[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19946-19966]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4188) to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for 
fiscal years 2016 and 2017, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4188

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Coast Guard Authorization 
     Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.

                        TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS

Sec. 101. Authorizations.
Sec. 102. Conforming amendments.

                         TITLE II--COAST GUARD

Sec. 201. Vice Commandant.
Sec. 202. Vice admirals.
Sec. 203. Coast Guard remission of indebtedness.
Sec. 204. Acquisition reform.
Sec. 205. Auxiliary jurisdiction.
Sec. 206. Coast Guard communities.
Sec. 207. Polar icebreakers.
Sec. 208. Air facility closures.
Sec. 209. Technical corrections to title 14, United States Code.
Sec. 210. Discontinuance of an aid to navigation.
Sec. 211. Mission performance measures.
Sec. 212. Communications.
Sec. 213. Coast Guard graduate maritime operations education.
Sec. 214. Professional development.
Sec. 215. Senior enlisted member continuation boards.
Sec. 216. Coast Guard member pay.
Sec. 217. Transfer of funds necessary to provide medical care.
Sec. 218. Participation of the Coast Guard Academy in Federal, State, 
              or other educational research grants.
Sec. 219. National Coast Guard Museum.
Sec. 220. Investigations.
Sec. 221. Clarification of eligibility of members of the Coast Guard 
              for combat-related special compensation.
Sec. 222. Leave policies for the Coast Guard.

                   TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION

Sec. 301. Survival craft.
Sec. 302. Vessel replacement.
Sec. 303. Model years for recreational vessels.
Sec. 304. Merchant mariner credential expiration harmonization.
Sec. 305. Safety zones for permitted marine events.
Sec. 306. Technical corrections.
Sec. 307. Recommendations for improvements of marine casualty 
              reporting.
Sec. 308. Recreational vessel engine weights.
Sec. 309. Merchant mariner medical certification reform.
Sec. 310. Atlantic Coast port access route study.
Sec. 311. Certificates of documentation for recreational vessels.
Sec. 312. Program guidelines.
Sec. 313. Repeals.
Sec. 314. Maritime drug law enforcement.
Sec. 315. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.
Sec. 316. Higher volume port area regulatory definition change.
Sec. 317. Recognition of port security assessments conducted by other 
              entities.
Sec. 318. Fishing vessel and fish tender vessel certification.
Sec. 319. Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research.
Sec. 320. International port and facility inspection coordination.

                 TITLE IV--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 402. Duties of the Chairman.
Sec. 403. Prohibition on awards.

                          TITLE V--CONVEYANCES

                 Subtitle A--Miscellaneous Conveyances

Sec. 501. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Point Reyes Station, 
              California.
Sec. 502. Conveyance of Coast Guard property in Tok, Alaska.

                      Subtitle B--Pribilof Islands

Sec. 521. Short title.
Sec. 522. Transfer and disposition of property.

[[Page 19947]]

Sec. 523. Notice of certification.
Sec. 524. Redundant capability.

Subtitle C--Conveyance of Coast Guard Property at Point Spencer, Alaska

Sec. 531. Findings.
Sec. 532. Definitions.
Sec. 533. Authority to convey land in Point Spencer.
Sec. 534. Environmental compliance, liability, and monitoring.
Sec. 535. Easements and access.
Sec. 536. Relationship to Public Land Order 2650.
Sec. 537. Archeological and cultural resources.
Sec. 538. Maps and legal descriptions.
Sec. 539. Chargeability for land conveyed.
Sec. 540. Redundant capability.
Sec. 541. Port Coordination Council for Point Spencer.

                        TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 601. Modification of reports.
Sec. 602. Safe vessel operation in the Great Lakes.
Sec. 603. Use of vessel sale proceeds.
Sec. 604. National Academy of Sciences cost assessment.
Sec. 605. Penalty wages.
Sec. 606. Recourse for noncitizens.
Sec. 607. Coastwise endorsements.
Sec. 608. International Ice Patrol.
Sec. 609. Assessment of oil spill response and cleanup activities in 
              the Great Lakes.
Sec. 610. Report on status of technology detecting passengers who have 
              fallen overboard.
Sec. 611. Venue.
Sec. 612. Disposition of infrastructure related to E-LORAN.
Sec. 613. Parking.

                        TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS

     SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATIONS.

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

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

``Chap.                                                            Sec.
``27. Authorizations...........................................2701....

``29. Reports..................................................2901....

                      ``CHAPTER 27--AUTHORIZATIONS

``Sec.
``2702. Authorization of appropriations.
``2704. Authorized levels of military strength and training.

     ``Sec. 2702. Authorization of appropriations

       ``Funds are authorized to be appropriated for each of 
     fiscal years 2016 and 2017 for necessary expenses of the 
     Coast Guard as follows:
       ``(1) For the operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard, 
     not otherwise provided for--
       ``(A) $6,981,036,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
       ``(B) $6,981,036,000 for fiscal year 2017.
       ``(2) For the acquisition, construction, renovation, and 
     improvement of aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels, 
     and aircraft, including equipment related thereto, and for 
     maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, and operation of 
     facilities and equipment--
       ``(A) $1,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
       ``(B) $1,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.
       ``(3) For the Coast Guard Reserve program, including 
     operations and maintenance of the program, personnel and 
     training costs, equipment, and services--
       ``(A) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
       ``(B) $140,016,000 for fiscal year 2017.
       ``(4) For the environmental compliance and restoration 
     functions of the Coast Guard under chapter 19 of this title--
       ``(A) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
       ``(B) $16,701,000 for fiscal year 2017.
       ``(5) To the Commandant of the Coast Guard for research, 
     development, test, and evaluation of technologies, materials, 
     and human factors directly related to improving the 
     performance of the Coast Guard's mission with respect to 
     search and rescue, aids to navigation, marine safety, marine 
     environmental protection, enforcement of laws and treaties, 
     ice operations, oceanographic research, and defense 
     readiness, and for maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, and 
     operation of facilities and equipment--
       ``(A) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
       ``(B) $19,890,000 for fiscal year 2017.

     ``Sec. 2704. Authorized levels of military strength and 
       training

       ``(a) Active Duty Strength.--The Coast Guard is authorized 
     an end-of-year strength for active duty personnel of 43,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
       ``(b) Military Training Student Loads.--The Coast Guard is 
     authorized average military training student loads for each 
     of fiscal years 2016 and 2017 as follows:
       ``(1) For recruit and special training, 2,500 student 
     years.
       ``(2) For flight training, 165 student years.
       ``(3) For professional training in military and civilian 
     institutions, 350 student years.
       ``(4) For officer acquisition, 1,200 student years.

                         ``CHAPTER 29--REPORTS

``Sec.
``2904. Manpower requirements plan.

     ``Sec. 2904. Manpower requirements plan

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

[[Page 19948]]

       (e) Icebreakers.--
       (1) Icebreaking on the great lakes.--For fiscal years 2016 
     and 2017, the Commandant of the Coast Guard may use funds 
     made available pursuant to section 2702(2) of title 14, 
     United States Code (as added by subsection (a) of this 
     section), for the selection of a design for and the 
     construction of an icebreaker that is capable of buoy tending 
     to enhance icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes.
       (2) Polar icebreaking.--Of the amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated under section 2702(2) of title 14, United States 
     Code, as amended by subsection (a), there is authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Coast Guard $4,000,000 for fiscal year 
     2016 and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 for preacquisition 
     activities for a new polar icebreaker, including initial 
     specification development and feasibility studies.
       (f) Additional Submissions.--The Commandant of the Coast 
     Guard shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of 
     the House of Representatives--
       (1) each plan required under section 2904 of title 14, 
     United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this 
     section;
       (2) each plan required under section 2903(e) of title 14, 
     United States Code, as added by section 206 of this Act;
       (3) each plan required under section 2902 of title 14, 
     United States Code, as redesignated by subsection (d) of this 
     section; and
       (4) each mission need statement required under section 569 
     of title 14, United States Code.

     SEC. 102. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

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

``III. Coast Guard Authorizations and Reports to Congress...2701''.....

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

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

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

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

                         TITLE II--COAST GUARD

     SEC. 201. VICE COMMANDANT.

       (a) Grades and Ratings.--Section 41 of title 14, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``an admiral,'' and 
     inserting ``admirals (two);''.
       (b) Vice Commandant; Appointment.--Section 47 of title 14, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``vice admiral'' 
     and inserting ``admiral''.
       (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 51 of title 14, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a) by inserting ``admiral or'' before 
     ``vice admiral,'';
       (2) in subsection (b) by inserting ``admiral or'' before 
     ``vice admiral,'' each place it appears; and
       (3) in subsection (c) by inserting ``admiral or'' before 
     ``vice admiral,''.

     SEC. 202. VICE ADMIRALS.

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

     SEC. 203. COAST GUARD REMISSION OF INDEBTEDNESS.

       (a) Expansion of Authority To Remit Indebtedness.--Section 
     461 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``Sec. 461. Remission of indebtedness

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

``461. Remission of indebtedness.''.

     SEC. 204. ACQUISITION REFORM.

