In the Senate of the United States, 
December 18, 2015. 
Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representa-
tives (H.R. 4188) entitled ‘‘An Act to authorize appropria-
tions for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, 
and for other purposes.’’, do pass with the following 
AMENDMENT: 
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following: 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Coast Guard Authoriza-
tion Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title. 
Sec. 2. Table of contents. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS 
Sec. 101. Authorizations. 
Sec. 102. Conforming amendments. 
TITLE II—COAST GUARD 
Sec. 201. Vice Commandant. 
Sec. 202. Vice admirals.
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Sec. 203. Coast Guard remission of indebtedness. 
Sec. 204. Acquisition reform. 
Sec. 205. Auxiliary jurisdiction. 
Sec. 206. Coast Guard communities. 
Sec. 207. Polar icebreakers. 
Sec. 208. Air facility closures. 
Sec. 209. Technical corrections to title 14, United States Code. 
Sec. 210. Discontinuance of an aid to navigation. 
Sec. 211. Mission performance measures. 
Sec. 212. Communications. 
Sec. 213. Coast Guard graduate maritime operations education. 
Sec. 214. Professional development. 
Sec. 215. Senior enlisted member continuation boards. 
Sec. 216. Coast Guard member pay. 
Sec. 217. Transfer of funds necessary to provide medical care. 
Sec. 218. Participation of the Coast Guard Academy in Federal, State, or other 
educational research grants. 
Sec. 219. National Coast Guard Museum. 
Sec. 220. Investigations. 
Sec. 221. Clarification of eligibility of members of the Coast Guard for combat- 
related special compensation. 
Sec. 222. Leave policies for the Coast Guard. 
TITLE III—SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION 
Sec. 301. Survival craft. 
Sec. 302. Vessel replacement. 
Sec. 303. Model years for recreational vessels. 
Sec. 304. Merchant mariner credential expiration harmonization. 
Sec. 305. Safety zones for permitted marine events. 
Sec. 306. Technical corrections. 
Sec. 307. Recommendations for improvements of marine casualty reporting. 
Sec. 308. Recreational vessel engine weights. 
Sec. 309. Merchant mariner medical certification reform. 
Sec. 310. Atlantic Coast port access route study. 
Sec. 311. Certificates of documentation for recreational vessels. 
Sec. 312. Program guidelines. 
Sec. 313. Repeals. 
Sec. 314. Maritime drug law enforcement. 
Sec. 315. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials. 
Sec. 316. Higher volume port area regulatory definition change. 
Sec. 317. Recognition of port security assessments conducted by other entities. 
Sec. 318. Fishing vessel and fish tender vessel certification. 
Sec. 319. Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research. 
Sec. 320. International port and facility inspection coordination. 
TITLE IV—FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION 
Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 402. Duties of the Chairman. 
Sec. 403. Prohibition on awards.
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TITLE V—CONVEYANCES 
Subtitle A—Miscellaneous Conveyances 
Sec. 501. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Point Reyes Station, Cali-
fornia. 
Sec. 502. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Tok, Alaska. 
Subtitle B—Pribilof Islands 
Sec. 521. Short title. 
Sec. 522. Transfer and disposition of property. 
Sec. 523. Notice of certification. 
Sec. 524. Redundant capability. 
Subtitle C—Conveyance of Coast Guard Property at Point Spencer, Alaska 
Sec. 531. Findings. 
Sec. 532. Definitions. 
Sec. 533. Authority to convey land in Point Spencer. 
Sec. 534. Environmental compliance, liability, and monitoring. 
Sec. 535. Easements and access. 
Sec. 536. Relationship to Public Land Order 2650. 
Sec. 537. Archeological and cultural resources. 
Sec. 538. Maps and legal descriptions. 
Sec. 539. Chargeability for land conveyed. 
Sec. 540. Redundant capability. 
Sec. 541. Port Coordination Council for Point Spencer. 
TITLE VI—MISCELLANEOUS 
Sec. 601. Modification of reports. 
Sec. 602. Safe vessel operation in the Great Lakes. 
Sec. 603. Use of vessel sale proceeds. 
Sec. 604. National Academy of Sciences cost assessment. 
Sec. 605. Coastwise endorsements. 
Sec. 606. International Ice Patrol. 
Sec. 607. Assessment of oil spill response and cleanup activities in the Great 
Lakes. 
Sec. 608. Report on status of technology detecting passengers who have fallen 
overboard. 
Sec. 609. Venue. 
Sec. 610. Disposition of infrastructure related to e-loran. 
Sec. 611. Parking. 
Sec. 612. Inapplicability of load line requirements to certain United States ves-
sels traveling in the Gulf of Mexico. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS 
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
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personnel and training costs, equipment, and serv-
ices— 
‘‘(A) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
‘‘(B) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
‘‘(4) For the environmental compliance and res-
toration functions of the Coast Guard under chapter 
19 of this title— 
‘‘(A) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
‘‘(B) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
‘‘(5) To the Commandant of the Coast Guard for 
research, development, test, and evaluation of tech-
nologies, materials, and human factors directly re-
lated to improving the performance of the Coast 
Guard’s mission with respect to search and rescue, 
aids to navigation, marine safety, marine environ-
mental protection, enforcement of laws and treaties, 
ice operations, oceanographic research, and defense 
readiness, and for maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, 
and operation of facilities and equipment— 
‘‘(A) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
‘‘(B) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2017.
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‘‘§ 2704. Authorized levels of military strength and 
training 
‘‘(a) ACTIVE DUTY STRENGTH.—The Coast Guard is 
authorized an end-of-year strength for active duty personnel 
of 43,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017. 
‘‘(b) MILITARY
TRAINING
STUDENT
LOADS.—The 
Coast Guard is authorized average military training stu-
dent loads for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017 as follows: 
‘‘(1) For recruit and special training, 2,500 stu-
dent years. 
‘‘(2) For flight training, 165 student years. 
‘‘(3) For professional training in military and 
civilian institutions, 350 student years. 
‘‘(4) For officer acquisition, 1,200 student years. 
‘‘CHAPTER 29—REPORTS 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘2904. Manpower requirements plan. 
‘‘§ 2904. Manpower requirements plan 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—On the date on which the Presi-
dent submits to the Congress a budget for fiscal year 2017 
under section 1105 of title 31, on the date on which the 
President submits to the Congress a budget for fiscal year 
2019 under such section, and every 4 years thereafter, the 
Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
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and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a manpower requirements plan. 
‘‘(b) SCOPE.—A manpower requirements plan sub-
mitted under subsection (a) shall include for each mission 
of the Coast Guard— 
‘‘(1) an assessment of all projected mission re-
quirements for the upcoming fiscal year and for each 
of the 3 fiscal years thereafter; 
‘‘(2) the number of active duty, reserve, and ci-
vilian personnel assigned or available to fulfill such 
mission requirements— 
‘‘(A) currently; and 
‘‘(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal 
year and each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter; 
‘‘(3) the number of active duty, reserve, and ci-
vilian personnel required to fulfill such mission re-
quirements— 
‘‘(A) currently; and 
‘‘(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal 
year and each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter; 
‘‘(4) an identification of any capability gaps be-
tween mission requirements and mission performance 
caused by deficiencies in the numbers of personnel 
available— 
‘‘(A) currently; and
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‘‘(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal 
year and each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter; 
and 
‘‘(5) an identification of the actions the Com-
mandant will take to address capability gaps identi-
fied under paragraph (4). 
‘‘(c) CONSIDERATION.—In composing a manpower re-
quirements plan for submission under subsection (a), the 
Commandant shall consider— 
‘‘(1) the marine safety strategy required under 
section 2116 of title 46; 
‘‘(2) information on the adequacy of the acquisi-
tion workforce included in the most recent report 
under section 2903 of this title; and 
‘‘(3) any other Federal strategic planning effort 
the Commandant considers appropriate.’’. 
(b) REQUIREMENT FOR PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF AP-
PROPRIATIONS.—Section 662 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating such section as section 2701; 
(2) by transferring such section to appear before 
section 2702 of such title (as added by subsection (a) 
of this section); and 
(3) by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) and 
inserting the following:
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‘‘(1) For the operation and maintenance of the 
Coast Guard, not otherwise provided for. 
‘‘(2) For the acquisition, construction, renova-
tion, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore 
facilities, vessels, and aircraft, including equipment 
related thereto, and for maintenance, rehabilitation, 
lease, and operation of facilities and equipment. 
‘‘(3) For the Coast Guard Reserve program, in-
cluding operations and maintenance of the program, 
personnel and training costs, equipment, and services. 
‘‘(4) For the environmental compliance and res-
toration functions of the Coast Guard under chapter 
19 of this title. 
‘‘(5) For research, development, test, and evalua-
tion of technologies, materials, and human factors di-
rectly related to improving the performance of the 
Coast Guard. 
‘‘(6) For alteration or removal of bridges over 
navigable waters of the United States constituting ob-
structions to navigation, and for personnel and ad-
ministrative costs associated with the Alteration of 
Bridges Program.’’. 
(c) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
PERSONNEL
END 
STRENGTHS.—Section 661 of title 14, United States Code, 
is amended—
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(1) by redesignating such section as section 2703; 
and 
(2) by transferring such section to appear before 
section 2704 of such title (as added by subsection (a) 
of this section). 
(d) REPORTS.— 
(1) TRANSMISSION OF ANNUAL COAST GUARD AU-
THORIZATION
REQUEST.—Section 662a of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by redesignating such section as section 
2901; 
(B) by transferring such section to appear 
before section 2904 of such title (as added by 
subsection (a) of this section); and 
(C) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘de-
scribed in section 661’’ and inserting ‘‘de-
scribed in section 2703’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘de-
scribed in section 662’’ and inserting ‘‘de-
scribed in section 2701’’. 
(2) CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN.—Section 663 of 
title 14, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by redesignating such section as section 
2902; and
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(B) by transferring such section to appear 
after section 2901 of such title (as so redesig-
nated and transferred by paragraph (1) of this 
subsection). 
(3) MAJOR ACQUISITIONS.—Section 569a of title 
14, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by redesignating such section as section 
2903; 
(B) by transferring such section to appear 
after section 2902 of such title (as so redesig-
nated and transferred by paragraph (2) of this 
subsection); and 
(C) in subsection (c)(2) by striking ‘‘of this 
subchapter’’. 
(e) ICEBREAKERS.— 
(1) ICEBREAKING ON THE GREAT LAKES.—For 
fiscal years 2016 and 2017, the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard may use funds made available pursuant 
to section 2702(2) of title 14, United States Code (as 
added by subsection (a) of this section) for the selec-
tion of a design for and the construction of an ice-
breaker that is capable of buoy tending to enhance 
icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes. 
(2) POLAR ICEBREAKING.—Of the amounts au-
thorized to be appropriated under section 2702(2) of
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title 14, United States Code, as amended by sub-
section (a), there is authorized to be appropriated to 
the Coast Guard $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2016 and 
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 for preacquisition 
activities for a new polar icebreaker, including initial 
specification development and feasibility studies. 
(f) ADDITIONAL SUBMISSIONS.—The Commandant of 
the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Home-
land Security of the House of Representatives— 
(1) each plan required under section 2904 of title 
14, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of 
this section; 
(2) each plan required under section 2903(e) of 
title 14, United States Code, as added by section 206 
of this Act; 
(3) each plan required under section 2902 of title 
14, United States Code, as redesignated by subsection 
(d) of this section; and 
(4) each mission need statement required under 
section 569 of title 14, United States Code. 
SEC. 102. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) ANALYSIS FOR TITLE 14.—The analysis for title 
14, United States Code, is amended by adding after the 
item relating to part II the following: 
‘‘III. Coast Guard Authorizations and Reports to Con-
gress .................................................................................. 2701’’.
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(b) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 15.—The analysis for 
chapter 15 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 569a. 
(c) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 17.—The analysis for 
chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the items relating to sections 661, 662, 662a, and 
663. 
(d) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 27.—The analysis for 
chapter 27 of title 14, United States Code, as added by sec-
tion 101(a) of this Act, is amended by inserting— 
(1) before the item relating to section 2702 the 
following: 
‘‘2701. Requirement for prior authorization of appropriations.’’; 
and 
(2) before the item relating to section 2704 the 
following: 
‘‘2703. Authorization of personnel end strengths.’’. 
(e) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 29.—The analysis for 
chapter 29 of title 14, United States Code, as added by sec-
tion 101(a) of this Act, is amended by inserting before the 
item relating to section 2904 the following: 
‘‘2901. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request. 
‘‘2902. Capital investment plan. 
‘‘2903. Major acquisitions.’’. 
(f) MISSION NEED STATEMENT.—Section 569(b) of 
title 14, United States Code, is amended—
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(1) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘in section 
569a(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘in section 2903’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘under section 
663(a)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘under section 2902(a)(1)’’. 
TITLE II—COAST GUARD 
SEC. 201. VICE COMMANDANT. 
(a) GRADES AND RATINGS.—Section 41 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘an admiral,’’ 
and inserting ‘‘admirals (two);’’. 
(b) VICE COMMANDANT; APPOINTMENT.—Section 47 of 
title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘vice 
admiral’’ and inserting ‘‘admiral’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 51 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by inserting ‘‘admiral or’’ 
before ‘‘vice admiral,’’; 
(2) in subsection (b) by inserting ‘‘admiral or’’ 
before ‘‘vice admiral,’’ each place it appears; and 
(3) in subsection (c) by inserting ‘‘admiral or’’ 
before ‘‘vice admiral,’’. 
SEC. 202. VICE ADMIRALS. 
Section 50 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a)—
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(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) The President may— 
‘‘(A) designate, within the Coast Guard, no more 
than five positions of importance and responsibility 
that shall be held by officers who, while so serving— 
‘‘(i) shall have the grade of vice admiral, 
with the pay and allowances of that grade; and 
‘‘(ii) shall perform such duties as the Com-
mandant may prescribe, except that if the Presi-
dent designates five such positions, one position 
shall be the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard; 
and 
‘‘(B) designate, within the executive branch, 
other than within the Coast Guard or the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, positions 
of importance and responsibility that shall be held by 
officers who, while so serving, shall have the grade of 
vice admiral, with the pay and allowances of that 
grade.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ‘‘under 
paragraph (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘under paragraph 
(1)(A)’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(2)—
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(A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
subparagraph (D); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the 
following: 
‘‘(C) at the discretion of the Secretary, while 
awaiting orders after being relieved from the position, 
beginning on the day the officer is relieved from the 
position, but not for more than 60 days; and’’. 
SEC. 203. COAST GUARD REMISSION OF INDEBTEDNESS. 
(a) EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY TO REMIT INDEBTED-
NESS.—Section 461 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 461. Remission of indebtedness 
‘‘The Secretary may have remitted or cancelled any 
part of a person’s indebtedness to the United States or any 
instrumentality of the United States if— 
‘‘(1) the indebtedness was incurred while the per-
son served on active duty as a member of the Coast 
Guard; and 
‘‘(2) the Secretary determines that remitting or 
cancelling the indebtedness is in the best interest of 
the United States.’’.
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
13 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 461 and inserting the following: 
‘‘461. Remission of indebtedness.’’. 
SEC. 204. ACQUISITION REFORM. 
(a) MINIMUM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.—Section 
572(d)(3) of title 14, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through 
(H) as subparagraphs (E) through (J), respectively; 
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as sub-
paragraph (C); 
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(B) the performance data to be used to de-
termine whether the key performance parameters 
have been resolved;’’; and 
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (C), as re-
designated by paragraph (2) of this subsection, the 
following: 
‘‘(D) the results during test and evaluation 
that will be required to demonstrate that a capa-
bility, asset, or subsystem meets performance re-
quirements;’’. 
