I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3113 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 5, 2011 Mr. Young of Alaska introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To ensure the icebreaking capabilities of the United States.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Polar Protection Act.

2.

Long-term lease of polar capable icebreakers

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, subject to the availability of appropriations, may use competitive procedures to enter into leases for 2 icebreakers that meet the requirements of subsection (c). (b)

Schedule

In exercising authority under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1)publish a request for proposals not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act; (2)require submission of proposals not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act; (3)make the final selection of proposals not later than 279 days after the date of enactment of this Act; and (4)require that each icebreaker leased under this section begin service not later than 3 years after the date the proposal for the icebreaker is selected. (c)

Lease duration

Each lease entered into under this section shall be for a period of not less than 10 years. (d)

Lease duration

In addition to such other requirements as are established by the Secretary, each lease entered into under this section shall require that— (1)the vessel subject to the lease shall— (A)be owned and operated by a private entity; (B)meet the Polar Class 1 requirements for year round operations contained in the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Vessels intended for Navigation in Polar Waters, 2008; and (C)be built in the United States; and (2)the person entering the lease with the Secretary shall— (A)maintain the vessel that is subject to the lease solely in shipyards located in the United States; (B)ensure that such vessel is available for service not less than 300 days per year; (C)comply with the delivery requirement under subsection (b)(4); and (D)be able to carry out the purpose of section 307(a) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (14 U.S.C. 92 note).