       (a) Minimum Performance Standards.--Section 572(d)(3) of 
     title 14, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (H) as 
     subparagraphs (E) through (J), respectively;
       (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) the performance data to be used to determine whether 
     the key performance parameters have been resolved;''; and
       (4) by inserting after subparagraph (C), as redesignated by 
     paragraph (2) of this subsection, the following:
       ``(D) the results during test and evaluation that will be 
     required to demonstrate that a capability, asset, or 
     subsystem meets performance requirements;''.
       (b) Capital Investment Plan.--Section 2902 of title 14, 
     United States Code, as redesignated and otherwise amended by 
     this Act, is further amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``completion;'' and 
     inserting ``completion based on the proposed appropriations 
     included in the budget;''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``at the projected 
     funding levels;'' and inserting ``based on the proposed 
     appropriations included in the budget;'';
       (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c), and 
     inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b) New Capital Assets.--In the fiscal year following 
     each fiscal year for which appropriations are enacted for a 
     new capital asset, the report submitted under subsection (a) 
     shall include--
       ``(1) an estimated life-cycle cost estimate for the new 
     capital asset;
       ``(2) an assessment of the impact the new capital asset 
     will have on--
       ``(A) delivery dates for each capital asset;
       ``(B) estimated completion dates for each capital asset;
       ``(C) the total estimated cost to complete each capital 
     asset; and
       ``(D) other planned construction or improvement projects; 
     and
       ``(3) recommended funding levels for each capital asset 
     necessary to meet the estimated completion dates and total 
     estimated costs included in the such asset's approved 
     acquisition program baseline.''; and
       (3) by amending subsection (c), as so redesignated, to read 
     as follows:
       ``(c) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `unfunded priority' means a program or 
     mission requirement that--
       ``(A) has not been selected for funding in the applicable 
     proposed budget;
       ``(B) is necessary to fulfill a requirement associated with 
     an operational need; and
       ``(C) the Commandant would have recommended for inclusion 
     in the applicable proposed budget had additional resources 
     been available or had the requirement emerged before the 
     budget was submitted; and
       ``(2) the term `new capital asset' means--
       ``(A) an acquisition program that does not have an approved 
     acquisition program baseline; or
       ``(B) the acquisition of a capital asset in excess of the 
     number included in the approved acquisition program 
     baseline.''.
       (c) Days Away From Homeport.--Not later than 1 year after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the 
     Coast Guard shall--

[[Page 19949]]

       (1) implement a standard for tracking operational days at 
     sea for Coast Guard cutters that does not include days during 
     which such cutters are undergoing maintenance or repair; and
       (2) notify the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate of the standard implemented under paragraph (1).
       (d) Fixed Wing Aircraft Fleet Mix Analysis.--Not later than 
     September 30, 2016, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall 
     submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a revised 
     fleet mix analysis of Coast Guard fixed wing aircraft.
       (e) Long-Term Major Acquisitions Plan.--Section 2903 of 
     title 14, United States Code, as redesignated and otherwise 
     amended by this Act, is further amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
       ``(e) Long-Term Major Acquisitions Plan.--Each report under 
     subsection (a) shall include a plan that describes for the 
     upcoming fiscal year, and for each of the 20 fiscal years 
     thereafter--
       ``(1) the numbers and types of cutters and aircraft to be 
     decommissioned;
       ``(2) the numbers and types of cutters and aircraft to be 
     acquired to--
       ``(A) replace the cutters and aircraft identified under 
     paragraph (1); or
       ``(B) address an identified capability gap; and
       ``(3) the estimated level of funding in each fiscal year 
     required to--
       ``(A) acquire the cutters and aircraft identified under 
     paragraph (2);
       ``(B) acquire related command, control, communications, 
     computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance 
     systems; and
       ``(C) acquire, construct, or renovate shoreside 
     infrastructure.
       ``(f) Quarterly Updates on Risks of Programs.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 15 days after the end of 
     each fiscal year quarter, the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
     shall submit to the committees of Congress specified in 
     subsection (a) an update setting forth a current assessment 
     of the risks associated with all current major acquisition 
     programs.
       ``(2) Elements.--Each update under this subsection shall 
     set forth, for each current major acquisition program, the 
     following:
       ``(A) The top five current risks to such program.
       ``(B) Any failure of such program to demonstrate a key 
     performance parameter or threshold during operational test 
     and evaluation conducted during the fiscal year quarter 
     preceding such update.
       ``(C) Whether there has been any decision during such 
     fiscal year quarter to order full-rate production before all 
     key performance parameters or thresholds are met.
       ``(D) Whether there has been any breach of major 
     acquisition program cost (as defined by the Major Systems 
     Acquisition Manual) during such fiscal year quarter.
       ``(E) Whether there has been any breach of major 
     acquisition program schedule (as so defined) during such 
     fiscal year quarter.''.

     SEC. 205. AUXILIARY JURISDICTION.

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

     SEC. 206. COAST GUARD COMMUNITIES.

       Section 409 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 
     (14 U.S.C. 639 note) is amended in the second sentence by 
     striking ``90 days'' and inserting ``30 days''.

     SEC. 207. POLAR ICEBREAKERS.

       (a) Incremental Funding Authority for Polar Icebreakers.--
     In fiscal year 2016 and each fiscal year thereafter, the 
     Commandant of the Coast Guard may enter into a contract or 
     contracts for the acquisition of polar icebreakers and 
     associated equipment using incremental funding.
       (b) ``Polar Sea'' Materiel Condition Assessment and Service 
     Life Extension.--Section 222 of the Coast Guard and Maritime 
     Transportation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-213; 126 Stat. 
     1560) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, 
     the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating shall--
       ``(1) complete a materiel condition assessment with respect 
     to the Polar Sea;
       ``(2) make a determination of whether it is cost effective 
     to reactivate the Polar Sea compared with other options to 
     provide icebreaking services as part of a strategy to 
     maintain polar icebreaking services; and
       ``(3) submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate--
       ``(A) the assessment required under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) written notification of the determination required 
     under paragraph (2).'';
       (2) in subsection (b) by striking ``analysis'' and 
     inserting ``written notification'';
       (3) by striking subsection (c);
       (4) by redesignating subsections (d) through (h) as 
     subsections (c) through (g), respectively;
       (5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (4) of 
     this section)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``based on the analysis 
     required''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``analysis'' and 
     inserting ``written notification'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``analysis'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``written notification'';
       (ii) by striking ``subsection (a)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (a)(3)(B)'';
       (iii) by striking ``subsection (c)'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``that subsection''; and
       (iv) by striking ``under subsection (a)(5)''; and
       (C) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by striking ``in the analysis submitted under this 
     section'';
       (ii) by striking ``(a)(5)'' and inserting ``(a)'';
       (iii) by striking ``then'' and all that follows through 
     ``(A)'' and inserting ``then'';
       (iv) by striking ``; or'' and inserting a period; and
       (v) by striking subparagraph (B); and
       (6) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (4) of 
     this subsection) by striking ``in subsection (d)'' and 
     inserting ``in subsection (c)''.

     SEC. 208. AIR FACILITY CLOSURES.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 17 of title 14, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 676 the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 676a. Air facility closures

       ``(a) Prohibition.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Coast Guard may not--
       ``(A) close a Coast Guard air facility that was in 
     operation on November 30, 2014; or
       ``(B) retire, transfer, relocate, or deploy an aviation 
     asset from an air facility described in subparagraph (A) for 
     the purpose of closing such facility.
       ``(2) Sunset.--Paragraph (1) shall have no force or effect 
     beginning on the later of--
       ``(A) January 1, 2018; or
       ``(B) the date on which the Secretary submits to the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
     of Representatives, and to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate, rotary wing 
     strategic plans prepared in accordance with section 208(b) of 
     the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015.
       ``(b) Closures.--
       ``(1) In general.--Beginning on January 1, 2018, the 
     Secretary may not close a Coast Guard air facility, except as 
     specified by this section.
       ``(2) Determinations.--The Secretary may not propose 
     closing or terminating operations at a Coast Guard air 
     facility unless the Secretary determines that--
       ``(A) remaining search and rescue capabilities maintain the 
     safety of the maritime public in the area of the air 
     facility;
       ``(B) regional or local prevailing weather and marine 
     conditions, including water temperatures or unusual tide and 
     current conditions, do not require continued operation of the 
     air facility; and
       ``(C) Coast Guard search and rescue standards related to 
     search and response times are met.
       ``(3) Public notice and comment.--Prior to closing an air 
     facility, the Secretary shall provide opportunities for 
     public comment, including the convening of public meetings in 
     communities in the area of responsibility of the air facility 
     with regard to the proposed closure or cessation of 
     operations at the air facility.
       ``(4) Notice to congress.--Prior to closure, cessation of 
     operations, or any significant reduction in personnel and use 
     of a Coast

[[Page 19950]]

     Guard air facility that is in operation on or after December 
     31, 2015, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) submit to the Congress a proposal for such closure, 
     cessation, or reduction in operations along with the budget 
     of the President submitted to Congress under section 1105(a) 
     of title 31 for the fiscal year in which the action will be 
     carried out; and
       ``(B) not later than 7 days after the date a proposal for 
     an air facility is submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A), 
     provide written notice of such proposal to each of the 
     following:
       ``(i) Each member of the House of Representatives who 
     represents a district in which the air facility is located.
       ``(ii) Each member of the Senate who represents a State in 
     which the air facility is located.
       ``(iii) Each member of the House of Representatives who 
     represents a district in which assets of the air facility 
     conduct search and rescue operations.
       ``(iv) Each member of the Senate who represents a State in 
     which assets of the air facility conduct search and rescue 
     operations.
       ``(v) The Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives.
       ``(vi) The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
     of the House of Representatives.
       ``(vii) The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
       ``(viii) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate.
       ``(c) Operational Flexibility.--The Secretary may implement 
     any reasonable management efficiencies within the air station 
     and air facility network, such as modifying the operational 
     posture of units or reallocating resources as necessary to 
     ensure the safety of the maritime public nationwide.''.
       (b) Rotary Wing Strategic Plans.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the department in which 
     the Coast Guard is operating shall prepare the plans 
     specified in paragraph (2) to adequately address 
     contingencies arising from potential future aviation 
     casualties or the planned or unplanned retirement of rotary 
     wing airframes to avoid to the greatest extent practicable 
     any substantial gap or diminishment in Coast Guard 
     operational capabilities.
       (2) Rotary wing strategic plans.--
       (A) Rotary wing contingency plan.--Not later than 1 year 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
     department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
     develop and 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 contingency plan--
       (i) to address the planned or unplanned losses of rotary 
     wing airframes;
       (ii) to reallocate resources as necessary to ensure the 
     safety of the maritime public nationwide; and
       (iii) to ensure the operational posture of Coast Guard 
     units.
       (B) Rotary wing replacement capital investment plan.--
       (i) 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 develop and 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 capital 
     investment plan for the acquisition of new rotary wing 
     airframes to replace the Coast Guard's legacy helicopters and 
     fulfil all existing mission requirements.
       (ii) Requirements.--The plan developed under this 
     subparagraph shall provide--

       (I) a total estimated cost for completion;
       (II) a timetable for completion of the acquisition project 
     and phased in transition to new airframes; and
       (III) projected annual funding levels for each fiscal year.