(b) CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN.—Section 2902 of title 
14, United States Code, as redesignated and otherwise 
amended by this Act, is further amended—
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(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘com-
pletion;’’ and inserting ‘‘completion based on the 
proposed appropriations included in the budg-
et;’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘at 
the projected funding levels;’’ and inserting 
‘‘based on the proposed appropriations included 
in the budget;’’; and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection 
(c), and inserting after subsection (a) the following: 
‘‘(b) NEW CAPITAL ASSETS.—In the fiscal year fol-
lowing each fiscal year for which appropriations are en-
acted for a new capital asset, the report submitted under 
subsection (a) shall include— 
‘‘(1) an estimated life-cycle cost estimate for the 
new capital asset; 
‘‘(2) an assessment of the impact the new capital 
asset will have on— 
‘‘(A) delivery dates for each capital asset; 
‘‘(B) estimated completion dates for each 
capital asset; 
‘‘(C) the total estimated cost to complete 
each capital asset; and
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‘‘(D) other planned construction or im-
provement projects; and 
‘‘(3) recommended funding levels for each capital 
asset necessary to meet the estimated completion dates 
and total estimated costs included in the such asset’s 
approved acquisition program baseline.’’; and 
(3) by amending subsection (c), as so redesig-
nated, to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘unfunded priority’ means a pro-
gram or mission requirement that— 
‘‘(A) has not been selected for funding in the 
applicable proposed budget; 
‘‘(B) is necessary to fulfill a requirement as-
sociated with an operational need; and 
‘‘(C) the Commandant would have rec-
ommended for inclusion in the applicable pro-
posed budget had additional resources been avail-
able or had the requirement emerged before the 
budget was submitted; and 
‘‘(2) the term ‘new capital asset’ means— 
‘‘(A) an acquisition program that does not 
have an approved acquisition program baseline; 
or
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‘‘(B) the acquisition of a capital asset in ex-
cess of the number included in the approved ac-
quisition program baseline.’’. 
(c) DAYS AWAY FROM HOMEPORT.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard shall— 
(1) implement a standard for tracking oper-
ational days at sea for Coast Guard cutters that does 
not include days during which such cutters are un-
dergoing maintenance or repair; and 
(2) notify the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate of the standard implemented 
under paragraph (1). 
(d) FIXED WING AIRCRAFT FLEET MIX ANALYSIS.— 
Not later than September 30, 2016, the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a revised fleet mix analysis of Coast 
Guard fixed wing aircraft. 
(e) LONG-TERM MAJOR ACQUISITIONS PLAN.—Section 
2903 of title 14, United States Code, as redesignated and 
otherwise amended by this Act, is further amended—
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(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
(g); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) LONG-TERM MAJOR ACQUISITIONS PLAN.—Each 
report under subsection (a) shall include a plan that de-
scribes for the upcoming fiscal year, and for each of the 
20 fiscal years thereafter— 
‘‘(1) the numbers and types of cutters and air-
craft to be decommissioned; 
‘‘(2) the numbers and types of cutters and air-
craft to be acquired to— 
‘‘(A) replace the cutters and aircraft identi-
fied under paragraph (1); or 
‘‘(B) address an identified capability gap; 
and 
‘‘(3) the estimated level of funding in each fiscal 
year required to— 
‘‘(A) acquire the cutters and aircraft identi-
fied under paragraph (2); 
‘‘(B) acquire related command, control, 
communications, computer, intelligence, surveil-
lance, and reconnaissance systems; and 
‘‘(C) acquire, construct, or renovate shore-
side infrastructure.
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‘‘(f) QUARTERLY UPDATES ON RISKS OF PROGRAMS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 15 days after 
the end of each fiscal year quarter, the Commandant 
of the Coast Guard shall submit to the committees of 
Congress specified in subsection (a) an update setting 
forth a current assessment of the risks associated with 
all current major acquisition programs. 
‘‘(2) ELEMENTS.—Each update under this sub-
section shall set forth, for each current major acquisi-
tion program, the following: 
‘‘(A) The top five current risks to such pro-
gram. 
‘‘(B) Any failure of such program to dem-
onstrate a key performance parameter or thresh-
old during operational test and evaluation con-
ducted during the fiscal year quarter preceding 
such update. 
‘‘(C) Whether there has been any decision 
during such fiscal year quarter to order full-rate 
production before all key performance param-
eters or thresholds are met. 
‘‘(D) Whether there has been any breach of 
major acquisition program cost (as defined by 
the Major Systems Acquisition Manual) during 
such fiscal year quarter.
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‘‘(E) Whether there has been any breach of 
major acquisition program schedule (as so de-
fined) during such fiscal year quarter.’’. 
SEC. 205. AUXILIARY JURISDICTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 822 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The purpose’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The purpose’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION.—The Auxiliary may conduct a pa-
trol of a waterway, or a portion thereof, only if— 
‘‘(1) the Commandant has determined such wa-
terway, or portion thereof, is navigable for purposes 
of the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard; or 
‘‘(2) a State or other proper authority has re-
quested such patrol pursuant to section 141 of this 
title or section 13109 of title 46.’’. 
(b) NOTIFICATION.—The Commandant of the Coast 
Guard shall— 
(1) review the waterways patrolled by the Coast 
Guard Auxiliary in the most recently completed fiscal 
year to determine whether such waterways are eligible 
or ineligible for patrol under section 822(b) of title
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14, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)); 
and 
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, provide to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written 
notification of— 
(A) any waterways determined ineligible for 
patrol under paragraph (1); and 
(B) the actions taken by the Commandant 
to ensure Auxiliary patrols do not occur on such 
waterways. 
SEC. 206. COAST GUARD COMMUNITIES. 
Section 409 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
1998 (14 U.S.C. 639 note) is amended in the second sen-
tence by striking ‘‘90 days’’ and inserting ‘‘30 days’’. 
SEC. 207. POLAR ICEBREAKERS. 
(a) INCREMENTAL FUNDING AUTHORITY FOR POLAR 
ICEBREAKERS.—In fiscal year 2016 and each fiscal year 
thereafter, the Commandant of the Coast Guard may enter 
into a contract or contracts for the acquisition of polar ice-
breakers and associated equipment using incremental fund-
ing.
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(b) ‘‘POLAR SEA’’ MATERIEL CONDITION ASSESSMENT 
AND SERVICE LIFE EXTENSION.—Section 222 of the Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Public 
Law 112–213; 126 Stat. 1560) is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2015, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating shall— 
‘‘(1) complete a materiel condition assessment 
with respect to the Polar Sea; 
‘‘(2) make a determination of whether it is cost 
effective to reactivate the Polar Sea compared with 
other options to provide icebreaking services as part 
of a strategy to maintain polar icebreaking services; 
and 
‘‘(3) submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure and the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate— 
‘‘(A) the assessment required under para-
graph (1); and
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‘‘(B) written notification of the determina-
tion required under paragraph (2).’’; 
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘analysis’’ and 
inserting ‘‘written notification’’; 
(3) by striking subsection (c); 
(4) by redesignating subsections (d) through (h) 
as subsections (c) through (g), respectively; 
(5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by para-
graph (4) of this section)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A) by striking 
‘‘based on the analysis required’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (C) by striking 
‘‘analysis’’ and inserting ‘‘written notifica-
tion’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘analysis’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘written notifica-
tion’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘subsection (a)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(3)(B)’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘subsection (c)’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘that sub-
section’’; and
† HR 4188 EAS 
(iv) by striking ‘‘under subsection 
(a)(5)’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘in the analysis sub-
mitted under this section’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘(a)(5)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(a)’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘then’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘then’’; 
(iv) by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting a 
period; and 
(v) by striking subparagraph (B); and 
(6) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by para-
graph (4) of this subsection) by striking ‘‘in sub-
section (d)’’ and inserting ‘‘in subsection (c)’’. 
SEC. 208. AIR FACILITY CLOSURES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 17 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 676 the 
following: 
‘‘§ 676a. Air facility closures 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Coast Guard may not— 
‘‘(A) close a Coast Guard air facility that 
was in operation on November 30, 2014; or
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‘‘(B) retire, transfer, relocate, or deploy an 
aviation asset from an air facility described in 
subparagraph (A) for the purpose of closing such 
facility. 
‘‘(2) SUNSET.—Paragraph (1) shall have no 
force or effect beginning on the later of— 
‘‘(A) January 1, 2018; or 
‘‘(B) the date on which the Secretary sub-
mits to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, 
and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate, rotary wing 
strategic plans prepared in accordance with sec-
tion 208(b) of the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2015. 
‘‘(b) CLOSURES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on January 1, 
2018, the Secretary may not close a Coast Guard air 
facility, except as specified by this section. 
‘‘(2) DETERMINATIONS.—The Secretary may not 
propose closing or terminating operations at a Coast 
Guard air facility unless the Secretary determines 
that—
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‘‘(A) remaining search and rescue capabili-
ties maintain the safety of the maritime public 
in the area of the air facility; 
‘‘(B) regional or local prevailing weather 
and marine conditions, including water tem-
peratures or unusual tide and current condi-
tions, do not require continued operation of the 
air facility; and 
‘‘(C) Coast Guard search and rescue stand-
ards related to search and response times are 
met. 
‘‘(3) PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENT.—Prior to 
closing an air facility, the Secretary shall provide op-
portunities for public comment, including the con-
vening of public meetings in communities in the area 
of responsibility of the air facility with regard to the 
proposed closure or cessation of operations at the air 
facility. 
‘‘(4) NOTICE TO CONGRESS.—Prior to closure, 
cessation of operations, or any significant reduction 
in personnel and use of a Coast Guard air facility 
that is in operation on or after December 31, 2015, 
the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) submit to the Congress a proposal for 
such closure, cessation, or reduction in oper-
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ations along with the budget of the President 
submitted to Congress under section 1105(a) of 
title 31 for the fiscal year in which the action 
will be carried out; and 
‘‘(B) not later than 7 days after the date a 
proposal for an air facility is submitted pursu-
ant to subparagraph (A), provide written notice 
of such proposal to each of the following: 
‘‘(i) Each member of the House of Rep-
resentatives who represents a district in 
which the air facility is located. 
‘‘(ii) Each member of the Senate who 
represents a State in which the air facility 
is located. 
‘‘(iii) Each member of the House of 
Representatives who represents a district in 
which assets of the air facility conduct 
search and rescue operations. 
‘‘(iv) Each member of the Senate who 
represents a State in which assets of the air 
facility conduct search and rescue oper-
ations. 
‘‘(v) The Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives.
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‘‘(vi) The Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives. 
‘‘(vii) The Committee on Appropria-
tions of the Senate. 
‘‘(viii) The Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
‘‘(c) OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY.—The Secretary may 
implement any reasonable management efficiencies within 
the air station and air facility network, such as modifying 
the operational posture of units or reallocating resources as 
necessary to ensure the safety of the maritime public na-
tionwide.’’. 
(b) ROTARY WING STRATEGIC PLANS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
prepare the plans specified in paragraph (2) to ade-
quately address contingencies arising from potential 
future aviation casualties or the planned or un-
planned retirement of rotary wing airframes to avoid 
to the greatest extent practicable any substantial gap 
or diminishment in Coast Guard operational capa-
bilities. 
(2) ROTARY WING STRATEGIC PLANS.—
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(A) ROTARY
WING
CONTINGENCY
PLAN.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating shall develop 
and submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a contingency 
plan— 
(i) to address the planned or un-
planned losses of rotary wing airframes; 
(ii) to reallocate resources as necessary 
to ensure the safety of the maritime public 
nationwide; and 
(iii) to ensure the operational posture 
of Coast Guard units. 
(B) ROTARY WING REPLACEMENT CAPITAL 
INVESTMENT PLAN.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall develop 
and submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Com-
† HR 4188 EAS 
merce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a capital investment plan for the ac-
quisition of new rotary wing airframes to 
replace the Coast Guard’s legacy helicopters 
and fulfil all existing mission requirements. 
(ii) REQUIREMENTS.—The plan devel-
oped under this subparagraph shall pro-
vide— 
(I) a total estimated cost for com-
pletion; 
(II) a timetable for completion of 
the acquisition project and phased in 
transition to new airframes; and 
(III) projected annual funding 
levels for each fiscal year. 
(c) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 17.—The analysis 
for chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 676 the following: 
‘‘676a. Air facility closures.’’. 
(2) REPEAL OF PROHIBITION.—Section 225 of 
the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Trans-
portation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–281; 128 
Stat. 3022) is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (b); and
† HR 4188 EAS 
(B) by striking ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’. 
SEC. 209. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO TITLE 14, UNITED 
STATES CODE. 
Title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, 
is further amended— 
(1) in the analysis for part I, by striking the 
item relating to chapter 19 and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘19. Environmental Compliance and Restoration Pro-
gram .................................................................................
690’’; 
(2) in section 46(a), by striking ‘‘subsection’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section’’; 
(3) in section 47, in the section heading by strik-
ing 
‘‘commandant’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘Com-
mandant’’; 
(4) in section 93(f), by striking paragraph (2) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The Commandant may lease 
submerged lands and tidelands under paragraph (1) 
only if— 
‘‘(A) the lease is for cash exclusively; 
‘‘(B) the lease amount is equal to the fair 
market value of the use of the leased submerged 
lands or tidelands for the period during which 
such lands are leased, as determined by the Com-
mandant;
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‘‘(C) the lease does not provide authority to 
or commit the Coast Guard to use or support 
any improvements to such submerged lands and 
tidelands, or obtain goods and services from the 
lessee; and 
‘‘(D) proceeds from the lease are deposited 
in the Coast Guard Housing Fund established 
under section 687.’’; 
(5) in the analysis for chapter 9, by striking the 
item relating to section 199 and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘199. Marine safety curriculum.’’; 
(6) in section 427(b)(2), by striking ‘‘this chap-
ter’’ and inserting ‘‘chapter 61 of title 10’’; 
(7) in the analysis for chapter 15 before the item 
relating to section 571, by striking the following: 
‘‘Sec.’’; 
(8) 
in 
section 
581(5)(B), 
by 
striking 
‘‘$300,000,0000,’’ and inserting ‘‘$300,000,000,’’; 
(9) in section 637(c)(3), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A) by inserting ‘‘it is’’ before ‘‘any’’; 
(10) in section 641(d)(3), by striking ‘‘Guard, 
installation’’ and inserting ‘‘Guard installation’’; 
(11) in section 691(c)(3), by striking ‘‘state’’ and 
inserting ‘‘State’’; 
(12) in the analysis for chapter 21—
† HR 4188 EAS 
(A) by striking the item relating to section 
709 and inserting the following: 
‘‘709. Reserve student aviation pilots; Reserve aviation pilots; appointments in 
commissioned grade.’’; 
and 
(B) by striking the item relating to section 
740 and inserting the following: 
‘‘740. Failure of selection and removal from an active status.’’; 
(13) in section 742(c), by striking ‘‘subsection’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subsections’’; 
(14) in section 821(b)(1), by striking ‘‘Chapter 
26’’ and inserting ‘‘Chapter 171’’; and 
(15) in section 823a(b)(1), by striking ‘‘Chapter 
26’’ and inserting ‘‘Chapter 171’’. 
SEC. 210. DISCONTINUANCE OF AN AID TO NAVIGATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall estab-
lish a process for the discontinuance of an aid to navigation 
(other than a seasonal or temporary aid) established, main-
tained, or operated by the Coast Guard. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—The process established under 
subsection (a) shall include procedures to notify the public 
of any discontinuance of an aid to navigation described in 
that subsection.
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(c) CONSULTATION.—In establishing a process under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with and consider 
any recommendations of the Navigation Safety Advisory 
Council. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 30 days after es-
tablishing a process under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
of the process established. 
SEC. 211. MISSION PERFORMANCE MEASURES. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an assess-
ment of the efficacy of the Coast Guard’s Standard Oper-
ational Planning Process with respect to annual mission 
performance measures. 
SEC. 212. COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity determines that there are at least two communications 
systems described under paragraph (1)(B) and certified 
under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall establish and
† HR 4188 EAS 
carry out a pilot program across not less than three compo-
nents of the Department of Homeland Security to assess the 
effectiveness of a communications system that— 
(1) provides for— 
(A) multiagency collaboration and inter-
operability; and 
(B) wide-area, secure, and peer-invitation- 
and-acceptance-based multimedia communica-
tions; 
(2) is certified by the Department of Defense 
Joint Interoperability Test Center; and 
(3) is composed of commercially available, off- 
the-shelf technology. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date on which the pilot program is completed, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate 
an assessment of the pilot program, including the impacts 
of the program with respect to interagency and Coast Guard 
response capabilities. 
(c) STRATEGY.—The pilot program shall be consistent 
with the strategy required by the Department of Homeland
† HR 4188 EAS 
Security Interoperable Communications Act (Public Law 
114–29). 
