Title: Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act
This bill concerns matters related to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Among other things, the bill

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3488 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3488

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of 
    Homeland Security to establish a commission to enhance cultural 
 competence and improve recruitment and outreach efforts at the Coast 
  Guard Academy, to amend title 14, United States Code, to modify the 
process for congressional nomination of individuals for appointment as 
       cadets at the Coast Guard Academy, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 25, 2019

Mr. Thompson of Mississippi (for himself, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Correa, and 
Mr. Richmond) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
             Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of 
    Homeland Security to establish a commission to enhance cultural 
 competence and improve recruitment and outreach efforts at the Coast 
  Guard Academy, to amend title 14, United States Code, to modify the 
process for congressional nomination of individuals for appointment as 
       cadets at the Coast Guard Academy, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Coast Guard Academy Improvement 
Act''.

 TITLE I--ENHANCING CULTURAL COMPETENCE WITHIN THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY

SEC. 101. ACTIVITIES TO FOSTER GREATER CULTURAL COMPETENCE WITHIN THE 
              UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY.

    (a) Commission; Plan.--Subtitle H of title VIII of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 451 et seq.) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``SEC. 890B. COAST GUARD ACADEMY CULTURAL REFORM COMMISSION.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish within 30 days 
after the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Academy Improvement 
Act a commission to assess the level of cultural competence within the 
Academy and, as appropriate, issue recommendations to foster greater 
cultural competence within the Academy.
    ``(b) Cultural Competence Defined.--In this section, the term 
`cultural competence' means the capacity of an individual or 
organization to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with 
individuals who are of a different race, ethnicity, gender, religion, 
sexual orientation, or geographic origin, in a manner that values and 
understands diversity and to take action to prevent and respond to 
social injustice and inequity.
    ``(c) Composition of the Commission.--The commission shall be 
comprised of 11 members appointed by the Secretary by not later than 60 
days after the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Academy 
Improvement Act, and shall include--
            ``(1) the Chief Human Capital Officer under section 1303;
            ``(2) the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 
        under section 705;
            ``(3) three Coast Guard officials designated by the 
        Commandant of the Coast Guard who include at least one civilian 
        official; and
            ``(4) six individuals from private industry, institutions 
        of higher education, or nonprofit institutions with 
        demonstrated cultural competence as selected by the Secretary 
        based on recommendations from the Congress, who--
                    ``(A) possess relevant expertise or experience in 
                admissions at institutions of higher education, 
                organizational change management, and diversity and 
                inclusion initiatives; and
                    ``(B) include--
                            ``(i) at least three individuals who are 
                        higher education professionals; and
                            ``(ii) one individual with a background in 
                        evidence-based diversity and inclusion 
                        initiatives.
    ``(d) Chair and Vice Chair.--The commission shall elect a Chair and 
Vice Chair from among its members.
    ``(e) Quorum and Meetings.--The commission shall meet and begin the 
operations of the commission not later than 30 days after the date on 
which all members have been appointed or not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act, 
whichever is earlier. Each subsequent meeting shall occur upon the call 
of the Chair or a majority of its members and no less than three such 
meetings shall be open to the public. At least one public meeting 
should be held at the Coast Guard Academy. A majority of the members of 
the commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold 
meetings.
    ``(f) Exemption.--The commission shall not be subject to the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
    ``(g) Report.--The commission shall, not later than 180 days after 
the first meeting of the commission, submit to the Secretary its 
findings and any recommendations for fostering greater cultural 
competence within the Academy by, among other things, changing 
qualifications required of officers, faculty, and staff assigned to the 
Coast Guard Academy as well as modifications to institutional 
practices, policies, and structures.
    ``(h) Feedback and Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after 
receiving the report required under subsection (g), the Secretary, 
through the Commandant, shall submit to the Committees on Homeland 
Security and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committees on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a copy of the report and the Secretary's feedback regarding the 
report's findings and recommendations together with any specific plans, 
including projected milestones, to implement any or all of the 
recommendations and, in the event that the Secretary decides not to act 
on one or more of the recommendations, the rationale for such decision.
    ``(i) Duration.--The commission shall remain active in an advisory 
role for an additional year after the Secretary provides feedback in 
accordance with subsection (h) to monitor implementation and issue 
additional recommendations as needed.

``SEC. 890C. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION WITHIN THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY.