       (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Analysis for chapter 17.--The analysis for chapter 17 
     of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 676 the following:

``676a. Air facility closures.''.
       (2) Repeal of prohibition.--Section 225 of the Howard Coble 
     Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (Public 
     Law 113-281; 128 Stat. 3022) is amended--
       (A) by striking subsection (b); and
       (B) by striking ``(a) In General.--''.

     SEC. 209. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO TITLE 14, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

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

``19. Environmental Compliance and Restoration Program.......690'';....

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

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

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

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

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

     SEC. 210. DISCONTINUANCE OF AN AID TO NAVIGATION.

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

     SEC. 211. MISSION PERFORMANCE MEASURES.

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

     SEC. 212. COMMUNICATIONS.

       (a) In General.--If the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     determines that there are at least two communications systems 
     described under paragraph (1)(B) and certified under 
     paragraph (2), the Secretary shall establish and carry out a 
     pilot program across not less than three components of the 
     Department of Homeland Security to assess the effectiveness 
     of a communications system that--
       (1) provides for--
       (A) multiagency collaboration and interoperability; and
       (B) wide-area, secure, and peer-invitation- and acceptance-
     based multimedia communications;
       (2) is certified by the Department of Defense Joint 
     Interoperability Test Center; and
       (3) is composed of commercially available, off-the-shelf 
     technology.
       (b) Assessment.--Not later than 6 months after the date on 
     which the pilot program is completed, the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
     and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation and the Committee Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate an assessment of the pilot 
     program, including the impacts of the program with respect to 
     interagency and Coast Guard response capabilities.
       (c) Strategy.--The pilot program shall be consistent with 
     the strategy required by the Department of Homeland Security 
     Interoperable Communications Act (Public Law 114-29).

[[Page 19951]]

       (d) Timing.--The pilot program shall commence within 90 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act or within 60 
     days after the completion of the strategy required by the 
     Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications 
     Act (Public Law 114-29), whichever is later.

     SEC. 213. COAST GUARD GRADUATE MARITIME OPERATIONS EDUCATION.

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

     SEC. 214. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) Multirater Assessment.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 11 of title 14, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 428 the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 429. Multirater assessment of certain personnel

       ``(a) Multirater Assessment of Certain Personnel.--
       ``(1) In general.--Commencing not later than one year after 
     the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization 
     Act of 2015, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall develop 
     and implement a plan to conduct every two years a multirater 
     assessment for each of the following:
       ``(A) Each flag officer of the Coast Guard.
       ``(B) Each member of the Senior Executive Service of the 
     Coast Guard.
       ``(C) Each officer of the Coast Guard nominated for 
     promotion to the grade of flag officer.
       ``(2) Post-assessment elements.--Following an assessment of 
     an individual pursuant to paragraph (1), the individual shall 
     be provided appropriate post-assessment counseling and 
     leadership coaching.
       ``(b) Multirater Assessment Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `multirater assessment' means a review that seeks 
     opinion from members senior to the reviewee and the peers and 
     subordinates of the reviewee.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
     such chapter is amended by inserting after the item related 
     to section 428 the following:

``429. Multirater assessment of certain personnel.''.
       (b) Training Course on Workings of Congress.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 60. Training course on workings of Congress

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
     2015, the Commandant, in consultation with the Superintendent 
     of the Coast Guard Academy and such other individuals and 
     organizations as the Commandant considers appropriate, shall 
     develop a training course on the workings of the Congress and 
     offer that 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 
     the Congress and the Federal legislative process, including--
       ``(1) the history and structure of the 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 the Congress, including 
     bills, resolutions, committee reports, and conference 
     reports, and the purposes and functions of those documents;
       ``(3) the legislative processes and rules of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate, including similarities and 
     differences between the two processes and 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 our 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 by this section are experts 
     on the 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) Completion of Required Training.--
       ``(1) Current flag officers and employees.--A Coast Guard 
     flag officer appointed or assigned to a billet in the 
     National Capital Region on the date of the enactment of this 
     section, and a Coast Guard Senior Executive Service employee 
     employed in the National Capital Region on the date of the 
     enactment of this section, shall complete a training course 
     that meets the requirements of this section within 60 days 
     after the date on which the Commandant completes the 
     development of the training course.
       ``(2) New flag officers and employees.--A Coast Guard flag 
     officer who is newly appointed or assigned to a billet in the 
     National Capital Region, and a Coast Guard Senior Executive 
     Service employee who is newly employed in the National 
     Capital Region, shall complete a training course that meets 
     the requirements of this section not later than 60 days after 
     reporting for duty.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
     such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following:

``60. Training course on workings of Congress.''.
       (c) Report on Leadership Development.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
     shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives a report on Coast Guard leadership 
     development.
       (2) Contents.--The report shall include the following:
       (A) An assessment of the feasibility of--
       (i) all officers (other than officers covered by section 
     429(a) of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this 
     section) completing a multirater assessment;
       (ii) all members (other than officers covered by such 
     section) in command positions completing a multirater 
     assessment;
       (iii) all enlisted members in a supervisory position 
     completing a multirater assessment; and
       (iv) members completing periodic multirater assessments.
       (B) Such recommendations as the Commandant considers 
     appropriate for the implementation or expansion of a 
     multirater assessment in the personnel development programs 
     of the Coast Guard.
       (C) An overview of each of the current leadership 
     development courses of the Coast Guard, an assessment of the 
     feasibility of the expansion of any such course, and a 
     description of the resources, if any, required to expand such 
     courses.
       (D) An assessment on the state of leadership training in 
     the Coast Guard, and recommendations on the implementation of 
     a policy to prevent leadership that has adverse effects on 
     subordinates, the organization, or mission performance, 
     including--
       (i) a description of methods that will be used by the Coast 
     Guard to identify, monitor, and counsel individuals whose 
     leadership may have adverse effects on subordinates, the 
     organization, or mission performance;
       (ii) the implementation of leadership recognition training 
     to recognize such leadership in one's self and others;
       (iii) the establishment of procedures for the 
     administrative separation of leaders whose leadership may 
     have adverse effects on subordinates, the organization, or 
     mission performance; and
       (iv) a description of the resources needed to implement 
     this section.

     SEC. 215. SENIOR ENLISTED MEMBER CONTINUATION BOARDS.

       (a) In General.--Section 357 of title 14, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking subsections (a) through (h) and subsection 
     (j); and
       (2) in subsection (i), by striking ``(i)''.
       (b) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.--
       (1) Heading amendment.--The heading of such section is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 357. Retirement of enlisted members: increase in 
       retired pay''.

       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
     chapter 11 of such title is amended by striking the item 
     relating to such section and inserting the following:

``357. Retirement of enlisted members: increase in retired pay.''.

     SEC. 216. COAST GUARD MEMBER PAY.

       (a) Annual Audit of Pay and Allowances of Members 
     Undergoing Permanent Change of Station.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 13 of title 14, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

[[Page 19952]]



     ``Sec. 519. Annual audit of pay and allowances of members 
       undergoing permanent change of station

       ``The Commandant shall conduct each calendar year an audit 
     of member pay and allowances for the members who transferred 
     to new units during such calendar year. The audit for a 
     calendar year shall be completed by the end of the calendar 
     year.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
     such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following:

``519. Annual audit of pay and allowances of members undergoing 
              permanent change of station.''.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
     shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives a report on alternative methods for notifying 
     members of the Coast Guard of their monthly earnings. The 
     report shall include--
       (1) an assessment of the feasibility of providing members a 
     monthly notification of their earnings, categorized by pay 
     and allowance type; and
       (2) a description and assessment of mechanisms that may be 
     used to provide members with notification of their earnings, 
     categorized by pay and allowance type.

     SEC. 217. TRANSFER OF FUNDS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE MEDICAL 
                   CARE.