(d) TIMING.—The pilot program shall commence with-
in 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act or 
within 60 days after the completion of the strategy required 
by the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable 
Communications Act (Public Law 114–29), whichever is 
later. 
SEC. 213. COAST GUARD GRADUATE MARITIME OPER-
ATIONS EDUCATION. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall establish an education pro-
gram, for members and employees of the Coast Guard, 
that— 
(1) offers a master’s degree in maritime oper-
ations; 
(2) is relevant to the professional development of 
such members and employees; 
(3) provides resident and distant education op-
tions, including the ability to utilize both options; 
and 
(4) to the greatest extent practicable, is con-
ducted using existing academic programs at an ac-
credited public academic institution that—
† HR 4188 EAS 
(A) is located near a significant number of 
Coast Guard, maritime, and other Department 
of Homeland Security law enforcement per-
sonnel; and 
(B) has an ability to simulate operations 
normally conducted at a command center. 
SEC. 214. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) MULTIRATER ASSESSMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 11 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 428 
the following: 
‘‘§ 429. Multirater assessment of certain personnel 
‘‘(a) MULTIRATER ASSESSMENT
OF CERTAIN PER-
SONNEL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Commencing not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2015, the Commandant of 
the Coast Guard shall develop and implement a plan 
to conduct every two years a multirater assessment 
for each of the following: 
‘‘(A) Each flag officer of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(B) Each member of the Senior Executive 
Service of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(C) Each officer of the Coast Guard nomi-
nated for promotion to the grade of flag officer.
† HR 4188 EAS 
‘‘(2) POST-ASSESSMENT
ELEMENTS.—Following 
an assessment of an individual pursuant to para-
graph (1), the individual shall be provided appro-
priate post-assessment counseling and leadership 
coaching. 
‘‘(b) MULTIRATER ASSESSMENT DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘multirater assessment’ means a review 
that seeks opinion from members senior to the reviewee and 
the peers and subordinates of the reviewee.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item related to section 428 the following: 
‘‘429. Multirater assessment of certain personnel.’’. 
(b) TRAINING COURSE ON WORKINGS OF CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 60. Training course on workings of Congress 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2015, the Commandant, in consultation with the Super-
intendent of the Coast Guard Academy and such other indi-
viduals and organizations as the Commandant considers 
appropriate, shall develop a training course on the work-
ings of the Congress and offer that training course at least 
once each year.
† HR 4188 EAS 
‘‘(b) COURSE SUBJECT MATTER.—The training course 
required by this section shall provide an overview and in-
troduction to the Congress and the Federal legislative proc-
ess, including— 
‘‘(1) the history and structure of the Congress 
and the committee systems of the House of Represent-
atives and the Senate, including the functions and re-
sponsibilities of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate; 
‘‘(2) the documents produced by the Congress, in-
cluding bills, resolutions, committee reports, and con-
ference reports, and the purposes and functions of 
those documents; 
‘‘(3) the legislative processes and rules of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate, including 
similarities and differences between the two processes 
and rules, including— 
‘‘(A) the congressional budget process; 
‘‘(B) the congressional authorization and 
appropriation processes; 
‘‘(C) the Senate advice and consent process 
for Presidential nominees;
† HR 4188 EAS 
‘‘(D) the Senate advice and consent process 
for treaty ratification; 
‘‘(4) the roles of Members of Congress and con-
gressional staff in the legislative process; and 
‘‘(5) the concept and underlying purposes of con-
gressional oversight within our governance framework 
of separation of powers. 
‘‘(c) LECTURERS AND PANELISTS.— 
‘‘(1) OUTSIDE
EXPERTS.—The Commandant 
shall ensure that not less than 60 percent of the lec-
turers, panelists, and other individuals providing 
education and instruction as part of the training 
course required by this section are experts on the Con-
gress and the Federal legislative process who are not 
employed by the executive branch of the Federal Gov-
ernment. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT PRO BONO SERV-
ICES.—In satisfying the requirement under para-
graph (1), the Commandant shall seek, and may ac-
cept, educational and instructional services of lec-
turers, panelists, and other individuals and organiza-
tions provided to the Coast Guard on a pro bono 
basis. 
‘‘(d) COMPLETION OF REQUIRED TRAINING.—
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‘‘(1) CURRENT
FLAG
OFFICERS
AND
EMPLOY-
EES.—A Coast Guard flag officer appointed or as-
signed to a billet in the National Capital Region on 
the date of the enactment of this section, and a Coast 
Guard Senior Executive Service employee employed 
in the National Capital Region on the date of the en-
actment of this section, shall complete a training 
course that meets the requirements of this section 
within 60 days after the date on which the Com-
mandant completes the development of the training 
course. 
‘‘(2) NEW FLAG OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.—A 
Coast Guard flag officer who is newly appointed or 
assigned to a billet in the National Capital Region, 
and a Coast Guard Senior Executive Service em-
ployee who is newly employed in the National Cap-
ital Region, shall complete a training course that 
meets the requirements of this section not later than 
60 days after reporting for duty.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘60. Training course on workings of Congress.’’. 
(c) REPORT ON LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Com-
† HR 4188 EAS 
mandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a re-
port on Coast Guard leadership development. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(A) An assessment of the feasibility of— 
(i) all officers (other than officers cov-
ered by section 429(a) of title 14, United 
States Code, as amended by this section) 
completing a multirater assessment; 
(ii) all members (other than officers 
covered by such section) in command posi-
tions completing a multirater assessment; 
(iii) all enlisted members in a super-
visory position completing a multirater as-
sessment; and 
(iv) 
members 
completing 
periodic 
multirater assessments. 
(B) Such recommendations as the Com-
mandant considers appropriate for the imple-
mentation or expansion of a multirater assess-
ment in the personnel development programs of 
the Coast Guard.
† HR 4188 EAS 
(C) An overview of each of the current lead-
ership development courses of the Coast Guard, 
an assessment of the feasibility of the expansion 
of any such course, and a description of the re-
sources, if any, required to expand such courses. 
(D) An assessment on the state of leadership 
training in the Coast Guard, and recommenda-
tions on the implementation of a policy to pre-
vent leadership that has adverse effects on subor-
dinates, the organization, or mission perform-
ance, including— 
(i) a description of methods that will 
be used by the Coast Guard to identify, 
monitor, and counsel individuals whose 
leadership may have adverse effects on sub-
ordinates, the organization, or mission per-
formance; 
(ii) the implementation of leadership 
recognition training to recognize such lead-
ership in one’s self and others; 
(iii) the establishment of procedures for 
the administrative separation of leaders 
whose leadership may have adverse effects 
on subordinates, the organization, or mis-
sion performance; and
† HR 4188 EAS 
(iv) a description of the resources need-
ed to implement this subsection. 
SEC. 215. SENIOR ENLISTED MEMBER CONTINUATION 
BOARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 357 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (a) through (h) and 
subsection (j); and 
(2) in subsection (i), by striking ‘‘(i)’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) HEADING AMENDMENT.—The heading of such 
section is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 357. Retirement of enlisted members: increase in re-
tired pay’’ 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the 
beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended by 
striking the item relating to such section and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘357. Retirement of enlisted members: increase in retired pay.’’. 
SEC. 216. COAST GUARD MEMBER PAY. 
(a) ANNUAL AUDIT OF PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF 
MEMBERS UNDERGOING PERMANENT CHANGE
OF STA-
TION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 13 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing:
† HR 4188 EAS 
‘‘§ 519. Annual audit of pay and allowances of mem-
bers undergoing permanent change of sta-
tion 
‘‘The Commandant shall conduct each calendar year 
an audit of member pay and allowances for the members 
who transferred to new units during such calendar year. 
The audit for a calendar year shall be completed by the 
end of the calendar year.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘519. Annual audit of pay and allowances of members undergoing permanent 
change of station.’’. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives a report on alternative methods for noti-
fying members of the Coast Guard of their monthly earn-
ings. The report shall include— 
(1) an assessment of the feasibility of providing 
members a monthly notification of their earnings, 
categorized by pay and allowance type; and 
(2) a description and assessment of mechanisms 
that may be used to provide members with notifica-
† HR 4188 EAS 
tion of their earnings, categorized by pay and allow-
ance type. 
SEC. 217. TRANSFER OF FUNDS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE 
MEDICAL CARE. 
(a) TRANSFER REQUIRED.—In lieu of the reimburse-
ment required under section 1085 of title 10, United States 
Code, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall transfer to 
the Secretary of Defense an amount that represents the ac-
tuarial valuation of treatment or care— 
(1) that the Department of Defense shall provide 
to members of the Coast Guard, former members of 
the Coast Guard, and dependents of such members 
and former members (other than former members and 
dependents of former members who are a Medicare-eli-
gible beneficiary or for whom the payment for treat-
ment or care is made from the Medicare-Eligible Re-
tiree Health Care Fund) at facilities under the juris-
diction of the Department of Defense or a military 
department; and 
(2) for which a reimbursement would otherwise 
be made under section 1085. 
(b) AMOUNT.—The amount transferred under sub-
section (a) shall be— 
(1) in the case of treatment or care to be pro-
vided to members of the Coast Guard and their de-
† HR 4188 EAS 
pendents, derived from amounts appropriated for the 
operating expenses of the Coast Guard; 
(2) in the case of treatment or care to be pro-
vided former members of the Coast Guard and their 
dependents, derived from amounts appropriated for 
retired pay; 
(3) determined under procedures established by 
the Secretary of Defense; 
(4) transferred during the fiscal year in which 
treatment or care is provided; and 
(5) subject to adjustment or reconciliation as the 
Secretaries determine appropriate during or prompt-
ly after such fiscal year in cases in which the amount 
transferred is determined excessive or insufficient 
based on the services actually provided. 
(c) NO TRANSFER WHEN SERVICE
IN NAVY.—No 
transfer shall be made under this section for any period 
during which the Coast Guard operates as a service in the 
Navy. 
(d) RELATIONSHIP TO TRICARE.—This section shall 
not be construed to require a payment for, or the transfer 
of an amount that represents the value of, treatment or care 
provided under any TRICARE program.
† HR 4188 EAS 
SEC. 218. PARTICIPATION OF THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY 
IN 
FEDERAL, 
STATE, 
OR 
OTHER 
EDU-
CATIONAL RESEARCH GRANTS. 
Section 196 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before the 
first sentence; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commandant of the 
Coast Guard may— 
‘‘(A) enter into a contract, cooperative 
agreement, lease, or licensing agreement with a 
qualified organization; 
‘‘(B) allow a qualified organization to use, 
at no cost, personal property of the Coast Guard; 
and 
‘‘(C) notwithstanding section 93, accept 
funds, supplies, and services from a qualified or-
ganization. 
‘‘(2) 
SOLE-SOURCE
BASIS.—Notwithstanding 
chapter 65 of title 31 and chapter 137 of title 10, the 
Commandant may enter into a contract or coopera-
tive agreement under paragraph (1)(A) on a sole- 
source basis.
† HR 4188 EAS 
‘‘(3) MAINTAINING FAIRNESS, OBJECTIVITY, AND 
INTEGRITY.—The Commandant shall ensure that con-
tributions under this subsection do not— 
‘‘(A) reflect unfavorably on the ability of the 
Coast Guard, any of its employees, or any mem-
ber of the armed forces to carry out any respon-
sibility or duty in a fair and objective manner; 
or 
‘‘(B) compromise the integrity or appear-
ance of integrity of any program of the Coast 
Guard, or any individual involved in such a 
program. 
‘‘(4) LIMITATION.—For purposes of this sub-
section, employees or personnel of a qualified organi-
zation shall not be employees of the United States. 
‘‘(5) QUALIFIED
ORGANIZATION
DEFINED.—In 
this subsection the term ‘qualified organization’ 
means an organization— 
‘‘(A) described under section 501(c)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 
taxation under section 501(a) of that Code; and 
‘‘(B) established by the Coast Guard Acad-
emy Alumni Association solely for the purpose of 
supporting academic research and applying for 
and administering Federal, State, or other edu-
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cational research grants on behalf of the Coast 
Guard Academy.’’. 
SEC. 219. NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM. 
Section 98(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘any appro-
priated Federal funds for’’ and insert ‘‘any funds ap-
propriated to the Coast Guard on’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘artifacts.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘artifacts, including the design, fab-
rication, and installation of exhibits or displays in 
which such artifacts are included.’’. 
SEC. 220. INVESTIGATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 11 of title 14, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 430. Investigations of flag officers and Senior Exec-
utive Service employees 
‘‘In conducting an investigation into an allegation of 
misconduct by a flag officer or member of the Senior Execu-
tive Service serving in the Coast Guard, the Inspector Gen-
eral of the Department of Homeland Security shall— 
‘‘(1) conduct the investigation in a manner con-
sistent with Department of Defense policies for such 
an investigation; and
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‘‘(2) consult with the Inspector General of the 
Department of Defense.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the be-
ginning of such chapter is further amended by inserting 
after the item related to section 429 the following: 
‘‘430. Investigations of flag officers and Senior Executive Service employees.’’. 
SEC. 221. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF 
THE COAST GUARD FOR COMBAT-RELATED 
SPECIAL COMPENSATION. 
(a) CONSIDERATION OF ELIGIBILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
the department is which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall issue procedures and criteria to use in deter-
mining whether the disability of a member of the 
Coast Guard is a combat-related disability for pur-
poses of the eligibility of such member for combat-re-
lated special compensation under section 1413a of 
title 10, United States Code. Such procedures and cri-
teria shall include the procedures and criteria pre-
scribed by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to sub-
section (e)(2) of such section. Such procedures and 
criteria shall apply in determining whether the dis-
ability of a member of the Coast Guard is a combat- 
related disability for purposes of determining the eli-
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gibility of such member for combat-related special 
compensation under such section. 
(2) DISABILITY FOR WHICH A DETERMINATION IS 
MADE.—For the purposes of this section, and in the 
case of a member of the Coast Guard, a disability 
under section 1413a(e)(2)(B) of title 10, United 
States Code, includes a disability incurred during 
aviation duty, diving duty, rescue swimmer or simi-
lar duty, and hazardous service duty onboard a small 
vessel (such as duty as a surfman)— 
(A) in the performance of duties for which 
special or incentive pay was paid pursuant to 
section 301, 301a, 304, 307, 334, or 351 of title 
37, United States Code; 
(B) in the performance of duties related to 
a statutory mission of the Coast Guard under 
paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of section 
888(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 468(a)), including— 
(i) law enforcement, including drug or 
migrant interdiction; 
(ii) defense readiness; or 
(iii) search and rescue; or
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(C) while engaged in a training exercise for 
the performance of a duty described in subpara-
graphs (A) and (B). 
(b) APPLICABILITY OF PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA.— 
The procedures and criteria issued pursuant to subsection 
(a) shall apply to disabilities described in that subsection 
that are incurred on or after the effective date provided in 
section 636(a)(2) of the Bob Stump National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107–314; 
116 Stat. 2574; 10 U.S.C. 1413a note). 
(c) REAPPLICATION FOR COMPENSATION.—Any mem-
ber of the Coast Guard who was denied combat-related spe-
cial compensation under section 1413a of title 10, United 
States Code, during the period beginning on the effective 
date specified in subsection (b) and ending on the date of 
the issuance of the procedures and criteria required by sub-
section (a) may reapply for combat-related special com-
pensation under such section on the basis of such procedures 
and criteria in accordance with such procedures as the Sec-
retary of the department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating shall specify. 
SEC. 222. LEAVE POLICIES FOR THE COAST GUARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 11 of title 14, United 
States Code, is further amended by inserting after section 
430 the following:
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‘‘§ 431. Leave policies for the Coast Guard 
‘‘Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Sec-
retary of the Navy promulgates a new rule, policy, or 
memorandum pursuant to section 704 of title 10, United 
States Code, with respect to leave associated with the birth 
or adoption of a child, the Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating shall promulgate a 
similar rule, policy, or memorandum that provides leave 
to officers and enlisted members of the Coast Guard that 
is equal in duration and compensation to that provided by 
the Secretary of the Navy.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the be-
ginning of such chapter is further amended by inserting 
after the item related to section 430 the following: 
‘‘431. Leave policies for the Coast Guard.’’. 
