H. R. 6395—1304 
complaint processes, for the complainant, the opposing party, and 
the commanding officers and officers in charge. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 30 days after the completion 
of the study required by subsection (a), the Commandant shall 
brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives on the manner in which 
the Coast Guard plans to implement the recommendations devel-
oped as a result of the study. 
SEC. 8287. INSIDER THREAT PROGRAM. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
on a plan to expand the Coast Guard Insider Threat Program 
to include the monitoring of all Coast Guard devices, including 
mobile devices. 
TITLE LVXXXIII—MARITIME 
Subtitle A—Navigation 
Sec. 8301. Electronic charts; equivalency. 
Sec. 8302. Subrogated claims. 
Sec. 8303. Loan provisions under Oil Pollution Act of 1990. 
Sec. 8304. Oil pollution research and development program. 
Subtitle B—Shipping 
Sec. 8311. Passenger vessel security and safety requirements; application. 
Sec. 8312. Small passenger vessels and uninspected passenger vessels. 
Sec. 8313. Non-operating individual. 
Sec. 8314. Conforming amendments: training; public safety personnel. 
Sec. 8315. Maritime transportation assessment. 
Sec. 8316. Engine cut-off switches; use requirement. 
Sec. 8317. Authority to waive operator of self-propelled uninspected passenger ves-
sel requirements. 
Sec. 8318. Exemptions and equivalents. 
Sec. 8319. Renewal of merchant mariner licenses and documents. 
Sec. 8320. Certificate extensions. 
Sec. 8321. Vessel safety standards. 
Sec. 8322. Medical standards. 
Subtitle C—Advisory Committees 
Sec. 8331. Advisory committees. 
Sec. 8332. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 8333. Expired maritime liens. 
Sec. 8334. Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 8335. National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 8336. Exemption of commercial fishing vessels operating in Alaskan Region 
from Global Maritime Distress and Safety System requirements of Fed-
eral Communications Commission. 
Subtitle D—Ports 
Sec. 8341. Port, harbor, and coastal facility security. 
Sec. 8342. Aiming laser pointer at vessel. 
Sec. 8343. Safety of special activities. 
Sec. 8344. Security plans; reviews. 
Sec. 8345. Vessel traffic service. 
Sec. 8346. Transportation work identification card pilot program. 
Subtitle A—Navigation 
SEC. 8301. ELECTRONIC CHARTS; EQUIVALENCY. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS.—Section 3105(a)(1) of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
H. R. 6395—1305 
‘‘(1) ELECTRONIC
CHARTS
IN
LIEU
OF
MARINE
CHARTS, 
CHARTS, AND MAPS.—Subject to paragraph (2), the following 
vessels, while operating on the navigable waters of the United 
States, equipped with and operating electronic navigational 
charts that are produced by a government hydrographic office 
or conform to a standard acceptable to the Secretary, shall 
be deemed in compliance with any requirement under title 
33 or title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, to have a chart, 
marine chart, or map on board such vessel: 
‘‘(A) A self-propelled commercial vessel of at least 65 
feet in overall length. 
‘‘(B) A vessel carrying more than a number of pas-
sengers for hire determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) A towing vessel of more than 26 feet in overall 
length and 600 horsepower. 
‘‘(D) Any other vessel for which the Secretary decides 
that electronic charts are necessary for the safe navigation 
of the vessel.’’. 
(b) EXEMPTIONS AND WAIVERS.—Section 3105(a)(2) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘operates; and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘operates;’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘those waters.’’ and 
inserting ‘‘those waters; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) permit vessels described in subparagraphs (A) 
through (D) of paragraph (1) that operate solely landward 
of the baseline from which the territorial sea of the United 
States is measured to utilize software-based, platform-inde-
pendent electronic chart systems that the Secretary deter-
mines are capable of displaying electronic navigational 
charts with necessary scale and detail to ensure safe 
navigation for the intended voyage.’’. 
SEC. 8302. SUBROGATED CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1012(b) of the Oil Pollution Act of 
1990 (33 U.S.C. 2712(b)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) SUBROGATED RIGHTS.—Except for a guarantor claim 
pursuant to a defense under section 1016(f)(1), Fund compensa-
tion of any claim by an insurer or other indemnifier of a 
responsible party or injured third party is subject to the sub-
rogated rights of that responsible party or injured third party 
to such compensation.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section and the amendments made 
by this section shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 8303. LOAN PROVISIONS UNDER OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1013 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 
(33 U.S.C. 2713) is amended by striking subsection (f). 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 1012(a) of the Oil 
Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2712(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4), by adding ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon 
at the end;
H. R. 6395—1306 
(2) in paragraph (5)(D), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a period; and 
(3) by striking paragraph (6). 
SEC. 8304. OIL POLLUTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. 
