[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1987 Engrossed in House (EH)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1987

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
 To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2016 
                   and 2017, 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 Authorization Act of 
2015''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
                        TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS

Sec. 101. Authorizations.
Sec. 102. Conforming amendments.
                         TITLE II--COAST GUARD

Sec. 201. Vice Commandant.
Sec. 202. Vice admirals.
Sec. 203. Coast Guard remission of indebtedness.
Sec. 204. Acquisition reform.
Sec. 205. Auxiliary jurisdiction.
Sec. 206. Long-term major acquisitions plan.
Sec. 207. Coast Guard communities.
Sec. 208. ``Polar Sea'' materiel condition assessment and service life 
                            extension decision.
Sec. 209. Repeal.
Sec. 210. Technical corrections to title 14.
Sec. 211. Digital boat profile pilot program.
Sec. 212. Discontinuance of an aid to navigation.
Sec. 213. Mission performance measures.
Sec. 214. Communications.
Sec. 215. Coast Guard graduate maritime operations education.
                   TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION

Sec. 301. Treatment of fishing permits.
Sec. 302. Survival craft.
Sec. 303. Enforcement.
Sec. 304. Model years for recreational vessels.
Sec. 305. Merchant mariner credential expiration harmonization.
Sec. 306. Marine event safety zones.
Sec. 307. Technical corrections.
Sec. 308. Recommendations for improvements of marine casualty 
                            reporting.
Sec. 309. Recreational vessel engine weights.
Sec. 310. Merchant mariner medical certification reform.
Sec. 311. Atlantic Coast port access route study.
Sec. 312. Certificates of documentation for recreational vessels.
Sec. 313. Program guidelines.
Sec. 314. Repeals.
                 TITLE IV--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 402. Duties of the Chairman.
Sec. 403. Prohibition on awards.
                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 501. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Marin County, 
                            California.
Sec. 502. Elimination of reports.
Sec. 503. Vessel documentation.
Sec. 504. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Tok, Alaska.
Sec. 505. Safe vessel operation in the Great Lakes.
Sec. 506. Use of vessel sale proceeds.
Sec. 507. Fishing vessel and fish tender vessel certification.
Sec. 508. National Academy of Sciences cost comparison.
Sec. 509. Penalty wages.
Sec. 510. Recourse for noncitizens.

                        TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS

SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:

     ``PART III--COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATIONS AND REPORTS TO CONGRESS

``Chap.                                                            Sec.
``27. Authorizations........................................       2701
``29. Reports...............................................      2901.

                      ``CHAPTER 27--AUTHORIZATIONS

``Sec.
``2702. Authorization of appropriations.
``2704. Authorized levels of military strength and training.
``Sec. 2702. Authorization of appropriations
    ``Funds are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 
2016 and 2017 for necessary expenses of the Coast Guard as follows:
            ``(1) For the operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard, 
        not otherwise provided for--
                    ``(A) $6,981,036,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $6,981,036,000 for fiscal year 2017.
            ``(2) For the acquisition, construction, renovation, and 
        improvement of aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels, 
        and aircraft, including equipment related thereto, and for 
        maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, and operation of facilities 
        and equipment--
                    ``(A) $1,546,448,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $1,546,448,000 for fiscal year 2017.
            ``(3) For the Coast Guard Reserve program, including 
        operations and maintenance of the program, personnel and 
        training costs, equipment, and services--
                    ``(A) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2017.
            ``(4) For the environmental compliance and restoration 
        functions of the Coast Guard under chapter 19 of this title--
                    ``(A) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2017.
            ``(5) To the Commandant of the Coast Guard for research, 
        development, test, and evaluation of technologies, materials, 
        and human factors directly related to improving the performance 
        of the Coast Guard's mission with respect to search and rescue, 
        aids to navigation, marine safety, marine environmental 
        protection, enforcement of laws and treaties, ice operations, 
        oceanographic research, and defense readiness, and for 
        maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, and operation of facilities 
        and equipment--
                    ``(A) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
                    ``(B) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2017.
``Sec. 2704. Authorized levels of military strength and training
    ``(a) Active Duty Strength.--The Coast Guard is authorized an end-
of-year strength for active duty personnel of 43,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 and 2017.
    ``(b) Military Training Student Loads.--The Coast Guard is 
authorized average military training student loads for each of fiscal 
years 2016 and 2017 as follows:
            ``(1) For recruit and special training, 2,500 student 
        years.
            ``(2) For flight training, 165 student years.
            ``(3) For professional training in military and civilian 
        institutions, 350 student years.
            ``(4) For officer acquisition, 1,200 student years.