TITLE III—SHIPPING AND 
NAVIGATION 
SEC. 301. SURVIVAL CRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3104 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 3104. Survival craft 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT TO EQUIP.—The Secretary shall 
require that a passenger vessel be equipped with survival 
craft that ensures that no part of an individual is immersed 
in water, if—
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‘‘(1) such vessel is built or undergoes a major 
conversion after January 1, 2016; and 
‘‘(2) operates in cold waters as determined by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(b) HIGHER STANDARD OF SAFETY.—The Secretary 
may revise part 117 or part 180 of title 46, Code of Federal 
Regulations, as in effect before January 1, 2016, if such 
revision provides a higher standard of safety than is pro-
vided by the regulations in effect on or before the date of 
the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
2015. 
‘‘(c) INNOVATIVE
AND NOVEL DESIGNS.—The Sec-
retary may, in lieu of the requirements set out in part 117 
or part 180 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in 
effect on the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Au-
thorization Act of 2015, allow a passenger vessel to be 
equipped with a life-saving appliance or arrangement of 
an innovative or novel design that— 
‘‘(1) ensures no part of an individual is im-
mersed in water; and 
‘‘(2) provides an equal or higher standard of 
safety than is provided by such requirements as in ef-
fect before such date of the enactment. 
‘‘(d) BUILT DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘built’ 
has the meaning that term has under section 4503(e).’’.
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(b) REVIEW; REVISION OF REGULATIONS.— 
(1) REVIEW.—Not later than December 31, 2016, 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating 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 review 
of— 
(A) the number of casualties for individuals 
with disabilities, children, and the elderly as a 
result of immersion in water, reported to the 
Coast Guard over the preceding 30-year period, 
by vessel type and area of operation; 
(B) the risks to individuals with disabil-
ities, children, and the elderly as a result of im-
mersion in water, by passenger vessel type and 
area of operation; 
(C) the effect that carriage of survival craft 
that ensure that no part of an individual is im-
mersed in water has on— 
(i) passenger vessel safety, including 
stability and safe navigation; 
(ii) improving the survivability of in-
dividuals, including individuals with dis-
abilities, children, and the elderly; and
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(iii) the costs, the incremental cost dif-
ference to vessel operators, and the cost effec-
tiveness of requiring the carriage of such 
survival craft to address the risks to indi-
viduals with disabilities, children, and the 
elderly; 
(D) the efficacy of alternative safety sys-
tems, devices, or measures in improving surviv-
ability of individuals with disabilities, children, 
and the elderly; and 
(E) the number of small businesses and 
nonprofit vessel operators that would be affected 
by requiring the carriage of such survival craft 
on passenger vessels to address the risks to indi-
viduals with disabilities, children, and the elder-
ly. 
(2) SCOPE.—In conducting the review under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include an exam-
ination of passenger vessel casualties that have oc-
curred in the waters of other nations. 
(3) UPDATES.—The Secretary shall update the 
review required under paragraph (1) every 5 years. 
(4) REVISION.—Based on the review conducted 
under paragraph (1), including updates thereto, the 
Secretary shall revise regulations concerning the car-
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riage of survival craft under section 3104(c) of title 
46, United States Code. 
(c) GAO STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall complete and sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report to determine any adverse 
or positive changes in public safety after the imple-
mentation of the amendments and requirements under 
this section and section 3104 of title 46, United 
States Code. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In completing the report 
under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall 
examine— 
(A) the number of casualties, by vessel type 
and area of operation, as the result of immersion 
in water reported to the Coast Guard for each of 
the 10 most recent fiscal years for which such 
data are available; 
(B) data for each fiscal year on— 
(i) vessel safety, including stability 
and safe navigation; and
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(ii) survivability of individuals, in-
cluding individuals with disabilities, chil-
dren, and the elderly; 
(C) the efficacy of alternative safety sys-
tems, devices, or measures; and 
(D) any available data on the costs of the 
amendments and requirements under this section 
and section 3104 of title 46, United States Code. 
SEC. 302. VESSEL REPLACEMENT. 
(a) LOANS AND GUARANTEES.—Chapter 537 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 53701— 
(A) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(8) 
through (14) as paragraphs (9) through (15), re-
spectively; and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (7) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(8) HISTORICAL
USES.—The term ‘historical 
uses’ includes— 
‘‘(A) refurbishing, repairing, rebuilding, or 
replacing equipment on a fishing vessel, without 
materially increasing harvesting capacity; 
‘‘(B) purchasing a used fishing vessel; 
‘‘(C) purchasing, constructing, expanding, 
or reconditioning a fishery facility;
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‘‘(D) refinancing existing debt; 
‘‘(E) reducing fishing capacity; and 
‘‘(F) making upgrades to a fishing vessel, 
including upgrades in technology, gear, or equip-
ment, that improve— 
‘‘(i) collection and reporting of fishery- 
dependent data; 
‘‘(ii) bycatch reduction or avoidance; 
‘‘(iii) gear selectivity; 
‘‘(iv) adverse impacts caused by fishing 
gear; or 
‘‘(v) safety.’’; and 
(2) in section 53702(b), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(3) MINIMUM
OBLIGATIONS
AVAILABLE
FOR 
HISTORIC USES.—Of the direct loan obligations issued 
by the Secretary under this chapter, the Secretary 
shall make a minimum of $59,000,000 available each 
fiscal year for historic uses. 
‘‘(4) USE OF OBLIGATIONS IN LIMITED ACCESS 
FISHERIES.—In addition to the other eligible pur-
poses and uses of direct loan obligations provided for 
in this chapter, the Secretary may issue direct loan 
obligations for the purpose of—
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‘‘(A) financing the construction or recon-
struction of a fishing vessel in a fishery managed 
under a limited access system; or 
‘‘(B) financing the purchase of harvesting 
rights in a fishery that is federally managed 
under a limited access system.’’. 
(b) LIMITATION ON APPLICATION TO CERTAIN FISHING 
VESSELS OF PROHIBITION UNDER VESSEL CONSTRUCTION 
PROGRAM.—Section 302(b)(2) of the Fisheries Financing 
Act (title III of Public Law 104–297; 46 U.S.C. 53706 note) 
is amended— 
(1) in the second sentence— 
(A) by striking ‘‘or in’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
in’’; and 
(B) by inserting before the period the fol-
lowing: ‘‘, in fisheries that are under the juris-
diction of the North Pacific Fishery Management 
Council and managed under a fishery manage-
ment plan issued under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), or in the Pacific whiting 
fishery that is under the jurisdiction of the Pa-
cific Fishery Management Council and managed 
under a fishery management plan issued under 
that Act’’; and
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(2) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘Any 
fishing vessel operated in fisheries under the jurisdic-
tion of the North Pacific Fishery Management Coun-
cil and managed under a fishery management plan 
issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conserva-
tion and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), 
or in the Pacific whiting fishery under the jurisdic-
tion of the Pacific Fishery Management Council and 
managed under a fishery management plan issued 
under that Act, and that is replaced by a vessel that 
is constructed or rebuilt with a loan or loan guar-
antee provided by the Federal Government may not 
be used to harvest fish in any fishery under the juris-
diction of any regional fishery management council, 
other than a fishery under the jurisdiction of the 
North Pacific Fishery Management Council or the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council.’’. 
SEC. 303. MODEL YEARS FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4302 of title 46, United 
States Code is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e)(1) Under this section, a model year for rec-
reational vessels and associated equipment shall, except as 
provided in paragraph (2)— 
‘‘(A) begin on June 1 of a year and end on July 
31 of the following year; and
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‘‘(B) be designated by the year in which it ends. 
‘‘(2) Upon the request of a recreational vessel manufac-
turer to which this chapter applies, the Secretary may alter 
a model year for a model of recreational vessel of the manu-
facturer and associated equipment, by no more than 6 
months from the model year described in paragraph (1).’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—This section shall only apply with 
respect to recreational vessels and associated equipment 
constructed or manufactured, respectively, on or after the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 304. MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL EXPIRATION 
HARMONIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(c) and not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall establish a process to har-
monize the expiration dates of merchant mariner creden-
tials, mariner medical certificates, and radar observer en-
dorsements for individuals applying to the Secretary for a 
new merchant mariner credential or for renewal of an exist-
ing merchant mariner credential. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
the process established under subsection (a)—
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(1) does not require an individual to renew a 
merchant mariner credential earlier than the date on 
which the individual’s current credential expires; and 
(2) results in harmonization of expiration dates 
for merchant mariner credentials, mariner medical 
certificates, and radar observer endorsements for all 
individuals by not later than 6 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) EXCEPTION.—The process established under sub-
section (a) does not apply to individuals— 
(1) holding a merchant mariner credential 
with— 
(A) an active Standards of Training, Cer-
tification, and Watchkeeping endorsement; or 
(B) Federal first-class pilot endorsement; or 
(2) who have been issued a time-restricted med-
ical certificate. 
SEC. 305. SAFETY ZONES FOR PERMITTED MARINE EVENTS. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall establish and implement a 
process to— 
(1) account for the number of safety zones estab-
lished for permitted marine events;
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(2) differentiate whether the event sponsor who 
requested a permit for such an event is— 
(A) an individual; 
(B) an organization; or 
(C) a government entity; and 
(3) account for Coast Guard resources utilized to 
enforce safety zones established for permitted marine 
events, including for— 
(A) the number of Coast Guard or Coast 
Guard Auxiliary vessels used; and 
(B) the number of Coast Guard or Coast 
Guard Auxiliary patrol hours required. 
SEC. 306. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) TITLE 46.—Title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in section 103, by striking ‘‘(33 U.S.C. 
151).’’ and inserting ‘‘(33 U.S.C. 151(b)).’’; 
(2) in section 2118— 
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter pre-
ceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘title,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subtitle,’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘title’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subtitle’’; 
(3) in the analysis for chapter 35—
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(A) by adding a period at the end of the 
item relating to section 3507; and 
(B) by adding a period at the end of the 
item relating to section 3508; 
(4) in section 3715(a)(2), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(5) in section 4506, by striking ‘‘(a)’’; 
(6) in section 8103(b)(1)(A)(iii), by striking 
‘‘Academy.’’ and inserting ‘‘Academy; and’’; 
(7) in section 11113(c)(1)(A)(i), by striking 
‘‘under this Act’’; 
(8) in the analysis for chapter 701— 
(A) by adding a period at the end of the 
item relating to section 70107A; 
(B) in the item relating to section 70112, by 
striking ‘‘security advisory committees.’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Security Advisory Committees.’’; and 
(C) in the item relating to section 70122, by 
striking ‘‘watch program.’’ and inserting ‘‘Watch 
Program.’’; 
(9) in section 70105(c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(B)(xv)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘18, popularly’’ and in-
serting ‘‘18 (popularly’’; and
† HR 4188 EAS 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Act’’ and inserting 
‘‘Act)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘(D) 
paragraph’’ and inserting ‘‘(D) of paragraph’’; 
(10) in section 70107— 
(A) in subsection (b)(2), by striking 
‘‘5121(j)(8)),’’ and inserting ‘‘5196(j)(8)),’’; and 
(B) in subsection (m)(3)(C)(iii), by striking 
‘‘that is’’ and inserting ‘‘that the applicant’’; 
(11) in section 70122, in the section heading, by 
striking 
‘‘watch 
program’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘Watch Program’’; and 
(12) in the analysis for chapter 705, by adding 
a period at the end of the item relating to section 
70508. 
(b) GENERAL BRIDGE STATUTES.— 
(1) ACT OF MARCH 3, 1899.—The Act of March 
3, 1899, popularly known as the Rivers and Harbors 
Appropriations Act of 1899, is amended— 
(A) in section 9 (33 U.S.C. 401), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
and
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(B) in section 18 (33 U.S.C. 502), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’. 
(2) ACT OF MARCH 23, 1906.—The Act of March 
23, 1906, popularly known as the Bridge Act of 1906, 
is amended— 
(A) in the first section (33 U.S.C. 491), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
(B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 494), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Homeland Security’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating’’; and 
(C) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 495), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’. 
(3) ACT OF AUGUST 18, 1894.—Section 5 of the 
Act entitled ‘‘An Act making appropriations for the 
construction, repair, and preservation of certain pub-
lic works on rivers and harbors, and for other pur-
poses’’, approved August 18, 1894 (33 U.S.C. 499) is
† HR 4188 EAS 
amended by striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating’’. 
(4) ACT OF JUNE 21, 1940.—The Act of June 21, 
1940, popularly known as the Truman-Hobbs Act, is 
amended— 
(A) in section 1 (33 U.S.C. 511), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating’’; 
(B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 514), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating’’; 
(C) in section 7 (33 U.S.C. 517), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
and 
(D) in section 13 (33 U.S.C. 523), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating’’. 
(5) GENERAL BRIDGE ACT OF 1946.—The General 
Bridge Act of 1946 is amended—
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(A) in section 502(b) (33 U.S.C. 525(b)), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating’’; and 
(B) in section 510 (33 U.S.C. 533), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating’’. 
(6) INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE ACT OF 1972.—The 
International Bridge Act of 1972 is amended— 
(A) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 535c), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating’’; 
(B) in section 8 (33 U.S.C. 535e), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
and 
(C) by striking section 11 (33 U.S.C. 535h). 
SEC. 307. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS OF MA-
RINE CASUALTY REPORTING. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall notify
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the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate of the actions 
the Commandant will take to implement recommendations 
on improvements to the Coast Guard’s marine casualty re-
porting requirements and procedures included in— 
(1) the Department of Homeland Security Office 
of Inspector General report entitled ‘‘Marine Accident 
Reporting, Investigations, and Enforcement in the 
United States Coast Guard’’, released on May 23, 
2013; and 
(2) the Towing Safety Advisory Committee re-
port entitled ‘‘Recommendations for Improvement of 
Marine Casualty Reporting’’, released on March 26, 
2015. 
SEC. 308. RECREATIONAL VESSEL ENGINE WEIGHTS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall issue regulations amending 
table 4 to subpart H of part 183 of title 33, Code of Federal 
Regulations (relating to Weights (Pounds) of Outboard 
Motor and Related Equipment for Various Boat Horse-
power Ratings) as appropriate to reflect ‘‘Standard 30– 
Outboard Engine and Related Equipment Weights’’ pub-
† HR 4188 EAS 
lished by the American Boat and Yacht Council, as in effect 
on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 309. MERCHANT MARINER MEDICAL CERTIFICATION 
REFORM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 75 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 7509. Medical certification by trusted agents 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law and pursuant to regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary, a trusted agent may issue a medical certificate 
to an individual who— 
‘‘(1) must hold such certificate to qualify for a 
license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s 
document, or endorsement thereto under this part; 
and 
‘‘(2) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and phys-
ical condition to perform the duties of such license, 
certificate, document, or endorsement, as determined 
by the trusted agent. 
‘‘(b) PROCESS FOR ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES BY 
SECRETARY.—A final rule implementing this section shall 
include a process for— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating to issue medical certifi-
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cates to mariners who submit applications for such 
certificates to the Secretary; and 
‘‘(2) a trusted agent to defer to the Secretary the 
issuance of a medical certificate. 
‘‘(c) TRUSTED AGENT DEFINED.—In this section the 
term ‘trusted agent’ means a medical practitioner certified 
by the Secretary to perform physical examinations of an 
individual for purposes of a license, certificate of registry, 
or merchant mariner’s document under this part.’’. 
(b) DEADLINE.—Not later than 5 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue a final 
rule implementing section 7509 of title 46, United States 
Code, as added by this section. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘7509. Medical certification by trusted agents.’’. 
SEC. 310. ATLANTIC COAST PORT ACCESS ROUTE STUDY. 
(a) ATLANTIC COAST PORT ACCESS ROUTE STUDY.— 
Not later than April 1, 2016, the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard shall conclude the Atlantic Coast Port Access Route 
Study and submit the results of such study to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.
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(b) NANTUCKET SOUND.—Not later than December 1, 
2016, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall complete 
and submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
a port access route study of Nantucket Sound using the 
standards and methodology of the Atlantic Coast Port Ac-
cess Route Study, to determine whether the Coast Guard 
should revise existing regulations to improve navigation 
safety in Nantucket Sound due to factors such as increased 
vessel traffic, changing vessel traffic patterns, weather con-
ditions, or navigational difficulty in the vicinity. 