Section 7001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, technology,’’ after 
‘‘research’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘this subsection’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraph (1)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘which are effective in preventing 
or mitigating oil discharges and which’’ and inserting 
‘‘and methods that are effective in preventing, miti-
gating, or restoring damage from oil discharges and 
that’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘this subsection’’ and 
inserting ‘‘paragraph (1)’’ each place it appears; 
(D) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘oil discharges. Such program shall’’ 
and inserting ‘‘acute and chronic oil discharges on 
coastal and marine resources (including impacts on 
protected areas such as sanctuaries) and protected spe-
cies, and such program shall’’; 
(ii) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as clauses 
(iv) and (v), respectively; 
(iii) by inserting after clause (ii) the following: 
‘‘(iii) Research to understand and quantify the effects 
of sublethal impacts of oil discharge on living natural 
marine resources, including impacts on pelagic fish species, 
marine mammals, and commercially and recreationally tar-
geted fish and shellfish species.’’; and 
(iv) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(vi) Research to understand the long-term effects of 
major oil discharges and the long-term effects of smaller 
endemic oil discharges. 
‘‘(vii) The identification of potential impacts on eco-
systems, habitat, and wildlife from the additional toxicity, 
heavy metal concentrations, and increased corrosiveness 
of mixed crude, such as diluted bitumen crude. 
‘‘(viii) The development of methods to restore and 
rehabilitate natural resources and ecosystem functions 
damaged by oil discharges.’’; 
(E) in paragraph (5) by striking ‘‘this subsection’’ and 
inserting ‘‘paragraph (1)’’; 
(F) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(7) SIMULATED ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Agencies represented on the Inter-
agency Committee shall ensure the long-term use and oper-
ation of the Oil and Hazardous Materials Simulated 
Environmental Test Tank (OHMSETT) Research Center 
in New Jersey for oil pollution technology testing and 
evaluations.
H. R. 6395—1307 
‘‘(B) OTHER TESTING FACILITIES.—Nothing in subpara-
graph (A) shall be construed as limiting the ability of 
the Interagency Committee to contract or partner with 
a facility or facilities other than the Center described in 
subparagraph (A) for the purpose of oil pollution technology 
testing and evaluations, provided such a facility or facilities 
have testing and evaluation capabilities equal to or greater 
than those of such Center. 
‘‘(C) IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating and the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 
may accept donations of crude oil and crude oil product 
samples in the form of in-kind contributions for use 
by the Federal Government for product testing, 
research and development, and for other purposes as 
the Secretary and the Administrator determine appro-
priate. 
‘‘(ii) USE
OF
DONATED
OIL.—Oil accepted under 
clause (i) may be used directly by the Secretary and 
shall be provided to other Federal agencies or depart-
ments through interagency agreements to carry out 
the purposes of this Act.’’; 
(G) in paragraph (8)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(b)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (d)’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (D)(iii), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(b)(1)(F)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (d)’’; and 
(H) in paragraph (10)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘this subsection’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraph (1)’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘agencies represented on the Inter-
agency Committee’’ and inserting ‘‘Under Secretary’’; 
(iii) by inserting ‘‘, and States and Indian tribes’’ 
after ‘‘other persons’’; and 
(iv) by striking ‘‘subsection (b)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (d)’’; 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘subsection (b)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (d)’’; 
(3) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘Chairman of the Inter-
agency Committee’’ and inserting ‘‘Chair’’; 
(4) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘subsection (c)(8)’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘subsection (e)(8)’’; 
(5) by redesignating subsections (c) through (f) as sub-
sections (e) through (h), respectively; and 
(6) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘Chair’ means the Chairperson of the Inter-
agency Committee designated under subsection (c)(2); 
‘‘(2) the term ‘Commandant’ means the Commandant of 
the Coast Guard; 
‘‘(3) the term ‘institution of higher education’ means an 
institution of higher education, as defined in section 101(a) 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a));
H. R. 6395—1308 
‘‘(4) the term ‘Interagency Committee’ means the Inter-
agency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research 
established under subsection (b); 
‘‘(5) the term ‘Under Secretary’ means the Under Secretary 
of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; and 
‘‘(6) the term ‘Vice Chair’ means the Vice Chairperson 
of the Interagency Committee designated under subsection 
(c)(3). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT
OF INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COM-
MITTEE ON OIL POLLUTION RESEARCH.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established an Interagency 
Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research. 
‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—The Interagency Committee shall coordi-
nate a comprehensive program of oil pollution research, tech-
nology development, and demonstration among the Federal 
agencies, in cooperation and coordination with industry, 4-year 
institutions of higher education and research institutions, State 
governments, and other nations, as appropriate, and shall foster 
cost-effective research mechanisms, including the joint funding 
of research. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) COMPOSITION.—The Interagency Committee shall be 
composed of— 
‘‘(A) at least 1 representative of the Coast Guard; 
‘‘(B) at least 1 representative of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration; 
‘‘(C) at least 1 representative of the Environmental 
Protection Agency; 
‘‘(D) at least 1 representative of the Department of 
the Interior; 
‘‘(E) at least 1 representative of the Bureau of Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement; 
‘‘(F) at least 1 representative of the Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management; 
‘‘(G) at least 1 representative of the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service; 
‘‘(H) at least 1 representative of the Department of 
Energy; 
‘‘(I) at least 1 representative of the Pipeline and Haz-
ardous Materials Safety Administration; 
‘‘(J) at least 1 representative of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency; 
‘‘(K) at least 1 representative of the Navy; 
‘‘(L) at least 1 representative of the Corps of Engineers; 
‘‘(M) at least 1 representative of the United States 
Arctic Research Commission; and 
‘‘(N) at least 1 representative of each of such other 
Federal agencies as the President considers to be appro-
priate. 