                         ``CHAPTER 29--REPORTS

``Sec.
``2904. Manpower requirements plan.
``Sec. 2904. Manpower requirements plan
    ``(a) In General.--On the date on which the President submits to 
Congress a budget for fiscal year 2017 under section 1105 of title 31, 
on the date on which the President submits to Congress a budget for 
fiscal year 2019 under such section, and every 4 years thereafter, the 
Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a manpower 
requirements plan.
    ``(b) Scope.--A manpower requirements plan submitted under 
subsection (a) shall include for each mission of the Coast Guard--
            ``(1) an assessment of all projected mission requirements 
        for the upcoming fiscal year and for each of the 3 fiscal years 
        thereafter;
            ``(2) the number of active duty, reserve, and civilian 
        personnel assigned or available to fulfill such mission 
        requirements--
                    ``(A) currently; and
                    ``(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal year and 
                each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter;
            ``(3) the number of active duty, reserve, and civilian 
        personnel required to fulfill such mission requirements--
                    ``(A) currently; and
                    ``(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal year and 
                each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter;
            ``(4) an identification of any capability gaps between 
        mission requirements and mission performance caused by 
        deficiencies in the numbers of personnel available--
                    ``(A) currently; and
                    ``(B) as projected for the upcoming fiscal year and 
                each of the 3 fiscal years thereafter; and
            ``(5) an identification of the actions the Commandant will 
        take to address capability gaps identified under paragraph (4).
    ``(c) Consideration.--In composing a manpower requirements plan for 
submission under subsection (a), the Commandant shall consider--
            ``(1) the marine safety strategy required under section 
        2116 of title 46;
            ``(2) information on the adequacy of the acquisition 
        workforce included in the most recent report under section 2903 
        of this title; and
            ``(3) any other Federal strategic planning effort the 
        Commandant considers appropriate.''.
    (b) Requirement for Prior Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 
662 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating such section as section 2701;
            (2) by transferring such section to appear before section 
        2702 of such title (as added by subsection (a) of this 
        section); and
            (3) by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) and inserting 
        the following:
            ``(1) For the operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard, 
        not otherwise provided for.
            ``(2) For the acquisition, construction, renovation, and 
        improvement of aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels, 
        and aircraft, including equipment related thereto, and for 
        maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, and operation of facilities 
        and equipment.
            ``(3) For the Coast Guard Reserve program, including 
        operations and maintenance of the program, personnel and 
        training costs, equipment, and services.
            ``(4) For the environmental compliance and restoration 
        functions of the Coast Guard under chapter 19 of this title.
            ``(5) For research, development, test, and evaluation of 
        technologies, materials, and human factors directly related to 
        improving the performance of the Coast Guard.
            ``(6) For alteration or removal of bridges over navigable 
        waters of the United States constituting obstructions to 
        navigation, and for personnel and administrative costs 
        associated with the Alteration of Bridges Program.''.
    (c) Authorization of Personnel End Strengths.--Section 661 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating such section as section 2703; and
            (2) by transferring such section to appear before section 
        2704 of such title (as added by subsection (a) of this 
        section).
    (d) Reports.--
            (1) Transmission of annual coast guard authorization 
        request.--Section 662a of title 14, United States Code, is 
        amended--
                    (A) by redesignating such section as section 2901;
                    (B) by transferring such section to appear before 
                section 2904 of such title (as added by subsection (a) 
                of this section); and
                    (C) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1) by striking 
                        ``described in section 661'' and inserting 
                        ``described in section 2703''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2) by striking 
                        ``described in section 662'' and inserting 
                        ``described in section 2701''.
            (2) Capital investment plan.--Section 663 of title 14, 
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating such section as section 2902; 
                and
                    (B) by transferring such section to appear after 
                section 2901 of such title (as so redesignated and 
                transferred by paragraph (1) of this subsection).
            (3) Major acquisitions.--Section 569a of title 14, United 
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating such section as section 2903;
                    (B) by transferring such section to appear after 
                section 2902 of such title (as so redesignated and 
                transferred by paragraph (2) of this subsection); and
                    (C) in subsection (c)(2) by striking ``of this 
                subchapter''.
    (e) Icebreaking on the Great Lakes.--For fiscal years 2016 and 
2017, the Commandant of the Coast Guard may use funds made available 
pursuant to section 2702(2) of title 14, United States Code (as added 
by subsection (a) of this section) for the selection of a design for 
and the construction of an icebreaker that is capable of buoy tending 
to enhance icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes.
    (f) Additional Submissions.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
Representatives--
            (1) each plan required under section 2904 of title 14, 
        United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section;
            (2) each plan required under section 2903(e) of title 14, 
        United States Code, as added by section 206 of this Act;
            (3) each plan required under section 2902 of title 14, 
        United States Code, as redesignated by subsection (d) of this 
        section; and
            (4) each mission need statement required under section 569 
        of title 14, United States Code.

SEC. 102. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Analysis for Title 14.--The analysis for title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding after the item relating to part II 
the following:

``III. Coast Guard Authorizations and Reports to Congress...    2701''.
    (b) Analysis for Chapter 15.--The analysis for chapter 15 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 569a.
    (c) Analysis for Chapter 17.--The analysis for chapter 17 of title 
14, United States Code, is amended by striking the items relating to 
sections 661, 662, 662a, and 663.
    (d) Analysis for Chapter 27.--The analysis for chapter 27 of title 
14, United States Code, as added by section 101(a) of this Act, is 
amended by inserting--
            (1) before the item relating to section 2702 the following:

``2701. Requirement for prior authorization of appropriations.'';
        and
            (2) before the item relating to section 2704 the following:

``2703. Authorization of personnel end strengths.''.
    (e) Analysis for Chapter 29.--The analysis for chapter 29 of title 
14, United States Code, as added by section 101(a) of this Act, is 
amended by inserting before the item relating to section 2904 the 
following:

``2901. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request.
``2902. Capital investment plan.
``2903. Major acquisitions.''.
    (f) Mission Need Statement.--Section 569(b) of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2) by striking ``in section 569a(e)'' and 
        inserting ``in section 2903''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3) by striking ``under section 
        663(a)(1)'' and inserting ``under section 2902(a)(1)''.

                         TITLE II--COAST GUARD

SEC. 201. VICE COMMANDANT.

    (a) Grades and Ratings.--Section 41 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``an admiral,'' and inserting ``admirals 
(two);''.
    (b) Vice Commandant; Appointment.--Section 47 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``vice admiral'' and inserting 
``admiral''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 51 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by inserting ``admiral or'' before 
        ``vice admiral,'';
            (2) in subsection (b) by inserting ``admiral or'' before 
        ``vice admiral,'' each place it appears; and
            (3) in subsection (c) by inserting ``admiral or'' before 
        ``vice admiral,''.
    (d) Application.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
officer who, on the date of the enactment of this Act, is serving as 
Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard--
            (1) shall have the grade of admiral, with the pay and 
        allowances of that grade; and
            (2) shall not be required to be reappointed by reason of 
        the enactment of this Act, including the amendments made by 
        this Act.

SEC. 202. VICE ADMIRALS.

    Section 50 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
                following:
    ``(1) The President may--
            ``(A) designate, within the Coast Guard, no more than five 
        positions of importance and responsibility that shall be held 
        by officers who, while so serving, shall have the grade of vice 
        admiral, with the pay and allowances of that grade, and shall 
        perform such duties as the Commandant may prescribe (if the 
        President designates five such positions, one position shall be 
        a Chief of Staff); and
            ``(B) designate, within the executive branch, other than 
        within the Coast Guard or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration, positions of importance and responsibility that 
        shall be held by officers who, while so serving, shall have the 
        grade of vice admiral, with the pay and allowances of that 
        grade.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ``under 
                paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``under paragraph 
                (1)(A)''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
                subparagraph (D); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the 
                following:
            ``(C) at the discretion of the Secretary, while awaiting 
        orders after being relieved from the position, beginning on the 
        day the officer is relieved from the position, but not for more 
        than 60 days; and''.

SEC. 203. COAST GUARD REMISSION OF INDEBTEDNESS.

    (a) In General.--Section 461 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 461. Remission of indebtedness
    ``The Secretary may have remitted or cancelled any part of a 
person's indebtedness to the United States or any instrumentality of 
the United States if--
            ``(1) the indebtedness was incurred while the person served 
        on active duty as a member of the Coast Guard; and
            ``(2) the Secretary determines that remitting or cancelling 
        the indebtedness is in the best interest of the United 
        States.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 13 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 
461 and inserting the following:

``461. Remission of indebtedness.''.

SEC. 204. ACQUISITION REFORM.

    (a) Minimum Performance Standards.--Section 572(d)(3) of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (H) as 
        subparagraphs (E) through (J), respectively;
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
                    ``(B) the performance data to be used to determine 
                whether the key performance parameters have been 
                resolved;''; and
            (4) by inserting after subparagraph (C), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2) of this subsection, the following:
                    ``(D) the results during test and evaluation that 
                will be required to demonstrate that a capability, 
                asset, or subsystem meets performance requirements;''.
    (b) Capital Investment Plan.--Section 2902(a)(1) of title 14, 
United States Code, as redesignated and otherwise amended by this Act, 
is further amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``completion;'' and 
        inserting ``completion based on the proposed appropriations 
        included in the budget;''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``at the projected 
        funding levels;'' and inserting ``based on the proposed 
        appropriations included in the budget;''.
    (c) Days Away From Homeport.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall--
            (1) implement a standard for tracking operational days at 
        sea for Coast Guard cutters that does not include days during 
        which such cutters are undergoing maintenance or repair; and
            (2) notify the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate of the standard implemented under paragraph (1).
    (d) Fixed Wing Aircraft Fleet Mix Analysis.--Not later than 
September 30, 2015, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a revised fleet mix analysis of Coast 
Guard fixed wing aircraft.