       (a) Transfer Required.--In lieu of the reimbursement 
     required under section 1085 of title 10, United States Code, 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security shall transfer to the 
     Secretary of Defense an amount that represents the actuarial 
     valuation of treatment or care--
       (1) that the Department of Defense shall provide to members 
     of the Coast Guard, former members of the Coast Guard, and 
     dependents of such members and former members (other than 
     former members and dependents of former members who are a 
     Medicare-eligible beneficiary or for whom the payment for 
     treatment or care is made from the Medicare-Eligible Retiree 
     Health Care Fund) at facilities under the jurisdiction of the 
     Department of Defense or a military department; and
       (2) for which a reimbursement would otherwise be made under 
     section 1085.
       (b) Amount.--The amount transferred under subsection (a) 
     shall be--
       (1) in the case of treatment or care to be provided to 
     members of the Coast Guard and their dependents, derived from 
     amounts appropriated for the operating expenses of the Coast 
     Guard;
       (2) in the case of treatment or care to be provided former 
     members of the Coast Guard and their dependents, derived from 
     amounts appropriated for retired pay;
       (3) determined under procedures established by the 
     Secretary of Defense;
       (4) transferred during the fiscal year in which treatment 
     or care is provided; and
       (5) subject to adjustment or reconciliation as the 
     Secretaries determine appropriate during or promptly after 
     such fiscal year in cases in which the amount transferred is 
     determined excessive or insufficient based on the services 
     actually provided.
       (c) No Transfer When Service in Navy.--No transfer shall be 
     made under this section for any period during which the Coast 
     Guard operates as a service in the Navy.
       (d) Relationship to TRICARE.--This section shall not be 
     construed to require a payment for, or the transfer of an 
     amount that represents the value of, treatment or care 
     provided under any TRICARE program.

     SEC. 218. PARTICIPATION OF THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY IN 
                   FEDERAL, STATE, OR OTHER EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH 
                   GRANTS.

       Section 196 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before the first 
     sentence; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Qualified Organizations.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard may--
       ``(A) enter into a contract, cooperative agreement, lease, 
     or licensing agreement with a qualified organization;
       ``(B) allow a qualified organization to use, at no cost, 
     personal property of the Coast Guard; and
       ``(C) notwithstanding section 93, accept funds, supplies, 
     and services from a qualified organization.
       ``(2) Sole-source basis.--Notwithstanding chapter 65 of 
     title 31 and chapter 137 of title 10, the Commandant may 
     enter into a contract or cooperative agreement under 
     paragraph (1)(A) on a sole-source basis.
       ``(3) Maintaining fairness, objectivity, and integrity.--
     The Commandant shall ensure that contributions under this 
     subsection do not--
       ``(A) reflect unfavorably on the ability of the Coast 
     Guard, any of its employees, or any member of the armed 
     forces to carry out any responsibility or duty in a fair and 
     objective manner; or
       ``(B) compromise the integrity or appearance of integrity 
     of any program of the Coast Guard, or any individual involved 
     in such a program.
       ``(4) Limitation.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     employees or personnel of a qualified organization shall not 
     be employees of the United States.
       ``(5) Qualified organization defined.--In this subsection 
     the term `qualified organization' means an organization--
       ``(A) described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 
     501(a) of that Code; and
       ``(B) established by the Coast Guard Academy Alumni 
     Association solely for the purpose of supporting academic 
     research and applying for and administering Federal, State, 
     or other educational research grants on behalf of the Coast 
     Guard Academy.''.

     SEC. 219. NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM.

       Section 98(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``any appropriated 
     Federal funds for'' and insert ``any funds appropriated to 
     the Coast Guard on''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``artifacts.'' and 
     inserting ``artifacts, including the design, fabrication, and 
     installation of exhibits or displays in which such artifacts 
     are included.''.

     SEC. 220. INVESTIGATIONS.

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

     ``Sec. 430. Investigations of flag officers and Senior 
       Executive Service employees

       ``In conducting an investigation into an allegation of 
     misconduct by a flag officer or member of the Senior 
     Executive Service serving in the Coast Guard, the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security shall--
       ``(1) conduct the investigation in a manner consistent with 
     Department of Defense policies for such an investigation; and
       ``(2) consult with the Inspector General of the Department 
     of Defense.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
     such chapter is further amended by inserting after the item 
     related to section 429 the following:

``430. Investigations of flag officers and Senior Executive Service 
              employees.''.

     SEC. 221. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF THE 
                   COAST GUARD FOR COMBAT-RELATED SPECIAL 
                   COMPENSATION.

       (a) Consideration of Eligibility.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department is 
     which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue procedures and 
     criteria to use in determining whether the disability of a 
     member of the Coast Guard is a combat-related disability for 
     purposes of the eligibility of such member for combat-related 
     special compensation under section 1413a of title 10, United 
     States Code. Such procedures and criteria shall include the 
     procedures and criteria prescribed by the Secretary of 
     Defense pursuant to subsection (e)(2) of such section. Such 
     procedures and criteria shall apply in determining whether 
     the disability of a member of the Coast Guard is a combat-
     related disability for purposes of determining the 
     eligibility of such member for combat-related special 
     compensation under such section.
       (2) Disability for which a determination is made.--For the 
     purposes of this section, and in the case of a member of the 
     Coast Guard, a disability under section 1413a(e)(2)(B) of 
     title 10, United States Code, includes a disability incurred 
     during aviation duty, diving duty, rescue swimmer or similar 
     duty, and hazardous service duty onboard a small vessel (such 
     as duty as a surfman)--
       (A) in the performance of duties for which special or 
     incentive pay was paid pursuant to section 301, 301a, 304, 
     307, 334, or 351 of title 37, United States Code;
       (B) in the performance of duties related to--
       (i) law enforcement, including drug or migrant 
     interdiction;
       (ii) defense readiness; or
       (iii) search and rescue; or
       (C) while engaged in a training exercise for the 
     performance of a duty described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
       (b) Applicability of Guidance.--The guidance issued 
     pursuant to subsection (a) shall apply to disabilities 
     described in that subsection that are incurred on or after 
     the effective date provided in section 636(a)(2) of the Bob 
     Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 
     (Public Law 107-314; 116 Stat. 2574; 10 U.S.C. 1413a note).
       (c) Reapplication for Compensation.--Any member of the 
     Coast Guard who was denied combat-related special 
     compensation under section 1413a of title 10, United States 
     Code, during the period beginning on the effective date 
     specified in subsection (b) and ending on the date of the 
     issuance of the guidance required by subsection (a) may 
     reapply for combat-related special compensation under such 
     section on the basis of such guidance in accordance with such 
     procedures as the Secretary of the department in which the 
     Coast Guard is operating shall specify.

     SEC. 222. LEAVE POLICIES FOR THE COAST GUARD.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 11 of title 14, United States 
     Code, is further amended by inserting after section 430 the 
     following:

[[Page 19953]]



     ``Sec. 431. Leave policies for the Coast Guard

       ``Not later than 1 year after the date on which the 
     Secretary of the Navy promulgates a new rule, policy, or 
     memorandum pursuant to section 704 of title 10, United States 
     Code, with respect to leave associated with the birth or 
     adoption of a child, the Secretary of the department in which 
     the Coast Guard is operating shall promulgate a similar rule, 
     policy, or memorandum that provides leave to officers and 
     enlisted members of the Coast Guard that is equal in duration 
     and compensation to that provided by the Secretary of the 
     Navy.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
     such chapter is further amended by inserting after the item 
     related to section 430 the following:

``431. Leave policies for the Coast Guard.''.

                   TITLE III--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION

     SEC. 301. SURVIVAL CRAFT.

       (a) In General.--Section 3104 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 3104. Survival craft

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

     SEC. 302. VESSEL REPLACEMENT.

       (a) Loans and Guarantees.--Chapter 537 of title 46, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 53701--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (14) as 
     paragraphs (9) through (15), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
       ``(8) Historical uses.--The term `historical uses' 
     includes--
       ``(A) refurbishing, repairing, rebuilding, or replacing 
     equipment on a fishing vessel, without materially increasing 
     harvesting capacity;
       ``(B) purchasing a used fishing vessel;
       ``(C) purchasing, constructing, expanding, or 
     reconditioning a fishery facility;
       ``(D) refinancing existing debt;
       ``(E) reducing fishing capacity; and
       ``(F) making upgrades to a fishing vessel, including 
     upgrades in technology, gear, or equipment, that improve--
       ``(i) collection and reporting of fishery-dependent data;
       ``(ii) bycatch reduction or avoidance;
       ``(iii) gear selectivity;
       ``(iv) adverse impacts caused by fishing gear; or
       ``(v) safety.''; and
       (2) in section 53702(b), by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(3) Minimum obligations available for historic uses.--Of 
     the direct loan obligations issued by the Secretary under 
     this chapter, the Secretary shall make a minimum of 
     $59,000,000 available each fiscal year for historic uses.
       ``(4) Use of obligations in limited access fisheries.--In 
     addition to the other eligible purposes and uses of direct 
     loan obligations provided for in this chapter, the Secretary 
     may issue direct loan obligations for the purpose of--
       ``(A) financing the construction or reconstruction of a 
     fishing vessel in a fishery managed under a limited access 
     system; or
       ``(B) financing the purchase of harvesting rights in a 
     fishery that is federally managed under a limited access 
     system.''.
       (b) Limitation on Application to Certain Fishing Vessels of 
     Prohibition Under Vessel Construction Program.--Section 
     302(b)(2) of the Fisheries Financing Act (title III of Public 
     Law 104-297; 46 U.S.C. 53706 note) is amended--
       (1) in the second sentence--
       (A) by striking ``or in'' and inserting ``, in''; and
       (B) by inserting before the period the following: ``, in 
     fisheries that are under the jurisdiction of the North 
     Pacific Fishery Management Council and managed under a 
     fishery management plan issued under the Magnuson-Stevens 
     Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
     seq.), or in the Pacific whiting fishery that is under the 
     jurisdiction of the Pacific Fishery Management Council and 
     managed under a fishery management plan issued under that 
     Act''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following: ``Any fishing 
     vessel operated in fisheries under the jurisdiction of the 
     North Pacific Fishery Management Council and managed under a 
     fishery management plan issued under the Magnuson-Stevens 
     Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
     seq.), or in the Pacific whiting fishery under the 
     jurisdiction of the Pacific Fishery Management Council and 
     managed under a fishery management plan issued under that 
     Act, and that is replaced by a vessel that is constructed or 
     rebuilt with a loan or loan guarantee provided by the Federal 
     Government may not be used to harvest fish in any fishery 
     under the jurisdiction of any regional fishery management 
     council, other than a fishery under the jurisdiction of the 
     North Pacific Fishery Management Council or the Pacific 
     Fishery Management Council.''.