‘‘(2) CHAIRPERSON.—The Commandant shall designate a 
Chairperson from among the members of the Interagency Com-
mittee selected under paragraph (1)(A). 
‘‘(3) VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The Under Secretary shall des-
ignate a Vice Chairperson from among the members of the 
Interagency Committee selected under paragraph (1)(B). 
‘‘(4) MEETINGS.—
H. R. 6395—1309 
‘‘(A) QUARTERLY MEETINGS.—At a minimum, the mem-
bers of the Interagency Committee shall meet once each 
quarter. 
‘‘(B) PUBLIC SUMMARIES.—After each meeting, a sum-
mary shall be made available by the Chair or Vice Chair, 
as appropriate. 
‘‘(d) DUTIES OF THE INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) RESEARCH.—The Interagency Committee shall— 
‘‘(A) coordinate a comprehensive program of oil pollu-
tion research, technology development, and demonstration 
among the Federal agencies, in cooperation and coordina-
tion with industry, 4-year institutions of higher education 
and research institutions, States, Indian tribes, and other 
countries, as appropriate; and 
‘‘(B) 
foster 
cost-effective 
research 
mechanisms, 
including the joint funding of research and the development 
of public-private partnerships for the purpose of expanding 
research. 
‘‘(2) OIL POLLUTION RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PLAN.— 
‘‘(A) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of the Elijah E. Cummings 
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020, the Interagency 
Committee shall submit to Congress a research plan to 
report on the state of oil discharge prevention and response 
capabilities that— 
‘‘(i) identifies current research programs conducted 
by Federal agencies, States, Indian tribes, 4-year 
institutions of higher education, and corporate entities; 
‘‘(ii) assesses the current status of knowledge on 
oil pollution prevention, response, and mitigation tech-
nologies and effects of oil pollution on the environment; 
‘‘(iii) identifies significant oil pollution research 
gaps, including an assessment of major technological 
deficiencies in responses to past oil discharges; 
‘‘(iv) establishes national research priorities and 
goals for oil pollution technology development related 
to prevention, response, mitigation, and environmental 
effects; 
‘‘(v) assesses the research on the applicability and 
effectiveness of the prevention, response, and mitiga-
tion technologies to each class of oil; 
‘‘(vi) estimates the resources needed to conduct 
the oil pollution research and development program 
established pursuant to subsection (e), and timetables 
for completing research tasks; 
‘‘(vii) summarizes research on response equipment 
in varying environmental conditions, such as in cur-
rents, ice cover, and ice floes; and 
‘‘(viii) includes such other information or rec-
ommendations as the Interagency Committee deter-
mines to be appropriate. 
‘‘(B) ADVICE AND GUIDANCE.— 
‘‘(i) NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES CONTRACT.— 
The Chair, through the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating, shall contract with the National 
Academy of Sciences to—
H. R. 6395—1310 
‘‘(I) provide advice and guidance in the 
preparation and development of the research plan; 
‘‘(II) assess the adequacy of the plan as sub-
mitted, and submit a report to Congress on the 
conclusions of such assessment; and 
‘‘(III) provide organization guidance regarding 
the implementation of the research plan, including 
delegation of topics and research among Federal 
agencies represented on the Interagency Com-
mittee. 
‘‘(ii) NIST ADVICE AND GUIDANCE.—The National 
Institute of Standards and Technology shall provide 
the Interagency Committee with advice and guidance 
on issues relating to quality assurance and standards 
measurements relating to its activities under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(C) 10-YEAR UPDATES.—Not later than 10 years after 
the date of enactment of the Elijah E. Cummings Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2020, and every 10 years there-
after, the Interagency Committee shall submit to Congress 
a research plan that updates the information contained 
in the previous research plan submitted under this sub-
section.’’. 
Subtitle B—Shipping 
SEC. 8311. PASSENGER VESSEL SECURITY AND SAFETY REQUIRE-
MENTS; APPLICATION. 
Section 3507(k)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by adding ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon at the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a period; and 
(3) by striking subparagraph (D). 
SEC. 8312. SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS AND UNINSPECTED PAS-
SENGER VESSELS. 
Section 12121 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) was built in the United States; 
‘‘(B) was not built in the United States and is at 
least 3 years old; or 
‘‘(C) if rebuilt, was rebuilt— 
‘‘(i) in the United States; or 
‘‘(ii) outside the United States at least 3 years 
before the certificate requested under subsection (b) 
would take effect.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘12132,’’ after ‘‘12113,’’. 
