Government 
for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 and may be sub-
ject to suspension or revocation under section 7703. 
‘‘(e) EXEMPTION.—This section shall not apply to ves-
sels subject to section 3507(f).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
31 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘3106. Master key control system.’’. 
SEC. 11609. REQUIREMENT TO REPORT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND 
HARASSMENT. 
Section 10104 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) MANDATORY REPORTING BY RESPONSIBLE ENTITY 
OF A VESSEL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The responsible entity of a ves-
sel shall report to the Commandant any complaint or in-
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cident of harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual as-
sault in violation of employer policy or law, of which 
such entity is made aware. 
‘‘(2) PENALTY.—A responsible entity of a vessel 
who knowingly fails to report in compliance with para-
graph (1) is liable to the United States Government for 
a civil penalty of not more than $50,000. 
‘‘(b) REPORTING PROCEDURES.— 
‘‘(1) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY OF A VESSEL REPORT-
ING.—A report required under subsection (a) shall be 
made immediately after the responsible entity of a vessel 
gains knowledge of a sexual assault or sexual harass-
ment incident by the fastest telecommunication channel 
available to— 
‘‘(A) a single entity in the Coast Guard des-
ignated by the Commandant to receive such reports; 
and 
‘‘(B) the appropriate officer or agency of the 
government of the country in whose waters the inci-
dent occurs. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Such shall include, to the best of 
the knowledge of the individual making the report— 
‘‘(A) the name, official position or role in rela-
tion to the vessel, and contact information of such 
individual;
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‘‘(B) the name and official number of the doc-
umented vessel; 
‘‘(C) the time and date of the incident; 
‘‘(D) the geographic position or location of the 
vessel when the incident occurred; and 
‘‘(E) a brief description of the alleged sexual 
harassment or sexual assault being reported. 
‘‘(3) RECEIVING REPORTS; COLLECTION OF INFOR-
MATION.— 
‘‘(A) RECEIVING
REPORTS.—With respect to 
reports submitted under subsection (a), the Com-
mandant— 
‘‘(i) may establish additional reporting 
procedures, including procedures for receiving 
reports through— 
‘‘(I) a single telephone number that 
is continuously manned at all times; and 
‘‘(II) a single email address that is 
continuously monitored; and 
‘‘(ii) shall use procedures that include pre-
serving evidence in such reports and providing 
emergency service referrals. 
‘‘(B) COLLECTION
OF
INFORMATION.—After 
receipt of the report made under subsection (a), the 
Coast Guard shall collect information related to the
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identity of each alleged victim, alleged perpetrator, 
and any witnesses identified in the report through 
means designed to protect, to the extent practicable, 
the personal identifiable information of such indi-
viduals. 
‘‘(c) SUBPOENA AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant may compel 
the testimony of witnesses and the production of any evi-
dence by subpoena to determine compliance with this 
section. 
‘‘(2) JURISDICTIONAL
LIMITS.—The jurisdictional 
limits of a subpoena issued under this section are the 
same as, and are enforceable in the same manner as, 
subpoenas issued under chapter 63 of this title. 
‘‘(d) COMPANY AFTER-ACTION SUMMARY.— 
‘‘(1) A responsible entity of a vessel that makes a 
report under subsection (a) shall— 
‘‘(A) submit to the Commandant a document 
with detailed information to describe the actions 
taken by such entity after becoming aware of the 
sexual assault or sexual harassment incident, in-
cluding the results of any investigation into the 
complaint or incident and any action taken against 
the offending individual; and
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‘‘(B) make such submission not later than 10 
days after such entity made the report under sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(2) CIVIL
PENALTY.—A responsible entity of a 
vessel that fails to comply with paragraph (1) is liable 
to the United States Government for a civil penalty of 
$25,000 and $500 shall be added for each day of non-
compliance, except that the total amount of a penalty 
with respect to a complaint or incident shall not exceed 
$50,000 per violation. 
‘‘(e) INVESTIGATORY AUDIT.—The Commandant shall 
periodically perform an audit or other systematic review of 
the submissions made under this section to determine if there 
were any failures to comply with the requirements of this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(f) APPLICABILITY; REGULATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) REGULATIONS.— The Secretary may issue reg-
ulations to implement the requirements of this section. 