SEC. 205. AUXILIARY JURISDICTION.

    (a) In General.--Section 822 of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``The purpose'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(a) In General.--The purpose''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Limitation.--The Auxiliary may conduct a patrol of a 
waterway, or a portion thereof, only if--
            ``(1) the Commandant has determined such waterway, or 
        portion thereof, is navigable for purposes of the jurisdiction 
        of the Coast Guard; or
            ``(2) a State or other proper authority has requested such 
        patrol pursuant to section 141 of this title or section 13109 
        of title 46.''.
    (b) Notification.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall--
            (1) review the waterways patrolled by the Coast Guard 
        Auxiliary in the most recently completed fiscal year to 
        determine whether such waterways are eligible or ineligible for 
        patrol under section 822(b) of title 14, United States Code (as 
        added by subsection (a)); and
            (2) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
        of this Act, provide to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a written notification of--
                    (A) any waterways determined ineligible for patrol 
                under paragraph (1); and
                    (B) the actions taken by the Commandant to ensure 
                Auxiliary patrols do not occur on such waterways.

SEC. 206. LONG-TERM MAJOR ACQUISITIONS PLAN.

    Section 2903 of title 14, United States Code, as redesignated and 
otherwise amended by this Act, is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
    ``(e) Long-Term Major Acquisitions Plan.--Each report under 
subsection (a) shall include a plan that describes for the upcoming 
fiscal year, and for each of the 20 fiscal years thereafter--
            ``(1) the numbers and types of cutters and aircraft to be 
        decommissioned;
            ``(2) the numbers and types of cutters and aircraft to be 
        acquired to--
                    ``(A) replace the cutters and aircraft identified 
                under paragraph (1); or
                    ``(B) address an identified capability gap; and
            ``(3) the estimated level of funding in each fiscal year 
        required to--
                    ``(A) acquire the cutters and aircraft identified 
                under paragraph (2);
                    ``(B) acquire related command, control, 
                communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, 
                and reconnaissance systems; and
                    ``(C) acquire, construct, or renovate shoreside 
                infrastructure.''.

SEC. 207. COAST GUARD COMMUNITIES.

    Section 409 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (14 U.S.C. 
639 note) is amended by striking the second sentence and inserting the 
following: ``The Commandant may recognize any other community in a 
similar manner if the Commandant determines that such community has 
demonstrated enduring support of the Coast Guard, Coast Guard 
personnel, and the dependents of Coast Guard personnel.''.

SEC. 208. ``POLAR SEA'' MATERIEL CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND SERVICE LIFE 
              EXTENSION DECISION.

    Section 222 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 
2012 (Public Law 112-213; 126 Stat. 1560) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall--
            ``(1) complete a materiel condition assessment with respect 
        to the Polar Sea;
            ``(2) make a determination of whether it is cost effective 
        to reactivate the Polar Sea compared with other options to 
        provide icebreaking services as part of a strategy to maintain 
        polar icebreaking services; and
            ``(3) submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate--
                    ``(A) the assessment required under paragraph (1); 
                and
                    ``(B) written notification of the determination 
                required under paragraph (2).'';
            (2) in subsection (b) by striking ``analysis'' and 
        inserting ``written notification'';
            (3) by striking subsection (c);
            (4) by redesignating subsections (d) through (h) as 
        subsections (c) through (g), respectively;
            (5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (4) of 
        this section)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``based 
                        on the analysis required''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C) by striking 
                        ``analysis'' and inserting ``written 
                        notification'';
                    (B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) Decommissioning.--If the Secretary makes a 
        determination under subsection (a) that it is not cost 
        effective to reactivate the Polar Sea, then, not later than 180 
        days after written notification of that determination is 
        submitted under that subsection, the Commandant of the Coast 
        Guard may decommission the Polar Sea.''; and
                    (C) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
            ``(3) Result of no determination.--If the Secretary does 
        not make a determination under subsection (a) regarding whether 
        it is cost effective to reactivate the Polar Sea, then the 
        Commandant of the Coast Guard may decommission the Polar 
        Sea.'';
            (6) in subsection (d)(1) (as redesignated by paragraph (4) 
        of this section) by striking ``analysis'' and inserting 
        ``written notification''; and
            (7) in subsection (e) (as redesignated by paragraph (4) of 
        this section) by striking ``in subsection (d)'' and inserting 
        ``in subsection (c)''.

SEC. 209. REPEAL.

    Section 225(b)(2) of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-281; 128 Stat. 3039) is 
repealed.

SEC. 210. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO TITLE 14.

    Title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further 
amended--
            (1) in the analysis for part I by striking the item 
        relating to chapter 19 and inserting the following:

``19. Environmental Compliance and Restoration Program......     690'';
            (2) in section 46(a) by striking ``subsection'' and 
        inserting ``section'';
            (3) in section 47 in the section heading by striking 
        ``commandant'' and inserting ``Commandant'';
            (4) in section 93(f) by striking paragraph (2) and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(2) Limitation.--The Commandant may lease submerged lands 
        and tidelands under paragraph (1) only if--
                    ``(A) the lease is for cash exclusively;
                    ``(B) the lease amount is equal to the fair market 
                value of the use of the leased submerged lands or 
                tidelands for the period during which such lands are 
                leased, as determined by the Commandant;
                    ``(C) the lease does not provide authority to or 
                commit the Coast Guard to use or support any 
                improvements to such submerged lands and tidelands, or 
                obtain goods and services from the lessee; and
                    ``(D) proceeds from the lease are deposited in the 
                Coast Guard Housing Fund established under section 
                687.'';
            (5) in the analysis for chapter 9 by striking the item 
        relating to section 199 and inserting the following:

``199. Marine safety curriculum.'';
            (6) in section 427(b)(2) by striking ``this chapter'' and 
        inserting ``chapter 61 of title 10'';
            (7) in the analysis for chapter 15 before the item relating 
        to section 571 by striking the following:

``Sec.'';
            (8) in section 573(c)(3)(A) by inserting ``and shall 
        maintain such cutter in class'' before the period at the end;
            (9) in section 581(5)(B) by striking ``$300,000,0000,'' and 
        inserting ``$300,000,000,'';
            (10) in section 637(c)(3) in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A) by inserting ``it is'' before ``any'';
            (11) in section 641(d)(3) by striking ``Guard, 
        installation'' and inserting ``Guard installation'';
            (12) in section 691(c)(3) by striking ``state'' and 
        inserting ``State'';
            (13) in the analysis for chapter 21--
                    (A) by striking the item relating to section 709 
                and inserting the following:

``709. Reserve student aviation pilots; Reserve aviation pilots; 
                            appointments in commissioned grade.'';
                and
                    (B) by striking the item relating to section 740 
                and inserting the following:

``740. Failure of selection and removal from an active status.'';
            (14) in section 742(c) by striking ``subsection'' and 
        inserting ``subsections'';
            (15) in section 821(b)(1) by striking ``Chapter 26'' and 
        inserting ``Chapter 171''; and
            (16) in section 823a(b)(1), by striking ``Chapter 26'' and 
        inserting ``Chapter 171''.

