I 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6206 
To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to establish a Blue Technology 
center of expertise, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 25, 2018 
Mr. GARAMENDI (for himself and Mr. HUNTER) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to establish 
a Blue Technology center of expertise, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Coast Guard Blue 
Technology Center of Expertise Act’’. 
SEC. 2. COAST GUARD BLUE TECHNOLOGY CENTER OF EX-
PERTISE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act and subject to the 
availability of appropriations, the Commandant shall es-
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tablish under section 58 of title 14, United States Code, 
a Blue Technology center of expertise. 
(b) MISSIONS.—In addition to the missions listed in 
section 58(b) of title 14, United States Code, the Center— 
(1) shall— 
(A) promote awareness within the Coast 
Guard of the range and diversity of Blue Tech-
nologies and their potential to enhance Coast 
Guard mission readiness, operational perform-
ance, and regulation of such technologies; 
(B) function as an interactive conduit to 
enable the sharing and dissemination of Blue 
Technology information between the Coast 
Guard and representatives from the private sec-
tor, academia, nonprofit organizations, and 
other Federal agencies; 
(C) increase awareness among Blue Tech-
nology manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and ven-
dors of Coast Guard acquisition policies, proce-
dures, and business practices; and 
(D) provide technical support, coordina-
tion, and assistance to Coast Guard districts 
and the Coast Guard Research and Develop-
ment Center, as appropriate; and 
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(2) subject to the requirements of the Coast 
Guard Academy, may coordinate with the Academy 
to develop appropriate curricula regarding Blue 
Technology to be offered in professional courses of 
study to give Coast Guard cadets and officer can-
didates a greater background and understanding of 
Blue Technologies. 
(c) BLUE TECHNOLOGY EXPOSITION; BRIEFING.— 
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant shall provide to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a briefing on 
the costs and benefits of hosting a biennial Coast Guard 
Blue Technology exposition to further interactions be-
tween representatives from the private sector, academia, 
and nonprofit organizations, and the Coast Guard and ex-
amine emerging technologies and Coast Guard mission de-
mands. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CENTER.—The term ‘‘Center’’ means the 
Blue Technology center of expertise established 
under this section. 
(2) COMMANDANT.—The term ‘‘Commandant’’ 
means the Commandant of the Coast Guard. 
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(3) BLUE
TECHNOLOGY.—The term ‘‘Blue 
Technology’’ means any technology, system, or plat-
form that— 
(A) is designed for use or application 
above, on, or below the sea surface or that is 
otherwise applicable to Coast Guard operational 
needs, including such a technology, system, or 
platform that provides continuous or persistent 
coverage; and 
(B) supports or facilitates— 
(i) maritime domain awareness, in-
cluding— 
(I) surveillance and monitoring; 
(II) observation, measurement, 
and modeling: or 
(III) information technology and 
communications; 
(ii) search and rescue; 
(iii) emergency response; 
(iv) maritime law enforcement; 
(v) marine inspections and investiga-
tions; or 
(vi) protection and conservation of the 
marine environment. 
Æ 
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