[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 133 (Friday, August 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5404-S5450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 3646. Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Sullivan, and Ms.
Baldwin) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the
bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end, add the following:
DIVISION E--COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2025
SEC. 5001. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This division may be cited as the ``Coast
Guard Authorization Act of 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this
division is as follows:
DIVISION E--COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2025
Sec. 5001. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 5002. Commandant defined.
TITLE LI--COAST GUARD
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Sec. 5101. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 5102. Authorized levels of military strength and training.
Subtitle B--Acquisition
Sec. 5111. Modification of prohibition on use of lead systems
integrators.
Sec. 5112. Service life extension programs.
Sec. 5113. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for acquisition
and procurement.
Sec. 5114. Great Lakes icebreaking.
Sec. 5115. Regular Polar Security Cutter updates.
Sec. 5116. Floating drydock for United States Coast Guard Yard.
Subtitle C--Organization and Authorities
Sec. 5131. Modification of treatment of minor construction and
improvement project management.
Sec. 5132. Preparedness plans for Coast Guard properties located in
tsunami inundation zones.
Sec. 5133. Public availability of information.
Sec. 5134. Delegation of ports and waterways safety authorities in
Saint Lawrence Seaway.
Sec. 5135. Additional Pribilof Island transition completion actions.
Sec. 5136. Policy and briefing on availability of naloxone to treat
opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses.
Sec. 5137. Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River cooperative vessel
traffic service.
Sec. 5138. Policy on methods to reduce incentives for illicit maritime
drug trafficking.
Sec. 5139. Procurement of tactical maritime surveillance systems.
Sec. 5140. Plan for joint and integrated maritime operational and
leadership training for United States Coast Guard and
Taiwan Coast Guard Administration.
[[Page S5405]]
Sec. 5141. Modification of authority for special purpose facilities.
Sec. 5142. Timely reimbursement of damage claims for Coast Guard
property.
Sec. 5143. Enhanced use property pilot program.
Sec. 5144. Coast Guard property provision.
Subtitle D--Personnel
Sec. 5151. Direct hire authority for certain personnel.
Sec. 5152. Temporary exemption from authorized end strength for
enlisted members on active duty in Coast Guard in pay
grades E-8 and E-9.
Sec. 5153. Additional available guidance and considerations for reserve
selection boards.
Sec. 5154. Family leave policies for the Coast Guard.
Sec. 5155. Authorization for maternity uniform allowance for officers.
Sec. 5156. Housing.
Sec. 5157. Uniform funding and management system for morale, well-
being, and recreation programs and Coast Guard Exchange.
Sec. 5158. Coast Guard embedded behavioral health technician program.
Sec. 5159. Expansion of access to counseling.
Sec. 5160. Command sponsorship for dependents of members of Coast Guard
assigned to Unalaska, Alaska.
Sec. 5161. Travel allowance for members of Coast Guard assigned to
Alaska.
Sec. 5162. Consolidation of authorities for college student
precommissioning initiative.
Sec. 5163. Tuition Assistance and Advanced Education Assistance Pilot
Program.
Sec. 5164. Modifications to career flexibility program.
Sec. 5165. Recruitment, relocation, and retention incentive program for
civilian firefighters employed by Coast Guard in remote
locations.
Sec. 5166. Reinstatement of training course on workings of Congress;
Coast Guard Museum.
Sec. 5167. Modification of designation of Vice Admirals.
Sec. 5168. Commandant Advisory Judge Advocate.
Sec. 5169. Special Advisor to Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian
affairs.
Sec. 5170. Notification.
Subtitle E--Coast Guard Academy
Sec. 5171. Modification of Board of Visitors.
Sec. 5172. Study on Coast Guard Academy oversight.
Sec. 5173. Electronic locking mechanisms to ensure Coast Guard Academy
cadet room security.
Sec. 5174. Coast Guard Academy student advisory board and access to
timely and independent wellness support services for
cadets and candidates.
Sec. 5175. Report on existing behavioral health and wellness support
services facilities at Coast Guard Academy.
Sec. 5176. Required posting of information.
Sec. 5177. Installation of behavioral health and wellness rooms.
Sec. 5178. Coast Guard Academy room reassignment.
Sec. 5179. Authorization for use of Coast Guard Academy facilities and
equipment by covered foundations.
Sec. 5180. Concurrent jurisdiction at Coast Guard Academy.
Subtitle F--Reports
Sec. 5181. Maritime domain awareness in Coast Guard sector for Puerto
Rico and Virgin Islands.
Sec. 5182. Report on condition of Missouri River dayboards.
Sec. 5183. Study on Coast Guard missions.
Sec. 5184. Annual report on progress of certain homeporting projects.
Sec. 5185. Report on Bay class icebreaking tug fleet replacement.
Sec. 5186. Feasibility study on supporting additional port visits and
deployments in support of Operation Blue Pacific.
Sec. 5187. Study and gap analysis with respect to Coast Guard Air
Station Corpus Christi aviation hangar.
Sec. 5188. Report on impacts of joint travel regulations on members of
Coast Guard who rely on ferry systems.
Sec. 5189. Report on Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.
Sec. 5190. Report on and expansion of Coast Guard Junior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps Program.
TITLE LII--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION
Subtitle A--Merchant Mariner Credentials
Sec. 5201. Merchant mariner credentialing.
Sec. 5202. Nonoperating individual.
Sec. 5203. Merchant mariner licensing and documentation system
requirements.
Subtitle B--Vessel Safety
Sec. 5211. Grossly negligent operations of a vessel.
Sec. 5212. Administrative procedure for security risks.
Sec. 5213. Study of amphibious vessels.
Sec. 5214. Performance driven examination schedule.
Sec. 5215. Ports and waterways safety.
Sec. 5216. Study on Bering Strait vessel traffic projections and
emergency response posture at ports of the United States.
Sec. 5217. Underwater inspections brief.
Sec. 5218. St. Lucie River railroad bridge.
Sec. 5219. Authority to establish safety zones for special activities
in exclusive economic zone.
Sec. 5220. Improving Vessel Traffic Service monitoring.
Sec. 5221. Designating pilotage waters for the Straits of Mackinac.
Sec. 5222. Receipts; international agreements for ice patrol services.
Sec. 5223. Requirements for certain fishing vessels and fish tender
vessels.
Subtitle C--Matters Involving Uncrewed Systems
Sec. 5231. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous
Maritime Systems.
Sec. 5232. Pilot program for governance and oversight of small uncrewed
maritime systems.
Sec. 5233. Coast Guard training course.
Sec. 5234. NOAA membership on Autonomous Vessel Policy Council.
Sec. 5235. Technology pilot program.
Sec. 5236. Uncrewed systems capabilities report and briefing.
Sec. 5237. Definitions.
Subtitle D--Other Matters
Sec. 5241. Controlled substance onboard vessels.
Sec. 5242. Information on type approval certificates.
Sec. 5243. Clarification of authorities.
Sec. 5244. Anchorages.
Sec. 5245. Amendments to passenger vessel security and safety
requirements.
Sec. 5246. Cyber-incident training.
Sec. 5247. Extension of pilot program to establish a cetacean desk for
Puget Sound region.
Sec. 5248. Suspension of enforcement of use of devices broadcasting on
AIS for purposes of marking fishing gear.
Sec. 5249. Classification societies.
Sec. 5250. Abandoned and derelict vessel removals.
TITLE LIII--OIL POLLUTION RESPONSE
Sec. 5301. Salvage and marine firefighting response capability.
Sec. 5302. Use of marine casualty investigations.
Sec. 5303. Timing of review.
Sec. 5304. Online incident reporting system.
Sec. 5305. Investment of Exxon Valdez oil spill court recovery in high
yield investments and marine research.
TITLE LIV--SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT RESPONSE
Sec. 5401. Independent review of Coast Guard reforms.
Sec. 5402. Comprehensive policy and procedures on retention and access
to evidence and records relating to sexual misconduct and
other misconduct.
Sec. 5403. Consideration of request for transfer of a cadet at the
Coast Guard Academy who is the victim of a sexual assault
or related offense.
Sec. 5404. Designation of officers with particular expertise in
military justice or healthcare.
Sec. 5405. Safe-to-Report policy for Coast Guard.
Sec. 5406. Modification of reporting requirements on covered misconduct
in Coast Guard.
Sec. 5407. Modifications to the officer involuntary separation process.
Sec. 5408. Review of discharge characterization.
Sec. 5409. Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial.
Sec. 5410. Definition of covered misconduct.
Sec. 5411. Notification of changes to Uniform Code of Military Justice
or Manual for Courts Martial relating to covered
misconduct.
Sec. 5412. Complaints of retaliation by victims of sexual assault or
sexual harassment and related persons.
Sec. 5413. Development of policies on military protective orders.
Sec. 5414. Coast Guard implementation of independent review commission
recommendations on addressing sexual assault and sexual
harassment in the military.
Sec. 5415. Policy relating to care and support of victims of covered
misconduct.
Sec. 5416. Establishment of special victim capabilities to respond to
allegations of certain special victim offenses.
Sec. 5417. Members asserting post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual
assault, or traumatic brain injury.
Sec. 5418. Participation in CATCH a Serial Offender program.
Sec. 5419. Accountability and transparency relating to allegations of
misconduct against senior leaders.
Sec. 5420. Confidential reporting of sexual harassment.
Sec. 5421. Report on policy on whistleblower protections.
Sec. 5422. Review and modification of Coast Guard Academy policy on
sexual harassment and sexual violence.
[[Page S5406]]
Sec. 5423. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Academy access to defense sexual
assault incident database.
Sec. 5424. Director of Coast Guard Investigative Service.
Sec. 5425. Modifications and revisions relating to reopening retired
grade determinations.
Sec. 5426. Inclusion and command review of information on covered
misconduct in personnel service records.
Sec. 5427. Flag officer review of, and concurrence in, separation of
members who have reported sexual misconduct.
Sec. 5428. Expedited transfer in cases of sexual misconduct or domestic
violence.
Sec. 5429. Access to temporary separation program for victims of
alleged sex-related offenses.
Sec. 5430. Policy and program to expand prevention of sexual
misconduct.
Sec. 5431. Continuous vetting of security clearances.
Sec. 5432. Training and education programs for covered misconduct
prevention and response.
TITLE LV--COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORTS
Sec. 5501. Comptroller General report on Coast Guard research,
development, and innovation program.
Sec. 5502. Comptroller General study on vessel traffic service center
employment, compensation, and retention.
Sec. 5503. Comptroller General review of quality and availability of
Coast Guard behavioral health care and resources for
personnel wellness.
Sec. 5504. Comptroller General study on Coast Guard efforts to reduce
prevalence of missing or incomplete medical records and
sharing of medical data with Department of Veterans
Affairs and other entities.
Sec. 5505. Comptroller General study on Coast Guard training facility
infrastructure.
Sec. 5506. Comptroller General study on facility and infrastructure
needs of Coast Guard stations conducting border security
operations.
Sec. 5507. Comptroller General study on Coast Guard basic allowance for
housing.
Sec. 5508. Comptroller General report on safety and security
infrastructure at Coast Guard Academy.
Sec. 5509. Comptroller General study on athletic coaching at Coast
Guard Academy.
Sec. 5510. Comptroller General study and report on permanent change of
station process.
TITLE LVI--AMENDMENTS
Sec. 5601. Amendments.
TITLE LVII--NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Subtitle A--National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commissioned Officer Corps
Sec. 5701. Title and qualifications of head of National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps and
Office of Marine and Aviation Operations; promotions of
flag officers.
Sec. 5702. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel
fleet.
Sec. 5703. Cooperative Aviation Centers.
Sec. 5704. Eligibility of former officers to compete for certain
positions.
Sec. 5705. Alignment of physical disqualification standard for
obligated service agreements with standard for veterans'
benefits.
Sec. 5706. Streamlining separation and retirement process.
Sec. 5707. Separation of ensigns found not fully qualified.
Sec. 5708. Repeal of limitation on educational assistance.
Sec. 5709. Disposal of survey and research vessels and equipment of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Subtitle B--South Pacific Tuna Treaty Matters
Sec. 5721. References to South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988.
Sec. 5722. Definitions.
Sec. 5723. Prohibited acts.
Sec. 5724. Exceptions.
Sec. 5725. Criminal offenses.
Sec. 5726. Civil penalties.
Sec. 5727. Licenses.
Sec. 5728. Enforcement.
Sec. 5729. Findings by Secretary of Commerce.
Sec. 5730. Disclosure of information.
Sec. 5731. Closed area stowage requirements.
Sec. 5732. Observers.
Sec. 5733. Fisheries-related assistance.
Sec. 5734. Arbitration.
Sec. 5735. Disposition of fees, penalties, forfeitures, and other
moneys.
Sec. 5736. Additional agreements.
Subtitle C--Other Matters
Sec. 5741. North Pacific Research Board enhancement.
SEC. 5002. COMMANDANT DEFINED.
In this division, the term ``Commandant'' means the
Commandant of the Coast Guard.
TITLE LI--COAST GUARD
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
SEC. 5101. 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) $3,627,600,000 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. 5102. 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)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``2,500'' and inserting
``3,000'';
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``165'' and inserting
``200'';
(C) in paragraph (3) by striking ``385'' and inserting
``450''; and
(D) in paragraph (4) by striking ``1,200'' and inserting
``1,300''.
Subtitle B--Acquisition
SEC. 5111. MODIFICATION OF 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 section 805(c) of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-163).''.
SEC. 5112. 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
such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 1137 the following:
``1138. Service life extension programs.''.
(c) Major Acquisitions.--Section 5103 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ``major acquisition
programs'' and inserting ``Level 1 Acquisitions or Level 2
Acquisitions'';
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ``major acquisition
program'' and inserting ``Level 1 Acquisition or Level 2
Acquisition''; and
(3) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Level 1 acquisition.--The term `Level 1 Acquisition'
has the meaning given such term in section 1171.
``(2) Level 2 acquisition.--The term `Level 2 Acquisition'
has the meaning given such term in section 1171.''.
(d) Major Acquisition Program Risk Assessment.--Section
5107 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking
``section 5103(f)'' and inserting ``section 1171''.
SEC. 5113. 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, 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,
[[Page S5407]]
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. 5114. GREAT LAKES ICEBREAKING.
(a) Great Lakes Icebreaker.--
(1) Strategy.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a strategy detailing how the
Coast Guard will complete design and construction of a Great
Lakes icebreaker at least as capable as the Coast Guard
cutter Mackinaw (WLBB-30) as expeditiously as possible after
funding is provided for such icebreaker, including providing
a cost estimate and an estimated delivery timeline that would
facilitate the expedited delivery detailed in the strategy.
(2) Great lakes icebreaker pilot program.--
(A) In general.--During the 5 ice seasons beginning after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall
conduct a pilot program to determine the extent to which the
Coast Guard Great Lakes icebreaking cutter fleet is capable
of maintaining tier one and tier two waterways open 95
percent of the time during an ice season.
(B) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the end of each
of the 5 ice seasons beginning after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives a report that details--
(i) the results of the pilot program required under
subparagraph (A); and
(ii) any relevant new performance measures implemented by
the Coast Guard, including the measures described in pages 5
through 7 of the report of the Coast Guard titled ``Domestic
Icebreaking Operations'' and submitted to Congress on July
26, 2024, as required by section 11212(a)(3) of the Don Young
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-263),
and the results of the implementation of such measures.
(b) Modification to Reporting Requirement Relating to
Icebreaking Operations in Great Lakes.--
(1) In general.--Section 11213(f) of the Don Young Coast
Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-263) is
amended to read as follows:
``(f) Public Report.--Not later than July 1 after the first
winter in which the Commandant has submitted the report
required by paragraph (3) of section 11212(a), the Commandant
shall publish on a publicly accessible website of the Coast
Guard a report on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting the
proposed standards described in paragraph (2) of such
section.''.
(2) Public report.--Section 11272(c) of the James M. Inhofe
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Public report.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the
Commandant shall brief the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House or Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting the
requirements of section 564 of title 14, United States Code,
in fiscal year 2024.
``(B) Secondary briefings.--Not later than November 1, 2025
and November, 1, 2026, the Commandant shall brief the
committees described in subparagraph (A) on the cost to the
Coast Guard of meeting the requirements of section 564 of
title 14, United States Code, in fiscal years 2025 and 2026,
respectively.''.
SEC. 5115. REGULAR POLAR SECURITY CUTTER UPDATES.
(a) Report.--
(1) Report to congress.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant and the Chief
of Naval Operations shall submit to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a
report on the status of acquisition of Polar Security
Cutters.
(2) Elements.--The report under paragraph (1) shall
include--
(A) a detailed timeline for the acquisition process of
Polar Security Cutters, including expected milestones and a
projected commissioning date for the first 3 Polar Security
Cutters;
(B) an accounting of the previously appropriated funds
spent to date on the Polar Security Cutter Program, updated
cost projections for Polar Security Cutters, and projections
for when additional funds will be required;
(C) potential factors and risks that could further delay or
imperil the completion of Polar Security Cutters; and
(D) a review of the acquisition of Polar Security Cutters
to date, including factors that led to substantial cost
overruns and delivery delays.
(b) Briefings.--
(1) Provision to congress.--Not later than 90 days after
the submission of the report under subsection (a), and not
less frequently than every 90 days thereafter, the Commandant
and the Chief of Naval Operations shall provide to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives 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 90
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.
(c) Notifications.--In addition to the briefings required
under subsection (b), the Commandant and the Chief of Naval
Operations shall notify the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House
of Representatives 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. 5116. FLOATING DRYDOCK FOR UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
YARD.
(a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 11 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 1159. Floating drydock for United States Coast Guard
Yard
``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
the Commandant may not acquire, procure, or construct a
floating dry dock for the Coast Guard Yard.
``(b) Permissible Acquisition, Procurement, or Construction
Methods.--Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and
section 1105(a), the Commandant may--
``(1) provide for an entity other than the Coast Guard to
contract for the acquisition, procurement, or construction of
a floating drydock by contract, lease, purchase, or other
agreement;
``(2) construct a floating drydock at the Coast Guard Yard;
or
``(3) acquire or procure a commercially available floating
drydock.
``(c) Exemptions From Requirements.--Sections 1131, 1132,
1133, and 1171 shall not apply to an acquisition or
procurement under subsection (b).
``(d) Design Standards and Construction Practices.--To the
extent practicable, a floating drydock acquired, procured, or
constructed under this section shall reflect commercial
design standards and commercial construction practices that
are consistent with the best interests of the Federal
Government.
``(e) Berthing Requirement.--Any floating drydock acquired,
procured, or constructed under subsection (b) shall be
berthed at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, when
lifting or maintaining vessels.
``(f) Floating Dry Dock Defined.--In this section, the term
`floating dry dock' means equipment that is--
``(1) constructed in the United States; and
``(2) capable of meeting the lifting and maintenance
requirements of a vessel that is at least 418 feet in length
with a gross tonnage of 4,500 gross tons.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 11 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 1158 the following:
``1159. Floating drydock for United States Coast Guard Yard.''.
Subtitle C--Organization and Authorities
SEC. 5131. MODIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF MINOR CONSTRUCTION
AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
Section 903(d)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``$1,500,000'' and inserting
``$2,000,000''.
SEC. 5132. PREPAREDNESS PLANS FOR COAST GUARD PROPERTIES
LOCATED IN TSUNAMI INUNDATION ZONES.
(a) 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 heads of other appropriate Federal
agencies, shall develop a location-specific tsunami
preparedness plan for each property concerned.
(b) Requirements.--In developing each preparedness plan
under subsection (a), the Commandant shall ensure that the
plan--
(1) minimizes the loss of human life;
(2) maximizes the ability of the Coast Guard to meet the
mission of the Coast Guard;
(3) is included in the emergency action plan for each Coast
Guard unit or sector located within the applicable tsunami
inundation zone;
(4) designates an evacuation route to an assembly area
located outside the tsunami inundation zone;
(5) takes into consideration near-shore and distant tsunami
inundation of the property concerned;
(6) includes--
[[Page S5408]]
(A) maps of all applicable tsunami inundation zones;
(B) evacuation routes and instructions for all individuals
located on the property concerned;
(C) procedures to begin evacuations as expeditiously as
possible upon detection of a seismic or other tsunamigenic
event;
(D) evacuation plans for Coast Guard aviation and afloat
assets; and
(E)(i) routes for evacuation on foot from any location
within the property concerned; or
(ii) if an on-foot evacuation is not possible, an
assessment of whether there is a need for vertical evacuation
refuges that would allow evacuation on foot;
(7) in the case of a property concerned that is at risk for
a near-shore tsunami, is able to be completely executed
within 15 minutes of detection of a seismic event, or if
complete execution is not possible within 15 minutes, within
a timeframe the Commandant considers reasonable to minimize
the loss of life; and
(8) not less frequently than annually, is--
(A) exercised by each Coast Guard unit and sector located
in the applicable tsunami inundation zone;
(B) communicated through an annual in-person training to
Coast Guard personnel and dependents located or living on the
property concerned; and
(C) evaluated by the relevant District Commander for each
Coast Guard unit and sector located within the applicable
tsunami inundation zone.
(c) Consultation.--In developing each preparedness plan
under subsection (a), the Commandant shall consult relevant
State, Tribal, and local government entities, including
emergency management officials.
(d) Briefing.--Not later than 14 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide a
briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives on each plan developed under subsection (a),
including the status of implementation and feasibility of
each such plan.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Property concerned.--The term ``property concerned''
means any real property owned, operated, or leased by the
Coast Guard within a tsunami inundation zone.
(2) Tsunamigenic event.--The term ``tsunamigenic event''
means any event, such as an earthquake, volcanic eruption,
submarine landslide, coastal rockfall, or other event, with
the magnitude to cause a tsunami.
(3) Vertical evacuation refuge.--The term ``vertical
evacuation refuge'' means a structure or earthen mound
designated as a place of refuge in the event of a tsunami,
with sufficient height to elevate evacuees above the tsunami
inundation depth, designed and constructed to resist tsunami
load effects.
SEC. 5133. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.
(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'';
(B) by striking ``Not later than'' and inserting the
following:
``(a) In General.--Not later than'';
(C) by striking ``the number of migrant'' and inserting
``the number of drug and person''; 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 persons were
interdicted, the number of persons interdicted, the number of
those persons who were unaccompanied minors, and the Coast
Guard sectors and geographic areas of responsibility in which
such incidents occurred.
``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this provision
shall be construed to require the Coast Guard to collect the
information described in subsection (b), and nothing in this
provision shall be construed to require the Commandant to
publicly release confidential, classified, law enforcement
sensitive, or otherwise protected information.''.
(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. 5134. DELEGATION OF PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY
AUTHORITIES IN SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY.
(a) In General.--Section 70032 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 70032. Delegation of ports and waterways authorities
in 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 St. 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 St. 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 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)(3); and
``(3) take actions for port, harbor, and coastal facility
security in accordance with section 70116.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 700 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 70032 and inserting the following:
``70032. Delegation of ports and waterways authorities in Saint
Lawrence Seaway.''.
SEC. 5135. 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 2025, 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 for the prosecution of Coast Guard operational
missions, including plans for the use of land needed for such
hangar.''.
SEC. 5136. POLICY AND BRIEFING ON AVAILABILITY OF NALOXONE TO
TREAT OPIOID, INCLUDING FENTANYL, OVERDOSES.
(a) Policy.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall update the policy
of the Coast Guard regarding the use, at Coast Guard
facilities, onboard Coast Guard assets, and during Coast
Guard operations, of medication to treat drug overdoses,
including the use of naloxone or other similar medication to
treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses.
(b) Availability.--The updated policy required under
subsection (a) shall require naloxone or other similar
medication be available--
(1) at each Coast Guard clinic;
(2) at each independently located Coast Guard unit;
(3) onboard each Coast Guard cutter; and
(4) for response to opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses
at other appropriate Coast Guard installations and facilities
and onboard other Coast Guard assets.
(c) Participation in Tracking System.--Not later than 1
year after the earlier of the date of enactment of this Act
or the date on which the tracking system established under
section 706 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 1090 note) is established, the
Commandant shall ensure the participation of the Coast Guard
in the such tracking system.
(d) Memorandum of Understanding.--Not later than 1 year
after the earlier of the date of enactment of this Act or the
date on which the tracking system established under section
706 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2024 (10 U.S.C. 1090 note) is established, the Secretary of
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not
operating as a service in the Navy and the Secretary of
Defense shall finalize a memorandum of understanding to
facilitate Coast Guard access such tracking system.
(e) Briefing.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a briefing on the use, by
members and personnel of the Coast Guard at Coast Guard
facilities, onboard Coast Guard assets, and during Coast
Guard operations, of--
[[Page S5409]]
(A) naloxone or other similar medication to treat opioid,
including fentanyl, overdoses; and
(B) opioids, including fentanyl.
(2) Elements.--The briefing required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
(A) A description of--
(i) the progress made in the implementation of the updated
policy required under subsection (a);
(ii) the prevalence and incidence of the illegal use of
fentanyl and other controlled substances in the Coast Guard
during the 5-year period preceding the briefing;
(iii) processes of the Coast Guard to mitigate substance
abuse in the Coast Guard, particularly with respect to
fentanyl; and
(iv) the status of the memorandum of understanding required
under subsection (d).
(B) For the 5-year period preceding the briefing, a review
of instances in which naloxone or other similar medication
was used to treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses at a
Coast Guard facility, onboard a Coast Guard asset, or during
a Coast Guard operation.
(f) Privacy.--In carrying out the requirements of this
section, the Commandant shall ensure compliance with all
applicable privacy law, including section 552a of title 5,
United States Code (commonly referred to as the ``Privacy
Act''), and the privacy regulations promulgated under section
264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 note).
(g) Rule of Construction.--For purposes of the availability
requirement under subsection (b), with respect to a Coast
Guard installation comprised of multiple Coast Guard
facilities or units, naloxone or other similar medication
available at a single Coast Guard facility within the
installation shall be considered to be available to all Coast
Guard facilities or units on the installation if appropriate
arrangements are in place to ensure access, at all times
during operations, to the naloxone or other similar
medication contained within such single Coast Guard facility.
SEC. 5137. GREAT LAKES AND SAINT LAWRENCE RIVER COOPERATIVE
VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard
is operating shall issue or amend regulations to address any
applicable arrangements with the Canadian Coast Guard
regarding vessel traffic services cooperation and vessel
traffic management data exchanges within the Saint Lawrence
Seaway and the Great Lakes.
SEC. 5138. POLICY ON METHODS TO REDUCE INCENTIVES FOR ILLICIT
MARITIME DRUG TRAFFICKING.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation
with the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement
Administration, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of
Defense, shall develop a policy, consistent with the
Constitution of the United States, as well as domestic and
international law, to address, disincentivize, and interdict
illicit trafficking by sea of controlled substances (and
precursors of controlled substances) being transported to
produce illicit synthetic drugs.
(b) Elements.--The policy required under subsection (a)
shall--
(1) include a requirement that, to the maximum extent
practicable, a vessel unlawfully transporting a controlled
substance or precursors of a controlled substance being
transported to produce illicit synthetic drugs, be seized or
appropriately disposed of consistent with domestic and
international law, as well as any international agreements to
which the United States is a party; and
(2) aim to reduce incentives for illicit maritime drug
trafficking on a global scale, including in the Eastern
Pacific Ocean, the Indo-Pacific region, the Caribbean, and
the Middle East.
(c) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall brief the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the
Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Homeland Security of
the House of Representatives on--
(1) the policy developed pursuant to subsection (a); and
(2) recommendations with respect to--
(A) additional methods for reducing illicit drug
trafficking; and
(B) additional resources necessary to implement the policy
required under subsection (a) and methods recommended under
subparagraph (A).
SEC. 5139. PROCUREMENT OF TACTICAL MARITIME SURVEILLANCE
SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b)(2),
subject to the availability of appropriations and if the
Secretary of Homeland Security determines that there is a
need, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall--
(1) procure a tactical maritime surveillance system, or
similar technology, for use by the Coast Guard and U.S.
Customs and Border Protection in the areas of operation of--
(A) Coast Guard Sector San Diego in California;
(B) Coast Guard Sector San Juan in Puerto Rico; and
(C) Coast Guard Sector Key West in Florida; and
(2) for purposes of data integration and land-based data
access, procure for each area of operation described in
paragraph (1) and for Coast Guard Station South Padre Island
a land-based maritime domain awareness system capable of
sharing data with the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border
Protection--
(A) to operate in conjunction with--
(i) the system procured under section 11266 of the James M.
Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2023 (Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 4063) for Coast Guard
Station South Padre Island; and
(ii) the tactical maritime surveillance system procured for
each area of operation under paragraph (1); and
(B) to be installed in the order in which the systems
described in subparagraph (A) are installed.
(b) Study; Limitation.--
(1) Study required.--Prior to the procurement or operation
of a tactical maritime surveillance system, or similar
technology, that is deployed from a property owned by the
Department of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security
shall complete a study, in coordination with Secretary of
Defense, analyzing the potential impacts to the national
security of the United States of such operation.
(2) Limitation.--If it is determined by the Secretary of
Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense through the
study required under paragraph (1) that the placement or
installation of a system described in subsection (a)
negatively impacts the national security of the United
States, such system shall not be procured or installed.
SEC. 5140. PLAN FOR JOINT AND INTEGRATED MARITIME OPERATIONAL
AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR UNITED STATES COAST
GUARD AND TAIWAN COAST GUARD ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to require a
plan to increase joint and integrated training opportunities
for the United States Coast Guard and the Taiwan Coast Guard
Administration.
(b) Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with
the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, shall
complete a plan to expand opportunities for additional joint
and integrated training activities for the United States
Coast Guard and the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration.
(2) Elements.--The plan required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) The estimated costs for fiscal years 2024 through
2029--
(i) to deploy United States Coast Guard mobile training
teams to Taiwan to meaningfully enhance the maritime
security, law enforcement, and deterrence capabilities of
Taiwan; and
(ii) to accommodate the participation of an increased
number of members of the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration in
United States Coast Guard-led maritime training courses,
including associated training costs for such members, such as
costs for lodging, meals and incidental expenses, travel,
training of personnel, and instructional materials.
(B) A strategy for increasing the number of seats, as
practicable, for members of the Taiwan Coast Guard
Administration at each of the following United States Coast
Guard training courses:
(i) The International Maritime Officers Course.
(ii) The International Leadership and Management Seminar.
(iii) The International Crisis Command and Control Course.
(iv) The International Maritime Domain Awareness School.
(v) The International Maritime Search and Rescue Planning
School.
(vi) The International Command Center School.
(C) An assessment of--
(i) the degree to which integrated and joint United States
Coast Guard and Taiwan Coast Guard Administration maritime
training would assist in--
(I) preventing, detecting, and suppressing illegal,
unreported, and unregulated fishing operations in the South
China Sea and surrounding waters; and
(II) supporting counter-illicit drug trafficking operations
in the South China Sea and surrounding waters; and
(ii) whether the frequency of United States Coast Guard
training team visits to Taiwan should be increased to enhance
the maritime security, law enforcement, and deterrence
capabilities of Taiwan.
(3) Briefing.--Not later than 60 days after the date on
which the plan required under paragraph (1) is completed, the
Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of
the House of Representatives a briefing on the contents of
the plan.
SEC. 5141. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE
FACILITIES.
Section 907 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the first sentence--
(A) by striking ``20 years'' and inserting ``30 years'';
[[Page S5410]]
(B) by striking ``or National'' and inserting ``National'';
and
(C) by inserting before the period ``, medical facilities,
Coast Guard child development centers (as such term is
defined in section 2921), and training facilities, including
small arms firing ranges''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking the period and inserting a semicolon;
(B) by striking ``means any facilities'' and inserting
``means--
``(1) any facilities''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) medical facilities;
``(3) Coast Guard child development centers (as such term
is defined in section 2921); and
``(4) training facilities, including small arms firing
ranges.''.
SEC. 5142. TIMELY REIMBURSEMENT OF DAMAGE CLAIMS FOR COAST
GUARD PROPERTY.
Section 546 of title 14, United States Code, is amended in
the second sentence by inserting ``and the amounts collected
shall be available until expended'' after ``special deposit
account''.
SEC. 5143. ENHANCED USE PROPERTY PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 504 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(13) by striking ``five years'' and
inserting ``30 years''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Additional Provisions.--
``(1) In general.--Amounts received under subsection
(a)(13) shall be--
``(A) in addition to amounts otherwise available for the
activities described in subsection (a)(13) for any fiscal
year; and
``(B) available, without further appropriation, until
expended.
``(2) Consideration.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
a person or entity entering into a contractual agreement
under this section shall provide consideration for the
contractual agreement at fair market value, as determined by
the Commandant.
``(B) Exception.--In the case of a contractual agreement
under this section between the Coast Guard and any other
Federal department or agency, the Federal department or
agency concerned shall provide consideration for the
contractual agreement that is equal to the full cost borne by
the Coast Guard in connection with completing such
contractual agreement.
``(C) Forms.--Consideration under this subsection may take
any of the following forms:
``(i) The payment of cash.
``(ii) The maintenance, construction, modification, or
improvement of existing or new facilities on real property
under the jurisdiction of the Commandant.
``(iii) The use by the Coast Guard of facilities on the
property concerned.
``(iv) The provision of services, including parking,
telecommunications, and environmental remediation and
restoration of real property under the jurisdiction of the
Commandant.
``(v) Any other consideration the Commandant considers
appropriate.
``(vi) A combination of any forms described in this
subparagraph.
``(3) Sunset.--The authority under paragraph (13) of
subsection (a) shall expire on December 31, 2030. The
expiration under this paragraph of authority under paragraph
(13) of subsection (a) shall not affect the validity or term
of contractual agreements under such paragraph or the
retention by the Commandant of proceeds from such agreements
entered into under such subsection before the expiration of
the authority.''.
SEC. 5144. COAST GUARD PROPERTY PROVISION.
(a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 722. Cooperation with eligible entities
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Coast guard installation.--The term `Coast Guard
installation' means a base, unit, station, yard, other
property under the jurisdiction of the Commandant or, in the
case of property in a foreign country, under the operational
control of the Coast Guard, without regard to the duration of
operational control.
``(2) Cultural resource.--The term `cultural resource'
means any of the following:
``(A) A building, structure, site, district, or object
eligible for or included in the National Register of Historic
Places maintained under section 302101 of title 54.
``(B) Cultural items, as that term is defined in section
2(3) of the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001(3)).
``(C) An archaeological resource, as that term is defined
in section 3(1) of the Archaeological Resources Protection
Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470bb(1))).
``(D) An archaeological artifact collection and associated
records covered by part 79 of title 36, Code of Federal
Regulations.
``(E) A sacred site, as that term is defined in section
1(b) of Executive Order No. 13007 (42 U.S.C. 1996 note;
relating to Indian sacred sites).
``(F) Treaty or trust resources of an Indian Tribe,
including the habitat associated with such resources.
``(G) Subsistence resources of an Indian Tribe or a Native
Hawaiian organization including the habitat associated with
such resources.