SEC. 311. CERTIFICATES OF DOCUMENTATION FOR REC-
REATIONAL VESSELS. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall issue regulations that— 
(1) make certificates of documentation for rec-
reational vessels effective for 5 years; and 
(2) require the owner of such a vessel— 
(A) to notify the Coast Guard of each 
change in the information on which the issuance 
of the certificate of documentation is based, that 
occurs before the expiration of the certificate; and
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(B) apply for a new certificate of docu-
mentation for such a vessel if there is any such 
change. 
SEC. 312. PROGRAM GUIDELINES. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall— 
(1) develop guidelines to implement the program 
authorized under section 304(a) of the Coast Guard 
and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (Public 
Law 109–241), including specific actions to ensure 
the future availability of able and credentialed United 
States licensed and unlicensed seafarers including— 
(A) incentives to encourage partnership 
agreements with operators of foreign-flag vessels 
that carry liquified natural gas, that provide no 
less than one training billet per vessel for United 
States merchant mariners in order to meet min-
imum mandatory sea service requirements; 
(B) development of appropriate training 
curricula for use by public and private maritime 
training institutions to meet all United States 
merchant mariner license, certification, and doc-
ument laws and requirements under the Inter-
national Convention on Standards of Training,
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Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 
1978; and 
(C) steps to promote greater outreach and 
awareness of additional job opportunities for sea 
service veterans of the United States Armed 
Forces; and 
(2) submit such guidelines to the Committee 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 313. REPEALS. 
(a) REPEALS, MERCHANT MARINE ACT, 1936.—Sec-
tions 601 through 606, 608 through 611, 613 through 616, 
802, and 809 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
53101 note) are repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 575 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 57501, by striking ‘‘titles V and 
VI’’ and inserting ‘‘title V’’; and 
(2) in section 57531(a), by striking ‘‘titles V and 
VI’’ and inserting ‘‘title V’’. 
(c) TRANSFER
FROM
MERCHANT
MARINE
ACT, 
1936.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 801 of the Merchant 
Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 53101 note) is—
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(A) redesignated as section 57522 of title 
46, United States Code, and transferred to ap-
pear after section 57521 of such title; and 
(B) as so redesignated and transferred, is 
amended— 
(i) by striking so much as precedes the 
first sentence and inserting the following: 
‘‘§ 57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and in-
spection and auditing’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the provision of title 
VI or VII of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘this 
chapter’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘: Provided, That’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘Commission’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 575, of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 57521 the following: 
‘‘57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and inspection and auditing.’’. 
(d) REPEALS, TITLE 46, U.S.C.—Section 8103 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended in subsections (c) and 
(d) by striking ‘‘or operating’’ each place it appears. 
SEC. 314. MARITIME DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT. 
(a) PROHIBITIONS.—Section 70503(a) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
† HR 4188 EAS 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITIONS.—While on board a covered vessel, 
an individual may not knowingly or intentionally— 
‘‘(1) manufacture or distribute, or possess with 
intent to manufacture or distribute, a controlled sub-
stance; 
‘‘(2) destroy (including jettisoning any item or 
scuttling, burning, or hastily cleaning a vessel), or at-
tempt or conspire to destroy, property that is subject 
to forfeiture under section 511(a) of the Comprehen-
sive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 
(21 U.S.C. 881(a)); or 
‘‘(3) conceal, or attempt or conspire to conceal, 
more than $100,000 in currency or other monetary 
instruments on the person of such individual or in 
any conveyance, article of luggage, merchandise, or 
other container, or compartment of or aboard the cov-
ered vessel if that vessel is outfitted for smuggling.’’. 
(b) COVERED VESSEL DEFINED.—Section 70503 of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(e) COVERED VESSEL DEFINED.—In this section the 
term ‘covered vessel’ means— 
‘‘(1) a vessel of the United States or a vessel sub-
ject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or
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‘‘(2) any other vessel if the individual is a cit-
izen of the United States or a resident alien of the 
United States.’’. 
(c) PENALTIES.—Section 70506 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘A person vio-
lating section 70503’’ and inserting ‘‘A person vio-
lating paragraph (1) of section 70503(a)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) PENALTY.—A person violating paragraph (2) or 
(3) of section 70503(a) shall be fined in accordance with 
section 3571 of title 18, imprisoned not more than 15 years, 
or both.’’. 
(d) SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE.—Section 70507(a) of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘sec-
tion 70503’’ and inserting ‘‘section 70503 or 70508’’. 
(e) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) The heading of section 70503 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70503. Prohibited acts’’ 
(2) The analysis for chapter 705 of title 46, 
United States Code, is further amended by striking 
the item relating to section 70503 and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘70503. Prohibited acts.’’.
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SEC. 315. EXAMINATIONS FOR MERCHANT MARINER CRE-
DENTIALS. 
(a) DISCLOSURE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 75 of title 46, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 7510. Examinations for merchant mariner creden-
tials 
‘‘(a) DISCLOSURE NOT REQUIRED.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the Secretary is not required 
to disclose to the public— 
‘‘(1) a question from any examination for a mer-
chant mariner credential; 
‘‘(2) the answer to such a question, including 
any correct or incorrect answer that may be presented 
with such question; and 
‘‘(3) any quality or characteristic of such a ques-
tion, including— 
‘‘(A) the manner in which such question has 
been, is, or may be selected for an examination; 
‘‘(B) the frequency of such selection; and 
‘‘(C) the frequency that an examinee cor-
rectly or incorrectly answered such question. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN QUESTIONS.—Notwith-
standing subsection (a), the Secretary may, for the purpose 
of preparation by the general public for examinations re-
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quired for merchant mariner credentials, release an exam-
ination question and answer that the Secretary has retired 
or is not presently on or part of an examination, or that 
the Secretary determines is appropriate for release. 
‘‘(c) EXAM REVIEW.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Author-
ization Act of 2015, and once every two years there-
after, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall com-
mission a working group to review new questions for 
inclusion in examinations required for merchant 
mariner credentials, composed of— 
‘‘(A) 1 subject matter expert from the Coast 
Guard; 
‘‘(B) representatives from training facilities 
and the maritime industry, of whom— 
‘‘(i) one-half shall be representatives 
from approved training facilities; and 
‘‘(ii) one-half shall be representatives 
from the appropriate maritime industry; 
‘‘(C) at least 1 representative from the Mer-
chant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee; 
‘‘(D) at least 2 representatives from the 
State maritime academies, of whom one shall be 
a representative from the deck training track
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and one shall be a representative of the engine li-
cense track; 
‘‘(E) representatives 
from 
other 
Coast 
Guard Federal advisory committees, as appro-
priate, for the industry segment associated with 
the subject examinations; 
‘‘(F) at least 1 subject matter expert from 
the Maritime Administration; and 
‘‘(G) at least 1 human performance tech-
nology representative. 
‘‘(2) INCLUSION OF PERSONS KNOWLEDGEABLE 
ABOUT EXAMINATION TYPE.—The working group shall 
include representatives knowledgeable about the exam-
ination type under review. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—The requirement to convene a 
working group under paragraph (1) does not apply 
unless there are new examination questions to review. 
‘‘(4) BASELINE REVIEW.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Within 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Au-
thorization Act of 2015, the Secretary shall con-
vene the working group to complete a baseline re-
view of the Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner 
Credentialing Examination, including review 
of—
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‘‘(i) the accuracy of examination ques-
tions; 
‘‘(ii) the accuracy and availability of 
examination references; 
‘‘(iii) the length of merchant mariner 
examinations; and 
‘‘(iv) the use of standard technologies 
in administering, scoring, and analyzing 
the examinations. 
‘‘(B) 
PROGRESS
REPORT.—The 
Coast 
Guard shall provide a progress report to the ap-
propriate congressional committees on the review 
under this paragraph. 
‘‘(5) FULL MEMBERSHIP NOT REQUIRED.—The 
Coast Guard may convene the working group without 
all members present if any non-Coast-Guard rep-
resentative is present. 
‘‘(6) NONDISCLOSURE
AGREEMENT.—The Sec-
retary shall require all members of the working group 
to sign a nondisclosure agreement with the Secretary. 
‘‘(7) TREATMENT OF MEMBERS AS FEDERAL EM-
PLOYEES.—A member of the working group who is 
not a Federal Government employee shall not be con-
sidered a Federal employee in the service or the em-
ployment of the Federal Government, except that such
† HR 4188 EAS 
a member shall be considered a special government 
employee, as defined in section 202(a) of title 18 for 
purposes of sections 203, 205, 207, 208, and 209 of 
such title and shall be subject to any administrative 
standards of conduct applicable to an employee of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating. 
‘‘(8) FORMAL
EXAM
REVIEW.—The Secretary 
shall ensure that the Coast Guard Performance Tech-
nology Center— 
‘‘(A) prioritizes the review of examinations 
required for merchant mariner credentials; and 
‘‘(B) not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2015, completes a formal review, includ-
ing an appropriate analysis, of the topics and 
testing methodology employed by the National 
Maritime Center for merchant seamen licensing. 
‘‘(9) FACA.—The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App) shall not apply to any working 
group created under this section to review the Coast 
Guard’s merchant mariner credentialing examina-
tions. 
‘‘(d) MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘merchant mariner credential’ 
means a merchant seaman license, certificate, or document
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that the Secretary is authorized to issue pursuant to this 
title.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
such chapter is further amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘7510. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.’’. 
(b) EXAMINATIONS FOR MERCHANT MARINER CRE-
DENTIALS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 71 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 7116. Examinations for merchant mariner creden-
tials 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT FOR SAMPLE EXAMS.—The Sec-
retary shall develop a sample merchant mariner credential 
examination and outline of merchant mariner examination 
topics on an annual basis. 
‘‘(b) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Each sample examina-
tion and outline of topics developed under subsection (a) 
shall be readily available to the public. 
‘‘(c) MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘merchant mariner credential’ has 
the meaning that term has in section 7510.’’.
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(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘7116. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.’’. 
(c) DISCLOSURE TO CONGRESS.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed to authorize the withholding of infor-
mation from an appropriate inspector general, the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate, or the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 316. HIGHER VOLUME PORT AREA REGULATORY DEFI-
NITION CHANGE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 710 of the 
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111– 
281; 124 Stat. 2986) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) HIGHER VOLUME PORTS.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, the requirements of subparts D, F, 
and G of part 155 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, 
that apply to the higher volume port area for the Strait 
of Juan de Fuca at Port Angeles, Washington (including 
any water area within 50 nautical miles seaward), to and 
including Puget Sound, shall apply, in the same manner, 
and to the same extent, to the Strait of Juan de Fuca at 
Cape Flattery, Washington (including any water area with-
in 50 nautical miles seaward), to and including Puget 
Sound.’’.
† HR 4188 EAS 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (b) of such 
section is amended by striking ‘‘the modification of the 
higher volume port area definition required by subsection 
(a).’’ and inserting ‘‘higher volume port requirements made 
applicable under subsection (a).’’. 
SEC. 317. RECOGNITION OF PORT SECURITY ASSESSMENTS 
CONDUCTED BY OTHER ENTITIES. 
Section 70108 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) RECOGNITION OF ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED BY 
OTHER ENTITIES.— 
‘‘(1) CERTIFICATION
AND
TREATMENT
OF
AS-
SESSMENTS.—For the purposes of this section and 
section 70109, the Secretary may treat an assessment 
that a foreign government (including, for the purposes 
of this subsection, an entity of or operating under the 
auspices of the European Union) or international or-
ganization has conducted as an assessment that the 
Secretary has conducted for the purposes of subsection 
(a), provided that the Secretary certifies that the for-
eign government or international organization has— 
‘‘(A) conducted the assessment in accord-
ance with subsection (b); and 
‘‘(B) provided the Secretary with sufficient 
information pertaining to its assessment (includ-
† HR 4188 EAS 
ing, but not limited to, information on the out-
come of the assessment). 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREE-
MENT.—For the purposes of this section and section 
70109, the Secretary, in consultation with the Sec-
retary of State, may enter into an agreement with a 
foreign government (including, for the purposes of this 
subsection, an entity of or operating under the aus-
pices of the European Union) or international orga-
nization, under which parties to the agreement— 
‘‘(A) conduct an assessment, required under 
subsection (a); 
‘‘(B) share information pertaining to such 
assessment (including, but not limited to, infor-
mation on the outcome of the assessment); or 
‘‘(C) both. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATIONS.—Nothing in this subsection 
shall be construed to— 
‘‘(A) require the Secretary to recognize an 
assessment that a foreign government or an 
international organization has conducted; or 
‘‘(B) limit the discretion or ability of the 
Secretary to conduct an assessment under this 
section.
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‘‘(4) NOTIFICATION
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 30 days before entering into an agreement or ar-
rangement with a foreign government under para-
graph (2), the Secretary shall notify the Committee 
on Homeland Security and the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate of the pro-
posed terms of such agreement or arrangement.’’. 
SEC. 318. FISHING VESSEL AND FISH TENDER VESSEL CER-
TIFICATION. 
(a) ALTERNATIVE SAFETY COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS.— 
Section 4503 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘this section’’ 
and inserting ‘‘this subsection’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘This section’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in subsection (d), 
subsection (a)’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘This section’’ and inserting 
‘‘(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), sub-
section (a)’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following:
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‘‘(2) Subsection (a) does not apply to a fishing vessel 
or fish tender vessel to which section 4502(b) of this title 
applies, if the vessel— 
‘‘(A) is at least 50 feet overall in length, and not 
more than 79 feet overall in length as listed on the 
vessel’s certificate of documentation or certificate of 
number; and 
‘‘(B)(i) is built after the date of the enactment 
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015; and 
‘‘(ii) complies with— 
‘‘(I) the requirements described in sub-
section (e); or 
‘‘(II) the alternative requirements estab-
lished by the Secretary under subsection (f).’’; 
and 
(4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
(g), and inserting after subsection (d) the following: 
‘‘(e) The requirements referred to in subsection 
(c)(2)(B)(ii)(I) are the following: 
‘‘(1) The vessel is designed by an individual li-
censed by a State as a naval architect or marine en-
gineer, and the design incorporates standards equiva-
lent to those prescribed by a classification society to 
which the Secretary has delegated authority under 
section 3316 or another qualified organization ap-
† HR 4188 EAS 
proved by the Secretary for purposes of this para-
graph. 
‘‘(2) Construction of the vessel is overseen and 
certified as being in accordance with its design by a 
marine surveyor of an organization accepted by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(3) The vessel— 
‘‘(A) completes a stability test performed by 
a qualified individual; 
‘‘(B) has written stability and loading in-
structions from a qualified individual that are 
provided to the owner or operator; and 
‘‘(C) has an assigned loading mark. 
‘‘(4) The vessel is not substantially altered with-
out the review and approval of an individual licensed 
by a State as a naval architect or marine engineer 
before the beginning of such substantial alteration. 
‘‘(5) The vessel undergoes a condition survey at 
least twice in 5 years, not to exceed 3 years between 
surveys, to the satisfaction of a marine surveyor of an 
organization accepted by the Secretary. 
‘‘(6) The vessel undergoes an out-of-water survey 
at least once every 5 years to the satisfaction of a cer-
tified marine surveyor of an organization accepted by 
the Secretary.
† HR 4188 EAS 
‘‘(7) Once every 5 years and at the time of a 
substantial alteration to such vessel, compliance of the 
vessel with the requirements of paragraph (3) is re-
viewed and updated as necessary. 
‘‘(8) For the life of the vessel, the owner of the 
vessel maintains records to demonstrate compliance 
with this subsection and makes such records readily 
available for inspection by an official authorized to 
enforce this chapter. 
‘‘(f)(1) Not later than 10 years after the date of the 
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report that provides an analysis of 
the adequacy of the requirements under subsection (e) in 
maintaining the safety of the fishing vessels and fish tender 
vessels which are described in subsection (c)(2) and which 
comply with the requirements of subsection (e). 
‘‘(2) If the report required under this subsection in-
cludes a determination that the safety requirements under 
subsection (e) are not adequate or that additional safety 
measures are necessary, that the Secretary may establish 
an alternative safety compliance program for fishing vessels 
or fish tender vessels (or both) which are described in sub-
† HR 4188 EAS 
section (c)(2) and which comply with the requirements of 
subsection (e). 
