[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H2763-H2779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ACT OF 2014

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4005) to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for 
fiscal years 2015 and 2016, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4005

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Coast 
     Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

                         TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION

Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 102. Authorized levels of military strength and training.

                         TITLE II--COAST GUARD

Sec. 201. Commissioned officers.
Sec. 202. Prevention and response workforces.
Sec. 203. Centers of expertise.
Sec. 204. Agreements.

[[Page H2764]]

Sec. 205. Coast Guard housing.
Sec. 206. Determinations.
Sec. 207. Annual Board of Visitors.
Sec. 208. Repeal of limitation on medals of honor.
Sec. 209. Mission need statement.
Sec. 210. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request.
Sec. 211. Inventory of real property.
Sec. 212. Active duty for emergency augmentation of regular forces.
Sec. 213. Acquisition workforce expedited hiring authority.
Sec. 214. Icebreakers.
Sec. 215. Multiyear procurement authority for Offshore Patrol Cutters.
Sec. 216. Maintaining Medium Endurance Cutter mission capability.
Sec. 217. Coast Guard administrative savings.
Sec. 218. Technical corrections to title 14.
Sec. 219. Flag officers.
Sec. 220. Aviation capability in the Great Lakes region.
Sec. 221. e-LORAN.

                   TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION

Sec. 301. Treatment of fishing permits.
Sec. 302. International ice patrol reform.
Sec. 303. Repeal.
Sec. 304. Donation of historical property.
Sec. 305. Small shipyards.
Sec. 306. Drug testing reporting.
Sec. 307. Recourse for noncitizens.
Sec. 308. Penalty wages.
Sec. 309. Crediting time in the sea services.
Sec. 310. Treatment of abandoned seafarers.
Sec. 311. Clarification of high-risk waters.
Sec. 312. Uninspected passenger vessels in the Virgin Islands.
Sec. 313. Offshore supply vessel third-party inspection.
Sec. 314. Survival craft.
Sec. 315. Technical correction to title 46.
Sec. 316. Enforcement.
Sec. 317. Severe marine debris events.
Sec. 318. Minimum tonnage.
Sec. 319. Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee.
Sec. 320. Report on effect of LNG export carriage requirements on job 
              creation in the United States maritime industry.

                 TITLE IV--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 402. Terms of Commissioners.

              TITLE V--COMMERCIAL VESSEL DISCHARGE REFORM

Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. Discharges incidental to the normal operation of certain 
              vessels.

                        TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 601. Distant water tuna fleet.
Sec. 602. Vessel determination.
Sec. 603. Lease authority.
Sec. 604. National maritime strategy.
Sec. 605. IMO Polar Code negotiations.
Sec. 606. Valley View Ferry.
Sec. 607. Competition by United States flag vessels.
Sec. 608. Survey.
Sec. 609. Fishing safety grant programs.

                         TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION

     SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Funds are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal 
     years 2015 and 2016 for necessary expenses of the Coast Guard 
     as follows:
       (1) For the operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard--
       (A) $6,981,036,000 for fiscal year 2015; and
       (B) $6,981,036,000 for fiscal year 2016.
       (2) For the acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and 
     improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore 
     facilities, vessels, and aircraft, including equipment 
     related thereto--
       (A) $1,546,448,000 for fiscal year 2015; and
       (B) $1,546,448,000 for fiscal year 2016;

     to remain available until expended.
       (3) For the Coast Guard Reserve program, including 
     personnel and training costs, equipment, and services--
       (A) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2015; and
       (B) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2016.
       (4) For environmental compliance and restoration of Coast 
     Guard vessels, aircraft, and facilities (other than parts and 
     equipment associated with operation and maintenance)--
       (A) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2015; and
       (B) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2016;

     to remain available until expended.
       (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--
       (A) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2015; and
       (B) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2016.

     SEC. 102. 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 2015 and 2016.
       (b) Military Training Student Loads.--The Coast Guard is 
     authorized average military training student loads for each 
     of fiscal years 2015 and 2016 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.

                         TITLE II--COAST GUARD

     SEC. 201. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

       Section 42(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``7,200'' and inserting ``6,700''.

     SEC. 202. PREVENTION AND RESPONSE WORKFORCES.

       Section 57 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (2) by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (3) by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) waterways operations manager shall have knowledge, 
     skill, and practical experience with respect to marine 
     transportation system management; or
       ``(5) port and facility safety and security specialist 
     shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with 
     respect to the safety, security, and environmental protection 
     responsibilities associated with maritime ports and 
     facilities.'';
       (2) in subsection (c) by striking ``or marine safety 
     engineer'' and inserting ``marine safety engineer, waterways 
     operations manager, or port and facility safety and security 
     specialist''; and
       (3) in subsection (f)(2) by striking ``investigator or 
     marine safety engineer.'' and inserting ``investigator, 
     marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port 
     and facility safety and security specialist.''.

     SEC. 203. CENTERS OF EXPERTISE.

       Section 58(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(b) Missions.--Any center established under subsection 
     (a) may--
       ``(1) promote, facilitate, and conduct--
       ``(A) education;
       ``(B) training; and
       ``(C) activities authorized under section 93(a)(4); and
       ``(2) be a repository of information on operations, 
     practices, and resources related to the mission for which the 
     center was established.''.

     SEC. 204. AGREEMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 93(a)(4) of title 14, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``, investigate'' and inserting ``and 
     investigate''; and
       (2) by striking ``, and cooperate and coordinate such 
     activities with other Government agencies and with private 
     agencies''.
       (b) Authority.--Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 102. Agreements

       ``(a) In General.--In carrying out section 93(a)(4), the 
     Commandant may--
       ``(1) enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, and 
     other agreements with Federal entities and other public or 
     private entities, including academic entities; and
       ``(2) impose on and collect from an entity subject to an 
     agreement or contract under paragraph (1) a fee to assist 
     with expenses incurred in carrying out such section.
       ``(b) Deposit and Use of Fees.--Fees collected under this 
     section shall be deposited in the general fund of the 
     Treasury as offsetting receipts. The fees may be used, to the 
     extent provided in advance in an appropriation law, only to 
     carry out activities under section 93(a)(4).''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 5 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

``102. Agreements.''.

     SEC. 205. COAST GUARD HOUSING.

       (a) Commandant; General Powers.--Section 93(a)(13) of title 
     14, United States Code, is amended by striking ``the 
     Treasury'' and inserting ``the fund established under section 
     687''.
       (b) Lighthouse Property.--Section 672a(b) of title 14, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``the Treasury'' 
     and inserting ``the fund established under section 687''.
       (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 687(b) of title 14, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(4) Monies received under section 93(a)(13).
       ``(5) Amounts received under section 672a(b).''.

     SEC. 206. DETERMINATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, 
     as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the 
     end the following:

     ``Sec. 103. Determinations

       ``The Secretary may only make a determination that a 
     waterway, or any portion thereof, is navigable for purposes 
     of the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard through a rulemaking 
     that is conducted in a manner consistent with subchapter II 
     of chapter 5 of title 5.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 5 of 
     title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is 
     further amended by adding at the end the following:

``103. Determinations.''.

     SEC. 207. ANNUAL BOARD OF VISITORS.

       Section 194 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``Sec. 194. Annual Board of Visitors

       ``(a) In General.--A Board of Visitors to the Coast Guard 
     Academy is established to

[[Page H2765]]

     review and make recommendations on the operation of the 
     Academy.
       ``(b) Membership.--
       ``(1) In general.--The membership of the Board shall 
     consist of the following:
       ``(A) The chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate, or the chairman's designee.
       ``(B) The chairman of the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, or the 
     chairman's designee.
       ``(C) 3 Members of the Senate designated by the Vice 
     President.
       ``(D) 4 Members of the House of Representatives designated 
     by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
       ``(E) 6 individuals designated by the President.
       ``(2) Length of service.--
       ``(A) Members of congress.--A Member of Congress designated 
     under subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (1) as a member of 
     the Board shall be designated as a member in the First 
     Session of a Congress and serve for the duration of that 
     Congress.
       ``(B) Individuals designated by the president.--Each 
     individual designated by the President under subparagraph (E) 
     of paragraph (1) shall serve as a member of the Board for 3 
     years, except that any such member whose term of office has 
     expired shall continue to serve until a successor is 
     appointed.
       ``(3) Death or resignation of a member.--If a member of the 
     Board dies or resigns, a successor shall be designated for 
     any unexpired portion of the term of the member by the 
     official who designated the member.
       ``(c) Academy Visits.--
       ``(1) Annual visit.--The Board shall visit the Academy 
     annually to review the operation of the Academy.
       ``(2) Additional visits.--With the approval of the 
     Secretary, the Board or individual members of the Board may 
     make other visits to the Academy in connection with the 
     duties of the Board or to consult with the Superintendent of 
     the Academy.
       ``(d) Scope of Review.--The Board shall review, with 
     respect to the Academy--
       ``(1) the state of morale and discipline;
       ``(2) the curriculum;
       ``(3) instruction;
       ``(4) physical equipment;
       ``(5) fiscal affairs; and
       ``(6) other matters relating to the Academy that the Board 
     determines appropriate.
       ``(e) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of an 
     annual visit of the Board under subsection (c)(1), the Board 
     shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the actions of the Board during 
     such visit and the recommendations of the Board pertaining to 
     the Academy.
       ``(f) Advisors.--If approved by the Secretary, the Board 
     may consult with advisors in carrying out this section.
       ``(g) Reimbursement.--Each member of the Board and each 
     adviser consulted by the Board under subsection (f) shall be 
     reimbursed, to the extent permitted by law, by the Coast 
     Guard for actual expenses incurred while engaged in duties as 
     a member or adviser.''.

     SEC. 208. REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON MEDALS OF HONOR.

       Section 494 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``medal of honor,'' each place that it appears.

     SEC. 209. MISSION NEED STATEMENT.

       (a) In General.--Section 569 of title 14, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 569. Mission need statement

       ``(a) In General.--On the date on which the President 
     submits to Congress a budget for fiscal year 2016 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 an 
     integrated major acquisition mission need statement.
       ``(b) Definitions.--In this section, the following 
     definitions apply:
       ``(1) Integrated major acquisition mission need 
     statement.--The term `integrated major acquisition mission 
     need statement' means a document that--
       ``(A) identifies current and projected gaps in Coast Guard 
     mission capabilities using mission hour targets;
       ``(B) explains how each major acquisition program addresses 
     gaps identified under subparagraph (A) if funded at the 
     levels provided for such program in the most recently 
     submitted capital investment plan; and
       ``(C) describes the missions the Coast Guard will not be 
     able to achieve, by fiscal year, for each gap identified 
     under subparagraph (A).
       ``(2) Major acquisition program.--The term `major 
     acquisition program' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 569a(e).
       ``(3) Capital investment plan.--The term `capital 
     investment plan' means the plan required under section 
     663(a)(1).''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 15 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 569 and inserting the following:

``569. Mission need statement.''.

     SEC. 210. TRANSMISSION OF ANNUAL COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION 
                   REQUEST.

       (a) In General.--Title 14, United States Code, as amended 
     by this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 
     662 the following:

     ``Sec. 662a. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization 
       request

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
     which the President submits to Congress a budget for a fiscal 
     year pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, 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 a Coast Guard authorization request with respect to 
     such fiscal year.
       ``(b) Coast Guard Authorization Request Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `Coast Guard authorization request' means a 
     proposal for legislation that, with respect to the Coast 
     Guard for the relevant fiscal year--
       ``(1) recommends end strengths for personnel for that 
     fiscal year, as described in section 661;
       ``(2) recommends authorizations of appropriations for that 
     fiscal year, including with respect to matters described in 
     section 662; and
       ``(3) addresses any other matter that the Secretary 
     determines is appropriate for inclusion in a Coast Guard 
     authorization bill.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 17 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 662 the following:

``662a. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request.''.

     SEC. 211. INVENTORY OF REAL PROPERTY.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 17 of title 14, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 679. Inventory of real property

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than September 30, 2014, the 
     Commandant shall establish an inventory of all real property, 
     including submerged lands, under the control of the Coast 
     Guard, which shall include--
       ``(1) the size, the location, and any other appropriate 
     description of each unit of such property;
       ``(2) an assessment of the physical condition of each unit 
     of such property, excluding lands;
       ``(3) an estimate of the fair market value of each unit of 
     such property;
       ``(4) a determination of whether each unit of such property 
     should be--
       ``(A) retained to fulfill a current or projected Coast 
     Guard mission requirement; or
       ``(B) subject to divestiture; and
       ``(5) other information the Commandant considers 
     appropriate.
       ``(b) Inventory Maintenance.--The Commandant shall--
       ``(1) maintain the inventory required under subsection (a) 
     on an ongoing basis; and
       ``(2) update information on each unit of real property 
     included in such inventory not later than 30 days after any 
     change relating to such property.
       ``(c) Recommendations to Congress.--Not later than March 
     30, 2015, and every 5 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 report 
     that includes--
       ``(1) a list of all real property under the control of the 
     Coast Guard and the location of such property by property 
     type;
       ``(2) recommendations for divestiture with respect to any 
     units of such property, including an estimate of--
       ``(A) the fair market value of any property recommended for 
     divestiture; and
       ``(B) the costs or savings associated with divestiture; and
       ``(3) recommendations for consolidating any units of such 
     property, including--
       ``(A) an estimate of the costs or savings associated with 
     each recommended consolidation; and
       ``(B) a discussion of the impact that such consolidation 
     would have on Coast Guard mission effectiveness.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 17 of 
     title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is 
     further amended by adding at the end the following:

``679. Inventory of real property.''.