    ``(a) Plan Required.--Within one year after the date of the 
enactment of the Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act, the Secretary, 
acting through the Chief Human Capital Officer, shall, in consultation 
with the Commandant of the Coast Guard, issue a plan, with projected 
milestones, to--
            ``(1) improve outreach and recruitment of a more diverse 
        Coast Guard Academy cadet candidate pool based on race, 
        ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and geographic 
        origin;
            ``(2) modify institutional structures, practices, and 
        policies to foster a more diverse cadet corps body, faculty, 
        and staff workforce based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, 
        sexual orientation, and geographic origin;
            ``(3) modify and establish new safeguards to foster the 
        retention of cadets, faculty, and staff of different races, 
        ethnicities, genders, religion, sexual orientation, and 
        geographic origin at the Coast Guard Academy; and
            ``(4) restructure the admissions office of the Coast Guard 
        Academy to be headed by a civilian with significant relevant 
        higher education recruitment experience.
    ``(b) Implementation.--At the direction of the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard, the Superintendent of the Academy, under section 1922 of 
title 14, United States Code, in coordination with the Chief Human 
Capital Officer, and in consultation with the Chairman of the 
commission authorized by section 890B, shall implement the plan issued 
under subsection (a).
    ``(c) Annual Report.--Beginning in 2021 and annually thereafter 
through 2031, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in consultation with 
the Chief Human Capital Officer, shall provide a report to the 
Committees on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate that includes--
            ``(1) general information on implementation of the plan 
        required by this section;
            ``(2) specific information on outreach and recruitment 
        activities for the preceding year, including the use of the 
        volunteer-based program under section 890D;
            ``(3) enrollment information about the incoming class, 
        including gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and State of 
        residence of Coast Guard Academy cadets;
            ``(4) information on class retention, outcomes, and 
        graduation rates, including gender, race, ethnicity, religion, 
        and State of residence of Coast Guard Academy cadets; and
            ``(5) information on professional development and 
        professional advancement opportunities for staff and faculty as 
        it pertains to retention and advancing cultural competence.

``SEC. 890D. COAST GUARD ACADEMY MINORITY OUTREACH TEAM PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--There is established within the Coast Guard 
Academy a minority outreach team program (in this section referred to 
as `AMOT') under which minority officers who are Academy graduates may 
volunteer their time to recruit minority students and strengthen cadet 
retention through mentorship of cadets.
    ``(b) Administration.--Within 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of the Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act, the Commandant of 
the Coast Guard, in consultation with the Superintendent of the Coast 
Guard Academy and the majority of AMOT volunteers and Academy alumni 
that participated in the AMOT, shall appoint a permanent civilian 
position at the Coast Guard to administer the AMOT by, among other 
things--
            ``(1) overseeing administration of the program;
            ``(2) serving as a resource to volunteers and outside 
        stakeholders;
            ``(3) advising Academy leadership on recruitment and 
        retention efforts based on recommendations from volunteers and 
        outside stakeholders;
            ``(4) establishing strategic goals and performance metrics 
        for the AMOT with input from active volunteers and Academy 
        leadership; and
            ``(5) reporting annually to the Commandant on goals for the 
        AMOT before the beginning of each academic year and performance 
        outcomes of the AMOT at the end of each academic year.
    ``(c) Inclusion in Report.--The Commandant shall include a section 
on AMOT goals and outcomes in the annual report required under 
subsection (c) of section 890C.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such 
subtitle the following:

``Sec. 890B. Coast Guard Academy cultural reform commission.
``Sec. 890C. Recruitment and retention within the Coast Guard Academy.
``Sec. 890D. Coast Guard Academy minority outreach team program.''.
    (c) Comptroller General Review.--Not later than one year after the 
date of the issuance of the plan required by subsection (a) of section 
890C of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a review to the 
Committees on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate--
            (1) of the degree to which the plan is informed by the 
        Commission authorized by section 890B of the Homeland Security 
        Act of 2002, as amended by this Act;
            (2) of the degree to which the plan, as designed, is likely 
        to be effective;
            (3) of the degree to which the plan, as implemented, is 
        likely to be effective;
            (4) of the degree to which the minority outreach team 
        program authorized by section 890D of the Homeland Security Act 
        of 2002, as amended by this Act, is administered effectively; 
        and
            (5) that includes any recommendations to enhance 
        recruitment, retention, and outcomes.

      TITLE II--ENHANCING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY

SEC. 201. ACADEMY NOMINATIONS.