     SEC. 303. MODEL YEARS FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS.

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

     SEC. 304. MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL EXPIRATION 
                   HARMONIZATION.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (c) and 
     not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
     is operating shall establish a process to harmonize the 
     expiration dates of merchant mariner credentials, mariner 
     medical certificates, and radar observer endorsements for 
     individuals applying to the Secretary for a new merchant 
     mariner credential or for renewal of an existing merchant 
     mariner credential.
       (b) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
     process established under subsection (a)--
       (1) does not require an individual to renew a merchant 
     mariner credential earlier than the date on which the 
     individual's current credential expires; and
       (2) results in harmonization of expiration dates for 
     merchant mariner credentials, mariner medical certificates, 
     and radar observer

[[Page 19954]]

     endorsements for all individuals by not later than 6 years 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Exception.--The process established under subsection 
     (a) does not apply to individuals--
       (1) holding a merchant mariner credential with--
       (A) an active Standards of Training, Certification, and 
     Watchkeeping endorsement; or
       (B) Federal first-class pilot endorsement; or
       (2) who have been issued a time-restricted medical 
     certificate.

     SEC. 305. SAFETY ZONES FOR PERMITTED MARINE EVENTS.

       Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
     Guard is operating shall establish and implement a process 
     to--
       (1) account for the number of safety zones established for 
     permitted marine events;
       (2) differentiate whether the event sponsor who requested a 
     permit for such an event is--
       (A) an individual;
       (B) an organization; or
       (C) a government entity; and
       (3) account for Coast Guard resources utilized to enforce 
     safety zones established for permitted marine events, 
     including for--
       (A) the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary 
     vessels used; and
       (B) the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary 
     patrol hours required.

     SEC. 306. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       (a) Title 46.--Title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 103, by striking ``(33 U.S.C. 151).'' and 
     inserting ``(33 U.S.C. 151(b)).'';
       (2) in section 2118--
       (A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``title,'' and inserting ``subtitle,''; and
       (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``title'' and inserting 
     ``subtitle'';
       (3) in the analysis for chapter 35--
       (A) by adding a period at the end of the item relating to 
     section 3507; and
       (B) by adding a period at the end of the item relating to 
     section 3508;
       (4) in section 3715(a)(2), by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (5) in section 4506, by striking ``(a)'';
       (6) in section 8103(b)(1)(A)(iii), by striking ``Academy.'' 
     and inserting ``Academy; and'';
       (7) in section 11113(c)(1)(A)(i), by striking ``under this 
     Act'';
       (8) in the analysis for chapter 701--
       (A) by adding a period at the end of the item relating to 
     section 70107A;
       (B) in the item relating to section 70112, by striking 
     ``security advisory committees.'' and inserting ``Security 
     Advisory Committees.''; and
       (C) in the item relating to section 70122, by striking 
     ``watch program.'' and inserting ``Watch Program.'';
       (9) in section 70105(c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(B)(xv)--
       (i) by striking ``18, popularly'' and inserting ``18 
     (popularly''; and
       (ii) by striking ``Act'' and inserting ``Act)''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(D) paragraph'' and 
     inserting ``(D) of paragraph'';
       (10) in section 70107--
       (A) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``5121(j)(8)),'' and 
     inserting ``5196(j)(8)),''; and
       (B) in subsection (m)(3)(C)(iii), by striking ``that is'' 
     and inserting ``that the applicant'';
       (11) in section 70122, in the section heading, by striking 
     ``watch program'' and inserting ``Watch Program''; and
       (12) in the analysis for chapter 705, by adding a period at 
     the end of the item relating to section 70508.
       (b) General Bridge Statutes.--
       (1) Act of march 3, 1899.--The Act of March 3, 1899, 
     popularly known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act 
     of 1899, is amended--
       (A) in section 9 (33 U.S.C. 401), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating''; and
       (B) in section 18 (33 U.S.C. 502), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating''.
       (2) Act of march 23, 1906.--The Act of March 23, 1906, 
     popularly known as the Bridge Act of 1906, is amended--
       (A) in the first section (33 U.S.C. 491), by striking 
     ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting ``Secretary of 
     the department in which the Coast Guard is operating'';
       (B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 494), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Homeland Security'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating''; and
       (C) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 495), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating''.
       (3) Act of august 18, 1894.--Section 5 of the Act entitled 
     ``An Act making appropriations for the construction, repair, 
     and preservation of certain public works on rivers and 
     harbors, and for other purposes'', approved August 18, 1894 
     (33 U.S.C. 499), is amended by striking ``Secretary of 
     Transportation'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating''.
       (4) Act of june 21, 1940.--The Act of June 21, 1940, 
     popularly known as the Truman-Hobbs Act, is amended--
       (A) in section 1 (33 U.S.C. 511), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' and inserting ``Secretary of the 
     department in which the Coast Guard is operating'';
       (B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 514), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' and inserting ``Secretary of the 
     department in which the Coast Guard is operating'';
       (C) in section 7 (33 U.S.C. 517), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating''; and
       (D) in section 13 (33 U.S.C. 523), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' and inserting ``Secretary of the 
     department in which the Coast Guard is operating''.
       (5) General bridge act of 1946.--The General Bridge Act of 
     1946 is amended--
       (A) in section 502(b) (33 U.S.C. 525(b)), by striking 
     ``Secretary of Transportation'' and inserting ``Secretary of 
     the department in which the Coast Guard is operating''; and
       (B) in section 510 (33 U.S.C. 533), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating''.
       (6) International bridge act of 1972.--The International 
     Bridge Act of 1972 is amended--
       (A) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 535c), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' and inserting ``Secretary of the 
     department in which the Coast Guard is operating'';
       (B) in section 8 (33 U.S.C. 535e), by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating''; and
       (C) by striking section 11 (33 U.S.C. 535h).

     SEC. 307. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS OF MARINE CASUALTY 
                   REPORTING.

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

     SEC. 308. RECREATIONAL VESSEL ENGINE WEIGHTS.

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

     SEC. 309. MERCHANT MARINER MEDICAL CERTIFICATION REFORM.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 75 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 7509. Medical certification by trusted agents

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law and pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, 
     a trusted agent may issue a medical certificate to an 
     individual who--
       ``(1) must hold such certificate to qualify for a license, 
     certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document, or 
     endorsement thereto under this part; and
       ``(2) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical 
     condition to perform the duties of such license, certificate, 
     document, or endorsement, as determined by the trusted agent.
       ``(b) Process for Issuance of Certificates by Secretary.--A 
     final rule implementing this section shall include a process 
     for--
       ``(1) the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
     Guard is operating to issue medical certificates to mariners 
     who submit applications for such certificates to the 
     Secretary; and
       ``(2) a trusted agent to defer to the Secretary the 
     issuance of a medical certificate.
       ``(c) Trusted Agent Defined.--In this section the term 
     `trusted agent' means a medical practitioner certified by the 
     Secretary to perform physical examinations of an individual 
     for purposes of a license, certificate of registry, or 
     merchant mariner's document under this part.''.

[[Page 19955]]

       (b) Deadline.--Not later than 5 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in 
     which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue a final rule 
     implementing section 7509 of title 46, United States Code, as 
     added by this section.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

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

     SEC. 310. ATLANTIC COAST PORT ACCESS ROUTE STUDY.

       (a) Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study.--Not later than 
     April 1, 2016, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall 
     conclude the Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study and 
     submit the results of such study to the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate.
       (b) Nantucket Sound.--Not later than December 1, 2016, the 
     Commandant of the Coast Guard shall complete and 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 port access route 
     study of Nantucket Sound using the standards and methodology 
     of the Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study, to determine 
     whether the Coast Guard should revise existing regulations to 
     improve navigation safety in Nantucket Sound due to factors 
     such as increased vessel traffic, changing vessel traffic 
     patterns, weather conditions, or navigational difficulty in 
     the vicinity.

     SEC. 311. CERTIFICATES OF DOCUMENTATION FOR RECREATIONAL 
                   VESSELS.

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

     SEC. 312. PROGRAM GUIDELINES.

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

     SEC. 313. REPEALS.