SEC. 211. DIGITAL BOAT PROFILE PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--If, during the 1-year period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating determines that there are at least two 
digital boat profile technologies that are commercially available, the 
Secretary shall establish a pilot program, in accordance with this 
section, under which digital boat profiles are utilized for--
            (1) not less than two National Security Cutters;
            (2) not less than four Fast Response Cutters; and
            (3) not less than four Medium Endurance Cutters (270 foot).
    (b) Timing.--With respect to the National Security Cutters and Fast 
Response Cutters participating in the pilot program, a digital boat 
profile shall be established prior to the commissioning of the cutters.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the 
pilot program, and annually thereafter for the succeeding 4 years, the 
Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report describing--
            (1) the implementation of the pilot program; and
            (2) the results of the use of digital boat profiles under 
        the pilot program with respect to--
                    (A) efficient maintenance of the cutters involved; 
                and
                    (B) the post-delivery warranty management of 
                equipment items, the repair and replacement of which 
                are contractually obligated.
    (d) Digital Boat Profile Defined.--In this section, the term 
``digital boat profile'' means a commercially available off-the-shelf 
technology that creates an electronic data source with respect to a 
vessel that--
            (1) provides lifecycle management support, including 
        through the incorporation of systems manuals, schematics, and 
        vessel documentation;
            (2) incorporates all manufacturer recommendations and 
        operator best practices;
            (3) incorporates the use of real-time analytics of deferred 
        tasks, future tasks, readiness assessments, and budgetary 
        planners;
            (4) provides advance electronic notification of upcoming 
        maintenance and inspections to multi-level permission-based 
        recipients on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis;
            (5) facilitates oversight for pre-delivery discrepancy 
        reporting and post-delivery warranty management of equipment 
        items, the repair and replacement of which are contractually 
        obligated; and
            (6) is accessible by computing devices.

SEC. 212. DISCONTINUANCE OF AN AID TO NAVIGATION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall establish a process for the 
discontinuance of an aid to navigation established, maintained, or 
operated by the Coast Guard.
    (b) Requirement.--The process established under subsection (a) 
shall include procedures to notify the public of any discontinuance of 
an aid to navigation described in that subsection.
    (c) Consultation.--In establishing a process under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall consult with and consider any recommendations of 
the Navigation Safety Advisory Council.
    (d) Notification.--Not later than 30 days after establishing a 
process under subsection (a), the Secretary shall notify the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate of the process established.

SEC. 213. MISSION PERFORMANCE MEASURES.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an assessment of 
the efficacy of the Coast Guard's Standard Operational Planning Process 
with respect to annual mission performance measures.

SEC. 214. COMMUNICATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating shall establish and carry out a response 
capabilities pilot program to assess, at not fewer than two Coast Guard 
command centers, the effectiveness of a radio gateway that--
            (1) provides for--
                    (A) multiagency collaboration and interoperability; 
                and
                    (B) wide-area, secure, and peer-invitation-and-
                acceptance-based multimedia communications;
            (2) is certified by the Department of Defense Joint 
        Interoperability Test Center; and
            (3) is composed of commercially available, off-the-shelf 
        technology.
    (b) Assessment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the succeeding 4 
years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an assessment of 
the pilot program, including the impacts of the program with respect to 
interagency and Coast Guard response capabilities.

SEC. 215. COAST GUARD GRADUATE MARITIME OPERATIONS EDUCATION.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall establish an education program, for members and employees of the 
Coast Guard, that--
            (1) offers a master's degree in maritime operations;
            (2) is relevant to the professional development of such 
        members and employees;
            (3) provides resident and distant education options, 
        including the ability to utilize both options; and
            (4) to the greatest extent practicable, is conducted using 
        existing academic programs at an accredited public academic 
        institution that--
                    (A) is located near a significant number of Coast 
                Guard, maritime, and other Department of Homeland 
                Security law enforcement personnel; and
                    (B) has an ability to simulate operations normally 
                conducted at a command center.

                   TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION

SEC. 301. TREATMENT OF FISHING PERMITS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 313 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 31310. Treatment of fishing permits
    ``(a) Limitation on Maritime Liens.--This chapter--
            ``(1) does not establish a maritime lien on a fishing 
        permit; and
            ``(2) does not authorize any civil action to enforce a 
        maritime lien on a fishing permit.
    ``(b) Treatment of Fishing Permits Under State and Federal Law.--A 
fishing permit--
            ``(1) is governed solely by the State or Federal law under 
        which it is issued; and
            ``(2) shall not be treated as part of a vessel, or as an 
        appurtenance or intangible of a vessel, for any purpose under 
        Federal law.
    ``(c) Authority of Secretary of Commerce Not Affected.--Nothing in 
this section shall be construed as imposing any limitation upon the 
authority of the Secretary of Commerce--
            ``(1) to modify, suspend, revoke, or impose a sanction on 
        any fishing permit issued by the Secretary of Commerce; or
            ``(2) to bring a civil action to enforce such a 
        modification, suspension, revocation, or sanction.
    ``(d) Fishing Permit Defined.--In this section the term `fishing 
permit' means any authorization of a person or vessel to engage in 
fishing that is issued under State or Federal law.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
31309 the following:

``31310. Treatment of fishing permits.''.

SEC. 302. SURVIVAL CRAFT.