SEC. 8313. NON-OPERATING INDIVIDUAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall not enforce section 8701 of 
title 46, United States Code, with respect to the following: 
(1) A vessel with respect to individuals, other than crew 
members required by the Certificate of Inspection or to ensure 
the safe navigation of the vessel and not a member of the
H. R. 6395—1311 
steward’s department, engaged on board for the sole purpose 
of carrying out spill response activities, salvage, marine fire-
fighting, or commercial diving business or functions from or 
on any vessel, including marine firefighters, spill response per-
sonnel, salvage personnel, and commercial divers and diving 
support personnel. 
(2) An offshore supply vessel, an industrial vessel (as such 
term is defined in section 90.10–16 of title 46, Code of Federal 
Regulations), or other similarly engaged vessel with respect 
to persons engaged in the business of the ship on board the 
vessel— 
(A) for— 
(i) supporting or executing the industrial business 
or function of the vessel; 
(ii) brief periods to conduct surveys or investiga-
tions, assess crew competence, conduct vessel trials, 
provide extraordinary security resources, or similar 
tasks not traditionally performed by the vessel crew; 
or 
(iii) performing maintenance tasks on equipment 
under warranty, or on equipment not owned by the 
vessel owner, or maintenance beyond the capability 
of the vessel crew to perform; and 
(B) not the master or crew members required by the 
certificate of inspection and not a member of the steward’s 
department. 
(b) SUNSET.—The prohibition in subsection (a) shall terminate 
on the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant 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 a report detailing 
recommendations to ensure that personnel working on a vessel 
who perform work or operate equipment on such vessel not 
related to the operation of the vessel itself undergo a back-
ground check and the appropriate training necessary to ensure 
personnel safety and the safety of the vessel’s crew. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required under paragraph (1) 
shall include, at a minimum, a discussion of— 
(A) options and recommendations for ensuring that 
the individuals covered by subsection (a) are appropriately 
screened to mitigate security and safety risks, including 
to detect substance abuse; 
(B) communication and collaboration between the 
Coast Guard, the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating, and relevant stakeholders regarding the 
development of processes and requirements for conducting 
background checks and ensuring such individuals receive 
basic safety familiarization and basic safety training 
approved by the Coast Guard; 
(C) any identified legislative changes necessary to 
implement effective training and screening requirements 
for individuals covered by subsection (a); and
H. R. 6395—1312 
(D) the timeline and milestones for implementing such 
requirements. 
SEC. 8314. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS: TRAINING; PUBLIC SAFETY 
PERSONNEL. 
Chapter 701 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 70107— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘law enforcement 
personnel’’ and inserting ‘‘public safety personnel’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)(8), by striking ‘‘law enforcement 
personnel—’’ and inserting ‘‘public safety personnel—’’; and 
(C) in subsection (c)(2)(C), by striking ‘‘law enforcement 
agency personnel’’ and inserting ‘‘public safety personnel’’; 
and 
(2) in section 70132— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘law enforcement 
personnel—’’ and inserting ‘‘public safety personnel—’’; 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘law enforcement 
personnel’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘public 
safety personnel’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL DEFINED.—For the purposes 
of this section, the term ‘public safety personnel’ includes any 
Federal, State (or political subdivision thereof), territorial, or Tribal 
law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency response pro-
vider.’’. 
SEC. 8315. MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT. 
Section 55501(e) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘an assessment of the 
condition’’ and inserting ‘‘a conditions and performance anal-
ysis’’; 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(3) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting 
‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) a compendium of the Federal programs engaged in 
the maritime transportation system.’’. 
SEC. 8316. ENGINE CUT-OFF SWITCHES; USE REQUIREMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4312 of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as sub-
sections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: 
‘‘(b) USE REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An individual operating a covered rec-
reational vessel shall use an engine cut-off switch link while 
operating on plane or above displacement speed. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTIONS.—The requirement under paragraph (1) 
shall not apply if— 
‘‘(A) the main helm of the covered vessel is installed 
within an enclosed cabin; or 
‘‘(B) the vessel does not have an engine cut-off switch 
and is not required to have one under subsection (a).’’. 
(b) CIVIL PENALTY.—Section 4311 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by—
H. R. 6395—1313 
(1) redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) as 
subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively; and 
(2) inserting after subsection (b) the following: 
‘‘(c) A person violating section 4312(b) of this title is liable 
to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more 
than— 
‘‘(1) $100 for the first offense; 
‘‘(2) $250 for the second offense; and 
‘‘(3) $500 for any subsequent offense.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made in subsections 
(a) and (b) shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this section, unless the Commandant, prior to the date that 
is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, determines 
that the use requirement enacted in subsection (a) would not pro-
mote recreational boating safety. 
SEC. 8317. AUTHORITY TO WAIVE OPERATOR OF SELF-PROPELLED 
UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSEL REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 8905 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) After consultation with the Governor of Alaska and the 
State boating law administrator of Alaska, the Secretary may 
exempt an individual operating a self-propelled uninspected pas-
senger vessel from the requirements of section 8903 of this title, 
if— 
‘‘(1) the individual only operates such vessel wholly within 
waters located in Alaska; and 
‘‘(2) such vessel is— 
‘‘(A) 26 feet or less in length; and 
‘‘(B) carrying not more than 6 passengers.’’. 