     SEC. 212. ACTIVE DUTY FOR EMERGENCY AUGMENTATION OF REGULAR 
                   FORCES.

       Section 712(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``not more than 60 days in any 4-month period 
     and''.

     SEC. 213. ACQUISITION WORKFORCE EXPEDITED HIRING AUTHORITY.

       Section 404(b) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 
     (Public Law 111-281; 124 Stat. 2951) is amended by striking 
     ``2015'' and inserting ``2017''.

     SEC. 214. ICEBREAKERS.

       (a) Coast Guard Polar Icebreakers.--Section 222 of the 
     Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Public 
     Law 112-213; 126 Stat. 1560) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)(2)--
       (A) in the paragraph heading by striking ``; bridging 
     strategy''; and
       (B) by striking ``Commandant of the Coast Guard'' and all 
     that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
     ``Commandant of the Coast Guard may decommission the Polar 
     Sea.'';
       (2) by adding at the end of subsection (d) the following:
       ``(3) Result of no determination.--If in the analysis 
     submitted under this section

[[Page H2766]]

     the Secretary does not make a determination under subsection 
     (a)(5) regarding whether it is cost-effective to reactivate 
     the Polar Sea, then--
       ``(A) the Commandant of the Coast Guard may decommission 
     the Polar Sea; or
       ``(B) the Secretary may make such determination, not later 
     than 90 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, 
     and take actions in accordance with this subsection as though 
     such determination was made in the analysis previously 
     submitted.'';
       (3) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), and (g) as 
     subsections (f), (g), and (h), respectively; and
       (4) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
       ``(e) Strategies.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     on which the analysis required under subsection (a) is 
     submitted, 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) a strategy to meet the Coast Guard's Arctic ice 
     operations needs through September 30, 2050; and
       ``(B) unless the Secretary makes a determination under this 
     section that it is cost-effective to reactivate the Polar 
     Sea, a bridging strategy for maintaining the Coast Guard's 
     polar icebreaking services until at least September 30, 2024.
       ``(2) Requirement.--The strategies required under paragraph 
     (1) shall include a business case analysis comparing the 
     leasing and purchasing of icebreakers to maintain the needs 
     and services described in that paragraph.''.
       (b) Limitation.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the department in which 
     the Coast Guard is operating may not expend amounts 
     appropriated for the Coast Guard for any of fiscal years 2015 
     through 2024, for--
       (A) design activities related to a capability of a Polar-
     Class Icebreaker that is based on an operational requirement 
     of another Federal department or agency, except for amounts 
     appropriated for design activities for a fiscal year before 
     fiscal year 2016; or
       (B) long-lead-time materials, production, or post-delivery 
     activities related to such a capability.
       (2) Other amounts.--Amounts made available to the Secretary 
     under an agreement with another Federal department or agency 
     and expended on a capability of a Polar-Class Icebreaker that 
     is based on an operational requirement of that or another 
     Federal department or agency shall not be treated as amounts 
     expended by the Secretary for purposes of the limitation 
     established under paragraph (1).

     SEC. 215. MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY FOR OFFSHORE PATROL 
                   CUTTERS.

       In fiscal year 2015 and each fiscal year thereafter, the 
     Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating may enter into, in accordance with section 2306b of 
     title 10, United States Code, multiyear contracts for the 
     procurement of Offshore Patrol Cutters and associated 
     equipment.

     SEC. 216. MAINTAINING MEDIUM ENDURANCE CUTTER MISSION 
                   CAPABILITY.

       Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, 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 that includes--
       (1) a schedule and plan for decommissioning, not later than 
     September 30, 2029, each of the 210-foot, Reliance-Class 
     Cutters operated by the Coast Guard on the date of enactment 
     of this Act;
       (2) a schedule and plan for enhancing the maintenance or 
     extending the service life of each of the 270-foot, Famous-
     Class Cutters operated by the Coast Guard on the date of 
     enactment of this Act--
       (A) to maintain the capability of the Coast Guard to carry 
     out sea-going missions with respect to such Cutters at the 
     level of capability existing on September 30, 2013; and
       (B) for the period beginning on the date of enactment of 
     this Act and ending on the date on which the final Offshore 
     Patrol Cutter is scheduled and planned to be commissioned 
     under paragraph (4);
       (3) an identification of the number of Offshore Patrol 
     Cutters capable of sea state 5 operations that, if 8 National 
     Security Cutters are commissioned, are necessary to return 
     the sea state 5 operating capability of the Coast Guard to 
     the level of capability that existed prior to the 
     decommissioning of the first High Endurance Cutter in fiscal 
     year 2011;
       (4) a schedule and plan for commissioning the number of 
     Offshore Patrol Cutters identified under paragraph (3); and
       (5) a schedule and plan for commissioning, not later than 
     September 30, 2034, a number of Offshore Patrol Cutters not 
     capable of sea state 5 operations that is equal to--
       (A) 25; less
       (B) the number of Offshore Patrol Cutters identified under 
     paragraph (3).

     SEC. 217. COAST GUARD ADMINISTRATIVE SAVINGS.

       (a) Elimination of Outdated and Duplicative Reports.--
       (1) Marine industry training.--Section 59 of title 14, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (A) by striking ``(a) In General.--The Commandant'' and 
     inserting ``The Commandant''; and
       (B) by striking subsection (b).
       (2) Operations and expenditures.--Section 651 of title 14, 
     United States Code, and the item relating to such section in 
     the analysis for chapter 17 of such title, are repealed.
       (3) Drug interdiction.--Section 103 of the Coast Guard 
     Authorization Act of 1996 (14 U.S.C. 89 note), and the item 
     relating to that section in the table of contents in section 
     2 of that Act, are repealed.
       (4) National defense.--Section 426 of the Maritime 
     Transportation Security Act of 2002 (14 U.S.C. 2 note), and 
     the item relating to that section in the table of contents in 
     section 1(b) of that Act, are repealed.
       (5) Living marine resources.--Section 4(b) of the Cruise 
     Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 (16 U.S.C. 1828 note) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following: ``No report 
     shall be required under this subsection, including that no 
     report shall be required under section 224 of the Coast Guard 
     and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 or section 804 of the 
     Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006, for 
     fiscal years beginning after fiscal year 2013.''.
       (b) Consolidation and Reform of Reporting Requirements.--
       (1) Marine safety.--
       (A) In general.--Section 2116(d)(2)(B) of title 46, United 
     States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(B) on the program's mission performance in achieving 
     numerical measurable goals established under subsection (b), 
     including--
       ``(i) the number of civilian and military Coast Guard 
     personnel assigned to marine safety positions; and
       ``(ii) an identification of marine safety positions that 
     are understaffed to meet the workload required to accomplish 
     each activity included in the strategy and plans under 
     subsection (a); and''.
       (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 57 of title 14, United 
     States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended--
       (i) by striking subsection (e); and
       (ii) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), and (h) as 
     subsections (e), (f), and (g) respectively.
       (2) Minor construction.--Section 656(d)(2) of title 14, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) Report.--Not later than the date on which the 
     President submits to Congress a budget under section 1105 of 
     title 31 each year, 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 a report describing each 
     project carried out under paragraph (1), in the most recently 
     concluded fiscal year, for which the amount expended under 
     such paragraph for such project was more than $1,000,000. If 
     no such project was carried out during a fiscal year, no 
     report under this paragraph shall be required with respect to 
     that fiscal year.''.
       (3) Rescue 21.--Section 346 of the Maritime Transportation 
     Security Act of 2002 (14 U.S.C. 88 note) is amended to read 
     as follows:

     ``SEC. 346. MODERNIZATION OF NATIONAL DISTRESS AND RESPONSE 
                   SYSTEM.

       ``(a) Report.--Not later than March 30, 2014, 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 
     on the implementation of the Rescue 21 project in Alaska and 
     in Coast Guard sectors Upper Mississippi River, Lower 
     Mississippi River, and Ohio River Valley.
       ``(b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall--
       ``(1) describe what improvements are being made to the 
     distress response system in the areas specified in subsection 
     (a), including information on which areas will receive 
     digital selective calling and direction finding capability;
       ``(2) describe the impediments to installing digital 
     selective calling and direction finding capability in areas 
     where such technology will not be installed;
       ``(3) identify locations in the areas specified in 
     subsection (a) where communication gaps will continue to 
     present a risk to mariners after completion of the Rescue 21 
     project;
       ``(4) include a list of all reported marine accidents, 
     casualties, and fatalities occurring in the locations 
     identified under paragraph (3) since 1990; and
       ``(5) provide an estimate of the costs associated with 
     installing the technology necessary to close communication 
     gaps in the locations identified under paragraph (3).''.

     SEC. 218. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO TITLE 14.

       Title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is 
     further amended--
       (1) in section 93(b)(1) by striking ``Notwithstanding 
     subsection (a)(14)'' and inserting ``Notwithstanding 
     subsection (a)(13)'';
       (2) in section 197(b) by striking ``of Homeland Security''; 
     and
       (3) in section 573(c)(3)(A) by inserting ``and shall 
     maintain such cutter in such class'' before the period at the 
     end.

     SEC. 219. FLAG OFFICERS.

       (a) In General.--Title 14, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after section 295 the following:

     ``Sec. 296. Flag officers

       ``During any period in which the Coast Guard is not 
     operating as a service in the Navy, section 1216(d) of title 
     10 does not

[[Page H2767]]

     apply with respect to flag officers of the Coast Guard.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 11 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 295 the following:

``296. Flag officers.''.

     SEC. 220. AVIATION CAPABILITY IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION.

       The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating may--
       (1) request and accept through a direct military-to-
     military transfer under section 2571 of title 10, United 
     States Code, such H-60 helicopters as may be necessary to 
     establish a year-round operational capability in the Coast 
     Guard's Ninth District; and
       (2) use funds provided under section 101 of this Act to 
     convert such helicopters to Coast Guard MH-60T configuration.

     SEC. 221. E-LORAN.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the department in which 
     the Coast Guard is operating may not carry out activities 
     related to the dismantling or disposal of infrastructure that 
     supported the former LORAN system until the later of--
       (1) the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this Act; or
       (2) the date on which the Secretary provides to the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate notice of a determination by 
     the Secretary that such infrastructure is not required to 
     provide a positioning, navigation, and timing system to 
     provide redundant capability in the event GPS signals are 
     disrupted.
       (b) Exception.--Subsection (a) does not apply to activities 
     necessary for the safety of human life.
       (c) Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative 
     agreements, contracts, and other agreements with Federal 
     entities and other public or private entities, including 
     academic entities, to develop a positioning, timing, and 
     navigation system, including an enhanced LORAN system, to 
     provide redundant capability in the event GPS signals are 
     disrupted.

                   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. INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL REFORM.

       (a) In General.--Section 80301 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Payments.--Payments received pursuant to subsection 
     (b)(1) shall be credited to the appropriation for operating 
     expenses of the Coast Guard.
       ``(d) Limitation.--
       ``(1) In general.--A Coast Guard vessel or aircraft may not 
     be used to carry out an agreement under subsection (a) in 
     fiscal year 2015 and any fiscal year thereafter unless 
     payments are received by the United States Government 
     pursuant to subsection (b)(1) in the preceding fiscal year in 
     a total amount that is not less than difference between--
       ``(A) the cost incurred by the Coast Guard in maintaining 
     the services; minus
       ``(B) the amount of the proportionate share of the expense 
     generated by vessels documented under the laws of the United 
     States.
       ``(2) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), Coast 
     Guard aircraft may be used to carry out an agreement under 
     subsection (a) if the President determines it necessary in 
     the interest of national security.
       ``(3) Notification.--The President 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 a determination made 
     under paragraph (2) within 15 days after such 
     determination.''.
       (b) Repeal.--Section 80302 of title 46, United States Code, 
     and the item relating to such section in the analysis for 
     chapter 803 of such title, are repealed on October 1, 2014.

     SEC. 303. REPEAL.

       Chapter 555 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by repealing section 55501;
       (2) by redesignating section 55502 as section 55501; and
       (3) in the analysis by striking the items relating to 
     sections 55501 and 55502 and inserting the following:

``55501. United States Committee on the Marine Transportation 
              System.''.

     SEC. 304. DONATION OF HISTORICAL PROPERTY.

       Section 51103 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Donation for Historical Purposes.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may convey the right, 
     title, and interest of the United States Government in any 
     property administered by the Maritime Administration, except 
     real estate or vessels, if--
       ``(A) the Secretary determines that such property is not 
     needed by the Maritime Administration; and
       ``(B) the recipient--
       ``(i) is a nonprofit organization, a State, or a political 
     subdivision of a State;
       ``(ii) agrees to hold the Government harmless for any 
     claims arising from exposure to hazardous materials, 
     including asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, or lead paint, 
     after conveyance of the property;
       ``(iii) provides a description and explanation of the 
     intended use of the property to the Secretary for approval;
       ``(iv) has provided to the Secretary proof, as determined 
     by the Secretary, of resources sufficient to accomplish the 
     intended use provided under clause (iii) and to maintain the 
     property;
       ``(v) agrees that when the recipient no longer requires the 
     property, the recipient shall--

       ``(I) return the property to the Secretary, at the 
     recipient's expense and in the same condition as received 
     except for ordinary wear and tear; or
       ``(II) subject to the approval of the Secretary, retain, 
     sell, or otherwise dispose of the property in a manner 
     consistent with applicable law; and

       ``(vi) agree to any additional terms the Secretary 
     considers appropriate.
       ``(2) Reversion.--The Secretary shall include in any 
     conveyance under this subsection terms under which all right, 
     title, and interest conveyed by the Secretary shall revert to 
     the Government if the Secretary determines the property has 
     been used other than as approved by the Secretary under 
     paragraph (1)(B)(iii).''.