    (a) In General.--Section 3104 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3104. Survival craft
    ``(a) Requirement To Equip.--The Secretary shall require that a 
passenger vessel be equipped with survival craft that ensures that no 
part of an individual is immersed in water, if--
            ``(1) such vessel is built or undergoes a major conversion 
        after January 1, 2016; and
            ``(2) operates in cold waters as determined by the 
        Secretary.
    ``(b) Higher Standard of Safety.--The Secretary may revise part 117 
or part 180 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect 
before January 1, 2016, if such revision provides a higher standard of 
safety than is provided by the regulations in effect on or before the 
date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015.
    ``(c) Innovative and Novel Designs.--The Secretary may, in lieu of 
the requirements set out in part 117 or part 180 of title 46, Code of 
Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the 
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, allow a passenger vessel to be 
equipped with a life saving appliance or arrangement of an innovative 
or novel design that--
            ``(1) ensures no part of an individual is immersed in 
        water; and
            ``(2) provides an equal or higher standard of safety than 
        is provided by such requirements as in effect before such date 
        of the enactment.
    ``(d) Built Defined.--In this section, the term `built' has the 
meaning that term has under section 4503(e).''.
    (b) Review; Revision of Regulations.--
            (1) Review.--Not later than December 31, 2015, the 
        Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
        operating shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a review of--
                    (A) the number of casualties for individuals with 
                disabilities, children, and the elderly as a result of 
                immersion in water, reported to the Coast Guard over 
                the preceding 30-year period, by vessel type and area 
                of operation;
                    (B) the risks to individuals with disabilities, 
                children, and the elderly as a result of immersion in 
                water, by passenger vessel type and area of operation;
                    (C) the effect that carriage of survival craft that 
                ensure that no part of an individual is immersed in 
                water has on--
                            (i) passenger vessel safety, including 
                        stability and safe navigation;
                            (ii) improving the survivability of 
                        individuals, including individuals with 
                        disabilities, children, and the elderly; and
                            (iii) the costs, the incremental cost 
                        difference to vessel operators, and the cost 
                        effectiveness of requiring the carriage of such 
                        survival craft to address the risks to 
                        individuals with disabilities, children, and 
                        the elderly;
                    (D) the efficacy of alternative safety systems, 
                devices, or measures in improving survivability of 
                individuals with disabilities, children, and the 
                elderly; and
                    (E) the number of small businesses and nonprofit 
                vessel operators that would be affected by requiring 
                the carriage of such survival craft on passenger 
                vessels to address the risks to individuals with 
                disabilities, children, and the elderly.
            (2) Revision.--Based on the review conducted under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary may revise regulations concerning 
        the carriage of survival craft pursuant to section 3104(c) of 
        title 46, United States Code.

SEC. 303. ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 55305(d) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) Each department or agency that has responsibility for 
        a program under this section shall administer that program 
        consistent with this section and any regulations promulgated 
        pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, issued by 
        the Secretary of Transportation, and developed in consultation 
        with each department and agency subject to this section.'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3), and by 
        inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2)(A) The Secretary, after consulting with the 
        department, agency, organization, or person involved, shall 
        have sole responsibility for determining the applicability of 
        this section to a program of a Federal department or agency, 
        after consulting with the department, agency, organization, or 
        person involved.
            ``(B) The head of a Federal department or agency shall 
        request the Secretary to determine the applicability of this 
        section to a program of such department or agency if the 
        department or agency is uncertain of such applicability. Not 
        later than 30 days after receiving such a request, the 
        Secretary shall make such determination.
            ``(C) Subparagraph (B) shall not be construed to limit the 
        authority of the Secretary to make a determination regarding 
        the applicability of this section to a program administered by 
        a Federal department or agency.
            ``(D) A determination made by the Secretary under this 
        paragraph regarding a program shall remain in effect until the 
        Secretary determines that this section no longer applies to 
        such program.'';
            (3) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated, by amending 
        subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
                    ``(A) shall conduct an annual review of the 
                administration of programs subject to the requirements 
                of this section to determine compliance with the 
                requirements of this section;''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) On the date on which the President submits to 
        Congress a budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, the 
        Secretary shall make available on the Internet website of the 
        Department of Transportation a report that--
                    ``(A) lists the programs that were subject to 
                determinations made by the Secretary under paragraph 
                (2) in the preceding year; and
                    ``(B) describes the results of the most recent 
                annual review required by paragraph (3)(A), including 
                identification of the departments and agencies that 
                transported cargo in violation of this section and any 
                action the Secretary took under paragraph (3) with 
                respect to each violation.''.
    (b) Deadline for First Review.--The Secretary of Transportation 
shall complete the first review required under the amendment made by 
subsection (a)(1)(C) by not later than December 31, 2015.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3511(c) of the Duncan Hunter 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (46 U.S.C. 
55305 note) is repealed.

SEC. 304. MODEL YEARS FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS.

    (a) In General.--Section 4302 of title 46, United States Code is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e)(1) If in prescribing regulations under this section the 
Secretary establishes a model year for recreational vessels and 
associated equipment, such model year shall, except as provided in 
paragraph (2)--
            ``(A) begin on June 1 of a year and end on July 31 of the 
        following year; and
            ``(B) be designated by the year in which it ends.
    ``(2) Upon the request of a recreational vessel manufacturer to 
which this chapter applies, the Secretary may alter a model year for a 
model of recreational vessel of the manufacturer and associated 
equipment, by no more than 6 months from the model year described in 
paragraph (1).''.
    (b) Application.--This section shall only apply with respect to 
recreational vessels and associated equipment constructed or 
manufactured, respectively, on or after June 1, 2015.
    (c) Guidance.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall publish guidance to implement section 
4302(d)(2) of title 46, United States Code.

SEC. 305. MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL EXPIRATION HARMONIZATION.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (c) and not later 
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish 
a process to harmonize the expiration dates of merchant mariner 
credentials, mariner medical certificates, and radar observer 
endorsements for individuals applying to the Secretary for a new 
merchant mariner credential or for renewal of an existing merchant 
mariner credential.
    (b) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that the process 
established under subsection (a)--
            (1) does not require an individual to renew a merchant 
        mariner credential earlier than the date on which the 
        individual's current credential expires; and
            (2) results in harmonization of expiration dates for 
        merchant mariner credentials, mariner medical certificates, and 
        radar observer endorsements for all individuals by not later 
        than 6 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Exception.--The process established under subsection (a) does 
not apply to individuals--
            (1) holding a merchant mariner credential with--
                    (A) an active Standards of Training, Certification, 
                and Watchkeeping endorsement; or
                    (B) Federal first-class pilot endorsement; or
            (2) who have been issued a time-restricted medical 
        certificate.

SEC. 306. MARINE EVENT SAFETY ZONES.

    Section 6 of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1225) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Marine Event Safety Zones.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        Secretary shall recover all costs the Coast Guard incurs to 
        enforce a safety zone under this section if such safety zone is 
        established for a marine event conducted under a permit or 
        other authorization by the Coast Guard.
            ``(2) Exception.--The Secretary may not recover costs under 
        paragraph (1) from a State or local government.
            ``(3) Treatment of recovered costs.--Costs recovered by the 
        Secretary under this subsection shall be credited to the 
        appropriation for operating expenses of the Coast Guard.
            ``(4) Marine event defined.--In this section the term 
        `marine event' means a planned activity of limited duration 
        that by its nature, circumstances, or location, will introduce 
        extra or unusual hazards to the safety of life on the navigable 
        waters of the United States.''.