``(3) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means
any the following:
``(A) A State, or a political subdivision of a State.
``(B) A local government.
``(C) An Indian Tribe.
``(D) A Native Hawaiian organization.
``(E) A Tribal organization.
``(F) A Federal department or agency.
``(4) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the
meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
``(5) Native hawaiian organization.--The term `Native
Hawaiian organization' has the meaning given such term in
section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department
of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
``(6) Natural resource.--The term `natural resource' means
land, fish, wildlife, biota, air, water, ground water,
drinking water supplies, and other such resources belonging
to, managed by, held in trust by, appertaining to, or
otherwise controlled by the United States (including the
resources of the waters of the United States), any State or
local government, any Indian Tribe, any Native Hawaiian
organization, or any member of an Indian Tribe, if such
resources are subject to a trust restriction on alienation
and have been categorized into one of the following groups:
``(A) Surface water resources.
``(B) Ground water resources.
``(C) Air resources.
``(D) Geologic resources.
``(E) Biological resources.
``(7) State.--The term `State' includes each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and
the territories and possessions of the United States.
``(8) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization'
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5304).
``(b) Cooperative Agreements for Management of Cultural
Resources.--
``(1) Authority.--The Commandant may enter into a
cooperative agreement with an eligible entity (or in the case
that the eligible entity is a Federal department or agency,
an interagency agreement)--
``(A) to provide for the preservation, management,
maintenance, and improvement of natural resources and
cultural resources located on a site described under
paragraph (2); and
``(B) for the purpose of conducting research regarding the
natural resources and cultural resources.
``(2) Authorized natural and cultural resources sites.--To
be covered by a cooperative agreement under paragraph (1),
the relevant natural resources or cultural resources shall be
located--
``(A) on a Coast Guard installation; or
``(B) on a site outside of a Coast Guard installation, but
only if the cooperative agreement will directly relieve or
eliminate current or anticipated restrictions that would or
might restrict, impede, or otherwise interfere, either
directly or indirectly, with current or anticipated Coast
Guard training, testing, maintenance, or operations on a
Coast Guard installation.
``(3) Application of other laws.--Section 1535 and chapter
63 of title 31 shall not apply to an agreement entered into
under paragraph (1).
``(c) Agreements and Considerations.--
``(1) Agreements authorized.--The Commandant may enter into
an agreement with an eligible entity, and may enter into an
interagency agreement with the head of another Federal
department or agency, to address the use or development of
property in the vicinity of, or ecologically related to, a
Coast Guard installation for purposes of--
``(A) limiting any development or use of such property that
would be incompatible with the mission of the Coast Guard
installation;
``(B) preserving habitat on such property in a manner
that--
``(i) is compatible with environmental requirements; and
``(ii) may eliminate or relieve current or anticipated
environmental restrictions that would or might otherwise
restrict, impede, or interfere, either directly or
indirectly, with current or anticipated Coast Guard training
or operations on the Coast Guard installation;
``(C) maintaining or improving Coast Guard installation
resilience;
``(D) maintaining and improving natural resources, or
benefitting natural and historic research, on the Coast Guard
installation;
``(E) maintaining access to cultural resources and natural
resources, including--
``(i) Tribal treaty fisheries and shellfish harvest, and
usual and accustomed fishing areas; and
``(ii) subsistence fisheries, or any other fishery or
shellfish harvest, of an Indian Tribe;
``(F) providing a means to replace or repair property or
cultural resources of an Indian Tribe or a Native Hawaiian
organization if such property is damaged by Coast Guard
personnel or operations, in consultation with the affected
Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization; or
``(G) maintaining and improving natural resources located
outside a Coast Guard installation, including property of an
eligible entity, if the purpose of the agreement is to
relieve or eliminate current or anticipated
[[Page S5411]]
challenges that could restrict, impede, or otherwise
interfere with, either directly or indirectly, current or
anticipated Coast Guard activities.
``(2) Inapplicability of certain contract requirements.--
Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, an agreement under
subsection (b)(1) that is a cooperative agreement and
concerns a cultural resource or a natural resource may be
used to acquire property or services for the direct benefit
or use of the Federal Government.
``(d)(1) An agreement under subparagraph (b)(1) shall
provide for--
``(A) the acquisition by an eligible entity or entities of
all right, title, and interest in and to any real property,
or any lesser interest in the property, as may be appropriate
for purposes of this subsection; and
``(B) the sharing by the United States and an eligible
entity or entities of the acquisition costs in accordance
with paragraph (3).
``(2) Property or interests may not be acquired pursuant to
an agreement under subsection (b)(1) unless the owner of the
property or interests consents to the acquisition.
``(3)(A) An agreement with an eligible entity under
subsection (b)(1) may provide for--
``(i) the management of natural resources on, and the
monitoring and enforcement of any right, title, or interest
in real property in which the Commandant acquires any right,
title, or interest in accordance with this subsection; and
``(ii) for the payment by the United States of all or a
portion of the costs of such management, monitoring, or
enforcement if the Commandant determines that there is a
demonstrated need to preserve or restore habitat for the
purposes of subsection (b) or (c).
``(B) Any payment provided for under subparagraph (A) may--
``(i) be paid in a lump sum;
``(ii) include an amount intended to cover the future costs
of natural resource management and monitoring and
enforcement; and
``(iii) be placed by the eligible entity in an interest-
bearing account, so long as any interest is to be applied for
the same purposes as the principal.
``(C) Any payments made under this paragraph shall be
subject to periodic auditing by the Inspector General of the
department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
``(4)(A) In entering into an agreement under subsection
(b)(1), the Commandant shall determine the appropriate
portion of the acquisition costs to be borne by the United
States in the sharing of acquisition costs of real property,
or an interest in real property, as required under paragraph
(1)(B).
``(B) In lieu of, or in addition to, making a monetary
contribution toward the cost of acquiring a parcel of real
property, or an interest therein, pursuant to an agreement
under subsection (b)(1), the Commandant may convey real
property in accordance with applicable law.
``(C) The portion of acquisition costs borne by the United
States pursuant to subparagraph (A), either through the
contribution of funds, excess real property, or both, may not
exceed an amount equal to--
``(i) the fair market value of any property, or interest in
property, to be transferred to the United States upon the
request of the Commandant under paragraph (5); or
``(ii) the cumulative fair market value of all properties,
or all interests in properties, to be transferred to the
United States under paragraph (5) pursuant to an agreement
under subsection (b)(1).
``(D) The contribution of an eligible entity to the
acquisition costs of real property, or an interest in real
property, under paragraph (1)(B) may include, with the
approval of the Commandant, the following:
``(i) The provision of funds, including funds received by
the eligible entity from--
``(I) a Federal agency outside the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating; or
``(II) a State or local government in connection with a
Federal, State, or local program.
``(ii) The provision of in-kind services, including
services related to the acquisition or maintenance of such
real property or interest in real property.
``(iii) The exchange or donation of real property or any
interest in real property.
``(iv) Any combination of clauses (i) through (iii).
``(5)(A) In entering into an agreement under subsection
(b)(1), each eligible entity that is a party to the agreement
shall agree, as a term of the agreement, to transfer to the
United States, upon request of the Commandant, all or a
portion of the property or interest acquired under the
agreement or a lesser interest therein, except no such
requirement need be included in the agreement if--
``(i) the property or interest is being transferred to a
State or another Federal agency, or the agreement requires
the property or interest to be subsequently transferred to a
State or another Federal agency; and
``(ii) the Commandant determines that the laws and
regulations applicable to the future use of such property or
interest provide adequate assurance that the property
concerned will be developed and used in a manner appropriate
for purposes of this subsection.
``(B) The Commandant shall limit a transfer request
pursuant to subparagraph (A) to the minimum property or
interests necessary to ensure that the property or interest
concerned is developed and used in a manner appropriate for
purposes of this subsection.
``(C)(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (A), If all or a portion
of a property or interest acquired under an agreement under
subsection (b)(1) is initially or subsequently transferred to
a State or another Federal agency, before that State or other
Federal agency may declare the property or interest in excess
to its needs or propose to exchange the property or interest,
the State or other Federal agency shall give the Commandant
reasonable advance notice of its intent to so declare.
``(ii) Upon receiving such reasonable advance notice under
clause (i), the Commandant may request, within a reasonable
time period, that administrative jurisdiction over the
property or interest be transferred to the Commandant, if the
Commandant determines such transfer necessary for the
preservation of the purposes of this subsection.
``(iii) Upon a request from the Commandant under clause
(ii), the administrative jurisdiction over the property or
interest be transferred to the Commandant at no cost.
``(iv) If the Commandant does not make a request under
clause (ii) within a reasonable time period, all such rights
of the Commandant to request transfer of administrative
jurisdiction over the property or interest shall remain
available to the Commandant with respect to future transfers
or exchanges of the property or interest and shall bind all
subsequent transferees.
``(D) The Commandant may accept, on behalf of the United
States, any property or interest to be transferred to the
United States under an agreement under subsection (b)(1).
``(E) For purposes of the acceptance of property or
interests under an agreement under subsection (b)(1), the
Commandant may accept an appraisal or title documents
prepared or adopted by a non-Federal entity as satisfying the
applicable requirements of section 301 of the Uniform
Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies
Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4651) or section 3111 of title 40 if
the Commandant finds that the appraisal or title documents
substantially comply with the requirements of such sections
and is reasonably accurate.
``(e) Minimal Criteria for Approval of Agreements.--The
Commandant may approve a cooperative agreement under
subsection (b)(1) if the Commandant determines that--
``(1) the eligible entity has authority to carry out the
project;
``(2) the project would be completed without unreasonable
delay as determined by the Commandant; and
``(3) the project cannot be effectively completed without
the cooperative agreement authority under subsection (b)(1).
``(f) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Commandant may
require such additional terms and conditions in an agreement
under subsection (b)(1) as the Commandant considers
appropriate to protect the interests of the United States, in
accordance with applicable Federal law.
``(g) Notification; Availability of Agreements to
Congress.--
``(1) Notification.--The Commandant shall notify the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation or the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate
when the eligible entity is a Tribe, Tribal Organization or
Native Hawaiian organization, and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives in writing not later than the date that is 3
full business days prior to any day on which the Commandant
intends to enter into an agreement under subsection (b)(1),
and include in such notification the anticipated costs of
carrying out the agreement, to the extent practicable.
``(2) Availability of agreements.--A copy of an agreement
entered into under subsection (b)(1) shall be provided to any
member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation or the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives not later than 5 full business days after the
date on which such request is submitted to the Commandant.
``(h) Consultation.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025,
the Commandant shall consult with Indian Tribes to improve
opportunities for Indian Tribe participation in the
development and execution of Coast Guard oil spill response
and prevention activities.
``(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to undermine the rights of any Indian Tribe to seek
full and meaningful government-to-government consultation
under this section or under any other law.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 7 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 721 the following:
``722. Cooperation with eligible entities.''.
Subtitle D--Personnel
SEC. 5151. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PERSONNEL.
(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
``(a) In General.--The Commandant may appoint, without
regard to the provisions of
[[Page S5412]]
subchapter I of chapter 33 (other than sections 3303 and 3328
of such chapter) of title 5, qualified candidates to any of
the following positions in the competitive service (as
defined in section 2102 of title 5) in the Coast Guard:
``(1) Any category of medical or health professional
positions within the Coast Guard.
``(2) Any childcare services position.
``(3) Any position in the Coast Guard housing office of a
Coast Guard installation, the primary function of which is
supervision of Coast Guard housing covered by subchapter III
of chapter 29 of this title.
``(4) Any nonclinical specialist position the purpose of
which is the integrated primary prevention of harmful
behavior, including suicide, sexual assault, harassment,
domestic abuse, and child abuse.
``(5) Any special agent position of the Coast Guard
Investigative Service.
``(6) The following positions at the Coast Guard Academy:
``(A) Any civilian faculty member appointed under section
1941.
``(B) A position involving the improvement of cadet health
or well-being.
``(b) Limitation.--The Commandant shall only appoint
qualified candidates under the authority provided by
subsection (a) if the Commandant determines that there is a
shortage of qualified candidates for the positions described
in such subsection or a critical hiring need for such
positions.
``(c) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2025, and annually thereafter for the following 5 years, the
Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives a written briefing which describes the use
of the authority provided under this section on an annual
basis, including the following:
``(1) The number of employees hired under the authority
provided under this section within the year for which the
briefing is provided.
``(2) The positions and grades for which employees were
hired.
``(3) A justification for the Commandant's determination
that such positions involved a shortage of qualified
candidates or a critical hiring need.
``(4) The number of employees who were hired under the
authority provided under this section who have separated from
the Coast Guard.
``(5) Steps the Coast Guard has taken to engage with the
Office of Personnel Management under subpart B of part 337 of
title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, for positions for which
the Commandant determines a direct hire authority remains
necessary.
``(d) Sunset.--The authority provided under subsection (a)
shall expire on September 30, 2030.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 25 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to 2516 the following:
``2517. Direct hire authority for certain personnel.''.
SEC. 5152. TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM AUTHORIZED END STRENGTH
FOR ENLISTED MEMBERS ON ACTIVE DUTY IN COAST
GUARD IN PAY GRADES E-8 AND E-9.
Section 517(a) of title 10, United States Code, shall not
apply with respect to the Coast Guard until October 1, 2027.
SEC. 5153. 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. 5154. FAMILY LEAVE POLICIES FOR THE COAST GUARD.
(a) In General.--Section 2512 of title 14, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading by striking ``Leave'' and
inserting ``Family leave'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``, United States Code,'' and inserting
``or, with respect to the reserve component of the Coast
Guard, the Secretary of Defense promulgates a new regulation
for members of the reserve component of the Coast Guard
pursuant to section 711 of title 10,'';
(B) by striking ``or adoption of a child'' and inserting
``or placement of a minor child with the member for adoption
or long term foster care'';
(C) by striking ``and enlisted members'' and inserting ``,
enlisted members, and members of the reserve component''; and
(D) by inserting ``or, with respect to members of the
reserve component of the Coast Guard, the Secretary of
Defense'' after ``provided by the Secretary of the Navy'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the subsection heading by striking ``Adoption of
Child'' and inserting ``Placement of Minor Child With Member
for Adoption or Long Term Foster Care'';
(B) by striking ``and 704'' and inserting ``, 704, and
711'';
(C) by striking ``and enlisted members'' and inserting ``,
enlisted members, and members of the reserve component'';
(D) by striking ``or adoption'' inserting ``, adoption, or
long term foster care'';
(E) by striking ``immediately'';
(F) by striking ``or adoption'' and inserting ``, placement
of a minor child with the member for long-term foster care or
adoption,''; and
(G) by striking ``enlisted member'' and inserting ``,
enlisted member, or member of the reserve component'';
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Period of Leave.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating, may authorize leave described
under subparagraph (b) to be taken after the one-year period
described in subparagraph (b) in the case of a member
described in subsection (b) who, except for this
subparagraph, would lose unused family leave at the end of
the one-year period described in subparagraph (A) as a result
of--
``(A) operational requirements;
``(B) professional military education obligations; or
``(C) other circumstances that the Secretary determines
reasonable and appropriate.
``(2) Extended deadline.--The regulation, rule, policy, or
memorandum prescribed under paragraph (a) shall require that
any leave authorized to be taken after the one-year period
described in subparagraph (c)(1)(A) shall be taken within a
reasonable period of time, as determined by the Secretary of
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, after
cessation of the circumstances warranting the extended
deadline.
``(d) Member of the Reserve Component of the Coast Guard
Defined.--In this section, the term `member of the reserve
component of the Coast Guard' means 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 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.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 25 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 2512 and inserting the following:
``2512. Family leave policies for the Coast Guard.''.
(c) Compensation.--Section 206(a)(4) of title 37, United
States Code, is amended by inserting before the period at the
end ``or family leave under section 2512 of title 14''.
SEC. 5155. 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 shall determine by policy, 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 by the Coast Guard.''.
SEC. 5156. HOUSING.
(a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 29 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 2948. Authorization for acquisition of existing family
housing in lieu of construction
``(a) In General.--In lieu of constructing any family
housing units authorized by law to be constructed, the
Commandant may acquire sole interest in existing family
housing units that are privately owned or that are held by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, except that
in foreign countries the Commandant may acquire less than
sole interest in existing family housing units.
``(b) Acquisition of Interests in Land.--When authority
provided by law to construct Coast Guard family housing units
is used to acquire existing family housing units under
subsection (a), the authority includes authority to acquire
interests in land.
``(c) Limitation on Net Floor Area.--The net floor area of
a family housing unit acquired under the authority of this
section may not exceed the applicable limitation specified in
section 2826 of title 10. The Commandant may waive the
limitation set forth in the preceding sentence for family
housing units acquired under this section during the five-
year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
section.
``Sec. 2949. Acceptance of funds to cover administrative
expenses relating to certain real property transactions
``(a) Authority to Accept.--In connection with a real
property transaction referred to in subsection (b) with a
non-Federal person or entity, the Commandant may accept
amounts provided by the person or entity to cover
administrative expenses incurred by the Commandant in
entering into the transaction.
``(b) Covered Transactions.--Subsection (a) applies to the
following transactions involving real property under the
control of the Commandant:
``(1) The exchange of real property.
``(2) The grant of an easement over, in, or upon real
property of the United States.
``(3) The lease or license of real property of the United
States.
``(4) The disposal of real property of the United States
for which the Commandant will be the disposal agent.
``(5) The conveyance of real property under section
2945.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 29 of
title 14, United States Code,
[[Page S5413]]
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``2948. Authorization for acquisition of existing family housing in
lieu of construction.
``2949. Acceptance of funds to cover administrative expenses relating
to certain real property transactions.''.
(c) 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).
SEC. 5157. UNIFORM FUNDING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MORALE,
WELL-BEING, AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND COAST
GUARD EXCHANGE.
(a) In General.--Subchapter IV of chapter 5 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 565. Uniform funding and management of morale, well-
being, and recreation programs and Coast Guard Exchange
``(a) Authority for Uniform Funding and Management.--Under
policies issued by the Commandant, funds appropriated to the
Coast Guard and available for morale, well-being, and
recreation programs and the Coast Guard Exchange may be
treated as nonappropriated funds and expended in accordance
with laws applicable to the expenditure of nonappropriated
funds. When made available for morale, well-being, and
recreation programs and the Coast Guard Exchange under such
policies, appropriated funds shall be considered to be
nonappropriated funds for all purposes and shall remain
available until expended.
``(b) Conditions on Availability.--Funds appropriated to
the Coast Guard and subject to a policy described in
subsection (a) shall only be available in amounts that are
determined by the Commandant to be consistent with--
``(1) Coast Guard policy; and
``(2) Coast Guard readiness and resources.
``(c) Updated Policy.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2025, the Commandant shall update the policies described in
subsection (a) consistent with this section.
``(d) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
which the Commandant issues the updated policies required
under subsection (c), the Commandant shall provide to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a briefing on such
policies.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 5 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 564 the following:
``565. Uniform funding and management of morale, well-being, and
recreation programs and Coast Guard Exchange.''.
SEC. 5158. COAST GUARD EMBEDDED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN
PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in coordination with
the Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety, and Work Life,
shall establish and conduct a pilot program, to be known as
the ``Coast Guard Embedded Behavioral Health Technician
Program'' (referred to in this section as the ``Pilot
Program''), to integrate behavioral health technicians
serving at Coast Guard units for the purposes of--
(A) facilitating, at the clinic level, the provision of
integrated behavioral health care for members of the Coast
Guard;
(B) providing, as a force extender under the supervision of
a licensed behavioral health care provider, at the clinic
level--
(i) psychological assessment and diagnostic services, as
appropriate;
(ii) behavioral health services, as appropriate;
(iii) education and training related to promoting positive
behavioral health and well-being; and
(iv) information and resources, including expedited
referrals, to assist members of the Coast Guard in dealing
with behavioral health concerns;
(C) improving resilience and mental health care among
members of the Coast Guard who respond to extraordinary calls
of duty, with the ultimate goals of preventing crises and
addressing mental health concerns before such concerns evolve
into more complex issues that require care at a military
treatment facility;
(D) increasing--
(i) the number of such members served by behavioral health
technicians; and
(ii) the proportion of such members returning to duty after
seeking behavioral health care; and
(E) positively impacting the Coast Guard in a cost-
effective manner by extending behavioral health services to
the workforce and improving access to care.
(2) Briefing.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives with a briefing regarding a
plan to establish and conduct the Pilot Program.
(b) Selection of Coast Guard Clinics.--The Commandant shall
select, for participation in the Pilot Program, 3 or more
Coast Guard clinics that support units that have
significantly high operational tempos or other force
resiliency risks, as determined by the Commandant.
(c) Placement of Staff at Coast Guard Clinics.--
(1) In general.--Under the Pilot Program, a Coast Guard
health services technician with a grade of E-5 or higher, or
an assigned civilian behavioral health specialist, shall be--
(A) assigned to each selected Coast Guard clinic; and
(B) located at a unit with high operational tempo.
(2) Training.--
(A) Health services technicians.--Before commencing an
assignment at a Coast Guard clinic under paragraph (1), a
Coast Guard health services technician shall complete
behavioral health technician training and independent duty
health services training.
(B) Civilian behavioral health specialists.--To qualify for
an assignment at a Coast Guard clinic under paragraph (1), a
civilian behavioral health specialist shall have at least the
equivalent behavioral health training as the training
required for a Coast Guard behavioral health technician under
subparagraph (A).
(d) Administration.--The Commandant, in coordination with
the Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety, and Work Life,
shall administer the Pilot Program through the Health,
Safety, and Work-Life Service Center.
(e) Data Collection.--
(1) In general.--The Commandant shall collect and analyze
data concerning the Pilot Program for purposes of--
(A) developing and sharing best practices for improving
access to behavioral health care; and
(B) providing information to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives regarding the implementation of the Pilot
Program and related policy issues.
(2) Plan.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a plan for carrying out
paragraph (1).
(f) Annual Report.--Not later than September 1 of each year
until the date on which the Pilot Program terminates under
subsection (g), the Commandant shall submit to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives a report on the Pilot Program that
includes the following:
(1) An overview of the implementation of the Pilot Program
at each applicable Coast Guard clinic, including--
(A) the number of members of the Coast Guard who received
services on site by a behavioral health technician assigned
to such clinic;
(B) feedback from all members of the Coast Guard empaneled
for their medical care under the Pilot Program;
(C) an assessment of the deployability and overall
readiness of members of the applicable operational unit; and
(D) an estimate of potential costs and impacts on other
Coast Guard health care services of supporting the Pilot
Program at such units and clinics.
(2) The data and analysis required under subsection (e)(1).
(3) A list and detailed description of lessons learned from
the Pilot Program as of the date of on which the report is
submitted.
(4) The feasibility, estimated cost, and impacts on other
Coast Guard health care services of expanding the Pilot
Program to all Coast Guard clinics, and a description of the
personnel, fiscal, and administrative resources that would be
needed for such an expansion.
(g) Termination.--The Pilot Program shall terminate on
September 30, 2028.
SEC. 5159. EXPANSION OF ACCESS TO COUNSELING.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall hire, train, and
deploy not fewer than 5 additional behavioral health
specialists, in addition to the personnel required under
section 11412(a) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 504 note).
(b) Requirement.--The Commandant shall ensure that not
fewer than 35 percent of behavioral health specialists
required to be deployed under subsection (a) have experience
in--
(1) behavioral health care related to military sexual
trauma; and
(2) behavioral health care for the purpose of supporting
members of the Coast Guard with needs for mental health care
and counseling services for post-traumatic stress disorder
and co-occurring disorders related to military sexual trauma.
[[Page S5414]]
(c) Accessibility.--The support provided by the behavioral
health specialists hired pursuant to subsection (a)--
(1) may include care delivered via telemedicine; and
(2) shall be made widely available to members of the Coast
Guard.
(d) Notification.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall notify the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives if the Coast Guard has not
completed hiring, training, and deploying--
(A) the personnel referred to in subsections (a) and (b);
and
(B) the personnel required under section 11412(a) of the
Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C.
504 note).
(2) Contents.--The notification required under paragraph
(1) shall include--
(A) the date of publication of the hiring opportunity for
all such personnel;
(B) the General Schedule grade level advertised in the
publication of the hiring opportunity for all such personnel;
(C) the number of personnel to whom the Coast Guard
extended an offer of employment in accordance with the
requirements of this section and section 11412(a) of the Don
Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 504
note), and the number of such personnel who accepted or
declined such offer of employment;
(D) a summary of the efforts by the Coast Guard to
publicize, advertise, or otherwise recruit qualified
candidates in accordance with the requirements of this
section and section 11412(a) of such Act; and
(E) any recommendations and a detailed plan to ensure full
compliance with the requirements of this section and section
11412(a) of such Act, which may include special payments
discussed in the report of the Government Accountability
Office titled ``Federal Pay: Opportunities Exist to Enhance
Strategic Use of Special Payments'', published on December 7,
2017 (GAO-18-91), which may be made available to help ensure
full compliance with all such requirements in a timely
manner.
SEC. 5160. COMMAND SPONSORSHIP FOR DEPENDENTS OF MEMBERS OF
COAST GUARD ASSIGNED TO UNALASKA, ALASKA.
On request by a member of the Coast Guard assigned to
Unalaska, Alaska, the Commandant shall grant command
sponsorship to the dependents of such member.
SEC. 5161. TRAVEL ALLOWANCE FOR MEMBERS OF COAST GUARD
ASSIGNED TO ALASKA.
(a) Establishment.--The Commandant shall implement a policy
that provides for reimbursement to eligible members of the
Coast Guard for the cost of airfare for such members to
travel to the homes of record of such member during the
period specified in subsection (e).
(b) Eligible Members.--A member of the Coast Guard is
eligible for a reimbursement under subsection (a) if--
(1) the member is assigned to a duty location in Alaska;
and
(2) an officer in a grade above O-5 in the chain of command
of the member authorizes the travel of the member.
(c) Treatment of Time as Leave.--The time during which an
eligible member is absent from duty for travel reimbursable
under subsection (a) shall be treated as leave for purposes
of section 704 of title 10, United States Code.
(d) Briefing Required.--Not later than February 1, 2027,
the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a briefing on--
(1) the use and effectiveness of reimbursements under
subsection (a);
(2) the calculation and use of the cost of living allowance
for a member assigned to a duty location in Alaska; and
(3) the use of special pays and other allowances as
incentives for cold weather proficiency or duty locations.
(e) Period Specified.--The period specified in this
subsection is the period--
(1) beginning on the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2) ending on the later of--
(A) December 31, 2026; or
(B) the date on which the authority under section 352 of
title 37, United States Code, to grant assignment or special
duty pay to members of the uniform services terminates under
subsection (g) of such section.
SEC. 5162. CONSOLIDATION OF AUTHORITIES FOR COLLEGE STUDENT
PRECOMMISSIONING INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--Section 3710 of title 14, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3710. College student precommissioning initiative
``(a) In General.--There is authorized within the Coast
Guard a college student precommissioning initiative program
(in this section referred to as the `Program') for eligible
undergraduate students to enlist in the Coast Guard Reserve
and receive a commission as a Reserve officer.
``(b) Criteria for Selection.--To be eligible for the
Program an applicant shall meet the following requirements
upon submitting an application:
``(1) Age.--The applicant shall be not less than 19 years
old and not more than 31 years old as of September 30 of the
fiscal year in which the Program selection panel selecting
such applicant convenes, or an age otherwise determined by
the Commandant.
``(2) Character.--
``(A) In general.--The applicant shall be of outstanding
moral character and meet any other character requirement set
forth by the Commandant.
``(B) Coast guard applicants.--Any applicant serving in the
Coast Guard may not be commissioned if in the 36 months prior
to the first Officer Candidate School class convening date in
the selection cycle, such applicant was convicted by a court-
martial or assigned nonjudicial punishment, or did not meet
performance or character requirements set forth by the
Commandant.
``(3) Citizenship.--The applicant shall be a United States
citizen.
``(4) Clearance.--The applicant shall be eligible for a
secret clearance.
``(5) Education.--The applicant shall be enrolled in a
college degree program at--
``(A) an institution of higher education described in
section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1067q(a));
``(B) an institution of higher education (as defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)) that, at the time of the application has had for 3
consecutive years an enrollment of undergraduate full-time
equivalent students (as defined in section 312(e) of such Act
(20 U.S.C. 1058(e))) that is a total of at least 50 percent
Black American, Hispanic American, Asian American (as defined
in section 371(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c))), Native
American Pacific Islander (as defined in such section), or
Native American (as defined in such section), among other
criteria, as determined by the Commandant; or
``(C) an institution that meets the eligibility
requirements for funding as a rural-serving institution of
higher education under section 861 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161q).
``(6) Location.--The institution at which the applicant is
an undergraduate shall be within 100 miles of a Coast Guard
unit or Coast Guard Recruiting Office unless otherwise
approved by the Commandant.
``(7) Records.--The applicant shall meet credit and grade
point average requirements set forth by the Commandant.
``(8) Medical and administrative.--The applicant shall meet
other medical and administrative requirements as set forth by
the Commandant.
``(c) Financial Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Commandant may provide financial
assistance to enlisted members of the Coast Guard Reserve on
active duty participating in the Program, for expenses of the
enlisted member while the enlisted member is enrolled, on a
full-time basis, in a college degree program approved by the
Commandant at a college, university, or institution of higher
education described in subsection (b)(5) that leads to--
``(A) a baccalaureate degree in not more than 5 academic
years; or
``(B) a post-baccalaureate degree.
``(2) Written agreements.--To be eligible for financial
assistance under this section, an enlisted member of the
Coast Guard Reserve shall enter into a written agreement with
the Coast Guard that notifies the Reserve enlisted member of
the obligations of that member under this section, and in
which the member agrees to the following:
``(A) The member shall complete an approved college degree
program at a college, university, or institution of higher
education described in subsection (b)(5).
``(B) The member shall satisfactorily complete all required
Coast Guard training and participate in monthly military
activities of the Program as required by the Commandant.
``(C) Upon graduation from the college, university, or
institution of higher education described in subsection
(b)(5), the member shall--
``(i) accept an appointment, if tendered, as a commissioned
officer in the Coast Guard Reserve; and
``(ii) serve a period of obligated active duty for a
minimum of 3 years immediately after such appointment as
follows:
``(I) Members participating in the Program shall be
obligated to serve on active duty 3 months for each month of
instruction for which they receive financial assistance
pursuant to this section for the first 12 months and 1 month
for each month thereafter, or 3 years, whichever is greater.
``(II) The period of obligated active duty service incurred
while participating in the Program shall be in addition to
any other obligated service a member may incur due to
receiving other bonuses or other benefits as part of any
other Coast Guard program.
``(III) If an appointment described in clause (i) is not
tendered, the member will remain in the Reserve component
until completion of the member's enlisted service obligation.
``(D) The member shall agree to perform such duties or
complete such terms under the conditions of service specified
by the Coast Guard.
``(3) Expenses.--Expenses for which financial assistance
may be provided under this section are the following:
``(A) Tuition and fees charged by the college, university,
or institution of higher education at which a member is
enrolled on a full-time basis.
``(B) The cost of books.
``(C) In the case of a program of education leading to a
baccalaureate degree, laboratory expenses.
[[Page S5415]]
``(D) Such other expenses as the Commandant considers
appropriate, which may not exceed $25,000 for any academic
year.
``(4) Time limit.--Financial assistance may be provided to
a member under this section for up to 5 consecutive academic
years.
``(5) Breach of agreement.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may retain in the Coast
Guard Reserve, and may order to active duty for such period
of time as the Secretary prescribes (but not to exceed 4
years), a member who breaches an agreement under paragraph
(2). The period of time for which a member is ordered to
active duty under this paragraph may be determined without
regard to section 651(a) of title 10.
``(B) Appropriate enlisted grade or rating.--A member who
is retained in the Coast Guard Reserve under subparagraph (A)
shall be retained in an appropriate enlisted grade or rating,
as determined by the Commandant.
``(6) Repayment.--A member who does not fulfill the terms
of the obligation to serve as specified under paragraph (2),
or the alternative obligation imposed under paragraph (5),
shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section
303a(e) of title 37.
``(d) Briefing.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than August 15 of each year
following the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall provide a
briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives on the Program.
``(2) Contents.--The briefing required under paragraph (1)
shall describe--
``(A) outreach and recruitment efforts over the previous
year; and
``(B) demographic information of enrollees, including--
``(i) race;
``(ii) ethnicity;
``(iii) gender;
``(iv) geographic origin; and
``(v) educational institution.''.
(b) Repeal.--Section 2131 of title 14, United States Code,
is repealed.
(c) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) The analysis for chapter 21 of title 14, United States
Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section
2131.
(2) The analysis for chapter 37 of title 14, United States
Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section
3710 and inserting the following:
``3710. College student precommissioning initiative.''.
SEC. 5163. TUITION ASSISTANCE AND ADVANCED EDUCATION
ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the
Commandant, shall establish a tuition assistance pilot
program for active-duty members of the Coast Guard, to be
known as the ``Tuition Assistance and Advanced Education
Assistance Pilot Program for Sea Duty'' (referred to in this
section as the ``pilot program'').
(b) Formal Agreement.--A member of the Coast Guard
participating in the pilot program shall enter into a formal
agreement with the Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating that provides that, upon the
successful completion of a sea duty tour by such member, the
Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is
operating shall, for a period equal to the length of the sea
duty tour, beginning on the date on which the sea duty tour
concludes--
(1) reduce by 1 year the service obligation incurred by
such member as a result of participation in the advanced
education assistance program under section 2005 of title 10,
United States Code, or the tuition assistance program under
section 2007 of such title; and
(2) increase the tuition assistance cost cap for such
member to not more than double the amount of the standard
tuition assistance cost cap set by the Commandant for the
applicable fiscal year.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which
the pilot program is established, and annually thereafter
through the date on which the pilot program is terminated
under subsection (d), the Commandant shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a report that--
(1) evaluates and compares--
(A) the Coast Guard's retention, recruitment, and filling
of sea duty billets for all members of the Coast Guard; and
(B) the Coast Guard's retention, recruitment, and filling
of sea duty billets for all members of the Coast Guard
participating in the pilot program;
(2) includes the number of participants in the pilot
program as of the date of the report, disaggregated by
officer and enlisted billet type; and
(3) assesses the progress made by such participants in
their respective voluntary education programs, in accordance
with their degree plans, during the period described in
subsection (b).
(d) Termination.--The pilot program shall terminate on the
date that is 6 years after the date on which the pilot
program is established.
SEC. 5164. MODIFICATIONS TO CAREER FLEXIBILITY PROGRAM.
