[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 146 (Wednesday, December 3, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H8289-H8305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HOWARD COBLE COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ACT OF 2014
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5769) to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for
fiscal year 2015, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5769
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Howard Coble Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is the following:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. 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. Commandant; appointment.
Sec. 203. Prevention and response workforces.
Sec. 204. Centers of expertise.
Sec. 205. Penalties.
Sec. 206. Agreements.
Sec. 207. Tuition assistance program coverage of textbooks and other
educational materials.
Sec. 208. Coast Guard housing.
Sec. 209. Lease authority.
Sec. 210. Notification of certain determinations.
Sec. 211. Annual Board of Visitors.
Sec. 212. Flag officers.
Sec. 213. Repeal of limitation on medals of honor.
Sec. 214. Coast Guard family support and child care.
Sec. 215. Mission need statement.
Sec. 216. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request.
Sec. 217. Inventory of real property.
Sec. 218. Retired service members and dependents serving on advisory
committees.
Sec. 219. Active duty for emergency augmentation of regular forces.
Sec. 220. Acquisition workforce expedited hiring authority.
Sec. 221. Coast Guard administrative savings.
Sec. 222. Technical corrections to title 14.
Sec. 223. Multiyear procurement authority for Offshore Patrol Cutters.
Sec. 224. Maintaining Medium Endurance Cutter mission capability.
Sec. 225. Aviation capability in the Great Lakes region.
Sec. 226. Gaps in writings on Coast Guard history.
Sec. 227. Officer evaluation reports.
Sec. 228. Improved safety information for vessels.
Sec. 229. E-LORAN.
Sec. 230. Analysis of resource deficiencies with respect to maritime
border security.
Sec. 231. Modernization of National Distress and Response System.
Sec. 232. Report reconciling maintenance and operational priorities on
the Missouri River.
Sec. 233. Maritime Search and Rescue Assistance Policy assessment.
[[Page H8290]]
TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION
Sec. 301. Repeal.
Sec. 302. Donation of historical property.
Sec. 303. Small shipyards.
Sec. 304. Drug testing reporting.
Sec. 305. Opportunities for sea service veterans.
Sec. 306. Clarification of high-risk waters.
Sec. 307. Technical corrections.
Sec. 308. Report.
Sec. 309. Fishing safety grant programs.
Sec. 310. Establishment of Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory
Committee.
Sec. 311. Travel and subsistence costs for prevention services.
Sec. 312. Prompt intergovernmental notice of marine casualties.
Sec. 313. Area Contingency Plans.
Sec. 314. International ice patrol reform.
Sec. 315. Offshore supply vessel third-party inspection.
Sec. 316. Watches.
Sec. 317. Coast Guard response plan requirements.
Sec. 318. Regional Citizens' Advisory Council.
Sec. 319. Uninspected passenger vessels in the United States Virgin
Islands.
Sec. 320. Treatment of abandoned seafarers.
Sec. 321. Enforcement.
Sec. 322. Coast Guard regulations.
Sec. 323. Website.
TITLE IV--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 402. Award of reparations.
Sec. 403. Terms of Commissioners.
TITLE V--ARCTIC MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
Sec. 501. Arctic maritime transportation.
Sec. 502. Arctic maritime domain awareness.
Sec. 503. IMO Polar Code negotiations.
Sec. 504. Forward operating facilities.
Sec. 505. Icebreakers.
Sec. 506. Icebreaking in polar regions.
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 601. Distant water tuna fleet.
Sec. 602. Extension of moratorium.
Sec. 603. National maritime strategy.
Sec. 604. Waivers.
Sec. 605. Competition by United States flag vessels.
Sec. 606. Vessel requirements for notices of arrival and departure and
automatic identification system.
Sec. 607. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Rochester, New York.
Sec. 608. Conveyance of certain property in Gig Harbor, Washington.
Sec. 609. Vessel determination.
Sec. 610. Safe vessel operation in Thunder Bay.
Sec. 611. Parking facilities.
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Funds are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year
2015 for necessary expenses of the Coast Guard as follows:
(1) For the operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard,
$6,981,036,000.
(2) For the acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and
improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore
facilities, vessels, and aircraft, including equipment
related thereto, $1,546,448,000, to remain available until
expended.
(3) For the Coast Guard Reserve program, including
personnel and training costs, equipment, and services,
$140,016,000.
(4) For environmental compliance and restoration of Coast
Guard vessels, aircraft, and facilities (other than parts and
equipment associated with operation and maintenance),
$16,701,000, 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, $19,890,000.
(6) For alteration or removal of bridges over navigable
waters of the United States constituting obstructions to
navigation, and for personnel and administrative costs
associated with the Alteration of Bridges Program,
$16,000,000.
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
fiscal year 2015.
(b) Military Training Student Loads.--The Coast Guard is
authorized average military training student loads for fiscal
year 2015 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 ``6,900''.
SEC. 202. COMMANDANT; APPOINTMENT.
Section 44 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after the first sentence the following: ``The term
of an appointment, and any reappointment, shall begin on June
1 of the appropriate year and end on May 31 of the
appropriate year, except that, in the event of death,
retirement, resignation, or reassignment, or when the needs
of the Service demand, the Secretary may alter the date on
which a term begins or ends if the alteration does not result
in the term exceeding a period of 4 years.''.
SEC. 203. 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. 204. 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) shall--
``(1) promote, facilitate, and conduct--
``(A) education;
``(B) training; and
``(C) activities authorized under section 93(a)(4);
``(2) be a repository of information on operations,
practices, and resources related to the mission for which the
center was established; and
``(3) perform and support the mission for which the center
was established.''.
SEC. 205. PENALTIES.
(a) Aids to Navigation and False Distress Messages.--
Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 83 by striking ``$100'' and inserting
``$1,500'';
(2) in section 84 by striking ``$500'' and inserting
``$1,500'';
(3) in section 85 by striking ``$100'' and inserting
``$1,500''; and
(4) in section 88(c)(2) by striking ``$5,000'' and
inserting ``$10,000''.
(b) Unauthorized Use of Words ``Coast Guard''.--Section 639
of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking
``$1,000'' and inserting ``$10,000''.
SEC. 206. 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,
as amended by this Act, is further 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--
``(A) Federal entities;
``(B) other public or private entities in the United
States, including academic entities; and
``(C) foreign governments with the concurrence of the
Secretary of State; 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 such chapter is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``102. Agreements.''.
SEC. 207. TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COVERAGE OF TEXTBOOKS
AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.
Section 93(a)(7) of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``and the textbooks, manuals, and other
materials required as part of such training or course of
instruction'' after ``correspondence courses''.
SEC. 208. 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:
[[Page H8291]]
``(4) Monies received under section 93(a)(13).
``(5) Amounts received under section 672a(b).''.
SEC. 209. LEASE AUTHORITY.
Section 93 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(f) Leasing of Tidelands and Submerged Lands.--
``(1) Authority.--The Commandant may lease under subsection
(a)(13) submerged lands and tidelands under the control of
the Coast Guard without regard to the limitation under that
subsection with respect to lease duration.
``(2) Limitation.--The Commandant may lease submerged lands
and tidelands under paragraph (1) only if--
``(A) lease payments are--
``(i) received exclusively in the form of cash;
``(ii) equal to the fair market value of the use of the
leased submerged lands or tidelands for the period during
which such lands are leased, as determined by the Commandant;
and
``(iii) deposited in the fund established under section
687; and
``(B) 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. 210. NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN 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. Notification of certain determinations
``(a) In General.--At least 90 days prior to making a final
determination that a waterway, or a portion thereof, is
navigable for purposes of the jurisdiction of the Coast
Guard, the Commandant shall provide notification regarding
the proposed determination to--
``(1) the Governor of each State in which such waterway, or
portion thereof, is located;
``(2) the public; and
``(3) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives.
``(b) Content Requirement.--Each notification provided
under subsection (a) to an entity specified in paragraph (3)
of that subsection shall include--
``(1) an analysis of whether vessels operating on the
waterway, or portion thereof, subject to the proposed
determination are subject to inspection or similar regulation
by State or local officials;
``(2) an analysis of whether operators of commercial
vessels on such waterway, or portion thereof, are subject to
licensing or similar regulation by State or local officials;
and
``(3) an estimate of the annual costs that the Coast Guard
may incur in conducting operations on such waterway, or
portion thereof.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter, as
amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end
the following:
``103. Notification of certain determinations.''.
SEC. 211. 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 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. 212. 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 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. 213. REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON MEDALS OF HONOR.
Section 494 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``medal of honor,'' each place it appears.
SEC. 214. COAST GUARD FAMILY SUPPORT AND CHILD CARE.
(a) In General.--Title 14, United States Code, as amended
by this Act, is further amended by inserting after chapter 13
the following:
``CHAPTER 14--COAST GUARD FAMILY SUPPORT AND CHILD CARE
``subchapter i--general provisions
``Sec.
``531. Work-life policies and programs.
``532. Surveys of Coast Guard families.
``subchapter ii--coast guard family support
``542. Education and training opportunities for Coast Guard spouses.
``543. Youth sponsorship initiatives.
``subchapter iii--coast guard child care
``551. Definitions.
``553. Child development center standards and inspections.
``554. Child development center employees.
``555. Parent partnerships with child development centers.
``SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
``Sec. 531. Work-life policies and programs
``The Commandant is authorized--
``(1) to establish an office for the purpose of developing,
promulgating, and coordinating policies, programs, and
activities related to the families of Coast Guard members;
``(2) to implement and oversee policies, programs, and
activities described in paragraph (1) as the Commandant
considers necessary; and
``(3) to perform such other duties as the Commandant
considers necessary.
``Sec. 532. Surveys of Coast Guard families
``(a) Authority.--The Commandant, in order to determine the
effectiveness of Federal policies, programs, and activities
related to the families of Coast Guard members, may survey--
``(1) any Coast Guard member;
``(2) any retired Coast Guard member;
``(3) the immediate family of any Coast Guard member or
retired Coast Guard member; and
``(4) any survivor of a deceased Coast Guard member.
``(b) Voluntary Participation.--Participation in any survey
conducted under subsection (a) shall be voluntary.
``(c) Federal Recordkeeping.--Each person surveyed under
subsection (a) shall be considered an employee of the United
States for purposes of section 3502(3)(A)(i) of title 44.
``SUBCHAPTER II--COAST GUARD FAMILY SUPPORT
``Sec. 542. Education and training opportunities for Coast
Guard spouses
``(a) Tuition Assistance.--The Commandant may provide,
subject to the availability of appropriations, tuition
assistance to an eligible spouse to facilitate the
acquisition of--
``(1) education and training required for a degree or
credential at an accredited college, university, or technical
school in the United States that expands employment and
portable career opportunities for the spouse; or
[[Page H8292]]
``(2) education prerequisites and a professional license or
credential required, by a government or government-sanctioned
licensing body, for an occupation that expands employment and
portable career opportunities for the spouse.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section, the following
definitions apply:
``(1) Eligible spouse.--
``(A) In general.--The term `eligible spouse' means the
spouse of a member of the Coast Guard who is serving on
active duty and includes a spouse who receives transitional
compensation under section 1059 of title 10.
``(B) Exclusion.--The term `eligible spouse' does not
include a person who--
``(i) is married to, but legally separated from, a member
of the Coast Guard under a court order or statute of any
State or territorial possession of the United States; or
``(ii) is eligible for tuition assistance as a member of
the Armed Forces.
``(2) Portable career.--The term `portable career' includes
an occupation that requires education, training, or both that
results in a credential that is recognized by an industry,
profession, or specific type of business.
``Sec. 543. Youth sponsorship initiatives
``(a) In General.--The Commandant is authorized to
establish, within any Coast Guard unit, an initiative to help
integrate into new surroundings the dependent children of
members of the Coast Guard who received permanent change of
station orders.
``(b) Description of Initiative.--An initiative established
under subsection (a) shall--
``(1) provide for the involvement of a dependent child of a
member of the Coast Guard in the dependent child's new Coast
Guard community; and
``(2) primarily focus on preteen and teenaged children.
``(c) Authority.--In carrying out an initiative under
subsection (a), the Commandant may--
``(1) provide to a dependent child of a member of the Coast
Guard information on youth programs and activities available
in the dependent child's new Coast Guard community; and
``(2) enter into agreements with nonprofit entities to
provide youth programs and activities to such child.
``SUBCHAPTER III--COAST GUARD CHILD CARE
``Sec. 551. Definitions
``In this subchapter, the following definitions apply:
``(1) Child abuse and neglect.--The term `child abuse and
neglect' has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101
note).
``(2) Child development center employee.--The term `child
development center employee' means a civilian employee of the
Coast Guard who is employed to work in a Coast Guard child
development center without regard to whether the employee is
paid from appropriated or nonappropriated funds.
``(3) Coast guard child development center.--The term
`Coast Guard child development center' means a facility on
Coast Guard property or on property under the jurisdiction of
the commander of a Coast Guard unit at which child care
services are provided for members of the Coast Guard.
``(4) Competitive service position.--The term `competitive
service position' means a position in the competitive service
(as defined in section 2102 of title 5).
``(5) Family home daycare.--The term `family home daycare'
means home-based child care services provided for a member of
the Coast Guard by an individual who--
``(A) is certified by the Commandant as qualified to
provide home-based child care services; and
``(B) provides home-based child care services on a regular
basis in exchange for monetary compensation.
``Sec. 553. Child development center standards and
inspections
``(a) Standards.--The Commandant shall require each Coast
Guard child development center to meet standards that the
Commandant considers appropriate to ensure the health,
safety, and welfare of the children and employees at the
center.
``(b) Inspections.--The Commandant shall provide for
regular and unannounced inspections of each Coast Guard child
development center to ensure compliance with this section.
``(c) National Reporting.--
``(1) In general.--The Commandant shall maintain and
publicize a means by which an individual can report, with
respect to a Coast Guard child development center or a family
home daycare--
``(A) any suspected violation of--
``(i) standards established under subsection (a); or
``(ii) any other applicable law or standard;
``(B) suspected child abuse or neglect; or
``(C) any other deficiency.
``(2) Anonymous reporting.--The Commandant shall ensure
that an individual making a report pursuant to paragraph (1)
may do so anonymously if so desired by the individual.
``(3) Procedures.--The Commandant shall establish
procedures for investigating reports made pursuant to
paragraph (1).
``Sec. 554. Child development center employees
``(a) Training.--
``(1) In general.--The Commandant shall establish a
training program for Coast Guard child development center
employees and satisfactory completion of the training program
shall be a condition of employment for each employee of a
Coast Guard child development center.
``(2) Timing for new hires.--The Commandant shall require
each employee of a Coast Guard child development center to
complete the training program established under paragraph (1)
not later than 6 months after the date on which the employee
is hired.
``(3) Minimum requirements.--The training program
established under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum,
instruction with respect to--
``(A) early childhood development;
``(B) activities and disciplinary techniques appropriate to
children of different ages;
``(C) child abuse and neglect prevention and detection; and
``(D) cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency
medical procedures.
``(4) Use of department of defense programs.--The
Commandant may use Department of Defense training programs,
on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, for purposes of
this subsection.
``(b) Training and Curriculum Specialists.--
``(1) Specialist required.--The Commandant shall require
that at least 1 employee at each Coast Guard child
development center be a specialist in training and curriculum
development with appropriate credentials and experience.
``(2) Duties.--The duties of the specialist described in
paragraph (1) shall include--
``(A) special teaching activities;
``(B) daily oversight and instruction of other child care
employees;
``(C) daily assistance in the preparation of lesson plans;
``(D) assisting with child abuse and neglect prevention and
detection; and
``(E) advising the director of the center on the
performance of the other child care employees.
``(3) Competitive service.--Each specialist described in
paragraph (1) shall be an employee in a competitive service
position.
``Sec. 555. Parent partnerships with child development
centers
``(a) Parent Boards.--
``(1) Formation.--The Commandant shall require that there
be formed at each Coast Guard child development center a
board of parents, to be composed of parents of children
attending the center.
``(2) Functions.--Each board of parents formed under
paragraph (1) shall--
``(A) meet periodically with the staff of the center at
which the board is formed and the commander of the unit
served by the center, for the purpose of discussing problems
and concerns; and
``(B) be responsible, together with the staff of the
center, for coordinating any parent participation initiative
established under subsection (b).
``(3) FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
App.) does not apply to a board of parents formed under
paragraph (1).
``(b) Parent Participation Initiative.--The Commandant is
authorized to establish a parent participation initiative at
each Coast Guard child development center to encourage and
facilitate parent participation in educational and related
activities at the center.''.
(b) Transfer of Provisions.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Reimbursement for adoption expenses.--Section 514 of
title 14, United States Code, is redesignated as section 541
and transferred to appear before section 542 of such title,
as added by subsection (a) of this section.
(B) Child development services.--Section 515 of title 14,
United States Code--
(i) is redesignated as section 552 and transferred to
appear after section 551 of such title, as added by
subsection (a) of this section; and
(ii) is amended--
(I) in subsection (b)(2)(B) by inserting ``and whether a
family is participating in an initiative established under
section 555(b)'' after ``family income'';
(II) by striking subsections (c) and (e); and
(III) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).
(C) Dependent school children.--Section 657 of title 14,
United States Code--
(i) is redesignated as section 544 and transferred to
appear after section 543 of such title, as added by
subsection (a) of this section; and
(ii) is amended in subsection (a) by striking ``Except as
otherwise'' and all that follows through ``the Secretary
may'' and inserting ``The Secretary may''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Part i.--The analysis for part I of title 14, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating
to chapter 13 the following:
``14. Coast Guard Family Support and Child Care..............531''.....
(B) Chapter 13.--The analysis for chapter 13 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended--
(i) by striking the item relating to section 514; and
(ii) by striking the item relating to section 515.
(C) Chapter 14.--The analysis for chapter 14 of title 14,
United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this
section, is amended by inserting--
[[Page H8293]]
(i) before the item relating to section 542 the following:
``541. Reimbursement for adoption expenses.'';
(ii) after the item relating to section 551 the following:
``552. Child development services.''; and
(iii) after the item relating to section 543 the following:
``544. Dependent school children.''.
(D) Chapter 17.--The analysis for chapter 17 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating
to section 657.
(c) Commandant; General Powers.--Section 93(a)(7) of title
14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further
amended by inserting ``, and to eligible spouses as defined
under section 542,'' after ``Coast Guard''.
(d) Sense of Congress.--
(1) In general.--It is the sense of Congress that the
amount of funds appropriated for a fiscal year for operating
expenses related to Coast Guard child development services
should not be less than the amount of the child development
center fee receipts estimated to be collected by the Coast
Guard during that fiscal year.