    (a) Appointment.--Section 1922 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by inserting before the text the following: 
    ``(a) In General.--''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Nominations.--
            ``(1) Congressional nominations.--
                    ``(A) Appointment requirement.--Half of each 
                incoming class of the Academy shall be composed of 
                cadets nominated by the following:
                            ``(i) The Vice President or, if there is no 
                        Vice President, by the President pro tempore of 
                        the Senate.
                            ``(ii) A Senator.
                            ``(iii) A Member of the House of 
                        Representatives.
                            ``(iv) The Delegate to the Congress from 
                        the District of Columbia, the Delegate to the 
                        Congress from the United States Virgin Islands, 
                        the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, the 
                        Delegate to the Congress from Guam, the 
                        Delegate to the Congress from American Samoa, 
                        or the Delegate to the Congress from the 
                        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
                    ``(B) Congressional nominees.--Each Senator, Member 
                of the House of Representatives, and Delegate to the 
                Congress, including such Resident Commissioner, is 
                entitled to nominate 3 persons each year. Cadets who do 
                not graduate on time shall not count against the 
                allocations pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv) of 
                subparagraph (A).
            ``(2) Qualification requirements.--An individual shall be 
        qualified for nomination, selection, and appointment as a cadet 
        at the Academy only if the individual--
                    ``(A) is a citizen or national of the United 
                States; and
                    ``(B) meets such minimum requirements that the 
                Secretary may establish.
            ``(3) Nomination information.--The Commandant, through the 
        Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, shall furnish to any 
        Member of Congress, upon the written request of such Member, 
        the name of the Member of Congress or other nominating 
        authority responsible for the nomination of any named or 
        identified person for appointment to the Academy.''.
    (b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a)--
            (1) shall apply beginning with academic program year 2022, 
        subject to subsection (d), and with respect to each academic 
        program year thereafter; and
            (2) shall not affect the application of section 1922 of 
        title 14, United States Code, as in effect before the enactment 
        of this section, with respect to appointment of cadets who will 
        matriculate to the Coast Guard Academy before such academic 
        program year.
    (c) Reporting.--Not later than 90 days before the beginning of each 
new academic year, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, through the 
Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, shall report to the Congress 
on the achievement of the nominee class composition requirement 
established by the amendment made by subsection (a). If the requirement 
is not achieved, the report shall include plans on how to achieve the 
nominee class composition requirement.
    (d) Transition.--
            (1) Nominations.--Notwithstanding the amendment made by 
        subsection (a), with respect to the nomination of individuals 
        pursuant to section 1922 of title 14, United States Code, as 
        amended by such subsection, who will matriculate at the Coast 
        Guard Academy in academic program year 2022, not less than 25 
        percent of the class shall be from nominations made pursuant to 
        clauses (i) through (iv) of subsection (b)(1)(A) of such 
        section 1922 (as amended by subsection (a) of this section).
            (2) Notification to the congress.--Not later than 60 days 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
        Homeland Security, acting through the Commandant of the Coast 
        Guard, shall notify the Congress of the criteria, process, and 
        timeline congressional offices are to follow for submitting 
        such nominations.
            (3) Additional action.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Commandant of the Coast Guard may take any additional action 
        the Secretary considers necessary and proper to provide for the 
        transition to the nomination, selection, and appointment 
        process under this section.

SEC. 202. COAST GUARD COLLEGE STUDENT PRE-COMMISSIONING INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 21 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 2130. College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative
    ``(a) In General.--There is authorized within the Coast Guard the 
College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative program (in this section 
referred to as the `program') for eligible undergraduate students to 
enlist and receive a guaranteed commission as an officer in the Coast 
Guard.
    ``(b) Criteria for Selection.--To be eligible for the program a 
student must meet all eligibility requirements of such program as in 
effect on the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Academy 
Improvement Act, and must be--
            ``(1) an undergraduate sophomore or junior at a 
        historically Black college or university described in section 
        322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) 
        or an institution of higher education described in section 
        371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1067q(a)); or
            ``(2) an undergraduate sophomore or junior student who is 
        active in minority-serving organizations and pursuing a degree 
        in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at an 
        institution of higher education described in section 101 of the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001) that is not a 
        historically Black college or university or institution of 
        higher education referred to in paragraph (1) of this 
        subsection.
    ``(c) Participation in Officer Candidate School.--The Commandant of 
the Coast Guard shall ensure that graduates of the program are included 
in the first enrollment for Officer Candidate School that commences 
after the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Academy Improvement 
Act and in each enrollment period thereafter.
    ``(d) Reports.--Not later than 90 days after the conclusion of each 
academic year with respect to which the program is carried out 
beginning with the first full academic year after the date of the 
enactment of Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act, the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall submit to the Committees on Homeland Security and 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative, including outreach and 
recruitment efforts and participation data, including demographic 
information of enrollees including race, ethnicity, gender, and 
geographic origin.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such subchapter is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``2130. College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative.''.
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