       (a) Repeals, Merchant Marine Act, 1936.--Sections 601 
     through 606, 608 through 611, 613 through 616, 802, and 809 
     of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 53101 note) are 
     repealed.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Chapter 575 of title 46, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 57501, by striking ``titles V and VI'' and 
     inserting ``title V''; and
       (2) in section 57531(a), by striking ``titles V and VI'' 
     and inserting ``title V''.
       (c) Transfer From Merchant Marine Act, 1936.--
       (1) In general.--Section 801 of the Merchant Marine Act, 
     1936 (46 U.S.C. 53101 note)--
       (A) is redesignated as section 57522 of title 46, United 
     States Code, and transferred to appear after section 57521 of 
     such title; and
       (B) as so redesignated and transferred, is amended--
       (i) by striking so much as precedes the first sentence and 
     inserting the following:

     ``Sec. 57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and 
       inspection and auditing'';

       (ii) by striking ``the provision of title VI or VII of this 
     Act'' and inserting ``this chapter''; and
       (iii) by striking ``: Provided, That'' and all that follows 
     through ``Commission''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 575, of 
     title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 57521 the following:

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

     SEC. 314. MARITIME DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) Prohibitions.--Section 70503(a) of title 46, United 
     States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) Prohibitions.--While on board a covered vessel, an 
     individual may not knowingly or intentionally--
       ``(1) manufacture or distribute, or possess with intent to 
     manufacture or distribute, a controlled substance;
       ``(2) destroy (including jettisoning any item or scuttling, 
     burning, or hastily cleaning a vessel), or attempt or 
     conspire to destroy, property that is subject to forfeiture 
     under section 511(a) of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse 
     Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 881(a)); or
       ``(3) conceal, or attempt or conspire to conceal, more than 
     $100,000 in currency or other monetary instruments on the 
     person of such individual or in any conveyance, article of 
     luggage, merchandise, or other container, or compartment of 
     or aboard the covered vessel if that vessel is outfitted for 
     smuggling.''.
       (b) Covered Vessel Defined.--Section 70503 of title 46, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(e) Covered Vessel Defined.--In this section the term 
     `covered vessel' means--
       ``(1) a vessel of the United States or a vessel subject to 
     the jurisdiction of the United States; or
       ``(2) any other vessel if the individual is a citizen of 
     the United States or a resident alien of the United 
     States.''.
       (c) Penalties.--Section 70506 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``A person violating 
     section 70503'' and inserting ``A person violating paragraph 
     (1) of section 70503(a)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Penalty.--A person violating paragraph (2) or (3) of 
     section 70503(a) shall be fined in accordance with section 
     3571 of title 18, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or 
     both.''.
       (d) Seizure and Forfeiture.--Section 70507(a) of title 46, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``section 70503'' 
     and inserting ``section 70503 or 70508''.
       (e) Clerical Amendments.--
       (1) The heading of section 70503 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 70503. Prohibited acts''.

       (2) The analysis for chapter 705 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is further amended by striking the item relating to 
     section 70503 and inserting the following:

``70503. Prohibited acts.''.

     SEC. 315. EXAMINATIONS FOR MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALS.

       (a) Disclosure.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 75 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 7510. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials

       ``(a) Disclosure Not Required.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Secretary is not required to disclose 
     to the public--
       ``(1) a question from any examination for a merchant 
     mariner credential;
       ``(2) the answer to such a question, including any correct 
     or incorrect answer that may be presented with such question; 
     and
       ``(3) any quality or characteristic of such a question, 
     including--
       ``(A) the manner in which such question has been, is, or 
     may be selected for an examination;
       ``(B) the frequency of such selection; and
       ``(C) the frequency that an examinee correctly or 
     incorrectly answered such question.
       ``(b) Exception for Certain Questions.--Notwithstanding 
     subsection (a), the Secretary may, for the purpose of 
     preparation by the general public for examinations required 
     for merchant mariner credentials, release an examination 
     question and answer that the Secretary has retired or is not 
     presently on or part of an examination, or that the Secretary 
     determines is appropriate for release.
       ``(c) Exam Review.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, 
     and once every two years thereafter, the Commandant of the 
     Coast Guard shall commission a working group to review new 
     questions for inclusion in examinations required for merchant 
     mariner credentials, composed of--
       ``(A) 1 subject matter expert from the Coast Guard;
       ``(B) representatives from training facilities and the 
     maritime industry, of whom--
       ``(i) one-half shall be representatives from approved 
     training facilities; and
       ``(ii) one-half shall be representatives from the 
     appropriate maritime industry;
       ``(C) at least 1 representative from the Merchant Marine 
     Personnel Advisory Committee;
       ``(D) at least 2 representatives from the State maritime 
     academies, of whom one

[[Page 19956]]

     shall be a representative from the deck training track and 
     one shall be a representative of the engine license track;
       ``(E) representatives from other Coast Guard Federal 
     advisory committees, as appropriate, for the industry segment 
     associated with the subject examinations;
       ``(F) at least 1 subject matter expert from the Maritime 
     Administration; and
       ``(G) at least 1 human performance technology 
     representative.
       ``(2) Inclusion of persons knowledgeable about examination 
     type.--The working group shall include representatives 
     knowledgeable about the examination type under review.
       ``(3) Limitation.--The requirement to convene a working 
     group under paragraph (1) does not apply unless there are new 
     examination questions to review.
       ``(4) Baseline review.--
       ``(A) In general.--Within 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, the 
     Secretary shall convene the working group to complete a 
     baseline review of the Coast Guard's Merchant Mariner 
     Credentialing Examination, including review of--
       ``(i) the accuracy of examination questions;
       ``(ii) the accuracy and availability of examination 
     references;
       ``(iii) the length of merchant mariner examinations; and
       ``(iv) the use of standard technologies in administering, 
     scoring, and analyzing the examinations.
       ``(B) Progress report.--The Coast Guard shall provide a 
     progress report to the appropriate congressional committees 
     on the review under this paragraph.
       ``(5) Full membership not required.--The Coast Guard may 
     convene the working group without all members present if any 
     non-Coast-Guard representative is present.
       ``(6) Nondisclosure agreement.--The Secretary shall require 
     all members of the working group to sign a nondisclosure 
     agreement with the Secretary.
       ``(7) Treatment of members as federal employees.--A member 
     of the working group who is not a Federal Government employee 
     shall not be considered a Federal employee in the service or 
     the employment of the Federal Government, except that such a 
     member shall be considered a special government employee, as 
     defined in section 202(a) of title 18 for purposes of 
     sections 203, 205, 207, 208, and 209 of such title and shall 
     be subject to any administrative standards of conduct 
     applicable to an employee of the department in which the 
     Coast Guard is operating.
       ``(8) Formal exam review.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
     the Coast Guard Performance Technology Center--
       ``(A) prioritizes the review of examinations required for 
     merchant mariner credentials; and
       ``(B) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
     the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, completes a formal 
     review, including an appropriate analysis, of the topics and 
     testing methodology employed by the National Maritime Center 
     for merchant seamen licensing.
       ``(9) FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
     App.) shall not apply to any working group created under this 
     section to review the Coast Guard's merchant mariner 
     credentialing examinations.
       ``(d) Merchant Mariner Credential Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `merchant mariner credential' means a 
     merchant seaman license, certificate, or document that the 
     Secretary is authorized to issue pursuant to this title.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is 
     further amended by adding at the end the following:

``7510. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.''.
       (b) Examinations for Merchant Mariner Credentials.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 71 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 7116. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials

       ``(a) Requirement for Sample Exams.--The Secretary shall 
     develop a sample merchant mariner credential examination and 
     outline of merchant mariner examination topics on an annual 
     basis.
       ``(b) Public Availability.--Each sample examination and 
     outline of topics developed under subsection (a) shall be 
     readily available to the public.
       ``(c) Merchant Mariner Credential Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `merchant mariner credential' has the 
     meaning that term has in section 7510.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

``7116. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.''.
       (c) Disclosure to Congress.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed to authorize the withholding of information from an 
     appropriate inspector general, the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or the Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives.

     SEC. 316. HIGHER VOLUME PORT AREA REGULATORY DEFINITION 
                   CHANGE.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 710 of the Coast 
     Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-281; 124 
     Stat. 2986) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) Higher Volume Ports.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the requirements of subparts D, F, and G of 
     part 155 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, that apply 
     to the higher volume port area for the Strait of Juan de Fuca 
     at Port Angeles, Washington (including any water area within 
     50 nautical miles seaward), to and including Puget Sound, 
     shall apply, in the same manner, and to the same extent, to 
     the Strait of Juan de Fuca at Cape Flattery, Washington 
     (including any water area within 50 nautical miles seaward), 
     to and including Puget Sound.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (b) of such section 
     is amended by striking ``the modification of the higher 
     volume port area definition required by subsection (a).'' and 
     inserting ``higher volume port requirements made applicable 
     under subsection (a).''.

     SEC. 317. RECOGNITION OF PORT SECURITY ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED 
                   BY OTHER ENTITIES.

       Section 70108 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Recognition of Assessment Conducted by Other 
     Entities.--
       ``(1) Certification and treatment of assessments.--For the 
     purposes of this section and section 70109, the Secretary may 
     treat an assessment that a foreign government (including, for 
     the purposes of this subsection, an entity of or operating 
     under the auspices of the European Union) or international 
     organization has conducted as an assessment that the 
     Secretary has conducted for the purposes of subsection (a), 
     provided that the Secretary certifies that the foreign 
     government or international organization has--
       ``(A) conducted the assessment in accordance with 
     subsection (b); and
       ``(B) provided the Secretary with sufficient information 
     pertaining to its assessment (including, but not limited to, 
     information on the outcome of the assessment).
       ``(2) Authorization to enter into an agreement.--For the 
     purposes of this section and section 70109, the Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State, may enter into an 
     agreement with a foreign government (including, for the 
     purposes of this subsection, an entity of or operating under 
     the auspices of the European Union) or international 
     organization, under which parties to the agreement--
       ``(A) conduct an assessment, required under subsection (a);
       ``(B) share information pertaining to such assessment 
     (including, but not limited to, information on the outcome of 
     the assessment); or
       ``(C) both.
       ``(3) Limitations.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
     construed to--
       ``(A) require the Secretary to recognize an assessment that 
     a foreign government or an international organization has 
     conducted; or
       ``(B) limit the discretion or ability of the Secretary to 
     conduct an assessment under this section.
       ``(4) Notification to congress.--Not later than 30 days 
     before entering into an agreement or arrangement with a 
     foreign government under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall 
     notify the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate of the proposed terms of such 
     agreement or arrangement.''.