(2) Child development center fee receipts defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``child development center fee
receipts'' means fees paid by members of the Coast Guard for
child care services provided at Coast Guard child development
centers.
SEC. 215. 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. 216. 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, as amended by this Act, is
further amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 662 the following:
``662a. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request.''.
SEC. 217. 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, 2015, 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) 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
``(4) 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 the control of such property.
``(c) Recommendations to Congress.--Not later than March
30, 2016, 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; 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 such chapter, as
amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end
the following:
``679. Inventory of real property.''.
SEC. 218. RETIRED SERVICE MEMBERS AND DEPENDENTS SERVING ON
ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
(a) In General.--Chapter 17 of title 14, United States
Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at
the end the following:
``Sec. 680. Retired service members and dependents serving on
advisory committees
``A committee that--
``(1) advises or assists the Coast Guard with respect to a
function that affects a member of the Coast Guard or a
dependent of such a member; and
``(2) includes in its membership a retired Coast Guard
member or a dependent of such a retired member;
shall not be considered an advisory committee under the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) solely because
of such membership.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter, as
amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 679 the following:
``680. Retired service members and dependents serving on advisory
committees.''.
SEC. 219. 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. 220. 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. 221. 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 2014.''.
(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--
[[Page H8294]]
``(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.''.
SEC. 222. 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)''; and
(2) in section 197(b) by striking ``of Homeland Security''.
SEC. 223. 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. 224. MAINTAINING MEDIUM ENDURANCE CUTTER MISSION
CAPABILITY.
Not later than 120 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 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. 225. 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. 226. GAPS IN WRITINGS ON COAST GUARD HISTORY.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a report on any gaps that
exist in writings on the history of the Coast Guard. The
report shall address, at a minimum, operations, broad topics,
and biographies with respect to the Coast Guard.
SEC. 227. OFFICER EVALUATION REPORTS.
(a) Assessment Required.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast
Guard shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a written assessment of the Coast Guard's
officer evaluation reporting system.
(b) Contents of Assessment.--The assessment required under
subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, an analysis of--
(1) the extent to which the Coast Guard's officer
evaluation reports differ in length, form, and content from
the officer fitness reports used by the Navy and other
branches of the Armed Forces;
(2) the extent to which differences determined pursuant to
paragraph (1) are the result of inherent differences
between--
(A) the Coast Guard and the Navy; and
(B) the Coast Guard and other branches of the Armed Forces;
(3) the feasibility of more closely aligning and conforming
the Coast Guard's officer evaluation reports with the officer
fitness reports of the Navy and other branches of the Armed
Forces; and
(4) the costs and benefits of the alignment and conformity
described in paragraph (3), including with respect to--
(A) Coast Guard administrative efficiency;
(B) fairness and equity for Coast Guard officers; and
(C) carrying out the Coast Guard's statutory mission of
defense readiness, including when operating as a service in
the Navy.
SEC. 228. IMPROVED SAFETY INFORMATION FOR VESSELS.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard
is operating shall establish a process that allows an
operator of a marine exchange or other non-Federal vessel
traffic information service to use the automatic
identification system to transmit weather, ice, and other
important navigation safety information to vessels.
SEC. 229. 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, navigation, and
timing system, including an enhanced LORAN system, to provide
redundant capability in the event GPS signals are disrupted.
SEC. 230. ANALYSIS OF RESOURCE DEFICIENCIES WITH RESPECT TO
MARITIME BORDER SECURITY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard
shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report
describing any Coast Guard resource deficiencies related to--
(1) securing maritime borders with respect to the Great
Lakes and the coastal areas of the Southeastern and
Southwestern United States, including with respect to
Florida, California, Puerto Rico, and the United States
Virgin Islands;
(2) patrolling and monitoring maritime approaches to the
areas described in paragraph (1); and
(3) patrolling and monitoring relevant portions of the
Western Hemisphere Drug Transit Zone.
(b) Scope.--In preparing the report under subsection (a),
the Commandant shall consider, at a minimum--
(1) the Coast Guard's statutory missions with respect to
migrant interdiction, drug interdiction, defense readiness,
living marine resources, and ports, waterways, and coastal
security;
(2) whether Coast Guard missions are being executed to meet
national performance targets set under the National Drug
Control Strategy;
(3) the number and types of cutters and other vessels
required to effectively execute Coast Guard missions;
(4) the number and types of aircraft, including unmanned
aircraft, required to effectively execute Coast Guard
missions;
(5) the number of assets that require upgraded sensor and
communications systems to effectively execute Coast Guard
missions;
(6) the Deployable Specialized Forces required to
effectively execute Coast Guard missions; and
(7) whether additional shoreside facilities are required to
accommodate Coast Guard personnel and assets in support of
Coast Guard missions.
[[Page H8295]]
SEC. 231. MODERNIZATION OF NATIONAL DISTRESS AND RESPONSE
SYSTEM.
(a) Report.--Not later than 60 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 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. 232. REPORT RECONCILING MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONAL
PRIORITIES ON THE MISSOURI RIVER.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a report that outlines a
course of action to reconcile general maintenance priorities
for cutters with operational priorities on the Missouri
River.
SEC. 233. MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE ASSISTANCE POLICY
ASSESSMENT.
(a) In General.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall
assess the Maritime Search and Rescue Assistance Policy as it
relates to State and local responders.
(b) Scope.--The assessment under subsection (a) shall
consider, at a minimum--
(1) the extent to which Coast Guard search and rescue
coordinators have entered into domestic search and rescue
agreements with State and local responders under the National
Search and Rescue Plan;
(2) whether the domestic search and rescue agreements
include the Maritime Search and Rescue Assistance Policy; and
(3) the extent to which Coast Guard sectors coordinate with
911 emergency centers, including ensuring the dissemination
of appropriate maritime distress check-sheets.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard
shall submit a report on the assessment under subsection (a)
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION
SEC. 301. 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. 302. 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) agrees 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. 303. SMALL SHIPYARDS.
Section 54101(i) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``2009 through 2013'' and inserting
``2015 through 2017''.
SEC. 304. 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. 305. OPPORTUNITIES FOR SEA SERVICE VETERANS.
(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, is 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, is 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.
(d) Merchant Marine Post-Service Career Opportunities.--Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall take steps to promote
better awareness, on an ongoing basis, among Coast Guard
personnel regarding post-service use of Coast Guard training,
education, and practical experience in satisfaction of
requirements for merchant mariner credentials under section
11.213 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 306. 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 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,
if the Secretary of Transportation--
``(A) determines that an act of piracy occurred in the 12-
month period preceding the date the voyage begins; or
``(B) in such period, issued an advisory warning that an
act of piracy is possible in such waters.''.
SEC. 307. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
(a) 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''.
[[Page H8296]]
(b) Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006.--
Section 304(a) of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-241; 33 U.S.C. 1503 note) is
amended by inserting ``and from'' before ``the United
States''.
(c) Deepwater Port Act of 1974.--Section 4(i) of the
Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1503(i)) is amended by
inserting ``or that will supply'' after ``be supplied with''.
SEC. 308. REPORT.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
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) on and after such date, on vessels documented under the
laws of the United States and constructed in the United
States.
SEC. 309. 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 through
2017''.
(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 through
2017''.
SEC. 310. ESTABLISHMENT OF MERCHANT MARINE PERSONNEL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
(a) 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 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.--Subject to paragraph (3), 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.
``(3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the
Secretary of Transportation in making an appointment under
paragraph (2)(B)(i)(II).
``(c) Chairman and Vice Chairman.--The Secretary shall
designate one member of the Committee as the Chairman and one
member of the Committee 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.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``8108. Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee.''.
SEC. 311. TRAVEL AND SUBSISTENCE COSTS FOR PREVENTION
SERVICES.
(a) Title 46, United States Code.--Section 2110 of title
46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b)(1) In addition to the collection of fees and charges
established under subsection (a), in providing a service or
thing of value under this subtitle the Secretary may accept
in-kind transportation, travel, and subsistence.
``(2) The value of in-kind transportation, travel, and
subsistence accepted under this paragraph may not exceed
applicable per diem rates set forth in regulations prescribed
under section 464 of title 37.''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``subsections (a) and
(b),'' and inserting ``subsection (a),''.
(b) Title 14, United States Code.--Section 664 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by redesignating subsections
(e) though (g) as subsections (f) through (h), respectively,
and by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e)(1) In addition to the collection of fees and charges
established under this section, in the provision of a service
or thing of value by the Coast Guard the Secretary may accept
in-kind transportation, travel, and subsistence.
``(2) The value of in-kind transportation, travel, and
subsistence accepted under this paragraph may not exceed
applicable per diem rates set forth in regulations prescribed
under section 464 of title 37.''.
(c) Limitation.--The Secretary of the Department in which
the Coast Guard is operating may not accept in-kind
transportation, travel, or subsistence under section 664(e)
of title 14, United States Code, or section 2110(d)(4) of
title 46, United States Code, as amended by this section,
until the Commandant of the Coast Guard--
(1) amends the Standards of Ethical Conduct for members and
employees of the Coast Guard to include regulations governing
the acceptance of in-kind reimbursements; and
(2) notifies the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives of the amendments made under paragraph (1).
SEC. 312. PROMPT INTERGOVERNMENTAL NOTICE OF MARINE
CASUALTIES.