     SEC. 305. SMALL SHIPYARDS.

       Section 54101(i) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``2009 through 2013'' and inserting 
     ``2015 and 2016''.

     SEC. 306. DRUG TESTING REPORTING.

       Section 7706 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``an applicant for 
     employment by a Federal agency,'' after ``Federal agency,''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (c), by--
       (A) inserting ``or an applicant for employment by a Federal 
     agency'' after ``an employee''; and
       (B) striking ``the employee.'' and inserting ``the employee 
     or the applicant.''.

     SEC. 307. 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.''.

     SEC. 308. 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

[[Page H2768]]

       (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. 309. CREDITING TIME IN THE SEA SERVICES.

       (a) Endorsements for Veterans.--Section 7101 of title 46, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(j) The Secretary may issue a license under this section 
     in a class under subsection (c) to an applicant that--
       ``(1) has at least 3 months of qualifying service on 
     vessels of the uniformed services (as that term is defined in 
     section 101(a) of title 10) of appropriate tonnage or 
     horsepower within the 7-year period immediately preceding the 
     date of application; and
       ``(2) satisfies all other requirements for such a 
     license.''.
       (b) Sea Service Letters.--
       (1) In general.--Title 14, United States Code, as amended 
     by this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 
     427 the following:

     ``Sec. 428. Sea service letters

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide a sea 
     service letter to a member or former member of the Coast 
     Guard who--
       ``(1) accumulated sea service on a vessel of the armed 
     forces (as such term is defined in section 101(a) of title 
     10); and
       ``(2) requests such letter.
       ``(b) Deadline.--Not later than 30 days after receiving a 
     request for a sea service letter from a member or former 
     member of the Coast Guard under subsection (a), the Secretary 
     shall provide such letter to such member or former member if 
     such member or former member satisfies the requirement under 
     subsection (a)(1).''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 11 of 
     title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is 
     further amended by inserting after the item relating to 
     section 427 the following:

``428. Sea service letters.''.

       (c) Crediting of United States Armed Forces Service, 
     Training, and Qualifications.--
       (1) Maximizing creditability.--The Secretary of the 
     department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in 
     implementing United States merchant mariner license, 
     certification, and document laws and the International 
     Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and 
     Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, shall maximize the extent 
     to which United States Armed Forces service, training, and 
     qualifications are creditable toward meeting the requirements 
     of such laws and such Convention.
       (2) Notification.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, 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 on the steps taken to 
     implement this subsection.

     SEC. 310. TREATMENT OF ABANDONED SEAFARERS.

       (a) In General.--The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships 
     (33 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 18. TREATMENT OF ABANDONED SEAFARERS.

       ``(a) Abandoned Seafarers Fund.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury 
     a separate account to be known as the Abandoned Seafarers 
     Fund.
       ``(2) Crediting of amounts to fund.--
       ``(A) In general.--There shall be credited to the Fund the 
     following:
       ``(i) Penalties deposited in the Fund under section 9, 
     except as provided in subparagraph (B).
       ``(ii) Amounts reimbursed or recovered under subsection 
     (d).
       ``(B) Limitation.--Amounts may be credited to the Fund 
     under subparagraph (A)(i) only if the unobligated balance of 
     the Fund is less than $2,000,000.
       ``(3) Report required.--On the date on which the President 
     submits each budget for a fiscal year pursuant to section 
     1105 of title 31, United States Code, 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 a report 
     that describes--
       ``(A) the amounts credited to the Fund under paragraph (2) 
     for the preceding fiscal year; and
       ``(B) amounts in the Fund that were expended for the 
     preceding fiscal year.
       ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations From Fund.--Amounts 
     in the Fund may be appropriated to the Secretary for use to--
       ``(1) pay necessary support of--
       ``(A) a seafarer that--
       ``(i) enters, remains, or is paroled into the United 
     States; and
       ``(ii) is involved in an investigation, reporting, 
     documentation, or adjudication of any matter that is related 
     to the administration or enforcement of this Act by the Coast 
     Guard; and
       ``(B) a seafarer that the Secretary determines was 
     abandoned in the United States and has not applied for asylum 
     under section 208 or 235 of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1158, 1225); and
       ``(2) reimburse a vessel owner or operator that has 
     provided necessary support of a seafarer who has been paroled 
     into the United States to facilitate an investigation, 
     reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter that 
     is related to the administration or enforcement of this Act 
     by the Coast Guard, for the costs of such necessary support.
       ``(c) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed--
       ``(1) to create a private right of action or any other 
     right, benefit, or entitlement to necessary support for any 
     person; or
       ``(2) to compel the Secretary to pay or reimburse the cost 
     of necessary support.
       ``(d) Reimbursement; Recovery.--
       ``(1) In general.--A vessel owner or operator shall 
     reimburse the Fund an amount equal to the total amount paid 
     from the Fund for necessary support of a seafarer, if--
       ``(A) the vessel owner or operator--
       ``(i) during the course of an investigation, reporting, 
     documentation, or adjudication of any matter under this Act 
     that the Coast Guard referred to a United States attorney or 
     the Attorney General, fails to provide necessary support of a 
     seafarer who was paroled into the United States to facilitate 
     the investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication; 
     and
       ``(ii) subsequently is--

       ``(I) convicted of a criminal offense related to such 
     matter; or
       ``(II) required to reimburse the Fund pursuant to a court 
     order or negotiated settlement related to such matter; or

       ``(B) the vessel owner or operator abandons a seafarer in 
     the United States, as determined by the Secretary based on 
     substantial evidence.
       ``(2) Enforcement.--If a vessel owner or operator fails to 
     reimburse the Fund under paragraph (1), the Secretary may--
       ``(A) proceed in rem against the vessel on which the 
     affected seafarer served in the Federal district court for 
     the district in which the vessel is found; and
       ``(B) withhold or revoke the clearance required under 
     section 60105 of title 46, United States Code, for the 
     vessel.
       ``(3) Remedy.--A vessel may obtain clearance from the 
     Secretary after it is withheld or revoked under paragraph 
     (2)(B) if the vessel owner or operator--
       ``(A) reimburses the Fund the amount required under 
     paragraph (1); or
       ``(B) provides a bond, or other evidence of financial 
     responsibility sufficient to meet the amount required to be 
     reimbursed under paragraph (1).
       ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Abandons; abandoned.--Each of the terms `abandons' 
     and `abandoned' means--
       ``(A) a vessel owner's or operator's unilateral severance 
     of ties with a seafarer; and
       ``(B) a vessel owner's or operator's failure to provide 
     necessary support of a seafarer.
       ``(2) Fund.--The term `Fund' means the Abandoned Seafarers 
     Fund established under this section.
       ``(3) Necessary support.--The term `necessary support' 
     means normal wages and expenses the Secretary considers 
     reasonable for lodging, subsistence, clothing, medical care 
     (including hospitalization), repatriation, and any other 
     support the Secretary considers to be appropriate.
       ``(4) Seafarer.--The term `seafarer' means an alien crewman 
     who is employed or engaged in any capacity on board a vessel 
     subject to this Act.''; and
       (2) in section 9, by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Any penalty collected under subsection (a) or (b) 
     that is not paid under that subsection to the person giving 
     information leading to the conviction or assessment of such 
     penalties shall be deposited in the Abandoned Seafarers Fund 
     established under section 18, subject to the limitation in 
     subsection (a)(2)(B) of such section.''.

     SEC. 311. CLARIFICATION OF HIGH-RISK WATERS.

       Section 55305(e) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``provide armed personnel aboard'' and 
     inserting ``reimburse, subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the owners or operators of''; and
       (B) by inserting ``for the cost of providing armed 
     personnel aboard such vessels'' before ``if''; and
       (2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(2) In this subsection, the term `high-risk waters' means 
     waters--
       ``(A) so designated by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in 
     the maritime security directive issued by the Commandant and 
     in effect on the date on which an applicable voyage begins; 
     and
       ``(B) in which the Secretary of Transportation determines 
     an act of piracy is likely to occur based on documented acts 
     of piracy that occurred in such waters during the 12-month 
     period preceding the date on which an applicable voyage 
     begins.''.

     SEC. 312. UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSELS IN THE VIRGIN 
                   ISLANDS.

       (a) In General.--Section 4105 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b) In applying this title with respect to an uninspected 
     vessel of less than 24 meters overall in length that carries 
     passengers to or from a port in the United States Virgin 
     Islands, the Secretary shall substitute `12 passengers' for 
     `6 passengers' each place it appears in section 2101(42) if 
     the Secretary determines that the vessel complies with--
       ``(1) the Code of Practice for the Safety of Small 
     Commercial Motor Vessels (commonly

[[Page H2769]]

     referred to as the `Yellow Code'), as published by the U.K. 
     Maritime and Coastguard Agency and in effect on January 1, 
     2014; or
       ``(2) the Code of Practice for the Safety of Small 
     Commercial Sailing Vessels (commonly referred to as the `Blue 
     Code'), as published by such agency and in effect on such 
     date.''.
       (b) Technical Correction.--Section 4105(c) of title 46, 
     United States Code, as redesignated by subsection (a)(1) of 
     this section, is amended by striking ``Within twenty-four 
     months of the date of enactment of this subsection, the'' and 
     inserting ``The''.

     SEC. 313. OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSEL THIRD-PARTY INSPECTION.

       Section 3316 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
     redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g), and by 
     inserting after subsection (e) the following:
       ``(f)(1) Upon request of an owner or operator of an 
     offshore supply vessel, the Secretary shall delegate the 
     authorities set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) with 
     respect to such vessel to a classification society to which a 
     delegation is authorized under that paragraph. A delegation 
     by the Secretary under this subsection shall be used for any 
     vessel inspection and examination function carried out by the 
     Secretary, including the issuance of certificates of 
     inspection and all other related documents.
       ``(2) If the Secretary determines that a certificate of 
     inspection or related document issued under authority 
     delegated under paragraph (1) of this subsection with respect 
     to a vessel has reduced the operational safety of that 
     vessel, the Secretary may terminate the certificate or 
     document, respectively.
       ``(3) Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
     enactment of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act 
     of 2014, and for each year of the subsequent 2-year period, 
     the Secretary shall 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 report describing--
       ``(A) the number of vessels for which a delegation was made 
     under paragraph (1);
       ``(B) any savings in personnel and operational costs 
     incurred by the Coast Guard that resulted from the 
     delegations; and
       ``(C) based on measurable marine casualty and other data, 
     any impacts of the delegations on the operational safety of 
     vessels for which the delegations were made, and on the crew 
     on those vessels.''.

     SEC. 314. 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 enactment of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
     Act of 2014.
       ``(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 and Maritime 
     Transportation Act of 2014, 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 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. 315. TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO TITLE 46.

       Section 2116(b)(1)(D) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``section 93(c)'' and inserting ``section 
     93(c) of title 14''.

     SEC. 316. ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Determination of covered programs.--Section 55305(d) of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) The Secretary of Transportation shall annually review 
     programs administered by other departments and agencies and 
     determine whether each such program is subject to the 
     requirements of this section.'';
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (5), and by 
     inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) The Secretary shall have the sole responsibility to 
     make determinations described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) A determination made by the Secretary under paragraph 
     (1) regarding a program shall remain in effect until the 
     Secretary determines that such program is no longer subject 
     to the requirements of this section.
       ``(4) Each department or agency administering a program 
     determined by the Secretary under paragraph (1) to be subject 
     to the requirements of this section shall administer such 
     program in accordance with this section and any rules or 
     guidance issued by the Secretary. The issuance of such rules 
     or guidance is not a prerequisite to the issuance of final 
     determinations under paragraph (1).'';
       (C) in paragraph (5)(A), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``section;'' and inserting ``section, to determine compliance 
     with the requirements of this section;''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) On the date on which the President submits to 
     Congress a budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, 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 a report that--
       ``(A) lists the programs determined under paragraph (1) to 
     be subject to the requirements of this section; and
       ``(B) describes the results of the most recent annual 
     review required by paragraph (5)(A), including identification 
     of the departments and agencies that transported cargo in 
     violation of this section and any action the Secretary took 
     under paragraph (5) with respect to each violation.''.
       (2) Deadline for first review.--The Secretary of 
     Transportation shall complete the first review and make the 
     determinations required under the amendment made by paragraph 
     (1)(A) by not later than December 31, 2015.
       (b) Rulemaking.--
       (1) Authority.--Section 55305(d) of title 46, United States 
     Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) The Secretary may prescribe rules, including interim 
     rules, necessary to carry out paragraph (5). An interim rule 
     prescribed under this paragraph shall remain in effect until 
     superseded by a final rule.''.
       (2) 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. 317. SEVERE MARINE DEBRIS EVENTS.