Section 2514 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(3) by striking ``2 months'' and
inserting ``30 days''; and
(2) in subsection (h)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking the period and inserting a
semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) the entitlement of the member and of the survivors of
the member to all death benefits under subchapter II of
chapter 75 of title 10;
``(4) the provision of all travel and transportation
allowances to family members of a deceased member to attend
the repatriation, burial, or memorial ceremony of a deceased
member as provided in section 453(f) of title 37;
``(5) the eligibility of the member for general benefits as
provided in part II of title 38; and
``(6) in the case of a victim of an alleged sex-related
offense (as such term is defined in section 1044e(h) of title
10) to the maximum extent practicable, maintaining access
to--
``(A) Coast Guard behavioral health resources;
``(B) sexual assault prevention and response resources and
programs of the Coast Guard; and
``(C) Coast Guard legal resources, including, to the extent
practicable, special victims' counsel.''.
SEC. 5165. RECRUITMENT, RELOCATION, AND RETENTION INCENTIVE
PROGRAM FOR CIVILIAN FIREFIGHTERS EMPLOYED BY
COAST GUARD IN REMOTE LOCATIONS.
(a) Identification of Remote Locations.--The Commandant
shall identify locations to be considered remote locations
for purposes of this section, which shall include, at a
minimum, each Coast Guard fire station located in an area in
which members of the Coast Guard and the dependents of such
members are eligible for the TRICARE Prime Remote program.
(b) Incentive Program.--
(1) In general.--To ensure uninterrupted operations by
civilian firefighters employed by the Coast Guard in remote
locations, the Commandant shall establish an incentive
program for such firefighters consisting of--
(A) recruitment and relocation bonuses consistent with
section 5753 of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) retention bonuses consistent with section 5754 of title
5, United States Code.
(2) Eligibility criteria.--The Commandant, in coordination
with the Director of the Office of Personnel and Management,
shall establish eligibility criteria for the incentive
program established under paragraph (1), which shall include
a requirement that a firefighter described in paragraph (1)
may only be eligible for the incentive program under this
section if, with respect to the applicable remote location,
the Commandant has made a determination that incentives are
appropriate to address an identified recruitment, retention,
or relocation need.
(c) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than annually for
the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives a report that--
(1) details the use and effectiveness of the incentive
program established under this section; and
(2) includes--
(A) the number of participants in the incentive program;
(B) a description of the distribution of incentives under
such program; and
(C) a description of the impact of such program on civilian
firefighter recruitment and retention by the Coast Guard in
remote locations.
SEC. 5166. REINSTATEMENT OF TRAINING COURSE ON WORKINGS OF
CONGRESS; COAST GUARD MUSEUM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended by--
(1) transferring section 316 to appear after section 323
and redesignating such section as section 324; and
(2) inserting after section 315 the following:
``Sec. 316. Training course on workings of Congress
``(a) In General.--The Commandant, and such other
individuals and organizations as the Commandant considers
appropriate, shall develop a training course on the workings
of Congress and offer such training course at least once each
year.
``(b) Course Subject Matter.--The training course required
by this section shall provide an overview and introduction to
Congress and the Federal legislative process, including--
``(1) the history and structure of Congress and the
committee systems of the House of Representatives and the
Senate, including the functions and responsibilities of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate;
``(2) the documents produced by Congress, including bills,
resolutions, committee reports, and conference reports, and
the purposes and functions of such documents;
``(3) the legislative processes and rules of the House of
Representatives and the Senate,
[[Page S5416]]
including similarities and differences between the 2
processes and 2 sets of rules, including--
``(A) the congressional budget process;
``(B) the congressional authorization and appropriation
processes;
``(C) the Senate advice and consent process for
Presidential nominees; and
``(D) the Senate advice and consent process for treaty
ratification;
``(4) the roles of Members of Congress and congressional
staff in the legislative process; and
``(5) the concept and underlying purposes of congressional
oversight within the governance framework of separation of
powers.
``(c) Lecturers and Panelists.--
``(1) Outside experts.--The Commandant shall ensure that
not less than 60 percent of the lecturers, panelists, and
other individuals providing education and instruction as part
of the training course required under this section are
experts on Congress and the Federal legislative process who
are not employed by the executive branch of the Federal
Government.
``(2) Authority to accept pro bono services.--In satisfying
the requirement under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall
seek, and may accept, educational and instructional services
of lecturers, panelists, and other individuals and
organizations provided to the Coast Guard on a pro bono
basis.
``(d) Effect of Law.--
``(1) In general.--The training required by this section
shall replace the substantially similar training that was
required by the Commandant on the day before the date of the
enactment of this section.
``(2) Previous training recipients.--A Coast Guard flag
officer or a Coast Guard Senior Executive Service employee
who, not more than 3 years before the date of the enactment
of this section, completed the training that was required by
the Commandant on the day before such date of enactment,
shall not be required to complete the training required by
this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 3 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the item relating to section 316 and
inserting after the item relating to section 323 the
following:
``324. Training for congressional affairs personnel.''.
(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 315 the
following:
``316. Training course on workings of Congress.''.
(c) Services and Use of Funds for, and Leasing of, the
National Coast Guard Museum.--Section 324 of title 14, United
States Code, as transferred and redesignated by subsection
(a), 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 ``on the engineering and
design of a Museum.'' and inserting ``on--''
``(A) the design of the Museum; and
``(B) engineering, construction administration, and quality
assurance services for the Museum.'';
(2) in subsection (e), by amending paragraph (2)(A) to read
as follows:
``(2)(A) for the purpose of conducting Coast Guard
operations, lease from the Association--
``(i) the Museum; and
``(ii) any property owned by the Association that is
adjacent to the railroad tracks that are adjacent to the
property on which the Museum is located; 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, from nonprofits entities including the
Association,--
``(1) solicit and accept services; and
``(2) enter into contracts or memoranda of agreement to
acquire such services.''.
SEC. 5167. MODIFICATION OF DESIGNATION OF VICE ADMIRALS.
(a) In General.--Section 305(a)(1) of title 14, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking
``may'' and inserting ``shall''; and
(2) in subparagraph (A)(ii) by striking ``be the Chief of
Staff of the Coast Guard'' and inserting ``oversee personnel
management, workforce and dependent support, training, and
related matters''.
(b) Reorganization.--Chapter 3 of title 14, United States
Code, is further amended by redesignating sections 312
through 324 as sections 314 through 326, respectively.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 3 of
title 14, United States Code, is further amended by
redesignating the items relating to sections 312 through 324
as relating to sections 314 through 326, respectively.
SEC. 5168. COMMANDANT ADVISORY JUDGE ADVOCATE.
(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code,
is further amended by inserting after section 311 the
following:
``Sec. 312. Commandant Advisory Judge Advocate
``There shall be in the Coast Guard a Commandant Advisory
Judge Advocate who is a judge advocate in a grade of O-6. The
Commandant Advisory Judge Advocate shall be assigned to the
staff of the Commandant in the first regularly scheduled O-6
officer assignment panel to convene following the date of the
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 and
perform such duties relating to legal matters arising in the
Coast Guard as such legal matters relate to the Commandant,
as may be assigned.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment .--The analysis for chapter 3 of
title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 311 the following item:
``312. Commandant Advisory Judge Advocate.''.
SEC. 5169. SPECIAL ADVISOR TO COMMANDANT FOR TRIBAL AND
NATIVE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 312 the following:
``Sec. 313. Special Advisor to Commandant for Tribal and
Native Hawaiian Affairs
``(a) In General.--In accordance with Federal trust
responsibilities and treaty obligations, laws, and policies
relevant to Indian Tribes and in support of the principles of
self-determination, self-governance, and co-management with
respect to Indian Tribes, and to support engagement with
Native Hawaiians, there shall be in the Coast Guard a Special
Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian
Affairs (in this section referred to as the `Special
Advisor'), who shall--
``(1) be selected by the Secretary and the Commandant
through a competitive search process;
``(2) have expertise in Federal Indian law and policy,
including government-to-government consultation;
``(3) to the maximum extent practicable, have expertise in
legal and policy issues affecting Native Hawaiians; and
``(4) have an established record of distinguished service
and achievement working with Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
``(b) Career Reserved Position.--The position of Special
Advisor shall be a career reserved position at the GS-15
level or greater.
``(c) Duties.--The Special Advisor shall--
``(1) ensure the Federal government upholds the Federal
trust responsibility and conducts consistent, meaningful, and
timely government-to-government consultation and engagement
with Indian Tribes, which shall meet or exceed the standards
of the Federal Government and the Coast Guard;
``(2) ensure meaningful and timely engagement with--
``(A) Native Hawaiian organizations; and
``(B) Tribal organizations;
``(3) advise the Commandant on all policies of the Coast
Guard that have Tribal implications in accordance with
applicable law and policy, including Executive Orders;
``(4) work to ensure that the policies of the Federal
Government regarding consultation and engagement with Indian
Tribes and engagement with Native Hawaiian organizations and
Tribal organizations are implemented in a meaningful manner,
working through Coast Guard leadership and across the Coast
Guard, together with--
``(A) liaisons located within Coast Guard districts;
``(B) the Director of Coast Guard Governmental and Public
Affairs; and
``(C) other Coast Guard leadership and programs and other
Federal partners; and
``(5) support Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations,
and Tribal organizations in all matters under the
jurisdiction of the Coast Guard.
``(d) Direct Access to Secretary and Commandant.--No
officer or employee of the Coast Guard or the Department of
Homeland Security may interfere with the ability of the
Special Advisor to give direct and independent advice to the
Secretary and the Commandant on matters related to this
section.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) 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).
``(2) Native hawaiian organization.--The term `Native
Hawaiian organization' has the meaning given such term in
section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department
of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
``(3) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization'
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5304).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 3 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 312 the following:
``313. Special Advisor to Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian
Affairs.''.
(c) Briefings.--
(1) Initial briefing.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall brief the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the
Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives on the manner in which the Special Advisor
for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs will be incorporated
into the governance structure of the Coast Guard, including a
timeline for the incorporation that is completed not later
than 1 year after date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Annual briefings on special advisor to the commandant
tor tribal and native
[[Page S5417]]
hawaiian affairs.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the establishment of the position of the Special Advisor to
the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs under
section 313 of title 14, United States Code, and annually
thereafter for 2 years, the Commandant shall provide the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology and the
Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives with a briefing on the duties,
responsibilities, and actions of the Special Advisor to the
Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs, including
management of best practices.
(3) Briefing on collaboration with tribes on research
consistent with coast guard mission requirements.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology and the
Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives with a briefing on potential collaborations
on and research and use of indigenous place-based knowledge
and research.
(B) Element.--In providing the briefing under subparagraph
(A), the Commandant shall identify current and potential
future opportunities to improve coordination with Indian
Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal
organizations to support--
(i) Coast Guard mission needs, such as the potential for
research or knowledge to enhance maritime domain awareness,
including opportunities through the ADAC-ARCTIC Center of
Excellence of the Department of Homeland Security; and
(ii) Coast Guard efforts to protect indigenous place-based
knowledge and research.
(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(B) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native
Hawaiian organization'' has the meaning given such term in
section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department
of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
(C) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal organization''
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5304).
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, or an
amendment made by this section, shall be construed to
impact--
(1) the right of any Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4
of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
(25 U.S.C. 5304)); or
(2) any government-to-government consultation.
(e) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 11237 of the Don Young Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-263) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``section 312 of title
14'' and inserting ``section 315 of title 14''; and
(B) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking ``section 312 of
title 14'' and inserting ``section 315 of title 14''.
(2) Section 807(a) of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-282) is amended by
striking ``section 313 of title 14'' and inserting ``section
316 of title 14''.
(3) Section 3533(a) of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31) is amended by
striking ``section 315 of title 14'' and inserting ``section
318 of title 14''.
(4) Section 311(j)(9)(D) of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(9)(D)) is amended by striking
``section 323 of title 14'' each place it appears and
inserting ``section 325 of title 14'' each such place.
SEC. 5170. NOTIFICATION.
(a) In General.--The Commandant shall provide to the
appropriate committees of Congress notification as described
in subsection (b)--
(1) not later than the date that is 10 days before the
final day of each fiscal year; or
(2) in the case of a continuing resolution that, for a
period of more than 10 days, provides appropriated funds in
lieu of an appropriations Act, not later than the date that
is 10 days before the final day of the period that such
continuing resolution covers.
(b) Elements.--Notification under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) the status of funding for the Coast Guard during the
subsequent fiscal year or at the end of the continuing
resolution if other appropriations measures are not enacted,
as applicable;
(2) the status of the Coast Guard as a component of the
Armed Forces;
(3) the number of members currently serving overseas and
otherwise supporting missions related to title 10, United
States Code;
(4) the fact that members of the Armed Forces have service
requirements unlike those of other Federal employees, which
require them to continue to serve even if unpaid;
(5) the impacts of historical shutdowns of the Federal
Government on members of the Coast Guard; and
(6) other relevant matters, as determined by the
Commandant.
(c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives.
Subtitle E--Coast Guard Academy
SEC. 5171. MODIFICATION OF BOARD OF VISITORS.
Section 1903 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``Sec. 1903. Annual Board of Visitors
``(a) In General.--The Commandant shall establish a Board
of Visitors to the Coast Guard Academy to review and make
recommendations on the operation of the Academy.
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) In general.--The membership of the Board shall
consist of the following:
``(A) The chairperson of the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or a member of
such Committee designated by such chairperson.
``(B) The chairperson of the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, or a
member of such Committee designated by such chairperson.
``(C) 3 Senators appointed by the Vice President.
``(D) 4 Members of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
``(E) 2 Senators appointed by the Vice President, each of
whom shall be selected from among members of the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate.
``(F) 2 Members of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom
shall be selected from among members of the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
``(G) 6 individuals designated by the President.
``(2) Timing of appointments of members.--
``(A) If any member of the Board described in paragraph
(1)(C) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after
the date on which the first session of each Congress
convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate with jurisdiction over the authorization of
appropriations of the Coast Guard shall be members of the
Board until the date on which the second session of such
Congress adjourns sine die.
``(B) If any member of the Board described in paragraph
(1)(D) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after
the date on which the first session of each Congress
convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives with jurisdiction over the
authorization of appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be
members of the Board until the date on which the second
session of such Congress adjourns sine die.
``(C) If any member of the Board described in paragraph
(1)(E) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after
the date on which the first session of each Congress
convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate with
jurisdiction over appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be
members of the Board until the date on which the second
session of such Congress adjourns sine die.
``(D) If any member of the Board described in paragraph
(1)(F) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after
the date on which the first session of each Congress
convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives with jurisdiction over appropriations for the
Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on
which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die.
``(3) Chairperson.--
``(A) In general.--On a biennial basis and subject to
paragraph (4), the Board shall select from among the members
of the Board a Member of Congress to serve as the Chair of
the Board.
``(B) Rotation.--A Member of the House of Representatives
and a Member of the Senate shall alternately be selected as
the Chair of the Board.
``(C) Term.--An individual may not serve as Chairperson of
the Board for consecutive terms.
``(4) Length of service.--
``(A) Members of congress.--A Member of Congress designated
as a member of the Board under paragraph (1) shall be
designated as a member in the first session of the applicable
Congress and shall serve for the duration of such Congress.
``(B) Individuals designated by the president.--Each
individual designated by the President under paragraph (1)(G)
shall serve as a member of the Board for 3 years, except that
any such member whose term of office has expired shall
continue to serve until a successor is appointed by the
President.
``(C) Death or resignation of a member.--If a member of the
Board dies or resigns, a successor shall be designated for
any unexpired portion of the term of the member by the
official who designated the member.
[[Page S5418]]
``(c) Duties.--
``(1) Academy visits.--
``(A) Annual visit.--The Commandant shall invite each
member of the Board, and any designee of a member of the
Board, to visit the Coast Guard Academy at least once
annually to review the operation of the Academy.
``(B) Additional visits.--With the approval of the
Secretary, the Board or any members of the Board in
connection with the duties of the Board may--
``(i) make visits to the Academy in addition to the visits
described in subparagraph (A); or
``(ii) consult with--
``(I) the Superintendent of the Academy; or
``(II) the faculty, staff, or cadets of the Academy.
``(C) Access.--The Commandant shall ensure that the Board
or any members of the Board who visits the Academy under this
paragraph is provided reasonable access to the grounds,
facilities, cadets, faculty, staff, and other personnel of
the Academy for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the
Board.
``(2) Oversight review.--In conducting oversight of the
Academy under this section, the Board shall review, with
respect to the Academy--
``(A) the state of morale and discipline, including with
respect to prevention of, response to, and recovery from
sexual assault and sexual harassment;
``(B) recruitment and retention, including diversity,
inclusion, and issues regarding women specifically;
``(C) the curriculum;
``(D) instruction;
``(E) physical equipment, including infrastructure, living
quarters, and deferred maintenance;
``(F) fiscal affairs; and
``(G) any other matter relating to the Academy the Board
considers appropriate.
``(d) Administrative Matters.--
``(1) Meetings.--
``(A) In general.--Not less frequently than annually, the
Board shall meet at a location chosen by the Commandant, in
consultation with the Board, to conduct the review required
by subsection (c)(2).
``(B) Chairperson and charter.--The Federal officer
designated under subsection (f)(1)(B) shall organize a
meeting of the Board for the purposes of--
``(i) selecting a Chairperson of the Board under subsection
(b)(3);
``(ii) adopting an official charter for the Board, which
shall establish the schedule of meetings of the Board; and
``(iii) any other matter such designated Federal officer or
the Board considers appropriate.
``(C) Scheduling.--In scheduling a meeting of the Board,
such designated Federal officer shall coordinate, to the
greatest extent practicable, with the members of the Board to
determine the date and time of the meeting.
``(D) Notification.--Not less than 30 days before each
scheduled meeting of the Board, such designated Federal
officer shall notify each member of the Board of the time,
date, and location of the meeting.
``(2) Staff.--
``(A) Designation.--The chairperson and the ranking member
of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate and the chairperson and the ranking member of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives may each designate 1 staff member of each
such Committees.
``(B) Role.--Staff designated under subparagraph (A)--
``(i) may attend and participate in visits and carry out
consultations described under subsection (c)(1) and attend
and participate in meetings described under paragraph (1);
and
``(ii) may not otherwise carry out duties or take actions
reserved to members of the Board under this section.
``(3) Advisors.--If approved by the Secretary, the Board
may consult with advisors in carrying out the duties of the
Board under this section.
``(4) Reports.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on
which the Board conducts a meeting of the Board under
paragraph (1), the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, in
consultation with the Board, shall submit a report on the
actions of the Board during the meeting and the
recommendations of the Board pertaining to the Academy to--
``(i) the Secretary;
``(ii) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the Committee on Armed Services of the
Senate; and
``(iii) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives.
``(B) Publication.--Each report submitted under this
paragraph shall be published on a publicly accessible website
of the Coast Guard.
``(e) Disclosure.--The Commandant and the Superintendent of
the Academy shall ensure candid and complete disclosure to
the Board, consistent with applicable laws relating to
disclosure of information, with respect to--
``(1) each issue described in subsection (c)(2); and
``(2) any other issue the Board or the Commandant considers
appropriate.
``(f) Coast Guard Support.--
``(1) In general.--The Commandant shall--
``(A) provide support to the Board, as Board considers
necessary for the performance of the duties of the Board;
``(B) designate a Federal officer to support the
performance of the duties of the Board; and
``(C) in cooperation with the Superintendent of the
Academy, advise the Board of any institutional issues,
consistent with applicable laws concerning the disclosure of
information.
``(2) Reimbursement.--Each member of the Board and each
advisor consulted by the Board under subsection (d)(3) shall
be reimbursed, to the extent permitted by law, by the Coast
Guard for actual expenses incurred while engaged in duties as
a member or advisor.
``(g) Notification.--Not later than 30 days after the date
on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the
Commandant shall provide to the chairperson and ranking
member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the chairperson and ranking
member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives, and the President
notification of the requirements of this section.''.
SEC. 5172. STUDY ON COAST GUARD ACADEMY OVERSIGHT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant, shall 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 oversight and governance of the
Coast Guard Academy, including--
(1) examining the--
(A) authorities regarding Coast Guard and Departmental
oversight of the Coast Guard Academy, including
considerations of how these may impact accreditation review
at the academy;
(B) roles and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees of
such Academy;
(C) Coast Guard roles and responsibilities with respect to
management and facilitation of the Board of Trustees of such
Academy;
(D) advisory functions of the Board of Trustees of such
Academy; and
(E) membership of the Board of Trustees for the 10-year
period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act, to
include expertise, objectiveness, and effectiveness in
conducting oversight of such Academy; and
(2) an analysis of the involvement of the Board of Trustees
during the Operation Fouled Anchor investigation, including
to what extent the Board members were informed, involved, or
made decisions regarding the governance of the academy based
on that investigation.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which
the Commandant enters into an agreement under subsection (a),
the federally funded research and development center selected
under such subsection shall submit to the Secretary of the
department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the
Commandant, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report that contains--
(1) the results of the assessment required under subsection
(a); and
(2) recommendations to improve governance of the Coast
Guard Academy and the Board of Trustees.
SEC. 5173. ELECTRONIC LOCKING MECHANISMS TO ENSURE COAST
GUARD ACADEMY CADET ROOM SECURITY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with
the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy (referred to in
this section as the ``Superintendent''), shall--
(1) install an electronic locking mechanism for each room
at the Coast Guard Academy within which 1 or more Coast Guard
Academy cadets reside overnight;
(2) test each such mechanism not less than once every 6
months for proper function and maintained in proper working
order; and
(3) use a system that electronically records the date,
time, and identity of each individual who accesses a cadet
room using an electronic access token, code, card, or other
electronic means, which shall be maintained in accordance
with the general schedule for records retention, or a period
of five years, whichever is later.
(b) Electronic Locking Mechanisms.--
(1) In general.--Each electronic locking mechanism
described in subsection (a) shall be coded in a manner that
provides access to a room described in such subsection only
to--
(A) the 1 or more cadets assigned to the room; and
(B) such Coast Guard Academy officers, administrators,
staff, or security personnel, including personnel of the
Coast Guard Investigative Service, as are necessary to access
the room in the event of an emergency.
(2) Existing mechanisms.--Not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Superintendent shall
ensure that electronic locking mechanisms installed in
academic buildings of the Coast Guard Academy, Chase Hall
common spaces, and in any other location at the Coast Guard
Academy are maintained in proper working order.
(c) Access Policy Instruction.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Superintendent shall
promulgate a policy regarding cadet room security policies
and procedures, which shall include, at a minimum--
[[Page S5419]]
(1) a prohibition on sharing with any other cadet,
employee, or other individual electronic access tokens,
codes, cards, or other electronic means of accessing a cadet
room;
(2) procedures for resetting electronic locking mechanisms
in the event of a lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised
electronic access token, code, card, or other electronic
means of accessing a cadet room;
(3) procedures to maintain the identity of each individual
who accesses a cadet room using an electronic access token,
code, card, or other electronic means, while ensuring the
security of personally identifiable information and
protecting the privacy of any such individual, as
appropriate;
(4) procedures by which cadets may report to the chain of
command the malfunction of an electronic locking mechanism;
and
(5) a schedule of testing to ensure the proper functioning
of electronic locking mechanisms.
(d) Minimum Training Requirements.--The Superintendent
shall ensure that each Coast Guard Academy cadet receives,
not later than 1 day after the date of the initial arrival of
the cadet at the Coast Guard Academy, an initial training
session, and any other training the Superintendent considers
necessary, on--
(1) the use of electronic locking mechanisms installed
under this section; and
(2) the policy promulgated under subsection (c).
SEC. 5174. COAST GUARD ACADEMY STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD AND
ACCESS TO TIMELY AND INDEPENDENT WELLNESS
SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CADETS AND CANDIDATES.
(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. Coast Guard Academy Student and Women Advisory
Board
``(a) Establishment.--The Commandant shall establish within
the Coast Guard Academy an advisory board to be known as the
`Coast Guard Academy Student and Women Advisory Board' (in
this section referred to as the `Advisory Board').
``(b) Membership.--The Advisory Board shall be composed of
not fewer than 12 cadets of the Coast Guard Academy who are
enrolled at the Coast Guard Academy at the time of
appointment, including not fewer than 3 cadets from each
class.
``(c) Appointment.--
``(1) In general.--Cadets shall be appointed to the
Advisory Board by the Provost, in consultation with the
Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy.
``(2) Application.--Cadets who are eligible for appointment
to the Advisory Board shall submit an application for
appointment to the Provost of the Coast Guard Academy, or a
designee of the Provost, for consideration.
``(d) Selection.--The Provost shall select eligible
applicants who--
``(1) are best suited to fulfill the duties described in
subsection (g); and
``(2) best represent the student body makeup at the Coast
Guard Academy.
``(e) Term.--
``(1) In general.--Appointments shall be made not later
than 60 days after the date of the swearing in of a new class
of cadets at the Coast Guard Academy.
``(2) Term.--The term of membership of a cadet on the
Advisory Board shall be 1 academic year.
``(f) Meetings.--The Advisory Board shall meet in person
with the Superintendent not less frequently than twice each
academic year to discuss the activities of the Advisory
Board.
``(g) Duties.--The Advisory Board shall--
``(1) identify challenges facing Coast Guard Academy
cadets, including cadets who are women, relating to--
``(A) health and wellbeing;
``(B) cadet perspectives and information with respect to
sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual violence
prevention, response, and recovery at the Coast Guard
Academy;
``(C) the culture of, and leadership development and access
to health care for, cadets at the Academy who are women; and
``(D) any other matter the Advisory Board considers
important;
``(2) discuss and propose possible solutions to such
challenges, including improvements to leadership development
at the Coast Guard Academy; and
``(3) periodically review the efficacy of Coast Guard
Academy academic, wellness, and other relevant programs and
provide recommendations to the Commandant for improvement of
such programs.
``(h) Working Groups.--
``(1) In general.--The Advisory Board shall establish 2
working groups of which--
``(A) 1 working group shall be composed, at least in part,
of Coast Guard Academy cadets who are not current members of
the Advisory Board and members of the Cadets Against Sexual
Assault, or any similar successor organization, to assist the
Advisory Board in carrying out its duties under subsection
(g)(1)(B); and
``(B) 1 working group shall be composed, at least in part,
of Coast Guard Academy cadets who are not current members of
the Advisory Board to assist the Advisory Board in carrying
out its duties under subsection (g)(1)(C).
``(2) Other working groups.--The Advisory Board may
establish such other working groups (which may be composed,
at least in part, of Coast Guard Academy cadets who are not
current members of the Advisory Board) as the Advisory Board
finds to be necessary to carry out the Board's duties other
than the duties in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection
(g)(1).
``(i) Reporting.--
``(1) Commandant and superintendent.--The Advisory Board
shall regularly submit a report or provide a briefing to the
Commandant and the Superintendent on the results of the
activities carried out in furtherance of the duties of the
Advisory Board under subsection (g), including
recommendations for actions to be taken based on such
results, not less than once per academic semester.
``(2) Annual report.--The Advisory Board shall transmit to
the Commandant, through the Provost and the Superintendent an
annual report at the conclusion of the academic year,
containing the information and materials that were presented
to the Commandant or Superintendent, or both, during the
regularly occurring briefings under paragraph (1).
``(3) Congress.--The Commandant shall provide to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives any report or other materials
provided to the Commandant and Superintendent under paragraph
(1) and any other information related to the Advisory
requested by the Committees.''.
(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. Coast Guard Academy Student and Women Advisory Board.''.
SEC. 5175. REPORT ON EXISTING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
SUPPORT SERVICES FACILITIES AT COAST GUARD
ACADEMY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant, shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a report on existing
behavioral health and wellness support services facilities at
the Coast Guard Academy in which Coast Guard Academy cadets
and officer candidates, respectively, may receive timely and
independent behavioral health and wellness support services,
including via telemedicine.
(b) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include--
(1) an identification of each building at the Coast Guard
Academy that contains a dormitory or other overnight
accommodations for cadets or officer candidates; and
(2)(A) an identification of additional behavioral health or
wellness support services that would be beneficial to cadets
and officer candidates, such as additional facilities with
secure access to telemedicine;
(B) a description of the benefits that such services would
provide to cadets and officer candidates, particularly to
cadets and officer candidates who have experienced sexual
assault or sexual harassment; and
(C) a description of the resources necessary to provide
such services.
SEC. 5176. REQUIRED POSTING OF INFORMATION.
The Commandant shall ensure that, in each building at the
Coast Guard Academy that contains a dormitory or other
overnight accommodations for cadets or officer candidates,
written information is posted in a visible location with
respect to--
(1) the methods and means by which a cadet or officer
candidate may report a crime, including harassment, sexual
assault, sexual harassment, and any other offense;
(2) the contact information for the Coast Guard
Investigative Service;
(3) external resources for--
(A) wellness support;
(B) work-life;
(C) medical services; and
(D) support relating to behavioral health, civil rights,
sexual assault, and sexual harassment; and
(4) cadet and officer candidate rights with respect to
reporting incidents to the Coast Guard Investigative Service,
civilian authorities, the Office of the Inspector General of
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, and any
other applicable entity.
SEC. 5177. INSTALLATION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
ROOMS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating shall install or construct
at the Coast Guard Academy 2 rooms to be used for the purpose
of supporting cadet and officer candidate behavioral health
and wellness.
(b) Standards of Rooms.--Each room installed or constructed
under this section--
(1) shall be--
(A) equipped--
(i) in a manner that ensures the protection of the privacy
of cadets and officer candidates, consistent with law and
policy;
(ii) with a telephone and computer to allow for the
provision of behavioral health and wellness support or other
services; and
(iii) with an accessible and private wireless internet
connection for the use of personal communications devices at
the discretion of the cadet or officer candidate concerned;
and
(B) to the extent practicable and consistent with good
order and discipline, accessible to cadets and officer
candidates at all times; and
(2) shall contain the written information described in
section 5176, which shall be posted in a visible location.
[[Page S5420]]
SEC. 5178. COAST GUARD ACADEMY ROOM REASSIGNMENT.
Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(f) Room Reassignment.--Coast Guard Academy cadets may
request room reassignment if experiencing discomfort due to
Coast Guard Academy rooming assignments, consistent with
policy.''.
SEC. 5179. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF COAST GUARD ACADEMY
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT BY COVERED
FOUNDATIONS.
(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. Authorization for use of Coast Guard Academy
facilities and equipment by covered foundations
``(a) Authority.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the
Secretary, with the concurrence of the Superintendent of the
Coast Guard Academy, may authorize a covered foundation to
use, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis as determined
by the Secretary, facilities or equipment of the Coast Guard
Academy.
``(b) Prohibition.--The Secretary may not authorize any use
of facilities or equipment under subsection (a) if such use
may jeopardize the health, safety, or well-being of any
member of the Coast Guard or cadet of the Coast Guard
Academy.
``(c) Limitations.--The Secretary may only authorize the
use of facilities or equipment under subsection (a) if such
use--
``(1) is without any liability of the United States to the
covered foundation;
``(2) does not--
``(A) 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;
``(B) compromise the integrity or appearance of integrity
of any program of the Coast Guard, or any individual involved
in any such program; or
``(C) include the participation of any cadet of the Coast
Guard Academy at an event of the covered foundation, other
than participation of such a cadet in an honor guard;
``(3) complies with any applicable ethics regulation; and
``(4) has been reviewed and approved by an attorney of the
Coast Guard.
``(d) Issuance of Policies.--The Secretary shall issue
Coast Guard policies to carry out this section.
``(e) Briefing.--For any fiscal year in which the Secretary
exercises the authority under subsection (a), not later than
the last day of such fiscal year, the Commandant shall
provide a briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives on the number of events or activities of a
covered foundation supported by such exercise of authority
during the fiscal year.
``(f) Covered Foundation Defined.--In this section, the
term `covered foundation' means an organization that--
``(1) is a charitable, educational, or civic nonprofit
organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986; and
``(2) the Secretary determines operates exclusively to
support--
``(A) recruiting activities with respect to the Coast Guard
Academy;
``(B) parent or alumni development in support of the Coast
Guard Academy;
``(C) academic, leadership, or character development of
Coast Guard Academy cadets;
``(D) institutional development of the Coast Guard Academy;
or
``(E) athletics in support of the Coast Guard Academy.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 19 of
title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting
after the item relating to item 1907 the following:
``1908. Authorization for use of Coast Guard Academy facilities and
equipment by covered foundations.''.
SEC. 5180. CONCURRENT JURISDICTION AT COAST GUARD ACADEMY.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may
establish concurrent jurisdiction between the Federal
Government and the State of Connecticut over the lands
constituting the Coast Guard Academy in New London,
Connecticut, as necessary to facilitate the ability of the
State of Connecticut and City of New London to investigate
and prosecute any crimes cognizable under Connecticut law
that are committed on such Coast Guard Academy property.
Subtitle F--Reports
SEC. 5181. MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS IN COAST GUARD SECTOR
FOR PUERTO RICO AND VIRGIN ISLANDS.
Not later than 270 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;
(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. 5182. REPORT ON CONDITION OF MISSOURI RIVER DAYBOARDS.
(a) Provision to Congress.--Not later than 270 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.
(c) Limitation.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act, the Commandant may not remove the aids to navigation
covered in subsection (a), unless there is an imminent threat
to life or safety, until a period of 180 days has elapsed
following the date on which the Commandant submits the report
required under subsection (a).
SEC. 5183. 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) An analysis of any budgetary, policy, and manpower
factors that may constrain the Coast Guard's ability to carry
out such duties and missions,
(C) An analysis of the impacts to safety, national
security, and the economy, of any shortfalls in the Coast
Guards ability to meet such missions.
(D) Recommendations for the Coast Guard to more effectively
carry out such duties and missions, in light of manpower and
asset constraints.
(E) Identification of any duties and missions that are
being conducted by the Coast Guard on behalf of other
Department of Homeland Security components, the Department of
Defense, and other Federal agencies.
(F) An analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of the Coast
Guard conducting missions on behalf of other agencies
identified in subparagraph (E), including--
(i) the budgetary impact of the duties and missions
identified in such subparagraph;
(ii) data on the degree to which the Coast Guard is
reimbursed for the costs of such missions; and
(iii) recommendations to minimize the impact of the
missions identified in such subparagraph to the Coast Guard
budget, including improving reimbursements and budget
autonomy of the Coast Guard.
(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 Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of
[[Page S5421]]
Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate 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 considers the implementation of such
recommendation feasible and advisable, a description of the
actions taken, or to be taken, to implement such
recommendation.
SEC. 5184. ANNUAL REPORT ON PROGRESS OF CERTAIN HOMEPORTING
PROJECTS.
(a) Initial Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall issue a report
detailing the progress of all approved Coast Guard cutter
homeporting projects within Coast Guard District 17 with
respect to each of the following:
(A) Fast Response Cutters.
(B) Offshore Patrol Cutters.
(C) The commercially available polar icebreaker procured
pursuant to section 11223 of Don Young Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 561 note).
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include, with respect to each homeporting project
described in such paragraph, the following:
(A) A description of--
(i) the status of funds appropriated for the project;
(ii) activities carried out toward completion of the
project; and
(iii) activities anticipated to be carried out during the
subsequent 1-year period to advance completion of the
project.
(B) An updated timeline, including key milestones, for the
project.