SEC. 307. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    (a) Title 46.--Title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in section 103, by striking ``(33 U.S.C. 151).'' and 
        inserting ``(33 U.S.C. 151(b)).'';
            (2) in section 2118--
                    (A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
                paragraph (1), by striking ``title,'' and inserting 
                ``subtitle,''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``title'' and 
                inserting ``subtitle'';
            (3) in the analysis for chapter 35--
                    (A) by adding a period at the end of the item 
                relating to section 3507; and
                    (B) by adding a period at the end of the item 
                relating to section 3508;
            (4) in section 3715(a)(2), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (5) in section 8103(b)(1)(A)(iii), by striking ``Academy.'' 
        and inserting ``Academy; and''; and
            (6) in section 11113(c)(1)(A)(i), by striking ``under this 
        Act''.
    (b) General Bridge Statutes.--
            (1) Act of march 3, 1899.--The Act of March 3, 1899, 
        popularly known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 
        1899, is amended--
                    (A) in section 9 (33 U.S.C. 401), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which 
                the Coast Guard is operating''; and
                    (B) in section 18 (33 U.S.C. 502), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which 
                the Coast Guard is operating''.
            (2) Act of march 23, 1906.--The Act of March 23, 1906, 
        popularly known as the Bridge Act of 1906, is amended--
                    (A) in the first section (33 U.S.C. 491), by 
                striking ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating'';
                    (B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 494), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Homeland Security'' each place it 
                appears and inserting ``Secretary of the department in 
                which the Coast Guard is operating''; and
                    (C) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 495), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which 
                the Coast Guard is operating''.
            (3) Act of august 18, 1894.--Section 5 of the Act entitled 
        ``An Act making appropriations for the construction, repair, 
        and preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors, 
        and for other purposes'', approved August 18, 1894 (33 U.S.C. 
        499) is amended by striking ``Secretary of Transportation'' 
        each place it appears and inserting ``Secretary of the 
        department in which the Coast Guard is operating''.
            (4) Act of june 21, 1940.--The Act of June 21, 1940, 
        popularly known as the Truman-Hobbs Act, is amended--
                    (A) in the first section (33 U.S.C. 511), by 
                striking ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating'';
                    (B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 514), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating'';
                    (C) in section 7 (33 U.S.C. 517), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which 
                the Coast Guard is operating''; and
                    (D) in section 13 (33 U.S.C. 523), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating''.
            (5) General bridge act of 1946.--The General Bridge Act of 
        1946 is amended--
                    (A) in section 502(b) (33 U.S.C. 525(b)), by 
                striking ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating''; and
                    (B) in section 510 (33 U.S.C. 533), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which 
                the Coast Guard is operating''.
            (6) International bridge act of 1972.--The International 
        Bridge Act of 1972 is amended--
                    (A) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 535c), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting 
                ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
                is operating''; and
                    (B) in section 8 (33 U.S.C. 535e), by striking 
                ``Secretary of Transportation'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the department in which 
                the Coast Guard is operating''.

SEC. 308. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS OF MARINE CASUALTY 
              REPORTING.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall notify the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of 
the actions the Commandant will take to implement recommendations on 
improvements to the Coast Guard's marine casualty reporting 
requirements and procedures included in--
            (1) the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector 
        General report entitled ``Marine Accident Reporting, 
        Investigations, and Enforcement in the United States Coast 
        Guard'', released on May 23, 2013; and
            (2) the Towing Safety Advisory Committee report entitled 
        ``Recommendations for Improvement of Marine Casualty 
        Reporting'', released on March 26, 2015.

SEC. 309. RECREATIONAL VESSEL ENGINE WEIGHTS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
operating shall issue regulations amending Table 4 to Subpart H of Part 
183-Weights (Pounds) of Outboard Motor and Related Equipment for 
Various Boat Horsepower Ratings (33 CFR 183) as appropriate to reflect 
``Standard 30-Outboard Engine and Related Equipment Weights'' published 
by the American Boat and Yacht Council, as in effect on the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 310. MERCHANT MARINER MEDICAL CERTIFICATION REFORM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 7509. Medical certification by trusted agents
    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law and 
pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a trusted agent 
may issue a medical certificate to an individual who--
            ``(1) must hold such certificate to qualify for a license, 
        certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document, or 
        endorsement thereto under this part; and
            ``(2) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical 
        condition to perform the duties of such license, certificate, 
        document, or endorsement, as determined by the trusted agent.
    ``(b) Trusted Agent Defined.--In this section the term `trusted 
agent' means a medical practitioner certified by the Secretary to 
perform physical examinations of an individual for purposes of a 
license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document under 
this part.''.
    (b) Deadline.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall issue a final rule implementing section 
7509 of title 46, United States Code, as added by this section.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is amended 
by adding at the end the following:

``7509. Medical certification by trusted agents.''.

SEC. 311. ATLANTIC COAST PORT ACCESS ROUTE STUDY.

    Not later than April 1, 2016, the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
shall conclude the Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study and submit 
the results of such study to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 312. CERTIFICATES OF DOCUMENTATION FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is 
operating shall issue regulations that--
            (1) make certificates of documentation for recreational 
        vessels effective for 5 years; and
            (2) require the owner of such a vessel--
                    (A) to notify the Coast Guard of each change in the 
                information on which the issuance of the certificate of 
                documentation is based, that occurs before the 
                expiration of the certificate; and
                    (B) apply for a new certificates of documentation 
                for such a vessel if there is any such change.

SEC. 313. PROGRAM GUIDELINES.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment this Act, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall--
            (1) develop guidelines to implement the program authorized 
        under section 304(a) of the Coast Guard and Maritime 
        Transportation Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-241), including 
        specific actions to ensure the future availability of able and 
        credentialed United States licensed and unlicensed seafarers 
        including--
                    (A) incentives to encourage partnership agreements 
                with operators of foreign-flag vessels that carry 
                liquified natural gas, that provide no less than one 
                training billet per vessel for United States merchant 
                mariners in order to meet minimum mandatory sea service 
                requirements;
                    (B) development of appropriate training curricula 
                for use by public and private maritime training 
                institutions to meet all United States merchant mariner 
                license, certification, and document laws and 
                requirements under the International Convention on 
                Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 
                for Seafarers, 1978; and
                    (C) steps to promote greater outreach and awareness 
                of additional job opportunities for sea service 
                veterans of the United States Armed Forces; and
            (2) submit such guidelines to the Committee Transportation 
        and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate.

SEC. 314. REPEALS.

    (a) Repeals, Merchant Marine Act, 1936.--Sections 601 through 606, 
608 through 611, 613 through 616, 802, and 809 of the Merchant Marine 
Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 53101 note) are repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Chapter 575 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in section 57501, by striking ``titles V and VI'' and 
        inserting ``title V''; and
            (2) in section 57531(a), by striking ``titles V and VI'' 
        and inserting ``title V''.
    (c) Transfer From Merchant Marine Act, 1936.--
            (1) In general.--Section 801 of the Merchant Marine Act, 
        1936 (46 U.S.C. 53101 note) is--
                    (A) redesignated as section 57522 of title 46, 
                United States Code, and transferred to appear after 
                section 57521 of such title; and
                    (B) as so redesignated and transferred, is 
                amended--
                            (i) by striking so much as precedes the 
                        first sentence and inserting the following:
``Sec. 57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and inspection and 
              auditing'';
                            (ii) by striking ``the provision of title 
                        VI or VII of this Act'' and inserting ``this 
                        chapter'';
                            (iii) by striking ``That the provisions'' 
                        and all that follows through ``Commission; 
                        (2)''; and
                            (iv) by redesignating clauses (3) and (4) 
                        as clauses (2) and (3), respectively.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 575, of 
        title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 57521 the following:

``57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and inspection and 
                            auditing.''.
    (d) Repeals, Title 46, U.S.C.--Section 8103 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended in subsections (c) and (d) by striking ``or 
operating'' each place it appears.

