[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3170-H3187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2024

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 7659) to authorize and amend authorities, programs, 
and statutes administered by the Coast Guard, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7659

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Coast 
     Guard Authorization Act of 2024''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Commandant defined.

                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 102. Shoreside infrastructure and facilities and information 
              technology.
Sec. 103. Availability of amounts for acquisition of additional vessels 
              and aircraft.
Sec. 104. Authorization for certain programs and services.
Sec. 105. Authorized levels of military strength and training.

                         TITLE II--COAST GUARD

                Subtitle A--Organization and Authorities

Sec. 201. Prohibition on use of lead systems integrators.
Sec. 202. Minor construction increase.
Sec. 203. Tsunami evacuation plans.
Sec. 204. Service life extension programs.
Sec. 205. Maritime domain awareness in Coast Guard sector for Puerto 
              Rico and Virgin Islands.
Sec. 206. Public availability of information on monthly drug and 
              migrant interdictions.
Sec. 207. Report on establishment of unmanned systems capabilities 
              office.
Sec. 208. Great Lakes icebreaker.
Sec. 209. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for acquisition 
              and procurement.
Sec. 210. Authorization of certain support for Coast Guard Academy 
              foundations.
Sec. 211. National Coast Guard Museum.
Sec. 212. Regular Polar Security Cutter updates.
Sec. 213. Technology pilot program.
Sec. 214. Report on condition of Missouri River dayboards.
Sec. 215. Delegation of ports and waterways safety authorities in St. 
              Lawrence seaway.
Sec. 216. Study on Coast Guard missions.
Sec. 217. Additional Pribilof Island transition completion actions.

                         Subtitle B--Personnel

Sec. 221. Direct hire authority for civilian faculty at the Coast Guard 
              Academy.
Sec. 222. Temporary exemption from authorized end strength for Coast 
              Guard enlisted members on active duty.
Sec. 223. Additional available guidance and considerations for reserve 
              selection boards.
Sec. 224. Parental leave parity for members of certain reserve 
              components of Coast Guard.
Sec. 225. Authorization for maternity uniform allowance for officers.
Sec. 226. Report on GAO recommendations on housing program.

                   TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION

                     Subtitle A--Vessel Operations

Sec. 301. Definitions.
Sec. 302. Notification.
Sec. 303. Publication of fines and penalties.

               Subtitle B--Merchant Mariner Credentialing

Sec. 311. Revising merchant mariner deck training requirements.
Sec. 312. Amendments.
Sec. 313. Renewal of merchant mariner licenses and documents.
Sec. 314. Merchant seamen licenses, certificates, and documents; 
              manning of vessels.

                       Subtitle C--Vessel Safety

Sec. 321. Grossly negligent operations of a vessel.
Sec. 322. Administrative procedure for security risks.
Sec. 323. Requirements for DUKW amphibious passenger vessels.
Sec. 324. Risk based examination of tank vessels.
Sec. 325. Ports and waterways safety.
Sec. 326. Study on Bering Strait vessel traffic projections and 
              emergency response posture at the port of Point Spencer, 
              Alaska.
Sec. 327. Underwater inspections brief.
Sec. 328. St. Lucie River railroad bridge.
Sec. 329. Rulemaking regarding port access routes.
Sec. 330. Articulated tug-barge manning.

                       Subtitle D--Other Matters

Sec. 341. Anchor handling activities.
Sec. 342. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous 
              Maritime Systems.

[[Page H3171]]

Sec. 343. Controlled substance onboard vessels.
Sec. 344. Nonoperating individual.
Sec. 345. Information on type approval certificates.
Sec. 346. Manning and crewing requirements for certain vessels, 
              vehicles, and structures.
Sec. 347. Classification societies.
Sec. 348. Authority to establish safety zones for special activities in 
              exclusive economic zone.
Sec. 349. Fishing vessel and fisherman training safety.
Sec. 350. Authority over Deepwater Port Act of 1974.
Sec. 351. National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee composition.
Sec. 352. Improving Vessel Traffic Service monitoring.
Sec. 353. Abandoned and derelict vessel removals.
Sec. 354. Anchorages.

               TITLE IV--OIL POLLUTION INCIDENT LIABILITY

Sec. 401. Vessel response plans.
Sec. 402. Use of marine casualty investigations.
Sec. 403. Timing of review.
Sec. 404. Online incident reporting system.

   TITLE V--IMPLEMENTATION OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY REVIEW 
                            RECOMMENDATIONS

Sec. 501. Implementation status of directed actions.
Sec. 502. Independent review of Coast Guard reforms.
Sec. 503. Requirement to maintain certain records.
Sec. 504. Study on Coast Guard Academy oversight.
Sec. 505. Providing for the transfer of a cadet who is the victim of a 
              sexual assault or related offense.
Sec. 506. Designation of officers with particular expertise in military 
              justice or healthcare.
Sec. 507. Direct hire authority for certain personnel of Coast Guard.
Sec. 508. Safe-to-report policy for Coast Guard.
Sec. 509. Modification of delivery date of Coast Guard sexual assault 
              report.
Sec. 510. Higher-level review of board of determination decisions.
Sec. 511. Review of discharge or dismissal.
Sec. 512. Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial.
Sec. 513. Coast Guard Academy room reassignment.

                          TITLE VI--AMENDMENTS

Sec. 601. Amendments.

     SEC. 2. COMMANDANT DEFINED.

       In this Act, the term ``Commandant'' means the Commandant 
     of the Coast Guard.

                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

     SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 4902 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 
     ``fiscal years 2022 and 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal years 
     2025 and 2026'';
       (2) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(i) $11,287,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
       ``(ii) $11,851,875,000 for fiscal year 2026.'';
       (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``$23,456,000'' and 
     inserting ``$25,570,000''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``$24,353,000'' and 
     inserting ``$26,848,500'';
       (3) in paragraph (2)(A) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(i) $3,477,600,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
       ``(ii) $3,651,480,000 for fiscal year 2026.'';
       (4) in paragraph (3) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(A) $15,415,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
       ``(B) $16,185,750 for fiscal year 2026.''; and
       (5) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
       ``(4) For retired pay, including the payment of obligations 
     otherwise chargeable to lapsed appropriations for purposes of 
     retired pay, payments under the Retired Serviceman's Family 
     Protection Plan and the Survivor Benefit Plan, payment for 
     career status bonuses, payment of continuation pay under 
     section 356 of title 37, concurrent receipts, combat-related 
     special compensation, and payments for medical care of 
     retired personnel and their dependents under chapter 55 of 
     title 10, $1,210,840,000 for fiscal year 2025.''.

     SEC. 102. SHORESIDE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES AND 
                   INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

       (a) Information Technology.--Of the amounts authorized to 
     be appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of title 14, United 
     States Code--
       (1) for fiscal year 2025, $36,300,000 is authorized to 
     modernize the Coast Guard's information technology systems, 
     of which $11,000,000 is authorized to fund the acquisition, 
     development, and implementation of a new credentialing system 
     for the Merchant Mariner credentialing program; and
       (2) for fiscal year 2026, $36,300,000 is authorized to 
     modernize the Coast Guard's information technology systems.
       (b) Shoreside Infrastructure.--Of the amounts authorized to 
     be appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of title 14, United 
     States Code--
       (1) for fiscal year 2025, $500,000,000 is authorized to 
     fund maintenance, construction, and repairs for Coast Guard 
     shoreside infrastructure, of which--
       (A) $225,000,000 is authorized for the purposes of 
     improvements to facilities at the United States Coast Guard 
     Training Center Cape May in Cape May, New Jersey;
       (B) $10,000,000 is authorized to fund the creation of an 
     infrastructure development plan for the Coast Guard Academy 
     in New London, Connecticut;
       (C) $50,000,000 is authorized to complete repairs and 
     improvements of Chase Hall at the Coast Guard Academy in New 
     London, Connecticut, including remediation of asbestos, lead, 
     and mold and upgrading the electric outlet availability and 
     storage space in student rooms, and making changes to house 
     not more than 2 Officer Candidates in a room;
       (D) $70,000,000 is authorized for the purposes of planning, 
     designing, and building a floating drydock at the United 
     States Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland;
       (E) $40,000,000 is authorized for the purposes of planning, 
     designing, and building a hangar to house, at a minimum, 2 
     HC-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Air Station Barbers Point 
     in Kapolei, Hawaii; and
       (F) $90,000,000 is authorized to fund waterfront 
     improvements of Coast Guard Base Seattle; and
       (2) for fiscal year 2026, $600,000,000 is authorized to 
     fund maintenance, construction, and repairs for Coast Guard 
     shoreside infrastructure, of which--
       (A) $125,000,000 is authorized for the purposes of 
     improvements to facilities at the United States Coast Guard 
     Training Center Cape May in Cape May, New Jersey;
       (B) $100,000,000 is authorized to execute the 
     infrastructure development plan for the Coast Guard Academy 
     in New London, Connecticut developed in paragraph (1)(C);
       (C) $100,000,000 is authorized for the purposes of 
     planning, designing, and building a floating drydock at the 
     United States Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland;
       (D) $40,000,000 is authorized for the purposes of planning, 
     designing, and building a hangar to house at a minimum 2 HC-
     130J Super Hercules aircraft at Air Station Barbers Point in 
     Kapolei, Hawaii; and
       (E) $90,000,000 is authorized to fund waterfront 
     improvements of Coast Guard Base Seattle.

     SEC. 103. AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS FOR ACQUISITION OF 
                   ADDITIONAL VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2025.--Of the amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of title 14, United 
     States Code, for fiscal year 2025--
       (1) $138,500,000 is authorized for the acquisition or 
     procurement of 1 missionized HC-130J Super Hercules aircraft;
       (2) $36,000,000 is authorized for the service life 
     extension program and any necessary upgrades of the 47-foot 
     Motor Life Boat; and
       (3) $216,000,000 is authorized for the acquisition of 2 
     Fast Response Cutters.
       (b) Fiscal Year 2026.--Of the amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of title 14, United 
     States Code, for fiscal year 2026--
       (1) $1,200,000,000 is authorized for the acquisition of a 
     Polar Security Cutter;
       (2) $1,100,000,000 is authorized for the acquisition of 2 
     Offshore Patrol Cutters;
       (3) $138,500,000 is authorized for the acquisition or 
     procurement of 1 missionized HC-130J Super Hercules aircraft; 
     and
       (4) $153,500,000 is authorized to outfit and assemble 5 MH-
     60T Jayhawk aircrafts.

     SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2025.--Of the amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated under section 4902(1)(A) of title 14, United 
     States Code, for fiscal year 2025--
       (1) $11,978,000 is authorized to fund additional recruiting 
     personnel and offices for the Coast Guard Recruiting Command;
       (2) $9,000,000 is authorized to enhance Coast Guard 
     recruiting capabilities; and
       (3) $25,000,000 is authorized for the implementation of 
     each directed action outlined in enclosure 1 of the 
     memorandum of the Commandant titled ``Commandant's Directed 
     Actions-Accountability and Transparency'', dated November 27, 
     2023.
       (b) Fiscal Year 2026.--Of the amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated under section 4902(1)(A) of title 14, United 
     States Code, $35,000,000 is authorized for the implementation 
     of each directed action outlined in enclosure 1 of the 
     memorandum of the Commandant titled ``Commandant's Directed 
     Actions-Accountability and Transparency'', dated November 27, 
     2023.

     SEC. 105. AUTHORIZED LEVELS OF MILITARY STRENGTH AND 
                   TRAINING.

       Section 4904 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``fiscal years 2022 and 
     2023'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2025 and 2026''; and
       (2) in subsection (b) by striking ``fiscal years 2022 and 
     2023'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2025 and 2026''.

                         TITLE II--COAST GUARD

                Subtitle A--Organization and Authorities

     SEC. 201. PROHIBITION ON USE OF LEAD SYSTEMS INTEGRATORS.

       Section 1105 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Lead Systems Integrator Defined.--In this section, 
     the term `lead systems integrator' has the meaning given such 
     term in

[[Page H3172]]

     section 805(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-163).''.

     SEC. 202. MINOR CONSTRUCTION INCREASE.

       Section 903(d)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``$1,500,000'' and inserting 
     ``$2,000,000''.

     SEC. 203. TSUNAMI EVACUATION PLANS.

       (a) Tsunami Evacuation Plans.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with 
     the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency, shall establish location specific tsunami 
     evacuation plans for each unit and sector of the Coast Guard 
     that has facilities, personnel, or assets located within 
     areas--
       (A) designated by the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration as high risk or very high risk 
     of a United States tsunami hazard; and
       (B) that are located inside a tsunami inundation zone.
       (2) Evacuation plans.--In establishing the evacuation plans 
     under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall ensure that such 
     plans--
       (A) are included in the emergency action plans for each 
     unit or sector located inside of a tsunami inundation zone;
       (B) designate an evacuation route to an assembly area 
     located outside of a tsunami inundation zone;
       (C) include a map or diagram of all tsunami inundation zone 
     evacuation routes;
       (D) include evacuation routes for all Coast Guard personnel 
     and dependents of such personnel living in Coast Guard 
     housing;
       (E) are feasible for all servicemembers and dependents of 
     such servicemembers present on Coast Guard property or living 
     in Coast Guard provided housing;
       (F) include procedures to begin evacuations once a major 
     seismic event is detected;
       (G) include evacuation plans for air and water assets that 
     do not impinge on the safety of human life;
       (H) are able to be completely executed within 15 minutes of 
     detection of a seismic event or, if not possible within 15 
     minutes, within a reasonable timeframe;
       (I) are able to be completely executed by servicemembers on 
     foot from any location within the tsunami inundation zone;
       (J) are exercised biennially by each unit and sector 
     located in a tsunami inundation zone; and
       (K) are evaluated by leadership at each unit and sector 
     located in a tsunami inundation zone annually.
       (3) Consultation.--In establishing the evacuation plans 
     under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall consult local 
     governments.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, 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, and provide a briefing to 
     each such Committee on, a report on--
       (1) the status of the implementation and feasibility of the 
     plans established under subsection (a)(1);
       (2) a risk evaluation and vulnerability assessment of the 
     infrastructure and assets located within tsunami inundation 
     zones;
       (3) the need for vertical evacuation structures for units 
     and sectors in which an evacuation of a tsunami inundation 
     zone cannot be completed on foot within 15 minutes of the 
     detection of a seismic event; and
       (4) whether the plans established under subsection (a)(1) 
     achieve the purpose to protect human life and ensure the 
     ability for the Coast Guard to provide search and rescue 
     operations following a tsunami event in the area.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Seismic event.--The term ``seismic event'' means an 
     earthquake, volcanic eruption, submarine landslide, coastal 
     rockfall, or other event with the magnitude to cause a 
     tsunami.
       (2) Tsunami inundation zone.--The term ``tsunami inundation 
     zone'' means an area of inland flooding modeled, predicted, 
     or forecasted as a potential result of a tsunami or seismic 
     event.
       (3) Vertical evacuation structure.--The term ``vertical 
     evacuation structure'' means an elevated structure above the 
     tsunami inundation zone designated as a place of refuge from 
     flood waters.

     SEC. 204. SERVICE LIFE EXTENSION PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 11 of title 14, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 1138. Service life extension programs

       ``(a) In General.--Requirements for a Level 1 or Level 2 
     acquisition project or program under sections 1131 through 
     1134 shall not apply to an acquisition by the Coast Guard 
     that is a service life extension program.
       ``(b) Service Life Extension Program Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `service life extension program' means a 
     capital investment that is solely intended to extend the 
     service life and address obsolescence of components or 
     systems of a particular capability or asset.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 11 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 1137 the following:

``1138. Service life extension programs.''.