‘‘(2) INTERIM REPORTS.—Any report required to be 
made to the Commandant under this section shall be 
made to the Coast Guard National Command Center, 
until regulations implementing the procedures required 
by this section are issued.
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‘‘(g) DEFINITION OF RESPONSIBLE ENTITY OF A VES-
SEL.—In this section, the term ‘responsible entity of a vessel’ 
means— 
‘‘(1) the owner, master, or managing operator of a 
documented vessel engaged in commercial service; or 
‘‘(2) the employer of a seafarer on such a vessel.’’. 
SEC. 11610. SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 
(a) SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.—Section 3203 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as 
paragraphs (7) and (8); and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(5) with respect to sexual harassment and sexual 
assault, procedures for, and annual training require-
ments for all responsible persons and vessels to which 
this chapter applies on— 
‘‘(A) prevention; 
‘‘(B) bystander intervention; 
‘‘(C) reporting; 
‘‘(D) response; and 
‘‘(E) investigation; 
‘‘(6) the list required under section 3106(a)(2) and 
the log book required under section 3106(a)(3);’’;
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(2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as sub-
sections (d) and (e), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: 
‘‘(b) PROCEDURES AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.—In 
prescribing regulations for the procedures and training re-
quirements described in subsection (a)(5), such procedures 
and requirements shall be consistent with the requirements to 
report sexual harassment or sexual assault under section 
10104. 
‘‘(c) AUDITS.— 
‘‘(1) CERTIFICATES.— 
‘‘(A) SUSPENSION.—During an audit of a safe-
ty management system of a vessel required under 
section 10104(e), the Secretary may suspend the 
Safety Management Certificate issued for the vessel 
under section 3205 and issue a separate Safety 
Management Certificate for the vessel to be in ef-
fect for a 3-month period beginning on the date of 
the issuance of such separate certificate. 
‘‘(B) REVOCATION.—At the conclusion of an 
audit of a safety management system required 
under section 10104(e), the Secretary shall revoke 
the Safety Management Certificate issued for the 
vessel under section 3205 if the Secretary deter-
mines—
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‘‘(i) that the holder of the Safety Manage-
ment Certificate knowingly, or repeatedly, 
failed to comply with section 10104; or 
‘‘(ii) other failure of the safety manage-
ment system resulted in the failure to comply 
with such section. 
‘‘(2) DOCUMENTS OF COMPLIANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Following an audit of the 
safety management system of a vessel required 
under section 10104(e), the Secretary may audit 
the safety management system of the responsible 
person for the vessel. 
‘‘(B) SUSPENSION.—During an audit under 
subparagraph (A), the Secretary may suspend the 
Document of Compliance issued to the responsible 
person under section 3205 and issue a separate 
Document of Compliance to such person to be in ef-
fect for a 3-month period beginning on the date of 
the issuance of such separate document. 
‘‘(C) REVOCATION.—At the conclusion of an 
assessment or an audit of a safety management sys-
tem under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall re-
voke the Document of Compliance issued to the re-
sponsible person if the Secretary determines—
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‘‘(i) that the holder of the Document of 
Compliance knowingly, or repeatedly, failed to 
comply with section 10104; or 
‘‘(ii) that other failure of the safety man-
agement system resulted in the failure to com-
ply with such section.’’. 
(b) VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE.—Section 3205(c)(1) 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘, 
or upon discovery from other sources of information acquired 
by the Coast Guard, including a discovery made during an 
audit or systematic review conducted under section 10104(e) 
of a failure of a responsible person or vessel to comply with 
a requirement of a safety management system for which a 
Safety Management Certificate and a Document of compli-
ance has been issued under this section, including a failure 
to 
comply 
with 
regulations 
prescribed 
under 
section 
3203(a)(7) and (8),’’ after ‘‘periodically’’. 