                 TITLE IV--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 308. Authorization of appropriations
    ``There is authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Maritime 
Commission $24,700,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017 for the 
activities of the Commission authorized under this chapter and subtitle 
IV.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 3 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``308. Authorization of appropriations.''.

SEC. 402. DUTIES OF THE CHAIRMAN.

    Section 301(c)(3)(A) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in clause (ii) by striking ``units, but only after 
        consultation with the other Commissioners;'' and inserting 
        ``units (with such appointments subject to the approval of the 
        Commission);'';
            (2) in clause (iv) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (3) in clause (v) by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vi) prepare and submit to the President 
                        and Congress requests for appropriations for 
                        the Commission (with such requests subject to 
                        the approval of the Commission).''.

SEC. 403. PROHIBITION ON AWARDS.

    Section 307 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Federal Maritime Commission'' and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--The Federal Maritime Commission''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Federal 
Maritime Commission may not expend any funds appropriated or otherwise 
made available to it to issue an award, prize, commendation, or other 
honor to a non-Federal entity.''.

                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 501. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN MARIN COUNTY, 
              CALIFORNIA.

    (a) Conveyance Authorized.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard may 
convey all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
the covered property, upon payment to the United States of the fair 
market value of the covered property.
    (b) Right of First Refusal.--The County of Marin, California shall 
have the right of first refusal with respect to purchase of the covered 
property under this section.
    (c) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the covered 
property shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the 
Commandant.
    (d) Fair Market Value.--The fair market value of the covered 
property shall--
            (1) be determined by appraisal; and
            (2) be subject to the approval of the Commandant.
    (e) Costs of Conveyance.--The responsibility for all reasonable and 
necessary costs, including real estate transaction and environmental 
documentation costs, associated with a conveyance under this section 
shall be determined by the Commandant and the purchaser.
    (f) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Commandant may require 
such additional terms and conditions in connection with a conveyance 
under this section as the Commandant considers appropriate and 
reasonable to protect the interests of the United States.
    (g) Deposit of Proceeds.--Any proceeds received by the United 
States in a conveyance under this section shall be deposited in the 
Coast Guard Housing Fund established by section 687 of title 14, United 
States Code.
    (h) Covered Property Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered 
property'' means the approximately 32 acres of real property (including 
all improvements located on the property) that are--
            (1) located at Station Point Reyes in Marin County, 
        California;
            (2) under the administrative control of the Coast Guard; 
        and
            (3) described as ``Parcel A, Tract 1'', ``Parcel B, Tract 
        2'', ``Parcel C'', and ``Parcel D'' in the Declaration of 
        Taking (Civil No. C-71-1245 SC) filed June 28, 1971, in the 
        United States District Court for the Northern District of 
        California.

SEC. 502. ELIMINATION OF REPORTS.

    (a) Distant Water Tuna Fleet.--Section 421 of the Coast Guard and 
Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (46 U.S.C. 8103 note) is amended by 
striking subsection (d).
    (b) Annual Updates on Limits to Liability.--Section 603(c)(3) of 
the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 2704 
note) is amended by striking ``on an annual basis.'' and inserting 
``not later than January 30 of the year following each year in which 
occurs an oil discharge from a vessel or nonvessel source that results 
or is likely to result in removal costs and damages (as those terms are 
defined in section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 
2701)) that exceed liability limits established under section 1004 of 
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2704).''.
    (c) International Bridge Act of 1972.--The International Bridge Act 
of 1972 is amended by striking section 11 (33 U.S.C. 535h).

SEC. 503. VESSEL DOCUMENTATION.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment this Act, 
the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and infrastructure of the House and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a 
description of actions that could be taken to--
            (1) improve the efficiency of performance of the functions 
        currently carried out by the National Vessel Documentation 
        Center, including by--
                    (A) transferring such functions to Coast Guard 
                headquarters; and
                    (B) reassigning Coast Guard personnel to better 
                meet the Coast Guard's vessel documentation mission; 
                and
            (2) strengthen the review of compliance with United States 
        ownership requirements for vessels documented under the laws of 
        the United States.

SEC. 504. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN TOK, ALASKA.

    (a) Conveyance Authorized.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard may 
convey all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
the covered property, upon payment to the United States of the fair 
market value of the covered property.
    (b) Right of First Refusal.--The Tanana Chiefs' Conference shall 
have the right of first refusal with respect to purchase of the covered 
property under this section.
    (c) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the covered 
property shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the 
Commandant.
    (d) Fair Market Value.--The fair market value of the covered 
property shall be--
            (1) determined by appraisal; and
            (2) subject to the approval of the Commandant.
    (e) Costs of Conveyance.--The responsibility for all reasonable and 
necessary costs, including real estate transaction and environmental 
documentation costs, associated with a conveyance under this section 
shall be determined by the Commandant and the purchaser.
    (f) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Commandant may require 
such additional terms and conditions in connection with a conveyance 
under this section as the Commandant considers appropriate and 
reasonable to protect the interests of the United States.
    (g) Deposit of Proceeds.--Any proceeds received by the United 
States from a conveyance under this section shall be deposited in the 
Coast Guard Housing Fund established under section 687 of title 14, 
United States Code.
    (h) Covered Property Defined.--
            (1) In general.--In this section, the term ``covered 
        property'' means the approximately 3.25 acres of real property 
        (including all improvements located on the property) that are--
                    (A) located in Tok, Alaska;
                    (B) under the administrative control of the Coast 
                Guard; and
                    (C) described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Description.--The property described in this paragraph 
        is the following:
                    (A) Lots 11, 12 and 13, block ``G'', Second 
                Addition to Hartsell Subdivision, Section 20, Township 
                18 North, Range 13 East, Copper River Meridian, Alaska 
                as appears by Plat No. 72-39 filed in the Office of the 
                Recorder for the Fairbanks Recording District of 
                Alaska, bearing seal dated 25 September 1972, all 
                containing approximately 1.25 acres and commonly known 
                as 2-PLEX - Jackie Circle, Units A and B.
                    (B) Beginning at a point being the SE corner of the 
                SE \1/4\ of the SE \1/4\ Section 24, Township 18 North, 
                Range 12 East, Copper River Meridian, Alaska; thence 
                running westerly along the south line of said SE \1/4\ 
                of the NE \1/4\ 260 feet; thence northerly parallel to 
                the east line of said SE \1/4\ of the NE \1/4\ 335 
                feet; thence easterly parallel to the south line 260 
                feet; then south 335 feet along the east boundary of 
                Section 24 to the point of beginning; all containing 
                approximately 2.0 acres and commonly known as 4-PLEX - 
                West ``C'' and Willow, Units A, B, C and D.

SEC. 505. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT LAKES.