     SEC. 205. MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS IN COAST GUARD SECTOR FOR 
                   PUERTO RICO AND VIRGIN ISLANDS.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, 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 containing--
       (1) an overview of the maritime domain awareness in the 
     area of responsibility of the Coast Guard sector responsible 
     for Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, 
     including--
       (A) the average volume of known maritime traffic that 
     transited the area during fiscal years 2020 through 2023;
       (B) current sensor platforms deployed by such sector to 
     monitor illicit activity occurring at sea in such area;
       (C) the number of illicit activity incidents at sea in such 
     area that the sector responded to during fiscal years 2020 
     through 2023;
       (D) an estimate of the volume of traffic engaged in illicit 
     activity at sea in such area and the type and description of 
     any vessels used to carry out illicit activities that such 
     sector responded to during fiscal years 2020 through 2023; 
     and
       (E) the maritime domain awareness requirements to 
     effectively meet the mission of such sector;
       (2) a description of current actions taken by the Coast 
     Guard to partner with Federal, regional, State, and local 
     entities to meet the maritime domain awareness needs of such 
     area;
       (3) a description of any gaps in maritime domain awareness 
     within the area of responsibility of such sector resulting 
     from an inability to meet the enduring maritime domain 
     awareness requirements of the sector or adequately respond to 
     maritime disorder, including illicit drug and migrant 
     activity;
       (4) an identification of current technology and assets the 
     Coast Guard has to mitigate the gaps identified in paragraph 
     (3);
       (5) an identification of capabilities needed to mitigate 
     such gaps, including any capabilities the Coast Guard 
     currently possesses that can be deployed to the sector;
       (6) an identification of technology and assets the Coast 
     Guard does not currently possess and are needed to acquire in 
     order to address such gaps; and
       (7) an identification of any financial obstacles that 
     prevent the Coast Guard from deploying existing commercially 
     available sensor technology to address such gaps.

     SEC. 206. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION ON MONTHLY DRUG 
                   AND MIGRANT INTERDICTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 11269 of the Don Young Coast Guard 
     Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-263) is--
       (1) transferred to appear at the end of subchapter II of 
     chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code;
       (2) redesignated as section 529; and
       (3) amended--
       (A) by striking the section enumerator and heading and 
     inserting the following:

     ``Sec. 529. Public availability of information on monthly 
       drug and migrant interdictions'';

       (B) by striking ``Not later than'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) In General.--Not later than'';
       (C) by inserting ``drug and'' before ``migrant 
     interdictions''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Contents.--In making information about interdictions 
     publicly available under subsection (a), the Commandant shall 
     include a description of the following:
       ``(1) The number of incidents in which drugs were 
     interdicted, the amount and type of drugs interdicted, and 
     the Coast Guard sectors and geographic areas of 
     responsibility in which such incidents occurred.
       ``(2) The number of incidents in which migrants were 
     interdicted, the number of migrants interdicted, and the 
     Coast Guard sectors and geographic areas of responsibility in 
     which such incidents occurred.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendments.--
       (1) The analysis for chapter 5 of title 14, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
     section 528 the following:

``529. Public availability of information on monthly drug and migrant 
              interdictions.''.
       (2) The table of sections in section 11001(b) of the Don 
     Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (division K of 
     Public Law 117-263) is amended by striking the item relating 
     to section 11269.

     SEC. 207. REPORT ON ESTABLISHMENT OF UNMANNED SYSTEMS 
                   CAPABILITIES OFFICE.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, 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 outlines a 
     plan for establishing an unmanned systems capabilities office 
     within the Coast Guard responsible for the acquisition and 
     development of unmanned system and counter-unmanned system 
     technologies and to expand the capabilities of the Coast 
     Guard with respect to such technologies.
       (b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall include the following:
       (1) A management strategy for the acquisition, development, 
     and deployment of unmanned system and counter-unmanned system 
     technologies.

[[Page H3173]]

       (2) A service-wide coordination strategy to synchronize and 
     integrate efforts across the Coast Guard in order to--
       (A) support the primary duties of the Coast Guard pursuant 
     to section 102 of title 14, United States Code; and
       (B) pursue expanded research, development, testing, and 
     evaluation opportunities and funding to expand and accelerate 
     identification and transition of unmanned system and counter-
     unmanned system technologies.
       (3) The identification of contracting and acquisition 
     authorities needed to expedite the development and deployment 
     of unmanned system and counter-unmanned system technologies.
       (4) A detailed list of commercially available unmanned 
     system and counter-unmanned system technologies with 
     capabilities determined to be useful for the Coast Guard.
       (5) A cross-agency collaboration plan to engage with the 
     Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, 
     and other relevant agencies to identify common requirements 
     and opportunities to partner in acquiring, contracting, and 
     sustaining unmanned system and counter-unmanned system 
     capabilities.
       (6) Opportunities to obtain and share unmanned system data 
     from government and commercial sources to improve maritime 
     domain awareness.
       (7) The development of a concept of operations for a data 
     ecosystem that supports and integrates unmanned system and 
     counter-unmanned system technologies with key enablers, 
     including enterprise communications networks, data storage 
     and management, artificial intelligence and machine learning 
     tools, and information sharing and dissemination 
     capabilities.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Counter-unmanned system.--The term ``counter-unmanned 
     system'' means a system or device capable of lawfully and 
     safely disabling, disrupting, or seizing control of an 
     unmanned system, including a counter-UAS system (as such term 
     is defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code).
       (2) Unmanned system.--The term ``unmanned system'' means an 
     unmanned surface, undersea, or aircraft and associated 
     elements (including communication links and the components 
     that control the unmanned system) that are required for the 
     operator to operate the system safely and efficiently, 
     including an unmanned aircraft system (as such term is 
     defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code).

     SEC. 208. GREAT LAKES ICEBREAKER.

       Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, 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 strategy detailing how the 
     Coast Guard will complete design and construction of the 
     Great Lakes icebreaker at least as capable as the Coast Guard 
     Cutter Mackinaw (WLBB-30) in not more than 3 years after 
     funding is provided for such icebreaker.

     SEC. 209. CONSIDERATION OF LIFE-CYCLE COST ESTIMATES FOR 
                   ACQUISITION AND PROCUREMENT.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 11 of title 14, 
     United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``Sec. 1139. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for 
       acquisition and procurement

       ``In carrying out the acquisition and procurement of 
     vessels and aircraft, the Secretary of the department in 
     which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the 
     Commandant of the Coast Guard, shall consider the life-cycle 
     cost estimates of vessels and aircraft, as applicable, during 
     the design and evaluation processes to the maximum extent 
     practicable.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 11 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 1138 (as added by this Act) the 
     following:

``1139. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for acquisition and 
              procurement.''.

     SEC. 210. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN SUPPORT FOR COAST GUARD 
                   ACADEMY FOUNDATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 19 of title 14, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 1907. Authorization of certain support for Coast Guard 
       Academy foundations

       ``(a) Authority.--Subject to subsection (b) and pursuant to 
     regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the department in 
     which the Coast Guard is operating, the Superintendent of the 
     Coast Guard Academy may authorize a covered foundation to 
     use, on an unreimbursed basis, facilities or equipment of the 
     Coast Guard Academy.
       ``(b) Limitations.--Use of facilities or equipment under 
     subsection (a) may be provided only if such use has been 
     reviewed and approved by an attorney of the Coast Guard and 
     only if such use--
       ``(1) is without any liability of the United States to the 
     covered foundation;
       ``(2) does not affect the ability of any official or 
     employee of the Coast Guard, or any member of the armed 
     forces, to carry out any responsibility or duty in a fair and 
     objective manner;
       ``(3) does not compromise the integrity or appearance of 
     integrity of any program of the Coast Guard, or any 
     individual involved in such a program;
       ``(4) does not include the participation of any cadet other 
     than participation in an honor guard at an event of the 
     covered foundation; and
       ``(5) complies with any applicable ethics regulations.
       ``(c) Briefing.--In any fiscal year during which the 
     Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy exercises the 
     authority under subsection (a), the Commandant of the Coast 
     Guard shall provide a briefing to the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate not later than the last day of 
     that fiscal year regarding the number of events or activities 
     of a covered foundation supported by such exercise during 
     such fiscal year.
       ``(d) Covered Foundation Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `covered foundation' means a charitable, educational, or 
     civic nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that the Secretary concerned 
     determines operates exclusively to support, with respect to a 
     Service Academy, any of the following:
       ``(1) Recruiting.
       ``(2) Parent or alumni development.
       ``(3) Academic, leadership, or character development.
       ``(4) Institutional development.
       ``(5) Athletics.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 19 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 1906 the following:

``1907. Authorization of certain support for Coast Guard Academy 
              foundations.''.

     SEC. 211. NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM.

       Section 316 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and 
     inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     Secretary''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``engineering and design 
     of a Museum'' and inserting ``design of a Museum, and 
     engineering, construction administration, and quality 
     assurance services of a Museum'';
       (2) by amending subsection (e)(2)(A) to read as follows:
       ``(A) lease from the Association for Coast Guard operations 
     the Museum and properties owned by the Association adjacent 
     to the railroad tracks to which the property on which the 
     Museum is located are adjacent; and''; and
       (3) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
       ``(g) Services.--With respect to the services related to 
     the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Museum, 
     the Commandant may--
       ``(1) solicit and accept services from nonprofit entities, 
     including the Association; and
       ``(2) enter into contracts or memorandums of agreement with 
     or make grants to the Association to acquire such 
     services.''.

     SEC. 212. REGULAR POLAR SECURITY CUTTER UPDATES.

       (a) Report.--
       (1) Report to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, 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 on the 
     status of acquisition of the first Polar Security Cutter.
       (2) Elements.--The report under paragraph (1) shall 
     include--
       (A) a detailed timeline for the acquisition process of the 
     first Polar Security Cutter, including expected milestones 
     and projected commissioning date;
       (B) an accounting of the previously appropriated funds 
     spent to date on the Polar Security Cutter Program, updated 
     cost projections for the first Polar Security Cutter, and 
     projections for when additional funds will be required;
       (C) potential factors and risks that could further delay or 
     imperil the completion of the first Polar Security Cutter; 
     and
       (D) a review of the acquisition of the first Polar Security 
     Cutter to date, including factors that led to substantial 
     cost overruns and delivery delays.
       (b) Briefings.--
       (1) Provision to congress.--Not later than 60 days after 
     the submission of the report under subsection (a), and not 
     less frequently than every 60 days thereafter, the Commandant 
     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 briefing on the status of the Polar Security Cutter 
     acquisition process.
       (2) Timeline.--The briefings under paragraph (1) shall 
     occur after any key milestone in the Polar Security Cutter 
     acquisition process, but not less frequently than every 60 
     days.
       (3) Elements.--Each briefing under paragraph (1) shall 
     include--
       (A) a summary of acquisition progress since the most recent 
     previous briefing conducted pursuant to paragraph (1);
       (B) an updated timeline and budget estimate for acquisition 
     and building of pending Polar Security Cutters; and
       (C) an explanation of any delays or additional costs 
     incurred in the acquisition progress.

[[Page H3174]]

       (c) Notifications.--In addition to the briefings required 
     under subsection (b), the Commandant shall notify the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate within 3 business days of 
     any significant change to the scope or funding level of the 
     Polar Security Cutter acquisition strategy of such change.

     SEC. 213. TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM.

       Section 319(b)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``2'' and inserting ``4''.

     SEC. 214. REPORT ON CONDITION OF MISSOURI RIVER DAYBOARDS.

       (a) Provision to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, 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 
     on the condition of dayboards and the placement of buoys on 
     the Missouri River.
       (b) Elements.--The report under paragraph (1) shall 
     include--
       (1) a list of the most recent date on which each dayboard 
     and buoy was serviced by the Coast Guard;
       (2) an overview of the plan of the Coast Guard to 
     systematically service each dayboard and buoy on the Missouri 
     River; and
       (3) assigned points of contact.

     SEC. 215. DELEGATION OF PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY 
                   AUTHORITIES IN ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY.

       Section 70032 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
     to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 70032. Saint Lawrence Seaway

       ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
     the authority granted to the Secretary under sections 70001, 
     70002, 70003, 70004, and 70011 may not be delegated with 
     respect to the Saint Lawrence Seaway to any agency other than 
     the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development 
     Corporation. Any other authority granted the Secretary under 
     subchapters I through III and this subchapter shall be 
     delegated by the Secretary to the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence 
     Seaway Development Corporation to the extent the Secretary 
     determines such delegation is necessary for the proper 
     operation of the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
       ``(b) Exception.--The Secretary of the department in which 
     the Coast Guard is operating, after consultation with the 
     Secretary of Transportation, or the head of an agency to 
     which the Secretary has delegated the authorities in 
     subsection (a), may--
       ``(1) issue and enforce special orders in accordance with 
     section 70002;
       ``(2) establish water or waterfront safety zones, or other 
     measures, for limited, controlled, or conditional access and 
     activity when necessary for the protection of any vessel 
     structure, waters, or shore area, as permitted in section 
     70011(b)(2); and
       ``(3) take actions for port, harbor, and coastal facility 
     security in accordance with section 70116.''.

     SEC. 216. STUDY ON COAST GUARD MISSIONS.

       (a) Study.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek to enter 
     into an agreement with a federally funded research and 
     development center with relevant expertise under which such 
     center shall conduct an assessment of the operational 
     capabilities and ability of the Coast Guard to conduct the 
     primary duties of the Coast Guard under section 102 of title 
     14, United States Code, and missions under section 888 of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468).
       (2) Elements.--In carrying out the assessment required 
     under paragraph (1), the federally funded research and 
     development center selected under such subsection shall, with 
     respect to the primary duties and missions described in 
     paragraph (1), include the following:
       (A) An analysis of the extent to which the Coast Guard is 
     able to effectively carry out such duties and missions.
       (B) Recommendations for the Coast Guard to more effectively 
     carry out such duties and missions, in light of manpower and 
     asset constraints.
       (C) Recommendations of which such duties and missions 
     should be transferred to other departments or eliminated in 
     light of the manpower and asset constraints of the Coast 
     Guard.
       (D) An analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of 
     transferring the Coast Guard or any of the duties and 
     missions of the Coast Guard to other appropriate Federal 
     departments or independent agencies.
       (b) Assessment to Commandant.--Not later than 1 year after 
     the date on which Commandant enters into an agreement under 
     section (a), the federally funded research and development 
     center selected under such subsection shall submit to the 
     Commandant the assessment required under subsection (a).
       (c) Report to Congress.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after receipt of 
     the assessment under subsection (b), 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 recommendations included in the assessment to 
     strengthen the ability of the Coast Guard to carry out such 
     duties and missions.
       (2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include the following:
       (A) The assessment received by the Commandant under 
     subsection (b).
       (B) For each recommendation included in the such 
     assessment--
       (i) an assessment by the Commandant of the feasibility and 
     advisability of implementing such recommendation; and
       (ii) if the Commandant of the Coast Guard considers the 
     implementation of such recommendation feasible and advisable, 
     a description of the actions taken, or to be taken, to 
     implement such recommendation.

     SEC. 217. ADDITIONAL PRIBILOF ISLAND TRANSITION COMPLETION 
                   ACTIONS.