‘‘(3) The alternative safety compliance program estab-
lished under this subsection shall include requirements 
for— 
‘‘(A) vessel construction; 
‘‘(B) a vessel stability test; 
‘‘(C) vessel stability and loading instructions; 
‘‘(D) an assigned vessel loading mark; 
‘‘(E) a vessel condition survey at least twice in 
5 years, not to exceed 3 years between surveys; 
‘‘(F) an out-of-water vessel survey at least once 
every 5 years; 
‘‘(G) maintenance of records to demonstrate com-
pliance with the program, and the availability of 
such records for inspection; and 
‘‘(H) such other aspects of vessel safety as the 
Secretary considers appropriate.’’. 
(b) GAO REPORT ON COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL 
SAFETY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 12 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
† HR 4188 EAS 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
a report on commercial fishing vessel safety. The re-
port shall include— 
(A) national and regional trends that can 
be identified with respect to rates of marine cas-
ualties, human injuries, and deaths aboard or 
involving fishing vessels greater than 79 feet in 
length that operate beyond the 3-nautical-mile 
demarcation line; 
(B) a comparison of United States regula-
tions for classification of fishing vessels to those 
established by other countries, including the ves-
sel length at which such regulations apply; 
(C) the additional costs imposed on vessel 
owners as a result of the requirement in section 
4503(a) of title 46, United States Code, and how 
the those costs vary in relation to vessel size and 
from region to region; 
(D) savings that result from the application 
of the requirement in section 4503(a) of title 46, 
United States Code, including reductions in in-
surance rates or reduction in the number of fish-
ing vessels or fish tender vessels lost to major 
safety casualties, nationally and regionally;
† HR 4188 EAS 
(E) a national and regional comparison of 
the additional costs and safety benefits associated 
with fishing vessels or fish tender vessels that are 
built and maintained to class through a classi-
fication society to the additional costs and safety 
benefits associated with fishing vessels or fish 
tender vessels that are built to standards equiva-
lent to classification society construction stand-
ards and maintained to standards equivalent to 
classification society standards with verification 
by independent surveyors; and 
(F) the impact on the cost of production 
and availability of qualified shipyards, nation-
ally and regionally, resulting from the applica-
tion of the requirement in section 4503(a) of title 
46, United States Code. 
(2) 
CONSULTATION
REQUIREMENT.—In 
pre-
paring the report under paragraph (1), the Comp-
troller General shall— 
(A) consult with owners and operators of 
fishing vessels or fish tender vessels, classification 
societies, shipyards, the National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health, the National 
Transportation Safety Board, the Coast Guard,
† HR 4188 EAS 
academics, naval architects, and marine safety 
nongovernmental organizations; and 
(B) obtain relevant data from the Coast 
Guard including data collected from enforcement 
actions, boardings, investigations of marine cas-
ualties, and serious marine incidents. 
(3) TREATMENT OF DATA.—In preparing the re-
port under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General 
shall— 
(A) disaggregate data regionally for each of 
the regions managed by the regional fishery 
management councils established under section 
302 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conserva-
tion and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852), the 
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, 
the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, 
and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commis-
sion; and 
(B) include qualitative data on the types of 
fishing vessels or fish tender vessels included in 
the report. 
SEC. 319. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON 
OIL POLLUTION RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7001(a)(3) of the Oil Pollu-
tion Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761(a)(3)) is amended—
100 
† HR 4188 EAS 
(1) by striking ‘‘Minerals Management Service’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Manage-
ment,’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘the United States Arctic Re-
search Commission,’’ after ‘‘National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration,’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Section 7001 of the 
Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘Department of Trans-
portation’’ and inserting ‘‘department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)(8)(A), by striking ‘‘(1989)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘(2010)’’. 
SEC. 320. INTERNATIONAL PORT AND FACILITY INSPEC-
TION COORDINATION. 
Section 825(a) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2010 (6 U.S.C. 945 note; Public Law 111–281) is amend-
ed in the matter preceding paragraph (1)— 
(1) by striking ‘‘the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating’’ and inserting ‘‘Homeland 
Security’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘they are integrated and con-
ducted by the Coast Guard’’ and inserting ‘‘the assess-
101 
† HR 4188 EAS 
ments are coordinated between the Coast Guard and 
Customs and Border Protection’’. 
TITLE IV—FEDERAL MARITIME 
COMMISSION 
SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 308. Authorization of appropriations 
‘‘There is authorized to be appropriated to the Federal 
Maritime Commission $24,700,000 for each of fiscal years 
2016 and 2017 for the activities of the Commission author-
ized under this chapter and subtitle IV.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
3 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘308. Authorization of appropriations.’’. 
SEC. 402. DUTIES OF THE CHAIRMAN. 
Section 301(c)(3)(A) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in clause (ii) by striking ‘‘units, but only 
after consultation with the other Commissioners;’’ and 
inserting ‘‘units (with such appointments subject to 
the approval of the Commission);’’; 
(2) in clause (iv) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(3) in clause (v) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
102 
† HR 4188 EAS 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(vi) prepare and submit to the Presi-
dent and the Congress requests for appro-
priations for the Commission (with such re-
quests subject to the approval of the Com-
mission).’’. 
SEC. 403. PROHIBITION ON AWARDS. 
Section 307 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Federal Maritime Commis-
sion’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Maritime Commis-
sion’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITION.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), 
the Federal Maritime Commission may not expend any 
funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it to a 
non-Federal entity to issue an award, prize, commendation, 
or other honor that is not related to the purposes set forth 
in section 40101.’’.
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† HR 4188 EAS 
TITLE V—CONVEYANCES 
Subtitle A—Miscellaneous 
Conveyances 
SEC. 501. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN 
POINT REYES STATION, CALIFORNIA. 
(a) CONVEYANCE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall convey to the County of Marin, 
California all right, title, and interest of the United 
States in and to the covered property— 
(A) for fair market value, as provided in 
paragraph (2); 
(B) subject to the conditions required by 
this section; and 
(C) subject to any other term or condition 
that the Commandant considers appropriate and 
reasonable to protect the interests of the United 
States. 
(2) FAIR
MARKET
VALUE.—The fair market 
value of the covered property shall be— 
(A) determined by a real estate appraiser 
who has been selected by the County and is li-
censed to practice in California; and 
(B) approved by the Commandant.
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(3) PROCEEDS.—The Commandant shall deposit 
the proceeds from a conveyance under paragraph (1) 
in the Coast Guard Housing Fund established by sec-
tion 687 of title 14, United States Code. 
(b) CONDITION OF CONVEYANCE.—As a condition of 
any conveyance of the covered property under this section, 
the Commandant shall require that all right, title, and in-
terest in and to the covered property shall revert to the 
United States if the covered property or any part thereof 
ceases to be used for affordable housing, as defined by the 
County and the Commandant at the time of conveyance, 
or to provide a public benefit approved by the County. 
(c) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal description 
of the covered property shall be determined by a survey sat-
isfactory to the Commandant. 
(d) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed to affect or limit the application of 
or obligation to comply with any environmental law, in-
cluding section 120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 
U.S.C. 9620(h)). 
(e) COVERED PROPERTY DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered property’’ means the approximately 32 
acres of real property (including all improvements located 
on the property) that are—
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(1) located in Point Reyes Station in the County 
of Marin, California; 
(2) under the administrative control of the Coast 
Guard; and 
(3) described as ‘‘Parcel A, Tract 1’’, ‘‘Parcel B, 
Tract 2’’, ‘‘Parcel C’’, and ‘‘Parcel D’’ in the Declara-
tion of Taking (Civil No. C 71–1245 SC) filed June 
28, 1971, in the United States District Court for the 
Northern District of California. 
(f) EXPIRATION.—The authority to convey the covered 
property under this section shall expire on the date that 
is four years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 502. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN 
TOK, ALASKA. 
(a) CONVEYANCE AUTHORIZED.—The Commandant of 
the Coast Guard may convey to the Tanana Chiefs’ Con-
ference all right, title, and interest of the United States in 
and to the covered property, upon payment to the United 
States of the fair market value of the covered property. 
(b) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal description 
of the covered property shall be determined by a survey sat-
isfactory to the Commandant. 
(c) FAIR MARKET VALUE.—The fair market value of 
the covered property shall be— 
(1) determined by appraisal; and
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(2) subject to the approval of the Commandant. 
(d) COSTS OF CONVEYANCE.—The responsibility for all 
reasonable and necessary costs, including real estate trans-
action and environmental documentation costs, associated 
with a conveyance under this section shall be determined 
by the Commandant and the purchaser. 
(e) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Com-
mandant may require such additional terms and conditions 
in connection with a conveyance under this section as the 
Commandant considers appropriate and reasonable to pro-
tect the interests of the United States. 
(f) DEPOSIT OF PROCEEDS.—Any proceeds received by 
the United States from a conveyance under this section shall 
be deposited in the Coast Guard Housing Fund established 
under section 687 of title 14, United States Code. 
(g) COVERED PROPERTY DEFINED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In this section, the term ‘‘cov-
ered property’’ means the approximately 3.25 acres of 
real property (including all improvements located on 
the property) that are— 
(A) located in Tok, Alaska; 
(B) under the administrative control of the 
Coast Guard; and 
(C) described in paragraph (2).
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(2) DESCRIPTION.—The property described in 
this paragraph is the following: 
(A) Lots 11, 12 and 13, block ‘‘G’’, Second 
Addition to Hartsell Subdivision, Section 20, 
Township 18 North, Range 13 East, Copper 
River Meridian, Alaska as appears by Plat No. 
72–39 filed in the Office of the Recorder for the 
Fairbanks Recording District of Alaska, bearing 
seal dated 25 September 1972, all containing ap-
proximately 1.25 acres and commonly known as 
2–PLEX – Jackie Circle, Units A and B. 
(B) Beginning at a point being the SE cor-
ner of the SE 1⁄4 of the SE 1⁄4 Section 24, Town-
ship 18 North, Range 12 East, Copper River Me-
ridian, Alaska; thence running westerly along 
the south line of said SE 1⁄4 of the NE 1⁄4 260 
feet; thence northerly parallel to the east line of 
said SE 1⁄4 of the NE 1⁄4 335 feet; thence easterly 
parallel to the south line 260 feet; then south 335 
feet along the east boundary of Section 24 to the 
point of beginning; all containing approximately 
2.0 acres and commonly known as 4–PLEX – 
West ‘‘C’’ and Willow, Units A, B, C and D.
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(h) EXPIRATION.—The authority to convey the covered 
property under this section shall expire on the date that 
is 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Subtitle B—Pribilof Islands 
SEC. 521. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Pribilof Island 
Transition Completion Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 522. TRANSFER AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY. 
(a) TRANSFER.—To further accomplish the settlement 
of land claims under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement 
Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), the Secretary of Commerce 
shall, subject to paragraph (2), and notwithstanding section 
105(a) of the Pribilof Islands Transition Act (16 U.S.C. 
1161 note; Public Law 106–562), convey all right, title, and 
interest in the following property to the Alaska native vil-
lage corporation for St. Paul Island: 
(1) Lots 4, 5, and 6A, Block 18, Tract A, U.S. 
Survey 4943, Alaska, the plat of which was Officially 
Filed on January 20, 2004, aggregating 13,006 
square feet (0.30 acres). 
(2) On the termination of the license described in 
subsection (b)(3), T. 35 S., R. 131 W., Seward Merid-
ian, Alaska, Tract 43, the plat of which was Offi-
cially Filed on May 14, 1986, containing 84.88 acres. 
(b) FEDERAL USE.—
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating may op-
erate, maintain, keep, locate, inspect, repair, and re-
place any Federal aid to navigation located on the 
property described in subsection (a) as long as the aid 
is needed for navigational purposes. 
(2) ADMINISTRATION.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Secretary may enter the property, at 
any time for as long as the aid is needed for naviga-
tional purposes, without notice to the extent that it is 
not practicable to provide advance notice. 
(3) LICENSE.—The Secretary of the Department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating may maintain 
a license in effect on the date of the enactment of this 
Act with respect to the real property and improve-
ments under subsection (a) until the termination of 
the license. 
(4) REPORTS.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act and not less than 
once every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on—
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(A) efforts taken to remediate contaminated 
soils on tract 43 described in subsection (a)(2); 
(B) a schedule for the completion of con-
taminated soil remediation on tract 43; and 
(C) any use of tract 43 to carry out Coast 
Guard navigation activities. 
(c) AGREEMENT ON TRANSFER OF OTHER PROPERTY 
ON ST. PAUL ISLAND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the property 
transferred under subsection (a), not later than 60 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Commerce and the presiding officer of 
the Alaska native village corporation for St. Paul Is-
land shall enter into an agreement to exchange of 
property on Tracts 50 and 38 on St. Paul Island and 
to finalize the recording of deeds, to reflect the bound-
aries and ownership of Tracts 50 and 38 as depicted 
on a survey of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, to be filed with the Office of the Re-
corder for the Department of Natural Resources for 
the State of Alaska. 
(2) EASEMENTS.—The survey described in sub-
section (a) shall include respective easements granted 
to the Secretary and the Alaska native village cor-
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poration for the purpose of utilities, drainage, road 
access, and salt lagoon conservation. 
SEC. 523. NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION. 
Section 105 of the Pribilof Islands Transition Act (16 
U.S.C. 1161 note; Public Law 106–562) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’ and inserting ‘‘Notwithstanding paragraph 
(2) and effective beginning on the date the Secretary 
publishes the notice of certification required by sub-
section (b)(5), the Secretary’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘sec-
tion 205 of the Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 
1165)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 205(a) of the Fur 
Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 1165(a))’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION.—The Secretary 
shall promptly publish and submit to the Committee 
on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate notice that the certification 
described in paragraph (2) has been made.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘makes the certification described in
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subsection (b)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘publishes the 
notice of certification required by subsection 
(b)(5)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Section 
205’’ and inserting ‘‘Subsections (a), (b), (c), 
and (d) of section 205’’; 
(4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
(g); and 
(5) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) NOTIFICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after 
the Secretary makes a determination under subsection 
(f) that land on St. Paul Island, Alaska, not specified 
for transfer in the document entitled ‘Transfer of 
Property on the Pribilof Islands: Descriptions, Terms 
and Conditions’ or section 522 of the Pribilof Island 
Transition Completion Act of 2015 is in excess of the 
needs of the Secretary and the Federal Government, 
the Secretary shall notify the Alaska native village 
corporation for St. Paul Island of the determination. 
‘‘(2) ELECTION TO RECEIVE.—Not later than 60 
days after the date receipt of the notification of the 
Secretary under subsection (a), the Alaska native vil-
lage corporation for St. Paul Island shall notify the
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Secretary in writing whether the Alaska native vil-
lage corporation elects to receive all right, title, and 
interest in the land or a portion of the land. 
‘‘(3) TRANSFER.—If the Alaska native village 
corporation provides notice under paragraph (2) that 
the Alaska native village corporation elects to receive 
all right, title and interest in the land or a portion 
of the land, the Secretary shall transfer all right, title, 
and interest in the land or portion to the Alaska na-
tive village corporation at no cost. 
‘‘(4) OTHER DISPOSITION.—If the Alaska native 
village corporation does not provide notice under 
paragraph (2) that the Alaska native village corpora-
tion elects to receive all right, title, and interest in the 
land or a portion of the land, the Secretary may dis-
pose of the land in accordance with other applicable 
law. 
‘‘(f) DETERMINATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of the enactment of this subsection and not 
less than once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary 
shall determine whether property located on St. Paul 
Island and not transferred to the Natives of the 
Pribilof Islands is in excess of the smallest practicable 
tract enclosing land—
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‘‘(A) needed by the Secretary for the pur-
poses of carrying out the Fur Seal Act of 1966 
(16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.); 
‘‘(B) in the case of land withdrawn by the 
Secretary on behalf of other Federal agencies, 
needed for carrying out the missions of those 
agencies for which land was withdrawn; or 
‘‘(C) actually used by the Federal Govern-
ment in connection with the administration of 
any Federal installation on St. Paul Island. 
‘‘(2) REPORT OF DETERMINATION.—When a de-
termination is made under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall report the determination to— 
‘‘(A) the Committee on Natural Resources of 
the House of Representatives; 
‘‘(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate; and 
‘‘(C) the Alaska native village corporation 
for St. Paul Island.’’. 