       (a) NOAA Marine Debris Program.--Section 3 of the Marine 
     Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1952) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the subsection heading by striking ``and Contracts'' 
     and inserting ``Contracts, and Other Agreements'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--To carry out the purposes set forth in 
     section 2, the Administrator, acting through the Program, 
     may--
       ``(A) enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, and 
     other agreements with Federal agencies, States, local 
     governments, regional agencies, interstate agencies, and 
     other entities, including agreements to use the personnel, 
     services, equipment, or facilities of such entities on a 
     reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis; and
       ``(B) make grants to--
       ``(i) State, local, and tribal governments; and
       ``(ii) institutions of higher education, nonprofit 
     organizations, and commercial organizations with the 
     expertise or responsibility to identify, determine sources 
     of, assess, prevent, reduce, and remove marine debris.''; and
       (C) by striking paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(4) Grants.--
       ``(A) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under 
     paragraph (1)(B), an entity specified in that paragraph shall 
     submit to the

[[Page H2770]]

     Administrator a marine debris project proposal.
       ``(B) Review and approval.--The Administrator shall--
       ``(i) review each marine debris project proposal submitted 
     under subparagraph (A) to determine if the proposal meets 
     grant criteria established by the Administrator and supports 
     the purposes set forth in section 2;
       ``(ii) after considering any written comments and 
     recommendations with respect to the review conducted under 
     clause (i), approve or disapprove a grant for the proposal; 
     and
       ``(iii) provide notification of that approval or 
     disapproval to the entity that submitted the proposal.
       ``(C) Reporting.--Each entity receiving a grant under 
     paragraph (1)(B) shall provide reports to the Administrator 
     as required by the Administrator. Each report provided shall 
     include all information determined necessary by the 
     Administrator for evaluating the progress and success of the 
     project for which the grant was provided and describe the 
     impact of the grant on the identification, determination of 
     sources, assessment, prevention, reduction, or removal of 
     marine debris.
       ``(D) Training.--The Administrator may require a recipient 
     of a grant under this subsection to provide training to 
     persons engaged in marine debris response efforts funded by 
     such grant with respect to the potential impacts of marine 
     debris, including nonindigenous species related to the 
     debris, on the economy of the United States, the marine 
     environment, and navigation safety.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Severe Marine Debris Events.--
       ``(1) Grant preference.--In evaluating proposals for grants 
     under subsection (c), the Administrator may give preference 
     in approving grants to proposals that address a severe marine 
     debris event.
       ``(2) Request for a declaration.--
       ``(A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the 
     Governor of a State may request that the Administrator 
     declare a severe marine debris event in such State or a 
     region that includes such State.
       ``(B) Response to requests.--Not later than 30 days after 
     the Administrator receives a request under subparagraph (A), 
     the Administrator shall either--
       ``(i) declare a severe marine debris event with respect to 
     the request; or
       ``(ii) submit a response to the Governor who submitted the 
     request, explaining why the Administrator has not declared a 
     severe marine debris event with respect to the request.''.
       (b) Definitions.--Section 7 of the Marine Debris Act (33 
     U.S.C. 1956) is amended--
       (1) by moving paragraph (5) to appear before paragraph (6);
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) as 
     paragraphs (6), (7), and (8), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
       ``(5) Nonindigenous species.--The term `nonindigenous 
     species' has the meaning given that term in section 1003 of 
     the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act 
     of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4702).''.
       (c) Severe Marine Debris Event Determination.--
       (1) Authority to provide funds.--
       (A) In general.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration may provide funds to an 
     eligible entity impacted by the covered severe marine debris 
     event to assist such entity with the costs of any activity 
     carried out to address the effects of such event.
       (B) Funding.--The Administrator may provide funds under 
     subparagraph (A) using any funds provided by the Government 
     of Japan for activities to address the effects of the covered 
     severe marine debris event.
       (C) Definitions.--In this subsection, the following 
     definitions apply:
       (i) Covered severe marine debris event.--The term ``covered 
     severe marine debris event'' means the events, including 
     marine debris, resulting from the March 2011 Tohoku 
     earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
       (ii) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means 
     any State (as defined in section 7 of the Marine Debris Act 
     (33 U.S.C. 1956)), local, or tribal government.
       (2) Repeal.--The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
     Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-213) is amended--
       (A) in the table of contents in section 1(b) by striking 
     the item relating to section 609; and
       (B) by striking section 609.

     SEC. 318. MINIMUM TONNAGE.

       Section 55305 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Minimum Tonnage.--With respect to commodities 
     transported under the activities specified in section 
     55314(b), the percentage specified in subsection (b) of this 
     section shall be treated as 75 percent.''.

     SEC. 319. MERCHANT MARINE PERSONNEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) Establishment of Advisory Committee.--
       (1) Establishment.--Chapter 81 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 8108. Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (in this section 
     referred to as `the Committee'). The Committee--
       ``(1) shall act solely in an advisory capacity to the 
     Secretary through the Commandant of the Coast Guard on 
     matters relating to personnel in the United States merchant 
     marine, including training, qualifications, certification, 
     documentation, and fitness standards, and other matters as 
     assigned by the Commandant;
       ``(2) shall review and comment on proposed Coast Guard 
     regulations and policies relating to personnel in the United 
     States merchant marine, including training, qualifications, 
     certification, documentation, and fitness standards;
       ``(3) may be given special assignments by the Secretary and 
     may conduct studies, inquiries, workshops, and fact finding 
     in consultation with individuals and groups in the private 
     sector and with State or local governments;
       ``(4) shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations 
     reflecting its independent judgment to the Secretary;
       ``(5) shall meet not less than twice each year; and
       ``(6) may make available to the Congress recommendations 
     that the Committee makes to the Secretary.
       ``(b) Membership.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Committee shall consist of not more 
     than 19 members who are appointed by and serve terms of a 
     duration determined by the Secretary. Before filling a 
     position on the Committee, the Secretary shall publish a 
     notice in the Federal Register soliciting nominations for 
     membership on the Committee.
       ``(2) Required members.--The Secretary shall appoint as 
     members of the Committee--
       ``(A) 9 United States citizens with active licenses or 
     certificates issued under chapter 71 or merchant mariner 
     documents issued under chapter 73, including--
       ``(i) 3 deck officers who represent the viewpoint of 
     merchant marine deck officers, of whom--

       ``(I) 2 shall be licensed for oceans any gross tons;
       ``(II) 1 shall be licensed for inland river route with a 
     limited or unlimited tonnage;
       ``(III) 2 shall have a master's license or a master of 
     towing vessels license;
       ``(IV) 1 shall have significant tanker experience; and
       ``(V) to the extent practicable--

       ``(aa) 1 shall represent the viewpoint of labor; and
       ``(bb) another shall represent a management perspective;
       ``(ii) 3 engineering officers who represent the viewpoint 
     of merchant marine engineering officers, of whom--

       ``(I) 2 shall be licensed as chief engineer any horsepower;
       ``(II) 1 shall be licensed as either a limited chief 
     engineer or a designated duty engineer; and
       ``(III) to the extent practicable--

       ``(aa) 1 shall represent a labor viewpoint; and
       ``(bb) another shall represent a management perspective;
       ``(iii) 2 unlicensed seamen, of whom--

       ``(I) 1 shall represent the viewpoint of able-bodied 
     seamen; and
       ``(II) another shall represent the viewpoint of qualified 
     members of the engine department; and

       ``(iv) 1 pilot who represents the viewpoint of merchant 
     marine pilots;
       ``(B) 6 marine educators, including--
       ``(i) 3 marine educators who represent the viewpoint of 
     maritime academies, including--

       ``(I) 2 who represent the viewpoint of State maritime 
     academies and are jointly recommended by such State maritime 
     academies; and
       ``(II) 1 who represents either the viewpoint of the State 
     maritime academies or the United States Merchant Marine 
     Academy; and

       ``(ii) 3 marine educators who represent the viewpoint of 
     other maritime training institutions, 1 of whom shall 
     represent the viewpoint of the small vessel industry;
       ``(C) 2 individuals who represent the viewpoint of shipping 
     companies employed in ship operation management; and
       ``(D) 2 members who are appointed from the general public.
       ``(c) Chairman and Vice Chairman.--The Committee shall 
     elect one of its members as the Chairman and one of its 
     members as the Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall act as 
     Chairman in the absence or incapacity of the Chairman, or in 
     the event of a vacancy in the office of the Chairman.
       ``(d) Subcommittees.--The Committee may establish and 
     disestablish subcommittees and working groups for any purpose 
     consistent with this section, subject to conditions imposed 
     by the Committee. Members of the Committee and additional 
     persons drawn from the general public may be assigned to such 
     subcommittees and working groups. Only Committee members may 
     chair subcommittee or working groups.
       ``(e) Termination.--The Committee shall terminate on 
     September 30, 2020.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
     such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following:

``8108. Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee.''.

       (b) Competitiveness of the U.S. Merchant Marine.--
       (1) Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the

[[Page H2771]]

     Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee established 
     under the amendment made by subsection (a) shall--
       (A) review--
       (i) the merchant mariner licensing, certification, and 
     documentation programs and STCW Convention implementation 
     programs of the 3 flag-states; and
       (ii) State maritime academy problems regarding 
     implementation of the STCW Convention; and
       (B) report to the Commandant of the Coast Guard--
       (i) a description of each specific provision for which 
     United States merchant mariner license, certification, and 
     document and STCW Convention implementation requirements are 
     more stringent than the requirements of such flag-state 
     programs, and a recommendation of whether such United States 
     provision should be retained, modified, or eliminated;
       (ii) a description of which United States merchant mariner 
     license, certification, and document evaluation requirements 
     must be complied with separately from similar STCW Convention 
     evaluation requirements, any statutory requirement for such 
     separate compliance, and steps that can be taken by the Coast 
     Guard or by the Congress to minimize such redundant 
     requirements; and
       (iii) a description of problems State maritime academies 
     are having in implementing the STCW Convention and 
     recommendations on how to address such problems.
       (3) Report to congress.--Within 6 months from the date the 
     Commandant receives the report under paragraph (1)(B), the 
     Commandant shall forward to the Congress a copy of the report 
     with recommendations for actions to implement the report's 
     recommendations.
       (4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) 3 flag states.--The term ``3 flag states'' means the 3 
     countries that are parties to the Annex to the International 
     Maritime Organization Maritime Safety Committee Circular 
     MSC.1/Circ.1163/Rev.8 dated January 7, 2013, and, of all such 
     countries, have the greatest vessel tonnage documented under 
     the laws of each respective country.
       (B) STCW convention.--The term ``STCW Convention'' means 
     the amendments to the International Convention on Standards 
     of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 
     1978 that entered into force on January 1, 2012.

     SEC. 320. REPORT ON EFFECT OF LNG EXPORT CARRIAGE 
                   REQUIREMENTS ON JOB CREATION IN THE UNITED 
                   STATES MARITIME INDUSTRY.

       No later than 180 days 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 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
     on the number of jobs, including vessel construction and 
     vessel operating jobs, that would be created in the United 
     States maritime industry each year in 2015 through 2025 if 
     liquified natural gas exported from the United States were 
     required to be carried--
       (1) before December 31, 2018, on vessels documented under 
     the laws of the United States; and
       (2) after such date, on vessels documented under the laws 
     of the United States and constructed in the United States.

                 TITLE IV--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

     SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated to the Federal 
     Maritime Commission $24,700,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 
     and 2016.

     SEC. 402. TERMS OF COMMISSIONERS.

       (a) In General.--Section 301(b) of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
       ``(2) Terms.--The term of each Commissioner is 5 years. 
     When the term of a Commissioner ends, the Commissioner may 
     continue to serve until a successor is appointed and 
     qualified, but for a period not to exceed one year. Except as 
     provided in paragraph (3), no individual may serve more than 
     2 terms.''; and
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (5), and 
     inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) Vacancies.--A vacancy shall be filled in the same 
     manner as the original appointment. An individual appointed 
     to fill a vacancy is appointed only for the unexpired term of 
     the individual being succeeded. An individual appointed to 
     fill a vacancy may serve 2 terms in addition to the remainder 
     of the term for which the predecessor of that individual was 
     appointed.
       ``(4) Conflicts of interest.--
       ``(A) Limitation on relationships with regulated 
     entities.--A Commissioner may not have a pecuniary interest 
     in, hold an official relation to, or own stocks or bonds of 
     any entity the Commission regulates under chapter 401 of this 
     title.
       ``(B) Limitation on other activities.--A Commissioner may 
     not engage in another business, vocation, or employment.''.
       (b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a)(1) 
     does not apply with respect to a Commissioner of the Federal 
     Maritime Commission appointed and confirmed by the Senate 
     before the date of enactment of this Act.

              TITLE V--COMMERCIAL VESSEL DISCHARGE REFORM

     SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Commercial Vessel 
     Discharge Reform Act of 2014''.

     SEC. 502. DISCHARGES INCIDENTAL TO THE NORMAL OPERATION OF 
                   CERTAIN VESSELS.

       Section 2(a) of Public Law 110-299 (33 U.S.C. 1342 note) is 
     amended by striking ``during the period beginning on the date 
     of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 18, 
     2014,''.

                        TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

     SEC. 601. DISTANT WATER TUNA FLEET.