     SEC. 318. FISHING VESSEL AND FISH TENDER VESSEL 
                   CERTIFICATION.

       (a) Alternative Safety Compliance Programs.--Section 4503 
     of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``this section'' and 
     inserting ``this subsection'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``This section'' and 
     inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (d), subsection 
     (a)'';
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by striking ``This section'' and inserting ``(1) Except 
     as provided in paragraph (2), subsection (a)''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Subsection (a) does not apply to a fishing vessel or 
     fish tender vessel to which section 4502(b) of this title 
     applies, if the vessel--
       ``(A) is at least 50 feet overall in length, and not more 
     than 79 feet overall in length; and
       ``(B)(i) is built after January 1, 2016, and complies with 
     the alternative safety compliance program established under 
     subsection (e); or
       ``(ii) is built after the date of the enactment of the 
     Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 and before the 
     establishment of the alternative safety compliance program 
     required under subsection (e), and complies with the 
     requirements described in subsection (f).''; and
       (4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g), and 
     inserting after subsection (d) the following:
       ``(e)(1) Not later than 5 years after the date of the 
     enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, the 
     Secretary shall establish an alternative safety compliance 
     program for fishing vessels or fish tender vessels

[[Page 19957]]

     (or both) that are described in subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) 
     of subsection (c)(2).
       ``(2) The alternative safety compliance program established 
     under paragraph (1) shall include requirements for--
       ``(A) vessel construction;
       ``(B) a vessel stability test;
       ``(C) vessel stability and loading instructions;
       ``(D) an assigned vessel loading mark;
       ``(E) a vessel condition survey at least biennially;
       ``(F) an out-of-water vessel survey at least once every 5 
     years;
       ``(G) maintenance of records to demonstrate compliance with 
     the program, and the availability of such records for 
     inspection; and
       ``(H) such other aspects of vessel safety as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate.
       ``(f) The requirements referred to in subsection 
     (c)(2)(B)(ii) are the following:
       ``(1) The vessel is designed by an individual licensed by a 
     State as a naval architect or marine engineer, and the design 
     incorporates standards equivalent to those prescribed by a 
     classification society to which the Secretary has delegated 
     authority under section 3316 or another qualified 
     organization approved by the Secretary for purposes of this 
     paragraph.
       ``(2) Construction of the vessel is overseen and certified 
     as being in accordance with its design by a marine surveyor 
     of an organization accepted by the Secretary.
       ``(3) The vessel--
       ``(A) completes a stability test performed by a qualified 
     individual;
       ``(B) has written stability and loading instructions from a 
     qualified individual that are provided to the owner or 
     operator; and
       ``(C) has an assigned loading mark.
       ``(4) The vessel is not substantially modified or changed 
     without the review and approval of an individual licensed by 
     a State as a naval architect or marine engineer before the 
     beginning of such substantial modification or change.
       ``(5) The vessel undergoes a condition survey at least 
     biennially to the satisfaction of a marine surveyor of an 
     organization accepted by the Secretary.
       ``(6) The vessel undergoes an out-of-water survey at least 
     once every 5 years to the satisfaction of a certified marine 
     surveyor of an organization accepted by the Secretary.
       ``(7) Once every 5 years and at the time of a modification 
     or substantial change to such vessel, compliance of the 
     vessel with the requirements of paragraph (3) is reviewed and 
     updated as necessary.
       ``(8) For the life of the vessel, the owner of the vessel 
     maintains records to demonstrate compliance with this 
     subsection and makes such records readily available for 
     inspection by an official authorized to enforce this 
     chapter.''.
       (b) GAO Report on Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a report on commercial fishing vessel safety. The 
     report shall include--
       (A) national and regional trends that can be identified 
     with respect to rates of marine causalities, human injuries, 
     and deaths aboard or involving fishing vessels greater than 
     79 feet in length that operate beyond the 3-nautical-mile 
     demarcation line;
       (B) a comparison of United States regulations for 
     classification of fishing vessels to those established by 
     other countries, including the vessel length at which such 
     regulations apply;
       (C) the additional costs imposed on vessel owners as a 
     result of the requirement in section 4503(a) of title 46, 
     United States Code, and how the those costs vary in relation 
     to vessel size and from region to region;
       (D) savings that result from the application of the 
     requirement in section 4503(a) of title 46, United States 
     Code, including reductions in insurance rates or reduction in 
     the number of fishing vessels or fish tender vessels lost to 
     major safety casualties, nationally and regionally;
       (E) a national and regional comparison of the additional 
     costs and safety benefits associated with fishing vessels or 
     fish tender vessels that are built and maintained to class 
     through a classification society to the additional costs and 
     safety benefits associated with fishing vessels or fish 
     tender vessels that are built to standards equivalent to 
     classification society construction standards and maintained 
     to standards equivalent to classification society standards 
     with verification by independent surveyors; and
       (F) the impact on the cost of production and availability 
     of qualified shipyards, nationally and regionally, resulting 
     from the application of the requirement in section 4503(a) of 
     title 46, United States Code.
       (2) Consultation requirement.--In preparing the report 
     under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall--
       (A) consult with owners and operators of fishing vessels or 
     fish tender vessels, classification societies, shipyards, the 
     National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the 
     National Transportation Safety Board, the Coast Guard, 
     academics, and marine safety nongovernmental organizations; 
     and
       (B) obtain relevant data from the Coast Guard including 
     data collected from enforcement actions, boardings, 
     investigations of marine casualties, and serious marine 
     incidents.
       (3) Treatment of data.--In preparing the report under 
     paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall--
       (A) disaggregate data regionally for each of the regions 
     managed by the regional fishery management councils 
     established under section 302 of the Magnuson-Stevens 
     Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852), 
     the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Pacific 
     States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the Gulf States 
     Marine Fisheries Commission; and
       (B) include qualitative data on the types of fishing 
     vessels or fish tender vessels included in the report.

     SEC. 319. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON OIL POLLUTION 
                   RESEARCH.

       (a) In General.--Section 7001(a)(3) of the Oil Pollution 
     Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761(a)(3)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Minerals Management Service'' and 
     inserting ``Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 
     the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,''; and
       (2) by inserting ``the United States Arctic Research 
     Commission,'' after ``National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration,''.
       (b) Technical Amendments.--Section 7001 of the Oil 
     Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(2), in the matter preceding 
     subparagraph (A), by striking ``Department of 
     Transportation'' and inserting ``department in which the 
     Coast Guard is operating''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)(8)(A), by striking ``(1989)'' and 
     inserting ``(2010)''.

     SEC. 320. INTERNATIONAL PORT AND FACILITY INSPECTION 
                   COORDINATION.

       Section 825(a) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 
     (6 U.S.C. 945 note; Public Law 111-281) is amended in the 
     matter preceding paragraph (1)--
       (1) by striking ``the department in which the Coast Guard 
     is operating'' and inserting ``Homeland Security''; and
       (2) by striking ``they are integrated and conducted by the 
     Coast Guard'' and inserting ``the assessments are coordinated 
     between the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection''.

                 TITLE IV--FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

     SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 46, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 308. Authorization of appropriations

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

``308. Authorization of appropriations.''.

     SEC. 402. DUTIES OF THE CHAIRMAN.

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

     SEC. 403. PROHIBITION ON AWARDS.

       Section 307 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Federal Maritime Commission'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(a) In General.--The Federal Maritime Commission''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the 
     Federal Maritime Commission may not expend any funds 
     appropriated or otherwise made available to it to a non-
     Federal entity to issue an award, prize, commendation, or 
     other honor that is not related to the purposes set forth in 
     section 40101.''.

                          TITLE V--CONVEYANCES

                 Subtitle A--Miscellaneous Conveyances

     SEC. 501. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN POINT REYES 
                   STATION, CALIFORNIA.

       (a) Conveyance.--
       (1) In general.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall 
     convey to the County of Marin, California, all right, title, 
     and interest of the United States in and to the covered 
     property--
       (A) for fair market value, as provided in paragraph (2);
       (B) subject to the conditions required by this section; and
       (C) subject to any other term or condition that the 
     Commandant considers appropriate and reasonable to protect 
     the interests of the United States.

[[Page 19958]]

       (2) Fair market value.--The fair market value of the 
     covered property shall be--
       (A) determined by a real estate appraiser who has been 
     selected by the County and is licensed to practice in 
     California; and
       (B) approved by the Commandant.
       (3) Proceeds.--The Commandant shall deposit the proceeds 
     from a conveyance under paragraph (1) in the Coast Guard 
     Housing Fund established by section 687 of title 14, United 
     States Code.
       (b) Condition of Conveyance.--As a condition of any 
     conveyance of the covered property under this section, the 
     Commandant shall require that all right, title, and interest 
     in and to the covered property shall revert to the United 
     States if the covered property or any part thereof ceases to 
     be used for affordable housing, as defined by the County and 
     the Commandant at the time of conveyance, or to provide a 
     public benefit approved by the County.
       (c) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     covered property shall be determined by a survey satisfactory 
     to the Commandant.
       (d) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed to affect or limit the application of or obligation 
     to comply with any environmental law, including section 
     120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
     Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)).
       (e) Covered Property Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``covered property'' means the approximately 32 acres of real 
     property (including all improvements located on the property) 
     that are--
       (1) located in Point Reyes Station in the County of Marin, 
     California;
       (2) under the administrative control of the Coast Guard; 
     and
       (3) described as ``Parcel A, Tract 1'', ``Parcel B, Tract 
     2'', ``Parcel C'', and ``Parcel D'' in the Declaration of 
     Taking (Civil No. C 71-1245 SC) filed June 28, 1971, in the 
     United States District Court for the Northern District of 
     California.
       (f) Expiration.--The authority to convey the covered 
     property under this section shall expire on the date that is 
     four years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 502. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN TOK, ALASKA.