SEC. 8318. EXEMPTIONS AND EQUIVALENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4305 of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking the heading and inserting the following: 
‘‘§ 4305. Exemptions and equivalents’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘If the Secretary’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) EXEMPTIONS.—If the Secretary’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) EQUIVALENTS.—The Secretary may accept a substitution 
for associated equipment performance or other safety standards 
for a recreational vessel if the substitution provides an equivalent 
level of safety.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 43 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 4305 and inserting the following: 
‘‘4305. Exemptions and equivalents.’’. 
SEC. 8319. RENEWAL OF MERCHANT MARINER LICENSES AND DOCU-
MENTS. 
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a briefing on the Coast Guard’s implementation of 
section 7106 of title 46, United States Code—
H. R. 6395—1314 
(1) an overview of the manner in which the Coast Guard 
manages and processes renewal applications under such sec-
tion, including communication with the applicant regarding 
application status; 
(2) the number of applications received and approved over 
the previous 2 years, or in the event applications were denied, 
a summary detailing the reasons for such denial; 
(3) an accounting of renewal applications filed up to 8 
months in advance of the expiration of a pre-existing license, 
including the processing of such applications and communica-
tion with the applicant regarding application status or any 
other extenuating circumstances; and 
(4) any other regulatory or statutory changes that would 
be necessary to further improve the Coast Guard’s issuance 
of credentials to fully qualified mariners in the most effective 
and efficient manner possible in order to ensure a safe, secure, 
economically and environmentally sound marine transportation 
system. 
SEC. 8320. CERTIFICATE EXTENSIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 121 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 12108. Authority to extend duration of vessel certificates 
‘‘(a) CERTIFICATES.—Provided a vessel is in compliance with 
inspection requirements in section 3313, the Secretary of the depart-
ment in which in the Coast Guard is operating may, if the Secretary 
makes the determination described in subsection (b), extend, for 
a period of not more than 1 year, an expiring certificate of docu-
mentation issued for a vessel under chapter 121. 
‘‘(b) DETERMINATION.—The determination referred to in sub-
section (a) is a determination that such extension is required to 
enable the Coast Guard to— 
‘‘(1) eliminate a backlog in processing applications for such 
certificates; or 
‘‘(2) act in response to a national emergency or natural 
disaster. 
‘‘(c) MANNER OF EXTENSION.—Any extension granted under this 
section may be granted to individual vessels or to a specifically 
identified group of vessels.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for subchapter I of 
chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘12108. Authority to extend duration of vessel certificates.’’. 
SEC. 8321. VESSEL SAFETY STANDARDS. 
(a) FISHING SAFETY TRAINING GRANTS PROGRAM.—Subsection 
(i) of section 4502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘50 percent’’ and inserting 
‘‘75 percent’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting 
‘‘2021’’. 
(b) FISHING SAFETY RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM.—Subsection 
(j) of such section is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘50 percent’’ and inserting 
‘‘75 percent’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting 
‘‘2021’’.
H. R. 6395—1315 
(c) FISHING SAFETY GRANTS.—The cap on the Federal share 
of the cost of any activity carried out with a grant under subsections 
(i) and (j) of section 4502 of title 46, United States Code, as in 
effect prior to the date of enactment of the Frank LoBiondo Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2018, shall apply to any funds appro-
priated under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public 
Law 115–31) for the purpose of making such grants. 
SEC. 8322. MEDICAL STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 35 of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 3509. Medical standards 
‘‘The owner of a vessel to which section 3507 applies shall 
ensure that— 
‘‘(1) a physician is always present and available to treat 
any passengers who may be on board the vessel in the event 
of an emergency situation; 
‘‘(2) the vessel is in compliance with the Health Care Guide-
lines for Cruise Ship Medical Facilities established by the Amer-
ican College of Emergency Physicians; and 
‘‘(3) the initial safety briefing given to the passengers on 
board the vessel includes— 
‘‘(A) the location of the vessel’s medical facilities; and 
‘‘(B) the appropriate steps passengers should follow 
during a medical emergency.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 35 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘3509. Medical standards.’’. 
Subtitle C—Advisory Committees 
SEC. 8331. ADVISORY COMMITTEES. 