       Section 11221 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization 
     Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-263) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(e) Additional Reports on Status of Use of Facilities and 
     Helicopter Basing.--Beginning with the first quarterly report 
     required under subsection (a) submitted after the date of 
     enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024, the 
     Secretary shall include in each such report--
       ``(1) the status of the use of recently renovated Coast 
     Guard housing facilities, food preparation facilities, and 
     maintenance and repair facilities on St. Paul Island, Alaska, 
     including a projected date for full use and occupancy of such 
     facilities in support of Coast Guard missions in the Bering 
     Sea; and
       ``(2) a detailed plan for the acquisition and construction 
     of a hangar in close proximity to existing St. Paul airport 
     facilities to house 1 or more Coast Guard helicopters for the 
     prosecution of Coast Guard operational missions, including 
     plans for the use of land needed for such hangar.''.

                         Subtitle B--Personnel

     SEC. 221. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY FOR CIVILIAN FACULTY AT THE 
                   COAST GUARD ACADEMY.

       Section 1941 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b) The Secretary may, without regard to the appointment 
     requirements of title 5, United States Code, noncompetitively 
     appoint a highly qualified candidate to a faculty position in 
     the excepted service.''.

     SEC. 222. TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM AUTHORIZED END STRENGTH 
                   FOR COAST GUARD ENLISTED MEMBERS ON ACTIVE 
                   DUTY.

       Notwithstanding section 517 of title 10, United States 
     Code, and until October 1, 2027, the authorized end strength 
     for enlisted members on active duty (other than for training) 
     in the Coast Guard in pay grades E-8 and E-9 may be more than 
     3.0 percent and 1.25 percent respectively of the number of 
     enlisted members of the Coast Guard who are on active duty 
     other than for training.

     SEC. 223. ADDITIONAL AVAILABLE GUIDANCE AND CONSIDERATIONS 
                   FOR RESERVE SELECTION BOARDS.

       Section 3740(f) of title 14, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``section 2117'' and inserting ``sections 2115 
     and 2117''.

     SEC. 224. PARENTAL LEAVE PARITY FOR MEMBERS OF CERTAIN 
                   RESERVE COMPONENTS OF COAST GUARD.

       (a) Parental Leave.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 29 of title 14, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 2907. Parental leave for members of certain reserve 
       components of Coast Guard

       ``(a)(1) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a 
     member of the reserve component of the Coast Guard described 
     in subsection (b) is allowed parental leave for a duration of 
     up to 12 inactive-duty training periods, under section 206 of 
     title 37, during the one-year period beginning after the 
     following events:
       ``(A) the birth or adoption of a child of the member and to 
     care for such child; or
       ``(B) the placement of a minor child with the member for 
     adoption or long-term foster care.
       ``(2)(A) The Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
     Guard is operating, may authorize leave described under 
     subparagraph (A) to be taken after the one-year period 
     described in subparagraph (A) in the case of a member 
     described in subsection (b) who, except for this 
     subparagraph, would lose unused parental leave at the end of 
     the one-year period described in subparagraph (A) as a result 
     of--
       ``(i) operational requirements;
       ``(ii) professional military education obligations; or
       ``(iii) other circumstances that the Secretary determines 
     reasonable and appropriate.
       ``(B) The regulations prescribed under clause (i) shall 
     require that any leave authorized to be taken after the one-
     year period described in subparagraph (A) shall be taken 
     within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the 
     Secretary in which the department is operating, after 
     cessation of the circumstances warranting the extended 
     deadline.
       ``(b) A member described in this subsection is a member of 
     the Coast Guard who is a member of--
       ``(1) the selected reserve who is entitled to compensation 
     under section 206 of title 37; or
       ``(2) the individual ready reserve who is entitled to 
     compensation under section 206 of

[[Page H3175]]

     title 37 when attending or participating in a sufficient 
     number of periods of inactive-duty training during a year to 
     count the year as a qualifying year of creditable service 
     toward eligibility for retired pay.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 29 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 2906 the following:

``2907. Parental leave for members of certain reserve components of 
              Coast Guard.''.
       (b) Compensation.--Section 206(a)(4) of title 37, United 
     States Code, is amended by inserting before the period at the 
     end ``or parental leave under section 2907 of title 14''.

     SEC. 225. AUTHORIZATION FOR MATERNITY UNIFORM ALLOWANCE FOR 
                   OFFICERS.

       Section 2708 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) The Coast Guard may provide a cash allowance in such 
     amount as the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
     Guard is operating shall determine in regulations to be paid 
     to pregnant officer personnel for the purchase of maternity-
     related uniform items if such uniform items are not so 
     furnished to the member.''.

     SEC. 226. REPORT ON GAO RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOUSING PROGRAM.

       Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, 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 on the status of the 
     implementation of the recommendations contained in the report 
     of the Government Accountability Office titled ``Coast Guard: 
     Better Feedback Collection and Information Could Enhance 
     Housing Program'', and issued February 5, 2024 (GAO-24-
     106388).

                   TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION

                     Subtitle A--Vessel Operations

     SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) Outer continental shelf.--The term ``outer Continental 
     Shelf'' has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the 
     Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331).
       (2) Ruling letter.--The term ``ruling letter'' means any 
     ruling letter or headquarters ruling letter relating to the 
     enforcement of chapters 121 and 551 of title 46, United 
     States Code (commonly referred to as the ``Jones Act''), 
     issued by the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection pursuant to sections 502(a) or 625 of the Tariff 
     Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1502(a) and 1625).
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection.

     SEC. 302. NOTIFICATION.

       (a) Advance Notification Required.--Prior to engaging in 
     any activity or operations on the outer Continental Shelf, 
     the operator of a foreign vessel used in such activity or 
     operations shall file with the Secretary a notification 
     describing all activities and operations to be performed on 
     the outer Continental Shelf and an identification of 
     applicable ruling letters issued by the Secretary that have 
     approved the use of a foreign vessel in a substantially 
     similar activity or operation.
       (b) Publication of Notices.--
       (1) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish a 
     notification under subsection (a) in the Customs Bulletin and 
     Decisions within 14 days of receipt of such notification.
       (2) Confidential information.--The Secretary shall redact 
     any information exempt from disclosure under section 552 of 
     title 5, United States Code, in a notification published 
     under paragraph (1).

     SEC. 303. PUBLICATION OF FINES AND PENALTIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 55102 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Publication of Penalty.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 14 days after the 
     issuance of a pre-penalty notice or a penalty, including a 
     settlement, under subsection (c), the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security shall publish such pre-penalty notice or a 
     notification of such penalty in the Customs Bulletin and 
     Decisions to the party impacted by the penalty.
       ``(2) Contents.--A pre-penalty notice or penalty 
     notification published under paragraph (1) shall include--
       ``(A) the name and the International Maritime Organization 
     identification number of the vessel that is the subject of 
     the penalty;
       ``(B) the name of the owner of the vessel that is the 
     subject of the penalty;
       ``(C) the amount of the fine or value of merchandise 
     seized; and
       ``(D) a summary of the alleged misconduct and justification 
     for imposing a penalty.''.
       (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such 
     regulations as are necessary to implement the amendments made 
     by subsection (a), including--
       (1) regulations regarding the information to be contained 
     in a penalty notification under section 55102(d) of title 46, 
     United States Code (as amended by such subsection); and
       (2) any changes to existing regulations relating to 
     penalties issued by the Secretary.

               Subtitle B--Merchant Mariner Credentialing

     SEC. 311. REVISING MERCHANT MARINER DECK TRAINING 
                   REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) General Definitions.--Section 2101 of title 46, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (20) through (56) as 
     paragraphs (21) through (57), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (19) the following:
       ``(20) `merchant mariner credential' means a merchant 
     mariner license, certificate, or document that the Secretary 
     is authorized to issue pursuant to this title.''.
       (b) Examinations.--Section 7116 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking subsection (c).
       (c) Merchant Mariners Documents.--
       (1) General requirements.--Section 7306 of title 46, United 
     States Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 7306. General requirements and classifications for 
       members of deck departments

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may issue a merchant 
     mariner credential, to members of the deck department in the 
     following classes:
       ``(1) Able Seaman-Unlimited.
       ``(2) Able Seaman-Limited.
       ``(3) Able Seaman-Special.
       ``(4) Able Seaman-Offshore Supply Vessels.
       ``(5) Able Seaman-Sail.
       ``(6) Able Seaman-Fishing Industry.
       ``(7) Ordinary Seaman.
       ``(b) Classification of Credentials.--The Secretary may 
     classify the merchant mariner credential issued under 
     subsection (a) based on--
       ``(1) the tonnage and means of propulsion of vessels;
       ``(2) the waters on which vessels are to be operated; or
       ``(3) other appropriate standards.
       ``(c) Considerations.--In issuing the credential under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary may consider the following 
     qualifications of the merchant mariner:
       ``(1) Age.
       ``(2) Character.
       ``(3) Habits of life.
       ``(4) Experience.
       ``(5) Professional qualifications demonstrated by 
     satisfactory completion of applicable examinations or other 
     educational requirements.
       ``(6) Physical condition, including sight and hearing.
       ``(7) Other requirements established by the Secretary, 
     including career patterns and service appropriate to the 
     particular service, industry, or job functions the individual 
     is engaged.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 73 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 7306 and inserting the following:

``7306. General requirements and classifications for members of deck 
              departments.''.
       (3) General requirements for members of engine 
     departments.--Section 7313(b) of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``and coal passer''.
       (4) Training.--Section 7315 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
       ``(a) Graduation from a nautical school program approved by 
     the Secretary may be substituted for the service requirements 
     under sections 7307-7312 and 7314.'';
       (B) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by striking ``one-third'' and inserting ``one-half''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking ``7307-7311 of this title'' and inserting 
     ``7307-7312 and 7314''; and
       (C) by striking subsection (c).
       (d) Reduction of Lengths of Certain Periods of Service.--
       (1) In general.--Title 46, United States Code, is amended 
     as follows:
       (A) Section 7307 is amended by striking ``3 years'' and 
     inserting ``18 months''.
       (B) Section 7308 is amended by striking ``18 months'' and 
     inserting ``12 months''.
       (C) Section 7309 is amended by striking ``12 months'' and 
     inserting ``6 months''.
       (2) Temporary reduction of lengths of certain periods of 
     service.--Section 3534(j) of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31) is 
     repealed.
       (e) Merchant Mariner Credentials.--Section 7510 of title 
     46, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection 
     (d).
       (f) Implementation.--The Secretary of the department in 
     which the Coast Guard is operating shall implement the 
     amended requirements under subsections (c)(3), (c)(4), and 
     (c)(6) of this section without regard to chapters 5 and 6 of 
     title 5, United States Code, and Executive Orders 12866 and 
     13563 (5 U.S.C. 601 note).

     SEC. 312. AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Merchant Mariner Credentials.--The heading for part E 
     of subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``merchant seamen licenses, certificates, and 
     documents'' and inserting ``merchant mariner credentials''.
       (b) Able Seafarers--Unlimited.--
       (1) In general.--The section heading for section 7307 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 73 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item 
     relating to section 7307 by striking ``seamen'' and inserting 
     ``seafarers''.
       (c) Able Seamen--Limited.--
       (1) In general.--The section heading for section 7308 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.

[[Page H3176]]

       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 73 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item 
     relating to section 7308 by striking ``seamen'' and inserting 
     ``seafarers''.
       (d) Able Seafarers--Special.--
       (1) In general.--The section heading for section 7309 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 73 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item 
     relating to section 7309 by striking ``seamen'' and inserting 
     ``seafarers''.
       (e) Able Seafarers--Offshore Supply Vessels.--
       (1) In general.--The section heading for section 7310 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 73 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item 
     relating to section 7310 by striking ``seamen'' and inserting 
     ``seafarers''.
       (f) Able Seafarers--Sail.--
       (1) In general.--The section heading for section 7311 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 73 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item 
     relating to section 7311 by striking ``seamen'' and inserting 
     ``seafarers''.
       (g) Able Seamen--Fishing Industry.--
       (1) In general.--The section heading for section 7311a of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 73 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item 
     relating to section 7311a by striking ``seamen'' and 
     inserting ``seafarers''.
       (h) Parts E and F.--Parts E and F of subtitle II of title 
     46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``seaman'' and inserting ``seafarer'' each 
     place it appears; and
       (2) by striking ``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers'' each 
     place it appears.
       (i) Clerical Amendments.--The analysis for subtitle II of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended in the item relating 
     to part E by striking ``MERCHANT SEAMEN LICENSES, 
     CERTIFICATES, AND DOCUMENTS'' and inserting ``MERCHANT 
     MARINER CREDENTIALS''.

     SEC. 313. RENEWAL OF MERCHANT MARINER LICENSES AND DOCUMENTS.

       Section 7507 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Renewal.--With respect to any renewal of an active 
     merchant mariner credential issued under this part that is 
     not an extension under subsection (a) or (b), such credential 
     shall begin the day after the expiration of the active 
     credential of the credential holder.''.

     SEC. 314. MERCHANT SEAMEN LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND 
                   DOCUMENTS; MANNING OF VESSELS.

       (a) Citizenship or Noncitizen Nationality.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7102 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) in the section heading by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     nationality'' after ``Citizenship''; and
       (B) by inserting ``or noncitizen nationals (as such term is 
     described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))'' after ``citizens''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 71 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 7102 and inserting the following:

``7102. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality.''.
       (b) Citizenship or Noncitizen Nationality Notation on 
     Merchant Mariners' Documents.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7304 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) in the section heading by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     nationality'' after ``Citizenship''; and
       (B) by inserting ``or noncitizen national (as such term is 
     described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))'' after ``citizen''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 73 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 7304 and inserting the following:

``7304. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality notation on merchant 
              mariners' documents.''.
       (c) Citizenship or Noncitizen Nationality.--
       (1) In general.--Section 8103 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) in the section heading by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     nationality'' after ``Citizenship'';
       (B) in subsection (a) by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     national'' after ``citizen'';
       (C) in subsection (b)--
       (i) in paragraph (1)(A)(i) by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     national'' after ``citizen'';
       (ii) in paragraph (3) by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     nationality'' after ``citizenship''; and
       (iii) in paragraph (3)(C) by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     nationals'' after ``citizens'';
       (D) in subsection (c) by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     nationals'' after ``citizens'';
       (E) in subsection (d)--
       (i) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     nationals'' after ``citizens''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     national'' after ``citizen'' each place it appears;
       (F) in subsection (e) by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     national'' after ``citizen'' each place it appears;
       (G) in subsection (i)(1)(A) by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     national'' after ``citizen'';
       (H) in subsection (k)(1)(A) by inserting ``or noncitizen 
     national'' after ``citizen''; and
       (I) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(l) Noncitizen National Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `noncitizen national' means an individual described in 
     section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1408).''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 81 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 8103 and inserting the following:

``8103. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality and Navy Reserve 
              requirements.''.
       (d) Command of Documented Vessels.--Section 12131(a) of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``or 
     noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))'' 
     after ``citizen''.
       (e) Invalidation of Certificates of Documentation.--Section 
     12135(2) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting ``or noncitizen national (as such term is described 
     in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1408))'' after ``citizen''.

                       Subtitle C--Vessel Safety

     SEC. 321. GROSSLY NEGLIGENT OPERATIONS OF A VESSEL.

       Section 2302(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(b) Grossly Negligent Operation.--
       ``(1) Misdemeanor.--A person operating a vessel in a 
     grossly negligent manner that endangers the life, limb, or 
     property of a person commits a class A misdemeanor.
       ``(2) Felony.--A person operating a vessel in a grossly 
     negligent manner that results in serious bodily injury, as 
     defined in section 1365(h)(3) of title 18--
       ``(A) commits a class E felony; and
       ``(B) may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than 
     $35,000.''.

     SEC. 322. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE FOR SECURITY RISKS.