       Section 421 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
     Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-241; 120 Stat. 547) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) In general.--Subsection (a) only applies to a foreign 
     citizen who holds a credential to serve as an officer on a 
     fishing vessel or vessel of similar tonnage.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``An equivalent 
     credential'' and inserting ``A credential''; and
       (2) by striking subsections (c), (e), and (f) and 
     redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).

     SEC. 602. VESSEL DETERMINATION.

       The vessel assigned United States official number 1205366 
     is deemed a new vessel effective on the date of delivery of 
     the vessel after January 1, 2012, from a privately owned 
     United States shipyard, if no encumbrances are on record with 
     the Coast Guard at the time of the issuance of the new 
     certificate of documentation for the vessel.

     SEC. 603. LEASE AUTHORITY.

       (a) Authority.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard may lease 
     under section 93(a)(13) of title 14, United States Code, 
     submerged lands and tidelands under the control of the Coast 
     Guard without regard to the limitation under that section 
     with respect to lease duration.
       (b) Limitation.--The Commandant may lease submerged lands 
     and tidelands under subsection (a) only if--
       (1) lease payments are--
       (A) received exclusively in the form of cash;
       (B) equal to the fair market value of the leased submerged 
     lands or tidelands, as determined by the Commandant; and
       (C) deposited in the fund established under section 687 of 
     title 14, United States Code; and
       (2) the lease does not provide authority to or commit the 
     Coast Guard to use or support any improvements to such 
     submerged lands or tidelands, or obtain goods or services 
     from the lessee.

     SEC. 604. NATIONAL MARITIME STRATEGY.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in 
     consultation with 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 national maritime strategy.
       (b) Contents.--The strategy required under subsection (a) 
     shall--
       (1) identify--
       (A) Federal regulations and policies that reduce the 
     competitiveness of United States flag vessels in the 
     international trade; and
       (B) the impact of reduced cargo flow due to reductions in 
     the number of members of the United States Armed Forces 
     stationed or deployed outside of the United States; and
       (2) include recommendations to--
       (A) make United States flag vessels more competitive in 
     shipping routes between United States and foreign ports;
       (B) increase the use of United States flag vessels to carry 
     cargo imported to and exported from the United States;
       (C) assure compliance by Federal agencies with chapter 553 
     of title 46, United States Code;
       (D) increase the use of third-party inspection and 
     certification authorities to inspect and certify vessels;
       (E) increase the use of short sea transportation routes 
     designated under section 55601(c) of title 46, United States 
     Code, to enhance intermodal freight movements; and
       (F) enhance United States shipbuilding capability.

     SEC. 605. IMO POLAR CODE NEGOTIATIONS.

       Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, and thereafter with the submission of the budget 
     proposal submitted for each of fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 
     2018 under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, 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 on--
       (1) the status of the negotiations at the International 
     Maritime Organization regarding the establishment of a draft 
     international code of safety for ships operating in polar 
     waters, popularly known as the Polar Code, and any amendments 
     proposed by such a code to be made to the International 
     Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the 
     International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from 
     Ships;
       (2) the coming into effect of such a code and such 
     amendments for nations that are parties to those conventions;
       (3) impacts, for coastal communities located in the Arctic 
     (as that term is defined

[[Page H2772]]

     in the section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 
     1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111)) of such a code or such amendments, 
     on--
       (A) the costs of delivering fuel and freight; and
       (B) the safety of maritime transportation; and
       (4) actions the Secretary must take to implement the 
     requirements of such a code and such amendments.

     SEC. 606. VALLEY VIEW FERRY.

       (a) Exemption.--Section 8902 of title 46, United States 
     Code, shall not apply to the vessel John Craig (United States 
     official number D1110613) when such vessel is operating on 
     the portion of the Kentucky River, Kentucky, located at 
     approximately mile point 158, in Pool Number 9, between Lock 
     and Dam Number 9 and Lock and Dam Number 10.
       (b) Application.--Subsection (a) shall apply on and after 
     the date on which the Secretary determines that a licensing 
     requirement has been established under Kentucky State law 
     that applies to an operator of the vessel John Craig.

     SEC. 607. COMPETITION BY UNITED STATES FLAG VESSELS.

       (a) In General.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall 
     enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of 
     Sciences to conduct an assessment of authorities under 
     subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, that have been 
     delegated to the Coast Guard that impact the ability of 
     vessels documented under the laws of the United States to 
     effectively compete in the carriage of merchandise and 
     passengers in the international trade.
       (b) Review of Differences With IMO Standards.--The 
     assessment under subsection (a) shall include a review of 
     differences between United States laws, policies, 
     regulations, and guidance governing the inspection of vessels 
     documented under the laws of the United States and standards 
     set by the International Maritime Organization governing the 
     inspection of vessels.
       (c) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
     which the Commandant enters into an arrangement with the 
     National Academy of Sciences under subsection (a), the 
     Commandant shall submit the assessment required under such 
     subsection to the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate.

     SEC. 608. SURVEY.

       Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, 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 survey of the parcel of 
     real property under the administrative control of the Coast 
     Guard, consisting of approximately 1.95 acres (measured at 
     the mean low-water mark) located at the entrance to Gig 
     Harbor, Washington, and commonly known as the Gig Harbor Sand 
     Spit Area.

     SEC. 609. FISHING SAFETY GRANT PROGRAMS.

       (a) Fishing Safety Training Grant Program.--Section 
     4502(i)(4) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``2010 through 2014'' and inserting ``2015 and 
     2016''.
       (b) Fishing Safety Research Grant Program.--Section 
     4502(j)(4) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``2010 through 2014'' and inserting ``2015 and 
     2016''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Hunter) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Garamendi) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on H.R. 4005.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 4005 is the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014. 
It reauthorizes funding for the Coast Guard through fiscal year 2016 at 
levels that are fiscally sound and will reverse the misguided cuts 
proposed by this administration. The President proposed to slash the 
service's acquisition budget by over 20 percent, reduce the number of 
servicemembers by over 1,300, undermine readiness by cutting programmed 
hours for aircraft, and jeopardize the success of research and rescue 
missions by taking fixed-wing aircraft crews off of immediate alert 
status.

                              {time}  1700

  The President's budget request will only worsen the Coast Guard's 
growing gaps in mission performance, increase acquisition delays, drive 
up the costs of the new assets, and deny our servicemembers the 
critical resources needed to perform their duties.
  H.R. 4005 provides sufficient funding to ensure these cuts do not 
happen and the service has what it needs to successfully conduct its 
missions.
  In 2012--that is the last year we have the numbers for--the Coast 
Guard responded to over 19,700 search and rescue cases; saved over 
3,500 lives; conducted over 20,000 safety, security, and environmental 
inspections of U.S. and foreign flag commercial vessels, more 
importantly; and interdicted over 2,900 undocumented migrants and 163 
metric tons of illegal drugs.
  The Coast Guard is our first line of defense in this country. H.R. 
4005 is going to fund the eighth national security cutter. That is the 
last one. It is a 425-foot frigate that the Navy is even jealous of.
  It funds six fast response cutters over the next 2 years. It also 
prepares us to buy the new offshore patrol cutter, and it also 
transfers 14 C-27Js from the Air Force to the Coast Guard for not a 
penny--not a dime--not a penny--totally free--transfers it from the Air 
Force to the Coast Guard. It can put those into effect.
  The bill also makes several reforms to Coast Guard authorities, as 
well as laws governing shipping and navigation. Specifically, H.R. 4005 
supports Coast Guard servicemembers by authorizing military pay raises 
and enhancing military benefits.
  There are about 42,000 Active Duty Coast Guardsmen patrolling all the 
navigable waters throughout the United States in rivers, bays, and seas 
and also every single piece of coastline that we have--42,000.
  Compare that to the Marine Corps numbers, over 175,000; the Army, 
over 400,000; yet the Coast Guard is responsible for every single piece 
of American water, every inland waterway, the Great Lakes, and every 
river. That is what the Coast Guard is responsible for.
  If you talk about weapons of mass destruction coming in through 
American ports from the ocean, the Coast Guard is our first line of 
defense there, too.
  This bill improves Coast Guard mission effectiveness by replacing and 
modernizing Coast Guard assets in a cost-effective manner. It enhances 
oversight of the Coast Guard, reduces inefficient operations, and saves 
taxpayer dollars by making commonsense reforms to Coast Guard missions 
and administration.
  The bill helps veterans make an easier transition from the Coast 
Guard into the life of a mariner, so they can get out and get good-
paying jobs in industry, so it gives them time and service for their 
Coast Guard time, as opposed to making them go through all of the 
hurdles, jumps, and hoops that you would have to go through otherwise.
  It encourages job growth in the maritime sector by cutting regulatory 
burdens on job creators, and it reauthorizes and reforms the structure 
and operations of the Federal Maritime Commission.
  H.R. 4005 is a bipartisan effort that was put together in close 
consultation with the minority. I want to thank Ranking Members Rahall 
and Garamendi for their efforts and Chairman Shuster for his 
leadership.
  I would also like to thank John Rayfield and Geoff Gosselin on the 
committee staff, whose depths of knowledge on the Coast Guard and 
Maritime issues are unfathomable, and Lieutenant Commander Stephen 
West, my Coast Guard fellow that was our reality check in this 
committee by giving us great, sane advice when we needed it.
  Finally, I want to take a minute to point out that this will be the 
last Coast Guard authorization bill that will benefit from the advice 
and support of the only Member of Congress with service in the Coast 
Guard, our colleague and friend, Howard Coble.
  Howard is a Korean war veteran with 5 years of Active Duty in the 
Coast Guard and another 18 years in the Coast Guard Reserve. He is the 
founder of the Congressional Coast Guard Caucus, as well as an active 
member and former chairman of our subcommittee.
  Throughout his career in Congress, Howard has been a tireless 
advocate for the men and women of the Coast Guard. I thank him and 
commend him for his service to our Nation and his contributions to this 
and past Coast Guard authorizations and to this Congress.
  I reserve the balance of my time.


[[Page H2773]]


                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, February 20, 2014.
     Hon. Bill Shuster,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I write concerning H.R. 4005, the Howard 
     Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, as 
     amended. This legislation includes matters that fall within 
     the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services.
       Our committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 4005, and 
     the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. Our 
     committee also appreciates efforts by your staff to 
     coordinate on matters that fall in our Rule X jurisdiction in 
     advance. Therefore, while we have a valid claim to 
     jurisdiction over this legislation, I do not intend to 
     request sequential referral on H.R. 4005. By waiving 
     consideration of the bill, the Committee on Armed Services 
     does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the 
     subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its 
     Rule X jurisdiction. I request that you urge the Speaker to 
     name members of this committee to any conference committee 
     which is named to consider the provisions over which we have 
     jurisdiction.
       Please place this letter and your committee's response into 
     the committee report to accompany H.R. 4005 and into the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on 
     the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in 
     which you have worked regarding this matter and others 
     between our respective committees.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                Washington, DC, February 25, 2014.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, House Armed Services Committee, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 4005, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime 
     Transportation Act of 2014. I appreciate your willingness to 
     support expediting the consideration of this legislation on 
     the House floor.
       I acknowledge that by waiving consideration of this bill, 
     the Committee on Armed Services does not waive any future 
     jurisdictional claim on this or similar legislation. In 
     addition, should a conference on the bill be necessary, I 
     would support your effort to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this legislation.
       I will include our letters on H.R. 4005 in the bill report 
     filed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
     as well as in the Congressional Record during House floor 
     consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation 
     regarding this legislation, and I look forward to working 
     with the Committee on Armed Services as the bill moves 
     through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Shuster,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                   Committee on Homeland Security,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                   Washington, DC, March 25, 2014.
     Hon. Bill Shuster,
     Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and 
         Infrastructure, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Shuster: On February 11, 2014, the Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered reported, with 
     amendment, H.R. 4005, the ``Howard Coble Coast Guard and 
     Maritime Transportation Act of 2014.'' The reported version 
     of H.R. 4005 includes provisions within the Rule X 
     Jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security regarding 
     border security, port security, research and development, and 
     the organization, administration, and general management of 
     the Department of Homeland Security.
       Due to the desire to bring H.R. 4005 to the House floor in 
     an expeditious manner, the Committee on Homeland Security 
     will forgo any consideration of H.R. 4005. I take this 
     action, however, with the mutual understanding that by 
     forgoing consideration at this time, we do not waive any 
     jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or 
     similar legislation, and our Committee will be appropriately 
     consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation 
     moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues 
     that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. In addition, our 
     Committee reserves the right to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this or similar legislation, and I ask 
     that you support this request. Finally, I ask that a copy of 
     exchange of letters be included in your committee's report on 
     H.R. 4005 and in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration thereof.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                   Washington, DC, March 25, 2014.
     Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
     Ford House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     4005, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime 
     Transportation Act of 2014. I appreciate your willingness to 
     support expediting the consideration of this legislation on 
     the House floor.
       I acknowledge that by waiving consideration of this bill, 
     the Committee on Homeland Security does not waive any future 
     jurisdictional claim on this or similar legislation. In 
     addition, should a conference on the bill be necessary, I 
     would support your effort to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this legislation.
       I will include our letters on H.R. 4005 in the bill report 
     filed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
     as well as in the Congressional Record during House floor 
     consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation 
     regarding this legislation, and I look forward to working 
     with the Committee on Homeland Security as the bill moves 
     through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Shuster,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, 
is bipartisan legislation.
  Maintaining a safe, reliable, and efficient maritime economy enables 
foreign and domestic trade to fuel the U.S. economy, and it remains 
vital. This legislation will provide the Coast Guard with the resources 
and policy tools it needs to fulfill its vital missions.
  I want to thank Chairman Hunter and his staff for their willingness 
to work with me and several of the Democratic Members, and I also want 
to commend Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Nick Rahall for their 
valuable contributions to this bill. We thank the gentlemen.
  H.R. 4005 will provide not only the budget stability for the Coast 
Guard for the next 2 years, it will also advance several important 
initiatives to revitalize our U.S. maritime industry.
  For example, H.R. 4005 will better align the Coast Guard's mission 
needs with its long-term capital planning and annual budgetary 
processes, and explicit cooperative agreement authority is also 
granted.
  It provides a new multiyear procurement authority for the offshore 
patrol cutter, the OPC, a critical and new asset. It directs the 
administration to enforce our cargo preference laws. No way out, guys. 
Enforce those laws and regulations, something that is long overdue.
  It will streamline the administrative processes to make it easier for 
our veterans to get their civilian licenses and find jobs in the 
merchant marine.
  Now, natural gas is a strategic American asset that is allowing 
America to enjoy low energy costs and a resurgence of American 
manufacturing. The export of LNG at a modest level could create even 
more American jobs if that LNG is transported on American-made LNG 
tankers flying the American flag with American sailors.
  The currently approved export terminals will require approximately 
100 LNG tankers. This tanker fleet could be American made, phased in as 
the LNG export terminals come on line and LNG exports grow. American 
shipyards could build these tankers over the next decade and beyond, 
creating thousands of jobs and maintaining a vital industrial base for 
America and our Navy.
  This legislation does direct the Government Accountability Office, 
the GAO, to assess how future transport of LNG on U.S. tankers could 
affect American job creation in the U.S. maritime industry. It is a 
good first step, but we should be doing more.
  This legislation also directs the Department of Transportation to 
develop a new national maritime strategy, a much-needed revision and 
new thought into what that strategy could be.
  The bill authorizes a needed increase in the funding for the Federal 
Maritime Commission, and the bill reauthorizes the Small Shipyard Grant 
Program through fiscal year 2017 to improve the quality and 
competitiveness of our small, domestic shipyards.
  There is more to be done. Specifically, title 11 needs to be 
rewritten and redone so that our American shipyards will have the loan 
guaranties that they need to construct the ships, perhaps those LNG 
tankers.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4005 is responsible legislation. It 
deserves an ``aye'' vote, and I want to thank all of who have been 
involved in writing it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H2774]]