SEC. 524. REDUNDANT CAPABILITY. 
(a) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Except as provided in 
subsection (b), section 681 of title 14, United States Code, 
as amended by this Act, shall not be construed to prohibit 
any transfer or conveyance of lands under this subtitle or 
any actions that involve the dismantling or disposal of in-
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† HR 4188 EAS 
frastructure that supported the former LORAN system that 
are associated with the transfer or conveyance of lands 
under section 522. 
(b) REDUNDANT CAPABILITY.—If, within the 5-year 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating determines that a facility on Tract 43, if trans-
ferred under this subtitle, is subsequently required to pro-
vide a positioning, navigation, and timing system to pro-
vide redundant capability in the event GPS signals are dis-
rupted, the Secretary may— 
(1) operate, maintain, keep, locate, inspect, re-
pair, and replace such facility; and 
(2) in carrying out the activities described in 
paragraph (1), enter, at any time, the facility with-
out notice to the extent that it is not possible to pro-
vide advance notice, for as long as such facility is 
needed to provide such capability. 
Subtitle C—Conveyance of Coast 
Guard Property at Point Spen-
cer, Alaska 
SEC. 531. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds as follows: 
(1) Major shipping traffic is increasing through 
the Bering Strait, the Bering and Chukchi Seas, and
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the Arctic Ocean, and will continue to increase wheth-
er or not development of the Outer Continental Shelf 
of the United States is undertaken in the future, and 
will increase further if such Outer Continental Shelf 
development is undertaken. 
(2) There is a compelling national, State, Alaska 
Native, and private sector need for permanent infra-
structure development and for a presence in the Arctic 
region of Alaska by appropriate agencies of the Fed-
eral Government, particularly in proximity to the 
Bering Strait, to support and facilitate search and 
rescue, shipping safety, economic development, oil 
spill prevention and response, protection of Alaska 
Native archaeological and cultural resources, port of 
refuge, arctic research, and maritime law enforcement 
on the Bering Sea, the Chukchi Sea, and the Arctic 
Ocean. 
(3) The United States owns a parcel of land, 
known as Point Spencer, located between the Bering 
Strait and Port Clarence and adjacent to some of the 
best potential deepwater port sites on the coast of 
Alaska in the Arctic. 
(4) Prudent and effective use of Point Spencer 
may be best achieved through marshaling the energy,
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resources, and leadership of the public and private 
sectors. 
(5) It is in the national interest to develop infra-
structure at Point Spencer that would aid the Coast 
Guard in performing its statutory duties and func-
tions in the Arctic on a more permanent basis and 
to allow for public and private sector development of 
facilities and other infrastructure to support purposes 
that are of benefit to the United States. 
SEC. 532. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) ARCTIC.—The term ‘‘Arctic’’ has the mean-
ing given that term in section 112 of the Arctic Re-
search and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111). 
(2) BSNC.—The term ‘‘BSNC’’ means the Ber-
ing Straits Native Corporation authorized under sec-
tion 7 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
U.S.C. 1606). 
(3) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Council’’ means the 
Port Coordination Council established under section 
541. 
(4) PLAN.—The term ‘‘Plan’’ means the Port 
Management Coordination Plan developed under sec-
tion 541.
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(5) POINT SPENCER.—The term ‘‘Point Spencer’’ 
means the land known as ‘‘Point Spencer’’ located in 
Townships 2, 3, and 4 South, Range 40 West, Kateel 
River Meridian, Alaska, between the Bering Strait 
and Port Clarence and withdrawn by Public Land 
Order 2650 (published in the Federal Register on 
April 12, 1962). 
(6) SECRETARY.—Except as otherwise specifi-
cally provided, the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec-
retary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating. 
(7) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State 
of Alaska. 
(8) TRACT.—The term ‘‘Tract’’ or ‘‘Tracts’’ 
means any of Tract 1, Tract 2, Tract 3, Tract 4, 
Tract 5, or Tract 6, as appropriate, or any portion 
of such Tract or Tracts. 
(9) TRACTS
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, AND
6.—The terms 
‘‘Tract 1’’, ‘‘Tract 2’’, ‘‘Tract 3’’, ‘‘Tract 4’’, ‘‘Tract 
5’’, and ‘‘Tract 6’’ each mean the land generally de-
picted as Tract 1, Tract 2, Tract 3, Tract 4, Tract 
5, or Tract 6, respectively, on the map entitled the 
‘‘Point Spencer Land Retention and Conveyance 
Map’’, dated January 2015, and on file with the De-
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† HR 4188 EAS 
partment of Homeland Security and the Department 
of the Interior. 
SEC. 533. AUTHORITY TO CONVEY LAND IN POINT SPENCER. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO CONVEY TRACTS 1, 3, AND 4.— 
Within 1 year after the Secretary notifies the Secretary of 
the Interior that the Coast Guard no longer needs to retain 
jurisdiction of Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 4 and subject to 
section 534, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey to 
BSNC or the State, subject to valid existing rights, all right, 
title, and interest of the United States in and to the surface 
and subsurface estates of that Tract in accordance with sub-
section (d). 
(b) AUTHORITY TO CONVEY TRACTS 2 AND 5.—Within 
1 year after the date of the enactment of this section and 
subject to section 534, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
convey, subject to valid existing rights, all right, title, and 
interest of the United States in and to the surface and sub-
surface estates of Tract 2 and Tract 5 in accordance with 
subsection (d). 
(c) AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER TRACT 6.—Within one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act and subject 
to sections 534 and 535, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
convey, subject to valid existing rights, all right, title, and 
interest of the United States in and to the surface and sub-
surface estates of Tract 6 in accordance with subsection (e).
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(d) ORDER OF OFFER TO CONVEY TRACT 1, 2, 3, 4, 
OR 5.— 
(1) DETERMINATION AND OFFER.— 
(A) TRACT
1, 3, OR
4.—If the Secretary 
makes the determination under subsection (a) 
and subject to section 534, the Secretary of the 
Interior shall offer Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 4 
for conveyance to BSNC under the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). 
(B) TRACT 2 AND 5.—Subject to section 534, 
the Secretary of the Interior shall offer Tract 2 
and Tract 5 to BSNC under the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). 
(2) OFFER TO BSNC.— 
(A) ACCEPTANCE
BY
BSNC.—If BSNC 
chooses to accept an offer of conveyance of a 
Tract under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the 
Interior shall consider Tract 6 as within BSNC’s 
entitlement under section 14(h)(8) of the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 
1613(h)(8)) and shall convey such Tract to 
BSNC. 
(B) DECLINE BY BSNC.—If BSNC declines 
to accept an offer of conveyance of a Tract under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Interior shall
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offer such Tract for conveyance to the State 
under the Act of July 7, 1958 (commonly known 
as the ‘‘Alaska Statehood Act’’) (48 U.S.C. note 
prec. 21; Public Law 85–508). 
(3) OFFER TO STATE.— 
(A) ACCEPTANCE BY STATE.—If the State 
chooses to accept an offer of conveyance of a 
Tract under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary of 
the Interior shall consider such Tract as within 
the State’s entitlement under the Act of July 7, 
1958 (commonly known as the ‘‘Alaska State-
hood Act’’) (48 U.S.C. note prec. 21; Public Law 
85–508) and shall convey such Tract to the 
State. 
(B) DECLINE BY STATE.—If the State de-
clines to accept an offer of conveyance of a Tract 
offered under paragraph (2)(B), such Tract shall 
be disposed of pursuant to applicable public land 
laws. 
(e) ORDER OF OFFER TO CONVEY TRACT 6.— 
(1) OFFER.—Subject to section 534, the Sec-
retary of the Interior shall offer Tract 6 for convey-
ance to the State. 
(2) OFFER TO STATE.—
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(A) ACCEPTANCE BY STATE.—If the State 
chooses to accept an offer of conveyance of Tract 
6 under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Inte-
rior shall consider Tract 6 as within the State’s 
entitlement under the Act of July 7, 1958 (com-
monly known as the ‘‘Alaska Statehood Act’’) (48 
U.S.C. note prec. 21; Public Law 85–508) and 
shall convey Tract 6 to the State. 
(B) DECLINE BY STATE.—If the State de-
clines to accept an offer of conveyance of Tract 
6 under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Inte-
rior shall offer Tract 6 for conveyance to BSNC 
under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). 
(3) OFFER TO BSNC.— 
(A) ACCEPTANCE BY BSNC.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to clause 
(ii), if BSNC chooses to accept an offer of 
conveyance of Tract 6 under paragraph 
(2)(B), the Secretary of the Interior shall 
consider Tract 6 as within BSNC’s entitle-
ment under section 14(h)(8) of the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 
1613(h)(8)) and shall convey Tract 6 to 
BSNC.
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(ii) LEASE BY THE STATE.—The con-
veyance of Tract 6 to BSNC shall be subject 
to BSNC negotiating a lease of Tract 6 to 
the State at no cost to the State, if the State 
requests such a lease. 
(B) DECLINE BY BSNC.—If BSNC declines 
to accept an offer of conveyance of Tract 6 under 
paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary of the Interior 
shall dispose of Tract 6 pursuant to the applica-
ble public land laws. 
SEC. 534. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE, LIABILITY, AND 
MONITORING. 
(a) ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE.—Nothing in this 
Act or any amendment made by this Act may be construed 
to affect or limit the application of or obligation to comply 
with any applicable environmental law, including section 
120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
9620(h)). 
(b) LIABILITY.—A person to which a conveyance is 
made under this subtitle shall hold the United States harm-
less from any liability with respect to activities carried out 
on or after the date of the conveyance of the real property 
conveyed. The United States shall remain responsible for
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any liability with respect to activities carried out before 
such date on the real property conveyed. 
(c) MONITORING OF KNOWN CONTAMINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent practicable and 
subject to paragraph (2), any contamination in a 
Tract to be conveyed to the State or BSNC under this 
subtitle that— 
(A) is identified in writing prior to the con-
veyance; and 
(B) does not pose an immediate or long- 
term risk to human health or the environment; 
may be routinely monitored and managed by the 
State or BSNC, as applicable, through institutional 
controls. 
(2) 
INSTITUTIONAL
CONTROLS.—Institutional 
controls may be used if— 
(A) the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency and the Governor of the State 
concur that such controls are protective of 
human health and the environment; and 
(B) such controls are carried out in accord-
ance with Federal and State law. 
SEC. 535. EASEMENTS AND ACCESS. 
(a) USE BY COAST GUARD.—The Secretary of the Inte-
rior shall make each conveyance of any relevant Tract
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under this subtitle subject to an easement granting the 
Coast Guard, at no cost to the Coast Guard— 
(1) use of all existing and future landing pads, 
airstrips, runways, and taxiways that are located on 
such Tract; and 
(2) the right to access such landing pads, air-
strips, runways, and taxiways. 
(b) USE BY STATE.—For any Tract conveyed to BSNC 
under this subtitle, BSNC shall provide to the State, if re-
quested and pursuant to negotiated terms with the State, 
an easement granting to the State, at no cost to the State— 
(1) use of all existing and future landing pads, 
airstrips, runways, and taxiways located on such 
Tract; and 
(2) a right to access such landing pads, airstrips, 
runways, and taxiways. 
(c) RIGHT OF ACCESS OR RIGHT OF WAY.—If the 
State requests a right of access or right of way for a road 
from the airstrip to the southern tip of Point Spencer, the 
location of such right of access or right of way shall be deter-
mined by the State, in consultation with the Secretary and 
BSNC, so that such right of access or right of way is com-
patible with other existing or planned infrastructure devel-
opment at Point Spencer.
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(d) ACCESS EASEMENT ACROSS TRACTS 2, 5, AND 6.— 
In conveyance documents to the State and BSNC under this 
subtitle, the Coast Guard shall retain an access easement 
across Tracts 2, 5, and 6 reasonably necessary to afford the 
Coast Guard with access to Tracts 1, 3, and 4 for its oper-
ations. 
(e) ACCESS.—Not later than 30 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Coast Guard shall provide 
to the State and BSNC, access to Tracts for planning, de-
sign, and engineering related to remediation and use of and 
construction on those Tracts. 
(f) PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENTS.—No public access 
easements may be reserved to the United States under sec-
tion 17(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
U.S.C. 1616(b)) with respect to the land conveyed under 
this subtitle. 
SEC. 536. RELATIONSHIP TO PUBLIC LAND ORDER 2650. 
(a) TRACTS NOT CONVEYED.—Any Tract that is not 
conveyed under this subtitle shall remain withdrawn pursu-
ant to Public Land Order 2650 (published in the Federal 
Register on April 12, 1962). 
(b) TRACTS CONVEYED.—For any Tract conveyed 
under this subtitle, Public Land Order 2650 shall automati-
cally terminate upon issuance of a conveyance document 
issued pursuant to this subtitle for such Tract.
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SEC. 537. ARCHEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES. 
Conveyance of any Tract under this subtitle shall not 
affect investigations, criminal jurisdiction, and responsibil-
ities regarding theft or vandalism of archeological or cul-
tural resources located in or on such Tract that took place 
prior to conveyance under this subtitle. 
SEC. 538. MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS. 
(a) PREPARATION OF MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIP-
TIONS.—As soon as practicable after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior in consulta-
tion with the Secretary shall prepare maps and legal de-
scriptions of Tract 1, Tract 2, Tract 3, Tract 4, Tract 5, 
and Tract 6. In doing so, the Secretary of the Interior may 
use metes and bounds legal descriptions based upon the offi-
cial survey plats of Point Spencer accepted by the Bureau 
of Land Management on December 6, 1978, and on infor-
mation provided by the Secretary. 
(b) SURVEY.—Not later than 5 years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
survey Tracts conveyed under this subtitle and patent the 
Tracts in accordance with the official plats of survey. 
(c) LEGAL EFFECT.—The maps and legal descriptions 
prepared under subsection (a) and the surveys prepared 
under subsection (b) shall have the same force and effect 
as if the maps and legal descriptions were included in this 
Act.
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(d) CORRECTIONS.—The Secretary of the Interior may 
correct any clerical and typographical errors in the maps 
and legal descriptions prepared under subsection (a) and 
the surveys prepared under subsection (b). 
(e) AVAILABILITY.—Copies of the maps and legal de-
scriptions prepared under subsection (a) and the surveys 
prepared under subsection (b) shall be available for public 
inspection in the appropriate offices of— 
(1) the Bureau of Land Management; and 
(2) the Coast Guard. 
SEC. 539. CHARGEABILITY FOR LAND CONVEYED. 
(a) CONVEYANCES TO ALASKA.—The Secretary of the 
Interior shall charge any conveyance of land conveyed to 
the State of Alaska pursuant to this subtitle against the 
State’s remaining entitlement under section 6(b) of the Act 
of July 7, 1958 (commonly known as the ‘‘Alaska Statehood 
Act’’; Public Law 85–508: 72 Stat. 339). 
(b) CONVEYANCES TO BSNC.—The Secretary of the In-
terior shall charge any conveyance of land conveyed to 
BSNC pursuant to this subtitle, against BSNC’s remaining 
entitlement under section 14(h)(8) of the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1613(h)(8)). 
SEC. 540. REDUNDANT CAPABILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), section 681 of title 14, United States Code, as amended
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by this Act, shall not be construed to prohibit any transfer 
or conveyance of lands under this subtitle or any actions 
that involve the dismantling or disposal of infrastructure 
that supported the former LORAN system that are associ-
ated with the transfer or conveyance of lands under this 
subtitle. 
(b) CONTINUED ACCESS
TO
AND USE
OF FACILI-
TIES.—If the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating determines, within the 5-year pe-
riod beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
that a facility on any of Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 4 that 
is transferred under this subtitle is subsequently required 
to provide a positioning, navigation, and timing system to 
provide redundant capability in the event GPS signals are 
disrupted, the Secretary may, for as long as such facility 
is needed to provide redundant capability— 
(1) operate, maintain, keep, locate, inspect, re-
pair, and replace such facility; and 
(2) in carrying out the activities described in 
paragraph (1), enter, at any time, the facility with-
out notice to the extent that it is not possible to pro-
vide advance notice.
