14 U.S.C. § 676a (COAST GUARD)
§ 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
(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 submits 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 section 208(b) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016.
(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—
(A) remaining search and rescue capabilities 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 temperatures or unusual tide and current conditions, do not require continued operation of the air facility; and
(C) Coast Guard search and rescue standards related to search and response times are met.
(3) Public notice and comment.—
Prior to closing an air facility, the Secretary shall provide opportunities for public comment, including the convening 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 operations 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 pursuant to subparagraph (A), provide written notice of such proposal to each of the following:
(i) Each member of the House of Representatives 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 operations.
(v) The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(vi) The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(vii) The Committee on Appropriations 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 nationwide.
(Added Pub. L. 114–120, title II, § 208(a), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 38; amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. C, title XXXV, § 3503(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2775.)
heading: References in Text
text: Section 208(b) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), is section 208(b) of Pub. L. 114–120, title II, Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 39, which is not classified to the Code.
heading: Amendments
text: 2016—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016” for “Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015”.
heading: Effective Date of 2016 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 114–328 effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 114–120, see section 3503(e) of Pub. L. 114–328, set out as a note under section 60 of this title.