Section 6101 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Notice to State and Tribal Governments.--Not later
than 24 hours after receiving a notice of a major marine
casualty under this section, the Secretary shall notify each
State or federally recognized Indian tribe that is, or may
reasonably be expected to be, affected by such marine
casualty.'';
(2) in subsection (h)--
(A) by striking ``(1)''; and
(B) by redesignating subsection (h)(2) as subsection (i) of
section 6101, and in such subsection--
(i) by striking ``paragraph,'' and inserting ``section,'';
and
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) as
paragraphs (1) through (4); and
[[Page H8297]]
(3) by redesignating the last subsection as subsection (j).
SEC. 313. AREA CONTINGENCY PLANS.
Section 311(j)(4) of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(4)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``qualified personnel
of Federal, State, and local agencies.'' and inserting
``qualified--
``(i) personnel of Federal, State, and local agencies; and
``(ii) members of federally recognized Indian tribes, where
applicable.'';
(2) in subparagraph (B)(ii)--
(A) by striking ``and local'' and inserting ``, local, and
tribal''; and
(B) by striking ``wildlife;'' and inserting ``wildlife,
including advance planning with respect to the closing and
reopening of fishing areas following a discharge;'';
(3) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ``and local'' and
inserting ``, local, and tribal''; and
(4) in subparagraph (C)--
(A) in clause (iv), by striking ``and Federal, State, and
local agencies'' and inserting ``, Federal, State, and local
agencies, and tribal governments'';
(B) by redesignating clauses (vii) and (viii) as clauses
(viii) and (ix), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after clause (vi) the following:
``(vii) include a framework for advance planning and
decisionmaking with respect to the closing and reopening of
fishing areas following a discharge, including protocols and
standards for the closing and reopening of fishing areas;''.
SEC. 314. INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL REFORM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 803 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in section 80301, 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.'';
(2) in section 80302--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``An ice patrol vessel''
and inserting ``The ice patrol'';
(B) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``An ice patrol
vessel'' and inserting ``The ice patrol''; and
(C) in the first sentence of subsection (d), by striking
``vessels'' and inserting ``aircraft''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 80304. Limitation on ice patrol data
``Notwithstanding sections 80301 and 80302, data collected
by an ice patrol conducted by the Coast Guard under this
chapter may not be disseminated to a vessel unless such
vessel is--
``(1) documented under the laws of the United States; or
``(2) documented under the laws of a foreign country that
made the payment or contribution required under section
80301(b) for the year preceding the year in which the data is
collected.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``80304. Limitation on ice patrol data.''.
(c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on
January 1, 2017.
SEC. 315. 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 Howard Coble 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. 316. WATCHES.
Section 8104 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (d), by striking ``coal passers, firemen,
oilers, and water tenders'' and inserting ``and oilers''; and
(2) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``(except the coal
passers, firemen, oilers, and water tenders)''.
SEC. 317. COAST GUARD RESPONSE PLAN REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Vessel Response Plan Contents.--The Secretary of the
department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall
require that each vessel response plan prepared for a mobile
offshore drilling unit includes information from the facility
response plan prepared for the mobile offshore drilling unit
regarding the planned response to a worst case discharge, and
to a threat of such a discharge.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Mobile offshore drilling unit.--The term ``mobile
offshore drilling unit'' has the meaning given that term in
section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C.
2701).
(2) Response plan.--The term ``response plan'' means a
response plan prepared under section 311(j) of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)).
(3) Worst case discharge.--The term ``worst case
discharge'' has the meaning given that term under section
311(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1321(a)).
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to require the Coast Guard to review or approve a
facility response plan for a mobile offshore drilling unit.
SEC. 318. REGIONAL CITIZENS' ADVISORY COUNCIL.
Section 5002(k)(3) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33
U.S.C. 2732(k)(3)) is amended by striking ``not more than
$1,000,000'' and inserting ``not less than $1,400,000''.
SEC. 319. UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSELS IN THE UNITED STATES
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)(1) 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, as applicable to the vessel--
``(A) the Code of Practice for the Safety of Small
Commercial Motor Vessels (commonly referred to as the `Yellow
Code'), as published by the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard
Agency and in effect on January 1, 2014; or
``(B) 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.
``(2) If the Secretary establishes standards to carry out
this subsection--
``(A) such standards shall be identical to those
established in the Codes of Practice referred to in paragraph
(1); and
``(B) on any dates before the date on which such standards
are in effect, the Codes of Practice referred to in paragraph
(1) shall apply with respect to the vessels referred to in
paragraph (1).''.
(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. 320. TREATMENT OF ABANDONED SEAFARERS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 111 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 11113. 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) Authorized uses.--Amounts in the Fund may be
appropriated to the Secretary for use--
``(A) to pay necessary support of a seafarer--
``(i) who--
``(I) was paroled into the United States under section
212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1182(d)(5)), or for whom the Secretary has requested parole
under such section; and
``(II) is involved in an investigation, reporting,
documentation, or adjudication of any matter that is related
to the administration or enforcement of law by the Coast
Guard; or
``(ii) who--
``(I) is physically present in the United States;
``(II) the Secretary determines was abandoned in the United
States; and
``(III) has not applied for asylum under the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.); and
``(B) to reimburse a vessel owner or operator for the costs
of 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 law by the Coast
Guard, if--
``(i) the vessel owner or operator is not convicted of a
criminal offense related to such matter; or
``(ii) the Secretary determines that reimbursement is
appropriate.
``(3) Crediting of amounts to fund.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
there shall be credited to the Fund the following:
[[Page H8298]]
``(i) Penalties deposited in the Fund under section 9 of
the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (33 U.S.C. 1908).
``(ii) Amounts reimbursed or recovered under subsection
(c).
``(B) Limitation.--Amounts may be credited to the Fund
under subparagraph (A) only if the unobligated balance of the
Fund is less than $5,000,000.
``(4) Report required.--On the date on which the President
submits each 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 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) 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.
``(c) 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) within 60 days after
receiving a written, itemized description of reimbursable
expenses and a demand for payment, the Secretary may--
``(A) proceed in rem against the vessel on which the
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 for the vessel and any other vessel operated by
the same operator (as that term is defined in section 2(9)(a)
of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (33 U.S.C.
1901(9)(a)) as the vessel on which the seafarer served.
``(3) Obtaining clearance.--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).
``(4) Notification required.--The Secretary shall notify
the vessel at least 72 hours before taking any action under
paragraph (2)(B).
``(d) 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; or
``(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 crew
member who is employed or engaged in any capacity on board a
vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
``(5) Vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the united
states.--The term `vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States' has the meaning given that term in section
70502(c), except that it does not include a vessel that is--
``(A) owned, or operated under a bareboat charter, by the
United States, a State or political subdivision thereof, or a
foreign nation; and
``(B) not engaged in commerce.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``11113. Treatment of abandoned seafarers.''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 9 of the Act to Prevent
Pollution from Ships (33 U.S.C. 1908) is amended 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 11113 of title 46, United States
Code.''.
SEC. 321. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) In General.--Section 55305(d) of title 46, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) Each department or agency that has responsibility for
a program under this section shall administer that program
consistent with this section and any regulations and guidance
issued by the Secretary of Transportation concerning this
section.'';
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3), and by
inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2)(A) The Secretary shall have exclusive authority for
determining the applicability of this section to a program of
a Federal department or agency.
``(B) The head of a Federal department or agency shall
request the Secretary to determine the applicability of this
section to a program of such department or agency if the
department or agency is uncertain of such applicability. Not
later than 30 days after receiving such a request, the
Secretary shall make such determination.
``(C) Subparagraph (B) shall not be construed to limit the
authority of the Secretary to make a determination regarding
the applicability of this section to a program administered
by a Federal department or agency.
``(D) A determination made by the Secretary under this
paragraph regarding a program shall remain in effect until
the Secretary determines that this section no longer applies
to such program.'';
(3) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated, by amending
subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
``(A) shall conduct an annual review of the administration
of programs subject to the requirements of this section to
determine compliance with the requirements of this
section;''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) On the date on which the President submits to
Congress a budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, the
Secretary shall make available on the Internet website of the
Department of Transportation a report that--
``(A) lists the programs that were subject to
determinations made by the Secretary under paragraph (2) in
the preceding year; and
``(B) describes the results of the most recent annual
review required by paragraph (3)(A), including identification
of the departments and agencies that transported cargo in
violation of this section and any action the Secretary took
under paragraph (3) with respect to each violation.''.
(b) Deadline for First Review.--The Secretary of
Transportation shall complete the first review required under
the amendment made by subsection (a)(1)(C) by not later than
December 31, 2015.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3511(c) of the Duncan
Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2009 (46 U.S.C. 55305 note) is repealed.
SEC. 322. COAST GUARD REGULATIONS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives an analysis of the Coast
Guard's proposed promulgation of safety and environmental
management system requirements for vessels engaged in Outer
Continental Shelf activities. The analysis shall include--
(1) a discussion of any new operational, management, design
and construction, financial, and other mandates that would be
imposed on vessel owners and operators;
(2) an estimate of all associated direct and indirect
operational, management, personnel, training, vessel design
and construction, record keeping, and other costs;
(3) an identification and justification of any of such
proposed requirements that exceed those in international
conventions applicable to the design, construction,
operation, and management of vessels engaging in United
States Outer Continental Shelf activities; and
(4) an identification of exemptions to the proposed
requirements, that are based upon vessel classification,
tonnage, offshore activity or function, alternative
certifications, or any other appropriate criteria.