       (a) Security Risk.--Section 7702(d)(1) of title 46, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B) by redesignating clauses (i) 
     through (iv) as subclauses (I) through (IV), respectively 
     (and by conforming the margins accordingly);
       (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses 
     (i) and (ii), respectively (and by conforming the margins 
     accordingly);
       (3) by striking ``an individual if--'' and inserting the 
     following: ``an individual--
       ``(A) if--'';
       (4) in subparagraph (A)(ii)(IV), as so redesignated, by 
     striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) if there is probable cause to believe that the 
     individual has violated company policy and is a security risk 
     that poses a threat to other individuals on the vessel.''.
       (b) Technical Amendment.--Section 2101(47)(B) of title 46, 
     United States Code (as so redesignated), is amended by 
     striking ``; and'' and inserting ``; or''.

     SEC. 323. REQUIREMENTS FOR DUKW AMPHIBIOUS PASSENGER VESSELS.

       Section 11502 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263) 
     is amended--
       (1) in the section header by striking ``dukw amphibious 
     passenger vessels'' and inserting ``commercial amphibious 
     small passenger vessels'';
       (2) by striking ``DUKW amphibious passenger vessel'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``commercial amphibious small 
     passenger vessel'';
       (3) by striking ``DUKW amphibious passenger vessels'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``commercial amphibious small 
     passenger vessels'';
       (4) in subsection (h)--
       (A) by striking ``Definitions'' and all that follows 
     through ``The term `appropriate congressional committees' '' 
     and inserting ``Appropriate Congressional Committees 
     Defined.--The term `appropriate congressional committees' ''; 
     and
       (B) by striking paragraph (2); and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) Application.--This section shall apply to amphibious 
     vessels operating as a small passenger vessel in waters 
     subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, as such 
     term is defined in section 2.38 of title 33, Code of Federal 
     Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of the 
     Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024).''.

     SEC. 324. RISK BASED EXAMINATION OF TANK VESSELS.

       Section 3714 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``The Secretary'' and 
     inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (c), the 
     Secretary'';
       (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) Risk-based Examination.--
       ``(1) In general.--With respect to examinations of foreign-
     flagged vessels to which this chapter applies, the Secretary 
     may adopt a risk-based examination schedule to which such 
     vessels shall be examined and the frequency with which the 
     examinations occur.

[[Page H3177]]

       ``(2) Restriction.--The Secretary may not adopt a risk-
     based examination schedule under paragraph (1) until the 
     Secretary has--
       ``(A) received and reviewed the study by the National 
     Academies required under section 8254(b) of the William M. 
     (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283);
       ``(B) conducted the assessment recommended in the report of 
     the Government Accountability Office submitted under section 
     8254(a) of such Act;
       ``(C) concluded through such assessment that a risk-based 
     examination schedule provides not less than the level of 
     safety provided by the annual examinations required under 
     subsection (a)(1); and
       ``(D) provided the results of such assessment to the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate.''.

     SEC. 325. PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY.

       (a) Waterfront Safety.--Section 70011(a) of title 46, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``, including damage or 
     destruction resulting from cyber incidents, transnational 
     organized crime, or foreign state threats'' after ``adjacent 
     to such waters''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``or harm resulting from 
     cyber incidents, transnational organized crime, or foreign 
     state threats'' after ``loss''.
       (b) Regulation of Anchorage and Movement of Vessels During 
     National Emergency.--Section 70051 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting ``or cyber incidents, or 
     transnational organized crime, or foreign state threats,'' 
     after ``threatened war, or invasion, or insurrection, or 
     subversive activity,''.
       (c) Facility Visit by State Sponsor of Terrorism.--Section 
     70011(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (4) by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) prohibiting a representative of a government of 
     country that the Secretary of State has determined has 
     repeatedly provided support for acts of international 
     terrorism under section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
     1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371) from visiting a facility for which a 
     facility security plan is required under section 70103(c).''.

     SEC. 326. STUDY ON BERING STRAIT VESSEL TRAFFIC PROJECTIONS 
                   AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POSTURE AT THE PORT OF 
                   POINT SPENCER, ALASKA.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek to enter 
     into an agreement with the National Academies of Science, 
     Engineering, and Medicine, under which the Marine Board of 
     the Transportation Research Board (in this section referred 
     to as the ``Board'') shall conduct a study to--
       (1) analyze commercial vessel traffic that transits through 
     the Bering Strait and projections for the growth of such 
     traffic during the 10-year period beginning after such date 
     of enactment; and
       (2) assess the adequacy of emergency response capabilities 
     and infrastructure at the Port of Point Spencer, Alaska, to 
     address navigation safety risks and geographic challenges 
     necessary to conduct emergency maritime response operations 
     in the Arctic environment.
       (b) Elements.--The study required under subsection (a) 
     shall include the following:
       (1) An analysis of the volume and types of domestic and 
     international commercial vessel traffic through the Bering 
     Strait and the projected growth of such traffic, including a 
     summary of--
       (A) the sizes, ages, and flag states of vessels; and
       (B) the oil and product tankers that are--
       (i) in transit to or from Russia or China; or
       (ii) owned or operated by a Russian or Chinese entity.
       (2) An assessment of the state and adequacy of vessel 
     traffic services and oil spill and emergency response 
     capabilities in the vicinity of the Bering Strait, including 
     its approaches.
       (3) A risk assessment of the projected growth in commercial 
     vessel traffic in the Bering Strait and higher probability of 
     increased frequency in the number of maritime accidents, 
     including spill events, and the potential impacts to the 
     Arctic maritime environment and Native Alaskan village 
     communities in the vicinity of the Bering Strait.
       (4) An evaluation of the ability of the Port of Point 
     Spencer, Alaska, to serve as a port of refuge and as a 
     staging, logistics, and operations center to conduct and 
     support maritime emergency and spill response activities.
       (5) Recommendations for practical actions that can be taken 
     by the Congress, Federal agencies, the State of Alaska, 
     vessel carriers and operators, the marine salvage and 
     emergency response industry, and other relevant stakeholders 
     to mitigate risks, upgrade infrastructure, and improve the 
     posture of the Port of Point Spencer, Alaska, to function as 
     a strategic staging and logistics center for maritime 
     emergency and spill response operations in the Bering Strait 
     region.
       (c) Consultation.--In conducting the study required under 
     subsection (a), the Board shall consult with--
       (1) the Department of Transportation;
       (2) the Corps of Engineers;
       (3) the National Transportation Safety Board;
       (4) relevant ministries of the government of Canada;
       (5) the Port Coordination Council for the Port of Point 
     Spencer; and
       (6) non-government entities with relevant expertise in 
     monitoring and characterizing vessel traffic in the Arctic.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after initiating the 
     study under subsection (a), the Board 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 containing the 
     findings and recommendations of the study.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Arctic.--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).
       (2) Port coordination council for the port of point 
     spencer.--The term ``Port Coordination Council for the Port 
     of Point Spencer'' means the Council established under 
     section 541 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 
     (Public Law 114-120).

     SEC. 327. UNDERWATER INSPECTIONS BRIEF.

       Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Commandant, or a designated individual, shall brief 
     the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the underwater 
     inspection in lieu of drydock program established under 
     section 176.615 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (as 
     in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).

     SEC. 328. ST. LUCIE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE.

       Regarding Docket Number USCG-2022-0222, before adopting a 
     final rule, the Commandant shall conduct an independent boat 
     traffic study at mile 7.4 of the St. Lucie River.

     SEC. 329. RULEMAKING REGARDING PORT ACCESS ROUTES.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
     is operating shall issue a final rule for the Atlantic Coast 
     Port Route Access Study for which an Advanced Notice of 
     Proposed Rulemaking titled ``Shipping Safety Fairways Along 
     the Atlantic Coast'' was issued on June 19, 2020.

     SEC. 330. ARTICULATED TUG-BARGE MANNING.

       Section 11508 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263) 
     is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 11508. ARTICULATED TUG-BARGE MANNING.

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding the watch setting 
     requirements set forth in section 8104 of title 46, United 
     States Code, or any other provision of law or regulation, an 
     Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection may authorize a covered 
     vessel--
       ``(1) when engaged on a domestic voyage of more than 600 
     miles, to be manned with a minimum number of 2 licensed 
     engineers in the engine department; and
       ``(2) when engaged on a voyage of less than 600 miles, to 
     be manned with a minimum number of 1 licensed engineer in the 
     engine department.
       ``(b) Covered Vessel Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `covered vessel' means a towing vessel issued a certificate 
     of inspection under subchapter M of chapter I of title 46, 
     Code of Federal Regulations, which--
       ``(1) forms part of an articulated tug-barge unit; and
       ``(2) is either--
       ``(A) equipped with engineering control and monitoring 
     systems of a type accepted by a recognized classification 
     society for a periodically unmanned machinery space notation 
     or accepted by the Commandant for a periodically unattended 
     machinery space endorsement; or
       ``(B) is a vessel that, prior to July 19, 2022, was issued 
     a minimum safe manning document or certificate of inspection 
     that authorized equivalent or less manning levels.''.

                       Subtitle D--Other Matters

     SEC. 341. ANCHOR HANDLING ACTIVITIES.

       Section 12111(d) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``or other energy 
     production or transmission facility, or vessel engaged in the 
     launch, recovery, or support of commercial space 
     transportation or space exploration activities'' after 
     ``drilling unit''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ``or other energy 
     production or transmission facility, or vessel engaged in the 
     launch, recovery, or support of commercial space 
     transportation or space exploration activities'' after 
     ``drilling unit''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Energy production or transmission facility defined.--
     In this subsection, the term `energy production or 
     transmission facility' means a floating offshore facility 
     that is--
       ``(A) not a vessel;
       ``(B) securely and substantially moored to the seabed; and
       ``(C) equipped with wind turbines which are used for the 
     generation and transmission of non-mineral energy 
     resources.''.

     SEC. 342. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                   AUTONOMOUS MARITIME SYSTEMS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 151 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

[[Page H3178]]

  


     ``Sec. 15110. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on 
       Autonomous Maritime Systems

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established a National 
     Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems (in this 
     section referred to as the `Committee').
       ``(b) Function.--The Committee shall advise the Secretary 
     on matters relating to the regulation and use of Autonomous 
     Systems within the territorial waters of the United States.
       ``(c) Membership.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Committee shall consist of 9 members 
     appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section 
     and section 15109.
       ``(2) Expertise.--Each member of the Committee shall have 
     particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters 
     relating to the function of the Committee.
       ``(3) Representation.--Each of the following groups shall 
     be represented by at least 1 member on the Committee:
       ``(A) Marine safety or security entities.
       ``(B) Vessel design and construction entities.
       ``(C) Entities engaged in the production or research of 
     unmanned vehicles, including drones, autonomous or semi-
     autonomous vehicles, or any other product or service integral 
     to the provision, maintenance, or management of such products 
     or services.
       ``(D) Port districts, authorities, or terminal operators.
       ``(E) Vessel operators.
       ``(F) National labor unions representing merchant mariners.
       ``(G) Maritime pilots.
       ``(H) Commercial space transportation operators.
       ``(I) Academic institutions.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendments.--The analysis for chapter 151 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

``15110. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous 
              Maritime Systems.''.
       (c) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in 
     which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish the 
     Committee under section 15110 of title 46, United States Code 
     (as added by this section).

     SEC. 343. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ONBOARD VESSELS.

       Section 70503(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 
     ``While on board a covered vessel, an individual'' and 
     inserting ``An individual'';
       (2) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) manufacture or distribute, possess with intent to 
     manufacture or distribute, or place or cause to be placed 
     with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled 
     substance on board a covered vessel;''; and
       (3) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``aboard a covered 
     vessel'' after ``Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and 
     Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 881(a))''.

     SEC. 344. NONOPERATING INDIVIDUAL.

       Section 8313(b) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 
     116- 283) is amended by striking ``2025'' and inserting 
     ``2027''.

     SEC. 345. INFORMATION ON TYPE APPROVAL CERTIFICATES.

       (a) In General.--Title IX of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard 
     Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-282) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 904. INFORMATION ON TYPE APPROVAL CERTIFICATES.

       ``The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall, upon request by 
     any State, the District of Columbia, or any territory of the 
     United States, provide all data possessed by the Coast Guard 
     pertaining to challenge water quality characteristics, 
     challenge water biological organism concentrations, post-
     treatment water quality characteristics, and post-treatment 
     biological organism concentrations data for a ballast water 
     management system with a type approval certificate approved 
     by the Coast Guard pursuant to subpart 162.060 of title 46, 
     Code of Federal Regulations.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 2 
     of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 
     (Public Law 115-282) is amended by inserting after the item 
     relating to section 903 the following:

``Sec. 904. Information on type approval certificates.''.

     SEC. 346. MANNING AND CREWING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN 
                   VESSELS, VEHICLES, AND STRUCTURES.

       (a) Authorization of Limited Exemptions From Manning and 
     Crew Requirement.--Chapter 81 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 8109. Exemptions from manning and crew requirements

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may provide an exemption 
     described in subsection (b) to the owner or operator of a 
     covered facility if each individual who is manning or crewing 
     the covered facility is--
       ``(1) a citizen of the United States;
       ``(2) an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for 
     permanent residence; or
       ``(3) a citizen of the nation under the laws of which the 
     vessel is documented.
       ``(b) Requirements for Eligibility for Exemption.--An 
     exemption under this subsection is an exemption from the 
     regulations established pursuant to section 302(a)(3) of the 
     Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1356(a)(3)).
       ``(c) Limitations.--An exemption under this section--
       ``(1) shall provide that the number of individuals manning 
     or crewing the covered facility who are described in 
     paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) may not exceed two 
     and one- half times the number of individuals required to man 
     or crew the covered facility under the laws of the nation 
     under the laws of which the covered facility is documented; 
     and
       ``(2) shall be effective for not more than 12 months, but 
     may be renewed by application to and approval by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(d) Application.--To be eligible for an exemption or a 
     renewal of an exemption under this section, the owner or 
     operator of a covered facility shall apply to the Secretary 
     with an application that includes a sworn statement by the 
     applicant of all information required for the issuance of the 
     exemption.
       ``(e) Revocation.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary--
       ``(A) may revoke an exemption for a covered facility under 
     this section if the Secretary determines that information 
     provided in the application for the exemption was false or 
     incomplete, or is no longer true or complete; and
       ``(B) shall immediately revoke such an exemption if the 
     Secretary determines that the covered facility, in the 
     effective period of the exemption, was manned or crewed in a 
     manner not authorized by the exemption.
       ``(2) Notice required.--The Secretary shall provides notice 
     of a determination under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph 
     (1) to the owner or operator of the covered facility.
       ``(f) Review of Compliance.--The Secretary shall 
     periodically, but not less than once annually, inspect each 
     covered facility that operates under an exemption under this 
     section to verify the owner or operator of the covered 
     facility's compliance with the exemption. During an 
     inspection under this subsection, the Secretary shall require 
     all crew members serving under the exemption to hold a valid 
     transportation security card issued under section 70105.
       ``(g) Penalty.--In addition to revocation under subsection 
     (e), the Secretary may impose on the owner or operator of a 
     covered facility a civil penalty of $10,000 per day for each 
     day the covered facility--
       ``(1) is manned or crewed in violation of an exemption 
     under this subsection; or
       ``(2) operated under an exemption under this subsection 
     that the Secretary determines was not validly obtained.
       ``(h) Notification of Secretary of State.--The Secretary 
     shall notify the Secretary of State of each exemption issued 
     under this section, including the effective period of the 
     exemption.
       ``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Covered facility.--The term `covered facility' means 
     any vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or structure, 
     over 50 percent of which is owned by citizens of a foreign 
     nation or with respect to which the citizens of a foreign 
     nation have the right effectively to control, except to the 
     extent and to the degree that the President determines that 
     the government of such foreign nation or any of its political 
     subdivisions has implemented, by statute, regulation, policy, 
     or practice, a national manning requirement for equipment 
     engaged in the exploring for, developing, or producing 
     resources, including non-mineral energy resources in its 
     offshore areas.
       ``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.''.
       (b) Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary 
     of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
     submit to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing 
     information on each letter of nonapplicability of section 
     8109 of title 46, United States Code, with respect to a 
     covered facility that was issued by the Secretary during the 
     preceding year.
       (2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall 
     include, for each covered facility--
       (A) the name and International Maritime Organization 
     number;
       (B) the nation in which the covered facility is documented;
       (C) the nationality of owner or owners; and
       (D) for any covered facility that was previously issued a 
     letter of nonapplicability in a prior year, any changes in 
     the information described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
       (c) Regulations.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate 
     regulations that specify the documentary and other 
     requirements for the issuance of an exemption under the 
     amendment made by this section.
       (d) Existing Exemptions.--
       (1) Effect of amendments; termination.--Each exemption 
     under section 30(c)(2) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
     Act (43 U.S.C. 1356(c)(2)) issued before the date of the 
     enactment of this Act--
       (A) shall not be affected by the amendments made by this 
     section during the 120-day period beginning on the date of 
     the enactment of this Act; and
       (B) shall not be effective after such period.