SEC. 11611. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 101 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 10105. Reports to Congress 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2022, and on an annual basis thereafter, the Com-
mandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
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Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report that includes— 
‘‘(1) the number of reports received under section 
10104; 
‘‘(2) the number of penalties issued under such sec-
tion; 
‘‘(3) the number of open investigations under such 
section, completed investigations under such section, and 
the outcomes of such open or completed investigations; 
‘‘(4) the number of assessments or audits conducted 
under section 3203 and the outcome of those assess-
ments or audits; 
‘‘(5) a statistical analysis of compliance with the 
safety management system criteria under section 3203; 
‘‘(6) the number of credentials denied or revoked 
due to sexual harassment, sexual assault, or related of-
fenses; and 
‘‘(7) recommendations to support efforts of the 
Coast Guard to improve investigations and oversight of 
sexual harassment and sexual assault in the maritime 
sector, including funding requirements and legislative 
change proposals necessary to ensure compliance with 
title CXVI of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2022 and the amendments made by such title.
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‘‘(b) PRIVACY.—In collecting the information required 
under subsection (a), the Commandant shall collect such in-
formation in a manner that protects the privacy rights of in-
dividuals who are subjects of such information.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
101 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘10105. Reports to Congress.’’. 
TITLE CXVII—NATIONAL OCEANIC 
AND 
ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINIS-
TRATION 
Subtitle A—National Oceanic and At-
mospheric 
Administration 
Com-
missioned Officer Corps 
SEC. 11701. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 212(b) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 
U.S.C. 3002(b)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(8) UNDER SECRETARY.—The term ‘Under Sec-
retary’ means the Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere.’’. 
SEC. 11702. REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENTS. 
Section 221(c) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33
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•HRES 1512 EH 
U.S.C. 3021(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘may not be given’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘may— 
‘‘(1) be given only to an individual who is a citizen 
of the United States; and 
‘‘(2) not be given.’’. 
SEC. 11703. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT TO PROMOTE ENSIGNS 
AFTER 3 YEARS OF SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 223 of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps 
Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3023) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 223. SEPARATION OF ENSIGNS FOUND NOT FULLY QUALI-
FIED. 
‘‘If an officer in the permanent grade of ensign is at any 
time found not fully qualified, the officer’s commission shall 
be revoked and the officer shall be separated from the com-
missioned service.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in 
section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to reauthorize the Hy-
drographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, and for other 
purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372) is amended by striking the 
item relating to section 223 and inserting the following: 
‘‘Sec. 223. Separation of ensigns found not fully qualified.’’. 
SEC. 11704. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE AWARDS AND DECORA-
TIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle A of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps
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Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 220. AWARDS AND DECORATIONS. 
‘‘The Under Secretary may provide ribbons, medals, 
badges, trophies, and similar devices to members of the com-
missioned officer corps of the Administration and to members 
of other uniformed services for service and achievement in 
support of the missions of the Administration.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in 
section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to reauthorize the Hy-
drographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, and for other 
purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372) is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 219 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 220. Awards and decorations.’’. 
SEC. 11705. RETIREMENT AND SEPARATION. 
(a) INVOLUNTARY RETIREMENT OR SEPARATION.—Sec-
tion 241(a)(1) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 
U.S.C. 3041(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) an officer in the permanent grade of captain 
or commander may— 
‘‘(A) except as provided by subparagraph (B), 
be transferred to the retired list; or 
‘‘(B) if the officer is not qualified for retire-
ment, be separated from service; and’’.
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(b) RETIREMENT FOR AGE.—Section 243(a) of that Act 
(33 U.S.C. 3043(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘be retired’’ and 
inserting ‘‘be retired or separated (as specified in section 
1251(e) of title 10, United States Code)’’. 
(c) RETIREMENT OR SEPARATION BASED ON YEARS OF 
CREDITABLE SERVICE.—Section 261(a) of that Act (33 
U.S.C. 3071(a)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (17) through (26) 
as paragraphs (18) through (27), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (16) the following: 
‘‘(17) Section 1251(e), relating to retirement or 
separation based on years of creditable service.’’. 
SEC. 11706. IMPROVING PROFESSIONAL MARINER STAFFING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle E of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps 
Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3071 et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 269B. SHORE LEAVE FOR PROFESSIONAL MARINERS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary may prescribe 
regulations relating to shore leave for professional mariners 
without regard to the requirements of section 6305 of title 
5, United States Code. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The regulations prescribed under 
subsection (a) shall—