    The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 
2014 (Public Law 113-281) is amended--
            (1) in section 610, by--
                    (A) striking the section enumerator and heading and 
                inserting the following:

``SEC. 610. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT LAKES.'';

                    (B) striking ``existing boundaries and any future 
                expanded boundaries of the Thunder Bay National Marine 
                Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve'' and inserting 
                ``boundaries of any national marine sanctuary that 
                preserves shipwrecks or maritime heritage in the Great 
                Lakes''; and
                    (C) by inserting before the period at the end the 
                following: ``, unless the designation documents for 
                such sanctuary do not allow taking up or discharging 
                ballast water in such sanctuary''; and
            (2) in the table of contents in section 2, by striking the 
        item relating to such section and inserting the following:

``Sec. 610. Safe vessel operation in the Great Lakes.''.

SEC. 506. USE OF VESSEL SALE PROCEEDS.

    (a) Audit.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct an audit of funds credited in each fiscal year after fiscal 
year 2004 to the Vessel Operations Revolving Fund that are attributable 
to the sale of obsolete vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet 
that were scrapped or sold under sections 57102, 57103, and 57104 of 
title 46, United States Code, including--
            (1) a complete accounting of all vessel sale proceeds 
        attributable to the sale of obsolete vessels in the National 
        Defense Reserve Fleet that were scrapped or sold under sections 
        57102, 57103, and 57104 of title 46, United States Code, in 
        each fiscal year after fiscal year 2004;
            (2) the annual apportionment of proceeds accounted for 
        under paragraph (1) among the uses authorized under section 
        308704 of title 54, United States Code, in each fiscal year 
        after fiscal year 2004, including--
                    (A) for National Maritime Heritage Grants, 
                including a list of all annual National Maritime 
                Heritage Grant grant and subgrant awards that 
                identifies the respective grant and subgrant recipients 
                and grant and subgrant amounts;
                    (B) for the preservation and presentation to the 
                public of maritime heritage property of the Maritime 
                Administration;
                    (C) to the United States Merchant Marine Academy 
                and State maritime academies, including a list of 
                annual awards; and
                    (D) for the acquisition, repair, reconditioning, or 
                improvement of vessels in the National Defense Reserve 
                Fleet; and
            (3) an accounting of proceeds, if any, attributable to the 
        sale of obsolete vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet 
        that were scrapped or sold under sections 57102, 57103, and 
        57104 of title 46, United States Code, in each fiscal year 
        after fiscal year 2004, that were expended for uses not 
        authorized under section 308704 of title 54, United States 
        Code.
    (b) Submission to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit the audit 
conducted in subsection (a) to the Committee on Armed Services, the 
Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 507. FISHING VESSEL AND FISH TENDER VESSEL CERTIFICATION.

    Section 4503 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following: 
        ``Subsection (a) does not apply to a fishing vessel or fish 
        tender vessel described in subsection (d)(6), if the vessel 
        complies with an alternative safety compliance program 
        established under that subsection for such a vessel.''; and
            (2) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following:
    ``(6) The Secretary shall establish an alternative safety 
compliance program for fishing vessels or fish tender vessels (or both) 
that are at least 50 feet overall in length, and not more than 79 feet 
overall in length, and built after July 1, 2013.''.

SEC. 508. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES COST COMPARISON.

    (a) Cost Comparison.--The Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall seek to enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy, by no later 
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a comparison of the costs incurred by the 
Federal Government for each of the following alternatives:
            (1) Transferring the Polar Sea to a non-governmental entity 
        at no cost, and leasing back the vessel beginning on the date 
        on which the Coast Guard certifies that the vessel is capable 
        of the breaking out and missions described in subsection 
        (c)(1).
            (2) The reactivation and operation by the Coast Guard of 
        the Polar Sea to an operational level at which the vessel is 
        capable of such breaking out and missions.
            (3) Acquiring and operating a new icebreaker through the 
        Coast Guard's acquisition process that is capable of such 
        breaking out and missions.
            (4) Construction by a non-Federal entity of an icebreaker 
        capable of such breaking out and missions, that will be leased 
        by the Federal Government and operated using a Coast Guard 
        crew.
            (5) Construction by a non-Federal entity of an icebreaker 
        capable of such breaking out and missions, that will be leased 
        by the Federal Government and operated by a crew of non-Federal 
        employees.
            (6) The acquisition of services from a non-Federal entity 
        to perform such breaking out and missions.
    (b) Included Costs.--For purposes of subsection (a), the cost of 
each alternative includes costs incurred by the Federal Government 
for--
            (1) the lease or operation and maintenance of the vessel 
        concerned;
            (2) disposal of such vessel at the end of the useful life 
        of the vessel;
            (3) retirement and other benefits for Federal employees who 
        operate such vessel; and
            (4) interest payments assumed to be incurred for Federal 
        capital expenditures.
    (c) Assumptions.--For purposes of comparing the costs of such 
alternatives, the Academy shall assume that--
            (1) each vessel under consideration is--
                    (A) capable of breaking out of McMurdo Station, and 
                conducting Coast Guard missions in the United States 
                territory in the Arctic (as that term is defined in 
                section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 
                1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111)); and
                    (B) operated for a period of 20 years;
            (2) the acquisition of services and the operation of each 
        vessel begin on the same date; and
            (3) the periods for conducting Coast Guard missions in the 
        Arctic are of equal lengths.

SEC. 509. PENALTY WAGES.

    (a) Foreign and Intercoastal Voyages.--Section 10313(g) of title 
46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``all claims in a class action suit 
                by seamen'' and inserting ``each claim by a seaman''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``the seamen'' and inserting ``the 
                seaman''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``class action''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, by a 
                seaman who is a claimant in the suit,'' and inserting 
                ``by the seaman''.
    (b) Coastwise Voyages.--Section 10504(c) of such title is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``all claims in a class action suit 
                by seamen'' and inserting ``each claim by a seaman''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``the seamen'' and inserting ``the 
                seaman''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``class action''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, by a 
                seaman who is a claimant in the suit,'' and inserting 
                ``by the seaman''.

SEC. 510. RECOURSE FOR NONCITIZENS.

    Section 30104 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before the first 
        sentence; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Restriction on Recovery for Nonresident Aliens Employed on 
Foreign Passenger Vessels.--A claim for damages or expenses relating to 
personal injury, illness, or death of a seaman who is a citizen of a 
foreign nation, arising during or from the engagement of the seaman by 
or for a passenger vessel duly registered under the laws of a foreign 
nation, may not be brought under the laws of the United States if--
            ``(1) such seaman was not a permanent resident alien of the 
        United States at the time the claim arose;
            ``(2) the injury, illness, or death arose outside the 
        territorial waters of the United States; and
            ``(3) the seaman or the seaman's personal representative 
        has or had a right to seek compensation for the injury, 
        illness, or death in, or under the laws of--
                    ``(A) the nation in which the vessel was registered 
                at the time the claim arose; or
                    ``(B) the nation in which the seaman maintained 
                citizenship or residency at the time the claim 
                arose.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives May 18, 2015.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
114th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 1987

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

 To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2016 
                   and 2017, and for other purposes.