(b) Subsequent Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than July 1 of the first
calendar year after the year in which the report required
under subsection (a) is submitted, and each July 1 thereafter
until the date specified in paragraph (2), the Commandant
shall issue an updated report containing, with respect to
each Coast Guard cutter homeporting project described in
subsection (a)(1) (including any such project approved on a
date after the date of the enactment of this Act and before
the submission of the applicable report), each element
described in subsection (a)(2).
(2) Date specified.--The date specified in this paragraph
is the earlier of--
(A) July 2, 2031; or
(B) the date on which all projects described in subsection
(a)(1) are completed.
(c) Report on Capacity of Coast Guard Base Ketchikan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall complete a report
detailing the cost of and time frame for expanding the
industrial capacity of Coast Guard Base Ketchikan to do out
of water repairs on Fast Response Cutters.
(2) Report.--Not later than 120 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 the report required under
paragraph (1).
(d) Public Availability.--The Commandant shall publish each
report issued under this section on a publicly accessible
website of the Coast Guard.
(e) Homeporting Project Defined.--In this section, the term
``homeporting project''--
(1) means the facility infrastructure modifications,
upgrades, new construction, and real property and land
acquisition associated with homeporting new or modified
cutters; and
(2) includes shoreside and waterfront facilities, cutter
maintenance facilities, housing, child development
facilities, and any other associated infrastructure directly
required as a result of homeporting new or modified cutters.
SEC. 5185. REPORT ON BAY CLASS ICEBREAKING TUG FLEET
REPLACEMENT.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives--
(1) a report that describes the strategy of the Coast Guard
with respect to the replacement of the Bay class icebreaking
tug fleet;
(2) in the case of such a strategy that results in the
replacement of the last Bay class icebreaking tug on a date
that is more than 15 years after such date of enactment, a
plan to maintain the operational capabilities of the Bay
class icebreaking tug fleet until the date on which such
fleet is projected to be replaced; and
(3) in the case of such a plan that does not include the
replacement of the main propulsion engines and marine gear
components of the Bay class icebreaking tug fleet, an
assessment of the manner in which not replacing such engines
and gear components will effect the future operational
availability of such fleet.
SEC. 5186. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON SUPPORTING ADDITIONAL PORT
VISITS AND DEPLOYMENTS IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION
BLUE PACIFIC.
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 when not operating as a service in the Navy, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall--
(1) complete a study on the feasibility and advisability of
supporting additional Coast Guard port visits and deployments
in support of Operation Blue Pacific, or any successor
operation oriented toward Oceania; and
(2) submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on the findings of such study.
SEC. 5187. STUDY AND GAP ANALYSIS WITH RESPECT TO COAST GUARD
AIR STATION CORPUS CHRISTI AVIATION HANGAR.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall commence a study
and gap analysis with respect to the aviation hangar at Coast
Guard Air Station Corpus Christi and the capacity of such
hangar to accommodate the aircraft currently assigned to
Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi and any aircraft
anticipated to be so assigned in the future.
(b) Elements.--The study and gap analysis required by
subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An identification of hangar infrastructure requirements
needed--
(A) to meet mission requirements for all aircraft currently
assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi; and
(B) to accommodate the assignment of an additional HC-144
Ocean Sentry aircraft to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus
Christi.
(2) An assessment as to whether the aviation hangar at
Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi is sufficient to
accommodate all rotary-wing assets assigned to Coast Guard
Air Station Corpus Christi.
(3) In the case of an assessment that such hangar is
insufficient to accommodate all such rotary-wing assets, a
description of the facility modifications that would be
required to do so.
(4) An assessment of the facility modifications of such
hangar that would be required to accommodate all aircraft
assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi upon
completion of the transition from the MH-65 rotary-wing
aircraft to the MH-60T rotary-wing aircraft.
(5) An evaluation with respect to which fixed-wing assets
assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi should be
enclosed in such hangar so as to most effectively mitigate
the effects of corrosion while meeting mission requirements.
(6) An evaluation as to whether, and to what extent, the
storage of fixed-wing assets outside such hangar would
compromise the material condition and safety of such assets.
(7) An evaluation of the extent to which any material
condition and safety issue identified under paragraph (6) may
be mitigated through the use of gust locks, chocks, tie-
downs, or related equipment.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the commencement
of the study and gap analysis required under subsection (a),
the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on the results of the study and gap
analysis.
SEC. 5188. REPORT ON IMPACTS OF JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS ON
MEMBERS OF COAST GUARD WHO RELY ON FERRY
SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in coordination with
the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness,
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report on the impacts of the Joint Travel Regulations on
members of the Coast Guard who are commuting, on permanent
change of station travel, or on other official travel to or
from locations served by ferry systems.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall include an analysis of the impacts on such members of
the Coast Guard of the following policies under the Joint
Travel Regulations:
(1) The one-vehicle shipping policy.
(2) The unavailability of reimbursement of costs incurred
by such members due to ferry schedule unavailability, sailing
cancellations, and other sailing delays during commuting,
permanent change of station travel, or other official travel.
(3) The unavailability of local infrastructure to support
vehicles or goods shipped to duty stations in locations
outside the contiguous United States that are not connected
by the road system, including locations served by the Alaska
Marine Highway System.
[[Page S5422]]
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Subcommittee on
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Joint travel regulations.--The term ``Joint Travel
Regulations'', with respect to official travel, means the
terms, rates, conditions, and regulations maintained under
section 464 of title 37, United States Code.
SEC. 5189. REPORT ON JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a report on the Junior
Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall include the following:
(1) A description of the standards and criteria prescribed
by the Coast Guard for educational institution participation
in the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
program.
(2) With respect to each educational institution offering a
Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program--
(A) a description of--
(i) the training and course of military instruction
provided to students;
(ii) the facilities and drill areas used for the program;
(iii) the type and amount of Coast Guard Junior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps program resources provided by the
Coast Guard;
(iv) the type and amount of Coast Guard Junior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps program resources provided by the
educational institution; and
(v) any other matter relating to program requirements the
Commandant considers appropriate;
(B) an assessment as to whether the educational institution
is located in an educationally and economically deprived area
(as described in section 2031 of title 10, United States
Code);
(C) beginning with the year in which the program was
established at the educational institution, the number of
students who have participated in the program, disaggregated
by gender, race, and grade of student participants; and
(D) an assessment of the participants in the program,
including--
(i) the performance of the participants in the program;
(ii) the number of participants in the program who express
an intent to pursue a commission or enlistment in the Coast
Guard; and
(iii) a description of any other factor or matter
considered by the Commandant to be important in assessing the
success of program participants at the educational
institution.
(3) With respect to any unit of the Coast Guard Junior
Reserve Officers' Training Corps suspended or placed on
probation pursuant to section 2031(h) of title 10, United
States Code--
(A) a description of the unit;
(B) the reason for such suspension or placement on
probation;
(C) the year the unit was so suspended or placed on
probation; and
(D) with respect to any unit that was reinstated after
previously being suspended or placed on probation, a
justification for the reinstatement of such unit.
(4) A description of the resources and personnel required
to maintain, implement, and provide oversight for the Coast
Guard Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at each
participating educational institution and within the Coast
Guard, including the funding provided to each such
educational institution, disaggregated by educational
institution and year.
(5) A recommendation with respect to--
(A) whether the number of educational institutions
participating in the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers'
Training Corps program should be increased; and
(B) in the case of a recommendation that such number should
be increased, additional recommendations relating to such an
increase, including--
(i) the number of additional educational institutions that
should be included in the program;
(ii) the locations of such institutions;
(iii) any additional authorities or resources necessary for
such an increase; and
(iv) any other matter the Commandant considers appropriate.
(6) Any other matter the Commandant considers necessary in
order to provide a full assessment of the effectiveness of
the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
program.
SEC. 5190. REPORT ON AND EXPANSION OF COAST GUARD JUNIOR
RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS PROGRAM.
(a) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a report on the status of the
Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers' Training Program.
(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) A review and timeline of Coast Guard outreach efforts
in Coast Guard districts that do not have a Coast Guard
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Program.
(B) A review and timeline of Coast Guard outreach efforts
in Coast Guard districts in which there are multiple Coast
Guard Junior Reserve Officers' Training Programs.
(C) Policy recommendations regarding future expansion of
the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers' Training Program.
(b) Expansion.--
(1) In general.--Beginning on December 31, 2026, the
Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is
operating shall maintain at all times a Junior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps Program with not fewer than 20 such
programs.
(2) Cost assessment.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall provide Congress
with an estimate of the costs associated with implementing
this subsection.
TITLE LII--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION
Subtitle A--Merchant Mariner Credentials
SEC. 5201. MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALING.
(a) Revising Merchant Mariner Deck Training Requirements.--
(1) General definitions.--Section 2101 of title 46, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (20) through (56) as
paragraphs (21), (22), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28), (29),
(30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), (36), (37), (38), (39),
(40), (41), (42), (43), (44), (45), (46), (47), (48), (49),
(50), (51), (52), (53), (54), (55), (56), (57), and (58),
respectively; and
(B) 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.''; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (22), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(23) `nautical school program' means a program that--
``(A) offers a comprehensive program of training that
includes substantial sea service on nautical school vessels
or merchant vessels of the United States primarily to train
individuals for service in the merchant marine; and
``(B) is approved by the Secretary for purposes of section
7315, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the
Secretary.''.
(2) Examinations.--Section 7116 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended by striking subsection (c).
(3) Merchant mariners documents.--
(A) 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) Qualifications.--To qualify for a credential under
this section, an applicant shall provide satisfactory proof
that the applicant--
``(1) is at least 18 years of age;
``(2) has the service required by the applicable section of
this part;
``(3) is qualified professionally as demonstrated by an
applicable examination or educational requirements;
``(4) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical
condition to perform the seafarer's duties; and
``(5) has satisfied any additional requirements established
by the Secretary, including career patterns and service
appropriate to the particular service, industry, or job
functions the individual is engaged.''.
(B) Implementation.--The Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating shall implement the
requirements under subsection (c) of section 7306 of title
46, United States Code (as amended by 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).
(C) 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.''.
(b) General Requirements for Members of Engine
Departments.--
(1) In general.--Section 7313 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended--
[[Page S5423]]
(A) in subsection (b) by striking ``and coal passer''; and
(B) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) 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.
``(d) Qualifications.--To qualify for an credential under
this section, an applicant shall provide satisfactory proof
that the applicant--
``(1) is at least 18 years of age;
``(2) has a minimum of 6-months service in the related
entry rating;
``(3) is qualified professionally as demonstrated by an
applicable examination or educational requirements; and
``(4) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical
condition to perform the member's duties.''.
(2) Repeal.--Section 7314 of title 46, United States Code,
and the item relating to such section in the analysis for
chapter 73 of such title, are repealed.
(c) Training.--
(1) In general.--Section 7315 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 7315. Training
``(a) Nautical School Program.--Graduation from a nautical
school program may be substituted for the sea service
requirements under sections 7307 through 7311a and 7313 of
this title.
``(b) Other Approved Training Programs.--The satisfactory
completion of a training program approved by the Secretary
may be substituted for not more than one-half of the sea
service requirements under sections 7307 through 7311a and
7313 of this title in accordance with subsection (c).
``(c) Training Days.--For purposes of subsection (b),
training days undertaken in connection with training programs
approved by the Secretary may be substituted for days of
required sea service under sections 7307 through 7311a and
7313 of this title as follows:
``(1) Each shore-based training day in the form of
classroom lectures may be substituted for 2 days of sea
service requirements.
``(2) Each training day of laboratory training, practical
demonstrations, and other similar training, may be
substituted for 4 days of sea service requirements.
``(3) Each training day of full mission simulator training
may be substituted for 6 days of sea service requirements.
``(4) Each training day underway on a vessel while enrolled
in an approved training program may be substituted for 1\1/2\
days of sea service requirements, as long as--
``(A) the structured training provided while underway on a
vessel is--
``(i) acceptable to the Secretary as part of the approved
training program; and
``(ii) fully completed by the individual; and
``(B) the tonnage of such vessel is appropriate to the
endorsement being sought.
``(d) Definition.--In this section, the term `training day'
means a day that consists of not less than 7 hours of
training.''.
(2) Implementation.--The Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating shall implement the
requirements of section 7315 of title 46, United States Code,
as amended by this subsection, 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) and 14094 (88 Fed. Reg.
21879).
(3) Technical and conforming amendments.--
(A) Title 46.--Title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(i) in section 2113(3) by striking ``section 2101(53)(A)''
and inserting ``section 2101(55)(A)'';
(ii) in section 3202(a)(1)(A) by striking ``section
2101(29)(A)'' and inserting ``section 2101(31)(A)'';
(iii) in section 3507(k)(1) by striking ``section
2101(31)'' and inserting ``section 2101(33)'';
(iv) in section 4105(d) by striking ``section 2101(53)(A)''
and inserting ``section 2101(55)(A)'';
(v) in section 12119(a)(3) by striking ``section 2101(26)''
and inserting ``section 2101(28)''; and
(vi) in section 51706(c)(6)(C)(ii) by striking ``section
2101(24)'' and inserting ``section 2101(26)''.
(B) Other laws.--
(i) Section 3(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802(3)) is
amended by striking ``2101(30) of title 46'' and inserting
``2101 of title 46''.
(ii) Section 1992(d)(7) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``section 2101(31) of title 46'' and
inserting ``section 2101 of title 46''.
(iii) Section 311(a)(26)(D) of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(a)(26)(D)) is amended by striking
``section 2101(23)'' and inserting ``section 2101''.
(iv) Section 1101 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``Section 2101(23)'' and inserting
``Section 2101(24)''.
(d) Amendments.--
(1) 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''.
(2) Able seafarers--unlimited.--
(A) In general.--The section heading for section 7307 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
(B) Reduction of length of certain period of service.--
Section 7307 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``3 years'' and inserting ``18 months''.
(C) 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''.
(3) Able seamen--limited.--
(A) In general.--The section heading for section 7308 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
(B) Reduction of length of certain period of service.--
Section 7308 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``18 months'' and inserting ``12 months''.
(C) 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''.
(4) Able seafarers--special.--
(A) In general.--The section heading for section 7309 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
(B) Reduction of length of certain period of service.--
Section 7309 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``12 months'' and inserting ``6 months''.
(C) 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''.
(5) Able seafarers--offshore supply vessels.--
(A) In general.--The section heading for section 7310 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
(B) 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''.
(6) Able seafarers--sail.--
(A) In general.--The section heading for section 7311 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
(B) 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''.
(7) Able seamen--fishing industry.--
(A) In general.--The section heading for section 7311a of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers''.
(B) 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''.
(8) Parts e and f.--Parts E and F of subtitle II of title
46, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``seaman'' and inserting ``seafarer'' each
place it appears; and
(B) by striking ``seamen'' and inserting ``seafarers'' each
place it appears.
(9) 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''.
(10) 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.
(11) Merchant mariner credentials.--Section 7510 of title
46, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection
(d).
(e) 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.''.
(f) Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and Documents;
Manning of Vessels.--
(1) Citizenship or noncitizen nationality.--
(A) In general.--Section 7102 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended--
(i) in the section heading by inserting ``or noncitizen
nationality'' after ``Citizenship''; and
(ii) 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''.
(B) 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.''.
(2) Citizenship or noncitizen nationality notation on
merchant mariners' documents.--
(A) In general.--Section 7304 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended--
[[Page S5424]]
(i) in the section heading by inserting ``or noncitizen
nationality'' after ``Citizenship''; and
(ii) 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''.
(B) 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.''.
(3) Citizenship or noncitizen nationality.--
(A) In general.--Section 8103 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended--
(i) in the section heading by inserting ``or noncitizen
nationality'' after ``Citizenship'';
(ii) in subsection (a) by inserting ``or noncitizen
national'' after ``citizen'';
(iii) 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'';
(iv) in subsection (c) by inserting ``or noncitizen
nationals'' after ``citizens'';
(v) 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;
(vi) in subsection (e) by inserting ``or noncitizen
national'' after ``citizen'' each place it appears;
(vii) in subsection (i)(1)(A) by inserting ``or noncitizen
national'' after ``citizen'';
(viii) in subsection (k)(1)(A) by inserting ``or noncitizen
national'' after ``citizen''; and
(ix) 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).''.
(B) 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.''.
(4) 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''.
(5) 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''.
SEC. 5202. 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. 5203. MERCHANT MARINER LICENSING AND DOCUMENTATION
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 75 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 7512. Requirements of electronic merchant mariner
credentialing system
``(a) Definition of Merchant Mariner Credential.--In this
section, the term `merchant mariner credential' means a
merchant mariner license, certificate, or document that the
Secretary is authorized to issue pursuant to this title.
``(b) Necessary Considerations.--In implementing any
electronic merchant mariner credentialing system for purposes
of this chapter, the Secretary shall consider how to allow,
to the maximum extent practicable--
``(1) the electronic submission of the components of
merchant mariner credential applications (such as sea service
documentation, professional qualifications, course completion
certificates, safety and suitability documents, and medical
records) and course approval requests;
``(2) the direct electronic and secure submission of--
``(A) sea service verification documentation from
employers;
``(B) course completion certificates from training
providers; and
``(C) necessary documentation from other stakeholders; and
``(3) the electronic processing and evaluation of
information for the issuance of merchant mariner credentials
and course approvals, including the capability for the
Secretary to complete remote evaluation of information
submitted through the system.
``(c) Access to Data.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
Maritime Administration and other Federal agencies, as
authorized by the Secretary, have access to anonymized and
aggregated data from the electronic system described in
subsection (b) and that such data include, at a minimum--
``(1) the total amount of sea service for individuals with
a valid merchant mariner credential;
``(2) the number of mariners with valid merchant mariner
credentials for each rating, including the capability to
filter data based on credential endorsements;
``(3) demographic information including age, gender, and
region or address;
``(4) the estimated times for the Coast Guard to process
merchant mariner credential applications, mariner medical
certificates, and course approvals;
``(5) the number of providers approved to provide training
for purposes of this part and, for each such training
provider, the number of classes taken by individuals with, or
applying for, a merchant mariner credential; and
``(6) if applicable, the branch of the uniformed services
(as defined in section 101(a) of title 10) and duty status of
applicants for a merchant mariner credential.
``(d) Privacy Requirements.--The Secretary shall collect
the information required under subsection (b) in a manner
that protects the privacy rights of individuals who are the
subjects of such information.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 75 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``7512. Requirements of electronic merchant mariner credentialing
system.''.
Subtitle B--Vessel Safety
SEC. 5211. 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. 5212. 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. 5213. STUDY OF AMPHIBIOUS VESSELS.
(a) In General.--The Commandant shall conduct a study to
determine the applicability of current safety regulations
that apply to commercial amphibious vessels.
(b) Elements.--The study required under subsection (a)
shall include the following:
(1) An overview and analysis that identifies safety
regulations that apply to commercial amphibious vessels;
(2) An evaluation of whether safety gaps and risks exist
associated with the application of regulations identified in
subsection (b)(1) to the operation of commercial amphibious
vessels;
(3) An evaluation of whether aspects of the regulations
established in section 11502 of the James M. Inhofe National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (46 U.S.C.
3306 note) should apply to amphibious commercial vessels; and
(4) Recommendations on whether potential regulations that
should apply to commercial amphibious vessels.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
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 the
findings, conclusions, and recommendations from the study
required under subsection (a).
(d) Definition of Amphibious Vessel.--In this section, the
term ``amphibious vessel'' means a vessel which is operating
as a small passenger vessel in waters subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States, as defined in section 2.38
of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor
regulation) and is operating as a motor vehicle as defined in
section 216 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7550) that is not
a DUKW amphibious passenger vessel as defined in section
11502 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (46 U.S.C. 3306 note).
SEC. 5214. PERFORMANCE DRIVEN EXAMINATION SCHEDULE.
(a) Amendments.--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) Performance-driven Examination Schedule.--
[[Page S5425]]
``(1) In general.--With respect to examinations of foreign
vessels to which this chapter applies, and subject to
paragraph (3), the Secretary may adopt a performance-driven
examination schedule to which such vessels are to be examined
and the frequency with which such examinations occur,
including the frequency of examinations for each vessel. Such
schedule shall be consistent with the Secretary's assessment
of the safety performance of such vessels, including each
vessel participating in the performance-driven examination
schedule, in accordance with paragraph (2).
``(2) Considerations.--In developing an examination
schedule under paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (3),
with respect to each vessel in determining eligibility to
participate in the performance based examination schedule--
``(A) the Secretary shall consider--
``(i) certificate of compliance and examination history, to
include those conducted by foreign countries;
``(ii) history of violations, vessel detentions, incidents,
and casualties;
``(iii) history of notices of violation issued by the Coast
Guard;
``(iv) safety related information provided by the flag
state of the vessel;
``(v) owner and operator history;
``(vi) historical classification society data, which may
include relevant surveys;
``(vii) cargo-specific documentation;
``(viii) data from port state control safety exams; and
``(ix) relevant repair and maintenance history; and
``(B) the Secretary may consider--
``(i) data from relevant vessel quality assurance and risk
assessment programs including Quality Shipping for the 21st
Century (QUALSHIP 21);
``(ii) data from industry inspection regimes;
``(iii) data from vessel self assessments submitted to the
International Maritime Organization or other maritime
organizations; and
``(iv) other safety relevant data or information as
determined by the Secretary.
``(3) Eligibility.--In developing an examination schedule
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not consider a
vessel eligible to take part in a performance-driven
examination schedule under paragraph (1) if, within the last
36 months, the vessel has--
``(A) been detained by the Coast Guard;
``(B) a record of a violation issued by the Coast Guard
against the owners or operators with a finding of proved; or
``(C) suffered a marine casualty that, as determined by the
Secretary, involves the safe operation of the vessel and
overall performance of the vessel.
``(4) Restrictions.--The Secretary may not adopt a
performance-driven examination schedule under paragraph (1)
until the Secretary has--
``(A) conducted the assessment recommended in the
Government Accountability Office report submitted under
section 8254(a) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law
116-283);
``(B) concluded through such assessment that a performance-
driven examination schedule provides not less than the level
of safety provided by the annual examinations required under
subsection (a)(1); and
``(C) provided the results of such assessment to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives.''.
(b) Career Incentive Pay for Marine Inspectors.--Subsection
(a) of section 11237 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263)
is amended as follows:
``(a) Authority to Provide Assignment Pay or Special Duty
Pay.--For the purposes of addressing an identified shortage
of marine inspectors, the Secretary may provide assignment
pay or special duty pay under section 352 of title 37, United
States Code, to a member of the Coast Guard serving in a
prevention position that--
``(1) is assigned in support of or is serving as a marine
inspector pursuant to section 312 of title 14, United States
Code; and
``(2) is assigned to a billet that is difficult to fill due
to geographic location, requisite experience or
certifications, or lack of sufficient candidates, as
determined by the Commandant, in an effort to address
inspector workforce gaps.''.
(c) Briefing.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually for 2 years after the
implementation of a performance-driven examination schedule
program under section 3714(c) of title 46, United States
Code, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives on--
(1) the status of utilizing the performance-driven
examination schedule program, including the quantity of
examinations conducted and duration between examinations for
each individual vessel examined under the performance-driven
examination schedule;
(2) an overview of the size of the Coast Guard marine
inspector workforce, including any personnel shortages
assessed by the Coast Guard, for inspectors that conduct
inspections under section 3714 of such title; and
(3) recommendations for the inspection, governance, or
oversight of vessels inspected under section 3714 of such
title.
SEC. 5215. 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. 5216. STUDY ON BERING STRAIT VESSEL TRAFFIC PROJECTIONS
AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POSTURE AT PORTS OF THE
UNITED STATES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation,
acting through the United States Committee on the Marine
Transportation System, and in coordination with the
Commandant, shall--
(1) complete an analysis regarding commercial vessel
traffic, at the time of the study, that transits through the
Bering Strait and projections for the growth of such traffic
over the next decade; and
(2) assess the adequacy of emergency response capabilities
and infrastructure at the ports of the United States that are
in proximity to the vessel traffic that transits the Bering
Strait, including the port facilities at Point Spencer,
Alaska, Nome, Alaska, and Kotzebue, Alaska, to--
(A) address future navigation safety risks; and
(B) conduct emergency maritime response operations in the
Arctic environment.
(b) Elements.--The study under this section shall include
the following:
(1) An analysis of the volume and types of commercial
vessel traffic, including--
(A) oil and gas tankers, cargo vessels, barges, fishing
vessels, and cruise lines, both domestic and international;
(B) projected growth of such traffic through the Bering
Strait;
(C) the seasonality of vessel transits of the Bering
Strait; and
(D) a summation of the sizes, ages, and the country of
registration or documentation of such vessels transiting the
Arctic, including oil and product tankers either documented
in transit to or from Russia or China or 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 and its
southern and northern approaches in the Chukchi Sea and the
Bering Sea.
(3) A risk assessment of the projected growth in commercial
vessel traffic in the Bering Strait and potential 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 vessel traffic in Western
Alaska, including the Bering Strait.
(4) An evaluation of the extent to which Point Spencer can
serve as a port of refuge and as a staging, logistics, and
operations center from which to conduct and support maritime
emergency and spill response activities.
(5) Recommendations for practical actions that can be taken
by 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 identified in the study carried out under this
section.
(c) Consultation.--In the preparation of the study under
this section, the United States Committee on the Marine
Transportation System shall consult with--
(1) the Maritime Administration;
(2) the Coast Guard;
(3) the Army Corps of Engineers;
(4) the Department of State;
(5) the National Transportation Safety Board;
(6) the Government of Canada, as appropriate;
(7) the Port Coordination Council for the Port of Point
Spencer;
(8) State and local governments;
(9) other maritime industry participants, including
carriers, shippers, ports, labor, fishing, or other entities;
and
(10) nongovernmental entities with relevant expertise
monitoring and characterizing vessel traffic or the
environment in the Arctic.
[[Page S5426]]
(d) Tribal Consultation.--In addition to the entities
described in subsection (c), in preparing the study under
this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall consult
with Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Corporations, and
Alaska Native communities.
(e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after initiating the
study under this section, the United States Committee on the
Marine Transportation System shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on
the findings and recommendations of the study.
(f) 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 Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (Public
Law 114-120).
SEC. 5217. 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. 5218. 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. 5219. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH SAFETY ZONES FOR SPECIAL
ACTIVITIES IN EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE.
(a) 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.
``(3) United states citizen.--The term `United States
citizen' has the meaning given the term `eligible owners' in
section 12103.
``(4) Fixed platform.--The term `fixed platform' means an
artificial island, installation, or structure permanently
attached to the sea-bed for the purpose of exploration or
exploitation of resources or for other economic purposes.''.
(b) 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.''.
(c) Repeal.--Section 8343 of the William M. (Mac)
Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2021 (Public Law 116-283) is repealed.
(d) Retroactive Effective Date.--The amendments made by
subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall take effect as
if enacted on February 1, 2024.
SEC. 5220. 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 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 for the subsequent 3
years, 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. 5221. DESIGNATING PILOTAGE WATERS FOR THE STRAITS OF
MACKINAC.
(a) In General.--Section 9302(a)(1)(A) of title 46, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``in waters'' and
inserting ``in the Straits of Mackinac and in all other
waters''.
(b) Definition of the Straits of Mackinac.--Section 9302 of
title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(g) Definition of the Straits of Mackinac.--In this
section, the term `Straits of Mackinac' includes all of the
United States navigable waters bounded by longitudes 84
degrees 20 minutes west and 85 degrees 10 minutes west and
latitudes 45 degrees 39 minutes north and 45 degrees 54
minutes north, including Gray's Reef Passage, the South
Channel, and Round Island Passage, and approaches thereto.''.
SEC. 5222. RECEIPTS; INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS FOR ICE PATROL
SERVICES.
Section 80301(c) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking the period at the end and inserting ``and
shall remain available until expended for the purpose of the
Coast Guard international ice patrol program under this
chapter.''.
SEC. 5223. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN FISHING VESSELS AND FISH
TENDER VESSELS.
(a) Exceptions to Regulations for Towing Vessels.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the relevant
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may grant temporary
waivers from the towing vessel requirements of chapters 33
and 89 of title 46, United States Code, including the
regulations issued under such chapters, for fishing vessels
and fish tender vessels.
(2) Application.--A temporary waiver issued under paragraph
(1) shall be issued at the discretion of the relevant Officer
in Charge, Marine Inspection, to a fishing vessel or fish
tender vessel that--
(A) performs towing operations of net pens, and associated
work platforms, to or from aquaculture or hatchery worksites;
(B) is less than 200 gross tons;
(C) does not tow a net pen, or associated work platform,
that is carrying cargo or hazardous material, including oil,
on board;
(D) is operating shoreward of the Boundary Line in either--
(i) Southeast Alaska; or
(ii) Prince William Sound; and
(E) complies with all applicable laws for its use in the
usual purpose for which it is normally and substantially
operated, including any applicable inspection requirements
under section 3301 of title 46, United States Code, and
exemptions under section 3302 of such title.
(3) Implementation.--
(A) Request process.--The owner or operator of a fishing
vessel or fish tender vessel seeking a waiver under paragraph
(1) shall submit a request to the relevant Officer in Charge,
Marine Inspection.
(B) Contents.--The request submitted under subparagraph (A)
shall include--
(i) a description of the intended towing operations;
(ii) the time periods and frequency of the intended towing
operations;
(iii) the location of the intended operations;
(iv) a description of the manning of the fishing vessel or
fish tender vessel during the intended operations; and
(v) any additional safety, operational, or other relevant
information requested by the relevant Officer in Charge,
Marine Inspection.
(4) Policy.--The Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating
[[Page S5427]]
may issue policy to facilitate the implementation of this
subsection.
(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Boundary line.--The term ``Boundary Line'' has the
meaning given such term in section 103 of title 46, United
States Code.
(B) Fishing vessel.--The term ``fishing vessel'' has the
meaning given such term in section 2101 of title 46, United
States Code.
(C) Fish tender vessel.--The term ``fish tender vessel''
has the meaning given such term in section 2101 of title 46,
United States Code.
(D) Officer in charge, marine inspection.--The term
``Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection'' has the meaning
given such term in section 3305 of title 46, United States
Code.
(E) Prince william sound.--The term ``Prince William
Sound'' means all State and Federal waters within Prince
William Sound, Alaska, including the approach to Hinchenbrook
Entrance out to, and encompassing, Seal Rocks.
(F) Southeast alaska.--The term ``Southeast Alaska'' means
the area along the coast of the State of Alaska from latitude
5440'00'' N to 6018'24'' N.
(6) Sunset.--The authorities under this section shall
expire on January 1, 2027.
(b) Load Lines.--Section 11325(a) of the James M. Inhofe
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023
(Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 4095) is amended by striking
``3'' and inserting ``5''.
Subtitle C--Matters Involving Uncrewed Systems
SEC. 5231. 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:
``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 15
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
uncrewed 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. 5232. PILOT PROGRAM FOR GOVERNANCE AND OVERSIGHT OF
SMALL UNCREWED MARITIME SYSTEMS.
(a) Limitation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, for the period beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act and ending on the date that is 2 years after such
date of enactment, small uncrewed maritime systems owned,
operated, or chartered by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, or that are performing specified
oceanographic surveys on behalf of and pursuant to a contract
or other written agreement with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, shall not be subject to any
vessel inspection, design, operations, navigation,
credentialing, or training requirement, law, or regulation,
that the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Marine and
Aviation Operations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration determines will harm real-time operational
extreme weather oceanographic and atmospheric data collection
and predictions.
(b) Other Authority.--Nothing in this section shall limit
the authority of the Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating, acting through the Commandant, if
there is an immediate safety or security concern regarding
small uncrewed maritime systems.
SEC. 5233. COAST GUARD TRAINING COURSE.
(a) In General.--For the period beginning on the date of
enactment of this Act and ending on the date that is 3 years
after such date of enactment, the Commandant, or such other
individual or organization as the Commandant considers
appropriate, shall develop a training course on small
uncrewed maritime systems and offer such training course at
least once each year for Coast Guard personnel working with
or regulating small uncrewed maritime systems.
(b) Course Subject Matter.--The training course developed
under subsection (a) shall--
(1) provide an overview and introduction to small uncrewed
maritime systems, including examples of those used by the
Federal Government, in academic settings, and in commercial
sectors;
(2) address the benefits and disadvantages of use of small
uncrewed maritime systems;
(3) address safe navigation of small uncrewed maritime
systems, including measures to ensure collision avoidance;
(4) address the ability of small uncrewed maritime systems
to communicate with and alert other vessels in the vicinity;
(5) address the ability of small uncrewed maritime systems
to respond to system alarms and failures to ensure control
commensurate with the risk posed by the systems;
(6) provide present and future capabilities of small
uncrewed maritime systems; and
(7) provide an overview of the role of the International
Maritime Organization in the governance of small uncrewed
maritime systems.
SEC. 5234. NOAA MEMBERSHIP ON AUTONOMOUS VESSEL POLICY
COUNCIL.
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Commandant, with the concurrence of the Assistant
Administrator of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall
establish the permanent membership of a National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration employee to the Automated and
Autonomous Vessel Policy Council of the Coast Guard.
SEC. 5235. TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 319(b)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``2 or more existing Coast Guard small
boats deployed at operational units'' and inserting ``2 or
more Coast Guard small boats deployed at operational units
and 2 or more existing Coast Guard small boats''.
SEC. 5236. UNCREWED SYSTEMS CAPABILITIES REPORT AND BRIEFING.
(a) In General.--
(1) 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 report that outlines a
plan for establishing an uncrewed systems capabilities office
within the Coast Guard responsible for the acquisition and
development of uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system
technologies and to expand the capabilities of the Coast
Guard with respect to such technologies.
(2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
(A) A management strategy for the acquisition, development,
and deployment of uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system
technologies.
(B) A service-wide coordination strategy to synchronize and
integrate efforts across the Coast Guard in order to--
(i) support the primary duties of the Coast Guard pursuant
to section 102 of title 14, United States Code; and
(ii) pursue expanded research, development, testing, and
evaluation opportunities and funding to expand and accelerate
identification and transition of uncrewed system and counter-
uncrewed system technologies.
(C) The identification of contracting and acquisition
authorities needed to expedite the development and deployment
of uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system technologies.
(D) A detailed list of commercially available uncrewed
system and counter-uncrewed system technologies with
capabilities determined to be useful for the Coast Guard.
(E) A cross-agency collaboration plan to engage with the
Department of Defense and other relevant agencies to identify
common requirements and opportunities to partner in
acquiring, contracting, and sustaining uncrewed system and
counter-uncrewed system capabilities.
(F) Opportunities to obtain and share uncrewed system data
from government and commercial sources to improve maritime
domain awareness.
(G) The development of a concept of operations for a data
system that supports and integrates uncrewed system and
counter-uncrewed 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.
(b) Briefings.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a period
of 3 years, the Commandant, in coordination with the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the Executive Director of the Office of Naval
Research, the Director of the National Science Foundation,
and the Director of the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy, shall brief
[[Page S5428]]
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives, on the future operation and
governance of small uncrewed maritime systems.