[[Page H3179]]

       (2) Notification of holders.--Not later than 60 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     notify all persons that hold such an exemption that it will 
     expire as provided in paragraph (1).
       (e) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 81 of the 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

``8109. Exemptions from manning and crew requirements.''.

     SEC. 347. CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES.

       Section 3316(d) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by amending paragraph (2)(B)(i) to read as follows:
       ``(i) the government of the foreign country in which the 
     foreign society is headquartered--
       ``(I) delegates that authority to the American Bureau of 
     Shipping; or
       ``(II) does not delegate that authority to any 
     classification society; or''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Clarification on authority.--Nothing in this 
     subsection authorizes the Secretary to make a delegation 
     under paragraph (2) to a classification society from the 
     People's Republic of China.''.

     SEC. 348. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH SAFETY ZONES FOR SPECIAL 
                   ACTIVITIES IN EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE.

       (a) Repeal.--Section 8343 of the William M. (Mac) 
     Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2021 (Public Law 116-283) is repealed.
       (b) Special Activities in Exclusive Economic Zone.--
     Subchapter I of chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 70008. Special activities in exclusive economic zone

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of the department in which 
     the Coast Guard is operating may establish safety zones to 
     address special activities in the exclusive economic zone.
       ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Safety zone.--The term `safety zone'--
       ``(A) means a water area, shore area, or water and shore 
     area to which, for safety or environmental purposes, access 
     is limited to authorized persons, vehicles, or vessels; and
       ``(B) may be stationary and described by fixed limits or 
     may be described as a zone around a vessel in motion.
       ``(2) Special activities.--The term `special activities' 
     includes--
       ``(A) space activities, including launch and reentry (as 
     such terms are defined in section 50902 of title 51) carried 
     out by United States citizens; and
       ``(B) offshore energy development activities, as described 
     in section 8(p)(1)(C) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
     Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(1)(C)), on or near fixed platforms (as 
     such term is defined in section 2281(d) of title 18).
       ``(3) United states citizen.--The term `United States 
     citizen' has the meaning given the term `eligible owners' in 
     section 12103 of title 46, United States Code.''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 700 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 70007 the following:

``70008. Special activities in exclusive economic zone.''.

     SEC. 349. FISHING VESSEL AND FISHERMAN TRAINING SAFETY.

       Section 4502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (i)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A)(ii) by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); 
     and
       (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) to conduct safety and prevention training that 
     addresses behavioral and physical health risks, to include 
     substance use disorder and worker fatigue, facing fishing 
     vessel operators and crewmembers; and'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``, in consultation with and based on 
     criteria established by the Commandant of the Coast Guard''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking ``subsection on a competitive basis'' and 
     inserting the following: ``subsection--
       ``(A) on a competitive basis; and
       ``(B) based on criteria developed in consultation with the 
     Commandant of the Coast Guard''; and
       (C) in paragraph (4) by striking ``$3,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2023'' and inserting ``to the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 
     2026''; and
       (2) in subsection (j)--
       (A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``, and understanding and 
     mitigating behavioral and physical health risks, to include 
     substance use disorder and worker fatigue, facing members of 
     the commercial fishing industry'' after ``weather 
     detection'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``, in consultation with and based on 
     criteria established by the Commandant of the Coast Guard,''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking ``subsection on a competitive basis'' and 
     inserting the following: ``subsection--
       ``(A) on a competitive basis; and
       ``(B) based on criteria developed in consultation with the 
     Commandant of the Coast Guard''; and
       (C) in paragraph (4) by striking ``$3,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2023'' and inserting ``to the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 
     2026''.

     SEC. 350. AUTHORITY OVER DEEPWATER PORT ACT OF 1974.

       (a) In General.--Section 5(a) of the Deepwater Port Act of 
     1974 (33 U.S.C. 1504(a)) is amended by striking the first 
     sentence and inserting ``Notwithstanding section 888(b) of 
     the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(b)), the 
     Secretary shall have the authority to issue regulations to 
     carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act, in 
     accordance with the provisions of section 553 of title 5, 
     United States Code, without regard to subsection (a) 
     thereof.''.
       (b) Affirming the Authority of Secretary of Transportation 
     Over Environmental Reviews.--Section 5(f) of the Deepwater 
     Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1504(f) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(f) Compliance.--Notwithstanding section 888(b) of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(b)), the 
     Secretary, in cooperation with other involved Federal 
     agencies and departments, shall comply with the National 
     Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 
     act as the lead agency under section 4336a of title 42, 
     United States Code, for all applications under this Act. Such 
     compliance shall fulfill the requirement of all Federal 
     agencies in carrying out their responsibilities under the 
     National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 pursuant to this 
     chapter.''.
       (c) Regulations.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall transfer the 
     authorities provided to the Coast Guard in part 148 of title 
     33, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of 
     the enactment of this Act), except as provided in paragraph 
     (2), to the Secretary of Transportation.
       (2) Retention of authority.--The Commandant shall retain 
     responsibility for authorities pertaining to design, 
     construction, equipment, and operation of deepwater ports and 
     navigational safety.
       (3) Updates to authority.--As soon as practicable after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such 
     regulations as are necessary to reflect the updates to 
     authorities prescribed by this subsection.
       (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, or the 
     amendments made by this section, may be construed to limit 
     the authorities of other governmental agencies previously 
     delegated authorities of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 
     U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
       (e) Applications.--Nothing in this section shall apply to 
     any application submitted before the date of enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 351. NATIONAL OFFSHORE SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
                   COMPOSITION.

       Section 15106(c) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``15 members'' and 
     inserting ``17 members''; and
       (2) in paragraph (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(L) 2 members shall represent entities engaged in non-
     mineral energy activities on the Outer Continental Shelf.''.

     SEC. 352. IMPROVING VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE MONITORING.

       (a) Proximity of Anchorages to Pipelines.--
       (1) Implementation of restructuring plan.--Not later than 1 
     year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
     shall implement the November 2021 proposed plan of the Vessel 
     Traffic Service Los Angeles-Long Beach for restructuring the 
     Federal anchorages in San Pedro Bay described on page 54 of 
     the Report of the National Transportation Safety Board titled 
     ``Anchor Strike of Underwater Pipeline and Eventual Crude Oil 
     Release'' and issued January 2, 2024.
       (2) Study.--The Secretary of the department in which the 
     Coast Guard is operating shall conduct a study to identify 
     any anchorage grounds other than the San Pedro Bay Federal 
     anchorages in which the distance between the center of an 
     approved anchorage ground and a pipeline is less than 1 mile.
       (3) Report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, 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 on the results of 
     the study required under paragraph (2).
       (B) Contents.--The report under subparagraph (A) shall 
     include--
       (i) a list of the anchorage grounds described under 
     paragraph (2);
       (ii) whether it is possible to move each such anchorage 
     ground to provide a minimum distance of 1 mile; and
       (iii) a recommendation of whether to move any such 
     anchorage ground and explanation for the recommendation.
       (b) Proximity to Pipeline Alerts.--
       (1) Audible and visual alarms.--The Commandant shall 
     consult with the providers of vessel monitoring systems to 
     add to the monitoring systems for vessel traffic services 
     audible and visual alarms that alert the watchstander when an 
     anchored vessel is encroaching on a pipeline.
       (2) Notification procedures.--Not later than 1 year after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall 
     develop procedures for all vessel traffic services to notify 
     pipeline and utility operators following potential incursions 
     on submerged pipelines

[[Page H3180]]

     within the vessel traffic service area of responsibility.
       (3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and annually 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 on the implementation of paragraphs (1) and 
     (2).

     SEC. 353. ABANDONED AND DERELICT VESSEL REMOVALS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 47 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in the chapter heading by striking ``BARGES'' and 
     inserting ``VESSELS'';
       (2) by inserting before section 4701 the following:

                     ``SUBCHAPTER I--BARGES''; and

       (3) by adding at the end the following:

                   ``SUBCHAPTER II--NON-BARGE VESSELS

     ``Sec. 4710. Definitions

       ``In this subchapter:
       ``(1) Abandon.--The term `abandon' means to moor, strand, 
     wreck, sink, or leave a covered vessel unattended for longer 
     than 45 days.
       ``(2) Covered vessel.--The term `covered vessel' means a 
     vessel that is not a barge to which subchapter I applies.
       ``(3) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

     ``Sec. 4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited

       ``(a) In General.--An owner or operator of a covered vessel 
     may not abandon such vessel on the navigable waters of the 
     United States.
       ``(b) Determination of Abandonment.--
       ``(1) Notification.--
       ``(A) In general.--With respect to a covered vessel that 
     appears to be abandoned, the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
     shall--
       ``(i) attempt to identify the owner using the vessel 
     registration number, hull identification number, or any other 
     information that can be reasonably inferred or gathered; and
       ``(ii) notify such owner--

       ``(I) of the penalty described in subsection (c); and
       ``(II) that the vessel will be removed at the expense of 
     the owner if the Commandant determines that the vessel is 
     abandoned and the owner does not remove or account for the 
     vessel.

       ``(B) Form.--The Commandant shall provide the notice 
     required under subparagraph (A)--
       ``(i) if the owner can be identified, via certified mail or 
     other appropriate forms determined by the Commandant; or
       ``(ii) if the owner cannot be identified, via an 
     announcement in a local publication and on a website 
     maintained by the Coast Guard.
       ``(2) Determination.--The Commandant shall make a 
     determination not earlier than 45 days after the date on 
     which the Commandant provides the notification required under 
     paragraph (1) of whether a covered vessel described in such 
     paragraph is abandoned.
       ``(c) Penalty.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Commandant may assess a civil 
     penalty of not more than $500 against an owner or operator of 
     a covered vessel determined to be abandoned under subsection 
     (b) for a violation of subsection (a).
       ``(2) Liability in rem.--The owner or operator of a covered 
     vessel shall also be liable in rem for a penalty imposed 
     under paragraph (1).
       ``(d) Vessels Not Abandoned.--The Commandant may not 
     determine that a covered vessel is abandoned under this 
     section if--
       ``(1) such vessel is located at a federally approved or 
     State approved mooring area;
       ``(2) such vessel is located on private property with the 
     permission of the owner of such property;
       ``(3) the owner or operator of such vessel provides a 
     notification to the Commandant that--
       ``(A) indicates the location of the vessel;
       ``(B) indicates that the vessel is not abandoned; and
       ``(C) contains documentation proving that the vessel is 
     allowed to be in such location; or
       ``(4) the Commandant determines that such an abandonment 
     determination would not be in the public interest.

     ``Sec. 4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Commandant, in consultation 
     with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration and relevant State agencies, shall 
     establish and maintain a national inventory of covered 
     vessels that are abandoned.
       ``(b) Contents.--The inventory established and maintained 
     under subsection (a) shall include data on each vessel, 
     including geographic information system data related to the 
     location of each such vessel.
       ``(c) Publication.--The Commandant shall make the inventory 
     established under subsection (a) publicly available on a 
     website of the Coast Guard.
       ``(d) Reporting of Potentially Abandoned Vessels.--In 
     carrying out this section, the Commandant shall develop a 
     process by which--
       ``(1) a State, Indian Tribe, or person may report a covered 
     vessel that may be abandoned to the Commandant for potential 
     inclusion in the inventory established under subsection (a); 
     and
       ``(2) the Commandant shall review any such report and add 
     such vessel to the inventory if the Commandant determines 
     that the reported vessel is abandoned pursuant to section 
     4711.''.
       (b) Rulemaking.--The Secretary of the department in which 
     the Coast Guard is operating, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, 
     and the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under 
     Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall issue regulations 
     with respect to the procedures for determining that a vessel 
     is abandoned for the purposes of subchapter II of chapter 47 
     of title 46, United States Code (as added by this section).
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--Chapter 47 of title 46, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 4701--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 
     ``chapter'' and inserting ``subchapter''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``chapter'' and inserting 
     ``subchapter'';
       (2) in section 4703 by striking ``chapter'' and inserting 
     ``subchapter'';
       (3) in section 4704 by striking ``chapter'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``subchapter''; and
       (4) in section 4705 by striking ``chapter'' and inserting 
     ``subchapter''.
       (d) Clerical Amendments.--The analysis for chapter 47 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting before the item relating to section 4701 
     the following:

                      ``subchapter i--barges''; and

       (2) by adding at the end the following:

                   ``subchapter ii--non-barge vessels

``4710. Definitions.
``4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited.
``4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels.''.

     SEC. 354. ANCHORAGES.

       Section 8437 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 
     116-283) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsections (d) and (e);
       (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) Prohibition.--The Commandant shall prohibit any 
     vessel anchoring on the reach of the Hudson River described 
     in subsection (a) unless such anchoring is within any 
     anchorage established before January 1, 2021.''.

               TITLE IV--OIL POLLUTION INCIDENT LIABILITY

     SEC. 401. VESSEL RESPONSE PLANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 311(j)(6) of the Federal Water 
     Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(6)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(6) Equipment requirements, verification, and 
     inspection.--
       ``(A) In general.--The President may require--
       ``(i) periodic inspection of containment booms, skimmers, 
     vessels, and other major equipment used to remove discharges;
       ``(ii) periodic inspection of vessels, salvage and marine 
     firefighting equipment, and other major equipment used to 
     respond to marine casualties or prevent discharges;
       ``(iii) periodic verification of capabilities to 
     appropriately, and in a timely manner, respond to a marine 
     casualty, a worst case discharge, or a substantial threat of 
     a discharge, including--

       ``(I) drills, with or without prior notice;
       ``(II) review of contracts and relevant third-party 
     agreements;
       ``(III) testing of equipment;
       ``(IV) review of training; and
       ``(V) other evaluations of response capabilities, as 
     determined appropriate by the President; and

       ``(iv) vessels operating on navigable waters and carrying 
     oil or a hazardous substance in bulk as cargo, and nontank 
     vessels carrying oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion, 
     to carry appropriate removal equipment that employs the best 
     technology economically feasible and that is compatible with 
     the safe operation of the vessel.
       ``(B) Marine casualty.--In this paragraph, the term `marine 
     casualty' means a marine casualty that is required to be 
     reported pursuant to section 6101 of title 46, United States 
     Code.''.
       (b) Report to Congress.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     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 state of marine firefighting 
     authorities, jurisdiction, plan review, and other 
     considerations with respect to vessel fires at waterfront 
     facilities and within the navigable waters of the United 
     States up to 3 nautical miles from the shoreline.
       (2) Contents.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Comptroller General shall--
       (A) examine factors that affect Federal and non-Federal 
     collaboration aimed at reducing vessel and waterfront 
     facility fire risk to local communities;
       (B) focus on the prevalence and frequency of vessel fires 
     described in paragraph (1); and
       (C) make recommendations for preparedness, responses to, 
     training for, and other items for consideration.