(b) Limitation.--The Secretary may not issue proposed
regulations relating to safety and environmental management
system requirements for vessels on the United States Outer
Continental Shelf for which noticed was published on
September 10, 2013 (78 Fed. Reg. 55230) earlier than 6 months
after the submittal of the analysis required by subsection
(a).
SEC. 323. WEBSITE.
(a) Reports to Secretary of Transportation; Incidents and
Details.--Section 3507(g)(3)(A) of title 46, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in clause (ii) by striking ``the incident to an
Internet based portal maintained by the Secretary'' and
inserting ``each incident specified in clause (i) to the
Internet website maintained by the Secretary of
Transportation under paragraph (4)(A)''; and
(2) in clause (iii) by striking ``based portal maintained
by the Secretary'' and inserting
[[Page H8299]]
``website maintained by the Secretary of Transportation under
paragraph (4)(A)''.
(b) Availability of Incident Data on Internet.--Section
3507(g)(4) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the
following:
``(A) Website.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
maintain a statistical compilation of all incidents on board
a cruise vessel specified in paragraph (3)(A)(i) on an
Internet website that provides a numerical accounting of the
missing persons and alleged crimes reported under that
paragraph without regard to the investigative status of the
incident.
``(ii) Updates and other requirements.--The compilation
under clause (i) shall--
``(I) be updated not less frequently than quarterly;
``(II) be able to be sorted by cruise line;
``(III) identify each cruise line by name;
``(IV) identify each crime or alleged crime committed or
allegedly committed by a passenger or crewmember; and
``(V) identify the number of individuals alleged overboard.
``(iii) User-friendly format.--The Secretary of
Transportation shall ensure that the compilation, data, and
any other information provided on the Internet website
maintained under this subparagraph are in a user-friendly
format.''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``Secretary'' and
inserting ``Secretary of Transportation''.
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 fiscal year 2015.
SEC. 402. AWARD OF REPARATIONS.
Section 41305 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``, plus reasonable
attorney fees''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Attorney Fees.--In any action brought under section
41301, the prevailing party may be awarded reasonable
attorney fees.''.
SEC. 403. 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 the enactment of this Act.
TITLE V--ARCTIC MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
SEC. 501. ARCTIC MARITIME TRANSPORTATION.
(a) Arctic Maritime Transportation.--Chapter 5 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 89
the following:
``Sec. 90. Arctic maritime transportation
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to ensure
safe and secure maritime shipping in the Arctic including the
availability of aids to navigation, vessel escorts, spill
response capability, and maritime search and rescue in the
Arctic.
``(b) International Maritime Organization Agreements.--To
carry out the purpose of this section, the Secretary is
encouraged to enter into negotiations through the
International Maritime Organization to conclude and execute
agreements to promote coordinated action among the United
States, Russia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark and
other seafaring and Arctic nations to ensure, in the Arctic--
``(1) placement and maintenance of aids to navigation;
``(2) appropriate marine safety, tug, and salvage
capabilities;
``(3) oil spill prevention and response capability;
``(4) maritime domain awareness, including long-range
vessel tracking; and
``(5) search and rescue.
``(c) Coordination by Committee on the Maritime
Transportation System.--The Committee on the Maritime
Transportation System established under section 55501 of
title 46, United States Code, shall coordinate the
establishment of domestic transportation policies in the
Arctic necessary to carry out the purpose of this section.
``(d) Agreements and Contracts.--The Secretary may, subject
to the availability of appropriations, enter into cooperative
agreements, contracts, or other agreements with, or make
grants to, individuals and governments to carry out the
purpose of this section or any agreements established under
subsection (b).
``(e) Icebreaking.--The Secretary shall promote safe
maritime navigation by means of icebreaking where necessary,
feasible, and effective to carry out the purposes of this
section.
``(f) Arctic Definition.--In this section, the term
`Arctic' has the meaning given such term in section 112 of
the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C.
4111).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 89
the following:
``90. Arctic maritime transportation''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 307 of the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-281; 14 U.S.C. 92
note) is repealed.
SEC. 502. ARCTIC MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 154. Arctic maritime domain awareness
``(a) In General.--The Commandant shall improve maritime
domain awareness in the Arctic--
``(1) by promoting interagency cooperation and
coordination;
``(2) by employing joint, interagency, and international
capabilities; and
``(3) by facilitating the sharing of information,
intelligence, and data related to the Arctic maritime domain
between the Coast Guard and departments and agencies listed
in subsection (b).
``(b) Coordination.--The Commandant shall seek to
coordinate the collection, sharing, and use of information,
intelligence, and data related to the Arctic maritime domain
between the Coast Guard and the following:
``(1) The Department of Homeland Security.
``(2) The Department of Defense.
``(3) The Department of Transportation.
``(4) The Department of State.
``(5) The Department of the Interior.
``(6) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
``(7) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
``(8) The Environmental Protection Agency.
``(9) The National Science Foundation.
``(10) The Arctic Research Commission.
``(11) Any Federal agency or commission or State the
Commandant determines is appropriate.
``(c) Cooperation.--The Commandant and the head of a
department or agency listed in subsection (b) may by
agreement, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, share
personnel, services, equipment, and facilities to carry out
the requirements of this section.
``(d) 5-Year Strategic Plan.--Not later than January 1,
2016 and every 5 years thereafter, the Commandant shall
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a 5-year strategic plan to guide interagency
and international intergovernmental cooperation and
coordination for the purpose of improving maritime domain
awareness in the Arctic
``(e) Definitions.--In this section the term `Arctic' has
the meaning given that term in section 112 of the Arctic
Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 153
the following:
``154. Arctic maritime domain awareness.''.
SEC. 503. 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 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
[[Page H8300]]
(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. 504. FORWARD OPERATING FACILITIES.
The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is
operating may construct facilities in the Arctic (as that
term is defined in section 112 of the Arctic Research and
Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111). The facilities shall--
(1) support aircraft maintenance, including exhaust
ventilation, heat, an engine wash system, fuel, ground
support services, and electrical power;
(2) provide shelter for both current helicopter assets and
those projected to be located at Air Station Kodiak, Alaska,
for at least 20 years; and
(3) include accommodations for personnel.
SEC. 505. 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 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 the enactment of Howard Coble
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, 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) 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;
``(B) a strategy to meet the Coast Guard's Arctic ice
operations needs through September 30, 2050; and
``(C) a strategy to meet the Coast Guard's Antarctic ice
operations needs through September 30, 2050.
``(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) Cutter ``Polar Sea''.--Upon the submission of a service
life extension plan in accordance with section 222(d)(1)(C)
of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012
(Public Law 112-213; 126 Stat. 1560), the Secretary of the
department in which the Coast Guard is operating may use
funds authorized under section 101 of this Act to conduct a
service life extension of 7 to 10 years for the Coast Guard
Cutter Polar Sea (WAGB 11) in accordance with such plan.
(c) 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 solely 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 solely 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. 506. ICEBREAKING IN POLAR REGIONS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 86 the following:
``Sec. 87. Icebreaking in polar regions
``The President shall facilitate planning for the design,
procurement, maintenance, deployment, and operation of
icebreakers as needed to support the statutory missions of
the Coast Guard in the polar regions by allocating all funds
to support icebreaking operations in such regions, except for
recurring incremental costs associated with specific
projects, to the Coast Guard.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 86
the following:
``87. Icebreaking in polar regions.''.
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 601. DISTANT WATER TUNA FLEET.
Section 421 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
Act of 2006 (46 U.S.C. 8103 note) is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (c) and (e); and
(2) by redesignating subsections (d) and (f) as subsections
(c) and (d), respectively.
SEC. 602. EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM.
Section 2(a) of Public Law 110-299 (33 U.S.C. 1342 note) is
amended by striking ``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.
SEC. 603. NATIONAL MARITIME STRATEGY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
the 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
international transportation markets; 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) ensure 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,
including 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. 604. WAIVERS.
(a) ``John Craig''.--
(1) In general.--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.
(2) Application.--Paragraph (1) shall apply on and after
the date on which the Secretary of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating determines that a licensing
requirement has been established under Kentucky State law
that applies to an operator of the vessel John Craig.
(b) ``F/V Western Challenger''.--Notwithstanding section
12132 of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of the
department in which the Coast Guard is operating may issue a
certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for
the F/V Western Challenger (IMO number 5388108).
SEC. 605. 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 and that impact the ability of
vessels documented under the laws of the United States to
effectively compete in international transportation markets.
(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 to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate the assessment required under such subsection.
SEC. 606. VESSEL REQUIREMENTS FOR NOTICES OF ARRIVAL AND
DEPARTURE AND AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM.
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast
Guard is operating shall notify the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the
[[Page H8301]]
Senate of the status of the final rule that relates to the
notice of proposed rulemaking titled ``Vessel Requirements
for Notices of Arrival and Departure, and Automatic
Identification System'' and published in the Federal Register
on December 16, 2008 (73 Fed. Reg. 76295).
SEC. 607. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN ROCHESTER,
NEW YORK.
(a) Conveyance Authorized.--The Commandant of the Coast
Guard is authorized to convey, at fair market value, all
right, title, and interest of the United States in and to a
parcel of real property, consisting of approximately 0.2
acres, that is under the administrative control of the Coast
Guard and located at 527 River Street in Rochester, New York.