SEC. 5237. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1) Counter-uncrewed system.--The term ``counter-uncrewed
system'' means a system or device capable of lawfully and
safely disabling, disrupting, or seizing control of an
uncrewed system, including a counter-UAS system (as such term
is defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code).
(2) Small uncrewed maritime systems.--The term ``small
uncrewed maritime systems'' means unmanned maritime systems
(as defined in section 2 of the CENOTE Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C.
4101)), that--
(A) are not greater than 35 feet overall in length;
(B) are operated remotely or autonomously; and
(C) exclusively perform oceanographic surveys or scientific
research.
(3) Uncrewed system.--The term ``uncrewed system'' means an
uncrewed surface, undersea, or aircraft and associated
elements (including communication links and the components
that control the uncrewed 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).
Subtitle D--Other Matters
SEC. 5241. 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'' and inserting ``An'';
(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;'';
(3) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``on board a covered
vessel'' before the semicolon; and
(4) in paragraph (3) by inserting ``while on board a
covered vessel'' after ``such individual''.
SEC. 5242. 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.
``Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Commandant of the
Coast Guard shall, upon request by any State, the District of
Columbia, any Indian Tribe, or any territory of the United
States, provide all data possessed by the Coast Guard 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, as in
effect on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2025 pertaining to--
``(1) challenge water (as defined in section 162.060-3 of
title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the
date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2025) quality characteristics;
``(2) post-treatment water quality characteristics;
``(3) challenge water (as defined in section 162.060-3 of
title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the
date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2025) biologic organism concentrations data; and
``(4) post-treatment water biologic organism concentrations
data.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for 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. 5243. CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES.
(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) NEPA Compliance.--Section 5 of the Deepwater Port Act
of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1504) is amended by striking subsection
(f) and inserting the following:
``(f) NEPA Compliance.--
``(1) Definition of lead agency.--In this subsection, the
term `lead agency' has the meaning given the term in section
111 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4336e).
``(2) Lead agency.--
``(A) In general.--For all applications, the Maritime
Administration shall be the Federal lead agency for purposes
of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.).
``(B) Effect of compliance.--Compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in
accordance with subparagraph (A) shall fulfill the
requirement of the Federal lead agency in carrying out the
responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) pursuant to this Act.''.
(c) Regulations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 18 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 of
Transportation 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.) or any other law.
(e) Applications.--Nothing in this section, or the
amendments made by this section, shall apply to any
application submitted before the date of enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 5244. 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.''.
SEC. 5245. AMENDMENTS TO PASSENGER VESSEL SECURITY AND SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Maintenance of Supplies That Prevent Sexually
Transmitted Diseases.--Section 3507(d)(1) of title 46, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``(taking into
consideration the length of the voyage and the number of
passengers and crewmembers that the vessel can accommodate)''
after ``a sexual assault''.
(b) Crew Access to Passenger Staterooms; Procedures and
Restrictions.--Section 3507 of title 46, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) a system that electronically records the date, time,
and identity of each crew member accessing each passenger
stateroom; and''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) ensure that the procedures and restrictions are--
``(A) fully and properly implemented;
``(B) reviewed annually; and
``(C) updated as necessary.''.
SEC. 5246. CYBER-INCIDENT TRAINING.
Section 70103(c) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(9) The Secretary may conduct no-notice exercises in
Captain of the Port Zones (as described in part 3 of title
33, Code of Federal Regulations as in effect on the date of
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025)
involving a facility or vessel required to maintain a
security plan under this subsection.''.
SEC. 5247. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH A CETACEAN
DESK FOR PUGET SOUND REGION.
Section 11304(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Don Young Coast Guard
Reauthorization Act of 2022 (division K of Public Law 117-
263; 16 U.S.C. 1390 note) is amended by striking ``4 years''
and inserting ``6 years''.
SEC. 5248. SUSPENSION OF ENFORCEMENT OF USE OF DEVICES
BROADCASTING ON AIS FOR PURPOSES OF MARKING
FISHING GEAR.
Section 11320 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 4092) is amended
by striking ``during the period'' and all that follows
through the period at the end and inserting ``until December
31, 2029.''.
SEC. 5249. 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. 5250. ABANDONED AND DERELICT VESSEL REMOVALS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 47 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended--
[[Page S5429]]
(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).
``(4) Native hawaiian organization.--The term `Native
Hawaiian organization' has the meaning given such term in
section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department
of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
``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).
``(3) Limitation.--The Commandant shall not assess a
penalty if the Commandant determines the vessel was abandoned
due to major extenuating circumstances of the owner or
operator of the vessel, including long term medical
incapacitation of the owner or operator.
``(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 the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, 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, Native Hawaiian organization,
or person may report a covered vessel that may be abandoned
to the Commandant for potential inclusion in the inventory
established under subsection (a);
``(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.
``(e) Clarification.--Except in a response action carried
out under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321) or in the case of imminent
threat to life and safety, the Commandant shall not be
responsible for removing any covered vessels listed on the
inventory established and maintained under subsection (a).''.
(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.''.
TITLE LIII--OIL POLLUTION RESPONSE
SEC. 5301. SALVAGE AND MARINE FIREFIGHTING RESPONSE
CAPABILITY.
(a) Salvage and Marine Firefighting Response Capability.--
Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1321(j)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(10) Salvage and marine firefighting response
capability.--
``(A) In general.--The President, acting through the
Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is
operating unless otherwise delegated by the President, may
require--
``(i) periodic inspection of vessels and salvage equipment,
firefighting equipment, and other major marine casualty
response equipment on or associated with vessels;
``(ii) periodic verification of capabilities to
appropriately, and in a timely manner, respond to a marine
casualty, 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 marine casualty response
capabilities, as determined appropriate by the President; and
``(iii) carrying of appropriate response equipment for
responding to a marine casualty that employs the best
technology economically feasible and that is compatible with
the safe operation of the vessel.
``(B) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
``(i) Marine casualty.--The term `marine casualty' means a
marine casualty that is required to be reported pursuant to
paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of section 6101 of title 46,
United States Code.
``(ii) Salvage equipment.--The term `salvage equipment'
means any equipment that is capable of being used to assist a
vessel in potential or actual danger in order to prevent loss
of life, damage or destruction of the vessel or its cargo, or
release of its contents into the marine environment.''.
(b) Report to Congress.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 270 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--
(A) the state of marine firefighting authorities,
jurisdiction, and plan review; and
(B) other considerations with respect to fires at
waterfront facilities (including vessel fires) and vessel
fires on the navigable waters (as such term is defined in
section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1362)).
(2) Contents.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Comptroller General shall--
(A) examine--
(i) collaboration among Federal and non-Federal entities
for purposes of reducing the risks to local communities of
fires described in paragraph (1);
(ii) the prevalence and frequency of such fires; and
(iii) the extent to which firefighters and marine
firefighters are aware of the dangers of lithium-ion battery
fires, including lithium-ion batteries used for vehicles, and
how to respond to such fires;
[[Page S5430]]
(B) review methods of documenting and sharing best
practices throughout the maritime community for responding to
vessel fires; and
(C) make recommendations for--
(i) preparing for, responding to, and training for such
fires;
(ii) clarifying roles and responsibilities of Federal and
non-Federal entities in preparing for, responding to, and
training for such fires; and
(iii) other topics for consideration.
SEC. 5302. 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. 5303. 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. 5304. ONLINE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the National Response Center shall
submit to Congress a plan to design, fund, and staff the
National Response Center to develop and maintain a web-based
application by which the National Response Center may receive
notifications of oil discharges or releases of hazardous
substances.
(b) Development of Application.--Not later than 2 years
after the date on which the plan is submitted under
subsection (a), the National Response Center shall--
(1) complete development of the application described in
such subsection; and
(2) allow notifications described in such subsection that
are required under Federal law or regulation to be made
online using such application.
(c) Use of Application.--In carrying out subsection (b),
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.
SEC. 5305. INVESTMENT OF EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL COURT
RECOVERY IN HIGH YIELD INVESTMENTS AND MARINE
RESEARCH.
Section 350 of Public Law 106-113 (43 U.S.C. 1474b note) is
amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (5);
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7)
as subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), respectively, and
indenting the subsections appropriately;
(3) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``(1) Notwithstanding any other provision
of law and subject to the provisions of paragraphs (5) and
(7)'' and inserting the following:
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Consent decree.--The term `Consent Decree' means the
consent decree issued in United States v. Exxon Corporation,
et al. (No. A91-082 CIV) and State of Alaska v. Exxon
Corporation, et al. (No. A91-083 CIV).
``(2) Fund.--The term `Fund' means the Natural Resource
Damage Assessment and Restoration Fund established pursuant
to title I of the Department of the Interior and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1992 (43 U.S.C. 1474b).
``(3) Outside account.--The term `outside account' means
any account outside the United States Treasury.
``(4) Trustee.--The term `Trustee' means a Federal or State
natural resource trustee for the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
``(b) Deposits.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law and subject to subsection (g)'';
(4) in subsection (b)(1) (as so designated)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking
``issued in United States v. Exxon Corporation, et al. (No.
A91-082 CIV) and State of Alaska v. Exxon Corporation, et al.
(No. A91-083 CIV) (hereafter referred to as the `Consent
Decree'),'';
(B) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the
following:
``(A) the Fund;
``(B) an outside account; or''; and
(C) in the undesignated matter following subparagraph (C)--
(i) by striking ``the Federal and State natural resource
trustees for the Exxon Valdez oil spill (`trustees')'' and
inserting ``the Trustees''; and
(ii) by striking ``Any funds'' and inserting the following:
``(2) Requirement for deposits in outside accounts.--Any
funds'';
(5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)) by
striking ``(c) Joint'' and inserting the following:
``(c) Transfers.--Any joint'';
(6) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)) by
striking ``(d) The transfer'' and inserting the following:
``(d) No Effect on Jurisdiction.--The transfer'';
(7) in subsection (e) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))--
(A) by striking ``(e) Nothing herein shall affect'' and
inserting the following:
``(e) Effect on Other Law.--Nothing in this section
affects''; and
(B) by striking ``trustees'' and inserting ``Trustees'';
(8) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))--
(A) by striking ``(f) The Federal trustees and the State
trustees'' and inserting the following:
``(f) Grants.--The Trustees''; and
(B) by striking ``this program'' and inserting ``this
section, prioritizing the issuance of grants to facilitate
habitat protection and habitat restoration programs''; and
(9) in subsection (g) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))--
(A) in the second sentence, by striking ``Upon the
expiration of the authorities granted in this section all''
and inserting the following:
``(2) Return of funds.--On expiration of the authority
provided in this section, all''; and
(B) by striking ``(g) The authority'' and inserting the
following:
``(g) Expiration.--
``(1) In general.--The authority''.
TITLE LIV--SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT RESPONSE
SEC. 5401. 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. 5402. COMPREHENSIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURES ON RETENTION
AND ACCESS TO EVIDENCE AND RECORDS RELATING TO
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND OTHER MISCONDUCT.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 9 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 955. Comprehensive policy and procedures on retention
and access to evidence and records relating to sexual
misconduct and other misconduct
``(a) Issuance of Policy.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2025, the Secretary, in consultation with the Office of the
Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard
is operating and the Office of the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense, shall issue a comprehensive policy for
the Coast Guard on the retention of and access to evidence
and records relating to covered misconduct involving members
of the Coast Guard.
[[Page S5431]]
``(b) Objectives.--The comprehensive policy required by
subsection (a) shall revise existing policies and procedures,
including systems of records, as necessary to ensure
preservation of such evidence and records for periods
sufficient--
``(1) to ensure that members of the Coast Guard who were
victims of covered misconduct are able to pursue claims for
veterans benefits;
``(2) to support administrative processes, criminal
proceedings, and civil litigation conducted by military or
civil authorities; and
``(3) for such other purposes relating to the documentation
of an incident of covered misconduct in the Coast Guard as
the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(c) Elements.--
``(1) In general.--In developing the comprehensive policy
required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall, at a
minimum--
``(A) identify records relating to an incident of covered
misconduct that shall be retained;
``(B) with respect to records relating to covered
misconduct involving members of the Coast Guard that are not
records of the Coast Guard, identify such records known to or
in the possession of the Coast Guard, and set forth
procedures for Coast Guard coordination with the custodian of
such records for proper retention of the records;
``(C) set forth criteria for the collection and retention
of records relating to covered misconduct involving members
of the Coast Guard;
``(D) identify physical evidence and nondocumentary forms
of evidence relating to covered misconduct that shall be
retained;
``(E) set forth the period for which evidence and records
relating to covered misconduct involving members of the Coast
Guard, including Coast Guard Form 6095, shall be retained,
except that--
``(i) any physical or forensic evidence relating to rape or
sexual assault, as described in sections 920(a) and 920(b) of
title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the Uniform Code of
Military Justice), shall be retained not less than 50 years,
and for other covered misconduct not less than the statute of
limitations of the alleged offense under the Uniform Code of
Military Justice; and
``(ii) documentary evidence relating to rape or sexual
assault, as described in sections 920(a) and 920(b) of title
10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the Uniform Code of
Military Justice), shall be retained not less than 50 years;
``(F) consider locations in which such records shall be
stored;
``(G) identify media and methods that may be used to
preserve and ensure access to such records, including
electronic systems of records;
``(H) ensure the protection of privacy of--
``(i) individuals named in records and status of records
under section 552 of title 5 (commonly referred to as the
`Freedom of Information Act') and section 552a of title 5
(commonly referred to as the `Privacy Act'); and
``(ii) individuals named in restricted reporting cases;
``(I) designate the 1 or more positions within the Coast
Guard that shall have the responsibility for such record
retention by the Coast Guard;
``(J) require education and training for members and
civilian employees of the Coast Guard on record retention
requirements under this section;
``(K) set forth criteria for access to such records
relating to covered misconduct involving members of the Coast
Guard, including whether the consent of the victim should be
required, by--
``(i) victims of covered misconduct;
``(ii) law enforcement authorities;
``(iii) the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
``(iv) other individuals and entities, including alleged
assailants;
``(L) require uniform collection of data on--
``(i) the incidence of covered misconduct in the Coast
Guard; and
``(ii) disciplinary actions taken in substantiated cases of
covered misconduct in the Coast Guard; and
``(M) set forth standards for communications with, and
notifications to, victims, consistent with--
``(i) the requirements of any applicable Department of
Defense policy; and
``(ii) to the extent practicable, any applicable policy of
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
``(2) Retention of certain forms and evidence in connection
with restricted reports and unrestricted reports of sexual
assault involving members of the coast guard.--
``(A) In general.--The comprehensive policy required by
subsection (a) shall require all unique or original copies of
Coast Guard Form 6095 filed in connection with a restricted
or unrestricted report on an alleged incident of rape or
sexual assault, as described in sections 920(a) and 920(b) of
title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the Uniform Code of
Military Justice), involving a member of the Coast Guard to
be retained for the longer of--
``(i) 50 years commencing on the date of signature of the
covered person on Coast Guard Form 6095; or
``(ii) the time provided for the retention of such form in
connection with unrestricted and restricted reports on
incidents of sexual assault involving members of the Coast
Guard under Coast Guard policy.
``(B) Protection of confidentiality.--Any Coast Guard form
retained under subparagraph (A) shall be retained in a manner
that protects the confidentiality of the member of the Coast
Guard concerned in accordance with Coast Guard policy.
``(3) Retention of case notes in investigations of covered
misconduct involving members of the coast guard.--
``(A) Required retention of all investigative records.--The
comprehensive policy required by subsection (a) shall
require, for all criminal investigations relating to an
alleged incident of covered misconduct involving a member of
the Coast Guard, the retention of all elements of the case
file.
``(B) Elements.--The elements of the case file to be
retained under subparagraph (A) shall include, at a minimum--
``(i) the case activity record;
``(ii) the case review record;
``(iii) investigative plans; and
``(iv) all case notes made by any investigating agent.
``(C) Retention period.--All elements of the case file
shall be retained for not less than 50 years for cases
involving rape or sexual assault, as described in sections
920(a) and 920(b) of title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of
the Uniform Code of Military Justice), and not less than the
statute of limitations of the alleged offense under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice for other covered
misconduct, and no element of any such case file may be
destroyed until the expiration of such period.
``(4) Return of personal property upon completion of
related proceedings in unrestricted reporting cases.--
Notwithstanding the records and evidence retention
requirements described in paragraphs (1)(E) and (2), personal
property retained as evidence in connection with an incident
of rape or sexual assault, as described in sections 920(a)
and 920(b) of title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the
Uniform Code of Military Justice), involving a member of the
Coast Guard may be returned to the rightful owner of such
property after the conclusion of all legal, adverse action,
and administrative proceedings related to such incident, as
determined by the Commandant.
``(5) Return of personal property in restricted reporting
cases.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall prescribe procedures
under which a victim who files a restricted report of an
incident of sexual assault may request, at any time, the
return of any personal property of the victim obtained as
part of the sexual assault forensic examination.
``(B) Requirements.--The procedures required by
subparagraph (A) shall ensure that--
``(i) a request by a victim for the return of personal
property described under subparagraph (A) may be made on a
confidential basis and without affecting the restricted
nature of the restricted report; and
``(ii) at the time of the filing of the restricted report,
a Special Victims' Counsel, Sexual Assault Response
Coordinator, or Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim
Advocate--
``(I) informs the victim that the victim may request the
return of personal property as described in such
subparagraph; and
``(II) advises the victim that such a request for the
return of personal property may negatively impact a
subsequent case adjudication if the victim later decides to
convert the restricted report to an unrestricted report.
``(C) Rule of construction.--Except with respect to
personal property returned to a victim under this paragraph,
nothing in this paragraph may be construed to affect the
requirement to retain a sexual assault forensic examination
kit for the period specified in paragraph (2).
``(6) Victim access to records.--With respect to victim
access to records after all final disposition actions and any
appeals have been completed, as applicable, the comprehensive
policy required by subsection (a) shall provide that, to the
maximum extent practicable, and in such a manner that will
not jeopardize an active investigation or an active case--
``(A) a victim of covered misconduct in a case in which
either the victim or alleged perpetrator is a covered person
shall have access to all records that are directly related to
the victim's case, or related to the victim themselves, in
accordance with the policy issued under subsection (a) and
subject to required protections under sections 552 and 552a
of title 5;
``(B) a victim of covered misconduct who requests access to
records under section 552 or 552a of title 5 concerning the
victim's case shall be determined to have a compelling need,
and the records request shall be processed under expedited
processing procedures, if in the request for such records the
victim indicates that the records concerned are related to
the covered misconduct case;
``(C) in applying sections 552 and 552a of title 5 to the
redaction of information related to a records request by a
victim of covered misconduct made under such sections after
all final disposition actions and any appeals have been
completed--
``(i) any such redaction shall be applied to the minimum
extent possible so as to ensure the provision of the maximum
amount of unredacted information to the victim that is
permissible by law; and
``(ii) any such redaction shall not be applied to--
[[Page S5432]]
``(I) receipt by the victim of the victim's own statement;
or
``(II) the victim's information from an investigation; and
``(D) in the case of such a records request for which the
timelines for expedited processing are not met, the
Commandant shall provide to the Secretary, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives a briefing that explains the reasons for
the denial or the delay in processing, as applicable.
``(d) Definition of Covered Person.--In this section, the
term `covered person' includes--
``(1) a member of the Coast Guard on active duty;
``(2) a member of the Coast Guard Reserve with respect to
crimes investigated by or reported to the Secretary on any
date on which such member is in a military status under
section 802 of title 10 (article 2 of the Uniform Code of
Military Justice);
``(3) a former member of the Coast Guard with respect to
crimes investigated by or reported to the Secretary; and
``(4) in the case of an investigation of covered misconduct
conducted by, or an incident of covered misconduct reported
to, the Coast Guard involving a civilian employee of the
Coast Guard, any such civilian employee of the Coast Guard.
``(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) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 9 of title 14,
United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end
the following:
``Sec. 956. 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 the
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) Definition.--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.''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 9 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``Sec. 955. Comprehensive policy and procedures on retention and access
to evidence and records relating to sexual misconduct and
other misconduct.
``Sec. 956. Requirement to maintain certain records.''.
SEC. 5403. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF A CADET
AT THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY WHO IS THE VICTIM OF
A SEXUAL ASSAULT OR RELATED OFFENSE.
Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) 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 another
military service academy or to enroll in a Senior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps program affiliated with another
institution of higher education.
``(2) Regulations.--The Commandant, in consultation with
the Secretary of Defense, shall establish policies to carry
out this subsection that--
``(A) provide that the Superintendent shall 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
who alleges an offense referred to in paragraph (1) is
processed as expeditiously as practicable through the chain
of command for review and action by the Superintendent;
``(B) direct the Superintendent, in coordination with the
Superintendent of the military service academy to which the
cadet requests to transfer--
``(i) to take action 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;
``(iii) upon approval of such request for transfer, to take
all necessary and appropriate action to effectuate the
transfer of the cadet to the military service academy
concerned as expeditiously as possible, subject to the
considerations described in clause (iv); and
``(iv) in determining the transfer date of the cadet to the
military service academy concerned, to take into account--
``(I) the preferences of the cadet, including any
preference to delay transfer until the completion of any
academic course in which the cadet is enrolled at the time of
the request for transfer; and
``(II) the well-being of the cadet; 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 take action 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;
``(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, subject to the considerations described in clause
(iv); and
``(iv) in determining the transfer date of the cadet to the
institution of higher education to which the cadet wishes to
transfer, to take into account--
``(I) the preferences of the cadet, including any
preference to delay transfer until the completion of any
academic course in which the cadet is enrolled at the time of
the request for transfer; and
``(II) the well-being of the cadet.
``(3) Review.--If the Superintendent denies a request for
transfer under this subsection, the cadet may request review
of the denial by the Secretary, who shall take action on such
request for review not later than 72 hours after receipt of
such request.
``(4) Confidentiality.--The Secretary 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) Effect of other law.--A cadet who transfers under
this subsection may retain the cadet's appointment to the
Coast Guard Academy or may be appointed to the military
service academy to which the cadet transfers without regard
to the limitations and requirements set forth in sections
7442, 8454, and 9442 of title 10.
``(6) Commission as officer in the coast guard.--
``(A) In general.--Upon graduation, a graduate of the
United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force
Academy, or the United States Naval Academy who transferred
to that academy under this subsection 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 set forth in section 2101 of this
title.
``(B) Commission as officer in other armed force.--
``(i) In general.--A cadet who transfers under this
subsection to the United States Military Academy, the United
States Air Force Academy, or the United States Naval Academy
and indicates a preference pursuant to clause (ii) may be
appointed as a commissioned officer in an armed force
associated with the academy from which the cadet graduated.
``(ii) Statement of preference.--A cadet seeking
appointment as a commissioned officer in an armed force
associated with the academy from which the cadet graduated
under clause (i) shall, before graduating from that academy,
indicate to the Commandant that the cadet has a preference
for appointment to that armed force.
[[Page S5433]]
``(iii) Consideration by coast guard.--The Commandant shall
consider a preference of a cadet indicated pursuant to clause
(ii), but may require the cadet to serve as a permanent
commissioned officer in the Regular Coast Guard instead of
being appointed as a commissioned officer in an armed force
associated with the academy from which the cadet graduated.
``(iv) Treatment of service agreement.--With respect to a
service agreement entered into under section 1925 of this
title by a cadet who transfers under this subsection to the
United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force
Academy, or the United States Naval Academy and is appointed
as a commissioned officer in an armed force associated with
that academy, the service obligation undertaken under such
agreement shall be considered to be satisfied upon the
completion of 5 years of active duty service in the service
of such armed force.
``(C) Senior reserve officers' training corps program.--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 set forth in section
3738a of this title.''.
SEC. 5404. 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 this section''.
(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
this section; 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 this
section'' 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 this section, 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 this section, or the officers on
the''.
SEC. 5405. 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. 1909. Safe-to-Report policy for Coast Guard
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the
Commandant shall, in consultation with the Secretaries of the
military departments, establish and maintain a 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), cadets
at the Coast Guard Academy, and any other individual
undergoing training at an accession point of the Coast Guard.
``(b) Safe-to-Report Policy.--The safe-to-report policy
described in this subsection is a policy that--
``(1) 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; and
``(2) applies to all such individuals, regardless of--
``(A) to whom the victim makes the allegation or who
receives the victim's report of sexual assault; or
``(B) whether the report, investigation, or prosecution is
handled by military or civilian authorities.
``(c) Mitigating and Aggravating Circumstances.--In issuing
the policy under subsection (a), the Commandant 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 the policy under subsection
(a), the Commandant shall develop and implement a process to
anonymously track incidents of minor collateral misconduct
that are subject to the safe-to-report policy.
``(e) Minor Collateral Misconduct Defined.--In this
section, the term `minor collateral misconduct' means any
minor misconduct that is potentially 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 allegation of 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 policy 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 1908 (as added by this
Act) the following:
``1909. Safe-to-Report policy for Coast Guard.''.
SEC. 5406. MODIFICATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON COVERED
MISCONDUCT IN COAST GUARD.
(a) Assessment of Policy on Covered Misconduct.--Section
1902 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended--
(1) in the section heading by striking ``Policy on sexual
harassment and sexual violence'' and inserting ``Academy
policy and report on covered misconduct''; and
(2) by striking subsections (c) through (e) and inserting
the following:
``(c) Assessment.--
``(1) In general.--The Commandant shall direct the
Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy to conduct at the
Coast Guard Academy during each Academy program year an
assessment to determine the effectiveness of the policies of
the Academy with respect to covered misconduct involving
cadets or other military or civilian personnel of the
Academy.
``(2) Biennial survey.--For the assessment at the Academy
under paragraph (1) with respect to an Academy program year
that begins in an odd-numbered calendar year, the
Superintendent shall conduct a survey of cadets and other
military and civilian personnel of the Academy--
``(A) to measure the incidence, during such program year--
``(i) of covered misconduct events, on or off the Academy
campus, that have been reported to an official of the
Academy;
``(ii) of covered misconduct events, on or off the Academy
campus, that have not been reported to an official of the
Academy; and
``(iii) of retaliation related to a report of a covered
misconduct event, on or off the Academy campus; and
``(B) to assess the perceptions of the cadets and other
military and civilian personnel of the Academy with respect
to--
``(i) the Academy's policies, training, and procedures on
covered misconduct involving cadets and other military and
civilian personnel of the Academy;
``(ii) the enforcement of such policies;
``(iii) the incidence of covered misconduct involving
cadets and other military and civilian personnel of the
Academy; and
``(iv) any other issues relating to covered misconduct
involving cadets and other military and civilian personnel of
the Academy.
``(d) Report.--
``(1) In general.--Not earlier than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2025, and each March 1 thereafter through March 1, 2031, the
Commandant shall direct the Superintendent to submit to the
Commandant a report on incidents of covered misconduct and
retaliation for reporting of covered misconduct involving
cadets or other military and civilian personnel of the
Academy.
``(2) Elements.--
``(A) In general.--Each report required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
``(i) Information and data on all incidents of covered
misconduct and retaliation described in paragraph (1)
reported to the Superintendent or any other official of the
Academy during the preceding Academy program year (referred
to in this subsection as a `reported incident'),
``(ii) The number of reported incidents committed against a
cadet or any other military or civilian personnel of the
Academy.
[[Page S5434]]
``(iii) The number of reported incidents committed by a
cadet or any other military or civilian personnel of the
Academy.
``(iv) Information on reported incidents, in accordance
with the policy prescribed under section 549G(b) of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (10
U.S.C. 1561 note), to the maximum extent practicable.
``(v) The number of reported incidents that were entered
into the Catch a Serial Offender system, including the number
of such incidents that resulted in the identification of a
potential or confirmed match.
``(vi) The number of reported incidents that were
substantiated (referred to in this subsection as a
`substantiated reported incident').
``(vii) A synopsis of each substantiated reported incident
that includes--
``(I) a brief description of the nature of the incident;
``(II) whether the accused cadet or other military or
civilian personnel of the Academy had previously been
convicted of sexual assault; and
``(III) whether alcohol or other controlled or prohibited
substances were involved in the incident, and a description
of the involvement.
``(viii) The type of case disposition associated with each
substantiated reported incident, such as--
``(I) conviction and sentence by court-martial, including
charges and specifications for which convicted;
``(II) acquittal of all charges at court-martial;
``(III) as appropriate, imposition of a nonjudicial
punishment under section 815 of title 10 (article 15 of the
Uniform Code of Military Justice);
``(IV) as appropriate, administrative action taken,
including a description of each type of such action imposed;
``(V) dismissal of all charges, including a description of
each reason for dismissal and the stage at which dismissal
occurred; and
``(VI) whether the accused cadet or other military or
civilian personnel of the Academy was administratively
separated or, in the case of an officer, allowed to resign in
lieu of court martial, and the characterization (honorable,
general, or other than honorable) of the service of the
military member upon separation or resignation.
``(ix) With respect to any incident of covered misconduct
involving cadets or other military and civilian personnel of
the Academy reported to the Superintendent or any other
official of the Academy during the preceding Academy program
year that involves a report of retaliation relating to the
incident--
``(I) a narrative description of the retaliation claim;
``(II) the nature of the relationship between the
complainant and the individual accused of committing the
retaliation; and
``(III) the nature of the relationship between the
individual accused of committing the covered misconduct and
the individual accused of committing the retaliation.
``(x) With respect to any investigation of a reported
incident--
``(I) whether the investigation is in open or completed
status;
``(II) an identification of the investigating entity;
``(III) whether a referral has been made to outside law
enforcement entities;
``(IV) in the case of an investigation that is complete, a
description of the results of such an investigation and
information with respect to whether the results of the
investigation were provided to the complainant; and
``(V) whether the investigation substantiated an offense
under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military
Justice).
``(B) Format.--With respect to the information and data
required under subparagraph (A), the Commandant shall report
such information and data separately for each type of covered
misconduct offense, and shall not aggregate the information
and data for multiple types of covered misconduct offenses.
``(3) Trends.--Subject to subsection (f), beginning on the
date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2025, each report required under paragraph (1) shall include
an analysis of trends in incidents described in paragraph
(1), as applicable, since the date of the enactment of the
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Public
Law 112-213).
``(4) Response.--Each report required under paragraph (1)
shall include, for the preceding Academy program year, a
description of the policies, procedures, processes,
initiatives, investigations (including overarching
investigations), research, or studies implemented by the
Commandant in response to any incident described in paragraph
(1) involving a cadet or any other military or civilian
personnel of the Academy.
``(5) Plan.--Each report required under paragraph (1) shall
include a plan for actions to be taken during the year
following the Academy program year covered by the report to
enhance the prevention of and response to incidents of
covered misconduct and retaliation for reporting of covered
misconduct involving cadets or other military or civilian
personnel of the Academy.
``(6) Covered misconduct prevention and response
activities.--Each report required under paragraph (1) shall
include an assessment of the adequacy of covered misconduct
prevention and response carried out by the Academy during the
preceding Academy program year.
``(7) Contributing factors.--Each report required under
paragraph (1) shall include, for incidents of covered
misconduct and retaliation for reporting of covered
misconduct involving cadets or other military or civilian
personnel of the Academy--
``(A) an analysis of the factors that may have contributed
to such incidents;
``(B) an assessment of the role of such factors in
contributing to such incidents during such Academy program
year; and
``(C) recommendations for mechanisms to eliminate or reduce
such contributing factors.
``(8) Biennial survey.--Each report under paragraph (1) for
an Academy program year that begins in an odd-numbered
calendar year shall include the results of the survey
conducted under subsection (c)(2) in such Academy program
year.
``(9) Focus groups.--For each Academy program year with
respect to which the Superintendent is not required to
conduct a survey at the Academy under subsection (c)(2), the
Commandant shall require focus groups to be conducted at the
Academy for the purpose of ascertaining information relating
to covered misconduct issues at the Academy.
``(10) Submission of report; briefing.--
``(A) Submission.--Not later than 270 days after the date
on which the Commandant receives a report from the
Superintendent under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives, as an enclosure or appendix to the report
required by section 5112--
``(i) the report of the Superintendent;
``(ii) the comments of the Commandant with respect to the
report; and
``(iii) relevant information gathered during a focus group
under subparagraph (A) during the Academy program year
covered by the report, as applicable.
``(B) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the Commandant submits a report under subparagraph (A),
the Commandant shall provide a briefing on the report
submitted under subparagraph (A) to--
``(i) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives; and
``(ii) the Secretary of Homeland Security.
``(e) Victim Confidentiality.--To the extent that
information collected or reported under the authority of this
section, such information shall be provided in a form that is
consistent with applicable privacy protections under Federal
law and does not jeopardize the confidentiality of victims.
``(f) Continuity of Data and Reporting.--In carrying out
this section, the Commandant shall ensure the continuity of
data collection and reporting such that the ability to
analyze trends is not compromised.''.
(b) Covered Misconduct in Coast Guard.--Section 5112 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 5112. Covered misconduct in Coast Guard
``(a) In General.--Not later than March 1 each year, the
Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on incidents of covered misconduct
involving members of the Coast Guard, including recruits and
officer candidates, and claims of retaliation related to the
reporting of any such incident.
``(b) Continuity of Data and Reporting.--In carrying out
this section, the Commandant shall ensure the continuity of
data collection and reporting such that the ability to
analyze trends is not compromised.
``(c) Contents.--
``(1) Incidents involving members.--
``(A) Information and data.--
``(i) In general.--Each report required under subsection
(a) shall include, for the preceding calendar year,
information and data on--
``(I) incidents of covered misconduct; and
``(II) incidents of retaliation against a member of the
Coast Guard related to the reporting of covered misconduct,
disaggregated by type of retaliation claim.
``(ii) Inclusions.--The information and data on the
incidents described in clause (i) shall include the
following:
``(I) All incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation
described in clause (i) reported to the Commandant or any
other official of the Coast Guard during the preceding
calendar year (referred to in this subsection as a `reported
incident').
``(II) The number of reported incidents committed against
members of the Coast Guard.
``(III) The number of reported incidents committed by
members of the Coast Guard.
``(IV) Information on reported incidents, in accordance
with the policy prescribed under section 549G(b) of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (10
U.S.C. 1561 note), to the maximum extent practicable.
``(V) The number of reported incidents that were entered
into the Catch a Serial Offender system, including the number
of such incidents that resulted in the identification of a
potential or confirmed match.
[[Page S5435]]
``(VI) The number of reported incidents that were
substantiated (referred to in this subsection as a
`substantiated reported incident').
``(VII) A synopsis of each substantiated reported incident
that includes--
``(aa) a brief description of the nature of the incident;
``(bb) whether the accused member has previously been
convicted of sexual assault; and
``(cc) whether alcohol or other controlled or prohibited
substances were involved in the incident, and a description
of the involvement.