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SEC. 541. PORT COORDINATION COUNCIL FOR POINT SPEN-
CER. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Port Co-
ordination Council for the Port of Point Spencer. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Council shall consist of a rep-
resentative appointed by each of the following: 
(1) The State. 
(2) BSNC. 
(c) DUTIES.—The duties of the Council are as follows: 
(1) To develop a Port Management Coordination 
Plan to help coordinate infrastructure development 
and operations at the Port of Point Spencer, that in-
cludes plans for— 
(A) construction; 
(B) funding eligibility; 
(C) land use planning and development; 
and 
(D) public interest use and access, emer-
gency preparedness, law enforcement, protection 
of Alaska Native archaeological and cultural re-
sources, and other matters that are necessary for 
public and private entities to function in prox-
imity together in a remote location. 
(2) Update the Plan annually for the first 5 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
biennially thereafter.
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(3) Facilitate coordination among BSNC, the 
State, and the Coast Guard, on the development and 
use of the land and coastline as such development re-
lates to activities at the Port of Point Spencer. 
(4) Assess the need, benefits, efficacy, and desir-
ability of establishing in the future a port authority 
at Point Spencer under State law and act upon that 
assessment, as appropriate, including taking steps for 
the potential formation of such a port authority. 
(d) PLAN.—In addition to the requirements under sub-
section (c)(1) to the greatest extent practicable, the Plan de-
veloped by the Council shall facilitate and support the stat-
utory missions and duties of the Coast Guard and oper-
ations of the Coast Guard in the Arctic. 
(e) COSTS.—Operations and management costs for 
airstrips, runways, and taxiways at Point Spencer shall 
be determined pursuant to provisions of the Plan, as nego-
tiated by the Council. 
TITLE VI—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 601. MODIFICATION OF REPORTS. 
(a) DISTANT WATER TUNA FLEET.—Section 421(d) of 
the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 
(46 U.S.C. 8103 note) is amended by striking ‘‘On March 
1, 2007, and annually thereafter’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later 
than July 1 of each year’’.
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(b) ANNUAL UPDATES ON LIMITS TO LIABILITY.—Sec-
tion 603(c)(3) of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transpor-
tation Act of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 2704 note) is amended by 
striking ‘‘on an annual basis.’’ and inserting ‘‘not later 
than January 30 of the year following each year in which 
occurs an oil discharge from a vessel or nonvessel source 
that results or is likely to result in removal costs and dam-
ages (as those terms are defined in section 1001 of the Oil 
Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701)) that exceed liabil-
ity limits established under section 1004 of the Oil Pollu-
tion Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2704).’’. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard shall submit to the Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating a report detailing the 
specifications and capabilities for interoperable commu-
nications the Commandant determines are necessary to 
allow the Coast Guard to successfully carry out its missions 
that require communications with other Federal agencies, 
State and local governments, and nongovernmental entities. 
SEC. 602. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT LAKES. 
The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Trans-
portation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–281) is amended— 
(1) in section 610, by—
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(A) striking the section enumerator and 
heading and inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 610. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT 
LAKES.’’; 
(B) striking ‘‘existing boundaries and any 
future expanded boundaries of the Thunder Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater 
Preserve’’ and inserting ‘‘boundaries of any na-
tional marine sanctuary that preserves ship-
wrecks or maritime heritage in the Great Lakes’’; 
and 
(C) inserting before the period at the end 
the following: ‘‘, unless the designation docu-
ments for such sanctuary do not allow taking up 
or discharging ballast water in such sanctuary’’; 
and 
(2) in the table of contents in section 2, by strik-
ing the item relating to such section and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘Sec. 610. Safe vessel operation in the Great Lakes.’’. 
SEC. 603. USE OF VESSEL SALE PROCEEDS. 
(a) AUDIT.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct an audit of funds credited in each fis-
cal year after fiscal year 2004 to the Vessel Operations Re-
volving Fund that are attributable to the sale of obsolete 
vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet that were
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scrapped or sold under sections 57102, 57103, and 57104 
of title 46, United States Code, including— 
(1) a complete accounting of all vessel sale pro-
ceeds attributable to the sale of obsolete vessels in the 
National Defense Reserve Fleet that were scrapped or 
sold under sections 57102, 57103, and 57104 of title 
46, United States Code, in each fiscal year after fiscal 
year 2004; 
(2) the annual apportionment of proceeds ac-
counted for under paragraph (1) among the uses au-
thorized under section 308704 of title 54, United 
States Code, in each fiscal year after fiscal year 2004, 
including— 
(A) for National Maritime Heritage Grants, 
including a list of all annual National Maritime 
Heritage Grant grant and subgrant awards that 
identifies the respective grant and subgrant re-
cipients and grant and subgrant amounts; 
(B) for the preservation and presentation to 
the public of maritime heritage property of the 
Maritime Administration; 
(C) to the United States Merchant Marine 
Academy and State maritime academies, includ-
ing a list of annual awards; and
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(D) for the acquisition, repair, recondi-
tioning, or improvement of vessels in the Na-
tional Defense Reserve Fleet; and 
(3) an accounting of proceeds, if any, attrib-
utable to the sale of obsolete vessels in the National 
Defense Reserve Fleet that were scrapped or sold 
under sections 57102, 57103, and 57104 of title 46, 
United States Code, in each fiscal year after fiscal 
year 2004, that were expended for uses not authorized 
under section 308704 of title 54, United States Code. 
(b) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment this Act, the Comp-
troller General shall submit the audit conducted in sub-
section (a) to the Committee on Armed Services, the Com-
mittee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate. 
SEC. 604. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES COST ASSESS-
MENT. 
(a) COST ASSESSMENT.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall seek to 
enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of 
Sciences under which the Academy, by no later than 365 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, shall submit
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to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate an assessment 
of the costs incurred by the Federal Government to carry 
out polar icebreaking missions. The assessment shall— 
(1) describe current and emerging requirements 
for the Coast Guard’s polar icebreaking capabilities, 
taking into account the rapidly changing ice cover in 
the Arctic environment, national security consider-
ations, and expanding commercial activities in the 
Arctic and Antarctic, including marine transpor-
tation, energy development, fishing, and tourism; 
(2) identify potential design, procurement, leas-
ing, service contracts, crewing, and technology options 
that could minimize life-cycle costs and optimize effi-
ciency and reliability of Coast Guard polar icebreaker 
operations in the Arctic and Antarctic; and 
(3) examine— 
(A) Coast Guard estimates of the procure-
ment and operating costs of a Polar icebreaker 
capable of carrying out Coast Guard maritime 
safety, national security, and stewardship re-
sponsibilities including—
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(i) economies of scale that might be 
achieved for construction of multiple vessels; 
and 
(ii) costs of renovating existing polar 
class icebreakers to operate for a period of 
no less than 10 years. 
(B) the incremental cost to augment the de-
sign of such an icebreaker for multiuse capabili-
ties for scientific missions; 
(C) the potential to offset such incremental 
cost through cost-sharing agreements with other 
Federal departments and agencies; and 
(D) United States polar icebreaking capa-
bility in comparison with that of other Arctic 
nations, and with nations that conduct research 
in the Arctic. 
(b) INCLUDED COSTS.—For purposes of subsection (a), 
the assessment shall include costs incurred by the Federal 
Government for— 
(1) the lease or operation and maintenance of the 
vessel or vessels concerned; 
(2) disposal of such vessels at the end of the use-
ful life of the vessels; 
(3) retirement and other benefits for Federal em-
ployees who operate such vessels; and
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(4) interest payments assumed to be incurred for 
Federal capital expenditures. 
(c) ASSUMPTIONS.—For purposes of comparing the 
costs of such alternatives, the Academy shall assume that— 
(1) each vessel under consideration is— 
(A) capable of breaking out McMurdo Sta-
tion and conducting Coast Guard missions in 
the Antarctic, and in the United States territory 
in the Arctic (as that term is defined in section 
112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 
1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111)); and 
(B) operated for a period of 30 years; 
(2) the acquisition of services and the operation 
of each vessel begins on the same date; and 
(3) the periods for conducting Coast Guard mis-
sions in the Arctic are of equal lengths. 
(d) USE OF INFORMATION.—In formulating cost pur-
suant to subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences 
may utilize information from other Coast Guard reports, 
assessments, or analyses regarding existing Coast Guard 
Polar class icebreakers or for the acquisition of a polar ice-
breaker for the Federal Government. 
SEC. 605. COASTWISE ENDORSEMENTS. 
(a) ‘‘ELETTRA III’’.—
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(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding 
sections 
12112 and 12132, of title 46, United States Code, and 
subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
may issue a certificate of documentation with a coast-
wise endorsement for the vessel M/V Elettra III 
(United States official number 694607). 
(2) 
LIMITATION
ON
OPERATION.—Coastwise 
trade authorized under a certificate of documentation 
issued under paragraph (1) shall be limited to the 
carriage of passengers and equipment in association 
with the operation of the vessel in the Puget Sound 
region to support marine and maritime science edu-
cation. 
(3) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF CER-
TIFICATE.—A certificate of documentation issued 
under paragraph (1) shall expire on the earlier of— 
(A) the date of the sale of the vessel or the 
entity that owns the vessel; 
(B) the date any repairs or alterations are 
made to the vessel outside of the United States; 
or 
(C) the date the vessel is no longer operated 
as a vessel in the Puget Sound region to support 
the marine and maritime science education.
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(b) ‘‘F/V RONDYS’’.—Notwithstanding section 12132 of 
title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating may issue a 
certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement 
for the F/V Rondys (O.N. 291085) 
SEC. 606. INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL. 
(a) REQUIREMENT FOR REPORT.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard 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 Representatives a report that describes the cur-
rent operations to perform the International Ice Patrol mis-
sion and on alternatives for carrying out that mission, in-
cluding satellite surveillance technology. 
(b) ALTERNATIVES.—The report required by subsection 
(a) shall include whether an alternative— 
(1) provides timely data on ice conditions with 
the highest possible resolution and accuracy; 
(2) is able to operate in all weather conditions 
or any time of day; and 
(3) is more cost effective than the cost of current 
operations.
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SEC. 607. ASSESSMENT OF OIL SPILL RESPONSE AND 
CLEANUP ACTIVITIES IN THE GREAT LAKES. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Commandant of the Coast 
Guard, in consultation with the Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the 
head of any other agency the Commandant determines ap-
propriate, shall conduct an assessment of the effectiveness 
of oil spill response activities specific to the Great Lakes. 
Such assessment shall include— 
(1) an evaluation of new research into oil spill 
impacts in fresh water under a wide range of condi-
tions; and 
(2) an evaluation of oil spill prevention and 
clean up contingency plans, in order to improve un-
derstanding of oil spill impacts in the Great Lakes 
and foster innovative improvements to safety tech-
nologies and environmental protection systems. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Congress a report 
on the results of the assessment required by subsection (a). 
SEC. 608. REPORT ON STATUS OF TECHNOLOGY DETECTING 
PASSENGERS 
WHO 
HAVE 
FALLEN 
OVER-
BOARD. 
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall
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submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives that— 
(1) describes the status of technology for imme-
diately detecting passengers who have fallen over-
board; 
(2) includes a recommendation to cruise lines on 
the feasibility of implementing technology that imme-
diately detects passengers who have fallen overboard, 
factoring in cost and the risk of false positives; 
(3) includes data collected from cruise lines on 
the status of the integration of the technology de-
scribed in paragraph (2) on cruise ships, including— 
(A) the number of cruise ships that have the 
technology to capture images of passengers who 
have fallen overboard; and 
(B) the number of cruise lines that have 
tested technology that can detect passengers who 
have fallen overboard; and 
(4) includes information on any other available 
technologies that cruise ships could integrate to assist 
in facilitating the search and rescue of a passenger 
who has fallen overboard.
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SEC. 609. VENUE. 
Section 311(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Con-
servation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861(d)) is 
amended by striking the second sentence and inserting ‘‘In 
the case of Hawaii or any possession of the United States 
in the Pacific Ocean, the appropriate court is the United 
States District Court for the District of Hawaii, except that 
in the case of Guam and Wake Island, the appropriate court 
is the United States District Court for the District of Guam, 
and in the case of the Northern Mariana Islands, the appro-
priate court is the United States District Court for the Dis-
trict of the Northern Mariana Islands.’’. 
SEC. 610. DISPOSITION OF INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TO 
E-LORAN. 
(a) DISPOSITION OF INFRASTRUCTURE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 17 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 681. Disposition of infrastructure related to E– 
LORAN 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may not carry out 
activities related to the dismantling or disposal of infra-
structure comprising the LORAN–C system until the date 
on which the Secretary provides to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Appro-
priations of the House of Representatives and the Com-
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† HR 4188 EAS 
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate notice of a de-
termination by the Secretary that such infrastructure is not 
required to provide a positioning, navigation, and timing 
system to provide redundant capability in the event the 
Global Positioning System signals are disrupted. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) does not apply to ac-
tivities necessary for the safety of human life. 
‘‘(c) DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—On any date after the notifi-
cation is made under subsection (a), the Adminis-
trator of General Services, acting on behalf of the Sec-
retary, may, notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, sell any real and personal property under the 
administrative control of the Coast Guard and used 
for the LORAN–C system, subject to such terms and 
conditions that the Secretary believes to be necessary 
to protect government interests and program require-
ments of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY OF PROCEEDS.— 
‘‘(A) AVAILABILITY
OF
PROCEEDS.—The 
proceeds of such sales, less the costs of sale in-
curred by the General Services Administration, 
shall be deposited as offsetting collections into the 
Coast Guard ‘Environmental Compliance and
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† HR 4188 EAS 
Restoration’ account and, without further appro-
priation, shall be available until expended for— 
‘‘(i) environmental compliance and 
restoration purposes associated with the 
LORAN–C system; 
‘‘(ii) the costs of securing and main-
taining equipment that may be used as a 
backup to the Global Positioning System or 
to meet any other Federal navigation re-
quirement; 
‘‘(iii) the demolition of improvements 
on such real property; and 
‘‘(iv) the costs associated with the sale 
of such real and personal property, includ-
ing due diligence requirements, necessary 
environmental remediation, and reimburse-
ment of expenses incurred by the General 
Services Administration. 
‘‘(B) OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 
AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES.—After the com-
pletion of activities described in subparagraph 
(A), the unexpended balances of such proceeds 
shall be available for any other environmental 
compliance and restoration activities of the 
Coast Guard.’’
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(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘681. Disposition of infrastructure related to E–LORAN.’’. 
(3) CONFORMING REPEALS.— 
(A) Section 229 of the Howard Coble Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 
(Public Law 113–281; 128 Stat. 3040), and the 
item relating to that section in section 2 of such 
Act, are repealed. 
(B) Subsection 559(e) of the Department of 
Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 
(Public Law 111–83; 123 Stat. 2180) is re-
pealed. 
(b) AGREEMENTS TO DEVELOP BACKUP POSITIONING, 
NAVIGATION, AND TIMING SYSTEM.—Section 93(a) of title 
14, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon at the end of paragraph (23), by striking the 
period at the end of paragraph (24) and inserting ‘‘; and’’, 
and by adding at the end the following the following: 
‘‘(25) enter into cooperative agreements, con-
tracts, and other agreements with Federal entities and 
other public or private entities, including academic 
entities, to develop a positioning, navigation, and 
timing system to provide redundant capability in the 
event Global Positioning System signals are dis-
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† HR 4188 EAS 
rupted, which may consist of an enhanced LORAN 
system.’’. 
SEC. 611. PARKING. 
Section 611(a) of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and 
Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113– 
281; 128 Stat. 3064) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(3) REIMBURSEMENT.—Through September 30, 2017, 
additional parking made available under paragraph (2) 
shall be made available at no cost to the Coast Guard or 
members and employees of the Coast Guard.’’. 
SEC. 612. INAPPLICABILITY OF LOAD LINE REQUIREMENTS 
TO CERTAIN UNITED STATES VESSELS TRAV-
ELING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. 
Section 5102(b) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(13) a vessel of the United States on a domestic 
voyage that is within the Gulf of Mexico and oper-
ating not more than 15 nautical miles seaward of the 
base line from which the territorial sea of the United
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† HR 4188 EAS 
States is measured between Crystal Bay, Florida and 
Hudson Creek, Florida.’’. 
Attest: 
Secretary.