(b) Right of First Refusal.--The City of Rochester, New
York, shall have the right of first refusal with respect to
the purchase, at fair market value, of the real property
described in subsection (a).
(c) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the
property described in subsection (a) shall be determined by a
survey satisfactory to the Commandant.
(d) Fair Market Value.--The fair market value of the
property described in subsection (a) shall--
(1) be determined by appraisal; and
(2) be subject to the approval of the Commandant.
(e) Costs of Conveyance.--The responsibility for all
reasonable and necessary costs, including real estate
transaction and environmental documentation costs, associated
with a conveyance under subsection (a) shall be determined by
the Commandant and the purchaser.
(f) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Commandant may
require such additional terms and conditions in connection
with a conveyance under subsection (a) as the Commandant
considers appropriate and reasonable to protect the interests
of the United States.
(g) Deposit of Proceeds.--Any proceeds from a conveyance
under subsection (a) shall be deposited in the fund
established under section 687 of title 14, United States
Code.
SEC. 608. CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY IN GIG HARBOR,
WASHINGTON.
(a) Definitions.--In this section, the following
definitions apply:
(1) City.--The term ``City'' means the city of Gig Harbor,
Washington.
(2) Property.--The term ``Property'' means the parcel of
real property, together with any improvements thereon,
consisting of approximately 0.86 acres of fast lands commonly
identified as tract 65 of lot 1 of section 8, township 21
north, range 2 east, Willamette Meridian, on the north side
of the entrance of Gig Harbor, narrows of Puget Sound,
Washington.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(b) Conveyance.--
(1) Authority to convey.--Not later than 30 days after the
date on which the Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating relinquishes the reservation of the
Property for lighthouse purposes, at the request of the City
and subject to the requirements of this section, the
Secretary shall convey to the City all right, title, and
interest of the United States in and to the Property,
notwithstanding the land use planning requirements of
sections 202 and 203 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712, 1713).
(2) Terms of conveyance.--A conveyance made under paragraph
(1) shall be made--
(A) subject to valid existing rights;
(B) at the fair market value as described in subsection
(c); and
(C) subject to any other condition that the Secretary may
consider appropriate to protect the interests of the United
States.
(3) Costs.--The City shall pay any transaction or
administrative costs associated with a conveyance under
paragraph (1), including the costs of the appraisal, title
searches, maps, and boundary and cadastral surveys.
(4) Conveyance is not a major federal action.--A conveyance
under paragraph (1) shall not be considered a major Federal
action for purposes of section 102(2) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)).
(c) Fair Market Value.--
(1) Determination.--The fair market value of the Property
shall be--
(A) determined by an appraisal conducted by an independent
appraiser selected by the Secretary; and
(B) approved by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph
(3).
(2) Requirements.--An appraisal conducted under paragraph
(1) shall--
(A) be conducted in accordance with nationally recognized
appraisal standards, including--
(i) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land
Acquisitions; and
(ii) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal
Practice; and
(B) shall reflect the equitable considerations described in
paragraph (3).
(3) Equitable considerations.--In approving the fair market
value of the Property under this subsection, the Secretary
shall take into consideration matters of equity and fairness,
including the City's past and current lease of the Property,
any maintenance or improvements by the City to the Property,
and such other factors as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(d) Revocation; Reversion.--Effective on and after the date
on which a conveyance of the Property is made under
subsection (b)(1)--
(1) Executive Order 3528, dated August 9, 1921, is revoked;
and
(2) the use of the tide and shore lands belonging to the
State of Washington and adjoining and bordering the Property,
that were granted to the Government of the United States
pursuant to the Act of the Legislature, State of Washington,
approved March 13, 1909, the same being chapter 110 of the
Session Laws of 1909, shall revert to the State of
Washington.
SEC. 609. 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. 610. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THUNDER BAY.
The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is
operating and the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency may not prohibit a vessel operating within
the existing boundaries and any future expanded boundaries of
the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater
Preserve from taking up or discharging ballast water to allow
for safe and efficient vessel operation if the uptake or
discharge meets all Federal and State ballast water
management requirements that would apply if the area were not
a marine sanctuary.
SEC. 611. PARKING FACILITIES.
(a) Allocation and Assignment.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the requirements of this
section, the Administrator of General Services, in
coordination with the Commandant of the Coast Guard, shall
allocate and assign the spaces in parking facilities at the
Department of Homeland Security St. Elizabeths Campus to
allow any member or employee of the Coast Guard, who is
assigned to the Campus, to use such spaces.
(2) Timing.--In carrying out paragraph (1), and in addition
to the parking spaces allocated and assigned to Coast Guard
members and employees in fiscal year 2014, the Administrator
shall allocate and assign not less than--
(A) 300 parking spaces not later than September 30, 2015;
(B) 700 parking spaces not later than September 30, 2016;
and
(C) 1,042 parking spaces not later than September 30, 2017.
(b) Transportation Management Report.--Not later than 1
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and each
fiscal year thereafter in which spaces are allocated and
assigned under subsection (a)(2), the Administrator shall
provide to 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--
(1) the impact of assigning and allocating parking spaces
under subsection (a) on the congestion of roads connecting
the St. Elizabeths Campus to the portions of Suitland Parkway
and I-295 located in the Anacostia section of the District of
Columbia; and
(2) progress made toward completion of essential
transportation improvements identified in the Transportation
Management Program for the St. Elizabeths Campus.
(c) Reallocation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the
Administrator may revise the allocation and assignment of
spaces to members and employees of the Coast Guard made under
subsection (a) as necessary to accommodate employees of the
Department of Homeland Security, other than the Coast Guard,
when such employees are assigned to the St. Elizabeths
Campus.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Hunter) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr.
Rahall) 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 in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 5769.
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 as much time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5769, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Act of 2014, reauthorizes funding for the Coast Guard
through fiscal year 2015 at levels that are fiscally responsible and
that will reverse the misguided cuts proposed by the current
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 program hours for aircraft, and
jeopardize the success of the
[[Page H8302]]
search-and-rescue mission by taking fixed-wing air aircraft crews off
alert status. The President's budget request will only worsen the Coast
Guard's growing gaps in mission performance, increase acquisition
delays, drive up the cost of new assets, and deny our servicemembers
the critical resources needed to perform their duties.
{time} 1245
H.R. 5769 authorizes sufficient funding to ensure these cuts do not
happen and the service has what it needs to successfully conduct its
missions. The bill also makes several reforms to the Coast Guard
authorities, as well as laws governing shipping and navigation.
Specifically, H.R. 5769 supports Coast Guard servicemembers by
ensuring the members of the Coast Guard are offered the same benefits
available to members of the other armed services. It 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. It helps veterans make the
transition from service in the military to good-paying jobs in the
maritime industry.
It includes an Arctic maritime transportation title, which provides
the Coast Guard the authorities it needs to successfully carry out
missions in the Arctic, as well as prepare for the safe operation of
commercial vessels and increased human activity in the region.
It encourages job growth in the maritime sector by conducting
regulatory burdens on job creators, and lastly, it reauthorizes and
reforms the structure and operations of the FMC.
Mr. Speaker, with respect to section 323 of the bill, it is the
committee's intent that the Department of Transportation use the Web
site currently operated by the Coast Guard to the greatest extent
possible. The data presented on the Web site should be limited only to
that required by statute and shown in a simple, easily used format.
The committee does not intend to use anything other than commercial
off-the-shelf technology to establish the Web site or independently
develop new software or acquire new hardware in operating the site.
H.R. 5769 presents a strong bipartisan and bicameral agreement. I
want to thank Senators Rockefeller, Thune, Begich, and Rubio for
working with us on this important legislation. I also want to thank
Ranking Member Rahall and the subcommittee ranking member,
Representative Garamendi, for their efforts, and Chairman Shuster for
his leadership.
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 the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation.
Throughout his career in Congress, Howard has been a tireless
advocate for the men and women of the Coast Guard. I thank and commend
him for this service to our Nation and for his contributions to this
and past Coast Guard authorizations.
I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, December 3, 2014.
Hon. Bill Shuster,
Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Shuster: I write to you regarding the
jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Homeland Security
in H.R. 5769, the ``Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Act of 2014.'' The bill contains certain
provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the
Committee.
In the interest of permitting the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure to proceed expeditiously to
the House floor, I will not seek a sequential referral of
H.R. 5769. However, I do so only with the mutual
understanding that the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Homeland Security over matters concerning the United States
Coast Guard in this or similar legislation is in no way
diminished. I further request that you urge the Speaker to
name Members of this Committee to any conference committee
that is named to consider such provisions.
Finally, I request you include this letter and your
response into the Congressional Record during consideration
of H.R. 5769 on the House floor. Thank you for your
cooperation.
Sincerely,
Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure,
Washington, DC, December 3, 2014.
Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McCaul: Thank you for your letter regarding
the Committee on Homeland Security's jurisdictional interest
in H.R. 5769, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Act of 2014.
I look forward to working with you concerning provisions in
H.R. 5769, or similar legislation, that are within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security. Finally,
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 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. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5769,
the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014.
This legislation was developed, as Mr. Hunter has said, through very
cooperative, bipartisan, and bicameral negotiations over the past 2
months.
That we are here today considering this legislation on the suspension
calendar demonstrates again that, when we put aside partisan
differences, we can find agreement on substantive legislation that
serves the greater interests of the American public.