``(VIII) The type of case disposition associated with each
substantiated reported incident, such as--
``(aa) conviction and sentence by court-martial, including
charges and specifications for which convicted;
``(bb) acquittal of all charges at court-martial;
``(cc) as appropriate, imposition of a nonjudicial
punishment under section 815 of title 10 (article 15 of the
Uniform Code of Military Justice);
``(dd) as appropriate, administrative action taken,
including a description of each type of such action imposed;
``(ee) dismissal of all charges, including a description of
each reason for dismissal and the stage at which dismissal
occurred; and
``(ff) whether the accused member was administratively
separated or, in the case of an officer, allowed to resign in
lieu of court-martial, and the characterization (honorable,
general, or other than honorable) of the service of the
member upon separation or resignation.
``(IX) With respect to any incident of covered misconduct
reported to the Commandant or any other official of the Coast
Guard during the preceding calendar year that involves a
report of retaliation relating to the incident--
``(aa) a narrative description of the retaliation claim;
``(bb) the nature of the relationship between the
complainant and the individual accused of committing the
retaliation; and
``(cc) the nature of the relationship between the
individual accused of committing the covered misconduct and
the individual accused of committing the retaliation.
``(X) The disposition of or action taken by the Coast Guard
or any other Federal, State, local, or Tribal entity with
respect to a substantiated reported incident.
``(XI) With respect to any investigation of a reported
incident--
``(aa) the status of the investigation or information
relating to any referral to outside law enforcement entities;
``(bb) the official or office of the Coast Guard that
received the complaint;
``(cc) a description of the results of such an
investigation or information with respect to whether the
results of the investigation were provided to the
complainant; or
``(dd) whether the investigation substantiated an offense
under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military
Justice).
``(iii) Format.--With respect to the information and data
required under clause (i), the Commandant shall report such
information and data separately for each type of covered
misconduct offense, and shall not aggregate the information
and data for multiple types of covered misconduct offenses.
``(B) Trends.--Subject to subsection (b), beginning on the
date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2025, each report required by subsection (a) shall include,
for the preceding calendar year, an analysis or assessment of
trends in the occurrence, as applicable, of incidents
described in subparagraph (A)(i), since the date of enactment
of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012
(Public Law 112-213).
``(C) Response.--Each report required under subsection (a)
shall include, for the preceding calendar year, a description
of the policies, procedures, processes, initiatives,
investigations (including overarching investigations),
research, or studies implemented by the Commandant in
response to any incident described in subparagraph (A)(i)
involving a member of the Coast Guard.
``(D) Plan.--Each report required under subsection (a)
shall include a plan for actions to be taken during the year
following the year covered by the report to enhance the
prevention of and response to incidents described in
subparagraph (A)(i) involving members of the Coast Guard.
``(E) Covered misconduct prevention and response
activities.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall
include an assessment of the adequacy of covered misconduct
prevention and response activities related to incidents
described in subparagraph (A)(i) carried out by the Coast
Guard during the preceding calendar year.
``(F) Contributing factors.--Each report required under
subsection (a) shall include, for incidents described in
subparagraph (A)(i)--
``(i) an analysis of the factors that may have contributed
to such incidents;
``(ii) an assessment of the role of such factors in
contributing to such incidents during such year; and
``(iii) recommendations for mechanisms to eliminate or
reduce such contributing factors.
``(2) Incidents involving recruits and officer
candidates.--
``(A) Information and data.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to subsection (b), each report
required under subsection (a) shall include, as a separate
appendix or enclosure, for the preceding calendar year,
information and data on--
``(I) incidents of covered misconduct involving a recruit
of the Coast Guard at Training Center Cape May or an officer
candidate at the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School; and
``(II) incidents of retaliation against such a recruit or
officer candidate related to the reporting of covered
misconduct, disaggregated by type of retaliation claim.
``(ii) Inclusions.--
``(I) In general.--The information and data on the
incidents described in clause (i) shall include the
following:
``(aa) All incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation
described in clause (i) reported to the Commandant or any
other official of the Coast Guard during the preceding
calendar year (referred to in this subsection as a `reported
incident').
``(bb) The number of reported incidents committed against
recruits and officer candidates described in clause (i)(I).
``(cc) The number of reported incidents committed by such
recruits and officer candidates.
``(dd) Information on reported incidents, in accordance
with the policy prescribed under section 549G(b) of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (10
U.S.C. 1561 note), to the maximum extent practicable.
``(ee)(AA) The number of reported incidents that were
entered into the Catch a Serial Offender system.
``(BB) Of such reported incidents entered into such system,
the number that resulted in the identification of a potential
or confirmed match.
``(ff) The number of reported incidents that were
substantiated (referred to in this subsection as a
`substantiated reported incident').
``(gg) A synopsis of each substantiated reported incident
that includes--
``(AA) a brief description of the nature of the incident;
and
``(BB) whether alcohol or other controlled or prohibited
substances were involved in the incident, and a description
of the involvement.
``(hh) The type of case disposition associated with each
substantiated reported incident, such as--
``(AA) conviction and sentence by court-martial, including
charges and specifications for which convicted;
``(BB) acquittal of all charges at court-martial;
``(CC) as appropriate, imposition of a nonjudicial
punishment under section 815 of title 10 (article 15 of the
Uniform Code of Military Justice);
``(DD) as appropriate, administrative action taken,
including a description of each type of such action imposed;
``(EE) dismissal of all charges, including a description of
each reason for dismissal and the stage at which dismissal
occurred; and
``(FF) whether the accused member was administratively
separated or, in the case of an officer, allowed to resign in
lieu of court-martial, and the characterization (honorable,
general, or other than honorable) of the service of the
member upon separation or resignation.
``(ii) With respect to any incident of covered misconduct
involving recruits or officer candidates reported to the
Commandant or any other official of the Coast Guard during
the preceding calendar year that involves a report of
retaliation relating to the incident--
``(AA) a narrative description of the retaliation claim;
``(BB) the nature of the relationship between the
complainant and the individual accused of committing the
retaliation; and
``(CC) the nature of the relationship between the
individual accused of committing the covered misconduct and
the individual accused of committing the retaliation.
``(jj) The disposition of or action taken by the Coast
Guard or any other Federal, State, local, or Tribal entity
with respect to a substantiated reported incident.
``(kk) With respect to any investigation of a reported
incident--
``(AA) the status of the investigation or information
relating to any referral to outside law enforcement entities;
``(BB) the official or office of the Coast Guard that
received the complaint;
``(CC) a description of the results of such an
investigation or information with respect to whether the
results of the investigation were provided to the
complainant; or
``(DD) whether the investigation substantiated an offense
under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military
Justice).
``(II) Format.--With respect to the information and data
required under clause (i), the Commandant shall report such
information and data separately for each type of covered
misconduct offense, and shall not aggregate the information
and data for multiple types of covered misconduct offenses.
``(B) Trends.--Subject to subsection (b), beginning on the
date of enactment of Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025,
each report required by subsection (a) shall include, for the
preceding calendar year, an analysis or assessment of trends
in the occurrence, as applicable, of incidents described in
subparagraph (A)(i), since the date of enactment of the Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Public Law
112-213).
``(C) Response.--Each report required under subsection (a)
shall include, for the preceding calendar year, a description
of the policies, procedures, processes, initiatives,
[[Page S5436]]
investigations (including overarching investigations),
research, or studies implemented by the Commandant in
response to any incident described in subparagraph (A)(i)
involving--
``(i) a recruit of the Coast Guard at Training Center Cape
May; or
``(ii) an officer candidate at the Coast Guard Officer
Candidate School.
``(D) Plan.--Each report required under subsection (a)
shall include a plan for actions to be taken during the year
following the year covered by the report to enhance the
prevention of and response to incidents described in
subparagraph (A)(i) involving a recruit of the Coast Guard at
Training Center Cape May or an officer candidate at the Coast
Guard Officer Candidate School.
``(E) Covered misconduct prevention and response
activities.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall
include an assessment of the adequacy of covered misconduct
prevention and response activities related to incidents
described in subparagraph (A)(i) of this paragraph carried
out by the Coast Guard during the preceding calendar year.
``(F) Contributing factors.--Each report required under
subsection (a) shall include, for incidents described in
subparagraph (A)(i)--
``(i) an analysis of the factors that may have contributed
to such incidents;
``(ii) an assessment of the role of such factors in
contributing to such incidents during such year; and
``(iii) recommendations for mechanisms to eliminate or
reduce such contributing factors.
``(3) Implementation status of accountability and
transparency review directed actions.--Each report required
under subsection (a) submitted during the 5-year period
beginning on March 1, 2025, shall include information on the
implementation by the Commandant of the directed actions
described in the memorandum of the Coast Guard titled
`Commandant's Directed Actions--Accountability and
Transparency', issued on November 27, 2023, including--
``(A) a description of actions taken to address each
directed action during the year covered by the report;
``(B) the implementation status of each directed action;
``(C) in the case of any directed action that has not been
implemented--
``(i) a detailed action plan for implementation of the
recommendation;
``(ii) an estimated timeline for implementation of the
recommendation;
``(iii) description of changes the Commandant intends to
make to associated Coast Guard policies so as to enable the
implementation of the recommendation; and
``(iv) any other information the Commandant considers
appropriate;
``(D) a description of the metrics and milestones used to
measure completion, accountability, and effectiveness of each
directed action;
``(E) a description of any additional actions the
Commandant is taking to mitigate instances of covered
misconduct within the Coast Guard;
``(F) any legislative change proposal necessary to
implement the directed actions; and
``(G) a detailed list of funding necessary to implement the
directed actions in a timely and effective manner, including
a list of personnel needed for such implementation.
``(d) Victim Confidentiality.--To the extent that
information collected under the authority of this section is
reported or otherwise made available to the public, such
information shall be provided in a form that is consistent
with applicable privacy protections under Federal law and
does not jeopardize the confidentiality of victims.
``(e) Substantiated Defined.--In this section, the term
`substantiated' has the meaning given the term under section
1631(c) of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2011 (10 U.S.C. 1561 note).''.
(c) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) Chapter 19.--The table of sections for chapter 19 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 1902 and inserting the following new
item:
``1902. Academy policy and report on covered misconduct.''.
(2) Chapter 51.--The table of sections for chapter 51 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 5112 and inserting the following new
item:
``5112. Covered misconduct in the Coast Guard.''.
SEC. 5407. MODIFICATIONS TO THE OFFICER INVOLUNTARY
SEPARATION PROCESS.
(a) Review of Records.--Section 2158 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1)
by striking ``may at any time convene a board of officers''
and inserting ``shall prescribe, by regulation, procedures''.
(b) Boards of Inquiry.--Section 2159(c) of such title is
amended by striking ``send the record of its proceedings to a
board of review'' and inserting ``recommend to the Secretary
that the officer not be retained on active duty''.
(c) Repeal of Boards of Review.--Section 2160 of title 14,
United States Code, is repealed.
(d) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in section 2161 by striking ``section 2158, 2159, or
2160'' each place it appears and inserting ``section 2158 or
2159'';
(B) in section 2163, in the first sentence by striking
``board of review under section 2160 of this title'' and
inserting ``board of inquiry under section 2159 of this
title''; and
(C) in section 2164(a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1) by striking ``or 2160''.
(2) The analysis at the beginning of chapter 21 of title
14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 2160.
SEC. 5408. REVIEW OF DISCHARGE CHARACTERIZATION.
(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 characterization
``(a) Downgrade.--
``(1) In general.--The decision to conduct a case review
under this section shall be at the discretion of the
Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is
operating.
``(2) Board of review.--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 and under part 51 of title 33, Code of Federal
Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of the
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025), 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 to a general (under honorable
conditions) discharge 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 title
10 (article 120, 120b, or 134 of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice).
``(3) Evidence.--Any downgrade under paragraph (2) shall be
supported by clear and convincing evidence.
``(4) Limitation.--The review board under paragraph (2) may
not downgrade a discharge of a former member of the Coast
Guard if the same action described in paragraph (2) 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 and under part 51 of title 33, Code
of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025), shall be based
on the records of the Coast Guard, and with respect to a
member who also served in another one of the armed forces,
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) Rulemaking.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall initiate a
rulemaking to implement this section.
(2) Deadline for regulations.--The regulations issued under
paragraph (1) shall take effect not later than 180 days after
the date on which the Commandant promulgates a final rule
pursuant to such paragraph.
(c) 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 characterization.''.
SEC. 5409. 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. 5410. DEFINITION OF COVERED MISCONDUCT.
(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. 2519. Covered misconduct defined
``In this title, the term `covered misconduct' means--
[[Page S5437]]
``(1) rape and sexual assault, as described in sections
920(a) and 920(b) of title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of
the Uniform Code of Military Justice);
``(2) sexual harassment, as described in Executive Order
14062 dated January 26, 2022, and enumerated under section
934 of title 10 (article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice);
``(3) abusive sexual contact and aggravated sexual contact,
as described in sections 920(c) and 920(d) of title 10
(articles 120(c) and 120(d) of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice);
``(4) wrongful broadcast, dissemination, or creation of
content as described in sections 917 and 920c of title 10
(articles 117a and 120c of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice);
``(5) the child pornography offenses as described in
section 934 of title 10 (article 134 of the Uniform Code of
Military Justice);
``(6) rape and sexual assault of a child, other sexual
misconduct, and stalking, as described in sections 920b,
920c(a), and 930 of title 10 (articles 120b, 120c, and 130 of
the Uniform Code of Military Justice); and
``(7) domestic violence, as described in section 928b of
title 10 (article 128b of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 25 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 2518 the following:
``2519. Covered misconduct defined.''.
SEC. 5411. NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES TO UNIFORM CODE OF
MILITARY JUSTICE OR MANUAL FOR COURTS MARTIAL
RELATING TO COVERED MISCONDUCT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 51 of title 14, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5116. Notification of changes to Uniform Code of
Military Justice or Manual for Courts Martial relating to
covered misconduct
``Beginning on March 30, 2026, and annually thereafter, the
Commandant shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives with respect to each of the following:
``(1) Whether the Uniform Code of Military Justice (chapter
47 of title 10) has been amended--
``(A) to add any sex-related offense as a new article; or
``(B) to remove an article relating to covered misconduct
described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section
301.
``(2) Whether the Manual for Courts Martial has been
modified--
``(A) to add any sex-related offense as an offense
described under an article of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice; or
``(B) to remove as an offense described under an article of
the Uniform Code of Military Justice covered misconduct
described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section
301.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 51 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``5116. Notification of changes to Uniform Code of Military Justice Or
Manual for Courts Martial relating to covered
misconduct.''.
SEC. 5412. COMPLAINTS OF RETALIATION BY VICTIMS OF SEXUAL
ASSAULT OR SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND RELATED
PERSONS.
Section 1562a of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``The Secretary of Defense shall'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Coast guard.--The Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating shall designate the
Commandant of the Coast Guard to be responsible for carrying
out the requirements of this section with respect to members
of the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a
service in the Navy.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting
``and the Commandant of the Coast Guard'' after
``Secretary'';
(B) in paragraph (8) by inserting before the period at the
end ``or with respect to the Coast Guard, the component
designated by the Commandant of the Coast Guard''; and
(C) in paragraph (4) by striking ``Department of Defense'';
and
(3) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``, the Inspector
General of the Department of Homeland Security,'' before ``or
any other inspector general'';
(B) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``military'' and
inserting ``armed force''; and
(C) in subparagraph (E) by inserting ``or department in
which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a
service in the Navy for members of the Coast Guard'' after
``Department of Defense''.
SEC. 5413. DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES ON MILITARY PROTECTIVE
ORDERS.
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall issue updated
policies of the Coast Guard relating to military protective
orders that are consistent with the law and policies of the
Department of Defense.
(2) Elements.--The policies developed under paragraph (1)
shall require--
(A) that any denial of a request for a military protective
order shall include a written explanation for the denial,
which shall be--
(i) forwarded to the next flag officer in the chain of
command of the commanding officer or other approving
authority who denied the request; and
(ii) provided to the member who submitted the request; and
(B) the recusal of an approving authority from
participating in the granting or denying of a military
protective order, if such authority was, at any time--
(i) the subject of a complaint of any form of assault,
harassment, or retaliation filed by the member requesting the
military protective order or the member who is the subject of
the military protective order; or
(ii) associated with the member requesting the military
protective order or the member who is the subject of the
military protective order in a manner that presents as an
actual or apparent conflict of interest.
(3) Notification requirement.--The Commandant shall develop
a policy to ensure that sexual assault response coordinators,
victim advocates, and other appropriate personnel shall
inform victims of the process by which the victim may request
an expedited transfer, a no-contact order, or a military or
civilian protective order.
SEC. 5414. COAST GUARD IMPLEMENTATION OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS ON ADDRESSING SEXUAL
ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE MILITARY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall review the report
of the Independent Review Commission titled ``Hard Truths and
the Duty to Change: Recommendations from the Independent
Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military''
referred to in the memorandum of the Department of Defense
titled ``Memorandum for Senior Pentagon Leadership Commanders
of the Combatant Commands Defense Agency and DoD Field
Activity Directors'', dated September 22, 2021, (relating to
commencing Department of Defense actions and implementation
of the recommendations of the Independent Review Commission
to address sexual assault and sexual harassment in the
military).
(b) Strategy and Action Plan.--On completion of the review
required under subsection (a), and not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a strategy and action plan that--
(1)(A) identifies any recommendation set forth in the
report by the Independent Review Commission described in
subsection (a) that addresses a matter that is not within the
jurisdiction of the Coast Guard, does not apply to the Coast
Guard, or otherwise would not be beneficial to members of the
Coast Guard, as determined by the Commandant; and
(B) includes a brief rationale for such determination; and
(2) with respect to each recommendation set forth in such
report that is not identified under paragraph (1), includes--
(A)(i) a detailed action plan for implementation of the
recommendation;
(ii) a description of changes the Commandant will make to
associated Coast Guard policies so as to enable the
implementation of the recommendation;
(iii) an estimated timeline for implementation of the
recommendation;
(iv) the estimated cost of the implementation;
(v) legislative proposals for such implementation, as
appropriate; and
(vi) any other information the Commandant considers
appropriate; or
(B) in the case of such a recommendation that the
Commandant is unable to implement, an explanation of the
reason the recommendation cannot be implemented.
(c) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter through
2028, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives with a briefing on the status of the
implementation of this section and any modification to the
strategy and plan submitted under subsection (b).
SEC. 5415. POLICY RELATING TO CARE AND SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF
COVERED MISCONDUCT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall issue Coast Guard
policy relating to the care and support of members of the
Coast Guard who are alleged victims covered misconduct.
(b) Elements.--The policy required by subsection (a) shall
require, to the maximum extent practicable, that--
(1) a member of the Coast Guard who is an alleged victim of
covered misconduct and discloses such covered misconduct to
the appropriate individual of the Coast Guard responsible for
providing victim care and support--
(A) shall receive care and support from such individual;
and
(B) such individual shall not deny or unreasonably delay
providing care and support; and
(2) in the case of such an alleged victim to whom care and
support cannot be provided
[[Page S5438]]
by the appropriate individual contacted by the alleged victim
based on programmatic eligibility criteria or any other
reason that affects the ability of such appropriate
individual to provide care and support (such as being
stationed at a remote unit or serving on a vessel currently
underway) the alleged victim shall receive, with the
permission of the alleged victim--
(A) an in-person introduction to appropriate service
providers, for which the alleged victim is physically
present, which shall occur at the discretion of the alleged
victim; and
(B) access to follow-up services from the appropriate 1 or
more service providers.
(c) Applicability.--The policy issued under subsection (a)
shall apply to--
(1) all Coast Guard personnel responsible for the care and
support of victims of covered misconduct; and
(2) any other Coast Guard personnel the Commandant
considers appropriate.
(d) Revision of Policy Relating to Domestic Abuse.--Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Commandant shall issue or revise any Coast Guard policy
or process relating to domestic abuse so as to define the
term ``intimate partner'' to have the meaning given such term
in section 930 of title 10, United States Code.
(e) Training.--
(1) In general.--All Coast Guard personnel responsible for
the care and support of members of the Coast Guard who are
alleged victims of covered misconduct shall receive training
in accordance with professional standards of practice to
ensure that such alleged victims receive adequate care that
is consistent with the policy issued under subsection (a).
(2) Elements.--The training required by paragraph (1)--
(A) shall include--
(i) instructions on specific procedures for implementing
the policy issued under subsection (a); and
(ii) information on resources and personnel critical for
the implementation of such policy; and
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, shall be provided in
person.
(f) Covered Misconduct.--In this section, the term
``covered misconduct'' shall have the meaning given such term
in section 2519 of title 14, United States Code (as added by
this Act).
SEC. 5416. ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL VICTIM CAPABILITIES TO
RESPOND TO ALLEGATIONS OF CERTAIN SPECIAL
VICTIM OFFENSES.
(a) In General.--Section 573 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 U.S.C. 1561 note)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``or the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a
service in the Navy'' after ``Secretary of Defense''; and
(B) by striking ``Secretary of each military department''
and inserting ``Secretary concerned'';
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ``or Air Force Office of
Special Investigations'' and inserting ``, Air Force Office
of Special Investigations, or Coast Guard Investigative
Services'';
(3) in subsection (c) by inserting ``or the Secretary of
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not
operating as a service in the Navy'' after ``Secretary of
Defense'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``or the Commandant of the Coast Guard''
after ``Secretary of a military department''; and
(ii) by inserting ``or the Coast Guard'' after ``within the
military department'';
(B) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``or the Coast Guard''
after ``within a military department''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Time for Establishment for Coast Guard.--Not later
than 120 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2025, the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report containing all the items described
in subsections (e) and (f) as applied to the Coast Guard.''.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives with a briefing on the
Commandant's assessment and implementation, as appropriate,
of the recommendations included in the Center for Naval
Analyses report titled ``Assessing the USCG's Special
Victims' Counsel Program'', issued in June 2024, including--
(1) the implementation status of each adopted
recommendation, as appropriate;
(2) for each adopted recommendation, a description of
actions taken to implement such recommendation;
(3) in the case of an adopted recommendation that has not
been fully implemented--
(A) a description of actions taken or planned to address
such recommendation;
(B) an estimated completion date; and
(C) a description of the milestones necessary to complete
the recommendation;
(4) a description of any recommendation that will not be
adopted and an explanation of the reason the recommendation
will not be adopted;
(5) a description of the metrics and milestones used to
ensure completion and effectiveness of each adopted
recommendation;
(6) a description of any additional actions the Commandant
is taking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the
Special Victims' Counsel program of the Coast Guard;
(7) any legislative change proposal necessary to implement
the adopted recommendations; and
(8) an overview of any funding or resource necessary to
implement each adopted recommendation in a timely and
effective manner, including a list of personnel needed for
such implementation.
SEC. 5417. MEMBERS ASSERTING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER,
SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.
Section 2516 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``or has been sexually assaulted during the
preceding 2-year period''; and
(ii) by striking ``or based on such sexual assault, the
influence of'' and inserting ``the signs and symptoms of
either'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as
paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively;
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder.--A member
of the Coast Guard who has been sexually assaulted during the
preceding 5-year period and who alleges, based on such sexual
assault, the signs and symptoms of a diagnosable mental,
behavioral, or emotional disorder described within the most
recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric
Association--
``(A) is provided the opportunity to request a medical
examination to clinically evaluate such signs and symptoms;
and
``(B) receives such a medical examination to evaluate a
diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain
injury, or diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional
disorder described within the most recent edition of the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
published by the American Psychiatric Association.'';
(D) in paragraph (3) by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and
inserting ``this subsection''; and
(E) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated--
(i) by inserting ``or a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or
emotional disorder'' before ``under this subsection'';
(ii) by inserting ``performed by'' after ``shall be''; and
(iii) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting
the following:
``(A) a board-certified psychiatrist;
``(B) a licensed doctorate-level psychologist;
``(C) any other appropriate licensed or certified
healthcare professional designated by the Commandant; or
``(D) a psychiatry resident or board-eligible psychologist
who--
``(i) has completed a 1-year internship or residency; and
``(ii) is under the close supervision of a board-certified
psychiatrist or licensed doctorate-level psychologist.'';
(2) in subsection (b) by inserting ``or a diagnosable
mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder'' after ``traumatic
brain injury''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Notification of Right to Request Medical
Examination.--
``(1) In general.--Any member of the Coast Guard who
receives a notice of involuntary administrative separation
shall be advised at the time of such notice of the right of
the member to request a medical examination under subsection
(a) if any condition described in such subsection applies to
the member.
``(2) Policy.--The Commandant shall--
``(A) develop and issue a clear policy for carrying out the
notification required under paragraph (1) with respect to any
member of the Coast Guard described in that paragraph who has
made an unrestricted report of sexual assault; and
``(B) provide information on such policy to sexual assault
response coordinators of the Coast Guard for the purpose of
ensuring that such policy is communicated to members of the
Coast Guard who may be eligible for a medical examination
under this section.''.
SEC. 5418. PARTICIPATION IN CATCH A SERIAL OFFENDER PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a service
in the Navy, acting through the Commandant, shall ensure the
participation of the Coast Guard in the Catch a Serial
Offender program (referred to in this section as the ``CATCH
program'') of the Department of Defense established in
accordance with section 543 of the Carl Levin and Howard P.
``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291).
[[Page S5439]]
(b) Memorandum of Understanding.--Not later than 60 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating and the
Secretary of Defense shall finalize a memorandum of agreement
to facilitate Coast Guard access to and participation in the
CATCH program.
SEC. 5419. ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY RELATING TO
ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT AGAINST SENIOR
LEADERS.
(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. 2520. Accountability and transparency relating to
allegations of misconduct against senior leaders
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the
Secretary shall establish a policy to improve oversight,
investigations, accountability, and public transparency
regarding alleged misconduct of senior leaders of the Coast
Guard.
``(b) Elements.--The policy required by subsection (a)--
``(1) shall require that--
``(A) any allegation of alleged misconduct made against a
senior leader of the Coast Guard shall be reported to the
Office of the Inspector General of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating not later than 72 hours after
the allegation is reported to the Coast Guard or the
department in which the Coast Guard is operating; and
``(B) the Inspector General of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating shall notify the head of the Coast
Guard office in which the senior leader is serving with
respect to the receipt of such allegation, or, in a case
where the senior leader is the head of such Coast Guard
office, the next in the chain of command, as appropriate,
except in a case in which the Inspector General determines
that such notification would risk impairing an ongoing
investigation, would unnecessarily compromise the anonymity
of the individual making the allegation, or would otherwise
be inappropriate; and
``(2) to the extent practicable, shall be consistent with
Department of Defense directives, including Department of
Defense Directive 5505.06.
``(c) First Right to Exclusive Investigation.--The
Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard
is operating--
``(1) shall have the first right to investigate an
allegation described in subsection (b)(1)(A); and
``(2) in cases with concurrent jurisdiction involving an
allegation described in subsection (b)(1)(A), may investigate
such an allegation to the exclusion of any other Coast Guard
criminal or administrative investigation if the Inspector
General determines that an exclusive investigation is
necessary to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
``(d) Public Availability and Broad Dissemination.--The
policy established under subsection (a) shall be made
available to the public and incorporated into training and
curricula across the Coast Guard at all levels to ensure
broad understanding of the policy among members and personnel
of the Coast Guard.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Alleged misconduct.--The term `alleged misconduct'--
``(A) means a credible allegation that, if proven, would
constitute a violation of--
``(i) a provision of criminal law, including the Uniform
Code of Military Justice (chapter 47 of title 10); or
``(ii) a recognized standard, such as the Department of
Defense Joint Ethics Regulation or other Federal regulation,
including any other Department of Defense regulation and any
Department of Homeland Security regulation; or
``(B) could reasonably be expected to be of significance to
the Secretary or the Inspector General of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating, particularly in a case in
which there is an element of misuse of position or of
unauthorized personal benefit to the senior official, a
family member, or an associate.
``(2) Senior leader of the coast guard.--The term `senior
leader of the Coast Guard' means--
``(A) an active duty, retired, or reserve officer of the
Coast Guard in the grade of O-7 or higher;
``(B) an officer of the Coast Guard selected for promotion
to the grade of O-7;
``(C) a current or former civilian member of the Senior
Executive Service employed by the Coast Guard; or
``(D) any civilian member of the Coast Guard whose position
is deemed equivalent to that of a member of the Senior
Executive Service, as determined by the Office of the
Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard
is operating, in concurrence with the Secretary acting
through the Commandant.''.
(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 2519 (as added by this
Act) the following:
``2520. Accountability and transparency relating to allegations of
misconduct against senior leaders.''.
SEC. 5420. CONFIDENTIAL REPORTING OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.
Section 1561b of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``and the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a
service in the Navy'' after ``Secretary of Defense''; and
(B) by inserting ``or the Commandant'' after ``Secretary of
a military department'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by inserting ``or the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a
service in the Navy'' after ``Secretary of Defense''; and
(B) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``departments or the
Commandant'' after ``Secretaries of the military''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Reports for the Coast Guard.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than April 30, 2025, and April
30 every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of the department
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a report containing data on
the complaints of sexual harassment alleged pursuant to the
process under subsection (a) during the previous 2 calendar
years.
``(2) Personally identifiable information.--Any data on
complaints described in paragraph (1) shall not contain any
personally identifiable information.''.
SEC. 5421. REPORT ON POLICY ON WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the
Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives a report on the policy of the Coast
Guard on whistleblower protections.
(b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) A discussion of the policy of the Coast Guard as of the
date of enactment of this Act with respect to--
(A) whistleblower protections;
(B) accountability measures for reprisal against
whistleblowers;
(C) the applicable professional standards and potential
types of support provided to whistleblowers by members of the
Coast Guard personnel, such as the members in the Coast Guard
Investigative Service; and
(D) the content and frequency of training provided to
members of the Coast Guard on active duty, members of the
Coast Guard Reserve, and civilian personnel of the Coast
Guard with respect to the applicable professional standards
and potential types of support offered to whistleblowers.
(2) A description of the responsibilities of commanders and
equivalent civilian supervisors with respect to whistleblower
complaints and measures used by the Coast Guard to ensure
compliance with such responsibilities, such as--
(A) the mechanisms to ensure that--
(i) any such commander complies with section 1034 of title
10, United States Code, including subsection (a)(1) of that
section;
(ii) any such equivalent civilian supervisor complies with
section 2302 of title 5, United States Code; and
(iii) any such commander or supervisor protects the
constitutional right of whistleblowers to speak with Members
of Congress;
(B) actions to be taken against any a commander or
equivalent civilian supervisor who fails to act on a
whistleblower complaint or improperly interferes with a
whistleblower after a complaint is filed or during the
preparation of a complaint;
(C) the role of Coast Guard attorneys in ensuring that such
commanders comply with responsibilities under section 1034 of
title 10, United States Code; and
(D) the role of Coast Guard civilian attorneys and
administrative law judges in ensuring that such civilian
supervisors comply with responsibilities under section 2302
of title 5, United States Code.
(3) A discussion of the availability of Coast Guard staff,
including civilian staff, assigned to providing, in
accordance with professional standards or practice,
behavioral health care to whistleblowers, including--
(A) the number and type of such staff;
(B) a description of the specific care responsibilities of
such staff;
(C) an identification of any limitation existing as of the
date of enactment of this Act to the provision of such care;
(D) a description of any plan to increase capacity of such
staff to provide such care, as applicable; and
(E) a description of any additional resources necessary to
provide such care.
(4) An assessment of the manner in which the policies
discussed in paragraph (1), the responsibilities of
commanders and civilian supervisors described in paragraph
(2), and the availability of Coast Guard staff as discussed
in paragraph (3) apply specifically to cadets and leadership
at the Coast Guard Academy.
(5) Recommendations (including, as appropriate, proposed
legislative changes and a plan to publish in the Federal
Register not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of this Act a request for information seeking public comment
and recommendations) of the Commandant regarding manners in
which Coast Guard policies and procedures may be
strengthened--
(A) to prevent whistleblower discrimination and harassment;
[[Page S5440]]
(B) to better enforce prohibitions on retaliation,
including reprisal, restriction, ostracism, and maltreatment,
set forth in section 1034 of title 10, United States Code,
and section 2302 of title 5, United States Code; and
(C) to hold commanding officers and civilian supervisors
accountable for enforcing and complying with prohibitions on
any form of retaliation described in such section.
SEC. 5422. REVIEW AND MODIFICATION OF COAST GUARD ACADEMY
POLICY ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL
VIOLENCE.
(a) In General.--The Superintendent of the Coast Guard
Academy (referred to in this section as the
``Superintendent'') shall--
(1) not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, commence a review of the Coast Guard Academy
policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence established
in accordance with section 1902 of title 14, United States
Code, that includes an evaluation as to whether any long-
standing Coast Guard Academy tradition, system, process, or
internal policy impedes the implementation of necessary
evidence-informed best practices followed by other military
service academies in prevention, response, and recovery
relating to sexual harassment and sexual violence; and
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act--
(A) complete such review; and
(B) modify such policy in accordance with subsection (b).
(b) Modifications to Policy.--In modifying the Coast Guard
Academy policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence
referred to in subsection (a), the Superintendent shall
ensure that such policy includes the following:
(1) Each matter required to be specified by section 1902(b)
of title 14, United States Code.
(2) Updates to achieve compliance with chapter 47 of title
10, United States Code (Uniform Code of Military Justice).
(3) A description of the roles and responsibilities of
staff of the Coast Guard Academy Sexual Assault Prevention,
Response, and Recovery program, including--
(A) the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator;
(B) the Victim Advocate Program Specialist;
(C) the Volunteer Victim Advocate; and
(D) the Primary Prevention Specialist, as established under
subsection (c).
(4) A description of the role of the Coast Guard
Investigative Service with respect to sexual harassment and
sexual violence prevention, response, and recovery at the
Coast Guard Academy.
(5) A description of the role of support staff at the Coast
Guard Academy, including chaplains, with respect to sexual
harassment and sexual violence prevention, response, and
recovery.
(6) Measures to promote awareness of dating violence.
(7) A delineation of the relationship between--
(A) cadet advocacy groups organized for the prevention of,
response to, and recovery from sexual harassment and sexual
violence, including Cadets Against Sexual Assault; and
(B) the staff of the Coast Guard Academy Sexual Assault
Prevention, Response, and Recovery program.
(8) A provision that requires cadets and Coast Guard
Academy personnel to participate in not fewer than one in-
person training each academic year on the prevention of,
responses to, and resources relating to incidents of sexual
harassment and sexual violence, to be provided by the staff
of the Coast Guard Academy Sexual Assault Prevention,
Response, and Recovery program.
(9) The establishment, revision, or expansion, as
necessary, of an anti-retaliation Superintendent's
Instruction for cadets who--
(A) report incidents of sexual harassment or sexual
violence;
(B) participate in cadet advocacy groups that advocate for
the prevention of, response to, and recovery from sexual
harassment and sexual violence; or
(C) seek assistance from a company officer, company senior
enlisted leader, athletic coach, or other Coast Guard Academy
staff member with respect to a mental health or other medical
emergency.
(10) A provision that explains the purpose of and process
for issuance of a no-contact order at the Coast Guard
Academy, including a description of the manner in which such
an order shall be enforced.
