II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1620 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 22, 2011 Mr. Begich (for himself and Ms. Cantwell) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To ensure the icebreaking capabilities of the United States and for other purposes.

1.

Short titles

This Act may be cited as the Preserve Our Large Arctic Response Capability Act or as the POLAR-C Act.

2.

Finding; sense of Congress

(a)

Finding

Congress finds that the United States priorities for maritime transportation in the polar regions set out in the National Security Presidential Directive 66 and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 25 dated January 9, 2009 are— (1)to facilitate safe, secure, and reliable navigation; (2)to protect maritime commerce; and (3)to protect the environment. (b)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that the United States should maintain domestic heavy and medium duty icebreaker assets to meet United States Coast Guard statutory requirements and priorities for maritime transportation and that maintaining less than a sufficient number of heavy duty icebreaking assets jeopardizes national security, law enforcement, maritime safety, environmental protection, disaster response, scientific research, and natural resource protection in the polar regions and Alaska.

3.

Icebreaking capability

(a)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Covered vessels

The term covered vessels means— (A)Coast Guard Cutter POLAR SEA (WAGB 11); and (B)the Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR (WAGB 10). (2)

Inactive status

The term inactive status includes a status of— (A)out of commission, in reserve; (B)out of service, in reserve; or (C)pending placement out of commission. (3)

Submission date

The term submission date means— (A)October 15, 2011; or (B)if this Act is enacted after October 15, 2011, the date that is 1 day after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b)

Submission of business case analysis

Not later than the submission date, the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives the polar icebreaker business case analysis prepared by the Coast Guard. (c)

Maintenance of existing vessels

Until the date that is 2 years after the date the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard makes the submission required by subsection (b)— (1)the Commandant may not— (A)transfer, relinquish ownership of, dismantle, or recycle the covered vessels; (B)change the homeport of either of the covered vessels; (C)expend any funds— (i)for any expenses directly or indirectly associated with the decommissioning of either of the covered vessels, including expenses for dock use or other goods and services; (ii)for any personnel expenses directly or indirectly associated with the decommissioning of either of the covered vessels, including expenses for decommissioning officer; or (iii)for any expenses associated with a decommissioning ceremony for either of the covered vessels; (D)appoint a decommissioning officer to be affiliated with either of the covered vessels; or (E)place either of the covered vessels in inactive status; and (2)the Administrator of the Maritime Administration may not receive, maintain, dismantle, or recycle either of the covered vessels.