I commend full committee Chairman Shuster for his leadership in
reaching out to the other body to initiate the process that has
culminated in producing the outstanding bill that is before the House
today.
I also want to thank and acknowledge the chairman of the Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, Duncan Hunter, and the
ranking Democratic member of our Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Subcommittee, Mr. John Garamendi, for their tireless
efforts to advance this important legislation.
As well, to our colleague Howard Coble, whom I have served with on
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since he was first
elected to the House in 1984.
It is truly fitting that the pending bill will be named after Howard.
He is a true gentleman in every sense of the word, a gentleman of this
House, and a superb friend to myself, as well as to many of our
colleagues.
The U.S. Coast Guard, one of our Nation's five military services,
remains an agency that is as indispensable today as it was 100 years
ago. Whether maintaining the safety of maritime commerce on the high
seas, securing our ports, harbors, and inland waterways, or when
protecting life at sea, the Coast Guard stands ready and able to serve
whenever called.
I am pleased that this legislation will provide sufficient authorized
funding to ensure that the Coast Guard has the resources and the
personnel that it needs to accomplish its many missions, and most
importantly, this legislation provides adequate funding to allow the
Coast Guard to maintain progress in recapitalizing its offshore fleet
of cutters, which is a very high priority.
I am also pleased that this legislation will advance several policies
to support our merchant marine, especially a provision that will
strengthen the enforcement of cargo preference requirements and ensure
that the transport of U.S. Government cargoes continue to provide jobs
for U.S. seafarers.
In general, this legislation will do much to advance our maritime
industries and ensure that our maritime economy remains a vibrant
contributor
[[Page H8303]]
and source of jobs for millions of Americans.
This legislation is noncontroversial. It does have solid bipartisan
and bicameral support, and I urge Members to support this worthy bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, there are a few people I want to thank, too.
I want to thank John and Jeff, who are here in this room, for the work
that they have put into this. I want to thank Victoria Middleton, who
is my chief of staff. This will be her last year. This is her first
Coast Guard bill that we are getting done here. They have put in so
much work and so much time.
For myself, this is my first piece of legislation that I am going to
be passing in this Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee
with Mr. Garamendi. It has been a great time working with everybody.
I want to thank, lastly, the men and women of the Coast Guard. They
have been fantastic. They have really opened up their arms to us. We
have been able to see what they do, how they do it, and what they have
to do, day in and day out, for the people of this country and, frankly,
people of every country.
If you are on the open seas and something bad happens to you, it is
going to be the U.S. Coast Guard that comes and saves you. If you are a
bad guy running drugs from South America up to Florida, it is going to
be a U.S. Coast Guard vessel that interdicts.
I just want to thank the U.S. Coast Guard for what they do for this
Nation because they are kind of the redheaded stepchild. They are a
military service, but they are also a law enforcement entity. They get
to do both things, and that is one of the things that makes them such a
great organization.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble).
Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California, and I
will be very brief. I thank the ranking member, Mr. Rahall, and the
chairman of the subcommittee for your generous words. I am not sure
that I am deserving, but I am appreciative. I appreciate the diligence
which the Coast Guard men and women display daily in the discharge of
their duties.
There is an old adage that is as old as the Coast Guard, and that is
when distress calls are received, the Coast Guard must go out. It says
nothing about them coming back. Most of them do come back, but on
occasion, they don't. We should always remember that very clearly.
Again, I thank you for this honor.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi), the ranking member of the
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
this time, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 5769, the Howard Coble
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act.
As explained by previous speakers, this bill is bipartisan,
bicameral, and is noncontroversial. It reauthorizes the Coast Guard and
the Coast Guard Reserve and the Federal Maritime Commission. The
legislation includes many important provisions that were contained in
H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard authorization legislation that was passed
and reported by voice vote from the committee, as well as overwhelming
support here on the floor on April 1 of this year.
Maintaining a safe, reliable, and efficient maritime commerce that
enables our foreign and domestic trade to fuel the U.S. economy remains
as important today as it was in 1790, when former Treasury Secretary
Alexander Hamilton established the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, the
predecessor to the U.S. Coast Guard.
This new legislation will provide our Coast Guard with the resources
and policy tools they need to meet the challenges presented by an ever-
evolving economy and security demands of our Nation.
First, let me explain. A sincere gratitude to my colleague, Duncan
Hunter, the chair of the subcommittee, for the work that he and his
extraordinary staff have done in putting together this bill. Working
together, I think we have accomplished something useful.
Mr. Rahall's leadership on our side was exemplary. He gave us the
resources, the time, and the encouragement to get this job done, and
that was repeated by Mr. Shuster on the other side. We have a great
team, and I am proud to be part of it.
This is a compromise to be sure, but it is a good one. First and
foremost, the bill includes several noncontroversial administrative and
management directives to better align the Coast Guard missions and
needs with the long-term capital planning and annual budget requests.
Additionally, the bill would grant the Coast Guard with greater
flexibility to augment Active Duty forces and provide explicit
cooperative agreement authority to enhance the Coast Guard's ability to
develop beneficial partnerships with other maritime stakeholders. The
bill provides new guidance to the Coast Guard as it continues to
rebuild its fleet of offshore cutters.
I am particularly pleased this legislation would advance several
positive initiatives to reinvigorate the U.S. merchant marine and
improve maritime transportation. Most noteworthy, this legislation
would advance several positive policy initiatives, among them the
enforcement of cargo preference laws and regulations, a move that is
long overdue.
Additionally, the legislation requires the Department of
Transportation to develop a new maritime strategy and direct the
Government Accountability Office to conduct an assessment of how future
export trade can be augmented.
I welcome the opportunities to chart new courses forward to improve
the competitiveness of the U.S. flag fleet on the high seas, to
increase opportunities for short sea shipping, and to expand our
commercial shipbuilding industrial base.
I am pleased that this legislation will advance significant new
policies already discussed by Mr. Hunter to finally force the Federal
Government and the Coast Guard especially to take constructive actions
to address the implications of the thawing of the Arctic Ocean and the
imminent demands for commercial maritime transportation and resource
development across that vast region. A particular shout-out to Mr.
Hunter for leading the charge on this very important effort.
In closing, this bill is responsible legislation that would provide
budget stability for the Coast Guard, advance sensible policy reforms,
and promote our merchant marine. The bill deserves support from Members
from both sides of the aisle.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, this bill would not have happened without
the leadership of Mr. Rahall and the full committee chairman, Bill
Shuster from Pennsylvania. They did a lot of work on this bill.
I am honored to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlemen from California, Mr.
Hunter and Mr. Garamendi, for their great work. There were a couple of
rough patches, but in the House, we were able to figure it out. In the
Senate, I especially thank Senator Rockefeller for working through
this. I know Senator Rockefeller is retiring, so it is fitting that, as
he leaves, this bill and his work is complete, and so we congratulate
and thank him for his work.
This bill that Chairman Hunter and Mr. Garamendi put together is
truly bipartisan and bicameral. There are a lot of great reforms in it.
The men and women of the Coast Guard that help to keep this country
safe and enforce our laws, this is a tribute to them for what they do.
They risk their lives to save people and to save property, and so my
hat goes off to them and to thank them again for the great work that
they do protecting the American people on the waterways and on the high
seas and the marine natural resources that they also help to protect.
They have a huge job.
I am very, very proud that the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Act is going to pass today. As I said, a lot of
bipartisan reforms are in the bill that will help to streamline and
ensure that our Coast Guard can do their job more efficiently and with
less red tape, giving them the resources that they need.
Again, a special thanks to Howard Coble, who the bill is named for.
This
[[Page H8304]]
is his final bill. We wish him well in his future journey. Being the
only Member of Congress that is a coastie, we thank him for all of his
years of service back to 1985.
I think I am one of the few Members who has known Howard Coble since
1985--not that I was a Member then, but my father served with Howard on
the committee. I was with my father last night, and I told him that we
are doing the bill today, and he sends his best to you, Howard, and
congratulates you on your retirement.
You have been a tireless worker for the interests of the Coast Guard
and for the security of America, and we can't thank you enough for
that.
{time} 1300
In addition, the ranking member, Mr. Rahall, I believe this will be
the final bill that he moves through the committee. I want to thank him
for his friendship and for working with me the past 2 years. It has
been a great partnership.
I have got a lot of great stories. As we went through the WRDA bill,
a lot of great successes. A couple of them I can't tell, or I can't
tell them on the House floor, but they are all clean. They are all
good. But, again, we really worked well together on that, and I wish
you the best in your future endeavors. You will be missed here in
Washington. And again, a family friend for almost 40 years, serving
with my father and with me; and again, we can't thank you enough for
the great work that you have done in your 38 years here.
Mr. COBLE. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. SHUSTER. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.
Mr. COBLE. I will be very brief.
In thanking Mr. Rahall and Mr. Hunter, I failed to thank the
chairman. That is a mistake you should never commit. So I thank you as
well, Mr. Shuster. Thanks to all of you.
Mr. SHUSTER. I was more than happy to let Mr. Coble come up. He
didn't have to thank me. His hard work is thanks enough. But, again, a
fine member of the committee and a Member of Congress. We are going to
miss him greatly.
So, again, as I want to sum up, Chairman Hunter, Ranking Member
Garamendi, great work on this bill. I encourage all of my colleagues to
vote for this, and hopefully we will get a vote in the Senate next
week, and we can get this to the President's desk and he can sign it
for Christmas. So, again, thanks to all.