[[Page H3181]]

  


     SEC. 402. USE OF MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATIONS.

       Section 6308 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``initiated'' and 
     inserting ``conducted''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) For purposes of this section, an administrative 
     proceeding conducted by the United States includes 
     proceedings under section 7701 and claims adjudicated under 
     section 1013 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 
     2713).''.

     SEC. 403. TIMING OF REVIEW.

       Section 1017 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 
     2717) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Timing of Review.--Before the date of completion of a 
     removal action, no person may bring an action under this Act, 
     section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
     U.S.C. 1321), or chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code, 
     challenging any decision relating to such removal action that 
     is made by an on-scene coordinator appointed under the 
     National Contingency Plan.''.

     SEC. 404. ONLINE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the National Response Center shall--
       (1) develop an online capacity through a web-based 
     application to receive a notification of an oil discharge or 
     release of a hazardous substance; and
       (2) allow any such notification to the National Response 
     Center that is required under Federal law or regulation to be 
     made online using the application.
       (b) Use of Application.--In carrying out subsection (a), 
     the National Response Center may not require the notification 
     of an oil discharge or release of a hazardous substance to be 
     made using the application developed under such subsection.

   TITLE V--IMPLEMENTATION OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY REVIEW 
                            RECOMMENDATIONS

     SEC. 501. IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF DIRECTED ACTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 51 of title 14, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 5116. Implementation status of directed actions

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than March 1, 2025, and not 
     later than March 1 of each of the 3 subsequent 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 on the status of the 
     implementation of each directed action outlined in enclosure 
     1 of the memorandum of the Commandant titled `Commandant's 
     Directed Actions--Accountability and Transparency', dated 
     November 27, 2023.
       ``(b) Contents.--The report required under section (a) 
     shall contain the following:
       ``(1) The status of the implementation of each directed 
     action from enclosure 1 of the memorandum titled 
     `Commandant's Directed Actions--Accountability and 
     Transparency' dated November 27, 2023.
       ``(2) A plan and timeline for the next steps to be taken to 
     complete outstanding directed actions in enclosure 1 of the 
     memorandum titled `Commandant's Directed Actions--
     Accountability and Transparency' dated November 27, 2023, 
     including identifying the individual the Commandant has 
     selected to ensure the successful completion of each directed 
     action.
       ``(3) Metrics to determine the effectiveness of each 
     directed action in such enclosure.
       ``(4) Any additional actions the Commandant is taking to 
     mitigate instances of sexual assault and sexual harassment 
     within the Coast Guard.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 51 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

``5116. Implementation status of directed actions.''.

     SEC. 502. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF COAST GUARD REFORMS.

       (a) Government Accountability Office Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall report to the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate on the efforts of the Coast Guard to mitigate cases of 
     sexual assault and sexual harassment within the service.
       (2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall--
       (A) evaluate--
       (i) the efforts of the Commandant to implement the directed 
     actions from enclosure 1 of the memorandum titled 
     ``Commandant's Directed Actions--Accountability and 
     Transparency'' dated November 27, 2023;
       (ii) whether the Commandant met the reporting requirements 
     under section 5112 of title 14, United States Code; and
       (iii) the effectiveness of the actions of the Coast Guard, 
     including efforts outside of the actions described in the 
     memorandum titled ``Commandant's Directed Actions--
     Accountability and Transparency'' dated November 27, 2023, to 
     mitigate instances of sexual assault and sexual harassment 
     and improve the enforcement relating to such instances within 
     the Coast Guard, and how the Coast Guard is overcoming 
     challenges in implementing such actions.
       (B) make recommendations to the Commandant for improvements 
     to the efforts of the service to mitigate instances of sexual 
     assault and sexual harassment and improve the enforcement 
     relating to such instances within the Coast Guard; and
       (C) make recommendations to the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate to mitigate instances of sexual assault and sexual 
     harassment in the Coast Guard and improve the enforcement 
     relating to such instances within the Coast Guard, including 
     proposed changes to any legislative authorities.
       (b) Report by Commandant.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date on which the Comptroller General completes all actions 
     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 a report that includes the 
     following:
       (1) A plan for Coast Guard implementation, including 
     interim milestones and timeframes, of any recommendation made 
     by the Comptroller General under subsection (a)(2)(B) with 
     which the Commandant concurs.
       (2) With respect to any recommendation made under 
     subsection (a)(2)(B) with which the Commandant does not 
     concur, an explanation of the reasons why the Commandant does 
     not concur.

     SEC. 503. REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN CERTAIN RECORDS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 9 of title 14, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 955. Requirement to maintain certain records

       ``(a) In General.--The Commandant shall maintain all work 
     product related to documenting a disposition decision on an 
     investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Service or 
     other law enforcement entity investigating a Coast Guard 
     member accused of an offense against chapter 47 of title 10.
       ``(b) Record Retention Period.--Work product documents and 
     the case action summary described in subsection (c) shall be 
     maintained for a period of not less than 7 years from date of 
     the disposition decision.
       ``(c) Case Action Summary.--Upon a final disposition action 
     for cases described in subsection (a), except for offenses of 
     wrongful use or possession of a controlled substance under 
     section 912a of title 10 (article 112a of the Uniform Code of 
     Military Justice) where the member accused is an officer of 
     pay grade O-4 and below or an enlisted member of pay grade E-
     7 and below, a convening authority shall sign a case action 
     summary that includes the following:
       ``(1) The disposition actions.
       ``(2) The name and command of the referral authority.
       ``(3) Records documenting when a referral authority 
     consulted with a staff judge advocate or special trial 
     counsel, as applicable, before a disposition action was 
     taken, to include the recommendation of the staff judge 
     advocate or special trial counsel.
       ``(4) A reference section listing the materials reviewed in 
     making a disposition decision.
       ``(5) The Coast Guard Investigative Service report of 
     investigation.
       ``(6) The completed Coast Guard Investigative Service 
     report of adjudication included as an enclosure.
       ``(d) Work Product.--In this section, the term `work 
     product' includes--
       ``(1) a prosecution memorandum;
       ``(2) emails, notes, and other correspondence related to a 
     disposition decision; and
       ``(3) the contents described in paragraphs (1) through (6) 
     of subsection (c).
       ``(e) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section authorizes 
     or requires, or shall be construed to authorize or require, 
     the discovery, inspection, or production of reports, 
     memoranda, or other internal documents or work product 
     generated by counsel, an attorney for the government, or 
     their assistants or representatives.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 9 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

``955. Requirement to maintain certain records.''.

     SEC. 504. STUDY ON COAST GUARD ACADEMY OVERSIGHT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with 
     relevant stakeholders, shall conduct a study on the 
     governance of the Coast Guard Academy, including examining 
     the roles, responsibilities, authorities, advisory functions, 
     and membership qualifications and expertise of the Board of 
     Visitors and Board of Trustees of such Academy.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, 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 written report that 
     contains--
       (1) the results of the study required under subsection (a); 
     and
       (2) recommendations to improve governance at the Coast 
     Guard Academy.

[[Page H3182]]

  


     SEC. 505. PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF A CADET WHO IS THE 
                   VICTIM OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT OR RELATED OFFENSE.

       Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Consideration of Request for Transfer of Cadet Who Is 
     the Victim of Sexual Assault or Related Offense.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Commandant shall provide for timely 
     consideration of and action on a request submitted by a cadet 
     appointed to the Coast Guard Academy who is the victim of an 
     alleged sexual assault or other offense covered by section 
     920, 920c, or 930 of title 10 (article 120, 120c, or 130 of 
     the Uniform Code of Military Justice) for transfer to a 
     Service Academy or to enroll in a Senior Reserve Officers' 
     Training Corps program affiliated with another institution of 
     higher education.
       ``(2) Rulemaking.--The Commandant shall prescribe 
     regulations to carry out this subsection that--
       ``(A) ensure that any cadet who has been appointed to the 
     Coast Guard Academy is informed of the right to request a 
     transfer pursuant to this subsection, and that any formal 
     request submitted by a cadet is processed as expeditiously as 
     practicable for review and action by the Superintendent;
       ``(B) direct the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, 
     in coordination with the Superintendent of the Service 
     Academy to which the cadet requests to transfer--
       ``(i) to act on a request for transfer under this 
     subsection not later than 72 hours after receiving the formal 
     request from the cadet;
       ``(ii) to approve such request for transfer unless there 
     are exceptional circumstances that require denial of the 
     request; and
       ``(iii) upon approval of such request, to take all 
     necessary and appropriate action to effectuate the transfer 
     of the cadet to the Service Academy concerned as 
     expeditiously as possible; and
       ``(C) direct the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, 
     in coordination with the Secretary of the military department 
     that sponsors the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps 
     program at the institution of higher education to which the 
     cadet requests to transfer--
       ``(i) to act on a request for transfer under this 
     subsection not later than 72 hours after receiving the formal 
     request from the cadet;
       ``(ii) subject to the cadet's acceptance for admission to 
     the institution of higher education to which the cadet wishes 
     to transfer, to approve such request for transfer unless 
     there are exceptional circumstances that require denial of 
     the request; and
       ``(iii) to take all necessary and appropriate action to 
     effectuate the cadet's enrollment in the institution of 
     higher education to which the cadet wishes to transfer and to 
     process the cadet for participation in the relevant Senior 
     Reserve Officers' Training Corps program as expeditiously as 
     possible.
       ``(3) Denial of transfer request.--If the Superintendent of 
     the Coast Guard Academy denies a request for transfer under 
     this subsection, the cadet may request review of the denial 
     by the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard 
     is operating, who shall act on such request not later than 72 
     hours after receipt of the formal request for review.
       ``(4) Confidentiality of records.--The Secretary of the 
     Department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall ensure 
     that all records of any request, determination, transfer, or 
     other action under this subsection remain confidential, 
     consistent with applicable law and regulation.
       ``(5) Appointment to service academy.--A cadet who 
     transfers under this subsection may retain the cadet's 
     appointment to the Coast Guard Academy or may be appointed to 
     the Service Academy to which the cadet transfers without 
     regard to the limitations and requirements described in 
     sections 7442, 8454, and 9442 of title 10.
       ``(6) Appointment upon graduation.--
       ``(A) Preference.--A cadet who transfers under this 
     subsection to a Service Academy, is entitled, before 
     graduating from such Academy, to state the preference of the 
     cadet for appointment, upon graduation, as a commissioned 
     officer in the Coast Guard.
       ``(B) Manner of appointment.--Upon graduation, a cadet 
     described in subparagraph (A) is entitled to be accepted for 
     appointment as a permanent commissioned officer in the 
     Regular Coast Guard in the same manner as graduates of the 
     Coast Guard Academy as described in section 2101.
       ``(7) Commission into coast guard.--A cadet who transfers 
     under this subsection to a Senior Reserve Officers' Training 
     Corps program affiliated with another institution of higher 
     education is entitled upon graduation from the Senior Reserve 
     Officers' Training program to commission into the Coast Guard 
     as described in section 3738a.
       ``(8) Service academy defined.--In this subsection, the 
     term `Service Academy' has the meaning given such term in 
     section 347 of title 10.''.

     SEC. 506. DESIGNATION OF OFFICERS WITH PARTICULAR EXPERTISE 
                   IN MILITARY JUSTICE OR HEALTHCARE.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 21 of title 14, 
     United States Code is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 2132. Designation of officers with particular 
       expertise in military justice or healthcare

       ``(a) Secretary Designation.--The Secretary may designate a 
     limited number of officers of the Coast Guard as having 
     particular expertise in--
       ``(1) military justice; or
       ``(2) healthcare.
       ``(b) Promotion and Grade.--An individual designated under 
     this section--
       ``(1) shall not be included on the active duty promotion 
     list;
       ``(2) shall be promoted under section 2126; and
       ``(3) may not be promoted to a grade higher than 
     captain.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 21 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 2131 the following:

``2132. Designation of officers with particular expertise in military 
              justice or healthcare.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 2102(a) of title 14, United States Code, is 
     amended, in the second sentence, by striking ``and officers 
     of the permanent commissioned teaching staff of the Coast 
     Guard Academy'' and inserting ``officers of the permanent 
     commissioned teaching staff of the Coast Guard Academy, and 
     officers designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 
     2132''.
       (2) Subsection (e) of section 2103 of title 14, United 
     States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(e) Secretary to Prescribe Numbers for Certain 
     Officers.--The Secretary shall prescribe the number of 
     officers authorized to be serving on active duty in each 
     grade of--
       ``(1) the permanent commissioned teaching staff of the 
     Coast Guard Academy;
       ``(2) the officers designated by the Secretary pursuant to 
     section 2132; and
       ``(3) the officers of the Reserve serving in connection 
     with organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or 
     training the reserve components.''.
       (3) Section 2126 of title 14, United States Code, is 
     amended, in the second sentence, by inserting ``and as to 
     officers designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 
     2132'' after ``reserve components''.
       (4) Section 3736(a) of title 14, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (A) in the first sentence by striking ``promotion list and 
     the'' and inserting ``promotion list, officers designated by 
     the Secretary pursuant to section 2132, and the officers on 
     the''; and
       (B) in the second sentence by striking ``promotion list or 
     the'' and inserting ``promotion list, officers designated by 
     the Secretary pursuant to section 2132, or the officers on 
     the''.

     SEC. 507. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PERSONNEL OF 
                   COAST GUARD.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 2517. Direct hire authority for certain personnel of 
       Coast Guard

       ``(a) In General.--The Commandant may appoint, without 
     regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of 
     title 5 (other than section 3303 and 3328 of such chapter), 
     qualified candidates to any non-clinical specialist intended 
     to engage in the integrated primary prevention of harmful 
     behaviors, including suicide, sexual assault, harassment, 
     domestic abuse, and child abuse and qualified candidates to 
     any criminal investigative law enforcement position of the 
     Coast Guard Criminal Investigative Service intended to engage 
     in the primary response to such harmful behaviors.
       ``(b) Sunset.--Effective on September 30, 2034, the 
     authority provided under subsection (a) shall cease.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 25 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     the item related to section 2516 the following:

``2517. Direct hire authority for certain personnel of United States 
              Coast Guard.''.