(a) NATIONAL OFFSHORE SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE; REP-
RESENTATION.—Section 15106(c)(3) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘mineral and oil oper-
ations, including geophysical services’’ and inserting ‘‘oper-
ations’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘exploration and 
recovery’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘engaged in diving 
services related to offshore construction, inspection, and mainte-
nance’’ and inserting ‘‘providing diving services to the offshore 
industry’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘engaged in safety 
and training services related to offshore exploration and 
construction’’ and inserting ‘‘providing safety and training serv-
ices to the offshore industry’’; 
(5) in subparagraph (G), by striking ‘‘engaged in pipelaying 
services related to offshore construction’’ and inserting ‘‘pro-
viding subsea engineering, construction, or remotely operated 
vehicle support to the offshore industry’’; 
(6) in subparagraph (H), by striking ‘‘mineral and energy’’;
H. R. 6395—1316 
(7) in subparagraph (I), by inserting ‘‘and entities providing 
environmental protection, compliance, or response services to 
the offshore industry’’ after ‘‘national environmental entities’’; 
and 
(8) in subparagraph (J), by striking ‘‘deepwater ports’’ and 
inserting ‘‘entities engaged in offshore oil exploration and 
production on the Outer Continental Shelf adjacent to Alaska’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.—Section 15109 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘or to which this chapter 
applies’’ after ‘‘committee established under this chapter’’ each place 
it appears. 
SEC. 8332. MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM NATIONAL ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE. 
(a) MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM NATIONAL ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE.—Chapter 555 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 55502. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory 
Committee 
‘‘(a) 
ESTABLISHMENT.—There 
is 
established 
a 
Maritime 
Transportation System National Advisory Committee (in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘Committee’). 
‘‘(b) FUNCTION.—The Committee shall advise the Secretary of 
Transportation on matters relating to the United States maritime 
transportation system and its seamless integration with other seg-
ments of the transportation system, including the viability of the 
United States Merchant Marine. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall consist of 27 mem-
bers appointed by the Secretary of Transportation in accordance 
with this section and section 15109. 
‘‘(2) EXPERTISE.—Each member of the Committee shall have 
particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters 
relating to the function of the Committee. 
‘‘(3) REPRESENTATION.—Members of the Committee shall 
be appointed as follows: 
‘‘(A) At least one member shall represent the Environ-
mental Protection Agency. 
‘‘(B) At least one member shall represent the Depart-
ment of Commerce. 
‘‘(C) At least one member shall represent the Corps 
of Engineers. 
‘‘(D) At least one member shall represent the Coast 
Guard. 
‘‘(E) At least one member shall represent Customs 
and Border Protection. 
‘‘(F) At least one member shall represent State and 
local governmental entities. 
‘‘(G) Additional members shall represent private sector 
entities that reflect a cross-section of maritime industries, 
including port and water stakeholders, academia, and 
labor. 
‘‘(H) The Secretary may appoint additional representa-
tives from other Federal agencies as the Secretary considers 
appropriate.
H. R. 6395—1317 
‘‘(4) RESTRICTIONS
ON
MEMBERS
REPRESENTING
FEDERAL 
AGENCIES.—Members of the Committee that represent Federal 
agencies shall not— 
‘‘(A) comprise more than one-third of the total member-
ship of the Committee or of any subcommittee therein; 
or 
‘‘(B) serve as the chair or co-chair of the Committee 
or of any subcommittee therein. 
‘‘(5) ADMINISTRATION.—For purposes of section 15109— 
‘‘(A) the Committee shall be treated as a committee 
established under chapter 151; and 
‘‘(B) the Secretary of Transportation shall fulfill all 
duties and responsibilities and have all authorities of the 
Secretary of Homeland Security with regard to the Com-
mittee.’’. 
(b) TREATMENT OF EXISTING COMMITTEE.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law— 
(1) an advisory committee substantially similar to the Com-
mittee established by section 55502 of title 46, United States 
Code, and that was in force or in effect on the day before 
the date of the enactment of this Act, including the charter, 
membership, and other aspects of such advisory committee, 
may remain in force or in effect for the 2-year period beginning 
on the date of the enactment of this section; and 
(2) during such 2-year period— 
(A) requirements relating the Maritime Transportation 
System National Advisory Committee established by such 
section shall be treated as satisfied by such substantially 
similar advisory committee; and 
(B) the enactment of this section shall not be the 
basis— 
(i) to deem, find, or declare such committee, 
including the charter, membership, and other aspects 
thereof, void, not in force, or not in effect; 
(ii) to suspend the activities of such committee; 
or 
(iii) to bar the members of such committee from 
a meeting. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 555 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘55502. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee.’’. 
(d) MARINE HIGHWAYS.— 
(1) REPEAL.—Section 55603 of title 46, United States Code, 
and the item relating to that section in the analysis for chapter 
556 of that title, are repealed. 
(2) MARINE HIGHWAYS PROGRAM.—The chapter heading of 
chapter 556 of title 46, United States Code, is amended to 
read ‘‘MARINE HIGHWAYS’’. 
(3) MARINE HIGHWAYS.—Section 55601 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(A) in the section heading by striking ‘‘Short sea’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Marine highways’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘short sea’’ and inserting ‘‘marine high-
way’’ each place such term appears; 
(C) in subsection (a)—
H. R. 6395—1318 
(i) by striking ‘‘transportation program’’ and 
inserting ‘‘transportation program to be known as the 
‘America’s Marine highway program’ ’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘mitigate landside congestion or 
to promote short sea transportation’’ and insert ‘‘pro-
vide a coordinated and capable alternative to landside 
transportation or to promote marine highway transpor-
tation’’; and 
(D) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in the subsection heading by striking ‘‘SHORT 
SEA TRANSPORTATION’’ and inserting ‘‘MARINE HIGH-
WAY TRANSPORTATION’’; and 
(ii) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) vessels documented under chapter 121 of this title;’’. 