I want to thank the staff for their great work, not only on the
subcommittee but on the full committee. As we worked through the past 2
years, the staff has had a lot of good action together, and I want to
thank the staff and wish them a Merry Christmas, a happy holiday, and a
happy new year. If we don't see you, then we will see you around the
first of the year.
I am particularly pleased that the bill includes a provision which
equalizes the regulatory treatment among similar vessels which operate
out of the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Current law puts certain vessels operating out of the U.S. Virgin
Islands at a competitive disadvantage with similar vessels operating
out of the British Virgin Islands. H.R. 5769 establishes an equal
playing field for these vessels.
It allows vessels operating out of the U.S. Virgin Islands which meet
safety requirements identical to those in effect for similar vessels
operating out of the British Virgin Islands to carry an equal number of
passengers.
It is clear the provision comes into effect on the date of enactment.
The Coast Guard may write standards to implement the provision, but,
again, the provision is clear, any such standards must be identical to
those imposed on BVI vessels; and during any period prior to the
implementation of such standards, vessels operating out of the U.S.
Virgin Islands which meet the standards referenced in section 319,
uninspected passenger vessels in the United States Virgin Islands, of
H.R. 5769 shall be allowed to carry an equal number of passengers as
those operating out of the British Virgin Islands.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Cummings).
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank Ranking
Member Rahall for this time. I also thank him for his work on this
legislation and for his decades of service to our great Nation. He will
be sorely missed in the Transportation Committee and, indeed, in the
Congress.
I also want to thank Chairman Shuster, Chairman Hunter, and Ranking
Member Garamendi for all of their hard work on this legislation.
I rise today in support of this measure, H.R. 5769, the Howard Coble
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014.
And it is interesting that Mr. Coble just got up to make sure that he
thanked everybody, but I want to thank him. When I served as the
chairman of the subcommittee, he was one of my staunchest supporters.
He was the epitome of bipartisanship. He always made it clear that the
Coast Guard was sometimes not put on the front burner, was on the back
burner, and he wanted to make sure that they were on the front burner,
and I want to thank him for this. This is so very, very significant,
and I want to thank him for his friendship over the many years.
This measure includes critical provisions strengthening the
Department of Transportation's, DOT, authority to enforce cargo
preference requirements to ensure that government-impelled cargoes are
carried on U.S.-flagged vessels. Section 321 of this legislation
clarifies that the DOT has exclusive authority to determine whether a
government-impelled cargo is subject to these requirements.
Section 321 also requires the DOT to conduct an annual review to
determine whether government programs are in compliance with cargo
preference requirements. According to the Maritime Administration, the
number of U.S.-flagged vessels operating in international trade has
declined nearly 25 percent in just the last 3 years, falling from 106
in January of 2012 to just 81 as of this month.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman another minute.
Mr. CUMMINGS. It is not an exaggeration to say that if we don't take
deliberate and swift steps to preserve the U.S. Merchant Marine, we
will lose it, leaving our Nation dependent for merchant sealift
capacity on foreign-flagged vessels and foreign mariners. Despite what
some may claim, reserving the carriage of the U.S. Government-impelled
cargoes is not unlike any other government program designed to ensure
that the expenditure of U.S. taxpayer funds benefits Americans.
Again, this is a very important piece of legislation. I urge all the
Members to vote for it. To all of those who have been a part of this in
making it happen, I express my appreciation. On behalf of the Coast
Guard, I express my appreciation.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce), my good friend and colleague and the full
committee chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the efforts of the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Its leadership should be
commended for this bipartisan effort to strengthen the Coast Guard in a
time of heightened security threats to the United States.
The Foreign Affairs Committee has been working in a bipartisan way to
reform international food assistance, so I particularly appreciate the
fact that this legislation does not include a provision that would have
raised the cargo preference requirements for these programs from 50
percent to 75 percent. A provision like this would cost U.S. taxpayers
millions more and slow lifesaving assistance by months.
Lives are at stake, and I appreciate that the committee heard our
view, and I also appreciate the assurances provided by the
Transportation Committee that nothing in section 321 will drastically
alter the existing consultation requirements for enforcement of cargo
preference. I also understand that nothing in the bill will have the
effect of raising cargo preference above an annual global threshold of
50 percent, particularly for the Food for Peace program.
[[Page H8305]]
Again, congratulations to Chairman Hunter and his colleagues for
crafting this important legislation and also Mr. Coble and Mr. Rahall
for their work.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, may I have a time check, please.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from West Virginia has 10
minutes remaining. The gentleman from California has 9\1/2\ minutes
remaining.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Larsen), the distinguished ranking member of our
Subcommittee on Aviation.
Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
5769, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of
2014.
As a former ranking member of the Coast Guard Subcommittee, I am very
pleased that this bill provides the necessary resources to keep the men
and women of the Coast Guard on the job. I am also pleased this bill
makes needed advancements in our Nation's engagement in the Arctic.
Our country faces a steep opportunity curve when it comes to the
Arctic. We haven't made the needed investments in that region to
protect our environment, our economic interests, and our national
security. But as our country gets ready to take over the chairmanship
of the Arctic Council in 2015, this bill signals that our country is
ready to engage further in Arctic issues. It requires the Coast Guard
to come up with a plan for moving our icebreaker fleet forward; it
encourages the development of forward operating bases for the Coast
Guard in the region; and it improves the ability of the Coast Guard to
monitor, patrol, and protect our Nation's Arctic waters.
I am hopeful that this bill will finally push the Coast Guard to
reactivate the mothballed Polar Sea icebreaker so that it can act as a
bridge towards a new icebreaker fleet. In the longer term, funding a
new icebreaker fleet will require a whole of government approach. The
Coast Guard simply does not have the acquisition budget to build a new
icebreaker fleet on its own.
The Department of Defense, Coast Guard, and National Science
Foundation need to work together to develop a funding strategy for
assets they will all use. This bill endorses such a strategy.
Finally, I am very pleased that this bill includes $10 million for
the Small Shipyard Grant Program, a successful effort that provides
infrastructure spending to shipyards in the Pacific Northwest and
around the country that creates jobs and supports local economies.
With that, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, again, I want to commend our full committee chairman,
Mr. Shuster; the subcommittee chair, Mr. Hunter; our ranking member,
Mr. Garamendi; and our staffs, as well, for the tremendous work that
has gone in to producing this legislation.
Under Chairman Shuster's leadership, our Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee is indeed demonstrating once again today what
bipartisanship can do and the productive manner in which we can work
for the American people in what is often described as a dysfunctional
city. I know that in the years ahead, the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee will step up to the plate and do its work
again, especially in addressing a major transportation bill next year
and a major aviation bill that is on its agenda.
I guess it is kind of fitting, Mr. Speaker, that the last bill that
Senator Rockefeller and myself are in part being managed by West
Virginians. Both of us will be leaving this Congress. West Virginia is
the great seafaring State that it is. But I do salute Senator
Rockefeller as well for his tremendous leadership as chairman of the
Senate Commerce Committee, for his leadership on this legislation and
so many other pieces of legislation that have benefited our State of
West Virginia in a more direct way, perhaps, but also a benefit to this
great country. He is one that has been concerned for all of us, as we
all are, about producing jobs for America, and that is what our
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is about.
I commend the staffs and I commend my dear friend Mr. Coble that so
much has been said about and for whom this legislation is named. We
have traveled together on a few occasions. During my entire time here,
I have not seen any Member of this body conduct themselves in such a
true gentleman fashion as Howard Coble does. We all call him our dear
friend.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation and, again, commend Chairman Hunter and Chairman Shuster
for their bipartisan and cooperative manner in which they have worked
on this and so many pieces of legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Again, I want to thank the gentleman from West Virginia and my
colleague from California (Mr. Garamendi) and the great staffs that
spent time on this and, of course, the great Howard Coble, who said in
one of his elections probably about 10 years ago when he was down by a
few hundred votes, I called him up on it election night and his answer
was, ``Look good, feel good.'' That is the great Howard Coble.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, today the House will vote on the bipartisan
Howard Coble Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Act of 2014. This
bill is a great step for our nation's Coast Guard and federal maritime
transportation. Under the constraints of limited resources, this
important agreement will continue to provide our Coast Guard and
Federal Maritime Commission with the ability to protect our nation's
international borders while promoting American commerce around the
world.
Having served the people of Los Angeles for nearly 15 years on the
City Council and now in Congress, I have long appreciated the work of
our Coast Guard and Federal Maritime Commission officials who support
the largest port complex in the United States. America relies on the
Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which is the gateway for forty
percent of all maritime commerce, and providing security to these ports
keeps goods flowing across the nation.
In addition, this act provides new incentives for the employment of
veterans on U.S. flagged vessels, and directs the Secretary of
Transportation to work with Congress to create a national maritime
strategy to promote the competitiveness of the U.S. flagged fleet,
increase the use of short seas shipping, and enhance U.S. shipbuilding
capacity. Our nation's ports and maritime commerce drive all aspects of
our economy, and this agreement will provide our nation's maritime
gateways the federal support to ensure American ports remain the safest
and most economical for shippers around the world.
I am pleased this strong agreement bears the name of our colleague
Howard Coble, a fellow member of the Transportation & Infrastructure
Committee and a great friend of mine, who has long been a champion of
America's Coast Guard and ports. Congress will miss his leadership. I
urge the Senate to consider this legislation immediately and send it to
the President's desk for his signature.
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. 5769.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________