     SEC. 508. SAFE-TO-REPORT POLICY FOR COAST GUARD.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 19 of title 14, 
     United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``Sec. 1908. Safe-to-report policy for Coast Guard

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of the department in which 
     the Coast Guard is operating shall, in consultation with the 
     Secretaries of the military departments, issue such 
     regulations as are necessary to establish the safe-to-report 
     policy described in subsection (b) that applies with respect 
     to all members of the Coast Guard (including members of the 
     reserve and auxiliary components of the Coast Guard) and 
     cadets at the Coast Guard Academy.
       ``(b) Safe-to-report Policy.--The safe-to-report policy 
     described in this subsection is a policy that prescribes the 
     handling of minor collateral misconduct involving a member of 
     the Coast Guard who is the alleged victim or reporting 
     witness of a sexual assault.
       ``(c) Mitigating and Aggravating Circumstances.--In issuing 
     regulations under subsection (a), the Secretary shall specify 
     mitigating circumstances that decrease the gravity of minor 
     collateral misconduct or the impact of such misconduct on 
     good order and discipline and aggravating circumstances that 
     increase the gravity of minor collateral misconduct or the 
     impact of such misconduct on good order and discipline for 
     purposes of the safe-to-report policy.
       ``(d) Tracking of Collateral Misconduct Incidents.--In 
     conjunction with the issuance of regulations under subsection 
     (a), Secretary shall develop and implement a process

[[Page H3183]]

     to anonymously track incidents of minor collateral misconduct 
     that are subject to the safe-to-report policy established 
     under such regulations.
       ``(e) Minor Collateral Misconduct Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `minor collateral misconduct' means any 
     minor misconduct that is punishable under chapter 47 of title 
     10 that--
       ``(1) is committed close in time to or during a sexual 
     assault and directly related to the incident that formed the 
     basis of the sexual assault allegation;
       ``(2) is discovered as a direct result of the report of 
     sexual assault or the ensuing investigation into such sexual 
     assault; and
       ``(3) does not involve aggravating circumstances (as 
     specified in the regulations issued under subsection (a)) 
     that increase the gravity of the minor misconduct or the 
     impact of such misconduct on good order and discipline.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 19 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 1907 (as added by this 
     Act) the following:

``1908. Safe-to-report policy for Coast Guard.''.

     SEC. 509. MODIFICATION OF DELIVERY DATE OF COAST GUARD SEXUAL 
                   ASSAULT REPORT.

       Section 5112(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``January 15'' and inserting ``March 1''.

     SEC. 510. HIGHER-LEVEL REVIEW OF BOARD OF DETERMINATION 
                   DECISIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 2158 of title 14, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in the first sentence by striking ``The Secretary'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Higher-level Review of Sexual Assault Cases.--
       ``(1) In general.--If a board convened under this section 
     determines that the officer should be retained when the 
     officer's record indicates that the officer has committed a 
     sexual assault offense, the board shall forward the record of 
     the proceedings and recommendation of the board for higher-
     level review, in accordance with regulations prescribed by 
     the Secretary.
       ``(2) Authority.--The official exercising higher-level 
     review shall have authority to forward the case for 
     consideration by a Board of Inquiry in accordance with 
     section 2159.
       ``(c) Sexual Assault Offense Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `sexual assault offense' means a violation of section 
     920 or 920b of title 10, United States Code (article 120 or 
     120b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) or attempt to 
     commit an offense specified under section 920 or 920b as 
     punishable under section 880 of such title (article 80 of the 
     Uniform Code of Military Justice).''.

     SEC. 511. REVIEW OF DISCHARGE OR DISMISSAL.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, 
     United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``Sec. 2518. Review of discharge or dismissal

       ``(a) Downgrade.--
       ``(1) In general.--In addition to the requirements of 
     section 1553 of title 10, a board of review for a former 
     member of the Coast Guard established pursuant to such 
     section may, upon a motion of the board and subject to review 
     by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
     is operating, downgrade an honorable discharge or dismissal 
     to a general (under honorable conditions) discharge or 
     dismissal upon a finding that a former member of the Coast 
     Guard, while serving on active duty as a member of the armed 
     forces, committed sexual assault or sexual harassment in 
     violation of section 920, 920b, or 934 of this title (article 
     120, 120b, or 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).
       ``(2) Evidence.--Any downgrade under paragraph (1) shall be 
     supported by clear and convincing evidence.
       ``(3) Limitation.--The review board under paragraph (1) may 
     not downgrade a discharge or dismissal of a former member of 
     the Coast Guard if the same action described in paragraph (1) 
     was considered prior to separation from active duty by an 
     administrative board in determining the characterization of 
     discharge as otherwise provided by law and in accordance with 
     regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Department in 
     which the Coast Guard is operating.
       ``(b) Procedural Rights.--
       ``(1) In general.--A review by a board established under 
     section 1553 of title 10 shall be based on the records of the 
     armed forces concerned and such other evidence as may be 
     presented to the board.
       ``(2) Evidence by witness.--A witness may present evidence 
     to the board in person or by affidavit.
       ``(3) Appearance before board.--A person who requests a 
     review under this section may appear before the board in 
     person or by counsel or an accredited representative of an 
     organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     under chapter 59 of title 38.
       ``(4) Notification.--A former member of the Coast Guard who 
     is subject to a downgrade in discharge characterization 
     review under subsection (b)(3) shall be notified in writing 
     of such proceedings, afforded the right to obtain copies of 
     records and documents relevant to the proceedings, and the 
     right to appear before the board in person or by counsel or 
     an accredited representative of an organization recognized by 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under chapter 59 of title 
     38.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 25 of 
     title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 2517 (as added by this 
     Act) the following:

``2518. Review of discharge or dismissal.''.

     SEC. 512. CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER AS GROUNDS FOR DENIAL.

       Section 7511(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``or'';
       (2) in paragraph (2) by striking ``State, local, or Tribal 
     law'' and inserting ``Federal, State, local, or Tribal law'';
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) section 920 or 920b of title 10 (article 120 and 120b 
     of the Uniform Code of Military Justice); or''.

     SEC. 513. COAST GUARD ACADEMY ROOM REASSIGNMENT.

       Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Room Reassignment.--Coast Guard Academy Cadets may 
     request room reassignment if experiencing discomfort due to 
     Coast Guard Academy rooming assignments.''

                          TITLE VI--AMENDMENTS

     SEC. 601. AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Prohibition on Entry and Operation.--Section 
     70022(b)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``Federal Register'' and inserting ``the Federal 
     Register''.
       (b) Port, Harbor, and Coastal Facility Security.--Section 
     70116(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``terrorism cyber'' and 
     inserting ``terrorism, cyber''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2) by inserting a comma after ``acts of 
     terrorism''.
       (c) Enforcement by State and Local Officers.--Section 
     70118(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``section 1 of title II of the Act of June 
     15, 1917 (chapter 30; 50 U.S.C. 191)'' and inserting 
     ``section 70051''; and
       (2) by striking ``section 7(b) of the Ports and Waterways 
     Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1226(b))'' and inserting ``section 
     70116(b)''.
       (d) Chapter 701 Definitions.--Section 70131(2) of title 46, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``section 1 of title II of the Act of June 
     15, 1917 (50 U.S.C. 191)'' and inserting ``section 70051''; 
     and
       (2) by striking ``section 7(b) of the Ports and Waterways 
     Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1226(b))'' and inserting ``section 
     70116(b)''.
       (e) Notice of Arrival Requirements for Vessels on the Outer 
     Continental Shelf.--
       (1) Preparatory conforming amendment.--Section 70001 of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by redesignating 
     subsections (l) and (m) as subsections (m) and (n), 
     respectively.
       (2) Transfer of provision.--Section 704 of the Coast Guard 
     and Maritime Transportation Act 2012 (Public Law 112-213; 46 
     U.S.C. 70001 note) is--
       (A) amended by striking ``of title 46, United States 
     Code,'';
       (B) transferred to appear after 70001(k) of title 46, 
     United States Code; and
       (C) redesignated as subsection (l).
       (f) Title 46.--Title 46, United States Code, is amended as 
     follows:
       (1) Section 2101(2) is amended by striking ``section 1'' 
     and inserting ``section 101''.
       (2) Section 2116(b)(1)(D) is amended by striking ``section 
     93(c)'' and inserting ``section 504(c)''.
       (3) In the analysis for subtitle VII by striking the period 
     after ``70001'' in the item relating to chapter 700.
       (4) In the analysis for chapter 700 by striking the item 
     relating to section 70006 and inserting the following:

``70006. Establishment by Secretary of the department in which the 
              Coast Guard is operating of anchorage grounds and 
              regulations generally.''.
       (5) In the heading for subchapter IV in the analysis for 
     chapter 700 by inserting a comma after ``DEFINITIONS''.
       (6) In the heading for subchapter VI in the analysis for 
     chapter 700 by striking ``OF THE UNITED''and inserting ``OF 
     UNITED''.
       (7) Section 70052(e)(1) is amended by striking ``section 
     4197 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (46 U.S.C. 
     App. 91)'' and inserting ``section 60105''.
       (g) Oil Pollution Act of 1990.--The Oil Pollution Act of 
     1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) is amended as follows:
       (1) Section 1001(32)(G) (33 U.S.C. 2701(32)(G)) is amended 
     by striking ``pipeline'' and all that follows through 
     ``offshore facility'' and inserting ``pipeline, offshore 
     facility''.
       (2) Section 1016 (33 U.S.C. 2716) is amended--
       (A) by redesignating subsections (e) through (i) as 
     subsections (d) through (h), respectively; and
       (B) in subsection (e)(1)(B), as redesignated by 
     subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection (e)'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (d)''.
       (3) Section 1012(b)(2) (33 U.S.C. 2712(b)(2)) is amended by 
     striking ``section 1016(f)(1)'' and inserting ``section 
     1016(e)(1)''.
       (4) Section 1005(b)(5)(B) (33 U.S.C. 2705(b)(5)(B)) is 
     amended by striking ``section 1016(g)'' and inserting 
     ``section 1016(f)''.
       (5) Section 1018(c) (33 U.S.C. 2718(c)) is amended by 
     striking ``the Act of March 3, 1851 (46 U.S.C. 183 et seq.)'' 
     and inserting ``chapter 305 of title 46, United States 
     Code''.

[[Page H3184]]

       (6) Section 7001(h)(1) (33 U.S.C. 2761(h)(1)) is amended by 
     striking ``subsection (c)(4)'' and inserting ``subsection 
     (e)(4)''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 7659.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7659, the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2024. This bipartisan measure authorizes funding 
for the Coast Guard, one of six armed services, for the next 2 fiscal 
years.
  The men and women of the Coast Guard deserve the support of this 
Congress in their efforts to meet the challenges of their ever-growing 
mission. Those missions are wide-ranging and include ensuring the 
safety of maritime trade, including our vital supply chain; enforcing 
United States laws at sea; protecting our Nation's borders; helping 
counter undue Chinese influence in the Pacific; helping to develop the 
United States' redefined role in the rapidly changing Arctic; and 
countering human trafficking and the influx of illicit drugs into this 
country.
  This bill provides the Coast Guard with the authorities and resources 
it needs to carry out its mission.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Ranking Member Larsen and Coast Guard and 
Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chair Webster and Ranking Member 
Carbajal for working to reach a bipartisan agreement on this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2024. I am proud to have played a part in its development and 
passage out of committee. I appreciate the bipartisan leadership of 
Chairman Sam Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and Coast Guard and 
Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chair Webster. This legislation is 
an example of how working together in a bipartisan way can result in 
good legislation.
  As one of the six branches of the armed services, the U.S. Coast 
Guard protects our national security and is an essential asset to DoD 
missions overseas. Often facilitating diplomatic relations resulting 
from unique authorities, the Coast Guard fosters partnerships with 
other countries not easily achieved by other branches. This bill will 
renew and enhance support for critical missions of the U.S. Coast 
Guard.
  Every day, coasties work to safeguard our economic interests and 
ensure the fluidity of the marine transportation system. They maintain 
our Nation's waterways for the sake of commerce and human and 
environmental safety. Time after time, these brave coasties have 
demonstrated their resourcefulness, but they need our support.
  The increased funding in today's bill signals our confidence in the 
Coast Guard and begins down the road to providing the resources 
coasties need to successfully complete their missions.
  The Coast Guard is facing a precarious future with an aging fleet, 
crumbling infrastructure, and a recruiting shortfall.
  In order to grow the service, we must ensure servicemembers are safe 
from harm, trust their leadership, and receive the benefits they have 
earned. That is why H.R. 7659 includes the Coast Guard Protection and 
Accountability Act of 2024, which will hold the Coast Guard accountable 
and ensure transparency in the wake of Operation Fouled Anchor and 
efforts by the service to hide decades' worth of sexual assault and 
sexual harassment.
  This legislation begins to address the worsening mariner shortage by 
authorizing the modernization of the mariner credentialing system and 
modernizing mariner eligibility. This bill will provide long-term, 
sustainable jobs for American mariners.
  I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on this important 
legislation, and I look forward to seeing it passed into law.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support for its passage.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).
  Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, in August of this year, we are 
going to hit the 234th birthday of the United States Coast Guard. We 
have seen profound changes in the Coast Guard's mission.
  They perform the jobs of probably a dozen Federal agencies over 
water. They do a remarkable job. From drug and alien interdiction to 
maritime security and maritime safety, they do absolutely everything. I 
will say it again: What a dozen agencies do on land, the Coast Guard is 
responsible for over water. It is absolutely remarkable. The brave men 
and women that we refer to as the coasties have served our country with 
incredible honor and distinction.
  Mr. Speaker, we refer to them as the Swiss Army knife of the Federal 
Government. They do so much. They conduct search and rescue missions, 
support safe navigation in our waterways, and help to defend our 
maritime border from nefarious actors.
  Now more than ever, the Coast Guard's missions don't go unnoticed, 
and it is important that we provide the Coast Guard with the resources 
that they need to conduct their operations.
  China is maneuvering to overtake the United States' maritime 
supremacy. Today, China has the capacity to manufacture 232 times the 
shipbuilding capacity of the United States. Let me say that again: 
Today, China has 232 times the shipbuilding capacity of the United 
States, and these ships aren't being used for honorable activities, Mr. 
Speaker. We have seen that China is now fishing approximately 42 
percent of its fishing in what is known as distant waters. That means 
in someone else's exclusive economic zone. Said another way, they are 
illegally fishing in other countries' waters. They are overfishing. 
China is the worst IUU--illegal, unreported, and unregulated--fishing 
nation in the world.