(4) CARGO AND SHIPPERS; INTERAGENCY COORDINATION AND 
RESEARCH.—Sections 55602 and 55604 of title 46, United States 
Code, are amended by striking ‘‘short sea’’ and inserting 
‘‘marine highway’’ each place such term appears. 
(5) RESEARCH
ON
MARINE
HIGHWAYS
TRANSPORTATION.— 
Section 55604 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
in the section heading by striking ‘‘short sea’’ and inserting 
‘‘marine highway’’ 
(6) DEFINITION.—Section 55605 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(A) in the section heading by striking ‘‘Short sea’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Marine highway’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘short sea transportation’’ and inserting 
‘‘marine highway transportation’’. 
(7) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for chapter 556 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking the item related to chapter 556 and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘CHAPTER 556—MARINE HIGHWAYS’’; 
(B) by striking the item related to section 55601 and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘55601. Marine highways transportation program.’’; 
(C) by striking the item related to section 55604 and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘55604. Research on marine highway transportation.’’; and 
(D) by striking the item related to section 55605 and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘55605. Marine highway transportation defined.’’. 
SEC. 8333. EXPIRED MARITIME LIENS. 
Section 31343(e) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘A notice’’; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1), as so designated by 
this section, the following: 
‘‘(2) On expiration of a notice of claim of lien under paragraph 
(1), and after a request by the vessel owner, the Secretary shall 
annotate the abstract of title to reflect the expiration of the lien.’’. 
SEC. 8334. GREAT LAKES PILOTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 9307 of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)—
H. R. 6395—1320 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) QUORUM.—A quorum of 10 members is required to send 
any written recommendations from the Committee to the Secretary. 
‘‘(e) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall preclude 
the Secretary from taking emergency action to ensure safety and 
preservation of life at sea.’’. 
(2) AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 15109.—Section 15109 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Each’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
each’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.—The committee established 
under section 15102, shall— 
‘‘(A) meet in-person, not less frequently than twice 
each year, at the call of the Secretary of a majority of 
the members of the committee; 
‘‘(B) hold additional meetings as necessary; 
‘‘(C) post the minutes of each meeting of the committee 
on a publicly available website not later than 2 weeks 
after the date on which a meeting concludes; and 
‘‘(D) provide reasonable public notice of any meeting 
of the committee, and publish such notice in the Federal 
Register and on a publicly available website.’’; 
(B) in subsection (f)(8)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Notwithstanding’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(A) REAPPOINTMENT.—Notwithstanding’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—With respect to the committee estab-
lished under section 15102, members may serve not more 
than 3 terms.’’; 
(C) in subsection (j)(3)— 
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) make all responses required by subparagraph (C) 
which are related to recommendations made by the com-
mittee established under section 15102 available to the 
public not later than 30 days after the date of response.’’; 
(D) by amending subsection (k) to read as follows: 
‘‘(k) OBSERVERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Any Federal agency with matters under 
such agency’s administrative jurisdiction related to the function 
of a committee established under this chapter may designate 
a representative to— 
‘‘(A) attend any meeting of such committee; and 
‘‘(B) participate as an observer at meetings of such 
committee that relate to such a matter. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL COMMERCIAL FISHING SAFETY ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE.—With respect to the committee established under sec-
tion 15102, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall designate 
a representative under paragraph (1).’’; 
(E) in subsection (l), by striking ‘‘2027’’ and inserting 
‘‘2029’’;
H. R. 6395—1321 
(F) by redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (m); 
(G) by inserting after subsection (k) the following: 
‘‘(l) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide technical 
assistance to the Committee if requested by the Chairman. 
‘‘(2) COMMITTEE CONSULTATION.—With respect to the com-
mittee established under section 15102, the Chairman of the 
committee shall seek expertise from the fishing industry, 
marine safety experts, the shipbuilding industry, and others 
as the committee determines appropriate.’’; and 
(H) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(n) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall preclude 
the Secretary from taking emergency action to ensure safety and 
preservation of life at sea.’’. 
SEC. 8336. EXEMPTION OF COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS OPER-
ATING IN ALASKAN REGION FROM GLOBAL MARITIME 
DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS OF FED-
ERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION. 
(a) DEFINITION OF SECRETARY.—In this section, the term ‘‘Sec-
retary’’ means the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating. 
(b) EXEMPTION.—Subject to subsection (c), the Federal Commu-
nications Commission shall exempt fishing vessels that primarily 
operate in the Alaskan Region, including fishing vessels that transit 
from States in the Pacific Northwest to conduct fishing operations 
in the Alaskan Region, from the requirements relating to carriage 
of VHF–DSC and MF–DSC equipment under subpart W of part 
80 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regula-
tion. 