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), the chairman 
of the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
  Mr. SHUSTER. I thank the gentleman from California.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard and 
Maritime Transportation Act of 2014.
  The United States Coast Guard enforces all U.S. laws on U.S. 
waterways and, when necessary, on the high seas. This service saves the 
life and property of those who sail in our waters for recreation and 
commerce.
  They protect our marine natural resources and secure our borders 
against illegal drugs and against human trafficking. They have a huge 
job, and they deserve our thanks.
  H.R. 4005 provides the service with our support. This bipartisan 
legislation authorizes the Coast Guard to carry out all its vital 
missions, improves its mission effectiveness, and helps replace and 
modernize aging Coast Guard assets in a cost-effective manner; it 
enhances oversight and reduces inefficiency to save taxpayer dollars.
  Additionally, the bill strengthens U.S. maritime transportation, 
reduces regulatory burdens to create jobs and encourage economic 
growth, and improves the Nation's competitiveness.
  Specifically, it authorizes funding for Coast Guard activities in 
2015 and 2016 at fiscally responsible levels that will allow the Coast 
Guard to continue updating its fleet of aging cutters and continue 
operations, supports Coast Guard servicemen and women, and encourages 
the Coast Guard to work with the private sector; it enhances 
Congressional oversight, improves Coast Guard acquisition activities, 
requires development of a national maritime strategy, creates 
opportunities for our veterans, and it reforms the Federal Maritime 
Commission.
  I would also like to make note, as Chairman Hunter noted, this is our 
colleague Howard Coble's last term as a member of the Coast Guard 
Subcommittee. The gentleman from North Carolina has served on the 
subcommittee and its predecessor, the Merchant Marine Committee, since 
he came to Congress in 1985.
  He is the only former coastie now serving in Congress. I know the 
Coast Guard appreciates his strong support for the service, 
particularly during his term as subcommittee chairman on this 
committee. I know all the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee 
members join me in wishing Howard a well-deserved and happy retirement.
  I want to thank and commend Subcommittee Chairman Hunter for 
introducing this bill and working with Ranking Member Rahall and also 
Ranking Member Garamendi for their work on this bill.
  I also will take notice that our good friend from the Virgin Islands 
is in the Chamber working on a couple provisions that I know are going 
to be very beneficial to the U.S. territories and to the U.S. Virgin 
Islands. I thank her for her hard work on this legislation.

  I look forward to working with the Senate to get the final version of 
this bill enacted this year.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the good lady from 
Los Angeles, California (Ms. Hahn).
  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Garamendi, thank you for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to discuss the importance of an 
amendment that I offered to this bill, but withdrew it because of 
jurisdictional concerns.
  In exchange for dropping this amendment, the language was supposed to 
be included in a manager's amendment, but, unfortunately, the 
suspension calendar precluded this from happening. It is my hope that, 
with the help of the chairman, this issue will be taken up during the 
conference with the Senate.
  Under current law, port authorities are required to develop port 
security plans which are then submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard for 
review. However, ports are not required to address cybersecurity in 
these plans.
  Without a requirement, many of our ports have not addressed this 
issue, creating a gap in our Nation's port security.
  Last July, the Brookings Institute released a report stating our 
Nation's port cybersecurity awareness is remarkably low. Without 
requiring ports to address this vulnerability, we risk exposing our 
Nation to a disruption that could devastate our economy and grind the 
flow of commerce to a halt in a matter of days.
  That is why I offered an amendment to this bill that would have 
required that ports address cybersecurity in their port security plans 
that they submit to the Coast Guard every 5 years. Unfortunately, this 
language was not included in the final bill, and it is my hope that it 
is put in the bill during the conference as it was intended.
  By requiring every port to begin to address cybersecurity in their 
port security plans, we can help avoid a potentially devastating attack 
that would leave our Nation's freight network crippled beyond repair.
  I appreciate the chairman's willingness to work with me on this 
issue, and I look forward to his support in trying to address this 
issue in conference.
  Mr. HUNTER. Will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. HAHN. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. HUNTER. To the extent that the Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee has jurisdiction over this issue, I look forward to working 
with the gentlelady from California to include her proposal to include 
cybersecurity as an element in facility security plans required under 
chapter 701 of title 46 because it is important, and we need to figure 
out who is the best at it, who can do it.
  It might not be the Coast Guard. It might not be the actual ports. It 
might be the Navy. I think it is important, and I look forward to 
working with you on the issue.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. HUNTER. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson).
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I thank the gentleman from California 
for the time, and I also thank him for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, at the outset, I would like to commend Chairman Shuster 
and Ranking Member Rahall for their hard work on the legislation before 
the House today.
  H.R. 4005, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
Act of 2014, authorizes the United States Coast Guard, a critical 
component of the Department of Homeland Security, for 2 years.
  Every day, the men and women of the Coast Guard work to protect our 
ports and waterways from terrorist attack and other dangers.

                              {time}  1715

  It is for that very reason that the Committee on Homeland Security 
should have considered this legislation. Unfortunately, Chairman McCaul 
rejected my request that, consistent with precedent the committee 
established in prior Congresses, he insist on a referral of this 
measure.
  Doing so would have ensured that the members of the Committee on 
Homeland Security could inform the bill's security-related provisions 
in an open markup setting.
  As a result of Chairman McCaul's decision to waive the right of the 
committee to consider this measure, the House has before it a bill that 
does not fully take into account the statutory mission of the 
Department of Homeland Security component it authorizes.
  In fact, it does not have a single provision solely dedicated to port 
and maritime security. You just heard the gentlelady from California 
talk about port security and how important it is, and I appreciate the 
gentleman from California saying that he would work with her, but it is 
also a responsibility of the Committee on Homeland Security.
  While disappointing, I do not blame the leadership of the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure for the absence of such 
provisions. It is the responsibility of the Committee on Homeland 
Security to leave its mark on this important homeland security 
legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentleman.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. To be clear, this is not a case of the 
Committee on Homeland Security lacking

[[Page H2775]]

the jurisdiction needed to inform the legislation before us today. It 
is a case of a chairman failing to ensure his committee was afforded 
the right to exercise its jurisdictional authority.

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                Washington, DC, February 11, 2014.
     Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office 
         Building, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Candice S. Miller,
     Chairman, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, 
         Cannon House Office Building, House of Representatives, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul and Subcommittee Chairman Miller: We 
     write to urge you to insist upon a sequential referral of 
     H.R. 4005, the ``Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act 
     of 2014,'' and to afford the Members of the Committee on 
     Homeland Security (the Committee) the opportunity to consider 
     this important homeland security legislation in an open 
     markup session.
       Despite H.R. 4005 containing numerous provisions within the 
     Committee's Rule X, clause 1(j) jurisdiction, the Speaker 
     chose not to refer the bill to the Committee upon 
     introduction, opting to refer the bill to the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) alone. As you are 
     aware, H.R. 4005, as ordered to be reported by T&I today, 
     contains numerous provisions within the legislative 
     jurisdiction of the Committee.
       Since being established as a standing committee in the 
     109th Congress, the Committee has waived its right to a 
     sequential referral of legislation authorizing the United 
     States Coast Guard (USCG) on only two occasions. The first 
     instance was in the 109th Congress and the most recent was 
     during the 112th Congress. In contrast, in the 110th and 
     111th Congresses, we made certain that bills authorizing the 
     USCG, a critical component of the Department of Homeland 
     Security (DHS), were referred to the Committee.
       As recently as last week, the Committee's Subcommittee on 
     Border and Maritime Security held a public hearing to explore 
     the USCG's homeland security mission. During that hearing, 
     Chairman Miller emphasized the important homeland security 
     mission of the USCG when she stated:
       ``Since 9/11, the Coast Guard has taken an ever-increasing 
     role in the protection of our nation. We've given the Coast 
     Guard additional responsibility. We have tasked them to 
     specifically focus their limited resources on port and 
     maritime security.''
       We concur with Chairman Miller's sentiment regarding the 
     critical role the USCG plays in ensuring the security of our 
     ports and maritime system. To ensure H.R. 4005 reflects the 
     USCG's homeland security mission, we urge you to insist on a 
     referral and hold an open markup session of the bill.
       In addition to our desire to see the Members of our 
     Committee have an opportunity to shape the policy in a bill 
     authorizing a critical component of DHS, we believe it is 
     critical that the Committee exercise its jurisdictional 
     prerogative whenever possible. H.R. 4005 represents an 
     opportunity for you to ensure that the Committee exercises 
     its existing jurisdictional authority to the fullest extent 
     possible.
       Thank you, in advance, for your attention to this request. 
     Should you or your staff have any questions on this matter, 
     please contact Ms. Rosaline Cohen, Chief Counsel for 
     Legislation of the Committee on Homeland Security, at x6-
     2616.
           Sincerely,
     Bennie G. Thompson,
       Ranking Member.
     Sheila Jackson Lee,
       Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime 
     Security.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                    Washington, DC, April 1, 2014.
     Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office 
         Building, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Candice S. Miller,
     Chairman, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, 
         Cannon House Office Building, U.S. House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul and Subcommittee Chairman Miller: On 
     February 11, 2014, we wrote urging you to insist upon a 
     sequential referral of H.R. 4005, the ``Coast Guard and 
     Maritime Transportation Act of 2014.'' Today, we are writing 
     to express our deep disappointment with your decision to 
     waive the Committee's right to a sequential referral of this 
     important homeland security legislation. As your letter to 
     the Speaker on February 12, 2014, requesting a sequential 
     referral of the bill rightly points out, the United States 
     Coast Guard (USCG) is charged with port, waterway, and costal 
     security, putting them on the forefront of defending the 
     Nation's maritime borders.
       Since being established as a standing committee in the 
     109th Congress, the Committee has failed to receive referrals 
     of bills authorizing the Coast Guard during Republican 
     control of the House of Representatives. In contrast, during 
     the 110th and 111th Congresses, during our time in the 
     Majority, we insisted that both bills authorizing the Coast 
     Guard be referred to the Committee. During the 112th 
     Congress, Chairman King decided to break with Committee 
     precedent by waiving the Committee's right to a referral of 
     H.R. 2838, the ``Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act 
     of 2011.'' Given the critical role the USCG plays in ensuring 
     the security of our ports and maritime system, we are 
     disappointed with your decision to continue the Republican 
     precedent and waive the Committee's right to a referral of 
     H.R. 4005. This decision not only denies our Members the 
     opportunity to consider this port and maritime security 
     legislation in Committee but also cleared the way for the 
     measure to be considered by the Full House on the suspension 
     calendar, thereby denying our Members the opportunity to 
     offer port and maritime security amendments to this critical 
     authorizing legislation.
       During the Committee's hearing on February 26, 2014, titled 
     The Secretary's Vision for the Future--Challenges and 
     Priorities, you responded to Subcommittee on Transportation 
     Security Ranking Member Richmond's urging that the Committee 
     insist on a referral of H.R. 4005 by stating that you intend 
     to offer a Coast Guard reauthorization bill. We would ask, 
     for the record, for details on your Coast Guard 
     reauthorization proposal, including the scope of the measure 
     and the timeline for consideration. Further, we would like to 
     know what relationship, if any, there is between your 
     decision to waive a referral to H.R. 4005 and this 
     forthcoming effort. We are eager to work with you on the 
     Coast Guard reauthorization bill you announced you would be 
     offering for consideration by the Committee.
       Should you or your staff have any further questions on this 
     matter, please contact Ms. Rosaline Cohen, Chief Counsel for 
     Legislation of the Committee on Homeland Security.
           Sincerely,
     Bennie G. Thompson,
       Ranking Member.
     Sheila Jackson Lee,
       Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime 
     Security.