  This isn't limited to just China or Chinese waters. We recently had a 
major bust of IUU activities in the Gulf of Mexico on one of my 
favorite entrees, the red snapper.
  The Coast Guard is vital to protecting our waters and national 
security, particularly, here in the United States, in the area that you 
and I share, Mr. Speaker, the Gulf of Mexico. The Coast Guard plays a 
critical role in protecting our maritime boundary from drugs and 
migrants.
  While we rightfully focus our attention on the southern land border 
with Mexico, we cannot ignore the maritime border. Countless migrants 
enter unnoticed via boat, and often they are accompanied--or should I 
say they are accompanying dangerous drugs, such as fentanyl.
  Louisiana's overdose death rate is nearly double the national 
average, largely thanks to massive influxes of fentanyl coming 
undetected through the southern border, including the maritime border.
  Over the past year, a sheriff's office in my district removed nearly 
six times the fentanyl that they recovered in just 2022. Wouldn't it be 
amazing if the Coast Guard could help to stop the drug interdictions, 
stop these illegal drugs and migrants from coming across our maritime 
border?
  Our coasties can't be successful in defending our national security 
without the proper resources.
  As China seeks to insert itself in the Pacific, this bill authorizes 
two fast response cutters that will be used to support missions with 
partners in the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, as the world and Russia move 
into the Arctic, this bill authorizes the second polar security cutter, 
or heavy icebreaker, for the Coast Guard.
  It is imperative that we fund the Coast Guard at the levels 
authorized in this bill. It will protect our people, environment, and 
fisheries and continue to push back on nations such as China and 
Russia.
  I am proud to have contributed to and supported this bill in 
committee,

[[Page H3185]]

and I look forward to voting in favor of this bill on the House floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank all the Members who have been involved, 
especially Ranking Member Webster, and I am thankful for the leadership 
of our fearless chairman, Sam Graves, as well as the ranking members 
who have worked on this bill for months and months.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the bill.
  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Beyer).
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to flag an issue on the Coast Guard 
reauthorization. One particular provision in the bill can negatively 
impact offshore wind. Installing monopiles for offshore wind requires a 
specialized fleet and planning. The U.S. fleet does not currently 
include certain offshore wind-specific vessels, which are the linchpins 
in construction.
  With the current bill language mandating exclusive use of domestic 
crews on a few foreign vessels, it could lead the few vessels that can 
install offshore wind to exit the U.S. market altogether. Right now, 
adding these crewing requirements for certain international vessels 
would freeze offshore wind construction.
  Offshore wind is essential to achieving our decarbonization goals, 
but it is a brand-new industry in the United States. It needs time to 
build a supply chain from the ground up.
  I have been proud of Dominion Energy's recent announcement that the 
first Jones Act-compliant vessel, Charybdis, is on track to be 
completed by late 2024.
  The offshore wind industry in America is investing in more than 40 
American vessels, all of which will be required to have all-American 
crews, but until we have these vessels, we will be reliant on foreign 
vessels.
  The stipulations in this bill would impede the involvement of the 
current fleet necessary to kick-start these projects and give the U.S. 
any viable alternatives.
  The absence of these specialized vessels would mean that numerous 
American ships and mariners would lose employment opportunities, and 
there would be no offshore wind farms to build or maintain. We can 
address this and find a fix that avoids job losses for union workers or 
causes significant delays.
  While we all champion American jobs in offshore wind, it is important 
to recognize that this industry is still in its early stages 
domestically.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you to address this issue moving forward as this 
legislation moves toward conference. It is imperative that we do not 
stumble as we embark on this promising new industry that holds the 
potential to enhance our energy security and create thousands of 
American jobs.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's concern about our shared 
commitment to rapidly develop clean energy. I also believe that the 
American maritime industry should play a meaningful role in the 
development and maintenance of offshore energy. If everyone comes 
together to negotiate a compromise, I believe everyone's concerns can 
be addressed.
  Ranking Member Larsen and I are committed to finding that compromise, 
but it is important that all stakeholders, including offshore wind 
developers, come to the table to accomplish that.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew).
  Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2024.
  My district of south Jersey is an official Coast Guard community. We 
are deeply proud to be the home of the United States Coast Guard 
Training Center Cape May. The vast majority of all recruits are trained 
right there.

  This legislation includes historic levels of funding for the training 
center. It unlocks over $200 million in authorities that will build 
Cape May into a world-class facility through new barracks, indoor 
training, shooting ranges, and more.
  This is a strong bill for south Jersey. It is a strong bill for the 
Coast Guard. It is a strong bill for the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this legislation, and I thank 
the committee chairman and ranking member and the subcommittee chairman 
and ranking member, as well.
  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Larsen).

                              {time}  1745

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak in 
support of H.R. 7659, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024.
  This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes funding for the U.S. Coast 
Guard for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 and updates Coast Guard programs 
and policies.
  This bill is a result of bipartisan negotiations between Chair 
Graves, Chair Webster, myself, and Ranking Member Carbajal and includes 
numerous contributions from members on and off the committee.
  This bill is the latest example of bipartisanship thriving on the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
  Coast Guard operational readiness is at risk due to years of 
underfunding. A lack of investment led to a $3 billion shoreside 
infrastructure backlog, a lack of ice-breaking capacity in the Arctic 
and Great Lakes, and reduced capacity across several essential missions 
such as marine safety and mariner credentialing.
  This bill begins to address the shortfall by authorizing $14.78 
billion for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2025 and $15.52 billion for 
fiscal year 2026.
  These increases over current funding levels will give the Coast Guard 
the resources needed to execute its missions and ensure a basic 
standard of living for servicemembers.
  In addition, this bill authorizes the Procurement, Construction, and 
Improvements account at $3.48 billion for fiscal year 2025 and $3.65 
billion for fiscal year 2026--well above the President's budget 
request.
  This level of funding should enable the Coast Guard to maintain its 
ongoing recapitalization programs, including the Polar Security Cutter 
and the Offshore Patrol Cutters.
  Importantly, this bill also includes $180 million for waterfront 
improvements to Coast Guard Base Seattle which will ensure homeporting 
capacity for Polar Security Cutters.
  Last Congress, we enacted substantial improvements to safety for 
mariners and passengers aboard vessels. This legislation builds upon 
that work by addressing additional safety risks on vessels and 
increasing the penalties for bad actors.
  In 2022, the Aleutian Isle, a fishing vessel, began taking on water 
after running aground in Puget Sound off the coast of San Juan Island 
in my district. What should have been a salvaging-firefighting 
operation turned into an oil spill response operation.
  The salvager listed on the vessel response plan did not have the 
capacity to adequately respond and that led to the vessel sinking and 
discharging oil.
  This bill improves oil spill prevention by bolstering vessel response 
plans and ensuring timely, robust salvage firefighting responses when 
vessel incidents do occur.
  This bill also includes vital provisions to begin addressing the 
mariner shortage.
  The current mariner credentialing program, which the Coast Guard 
oversees, is outdated and relies on paper applications. Processing 
delays impact both existing and new mariners looking to enter the 
industry.
  I appreciate Chair Graves working with me to include an authorization 
of $11 million for a new electronic credentialing system. This, coupled 
with other provisions, will begin to address the mariner shortage.
  Finally, this bill includes the Coast Guard Protection and 
Accountability Act of 2024. This legislation was developed because the 
Coast Guard deliberately hid Operation Fouled Anchor and decades of 
sexual assault and harassment at the Coast Guard Academy.
  The commandant is working hard to repair the lost confidence that 
resulted from Operation Fouled Anchor, and this legislation provides 
the tools to do so while increasing congressional oversight.

[[Page H3186]]

  I thank Chair Graves, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
Subcommittee Chair Webster, and Ranking Member Carbajal for their 
cooperation in crafting this important legislation.
  I look forward to our continued collaboration as the legislation 
moves forward. I urge all Members to support this bill.
  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I, again, thank Chairman Graves, Ranking 
Member Larsen, and subcommittee Chair Webster.
  I would also like to thank our bipartisan staff on the Republican 
side John Rayfield, Reed Linsk, Cameron Humphrey, Nicole Bredariol, and 
Ian Orr; and on the Democratic side Matt Dwyer, Cheryl Dickson, and 
Johanna Montiel of my staff.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hunt).
  Mr. HUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition not to H.R. 7659 or 
the United States Coast Guard but to a provision inside this bill that 
will decimate offshore oil and gas production in the United States as 
we know it.
  Section 346 of this bill will impose such burdensome regulations on 
crews of foreign-flagged vessels that they would cease drilling in the 
Gulf of Mexico.
  Within 90 days of enactment, offshore oil and gas production will 
come to an abrupt halt. Let me repeat that. Within 90 days of this 
provision's enactment, American oil and gas production will cease in 
the Gulf of Mexico.
  The vessels and crews used in this industry are highly specialized 
and complex and require foreign workers. As it stands, there are not 
enough American mariners sufficiently trained to conduct such complex 
offshore work.
  The systems used on these vessels take years of training and 
experience to operate and maintain. Anything short of precision could 
result in catastrophic outcomes.
  Many of you know that I am America First through and through, I am a 
veteran through and through, but I am also realistic.
  Foreign-flagged vessels and crews are used because the United States 
simply lacks U.S.-flagged vessels or trained crews to work in this 
specialized area.

  This manning and crewing provision will put the United States at a 
competitive disadvantage and will drive up prices for American 
families.
  I have said it before and I will say it again, American offshore oil 
and gas operators produce the world's cleanest barrels of oil and gas. 
We should be producing more oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico, not 
less.
  This provision will cause the U.S. to produce less energy, allowing 
other countries to step into that void.
  Let's not cede the advantages that America possesses to other nations 
that will produce dirtier barrels of oil and natural gas, increase the 
financial burden on Americans, and use the proceeds to undermine our 
national security and our way of life.
  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Menendez).
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2024, which includes my bill, H.R. 7702, to 
prevent tragedies like the Port Newark fire.
  This bill is personal to me and to our district.
  In July of last year, a fire broke out aboard a vessel docked at Port 
Newark. Two firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice while responding, 
Augusto ``Augie'' Acabou and Wayne ``Bear'' Brooks, Jr.
  Newark and the entire State of New Jersey will always remember these 
heroes for their bravery on that day.
  They were beloved by their families, communities, and the Newark Fire 
Department. While we can't bring them back, we can work to prevent 
tragic accidents like this one from happening again.
  Responding to vessel fires is incredibly difficult. Each vessel is 
unique, and the presence of smoke in extremely tight, unfamiliar spaces 
makes them even more difficult to navigate and that much more dangerous 
for our firefighters.
  Our bill tasks the GAO to study vessel fires, examine non-Federal 
collaborations to address vessel fire risk, and make recommendations on 
preparedness, responses, and training for fires of this nature.
  I am proud this bill was included in the Coast Guard Reauthorization 
Act in honor of Augie and Bear.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for this important bill.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).
  Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I just want to quickly respond 
to my friend from Texas and the comments about the offshore energy 
industry.
  I represent south Louisiana. We have six States that produce offshore 
energy: Alaska, California, Texas Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. 
You can add up the offshore Federal production in those five States 
combined, and you would have to multiply it times four to meet the 
amount of offshore energy production in Federal waters off the coast of 
Louisiana. Yet, our entire delegation, House, Senate, Republican, 
Democrat, are fully supportive of the crewing and manning provision in 
this bill because it does improve the safety and the security of 
operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
  Of course, Mr. Speaker, it would not cause the shutdown of oil and 
gas or energy operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Let me say it again. On 
the contrary, it would actually improve safety and security. There are 
waivers and exceptions for foreign vessels that ensure these vessels 
operate in a way that is safe and secure for our country.
  I urge adoption of this legislation.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Webster), who is also the chairman of the 
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.
  Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
piece of legislation.
  This bill recognizes the important work the Coast Guard does to 
protect our waters, interdict drugs, stop human trafficking, and 
promote maritime safety.
  As my State of Florida braces for the influx of Haitian immigrants--
illegal immigrants--this bill authorizes funding through fiscal year 
2026 and makes critical investments to enable the service to meet their 
current and growing mission demands.
  The measure directs much-needed investments in the Coast Guard 
shoreside infrastructure and authorizes additional heavy lift aircraft, 
helicopters, and vessels that will support the Coast Guard's missions.
  As the Coast Guard faces a shortfall of servicemembers and civilians, 
this legislation supports the Coast Guard's efforts to address its 
recruiting and retention challenges while supporting efforts to boost 
the pool of qualified U.S. merchant mariners that can mobilize during 
such a time as is needed.
  I am pleased the bill also has language to strengthen the Coast 
Guard's ability to counter cyber threats that jeopardize the safety of 
our supply chain.
  The bill incorporates the Coast Guard Protection and Accountability 
Act of 2024 that Ranking Member Carbajal and I introduced along with 
Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen.
  The provisions will strengthen protections for members of the Coast 
Guard from sexual assault and harassment and increase transparency 
within the service about the manner in which these cases are held.
  I appreciate Chairman Graves' work on the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2024 along with Ranking Member Larsen and subcommittee Ranking 
Member Carbajal.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for this bipartisan 
legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  As Ranking Member Larsen knows well, this important piece of 
bipartisan legislation would not be possible without the hard work of 
our staff. I want to thank the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
team led by
  Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
7659, the

[[Page H3187]]

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. In Puerto Rico, we are the proud 
home to Sector San Juan and Air Station Borinquen. We know firsthand 
the important role our men and women in the Coast Guard play each day 
to save lives, protect our maritime borders, and facilitate commerce. 
That is why I was proud to cosponsor this important piece of 
legislation, which will provide needed authorities and resources to 
support our Coasties and strengthen the Service's critical missions.
  I am especially pleased the bill includes two provisions I authored--
Sections 205 and 206--to help improve the Coast Guard's drug and 
migrant interdiction activities. Section 205 would direct the Coast 
Guard to submit a report to Congress providing an overview of the 
maritime domain awareness in Sector San Juan, which is responsible for 
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and oversees an area of 
responsibility spanning 1.3 million square nautical miles in the 
Eastern Caribbean.
  Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in smuggling events 
in the region. In Fiscal Year 2021, the Coast Guard interdicted 758 
migrants in the Mona Passage and waters near Puerto Rico. These numbers 
increased substantially in Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023, when the Coast 
Guard interdicted 2,395 and 2,228 migrants, respectively, in the Sector 
San Juan area of responsibility. Through April 30, 2024, the Coast 
Guard had already interdicted 1,199 migrants in waters near Puerto 
Rico, with five months still remaining to conclude Fiscal Year 2024.
  Similarly, according to data shared by the Coast Guard with my 
office, from Fiscal Years 2019 to 2022, the known maritime cocaine flow 
to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands--either coming directly from 
South America or via the Dominican Republic--increased by over 115 
percent, from 51 metric tons to 110 metric tons. During the past five 
years, Coast Guard narcotics seizures in the Sector San Juan area of 
responsibility increased by over 74 percent, from 6.6 metric tons in 
Fiscal Year 2019 to 11.5 metric tons in Fiscal Year 2023.
  There has also been a rise in violence associated with these events. 
In November 2022, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection marine 
interdiction agent was shot and killed, and his two partners gravely 
injured, when drug smugglers opened fire during an interdiction off the 
coast of Cabo Rojo, in southwestern Puerto Rico. Two months later, 
another gunfight during a vessel interdiction off the coast of Fajardo 
in northeastern Puerto Rico resulted in the death of two drug 
smugglers.
  The Coast Guard plays a leading role combatting these and other 
threats we face from transnational criminal organizations and smugglers 
operating in the Caribbean. It is therefore essential we ensure they 
have the necessary resources to effectively tackle the rise in illicit 
maritime activity around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
Section 205 would help achieve this by directing the Coast Guard to 
report on maritime domain awareness gaps in the region and identify 
technologies, assets, and capabilities that would help address such 
gaps.
  The second provision I authored, Section 206, seeks to improve 
transparency by requiring the Coast Guard to publish on its website the 
number of drug and migrant interdictions carried out by the Service 
each month. In the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, 
Congress included a provision requiring the publication of monthly 
migrant interdiction statistics. Section 206 would build on this and 
expand the requirement to also include data on drug seizures. It would 
also require additional information such as the number of migrants 
interdicted, the amount and type of drugs that are seized, and the 
geographic location of such interdictions.
  I want to conclude by thanking and commending House Transportation 
and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member 
Rick Larsen, as well as Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Webster and Ranking Member Salud Carbajal, 
for their leadership on H.R. 7659. I urge my colleagues to support this 
important bill and ensure we provide the men and women of the Coast 
Guard the support they deserve. subcommittee staff director John 
Rayfield. I also thank Reed Linsk, Cameron Humphrey, Nicole Bredariol, 
Ian Orr and all of the Transportation and Infrastructure full committee 
staff who have worked on getting us here today, including staff 
director Jack Ruddy. I also want to thank the Transportation and 
Infrastructure minority full committee staff led by Kathy Dedrick and 
subcommittee staff led by Matt Dwyer.

  This legislation provides the support that the men and women of the 
United States Coast Guard need to do their jobs.
  It improves maritime safety, will help our Nation confront drug and 
human traffickers off our coast, and counter undue Chinese influence in 
the Pacific.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 7659, as amended.
  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. GRAVES of Missouri. 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.

                          ____________________