(11) A provision that explains the purpose of and process
for issuance of a military protective order at the Coast
Guard Academy, including a description of--
(A) the manner in which such an order shall be enforced;
and
(B) the associated requirement to notify the National
Criminal Information Center of the issuance of such an order.
(c) Primary Prevention Specialist.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Superintendent shall hire a Primary Prevention Specialist, to
be located and serve at the Coast Guard Academy.
(d) Temporary Leave of Absence To Receive Medical Services
and Mental Health and Related Support Services.--The
Superintendent shall ensure that the Academy's policy
regarding a cadet who has made a restricted or unrestricted
report of sexual harassment to request a leave of absence
from the Coast Guard Academy is consistent with other
military service academies.
SEC. 5423. COAST GUARD AND COAST GUARD ACADEMY ACCESS TO
DEFENSE SEXUAL ASSAULT INCIDENT DATABASE.
(a) Memorandum of Understanding.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall enter into
a memorandum of understanding to enable the criminal offender
case management and analytics database of the Coast Guard to
have system interface access with the Defense Sexual Assault
Incident Database (referred to in this section as the
``Database'') established by section 563 of the Duncan Hunter
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (10
U.S.C. 1561 note).
(b) Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after entering into
the memorandum of understanding required under subsection
(a), the Commandant, in consultation with the Secretary of
Defense, shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a plan to carry out the terms of such memorandum.
(2) Elements.--The plan required under paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) Measures to ensure that authorized staff of the Coast
Guard have system interface access to the Database, and a
description of any barrier to such access.
(B) Measures to ensure that authorized staff of the Coast
Guard Academy have system interface access to the Database,
and a description of any barrier to such access that is
unique to the Coast Guard Academy.
(C) Measures to facilitate formal or informal communication
between the Coast Guard and the Sexual Assault Prevention and
Response Office of the Department of Defense, or any other
relevant Department of Defense component, to identify or seek
a resolution to barriers to Database access.
(D) A description of the steps, measures, and improvements
necessary to remove any barrier encountered by staff of the
Coast Guard or the Coast Guard Academy in accessing the
Database, including any failure of system interface access
necessitating manual entry of investigative data.
(E) An assessment of the technical challenges, timeframes,
and costs associated with providing authorized staff of the
Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Academy with system interface
access for the Database that is substantially similar to such
system interface access possessed by other branches of the
Armed Forces.
(3) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and
the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 5424. DIRECTOR OF COAST GUARD INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE.
(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 325. Director of Coast Guard Investigative Service
``(a) In General.--There shall be a Director of the Coast
Guard Investigative Service.
``(b) Chain of Command.--The Director of the Coast Guard
Investigative Service shall report directly to and be under
the general supervision of the Commandant, acting through the
Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for Chapter 3 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 324 the following:
``325. Director of Coast Guard Investigative Service.''.
SEC. 5425. MODIFICATIONS AND REVISIONS RELATING TO REOPENING
RETIRED GRADE DETERMINATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 2501(d)(2) of title 14, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ``a'' before
``competent authority'';
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (E) as
subparagraphs (F) through (H), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) substantial evidence comes to light that, during the
commissioned service of the officer, the officer failed to
carry out applicable laws, with an intent to deceive or
defraud;
``(D) substantial evidence comes to light after the
retirement that the officer committed rape or sexual assault,
as described in sections 920(a) and 920(b) of title 10
(articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice) at any time during the commissioned service of the
officer;
``(E) substantial evidence comes to light after the
retirement that the commissioned officer knew of and failed
to report through proper channels, in accordance with
existing law at the time of the alleged incident, any known
instances of sexual assault by a member of the Coast Guard
under the command of the officer during the officer's
service;''.
(b) Issuance and Revision of Regulations Relating to Good
Cause To Reopen Retired Grade Determinations.--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 or revise, as applicable, and at the
discretion of the Secretary consistent with this section,
regulations of the Coast Guard to do the following:
[[Page S5441]]
(1) Define what constitutes good cause to reopen a retired
grade determination referred to in subparagraph (H) of
section 2501(d)(2) of title 14, United States Code, as
redesignated by subsection (a), to ensure that the following
shall be considered good cause for such a reopening:
(A) Circumstances that constitute a failure to carry out
applicable laws regarding a report of sexual assault with an
intent to deceive by a commissioned officer, that relate to a
response made to a report of sexual assault, during the
commissioned service of the officer.
(B) Substantial evidence of sexual assault by the
commissioned officer concerned, at any time during the
commissioned service of such officer, or such evidence that
was not considered by the Coast Guard in a manner consistent
with law.
(2) Identify the standard for making, and the evidentiary
showing required to support, an adverse determination on the
retired grade of a commissioned officer.
(c) Revision of Limitations on Reopening Retired Grade
Determinations.--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 revise applicable
guidance in section K.10 of chapter 3 of Commandant
Instruction 1000.4A to remove any restriction that limits the
ability to reopen the retired grade of a commissioned officer
based on--
(1) whether new evidence is discovered contemporaneously
with or within a short time period after the date of
retirement of the officer concerned; and
(2) whether the misconduct concerned was not discoverable
through due diligence.
(d) Savings Clause.--No provision of this section or the
amendments made by this section shall be construed to permit
a review of conduct that was not in violation of law or
policy at the time of the alleged conduct.
SEC. 5426. INCLUSION AND COMMAND REVIEW OF INFORMATION ON
COVERED MISCONDUCT IN PERSONNEL SERVICE
RECORDS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 25 of title 14, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subchapter II, by redesignating section 2521 as
section 2531; and
(2) in subchapter I, as amended by this Act, by adding at
the end the following:
``Sec. 2521. Inclusion and command review of information on
covered misconduct in personnel service records
``(a) Information on Reports on Covered Misconduct.--
``(1) In general.--If a complaint of covered misconduct is
made against a member of the Coast Guard and the member is
convicted by court-martial or receives nonjudicial punishment
or punitive administrative action for such covered
misconduct, a notation to that effect shall be placed in the
personnel service record of the member, regardless of the
grade of the member.
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the inclusion of information
in personnel service records under paragraph (1) is to alert
supervisors and commanders to any member of their command who
has received a court-martial conviction, nonjudicial
punishment, or punitive administrative action for covered
misconduct in order--
``(A) to reduce the likelihood that repeat offenses will
escape the notice of supervisors and commanders; and
``(B) to help inform commissioning or promotability of the
member;
``(3) Limitation on placement.--A notation under paragraph
(1) may not be placed in the restricted section of the
personnel service record of a member.
``(4) Construction.--Nothing in this subsection may be
construed to prohibit or limit the capacity of a member of
the Coast Guard to challenge or appeal the placement of a
notation, or location of placement of a notation, in the
personnel service record of the member in accordance with
procedures otherwise applicable to such challenges or
appeals.
``(b) Command Review of History of Covered Misconduct.--
``(1) In general.--Under policy to be prescribed by the
Secretary, the commanding officer of a unit or facility to
which a covered member is assigned or transferred shall
review the history of covered misconduct as documented in the
personnel service record of a covered member in order to
become familiar with such history of the covered member.
``(2) Covered member defined.--In this subsection, the term
`covered member' means a member of the Coast Guard who, at
the time of assignment or transfer as described in paragraph
(1), has a history of 1 or more covered misconduct offenses
as documented in the personnel service record of such member
or such other records or files as the Commandant shall
specify in the policy prescribed under subparagraph (A).
``(c) Review of Personnel Service Record to Determine
Suitability for Civilian Employment.--Under policy to be
prescribed by the Secretary, the Commandant shall establish
procedures that are consistent with the law, policies, and
practices of the Department of Defense in effect on the date
of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 to
consider and review the personnel service record of a former
member of the Armed Forces to determine the suitability of
the individual for civilian employment in the Coast Guard.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 25 of
title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the item relating to section 2521 and
inserting the following:
``2531. Advisory Board on Women in the Coast Guard.''; and
(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 2520
(as added by this Act) the following:
``2521. Inclusion and command review of information on covered
misconduct in personnel service records.''.
SEC. 5427. FLAG OFFICER REVIEW OF, AND CONCURRENCE IN,
SEPARATION OF MEMBERS WHO HAVE REPORTED SEXUAL
MISCONDUCT.
(a) Policy To Require Review of Certain Proposed
Involuntary Separations.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall
establish, with respect to any proposed involuntary
separation under chapter 59 of title 10, United States Code,
a Coast Guard policy to review the circumstances of, and
grounds for, such a proposed involuntary separation of any
member of the Coast Guard who--
(1) made a restricted or unrestricted report of covered
misconduct (as such term is defined in section 2519 of title
14, United States Code);
(2) within 2 years after making such a report, is
recommended for involuntary separation from the Coast Guard;
and
(3) requests the review on the grounds that the member
believes the recommendation for involuntary separation from
the Coast Guard was initiated in retaliation for making the
report.
(b) Recusal.--
(1) In general.--The policy established under subsection
(a) shall set forth a process for the recusal of commanding
officers and the flag officer described in subsection (c)(2)
from making initial or subsequent decisions on proposed
separations or from reviewing proposed separations.
(2) Criteria.--The recusal process established under
paragraph (1) shall specify criteria for recusal, including
mandatory recusal from making a decision on a proposed
separation, and from reviewing a proposed separation, if the
commanding officer or the flag officer described in
subsection (c)(2) was, at any time--
(A) the subject of a complaint of any form of assault,
harassment, or retaliation, filed by the member of the Coast
Guard described in subsection (a) who is the subject of a
proposed involuntary separation or whose proposed separation
is under review; or
(B) associated with the individual suspected or accused of
perpetrating the incident of covered misconduct reported by
such member.
(c) Concurrence of Flag Officer Required.--
(1) In general.--The policy established under subsection
(a) shall require the concurrence of the flag officer
described in paragraph (2) in order to separate the member of
the Coast Guard described in such subsection.
(2) Flag officer described.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the flag officer described in this paragraph is--
(i) the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support or the
successor Vice Admiral that oversees personnel policy; or
(ii) a designee of the Deputy Commandant for Mission
Support (or the successor Vice Admiral that oversees
personnel policy) who is in a grade not lower than O-7.
(B) Chain of command exception.--In the case of a member of
the Coast Guard described in subsection (a) who is in the
immediate chain of command of the Deputy Commandant for
Mission Support or the successor Vice Admiral that oversees
personnel policy or the designee of the Deputy Commandant for
Mission Support or the successor Vice Admiral that oversees
personnel policy, the flag officer described in this
paragraph is a flag officer outside the chain of command of
such member, as determined by the Commandant consistent with
the policy established under subsection (a).
(d) Notification Required.--Any member of the Coast Guard
who has made a report of covered misconduct and who receives
a proposal for involuntary separation shall be notified at
the time of such proposal of the right of the member to a
review under this section.
SEC. 5428. EXPEDITED TRANSFER IN CASES OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
(a) Expedited Transfer Policy Update.--Not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant
shall update Coast Guard policy as necessary to implement--
(1) an expedited transfer process for covered individuals
consistent with--
(A) Department of Defense policy on expedited transfers of
victims of sexual assault or domestic violence in place on
the date of enactment of this Act; and
(B) subsection (b); and
(2) a process by which--
(A) a covered individual, the commanding officer of a
covered individual, or any other Coast Guard official may
initiate a request that a subject be administratively
assigned to another unit in accordance with military
assignments and authorized absence policy for the duration of
the investigation and, if applicable, prosecution of such
subject;
(B) the Coast Guard shall ensure that any administrative
assignment action in response to a request under subparagraph
(A) will be taken not as a punitive measure, but
[[Page S5442]]
solely for the purpose of maintaining good order and
discipline within the unit of the covered individual or the
subject; and
(C) protection of due process for the subject is preserved.
(b) Recusal.--The expedited transfer process implemented
under this section shall require the recusal of any official
involved in the approval or denial of an expedited transfer
request if the official was, at any time--
(1) the subject of a complaint of any form of assault,
harassment, or retaliation, or any other type of complaint,
filed by the covered individual; or
(2) associated, beyond workplace interactions, with the
subject in a manner that may present an actual or apparent
conflict of interest.
(c) Notification Requirement.--With respect to a member of
the Coast Guard who makes an unrestricted report of sexual
assault or a report of domestic violence, the updated policy
required under subsection (a) shall specify the appropriate
officials of the Coast Guard who shall provide such member
with information regarding expedited transfer authority.
(d) Report.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than March 1 of the year
that is not less than 1 year after the date on which the
updates required under subsection (a) are completed, the
Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives, as an enclosure or appendix to the report
required by section 5112 of title 14, United States Code, a
report on such updates that includes--
(A) a copy of the updated policies of the Coast Guard
relating to expedited transfers;
(B) a summary of such updated policies;
(C) for the preceding year, the number of covered
individuals who have requested an expedited transfer,
disaggregated by gender of the requester and whether the
request was granted or denied;
(D) for each denial of an expedited transfer request during
the preceding year, a description of the rationale for the
denial; and
(E) any other matter the Commandant considers appropriate.
(2) Subsequent reports.--Not later than 1 year after the
Commandant submits the report required under paragraph (1),
and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Commandant shall
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives, as an enclosure or appendix to the report
required by section 5112 of title 14, United States Code, a
report on the updates required under subsection (a) that
includes--
(A) any policies of the Coast Guard relating to expedited
transfers that have been updated since the previous report
submitted under this subsection;
(B) a summary of any such updated policies; and
(C) the information described under subparagraphs (C)
through (E) of paragraph (1).
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered individual.--The term ``covered individual''
means--
(A) a member of the Coast Guard who is a victim of sexual
assault in a case handled under the Sexual Assault
Prevention, Response, and Recovery Program or the Family
Advocacy Program;
(B) a member of the Coast Guard who is a victim of domestic
violence (as defined by the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating in the policies prescribed
under this section) committed by the spouse or intimate
partner of the member, regardless of whether the spouse or
intimate partner is a member of the Coast Guard; and
(C) a member of the Coast Guard whose dependent is a victim
of sexual assault or domestic violence.
(2) Subject.--The term ``subject'' means a member of the
Coast Guard who is the subject of an investigation related to
alleged incidents of sexual assault or domestic violence and
is stationed at the same installation as, or in close
proximity to, the covered individual involved.
SEC. 5429. ACCESS TO TEMPORARY SEPARATION PROGRAM FOR VICTIMS
OF ALLEGED SEX-RELATED OFFENSES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall update the Coast
Guard policy relating to temporary separation of members of
the Coast Guard who are victims of alleged sex-related
offenses as required under subsection (b).
(b) Eligibility.--The updated policy required under
subsection (a) shall include--
(1) a provision that allows a member of the Coast Guard to
request to participate in the temporary separation program if
the member has reported, in an unrestricted format or to the
greatest extent practicable, a restricted format, being the
victim of an alleged sex-related offense on a date that is
during--
(A) the 5-year period preceding the requested date of
separation; and
(B) the military service of the member;
(2) a provision that provides eligibility for a member of
the Coast Guard to request temporary separation if the member
has reported being the victim of an alleged sex-related
offense, even if--
(A) the member has had a previous temporary separation
including a previous temporary separation as the victim of a
previous unrelated alleged sex-related offense; or
(B) the enlistment period of the member is not nearing
expiration or the tour or contract of the member is not
nearing completion;
(3) an updated standard of review consistent with the
application of, and purposes of, this section; and
(4) the establishment of a process--
(A) for eligible members to make requests for temporary
separation under this section; and
(B) that allows the Commandant to consider whether to allow
a member granted temporary separation under this section to
fulfill the enlistment period or tour or contract obligation
of the member after the end of the temporary separation
period.
(c) Exception From Repayment of Bonuses, Incentive Pay, or
Similar Benefits and Termination of Remaining Payments.--For
any temporary separation granted under the updated policy
required under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may
conduct a review to determine whether to exercise discretion
in accordance with section 373(b)(1) of title 37, United
States Code.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned''
has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 37,
United States Code.
(2) Sex-related offense.--The term ``sex-related offense''
has the meaning given such term in section 1044e(h) of title
10, United States Code.
SEC. 5430. POLICY AND PROGRAM TO EXPAND PREVENTION OF SEXUAL
MISCONDUCT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall develop and issue
a comprehensive policy for the Coast Guard to reinvigorate
the prevention of misconduct involving members and civilians
of the Coast Guard that contains the policy elements
described in section 1561 of title 10, United States Code.
(b) Programs Required.--Not later than 180 days after the
issuance of the policy required under paragraph (1), the
Commandant shall develop and implement for the Coast Guard a
program to reinvigorate the prevention of misconduct
involving members and civilians of the Coast Guard.
SEC. 5431. CONTINUOUS VETTING OF SECURITY CLEARANCES.
Section 1564(c) of title 10, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by inserting
``, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct an
investigation or adjudication under subsection (a) of any
individual described in paragraph (3),'' after ``paragraph
(2)''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A)(iv) by striking ``the Secretary''
and inserting ``the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of
Homeland Security, as the case may be,'';
(2) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``(other than an
individual described in paragraph (3))'' after ``is an
individual'';
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively;
(4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new
paragraph:
``(3) An individual described in this paragraph is an
individual who has a security clearance and is--
``(A) a flag officer of the Coast Guard; or
``(B) an employee of the Coast Guard in the Senior
Executive Service.''; and
(5) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by paragraph (3), by
striking ``Secretary'' and all that follows through
``paragraph (2)'' and inserting the following: ``Secretary of
Defense, in the case of an individual described in paragraph
(2), and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in the case of
an individual described in paragraph (3), shall ensure that
relevant information on the conviction or determination
described in paragraph (1) of such an individual''.
SEC. 5432. TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR COVERED
MISCONDUCT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE.
(a) Modification of Curriculum.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall revise the
curriculum of the Coast Guard with respect to covered
misconduct prevention and response training--
(A) to include--
(i) information on procedures and responsibilities with
respect to reporting requirements, investigations, survivor
health and safety (including expedited transfers, no-contact
orders, military and civilian protective orders, and
temporary separations), and whistleblower protections;
(ii) information on Department of Veterans Affairs
resources available to veterans, active-duty personnel, and
reserve personnel;
(iii) information on the right of any member of the Coast
Guard to seek legal resources outside the Coast Guard;
(iv) general information regarding the availability of
legal resources provided by civilian legal services
organizations, presented in an organized and consistent
manner that does not endorse any particular legal services
organization; and
(v) information on the capability, operations, reporting
structure, and requirements with respect to the Chief
Prosecutor of the Coast Guard; and
(B) to address the workforce training recommendations set
forth in the memorandum of the Coast Guard titled
``Commandant's Directed Actions--Accountability and
Transparency'', issued on November 27, 2023.
[[Page S5443]]
(2) Collaboration.--In revising the curriculum under this
subsection, the Commandant shall solicit input from
individuals outside the Coast Guard who are experts in sexual
assault and sexual harassment prevention and response
training.
(b) Covered Misconduct Prevention and Response Training and
Education.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall ensure that all
members and civilian employees of the Coast Guard are
provided with annual covered misconduct prevention and
response training and education for the purpose of
strengthening individual knowledge, skills, and capacity
relating to the prevention of and response to covered
misconduct.
(2) Scope.--The training and education referred to in
paragraph (1)--
(A) shall be provided as part of--
(i) initial entry and accession training;
(ii) annual refresher training;
(iii) initial and recurring training courses for covered
first responders;
(iv) new and prospective commanding officer and executive
officer training; and
(v) specialized leadership training; and
(B) shall be tailored for specific leadership levels,
positions, pay grades, and roles.
(3) Content.--The training and education referred to in
paragraph (1) shall include the information described in
subsection (a)(1)(A).
(c) Covered First Responder Training.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall ensure that--
(A) training for covered first responders includes the
covered misconduct prevention and response training described
in subsection (b); and
(B) such covered misconduct prevention and response
training is provided to covered first responders on a
recurring basis.
(2) Requirements.--In addition to the information described
in subsection (a)(1)(A), the initial and recurring covered
misconduct prevention and response training for covered first
responders shall include information on procedures and
responsibilities with respect to--
(A) the provision of care to a victim of covered
misconduct, in accordance with professional standards or
practice, that accounts for trauma experienced by the victim
and associated symptoms or events that may exacerbate such
trauma; and
(B) the manner in which such a victim may receive such
care.
(d) Training for Prospective Commanding Officers and
Executive Officers.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall ensure that
training for prospective commanders and executive officers at
all levels of command includes the covered misconduct
prevention and response training described in subsection (b).
(2) Requirements.--In addition to the information described
in subsection (a)(1)(A), the covered misconduct prevention
and response training for prospective commanding officers and
executive officers shall be--
(A) tailored to the responsibilities and leadership
requirements of members of the Coast Guard as they are
assigned to command positions; and
(B) revised, as necessary, to include information on--
(i) fostering a command climate--
(I) that does not tolerate covered misconduct;
(II) in which individuals assigned to the command are
encouraged to intervene to prevent potential incidents of
covered misconduct; and
(III) that encourages victims of covered misconduct to
report any incident of covered misconduct;
(ii) the possible variations in the effect of trauma on
individuals who have experienced covered misconduct;
(iii) potential differences in the procedures and
responsibilities, Department of Veterans Affairs resources,
and legal resources described in subsection (a)(1)(A)
depending on the operating environment in which an incident
of covered misconduct occurred;
(iv) the investigation of alleged incidents of covered
misconduct, including training on understanding evidentiary
standards;
(v) available disciplinary options, including
administrative action and deferral of discipline for
collateral misconduct, and examples of disciplinary options
in civilian jurisdictions; and
(vi) the capability, operations, reporting structure, and
requirements with respect to the Chief Prosecutor of the
Coast Guard.
(e) Entry and Accession Trainings.--
(1) Initial training.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide for the
inclusion of an initial covered misconduct prevention and
response training module in the training for each new member
of the Coast Guard, which shall be provided not later than 14
duty days after the date of accession.
(B) Requirement.--In addition to the information described
in subsection (a)(1)(A), the initial training module referred
to in subparagraph (A) shall include a comprehensive
explanation of Coast Guard--
(i) policy with respect to covered misconduct; and
(ii) procedures for reporting covered misconduct.
(2) Subsequent training.--
(A) In general.--The Commandant shall provide for the
inclusion of a detailed covered misconduct prevention and
response training module in the training for each new member
of the Coast Guard, which shall be provided not later than 60
duty days after the date on which the initial training module
described in paragraph (1)(A) is provided.
(B) Content.--The detailed training module referred to in
subparagraph (A) shall include the information described in
subsection (a)(1)(A).
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered first responder.--The term ``covered first
responder'' includes sexual assault response coordinators,
victim advocates, Coast Guard medical officers, Coast Guard
security forces, Coast Guard Investigative Service agents,
judge advocates, special victims' counsel, chaplains, and
related personnel.
(2) Covered misconduct.--The term ``covered misconduct''
has the meaning given such term in section 2519 of title 14,
United States Code.
TITLE LV--COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORTS
SEC. 5501. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON COAST GUARD
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND INNOVATION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on the state of the research,
development, and innovation program of the Coast Guard during
the 5-year period ending on such date of enactment.
(b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) An evaluation and description of the process for
selecting projects to be carried out under the research,
development, and innovation program of the Coast Guard.
(2) An analysis of the manner in which funding needs are
determined and requested for such program, and for the
activities and projects of such program, in alignment with
the appropriate fiscal year.
(3) An assessment of the manner in which the Coast Guard
determines desired outcomes, and measures the impact, of
successful projects on the execution of the operations and
mission of the Coast Guard.
(4) An assessment of the manner in which the Coast Guard
evaluates impacts and benefits of partnerships between the
Coast Guard and the Department of Defense and other entities,
and a description of the extent to which and manner in which
the Coast Guard is leveraging such benefits and identifying
and managing any potential challenge.
(5) An analysis of the manner in which the Commandant is
working with partners to accelerate project transition from
research, testing, evaluation, and prototype to production.
(6) An assessment of the manner in which the authority to
enter into transactions other than contracts and grants
pursuant to sections 719 and 1158 of title 14, United States
Code, has been exercised by the Commandant, and a description
of any training or resources necessary (including additional
agreements for officers and training) to more fully exercise
such authority.
(7) An evaluation of the role of the Blue Tech Center of
Expertise established in section 302 of the Coast Guard Blue
Technology Center of Expertise Act (Public Law 115-265).
(8) Recommendations regarding authorization, personnel,
infrastructure, and other requirements necessary for the
expeditious transition of technologies developed under such
program from prototype to production in the field.
(c) Consultation.--In developing the report required under
subsection (a), the Comptroller General may consult with--
(1) the maritime and aviation industries;
(2) the Secretary of Defense;
(3) the intelligence community; and
(4) any relevant--
(A) federally funded research institutions;
(B) nongovernmental organizations; and
(C) institutions of higher education.
SEC. 5502. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY ON VESSEL TRAFFIC
SERVICE CENTER EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, AND
RETENTION.
(a) Definition of Vessel Traffic Service Center.--In this
section, the term ``vessel traffic service center'' has the
meaning given the term in section 70001(m) of title 46,
United States Code.
(b) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall commence a study on employment compensation,
competitiveness, assignment, and retention of civilian and
military personnel assigned to or otherwise employed at
vessel traffic service centers in the United States.
(c) Elements.--The study required under subsection (b)
shall include the following:
(1) An assessment of the extent to which the
classification, assignment, selection, and pay rates of
personnel assigned to or otherwise employed at vessel traffic
service centers are commensurate with the required
experience, duties, safety functions, and responsibilities of
such positions.
(2) An assessment of the appropriate classification,
assignment, selection, and pay rate,
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as well as nonmonetary employment incentives, that would
foster a robust and competitive civilian candidate pool for
employment opportunities in civilian positions at vessel
traffic service centers.
(3) An analysis of the average civilian employment
retention rate and average term of employment of civilian
personnel, by position, at vessel traffic service centers.
(4) An analysis of existing special payments, as discussed
in the report by the Government Accountability Office
entitled ``Federal Pay: Opportunities Exist to Enhance
Strategic Use of Special Payments'' (published December 7,
2017; GAO-18-91), that may be available to personnel assigned
to or otherwise employed at vessel traffic service centers.
(5) An evaluation of all assignment parameters and civilian
hiring authority codes used by the Coast Guard in assigning
and hiring personnel assigned to or otherwise employed at
vessel traffic service centers.
(6) An analysis of whether opportunities exist to refine,
consolidate, or expand Coast Guard civilian hiring
authorities for purposes of hiring personnel at the vessel
traffic service centers.
(7) An assessment of the ability of the composition, as in
effect on the first day of the study, of military and
civilian personnel assigned to or otherwise employed at
vessel traffic service centers to ensure safety on the
waterways and to manage increasing demand for vessel traffic
services, taking into account the ranks and grades of such
personnel, the respective experience levels and training of
such personnel, and the respective duties, safety functions,
and responsibilities of such personnel.
(8) An assessment of, and recommendations to improve, the
Coast Guard's efforts to support the career progression of
and advancement opportunities for officers and enlisted
members of the Coast Guard assigned to vessel traffic service
centers.
(d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after commencing the
study required under subsection (b), the Comptroller General
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on the findings of the study.
SEC. 5503. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW OF QUALITY AND
AVAILABILITY OF COAST GUARD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
CARE AND RESOURCES FOR PERSONNEL WELLNESS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall commence a review of the quality and
availability of behavioral health care and related resources
for Coast Guard personnel at the locations described in
subsection (b).
(b) Locations to Be Reviewed.--In conducting the review
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall--
(1) first review the practices and policies relating to the
availability of behavioral health care and related resources
at Training Center Cape May; and
(2) review such practices and policies at--
(A) the Coast Guard Academy, including Officer Candidate
School; and
(B) other Coast Guard training locations, as applicable.
(c) Elements.--The review conducted under subsection (a)
shall include, for each location described in subsection (b),
an assessment, and a description of available trend
information (as applicable) for the 10-year period preceding
the date of the review, with respect to each of the
following:
(1) The nature of Coast Guard resources directed toward
behavioral health services at the location.
(2) The manner in which the Coast Guard has managed
treatment for recruits, cadets, officer candidates, or other
personnel who may be experiencing a behavioral health crisis
at the location (including individuals who have transferred
to other buildings or facilities within the location).
(3) The extent to which the Coast Guard has identified the
resources, such as physical spaces and facilities, necessary
to manage behavioral health challenges and crises that Coast
Guard personnel may face at the location.
(4) The behavioral health screenings required by the Coast
Guard for recruits, cadets, officer candidates, or other
personnel at the location, and the manner in which such
screenings compare with screenings required by the Department
of Defense for military recruits, service academy cadets,
officer candidates, or other personnel at military service
accession points.
(5) Whether the Coast Guard has assessed the adequacy of
behavioral health resources and services for recruits,
cadets, officer candidates, and other personnel at the
location, and if so, the additional services and resources
(such as resilience and life skills coaching), if any, needed
to address any potential gaps.
(6) The manner in which the Coast Guard manages care
transfers related to behavior health at the location,
including command and other management input and privacy
policies.
(7) The extent to which the Coast Guard has evaluated
contributing factors or reasons for behavioral health crises
experienced by newly enlisted personnel, cadets, officer
candidates, or other personnel at the location.
(8) The extent to which the Coast Guard has addressed, at
the location, provider care staffing standards and
credentialing deficiencies identified in the report of the
Comptroller General titled ``Coast Guard Health Care:
Improvements Needed for Determining Staffing Needs and
Monitoring Access to Care'', issued on February 4, 2022.
(d) Reports.--The Comptroller General shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives--
(1) as soon as practicable but not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, a report relating to the
results of the review conducted under subsection (a) relating
to Training Center Cape May, including any recommendations
the Comptroller General considers appropriate; and
(2) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act--
(A) a report on the results of the review conducted under
subsection (a) relating to--
(i) the Coast Guard Academy, including Officer Candidate
School; and
(ii) other Coast Guard training locations, as applicable;
and
(B) any recommendations the Comptroller General considers
appropriate.
SEC. 5504. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY ON COAST GUARD EFFORTS
TO REDUCE PREVALENCE OF MISSING OR INCOMPLETE
MEDICAL RECORDS AND SHARING OF MEDICAL DATA
WITH DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND OTHER
ENTITIES.
(a) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall commence a study assessing the efforts of the
Commandant--
(1) to reduce the prevalence of missing or incomplete
medical records;
(2) to share medical data of members of the Coast Guard
with the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(3) to ensure that electronic health records are provided
in a format that is user friendly and easy to access.
(b) Elements.--In conducting the study under subsection
(a), the Comptroller General shall review the following:
(1) The steps the Commandant has taken to reduce the
prevalence of missing or incomplete medical records of
members of the Coast Guard.
(2) How implementation of an electronic health record
system has affected the ability of the Commandant to manage
health records of members of the Coast Guard, including--
(A) how the Commandant adds records from private medical
providers to the electronic health record system;
(B) the progress of the Commandant toward implementing the
electronic health record system in shipboard sick bays of the
Coast Guard;
(C) how the Coast Guard shares medical records with the
Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(D) any other matter the Comptroller General considers
appropriate with respect to medical record storage, use, and
sharing and the associated consequences for member health and
well-being.
(3) The ability of members of the Coast Guard, medical
professionals of the Coast Guard and of the Department of
Defense, personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and
other personnel to access and search, as appropriate, the
electronic health records of individuals, including the
ability to search or quickly find information within
electronic health records.
(c) Report.--Upon completion of the study under subsection
(a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives a report containing the results of the
study under subsection (a).
SEC. 5505. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY ON COAST GUARD TRAINING
FACILITY INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall commence a study on Coast Guard training
facility infrastructure, including the specific needs of the
Coast Guard training facilities described in subsection (c).
(b) Elements.--The study required under subsection (a)
shall include the following:
(1) With respect to each Coast Guard training facility
described in subsection (c)--
(A) a summary of capital needs, including construction and
repair;
(B) a summary of equipment upgrade backlogs;
(C) an assessment of necessary improvements, including
improvements to essential training equipment (including
swimming pools, operational simulators, and marksmanship
training ranges) to enable the Coast Guard to achieve all
operational training objectives;
(D) a description of the resources necessary to fully
address all training needs;
(E) an assessment of any security deficiency, including
with respect to base access, training facility access, and
trainee berthing area access;
(F) an identification of any exposed hazard that does not
serve a training purpose;
(G) an identification of the presence of hazardous or toxic
materials, including--
(i) lead-based paint;
(ii) asbestos or products that contain asbestos;
(iii) black mold;
(iv) radon; and
(v) contaminated drinking water; and
[[Page S5445]]
(H) an assessment of the need for, and estimated cost of,
remediation of such toxic materials.
(2) An evaluation of the process used by the Coast Guard to
identify, monitor, and construct Coast Guard training
facilities.
(c) Coast Guard Training Facilities Described.--The Coast
Guard training facilities described in this subsection are
the following:
(1) The Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
(2) The Leadership Development Center in New London,
Connecticut.
(3) Training Center Cape May, New Jersey.
(4) Training Center Petaluma, California.
(5) Training Center Yorktown, Virginia.
(6) The Maritime Law Enforcement Academy in Charleston,
South Carolina.
(7) The Special Missions Training Center at Camp Lejeune in
North Carolina.
(8) The Gulf Regional Fisheries Training Center (GRFTC) in
New Orleans, Louisiana.
(9) The North Pacific Regional Fisheries Training Center
(NPRFTC) in Kodiak, Alaska.
(10) The Northeast Regional Fisheries Training Center
(NRFTC) at Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
(11) The Southeast Regional Fisheries Training Center
(SRFTC) in Charleston, South Carolina.
(12) The Pacific Regional Fisheries Training Center (PRFTC)
in Alameda, California.
(13) The National Motor Lifeboat School at Cape
Disappointment, Washington.
(14) The Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth
City, North Carolina.
(15) The Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama.
(d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after commencing the
study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on the findings of the study.
SEC. 5506. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY ON FACILITY AND
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS OF COAST GUARD STATIONS
CONDUCTING BORDER SECURITY OPERATIONS.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall commence a study on the facility and
infrastructure needs of the Coast Guard stations and units
described in paragraph (3).
(2) Elements.--The study required under paragraph (1) shall
include, with respect to each Coast Guard station and unit
described in paragraph (3), the following:
(A) An assessment of capital needs, including personnel
capacity, construction, and repair.
(B) An assessment of equipment upgrade backlogs.
(C) An identification of any necessary improvement,
including any improvement to operational and training
equipment necessary to conduct safe and effective maritime
border security operations.
(D) An identification of any resource necessary to fully
address all operational and training needs.
(E) An identification of any physical security deficiency.
(F) An identification of any exposed hazard.
(G) An identification of the presence of any hazardous or
toxic material, including--
(i) lead-based paint;
(ii) asbestos or any product that contains asbestos;
(iii) black mold;
(iv) radon; and
(v) contaminated drinking water.
(H) An assessment of the need for, and estimated cost of,
remediation of any toxic material identified under
subparagraph (G).