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I would like to indulge in a 
colloquy with Mr. Hunter.
  I want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee for yielding and, 
again, thank him for his work. Section 221 of H.R. 4005 prohibits the 
Secretary of Homeland Security from dismantling or disposing of any 
former LORAN system infrastructure for at least 1 year from the date of 
enactment of the act or until the date the Secretary notifies the 
committee that such infrastructure is not needed for a positioning, 
navigation, and timing system to provide redundant capability in the 
event GPS signals are disrupted, whichever is later; is that the 
chairman's understanding?
  Mr. HUNTER. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. HUNTER. Yes, it is.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I ask the chairman, I am aware there are several 
important issues surrounding the disposition of LORAN stations, 
including the disposition of lands associated with them that we should 
closely examine and deal with in an appropriate manner.
  I ask the chairman and my colleagues on the committee to work with me 
to resolve these issues in the context of H.R. 4005 as this bill moves 
forward.
  Mr. HUNTER. To the extent that these issues are within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I 
look forward to working with the gentleman from Alaska with respect to 
resolving the disposition of the assets associated with the Coast Guard 
LORAN stations in a manner satisfactory to the longest-serving member 
of the subcommittee and its predecessors.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I thank the chairman. I look forward to working 
on this issue further, and I also want to extend my heartfelt 
congratulations and best wishes to the gentleman from North Carolina 
(Mr. Coble), the only former coastguardsman now serving in Congress.
  To find a finer gentleman and colleague than Mr. Coble would be 
difficult, indeed. We will miss you, Howard, so please stay in touch.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. 
Bonamici).
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues today in support of H.R. 
4005, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act. I know that the 
chairmen and ranking members have

[[Page H2776]]

worked diligently on the underlying bill, and I commend them for their 
efforts.
  Importantly, I am grateful for the opportunity to work with them to 
add language from two bills I introduced to help coastal communities 
dealing with increasing marine debris.
  Since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011, 
residents of the Pacific Northwest have faced an increase in the volume 
of marine debris reaching our coast. This debris is a hazard to 
navigators, a threat to the marine environment, and a potential drag on 
coastal tourism.
  Following the arrival of a 66-foot dock on an Oregon beach in June 
2012, I worked with a bipartisan coalition on two bills to improve the 
Federal response to marine debris.
  The first proposal, which I introduced with the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Ms. Herrera Beutler), was introduced to expedite NOAA's 
grant process for debris cleanup by allowing NOAA to prioritize grant 
applications from communities affected by a severe marine debris event.
  I partnered with Congressman Don Young on the second proposal to 
allow NOAA to reimburse States for debris cleanup costs with a generous 
$5 million gift from the Government of Japan.
  I would like to thank the chairman and ranking member of the Natural 
Resources Committee for their support, with special thanks to my Oregon 
colleague, Ranking Member DeFazio.
  I would also like to thank the chairman and ranking member of the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for including these 
proposals in the underlying bill.
  I am pleased to have worked with so many Members on the passage of 
these bipartisan marine provisions, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on the 
underlying bill.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Meadows).
  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and thank the leadership of my 
good friend and colleague from California (Mr. Hunter) on his 
recognition that we need to go forward with this Coast Guard 
reauthorization.
  Not only does it put in good reforms and continues to work in a real 
way to support our men and women who serve in the Coast Guard, but it 
does so in--quite frankly, in a very streamlined way, so I thank the 
leadership of Congressman Hunter.
  I want to go on further and recognize a gentleman from North 
Carolina, the dean of the delegation, Congressman Howard Coble. Not 
only is Howard a good friend, but he has served with distinction for 
more than 30 years here in this House.
  Being an active member of the Coast Guard, it was his leadership and 
truly his work with Congressman Hunter that really set this in motion. 
Having, at the age of 83, decided that it is time for him to retire 
from representing the people of the great State of North Carolina, I 
just want to acknowledge this particular day, Mr. Speaker, on a great 
statesman, truly a gentleman.
  When you look up ``gentleman'' in the dictionary, it should have 
Howard Coble's picture right beside it. He is the epitome of what it is 
to not only represent the people of North Carolina in such a fine 
fashion, but he works across party aisles.
  He works with his colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, to make 
sure that our country is served in the best way possible. It is with 
great pleasure that I get to speak on behalf of this bill and, in doing 
so, honor a man who knows the Coast Guard well and knows that the men 
and women who serve there serve our country in a the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Kilmer).

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to engage in a colloquy with the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter).
  It is my understanding that this legislation contains a provision 
that would survey property at the open water entrance from the Puget 
Sound to the city of Gig Harbor, Washington, commonly known as the Gig 
Harbor sand spit area.
  That property was leased to the city by the Coast Guard in 1988 to 
construct a small replica lighthouse with a private aid to navigation 
on the parcel and that the city and other local parties have financed, 
operated, and maintained the sand spit area, lighthouse, and private 
aid since that time and have used the property primarily for 
recreational purposes.
  Mr. HUNTER. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. KILMER. I yield to the chairman.
  Mr. HUNTER. That is my understanding as well.
  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chairman, the Coast Guard in 2005 determined that the 
property was in excess to their operational requirements and authorized 
the disposal of the property.
  In addition, the city has been in discussions with the Coast Guard 
since 2011 regarding transferring the property.
  I yield to the chairman.
  Mr. HUNTER. That is also my understanding.
  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chairman, the legislation before us today provides 
for a survey of the Gig Harbor sand spit area.
  Am I correct in understanding that, when the Federal Government 
completes the survey, the chairman will work with me to convey this 
property to the city?
  I yield to the chairman.
  Mr. HUNTER. To the extent that the Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee has jurisdiction over this property, I will work with the 
gentleman from Washington to convey the property to the city.
  Mr. KILMER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate you working with me 
on this issue.
  It is very important to my constituents, and I look forward to a 
final resolution in the very near future. The Gig Harbor sand spit area 
is a cherished maritime gateway to the city of Gig Harbor, which is an 
area in my district which has a long and rich history of boating and 
commercial fishing.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California has 8\1/2\ 
minutes remaining.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  One thing that this bill does is not only does it inventory this 
property--or it would--it also works to reduce the Coast Guard's excess 
property in general.
  It requires the Coast Guard to conduct an inventory of all of its 
real property and to determine which property can be divested or 
consolidated to save taxpayers money and to give the land back to the 
municipalities and cities and counties in which it resides.
  This is not just a Coast Guard bill. As the ranking member spoke 
about--and the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Shuster, it is 
beyond the Coast Guard in that this bill is important because it deals 
with maritime transportation. A healthy maritime industry is vital to 
our national security.
  Throughout our history, the Navy has relied on U.S.-flagged 
commercial vessels, crewed by American merchant mariners to carry 
troops, weapons, and supplies to the battlefield.
  When I deployed on my second tour to Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004 out of 
San Diego, I was in charge as the logistics officer of driving down all 
of our equipment with Humvees and our big battery cannons down to the 
local pier in San Diego. We then put this on a roll-on/roll-off boat.
  I made sure everything was the way it was supposed to be, and that is 
how all of our equipment got over to Iraq. This boat was driven--manned 
by American merchant mariners.
  It was not driven by the Navy or the Coast Guard, but by civilian 
mariners that do this for us; so I have a very close personal 
relationship, if you will, because all of the gear that we fell in on 
in Fallujah was stuff we had shipped over from San Diego to Iraq.
  During Operations Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom, 
U.S.-flagged commercial vessels transported 63 percent of all military 
cargos, like mine, moved to Afghanistan and Iraq.
  Since we cannot rely on foreign vessels and crews to provide for our 
national security--let's say we relied on the Russians to move our 
military equipment like we rely on them to move our people and 
equipment into space--it is critical that we maintain a robust fleet of 
U.S.-flagged vessels, a large cadre of skilled American workers, and a 
strong shipyard industrial base.

  Let me go through what the maritime sector provides to our economy

[[Page H2777]]

very quickly. The U.S. maritime industry currently employs more than 
260,000 Americans, providing nearly $29 billion in annual wages.
  There are more than 40,000 commercial vessels currently flying the 
American flags on our waterways, and the vast majority of these vessels 
are engaged in domestic commerce, moving over 100 million passengers 
and $400 billion worth of goods between ports in the U.S. on an annual 
basis.
  Each year, the U.S. maritime industry accounts for over $100 billion 
in economic output, and these are not just port cities that get this. 
It is the inland waterways, the Mississippi, the Great Lakes, all of 
the different locks and dams throughout Pennsylvania and the Northeast, 
including the Colorado River.
  Those are places where the Coast Guard is hard at work and our 
maritime industry is creating jobs and keeping people's mortgages paid 
and food on their table.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, might I inquire as to the amount of time 
I have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California has 9\1/4\ 
minutes remaining.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Jackson Lee).
  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for 
yielding, and I thank the manager of this legislation.
  I rise with an appreciation for this legislation and also a concern. 
I think this legislation would have been important to have been 
referred and for the waiver not to be exercised to the Homeland 
Security Committee.
  I serve as the ranking member on the Border Security and Maritime 
Security Committee, and it is known that the Coast Guard has a 
responsibility for defending the Nation's maritime borders. It is 
charged with port waterway and coastal security.

                              {time}  1730

  With that in mind, it would be appropriate to address those questions 
of Homeland Security. I notice that this bill limits and reduces the 
number of commissioned officers, alters the mission of Coast Guard 
centers, and did not come before our committee.
  At a hearing on the oil spill in Houston, which has an impact on 
America's waterways, particularly around the gulf region and has an 
impact on security, it was clear that the Coast Guard were the first 
responders. They were the first responders in terms of the potential 
rescue. They were the first responders in terms of being the cops of 
the waterway, to ensure that all of those who needed to use that 
waterway and the ports were able do so. They were the ones that 
protected the individuals that were on cruise lines that were left 
offshore, and they were, of course, taking care of commerce. This is 
clearly part of the responsibility of Homeland Security.
  As I indicated, we are very proud of the Coast Guard. I am always 
reminded of the great service they rendered during Hurricane Katrina, 
saving over 1,000 persons.
  I rise today to hope that we will have an opportunity to address the 
questions dealing with security. As I do so, however, I want to commend 
Admiral Robert Papp, Jr., who is a commandant now of the United States 
Coast Guard, 24th United States Coast Guard Commandant and has served 
39 years. Let us salute this great American.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Commandant Papp is a great American. He has been a 
friend to not only those of us in the United States Congress who are on 
the responsible committees, but he has been a friend to his men and 
women that serve in the United States Coast Guard.
  Commandant Papp, we salute you for your grand service and look 
forward to your continued service to America, but more importantly, we 
owe you a great deal of respect and honor. Thank you so very much.
  I thank the gentleman.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak with reservations regarding the 
consideration of H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
Act under a suspension because the bill establishes appropriations 
limits; reduces the number of commissioned officers; alters the mission 
of Coast Guard Centers; and did not come before the Homeland Security 
Committee under a sequential referral.
  The bill before the House accomplishes several goals that may have 
been shared by the House Transportation Committee and the House 
Committee on Homeland Security, but it also addresses areas that should 
have had more deliberation before coming to the House Floor for a vote 
with no opportunity to amend the legislation.
  On February 11, 2014, as Ranking Member of the House Committee on 
Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, I 
joined Ranking Member of the Full Homeland Security Committee Bennie 
Thompson in writing to urge a sequential referral of H.R. 4005, the 
``Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014.''
  We were disappointed with the decision of the Homeland Security's 
Chair and Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime 
Security to waive the Committee's right to a sequential referral of 
this important homeland security legislation.
  The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is charged with port, waterway, 
and coastal security, putting them on the forefront of defending the 
Nation's maritime borders.
  On March 25, 2014, I participated in the hearing held by the Homeland 
Security's Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and 
Communication when FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate testified.
  One of the provisions of H.R. 4005 would prohibit the Secretary of 
Homeland Security from making a determination that a waterway is 
navigable for purposes of the Coast Guard's jurisdiction without 
conducting a rulemaking under appropriate administrative procedures.
  This provision of H.R. 4005 could have huge repercussions in an 
emergency related to a waterway's safety.
  I raised the issue with Administrator Fugate regarding the critical 
role of the Coast Guard in making sure that our ports and waterways are 
navigable because of the 168,000 gallons of oil spilled due to a 
tugboat accident into the Port of Houston which led to a shutdown.
  The Port of Houston is critical infrastructure:
  According to the Department of Commerce in 2012, Texas exports 
totaled $265 billion.
  The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public 
and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from the 
Gulf of Mexico.
  In 2012 ship channel-related businesses contribute 1,026,820 jobs and 
generate more than $178.5 billion in statewide economic impact.
  For the past 11 consecutive years, Texas has outpaced the rest of the 
country in exports.
  First ranked U.S. port in foreign tonnage;
  Second ranked U.S. port in total tonnage;
  Seventh ranked U.S. container port by total TEUs in 2012;
  Largest Texas port with 46 percent of market share by tonnage;
  Largest Texas container port with 96 percent market share in 
containers by total TEUs in 2012;
  Largest Gulf Coast container port, handling 67 percent of U.S. Gulf 
Coast container traffic in 2012;
  Second ranked U.S. port in terms of cargo value (based on CBP Customs 
port definitions).
  The Government Accountability Office (GAO), reports that this port, 
and its waterways, and vessels are part of an economic engine handling 
more than $700 billion in merchandise annually.
  The Port of Houston houses approximately 100 steamship lines offering 
services that link Houston with 1,053 ports in 203 countries.
  The Port of Houston has $15 billion petrochemical complex, the 
largest in the nation and second largest worldwide.
  The bill does establish rules for the Coast Guard engaging in ice 
patrol agreements with other nations and the need to establish 
reimbursement agreements prior to the commitment of resources in ice 
patrols.
  The bill provides for compensation of ship owners and operators who 
provide necessary support to seafarers paroled into the United States 
to facilitate investigations, reporting, documentation, or 
adjudications.
  The bill also addresses the definition of ``high-risk waters,'' for 
the purpose of determining when owners and operators of U.S. vessels 
carrying government-impelled cargo are to be reimbursed for the cost of 
providing armed on-board safety personnel.
  Since being established as a standing committee in the 109th 
Congress, the Homeland Security Committee has failed to receive a 
referral of a bill authorizing the Coast Guard only during periods of 
Republican control of the House of Representatives.