(c) FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—A fishing vessel exempted 
under subsection (b) shall— 
(1) be capable of transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts 
using not fewer than 2 separate and independent systems, 
each using a different radio communication service; 
(2) be equipped with— 
(A) a VHF radiotelephone installation; 
(B) an MF or HF radiotelephone installation; 
(C) a Category 1, 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB meeting 
the requirements of section 80.1061 of title 47, Code of 
Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation; 
(D) a NAVTEX receiver meeting the requirements of 
section 80.1101(c)(1) of title 47, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, or any successor regulation; 
(E) survival craft equipment meeting the requirements 
of section 80.1095 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, 
or any successor regulation; and 
(F) a Search and Rescue Transponder meeting the 
requirements of section 80.1101(c)(6) of title 47, Code of 
Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation; 
(3) maintain a continuous watch on VHF Channel 16; and 
(4) as an alternative to the equipment listed in subpara-
graphs (A) through (F) of paragraph (2), carry equipment found 
by the Federal Communications Commission, in consultation 
with the Secretary, to be equivalent or superior with respect 
to ensuring the safety of the vessel.
H. R. 6395—1322 
(d) DEFINITION OF ALASKAN REGION.—Not later than 30 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall define 
the term ‘‘Alaskan Region’’ for purposes of this section. The Sec-
retary shall include in the definition of such term the area of 
responsibility of Coast Guard District 17. 
Subtitle D—Ports 
SEC. 8341. PORT, HARBOR, AND COASTAL FACILITY SECURITY. 
Section 70116 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘, cyber incidents, 
transnational organized crime, and foreign state threats’’ after 
‘‘an act of terrorism’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraphs (1) and (2), by inserting ‘‘cyber 
incidents, transnational organized crime, and foreign state 
threats’’ after ‘‘terrorism’’ each place it appears; and 
(B) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘armed’’ and inserting ‘‘, armed (as 
needed),’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘terrorism or transportation secu-
rity 
incidents,’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘terrorism, 
cyber 
incidents, transnational organized crime, foreign state 
threats, or transportation security incidents,’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘70034,’’ and inserting ‘‘70033,’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new sentence: 
‘‘When preventing or responding to acts of terrorism, cyber 
incidents, transnational organized crime, or foreign state 
threats, the Secretary may carry out this section without 
regard to chapters 5 and 6 of title 5 or Executive Order 
Nos. 12866 and 13563.’’. 
SEC. 8342. AIMING LASER POINTER AT VESSEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 700 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 70014. Aiming laser pointer at vessel 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—It shall be unlawful to cause the beam of 
a laser pointer to strike a vessel operating on the navigable waters 
of the United States. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTIONS.—This section shall not apply to a member 
or element of the Department of Defense or Department of Home-
land Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of 
research, development, operations, testing, or training. 
‘‘(c) LASER POINTER DEFINED.—In this section the term ‘laser 
pointer’ means any device designed or used to amplify electro-
magnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam 
designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter 
to indicate, mark, or identify a specific position, place, item, or 
object.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for subchapter II of 
chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘70014. Aiming laser pointer at vessel.’’.
H. R. 6395—1323 
SEC. 8343. SAFETY OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall conduct a 2-year pilot program 
to establish and implement a process to— 
(1) establish safety zones to address special activities in 
the exclusive economic zone; 
(2) account for the number of safety zones established 
for special activities; 
(3) differentiate whether an applicant who requests a safety 
zone for such activities is— 
(A) an individual; 
(B) an organization; or 
(C) a government entity; and 
(4) account for Coast Guard resources utilized to enforce 
safety zones established for special activities, including— 
(A) the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxil-
iary vessels used; and 
(B) the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxil-
iary patrol hours required. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the expiration 
of the 2-year pilot program, the Commandant shall brief the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate regarding— 
(1) the process required under subsection (a); and 
(2) whether the authority to establish safety zones to 
address special activities in the exclusive economic zone should 
be extended or made permanent in the interest of safety. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) SAFETY ZONE.—The term ‘‘safety zone’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 165.20 of title 33, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(2) SPECIAL
ACTIVITIES.—The term ‘‘special activities’’ 
includes— 
(A) space activities, including launch and reentry, as 
such terms are defined in section 50902 of title 51, United 
States Code, carried out by United States citizens; and 
(B) offshore energy development activities, as described 
in section 8(p)(1)(C) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(1)(C)), on or near a fixed platform. 
(3) UNITED STATES CITIZEN.—The term ‘‘United States cit-
izen’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘eligible owners’’ in 
section 12103 of title 46, United States Code. 
(4) FIXED
PLATFORM.—The term ‘‘fixed platform’’ means 
an artificial island, installation, or structure permanently 
attached to the sea-bed for the purpose of exploration or exploi-
tation of resources or for other economic purposes. 
SEC. 8344. SECURITY PLANS; REVIEWS. 
Section 70103 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (b)(3) to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall review and approve Area Maritime 
Transportation Security Plans and updates under this sub-
section.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)(4), by inserting ‘‘or update’’ after ‘‘plan’’ 
each place it appears.