(3) Coast guard stations described.--The Coast Guard
stations and units described in this paragraph are the
following:
(A) Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, Texas.
(B) Coast Guard Station Port Aransas, Texas.
(C) Coast Guard Station Port O"Connor, Texas.
(D) Coast Guard Station Bellingham, Washington.
(E) Coast Guard Station Neah Bay, Washington.
(F) Coast Guard Station Port Angeles, Washington.
(G) Coast Guard Station Ketchikan, Alaska.
(H) Coast Guard Station San Diego, California.
(I) Coast Guard Station Key West, Florida.
(J) Coast Guard Station Marathon, Florida.
(K) Coast Guard Station Islamorada, Florida.
(L) Coast Guard Station Jonesport, Maine.
(M) Coast Guard Station Bayfield, Wisconsin.
(N) Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
(O) Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Santa Barbara.
(P) Any other Coast Guard station the Comptroller General
considers appropriate.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after commencing the
study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the
Commandant a report on the findings of the study, including
any recommendation the Comptroller General considers
appropriate.
(c) Briefings.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the report required under subsection (b) is submitted
to the Commandant, the Commandant shall provide a briefing to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives on--
(1) the actions the Commandant has taken, or has ceased to
take, as a result of the findings, including any
recommendation, set forth in the report; and
(2) a plan for addressing such findings and any such
recommendation.
SEC. 5507. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY ON COAST GUARD BASIC
ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the Department of Defense issues the report on the
Fourteenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall commence a
study of Coast Guard involvement in, and efforts to support,
the determination of the cost of adequate housing and the
calculation of the basic allowance for housing under section
403 of title 37, United States Code.
(b) Elements.--The study required under subsection (a)
shall include, to the extent practicable, the following:
(1) An identification of Coast Guard duty locations in
which there is a misalignment between the basic allowance for
housing rate and the prevailing housing cost for members of
the Coast Guard such that the basic allowance for housing is
less than 95 percent of the monthly cost of adequate housing
for such members in the corresponding military housing area.
(2) An analysis of each of the following:
(A) Anchor points, including--
(i) the methodology for the establishment of anchor points;
and
(ii) with respect to housing provided as part of a public-
private venture and Government-owned and Government-leased
housing, the disparities between established anchor points
and housing standards across the armed forces (as such term
is defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code).
(B) Existing military housing boundary areas that affect
the Coast Guard.
(C) Actions taken by the Commandant to comprehensively
monitor basic allowance for housing rates for Coast Guard
duty locations.
(D) The frequency of reviews conducted by the Commandant of
the site visits used by the Department of Defense to inform
military housing area boundaries.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which
the study required under subsection (a) commences, the
Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives, and the Commandant a report on the
findings of the study, including any recommendation the
Comptroller General considers appropriate.
(d) Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which
the report required by subsection (c) is submitted to the
Commandant, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives--
(1) an implementation plan, including timeframes and
milestones, addressing any recommendation made by the
Comptroller General in such report, as the Commandant
considers appropriate; and
(2) with respect to any recommendation set forth in such
report that the Commandant declines to implement, a written
justification for the decision.
(e) Anchor Point Defined.--In this section, the term
``anchor point''--
(1) means the minimum housing standard reference benchmark
used to establish the basic allowance for housing under
section 403 of title 37, United States Code; and
(2) includes housing type and size based on pay grade and
dependent status.
SEC. 5508. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON SAFETY AND SECURITY
INFRASTRUCTURE AT COAST GUARD ACADEMY.
(a) GAO 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 submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on the safety and security
infrastructure at the Coast Guard Academy.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include an assessment of each of the following:
(A) Existing security infrastructure for the grounds,
buildings, athletic facilities, and any other facility of the
Coast Guard Academy, including access points, locks,
surveillance, and other security methods, as appropriate.
(B) Coast Guard policies with respect to the management,
data storage and access, and operational capacity of the
security infrastructure and methods evaluated under
subparagraph (A).
(C) Special security needs relating to events at the Coast
Guard Academy, such as large athletic events and other widely
attended events.
[[Page S5446]]
(D) Coast Guard policies and procedures with respect to
access to Coast Guard Academy grounds by--
(i) current or former members of the Coast Guard;
(ii) current or former civilian employees of the Coast
Guard;
(iii) Coast Guard personnel that reside at the Academy and
families of cadets; and
(iv) members of the public.
(E) Existing processes by which the Commandant, the
Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, or a designated
individual may prohibit or restrict access to Coast Guard
Academy grounds by any current or former member or civilian
employee of the Coast Guard who--
(i) has been subject to court-martial under the Uniform
Code of Military Justice for sexual misconduct; or
(ii) has been administratively disciplined for sexual
misconduct.
(F) Enforcement processes regarding access to Coast Guard
Academy grounds for individuals (including current and former
cadets, members, and civilian employees of the Coast Guard)
who are or have been subject to a no-contact order relating
to--
(i) a cadet or member of the faculty of the Academy; or
(ii) any other individual with access to Academy grounds.
(G) Recommendations to improve--
(i) the security of the Coast Guard Academy; and
(ii) the safety of--
(I) cadets at the Coast Guard Academy; and
(II) members of the Coast Guard stationed at, and civilian
employees of, the Coast Guard Academy.
(b) Actions by Commandant.--
(1) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the Comptroller General submits the report required
under subsection (a), the Commandant shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a report that includes--
(A) a detailed plan to improve the security of, and the
safety of cadets at, the Coast Guard Academy; and
(B) a detailed timeline for implementation of--
(i) the recommendations made by the Comptroller General in
such report; and
(ii) any other safety improvement the Commandant considers
appropriate.
(2) Policy.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which
the Comptroller General submits the report required under
subsection (a), the Commandant, in a manner that maintains
good order and discipline, shall update Coast Guard policy
relating to access to the Coast Guard Academy grounds to
include procedures by which individuals may be prohibited
from accessing the Coast Guard Academy--
(A) as the Commandant considers appropriate; and
(B) consistent with the recommendations made by the
Comptroller General in such report.
SEC. 5509. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY ON ATHLETIC COACHING AT
COAST GUARD ACADEMY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States, in consultation with the Superintendent of the Coast
Guard Academy, shall commence a study on the number of
administratively determined billets for teaching and coaching
necessary to support Coast Guard Academy recruitment,
intercollegiate athletics, health and physical education, and
leadership development programs.
(b) Elements.--The study required under subsection (a)
shall include the following:
(1) An identification of the number of full-time and part-
time employees performing coaching functions at the Coast
Guard Academy whose positions are funded by a nonappropriated
fund instrumentality of the Coast Guard.
(2) An identification of the number of full-time and part-
time employees whose positions are funded by a
nonappropriated fund instrumentality performing coaching
functions at the following:
(A) The United States Military Academy.
(B) The United States Naval Academy.
(C) The United States Air Force Academy.
(D) The United States Merchant Marine Academy.
(3) An analysis of the roles performed by athletic coaches
with respect to officer development at the Coast Guard
Academy, including the specific functions of athletic coaches
within the health and physical education and leadership
development program curriculums.
(4) An identification of any adverse impacts on or
deficiencies in cadet training and officer development
resulting from an inadequate number of administratively
determined billets for teaching and coaching at the Coast
Guard Academy.
(c) Consultation.--In conducting the study under subsection
(a), the Comptroller General may consult a federally funded
research and development center.
(d) Report.--The Comptroller General shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a report on the results of
the study conducted under this section.
SEC. 5510. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY AND REPORT ON PERMANENT
CHANGE OF STATION PROCESS.
(a) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall commence a study to evaluate the effectiveness
of the permanent change of station process of the Coast
Guard.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after commencing the
study required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on the findings of the study.
(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) A description of the permanent change of station
policies of the Coast Guard.
(B) A description of Coast Guard spending on permanent
change of station moves and associated support costs.
(C) An evaluation of the effectiveness of using contracted
movers for permanent change of station moves, including the
estimated costs associated with--
(i) lost or damaged personal property of members of the
Coast Guard;
(ii) delays in scheduling such a move through a contracted
mover;
(iii) delayed delivery of household goods; and
(iv) other related challenges.
(D) A review of changes to permanent change of station
policies implemented during the 10-year period ending on the
date of enactment of this Act, and the costs or savings to
the Coast Guard directly associated with such changes.
(E) Recommendations to improve the permanent change of
station process of the Coast Guard.
(F) Any additional information or related matter arising
from the study, as the Comptroller General considers
appropriate.
TITLE LVI--AMENDMENTS
SEC. 5601. 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) amended by striking ``(33 U.S.C. 1223 note)'' and
inserting ``(46 U.S.C. 70001 note)'';
(C) transferred to appear after 70001(k) of title 46,
United States Code; and
(D) 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 (33 U.S.C. 2701) is amended--
[[Page S5447]]
(A) in paragraph (32)(G) by striking ``pipeline'' and all
that follows through ``offshore facility'' and inserting
``pipeline, offshore facility'';
(B) in paragraph (39) by striking ``section 101(20)(G)(i)''
and inserting ``section 101(20)(H)(i)'';
(C) in paragraph (40) by striking ``section
101(20)(G)(ii)'' and inserting ``section 101(20)(H)(ii)'';
(D) ) in paragraph (41) by striking ``section
101(20)(G)(iii)'' and inserting ``section 101(20)(H)(iii)'';
(E) in paragraph (42) by striking ``section
101(20)(G)(iv)'' and inserting ``section 101(20)(H)(iv)'';
(F) in paragraph (43) by striking ``section 101(20)(G)(v)''
and inserting ``section 101(20)(H)(v)''; and
(G) in paragraph (44) by striking ``section
101(20)(G)(vi)'' and inserting ``section 101(20)(H)(vi)''.
(2) Section 1003(d)(6) (33 U.S.C. 2703(d)(6)) is amended by
striking ``this paragraph'' and inserting ``this
subsection''.
(3) 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)''.
(4) 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)''.
(5) Section 1005(b)(5)(B) (33 U.S.C. 2716(b)(5)(B)) is
amended by striking ``section 1016(g)'' and inserting
``section 2716(f)''.
(6) 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''.
(7) Section 7001(h)(1) (33 U.S.C. 2761(h)(1)) is amended by
striking ``subsection (c)(4)'' and inserting ``subsection
(e)(4)''.
TITLE LVII--NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Subtitle A--National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commissioned Officer Corps
SEC. 5701. TITLE AND QUALIFICATIONS OF HEAD OF NATIONAL
OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
COMMISSIONED OFFICER CORPS AND OFFICE OF MARINE
AND AVIATION OPERATIONS; PROMOTIONS OF FLAG
OFFICERS.
(a) Title and Qualifications of Head.--
(1) In general.--Section 228(c) of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of
2002 (33 U.S.C. 3028(c)) is amended--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Corps and
Office of'' and inserting ``Commissioned Officer Corps and
Assistant Administrator for'';
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``serving in'' and
all that follows through ``half)'' and inserting ``who has
served, on the date of such appointment, in the grade of
captain or above for not less than one year''; and
(C) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``Director of the
Office of'' and inserting ``Assistant Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 4(a) of the Commercial
Engagement Through Ocean Technology Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C.
4103(a)) is amended by striking ``Director of the Office of''
and inserting ``Assistant Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for''.
(b) Promotions of Flag Officers.--Section 226 of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned
Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3026) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Appointments'' and inserting the
following:
``(a) In General.--Appointments'';
(2) by inserting after ``all permanent grades'' the
following: ``, other than a grade described in subsection
(b),''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Flag Officers.--Appointments in and promotions to the
grade of rear admiral (upper half) or above shall be made by
the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate.''.
SEC. 5702. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
VESSEL FLEET.
(a) In General.--The NOAA Fleet Modernization Act (33
U.S.C. 891 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 603 (33 U.S.C. 891a)--
(A) in the section heading, by striking ``fleet'' and all
that follows through ``program'' and inserting ``operation
and maintenance of noaa fleet''; and
(B) by striking ``is authorized'' and all that follows and
inserting the following: ``, acting through the Assistant
Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation Operations,
shall operate and maintain a fleet of vessels to meet the
requirements of NOAA in carrying out the mission and
functions of NOAA, subject to the requirements of this
title.'';
(2) in section 604 (33 U.S.C. 891b)--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``Secretary'' and all
that follows and inserting ``Secretary, acting through the
Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation
Operations, shall develop and submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a
replacement and modernization plan for the NOAA fleet not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, and every 2 years
thereafter.'';
(B) by striking subsections (b) and (d);
(C) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b);
(D) in subsection (b), as so redesignated--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``proposed'' and all that
follows and inserting the following: ``in operation in the
NOAA fleet as of the date of submission of the Plan, a
description of the status of those vessels, and a statement
of the planned and anticipated service life of those
vessels;'';
(ii) by striking paragraph (6);
(iii) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) as
paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7), respectively;
(iv) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) a plan with respect to operation, maintenance, and
replacement of vessels described in paragraph (1), including
the schedule for maintenance or replacement and anticipated
funding requirements;
``(3) the number of vessels proposed to be constructed by
NOAA;'';
(v) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by striking
``constructed, leased, or chartered'' and inserting
``acquired, leased, or chartered by NOAA'';
(vi) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated--
(I) by striking ``or any other federal official'' and
inserting ``the Director of the National Science Foundation,
or any other Federal official''; and
(II) by striking ``their availability'' and inserting ``the
availability of those vessels'';
(vii) in paragraph (7), as so redesignated, by striking ``;
and'' and inserting a semicolon; and
(viii) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) a plan for using small vessels, uncrewed systems, and
partnerships to augment the requirements of NOAA for days at
sea;
``(9) the number of officers of the NOAA commissioned
officer corps and professional wage mariners needed to
operate and maintain the NOAA fleet, including the vessels
identified under paragraph (3); and
``(10) current and potential challenges with meeting the
requirements under paragraph (9) and proposed solutions to
those challenges.''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Vessel Procurement Approval.--The National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration may not procure vessels that
are more than 65 feet in length without the approval of the
Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation
Operations.'';
(3) in section 605 (33 U.S.C. 891c)--
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``working through the Office of the NOAA
Corps Operations and the Systems Procurement Office'' and
inserting ``acting through the Assistant Administrator of
NOAA for Marine and Aviation Operations''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking ``shall'' and all that follows through
``submit to Congress'' and inserting ``, acting through the
Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation
Operations, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives,''; and
(ii) by striking ``subsequent'';
(4) in section 608 (33 U.S.C. 891f)--
(A) by striking subsection (b);
(B) by striking ``(a) Vessel Agreements.--''; and
(C) by inserting after ``Secretary'' the following: ``,
acting through the Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine
and Aviation Operations,''; and
(5) in section 610 (33 U.S.C. 891h)--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``for carrying'' and all
that follows and inserting the following: ``$93,000,000 for
the period of fiscal years 2025 through 2026 to carry out
this title and section 302 of the Fisheries Survey Vessel
Authorization Act of 2000 (title III of Public Law 106-450;
114 Stat. 1945; 33 U.S.C. 891b note).''; and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ``National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration fleet modernization'' and
inserting ``NOAA fleet modernization,''.
(b) Fishery Survey Vessels.--Section 302(a) of the
Fisheries Survey Vessel Authorization Act of 2000 (title III
of Public Law 106-450; 114 Stat. 1945; 33 U.S.C. 891b note)
is amended--
(1) by striking ``may in accordance with this section'' and
inserting ``may'';
(2) by striking ``up to six''; and
(3) by inserting after ``this section'' the following:
``and the NOAA Fleet Modernization Act (33 U.S.C. 891 et
seq.)''.
(c) Notifications of Proposed Deactivation of Vessels.--
Section 401(b)(4) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-567;
106 Stat. 4291; 33 U.S.C. 891b note) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(A)'' and all that follows through ``The
Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary'';
(2) by striking ``the Committee on Merchant Marine and
Fisheries'' and inserting ``the Committee on Natural
Resources and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology''; and
(3) by striking ``, if an equivalent'' and all that follows
through ``deactivation''.
[[Page S5448]]
SEC. 5703. COOPERATIVE AVIATION CENTERS.
(a) In General.--Section 218 of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of
2002 (33 U.S.C. 3008) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``aviation
accession training programs'' and inserting ``cooperative
aviation centers'';
(2) in subsection (a), by striking paragraphs (2) and (3)
and inserting the following:
``(2) Cooperative aviation center.--The term `Cooperative
Aviation Center' means a Cooperative Aviation Center
designated under subsection (b)(1).'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Aviation
Accession Training Programs'' and inserting ``Cooperative
Aviation Centers'';
(B) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4);
(C) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);
(D) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) Designation required.--The Administrator shall
designate one or more Cooperative Aviation Centers for the
commissioned officer corps of the Administration at
institutions described in paragraph (3).
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of Cooperative Aviation Centers
is to facilitate the development and recruitment of aviators
for the commissioned officer corps of the Administration.'';
and
(E) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), inserting
``that'' after ``educational institution'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``that requests'' and
inserting ``applies'';
(iii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``that has'' and inserting ``has''; and
(II) by striking the semicolon and inserting ``; and'';
(iv) in subparagraph (C)--
(I) by striking ``that is located'' and inserting ``is
located'';
(II) by striking clause (ii);
(III) by striking ``that--'' and all that follows through
``experiences'' and inserting ``that experiences''; and
(IV) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period; and
(v) by striking subparagraph (D); and
(4) by striking subsections (c), (d), and (e) and inserting
the following:
``(c) Cooperative Aviation Centers Advisor.--
``(1) Assignment.--The Administrator shall assign an
officer or employee of the commissioned officer corps of the
Administration to serve as the Cooperative Aviation Centers
Advisor.
``(2) Duties.--The Cooperative Aviation Centers Advisor
shall--
``(A) coordinate all engagement of the Administration with
Cooperative Aviation Centers, including assistance with
curriculum development; and
``(B) serve as the chief aviation recruiting officer for
the commissioned officer corps of the Administration.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1
of the Act entitled ``An Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic
Services Improvement Act of 1998, and for other purposes''
(Public Law 107-372) is amended by striking the item relating
to section 218 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 218.Cooperative Aviation Centers.''.
SEC. 5704. ELIGIBILITY OF FORMER OFFICERS TO COMPETE FOR
CERTAIN POSITIONS.
(a) In General.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33
U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section
269B the following new section:
``SEC. 269C. ELIGIBILITY OF FORMER OFFICERS TO COMPETE FOR
CERTAIN POSITIONS.
``(a) In General.--An individual who was separated from the
commissioned officer corps of the Administration under
honorable conditions after not fewer than 3 years of active
service may not be denied the opportunity to compete for a
vacant position with respect to which the agency in which the
position is located will accept applications from individuals
outside the workforce of that agency under merit promotion
procedures.
``(b) Type of Appointment.--If selected for a position
pursuant to subsection (a), an individual described in that
subsection shall receive a career or career-conditional
appointment, as appropriate.
``(c) Announcements.--The area of consideration for a merit
promotion announcement with respect to a position that
includes consideration of individuals within the Federal
service for that position shall--
``(1) indicate that individuals described in subsection (a)
are eligible to apply for the position; and
``(2) be publicized in accordance with section 3327 of
title 5, United States Code.
``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to confer an entitlement to veterans' preference
that is not otherwise required by any statute or regulation
relating to veterans' preference.
``(e) Regulations.--The Director of the Office of Personnel
Management shall prescribe regulations necessary for the
administration of this section.
``(f) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 3 years after
the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of
2025, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committees on
Natural Resources and Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives a report which includes the
following:
``(1) A description of how the Administrator has utilized
the authority granted under this section, including the
number and locations of individuals hired utilizing the
authority granted under this section.
``(2) An overview of the impact to Federal employment for
former members of the commissioned officer corps of the
Administration as a result of the authority granted under
this section.
``(g) Sunset.--This section shall be repealed on the date
that is 5 years after the date of enactment of the Coast
Guard Authorization Act of 2025.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1
of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating
to section 269B the following new item:
``Sec. 269C.Eligibility of former officers to compete for certain
positions.''.
SEC. 5705. ALIGNMENT OF PHYSICAL DISQUALIFICATION STANDARD
FOR OBLIGATED SERVICE AGREEMENTS WITH STANDARD
FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS.
Section 216(c)(2)(B) of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of
2002 (33 U.S.C. 3006(c)(2)(B)) is amended by striking
``misconduct or grossly negligent conduct'' and inserting
``willful misconduct''.
SEC. 5706. STREAMLINING SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT PROCESS.
Section 241(c) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33
U.S.C. 3041(c)) is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Effective Date of Retirements and Separations.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a retirement
or separation under subsection (a) shall take effect on such
date as is determined by the Secretary.
``(2) Determination of date.--The effective date determined
under paragraph (1) for a retirement or separation under
subsection (a) shall be--
``(A) except as provided by subparagraph (B), not earlier
than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary approves
the retirement or separation; or
``(B) if the officer concerned requests an earlier
effective date, such earlier date as is determined by the
Secretary.''.
SEC. 5707. SEPARATION OF ENSIGNS FOUND NOT FULLY QUALIFIED.
Section 223(b) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (30
U.S.C. 3023(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``permanent''; and
(2) by striking ``the officer's commission shall be revoked
and''.
SEC. 5708. REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 204 of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps
Amendments Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 3079-1) is repealed.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020 (Public Law
116-259; 134 Stat. 1153) is amended by striking the item
relating to section 204.
SEC. 5709. DISPOSAL OF SURVEY AND RESEARCH VESSELS AND
EQUIPMENT OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.
Section 548 of title 40, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Maritime'' and inserting ``(a) In
General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
Maritime''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Vessels and Equipment.--
``(1) Authority.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration may dispose of covered vessels
and equipment, which would otherwise be disposed of under
subsection (a), through sales or transfers under this title.
``(2) Use of proceeds.--During the 2-year period beginning
of the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act
of 2025, notwithstanding section 571 of this title or section
3302 of title 31, the Administrator of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration may--
``(A) retain the proceeds from the sale or transfer of a
covered vessel or equipment under paragraph (1) until
expended under subparagraph (B); and
``(B) use such proceeds, without fiscal year limitation,
for the acquisition of new covered vessels and equipment or
the repair and maintenance of existing covered vessels and
equipment.
``(3) Covered vessels and equipment defined.--In this
subsection, the term `covered vessels and equipment' means
survey and research vessels and related equipment owned by
the Federal Government and under the control of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.''.
Subtitle B--South Pacific Tuna Treaty Matters
SEC. 5721. REFERENCES TO SOUTH PACIFIC TUNA ACT OF 1988.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this
subtitle an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to
[[Page S5449]]
be made to a section or other provision of the South Pacific
Tuna Act of 1988 (16 U.S.C. 973 et seq.).
SEC. 5722. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Applicable National Law.--Section 2(4) (16 U.S.C.
973(4)) is amended by striking ``described in paragraph 1(a)
of Annex I of'' and inserting ``noticed and in effect in
accordance with''.
(b) Closed Area.--Section 2(5) (16 U.S.C. 973(5)) is
amended by striking ``of the closed areas identified in
Schedule 2 of Annex I of'' and inserting ``area within the
jurisdiction of a Pacific Island Party that is closed to
vessels pursuant to a national law of that Pacific Island
Party and is noticed and in effect in accordance with''.
(c) Fishing.--Section 2(6) (16 U.S.C. 973(6)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``for any purpose''
after ``harvesting of fish''; and
(2) by amending subparagraph (F) to read as follows:
``(F) use of any other vessel, vehicle, aircraft, or
hovercraft for any activity described in this paragraph
except for emergencies involving the health or safety of the
crew or the safety of a vessel.''.
(d) Fishing Vessel; Vessel.--Section 2(7) (16 U.S.C.
973(7)) is amended by striking ``commercial fishing'' and
inserting ``commercial purse seine fishing for tuna''.
(e) Licensing Area.--Section 2(8) (16 U.S.C. 973(8)) is
amended by striking ``in the Treaty Area'' and all that
follows and inserting ``under the jurisdiction of a Pacific
Island Party, except for internal waters, territorial seas,
archipelagic waters, and any Closed Area.''.
(f) Limited Area; Party; Treaty Area.--Section 2 (16 U.S.C.
973) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraphs (10), (13), and (18);
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (11) and (12) as paragraphs
(10) and (11), respectively;
(3) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (12); and
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (15) through (17) as
paragraphs (14) through (16), respectively.
(g) Regional Terms and Conditions.--Section 2 (16 U.S.C.
973) is amended by inserting after paragraph (12), as
redesignated by subsection (f)(3), the following:
``(13) The term `regional terms and conditions' means any
of the terms or conditions attached by the Administrator to a
license issued by the Administrator, as notified by the
Secretary.''.
SEC. 5723. PROHIBITED ACTS.
(a) In General.--Section 5(a) (16 U.S.C. 973c(a)) is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``Except as provided in section 6 of this Act, it'' and
inserting ``It'';
(2) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4);
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (13) as
paragraphs (3) through (11), respectively;
(4) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated, by inserting ``,
except in accordance with an agreement pursuant to the
Treaty'' after ``Closed Area'';
(5) in paragraph (10), as so redesignated, by striking
``or'' at the end;
(6) in paragraph (11), as so redesignated, by striking the
period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(7) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) to violate any of the regional terms and conditions;
or
``(13) to violate any limit on an authorized fishing effort
or catch.''.
(b) In the Licensing Area.--Section 5(b) (16 U.S.C.
973c(b)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``Except as provided in section 6 of this Act, it'' and
inserting ``It'';
(2) by striking paragraph (5); and
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs
(5) and (6), respectively.
SEC. 5724. EXCEPTIONS.
Section 6 (16 U.S.C. 973d) is repealed.
SEC. 5725. CRIMINAL OFFENSES.
Section 7(a) (16 U.S.C. 973e(a)) is amended by striking
``section 5(a) (8), (10), (11), or (12)'' and inserting
``paragraph (6), (8), (9), or (10) of section 5(a)''.
SEC. 5726. CIVIL PENALTIES.
(a) Amount.--Section 8(a) (16 U.S.C. 973f(a)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``Code'' after
``liable to the United States''; and
(2) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``Except for those
acts prohibited by section 5(a) (4), (5), (7), (8), (10),
(11), and (12), and section 5(b) (1), (2), (3), and (7) of
this Act, the'' and inserting ``The''.
(b) Waiver of Referral to Attorney General.--Section 8(g)
(16 U.S.C. 973f(g)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``section 5(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), or
(13)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5),
(6), (7), (11), (12), or (13) of section 5(a)''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, all Limited Areas
closed to fishing,'' after ``outside of the Licensing Area''.
SEC. 5727. LICENSES.
(a) Forwarding of Vessel License Application.--Section 9(b)
(16 U.S.C. 973g(b)) is amended to read as follows:
``(b) In accordance with subsection (e), and except as
provided in subsection (f), the Secretary shall forward a
vessel license application to the Administrator whenever such
application is in accordance with application procedures
established by the Secretary.''.
(b) Fees and Schedules.--Section 9(c) (16 U.S.C. 973g(c))
is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Fees required under the Treaty shall be paid in
accordance with the Treaty and any procedures established by
the Secretary.''.
(c) Minimum Fees Required to Be Received in Initial Year;
Grounds for Denial of Forwarding of License Application;
Grandfathering of Certain Vessels.--Section 9 (16 U.S.C.
973g) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (f);
(2) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections
(f) and (g), respectively;
(3) by amending subsection (f), as so redesignated, to read
as follows:
``(f) The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of
State, may determine that a license application should not be
forwarded to the Administrator if--
``(1) the application is not in accordance with the Treaty
or the procedures established by the Secretary; or
``(2) the owner or charterer--
``(A) is the subject of proceedings under the bankruptcy
laws of the United States, unless reasonable financial
assurances have been provided to the Secretary;
``(B) has not established to the satisfaction of the
Secretary that the fishing vessel is fully insured against
all risks and liabilities normally provided in maritime
liability insurance; or
``(C) has not paid any penalty which has become final,
assessed by the Secretary in accordance with this Act.''; and
(4) in subsection (g), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) section 12113 of title 46, United States Code;'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``of 1972'' after
``Marine Mammal Protection Act'';
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``of 1972'' after
``Marine Mammal Protection Act''; and
(D) in the matter following paragraph (3), by striking
``any vessel documented'' and all that follows and inserting
the following:
``any vessel documented under the laws of the United States
as of the date of enactment of the Fisheries Act of 1995
(Public Law 104-43) for which a license has been issued under
subsection (a) may fish for tuna in the Licensing Area, and
on the high seas and in waters subject to the jurisdiction of
the United States west of 146 west longitude and east of
129.5 east longitude in accordance with international law,
subject to the provisions of the Treaty, this Act, and other
applicable law, provided that no such vessel intentionally
deploys a purse seine net to encircle any dolphin or other
marine mammal in the course of fishing.''.
SEC. 5728. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Notice Requirements to Pacific Island Party Concerning
Institution of Legal Proceedings.--Section 10(c)(1) (16
U.S.C. 973h(c)(1)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``paragraph 8 of
Article 4 of''; and
(2) in the third sentence, by striking ``Article 10 of''.
(b) Searches and Seizures by Authorized Officers.--Section
10(d)(1)(A) (16 U.S.C. 973h(d)(1)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ``or'' at the end; and
(2) in clause (iii), by adding ``or'' at the end.
SEC. 5729. FINDINGS BY SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
(a) Order of Vessel To Leave Waters Upon Failure To Submit
to Jurisdiction of Pacific Island Party; Procedure
Applicable.--Section 11(a) (16 U.S.C. 973i(a)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``,
all Limited Areas,'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``paragraph 2 of
Article 3 of''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``within the Treaty
Area'' and inserting ``under the jurisdiction''; and
(3) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``section 5 (a)(4),
(a)(5), (b)(2), or (b)(3)'' and inserting ``paragraph (3) of
section 5(a) or paragraph (2) or (3) of section 5(b)'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``section 5(b)(7)''
and inserting ``section 5(b)(6)''; and
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``section 5(a)(7)''
and inserting ``section 5(a)(5)''.
(b) Order of Vessel To Leave Waters Where Pacific Island
Party Investigating Alleged Treaty Infringement.--Section
11(b) (16 U.S.C. 973i(b)) is amended by striking ``paragraph
7 of Article 5 of''.
SEC. 5730. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.
Section 12 (16 U.S.C. 973j) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 12. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.
``(a) Prohibited Disclosure of Certain Information.--
Pursuant to section 552(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code,
except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary shall
keep confidential and may not disclose the following
information:
``(1) Information provided to the Secretary by the
Administrator that the Administrator has designated
confidential.
``(2) Information collected by observers.
``(3) Information submitted to the Secretary by any person
in compliance with the requirements of this Act.
``(b) Authorized Disclosure of Certain Information.--The
Secretary may disclose information described in subsection
(a)--
``(1) if disclosure is ordered by a court;
``(2) if the information is used by a Federal employee--
[[Page S5450]]
``(A) for enforcement; or
``(B) in support of the homeland security missions and non-
homeland security missions of the Coast Guard as defined in
section 888 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C.
468);
``(3) if the information is used by a Federal employee or
an employee of a Fishery Management Council for the
administration of the Treaty or fishery management and
monitoring;
``(4) to the Administrator, in accordance with the
requirements of the Treaty and this Act;
``(5) to the secretariat or equivalent of an international
fisheries management organization of which the United States
is a member, in accordance with the requirements or decisions
of such organization, and insofar as possible, in accordance
with an agreement that prevents public disclosure of the
identity of any person that submits such information;
``(6) if the Secretary has obtained written authorization
from the person providing such information, and disclosure
does not violate other requirements of this Act; or
``(7) in an aggregate or summary form that does not
directly or indirectly disclose the identity of any person
that submits such information.
``(c) Savings Clause.--
``(1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to
adversely affect the authority of Congress, including a
Committee or Member thereof, to obtain any record or
information.
``(2) The absence of a provision similar to paragraph (1)
in any other provision of law shall not be construed to limit
the ability of the Senate or the House of Representatives,
including a Committee or Member thereof, to obtain any record
or information.''.
SEC. 5731. CLOSED AREA STOWAGE REQUIREMENTS.
Section 13 (16 U.S.C. 973k) is amended by striking ``. In
particular, the boom shall be lowered'' and all that follows
and inserting ``and in accordance with any requirements
established by the Secretary.''.
SEC. 5732. OBSERVERS.
Section 14 (16 U.S.C. 973l) is repealed.
SEC. 5733. FISHERIES-RELATED ASSISTANCE.
Section 15 (16 U.S.C. 973m) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 15. FISHERIES-RELATED ASSISTANCE.
``The Secretary and the Secretary of State may provide
assistance to a Pacific Island Party to benefit such Pacific
Island Party from the development of fisheries resources and
the operation of fishing vessels that are licensed pursuant
to the Treaty, including--
``(1) technical assistance;
``(2) training and capacity building opportunities;
``(3) facilitation of the implementation of private sector
activities or partnerships; and
``(4) other activities as determined appropriate by the
Secretary and the Secretary of State.''.
SEC. 5734. ARBITRATION.
Section 16 (16 U.S.C. 973n) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Article 6 of'' after ``arbitral tribunal
under''; and
(2) by striking ``paragraph 3 of that Article'' and all
that follows through ``under such paragraph'' and inserting
``the Treaty, shall determine the location of the
arbitration, and shall represent the United States in
reaching agreement under the Treaty''.
SEC. 5735. DISPOSITION OF FEES, PENALTIES, FORFEITURES, AND
OTHER MONEYS.
Section 17 (16 U.S.C. 973o) is amended by striking
``Article 4 of''.
SEC. 5736. ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.
Section 18 (16 U.S.C. 973p) is amended by striking ``Within
30 days after'' and all that follows and inserting ``The
Secretary may establish procedures for review of any
agreements for additional fishing access entered into
pursuant to the Treaty.''.
Subtitle C--Other Matters
SEC. 5741. NORTH PACIFIC RESEARCH BOARD ENHANCEMENT.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``North
Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act''.
(b) Amendments.--Section 401(e) of the Department of the
Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (43
U.S.C. 1474d(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (L), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (M), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon;
(C) in subparagraph (N), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and'';
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (N) the following:
``(O) one member who shall represent Alaska Natives and
possesses personal knowledge of, and direct experience with,
subsistence uses and shall be nominated by the Board and
appointed by the Secretary.''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following: ``Board members
appointed under subparagraphs (N) and (O) shall serve for 3-
year terms, and may be reappointed once.'';
(2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) If the amount made available for a fiscal year under
subsection (c)(2) is less than the amount made available in
the previous fiscal year, the Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may increase the 15
percent cap on administrative expenses provided under
paragraph (4)(B) for that fiscal year to prioritize--
``(A) continuing operation of the Board;
``(B) maximizing the percentage of funds directed to
research; and
``(C) maintaining the highest quality standards in
administering grants under this subsection.''.
(c) Waiver.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act
and ending on the date that is 5 years after such date of
enactment, the 15 percent cap on funds to provide support for
the North Pacific Research Board and administer grants under
section 401(e)(4)(B) of the Department of the Interior and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (43 U.S.C.
1474d(e)(4)(B)) shall be waived.
______