[[Page H2778]]

  In contrast, during the 110th and 111th Congresses, during our time 
in the Majority, we insisted that both bills authorizing the Coast 
Guard be referred to the Committee.
  Given the critical role the Coast Guard plays in ensuring the 
security of our ports and maritime system the Homeland Security 
Committee should never waive its right to consider legislation directly 
related to homeland security. The Committee on Homeland Security had no 
chance to provide valuable input in the drafting of H.R. 4005.
  H.R. 4005, is an important bill that should have had the attention of 
the House Committee on Homeland Security, and if not members should 
have had an opportunity to offer amendments during full House 
Consideration of the bill.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4005, the 
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014. I want to thank 
the subcommittee chair, Chairman Hunter, and Subcommittee Ranking 
Member Garamendi, as well as Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member 
Rahall, for their leadership on the committee and their willingness to 
include language in the bill that would rectify a problem that has hurt 
the charter boat industry in my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  Section 312 of the bill would enable U.S.-owned passenger vessels 
operating in the Virgin Islands to carry up to 12 passengers, provided 
the vessels, of course, meet certain safety requirements, something our 
charter boat industry has been advocating for at least 20 years. 
Because of the existing rule, our once thriving charter yacht industry 
has gone to the British Virgin Islands, and estimates of revenue losses 
to the USVI economy range from $70 million to $100 million annually.
  I also want to thank the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Council for 
their invaluable assistance. I have been working on this change since 
coming to the House. And I can honestly say it is only because of their 
efforts and the support of Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall 
that we are on the cusp of finally resolving the issue. I thank them 
again, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4005.
  I rise in support of H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation Act of 2014.
  I especially want to thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall 
for their willingness to include language in the bill that would 
clarify a problem with the Charter boat industry in my district, the 
U.S. Virgin Islands.
  Section 312 of the bill would enable U.S. owned uninspected passenger 
vessels operating in the U.S. Virgin Islands to carry up to 12 
passengers provided the vessels meet certain safety requirements. The 
Virgin Islands Charter boat industry has been advocating for this 
change for at least 20 years.
  Because of the rule this section will change, our once thriving 
charter yacht industry has migrated to the British Virgin Islands where 
regulations are less restrictive. Estimates of revenue losses to the 
USVI economy because of the damage to this industry, range from $70 to 
$100 million annually. This is at a time when the territory's economy 
has not rebounded from the 2008 recession and the closure of largest 
private employer.
  In closing Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Virgin Islands Marine 
Advisory Council for their invaluable assistance. I have been working 
on this change since coming to the House and I can honestly say that it 
is only because of their efforts and the support of Chairman Shuster 
and Ranking Member Rahall that we are on the cusp of finally resolving 
the issue.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4005, as amended.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  First, I just wanted to say that Congressman Rick Larsen entered his 
statement in the Record, and his statement speaks to the issue of the 
Coast Guard providing icebreaking services in the Arctic, and 
particularly the reconstruction of the polar sea.
  I want to thank Mr. Hunter and the staff, Republican staff, and our 
staff on our side, David, and the people that worked on this particular 
piece of legislation.
  This legislation is very important to the Coast Guard and to the 
American economy because it deals with the international trade. Ninety 
percent or more of the trade and services go by water. This bill 
provides the Coast Guard with the materials that it needs, with the 
budget authority, and with important reforms.
  The legislation also provides considerable support for the Merchant 
Marine elements in our committee. It deals in part with the necessity 
for the national defense.
  Chairman Hunter spoke to the issue of the Maritime Security Program. 
Similarly, the bill does speak to the Ready Reserve program as well as 
the breaking of ships, that is, the disposal of ships that have lost 
their usefulness. It is a comprehensive bill. There are a few more 
things that we should be doing in this piece of legislation that 
hopefully we will be able to take up in the Senate or in the conference 
committee.
  I spoke earlier about the export of liquified natural gas, LNG. This 
is an enormous opportunity for America to rebuild its Merchant Marine. 
More than 100 ships will be needed to export that LNG. Those should be 
American-made ships, manned by American sailors, flying under the 
American flag.
  I think we need, also, to work on title XI, the Loan Guarantee 
Program for ships that are built in the United States. It is very 
restrictive in its present form.
  Chairman Hunter in his opening remarks also talked about the problem 
of the appropriations. While this bill does provide authorization 
authority that should be sufficient for all of these elements, the 
ultimate money available would be through the appropriation process.
  I am very concerned about the austerity budgeting that has consumed 
this Congress for the last 3 years and appears to be continuing for the 
next 2. If that happens, all of the good intentions in this bill may be 
lost upon the shoals of an austerity budget. We need to pay attention 
to that.
  It is a good piece of legislation. It has been a great honor to work 
on this subcommittee as the ranking member.
  I yield back my remaining time, asking for a positive vote on this 
bill.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to thank the ranking member, Mr. Garamendi from 
California. He was great to work with on this. We had some 
disagreements, but we agree on the majority of it.
  I would like to thank you for your support. It was great working with 
you, and we will do it more in the future.
  I would also like to take into account what Mr. Garamendi said about 
an icebreaker. America is the only Arctic nation with no icebreaker. We 
don't have one. China has them; Russia has them; Canada has them. Just 
about everybody else that has any Arctic in its sphere of influence has 
an icebreaker, except for the United States; meaning, if an American 
oil ship got stuck in the Arctic, guess who would bail them out? Our 
good friend the Russians, maybe our good friends the Communist Chinese. 
The Canadians, if we are lucky, will have a ship available so we can at 
least go with a free country if we had to get that ship out of trouble.
  We don't have an icebreaker. That is a travesty. Icebreakers are 
expensive, especially if you just buy one. They are about a billion 
dollars by the Coast Guard's account.
  There are other options to get an icebreaker. You can lease an 
icebreaker like you lease a car, and it can be operated by merchant 
mariners, the same ones that we have been praising. Talking about this 
bill, that is who could run this icebreaker. We are going to work on 
that, and that should be this subcommittee and this committee's 
crowning achievement is getting an American icebreaker on the high seas 
to support American industry and American seafarers in the Arctic.
  Number two, maritime transportation is more than just important to 
this country; it is what this country is all about. There is an old 
saying in the Department of Defense--and I was a marine, so let me just 
throw this out there--whoever controls the oceans controls the world. 
Now you can say whoever controls space controls the ocean, but whoever 
controls the oceans controls the world.
  America is surrounded by water for the most part. All of our trade 
comes in through the Pacific or the Atlantic.

[[Page H2779]]

It is more than important. It is the most important thing out there 
that we make sure of two things: that we protect these trade routes on 
the high seas for goods coming in and out of this country; number 2, we 
have to secure our ports and coastline from drugs, from illegal 
immigrants, and, most importantly, from a weapon of mass destruction 
that might be smuggled to our shoreline and then detonated by one of 
our port cities. That is easier to do than it is now to fly an airplane 
and land in an American airport and set something off. It is also 
easier to do than it is to cross the southern border and sneak across 
with some weapon of mass destruction. It is easier to get a ship or a 
cargo container ship with a weapon of mass destruction off of an 
American coast than it is to get it into this country any other way.
  When it comes to maritime transportation, Americans are leading the 
way in making these ships. We just made in San Diego, a company called 
NASSCO, a shipbuilding company in San Diego just built or is in the 
process of building right now the very first liquified natural gas-
powered ships. They are not container ships that carry liquified 
natural gas, LNG, but they are powered by it. They are the first ones 
in the world. They are being made here in this country. So we might not 
be able to make cheap ships as easily as nations that don't have the 
same labor laws or environmental laws, but we can still make the most 
technologically advanced ships in the world, and we are doing that 
today.

  Lastly, the Coast Guard, approximately 41,000 military personnel--and 
to my friends that say that the U.S. Coast Guard should be under 
Homeland Security, the Coast Guard is a fifth branch of the U.S. 
military. It is actually under DOD. So if we want to move it anywhere, 
I would say put it under the Armed Services Committee.
  Approximately 41,000 military personnel, 8,000 reservists, 8,500 
civilian employees, and 30,000 volunteers of the Coast Guard Auxiliary 
comprise this adaptable responsive military force within the Department 
of Homeland Security.
  As one the Nation's five Armed Forces, the Coast Guard also is 
prepared to operate as a specialized service to the Navy in times of 
war or at the President's direction. The Coast Guard is instrumental to 
the security of our Nation and our maritime transportation system of 
this Nation which, both of those, are, in turn, the most important 
things that we can look at when it comes to the high seas and 
maintaining a robust economy and secure shores.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, the Arctic is fast becoming 
the 21st-century version of the Northwest Passage. Just four years ago, 
two German ships followed a Russian icebreaker to complete the first 
commercial shipment across the Arctic. Last year, with the warmest 
Arctic summer on record, 46 ships made the crossing. An active and 
well-maintained icebreaker fleet is a key part of our country's 
responsibility as an Arctic nation.
  As Ranking Member of the Coast Guard subcommittee in the 112th 
Congress, I had the privilege to work with Representative LoBiondo, who 
was the Chairman at that time. We agreed it was time for the Coast 
Guard to make a decision about how to move forward with its icebreaker 
fleet. In the last Coast Guard reauthorization bill, we asked the 
agency to look at the business case for reactivating the Polar Sea, 
which is currently docked in Seattle.
  That analysis showed that for about $100 million, we could have a 
functioning Polar Sea, which is about one-tenth the price tag for a 
brand new icebreaker. In my view that is a bargain.
  However, the Coast Guard still has not come to a conclusion about 
what to do with the Polar Sea. Instead, it is currently sitting in cold 
storage in Seattle. Every day the Polar Sea sits without maintenance it 
loses value.
  The bill before us would require the Coast Guard to use the analysis 
Representative LoBiondo and I requested and make a decision about the 
Polar Sea.
  I was pleased to hear Coast Guard Admiral Papp talk about 
reactivation of the Polar Sea in a positive light during a subcommittee 
hearing last week. I believe the right course of action is to 
reactivate the Polar Sea.
  But that decision needs to be made soon.
  The Coast Guard also needs to start moving on the next generation of 
icebreakers.
  I understand that the intent of this legislation is to encourage the 
Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation and other 
interested agencies to partner with the Coast Guard in building a new 
fleet of icebreakers.
  However, I am concerned that by tying the Coast Guard's hands until 
those agencies fully engage in this process, we may be delaying much 
needed progress towards building a new icebreaker.
  That's why I am pleased that Chairman Duncan and Ranking Member 
Garamendi included some changes I requested to the icebreaker language 
in this bill to ensure that we do not hinder what little progress is 
being made on icebreakers today.
  I hope we can continue to work together to ensure our country meets 
its responsibilities as an Arctic nation.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4005, the 
``Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act.'' I want to commend 
Chairman Hunter, Ranking Member Garamendi, and their staffs for the 
amount of work they put in to have this bipartisan measure brought to 
the floor.
  This important legislation contains a provision based on the 
``Commercial Vessel Discharges Reform Act of 2013'' introduced by 
myself and Mr. Larsen. This provision puts in place a permanent 
moratorium from Environmental Protection Agency, state regulations and 
fines governing incidental discharges from commercial fishing vessels 
and all other commercial vessels less than 79 feet. With our stagnant 
economy, the government must not enact federal penalties which could 
discourage economic growth and job creation. The fines that are 
scheduled to be levied against our commercial fishermen for incidental 
charges will be devastating to our national and local South Jersey 
businesses.
  In conclusion, I'd also like to praise the tireless efforts on behalf 
of all Coasties that our colleague Mr. Coble has worked on during his 
entire career in the House. A Coasty himself, he has always fought for 
the men and women serving in this distinguished uniform and we will 
surely miss him.
  I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 4005.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4005, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________