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

                      Subtitle B--Pribilof Islands

     SEC. 521. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Pribilof Island 
     Transition Completion Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 522. TRANSFER AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY.

       (a) Transfer.--To further accomplish the settlement of land 
     claims under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
     U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), the Secretary of Commerce shall, 
     subject to paragraph (2), and notwithstanding section 105(a) 
     of the Pribilof Islands Transition Act (16 U.S.C. 1161 note; 
     Public Law 106-562), convey all right, title, and interest in 
     the following property to the Alaska native village 
     corporation for St. Paul Island:
       (1) Lots 4, 5, and 6A, Block 18, Tract A, U.S. Survey 4943, 
     Alaska, the plat of which was Officially Filed on January 20, 
     2004, aggregating 13,006 square feet (0.30 acres).
       (2) On the termination of the license described in 
     subsection (b)(3), T. 35 S., R. 131 W., Seward Meridian, 
     Alaska, Tract 43, the plat of which was Officially Filed on 
     May 14, 1986, containing 84.88 acres.
       (b) Federal Use.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the department in which 
     the Coast Guard is operating may operate, maintain, keep, 
     locate, inspect, repair, and replace any Federal aid to 
     navigation located on the property described in subsection 
     (a) as long as the aid is needed for navigational purposes.
       (2) Administration.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
     Secretary may enter the property, at any time for as long as 
     the aid is needed for navigational purposes, without notice 
     to the extent that it is not practicable to provide advance 
     notice.
       (3) License.--The Secretary of the Department in which the 
     Coast Guard is operating may maintain a license in effect on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act with respect to the 
     real property and improvements under subsection (a) until the 
     termination of the license.
       (4) Reports.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act and not less than once every 2 years 
     thereafter, the Secretary of the department in which the 
     Coast Guard is operating shall submit to the Committee on 
     Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a report on--
       (A) efforts taken to remediate contaminated soils on tract 
     43 described in subsection (a)(2);
       (B) a schedule for the completion of contaminated soil 
     remediation on tract 43; and
       (C) any use of tract 43 to carry out Coast Guard navigation 
     activities.
       (c) Agreement on Transfer of Other Property on St. Paul 
     Island.--
       (1) In general.--In addition to the property transferred 
     under subsection (a), not later than 60 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce and 
     the presiding officer of the Alaska native village 
     corporation for St. Paul Island shall enter into an agreement 
     to exchange of property on Tracts 50 and 38 on St. Paul 
     Island and to finalize the recording of deeds, to reflect the 
     boundaries and ownership of Tracts 50 and 38 as depicted on a 
     survey of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration, to be filed with the Office of the Recorder 
     for the Department of Natural Resources for the State of 
     Alaska.
       (2) Easements.--The survey described in subsection (a) 
     shall include respective easements granted to the Secretary 
     and the Alaska native village corporation for the purpose of 
     utilities, drainage, road access, and salt lagoon 
     conservation.

     SEC. 523. NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION.

       Section 105 of the Pribilof Islands Transition Act (16 
     U.S.C. 1161 note; Public Law 106-562) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``The Secretary'' and 
     inserting ``Notwithstanding paragraph (2) and effective 
     beginning on the date the Secretary publishes the notice of 
     certification required by subsection (b)(5), the Secretary'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``section 205 of the 
     Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 1165)'' and inserting 
     ``section 205(a) of the Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 
     1165(a))''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Notice of certification.--The Secretary shall 
     promptly publish and submit to the Committee on Natural 
     Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate notice 
     that the certification described in paragraph (2) has been 
     made.'';
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``makes the certification described in subsection (b)(2)'' 
     and inserting ``publishes the notice of certification 
     required by subsection (b)(5)''; and
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Section 205'' and 
     inserting ``Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of section 
     205'';
       (4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and
       (5) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
       ``(e) Notifications.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the 
     Secretary makes a determination

[[Page 19959]]

     under subsection (f) that land on St. Paul Island, Alaska, 
     not specified for transfer in the document entitled `Transfer 
     of Property on the Pribilof Islands: Descriptions, Terms and 
     Conditions' or section 522 of the Pribilof Island Transition 
     Completion Act of 2015 is in excess of the needs of the 
     Secretary and the Federal Government, the Secretary shall 
     notify the Alaska native village corporation for St. Paul 
     Island of the determination.
       ``(2) Election to receive.--Not later than 60 days after 
     the date receipt of the notification of the Secretary under 
     subsection (a), the Alaska native village corporation for St. 
     Paul Island shall notify the Secretary in writing whether the 
     Alaska native village corporation elects to receive all 
     right, title, and interest in the land or a portion of the 
     land.
       ``(3) Transfer.--If the Alaska native village corporation 
     provides notice under paragraph (2) that the Alaska native 
     village corporation elects to receive all right, title and 
     interest in the land or a portion of the land, the Secretary 
     shall transfer all right, title, and interest in the land or 
     portion to the Alaska native village corporation at no cost.
       ``(4) Other disposition.--If the Alaska native village 
     corporation does not provide notice under paragraph (2) that 
     the Alaska native village corporation elects to receive all 
     right, title, and interest in the land or a portion of the 
     land, the Secretary may dispose of the land in accordance 
     with other applicable law.
       ``(f) Determination.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     the enactment of this subsection and not less than once every 
     5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall determine whether 
     property located on St. Paul Island and not transferred to 
     the Natives of the Pribilof Islands is in excess of the 
     smallest practicable tract enclosing land--
       ``(A) needed by the Secretary for the purposes of carrying 
     out the Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.);
       ``(B) in the case of land withdrawn by the Secretary on 
     behalf of other Federal agencies, needed for carrying out the 
     missions of those agencies for which land was withdrawn; or
       ``(C) actually used by the Federal Government in connection 
     with the administration of any Federal installation on St. 
     Paul Island.
       ``(2) Report of determination.--When a determination is 
     made under subsection (a), the Secretary shall report the 
     determination to--
       ``(A) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives;
       ``(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate; and
       ``(C) the Alaska native village corporation for St. Paul 
     Island.''.

     SEC. 524. REDUNDANT CAPABILITY.

       (a) Rule of Construction.--Except as provided in subsection 
     (b), section 681 of title 14, United States Code, as amended 
     by this Act, shall not be construed to prohibit any transfer 
     or conveyance of lands under this subtitle or any actions 
     that involve the dismantling or disposal of infrastructure 
     that supported the former LORAN system that are associated 
     with the transfer or conveyance of lands under section 522.
       (b) Redundant Capability.--If, within the 5-year period 
     beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating determines that a facility on Tract 43, if 
     transferred under this subtitle, is subsequently required to 
     provide a positioning, navigation, and timing system to 
     provide redundant capability in the event GPS signals are 
     disrupted, the Secretary may--
       (1) operate, maintain, keep, locate, inspect, repair, and 
     replace such facility; and
       (2) in carrying out the activities described in paragraph 
     (1), enter, at any time, the facility without notice to the 
     extent that it is not possible to provide advance notice, for 
     as long as such facility is needed to provide such 
     capability.

Subtitle C--Conveyance of Coast Guard Property at Point Spencer, Alaska

     SEC. 531. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) Major shipping traffic is increasing through the Bering 
     Strait, the Bering and Chukchi Seas, and the Arctic Ocean, 
     and will continue to increase whether or not development of 
     the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States is 
     undertaken in the future, and will increase further if such 
     Outer Continental Shelf development is undertaken.
       (2) There is a compelling national, State, Alaska Native, 
     and private sector need for permanent infrastructure 
     development and for a presence in the Arctic region of Alaska 
     by appropriate agencies of the Federal Government, 
     particularly in proximity to the Bering Strait, to support 
     and facilitate search and rescue, shipping safety, economic 
     development, oil spill prevention and response, protection of 
     Alaska Native archaeological and cultural resources, port of 
     refuge, arctic research, and maritime law enforcement on the 
     Bering Sea, the Chukchi Sea, and the Arctic Ocean.
       (3) The United States owns a parcel of land, known as Point 
     Spencer, located between the Bering Strait and Port Clarence 
     and adjacent to some of the best potential deepwater port 
     sites on the coast of Alaska in the Arctic.
       (4) Prudent and effective use of Point Spencer may be best 
     achieved through marshaling the energy, resources, and 
     leadership of the public and private sectors.
       (5) It is in the national interest to develop 
     infrastructure at Point Spencer that would aid the Coast 
     Guard in performing its statutory duties and functions in the 
     Arctic on a more permanent basis and to allow for public and 
     private sector development of facilities and other 
     infrastructure to support purposes that are of benefit to the 
     United States.

     SEC. 532. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) Arctic.--The term ``Arctic'' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 
     1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111).
       (2) BSNC.--The term ``BSNC'' means the Bering Straits 
     Native Corporation authorized under section 7 of the Alaska 
     Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1606).
       (3) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Port 
     Coordination Council established under section 541.
       (4) Plan.--The term ``Plan'' means the Port Management 
     Coordination Plan developed under section 541.
       (5) Point spencer.--The term ``Point Spencer'' means the 
     land known as ``Point Spencer'' located in Townships 2, 3, 
     and 4 South, Range 40 West, Kateel River Meridian, Alaska, 
     between the Bering Strait and Port Clarence and withdrawn by 
     Public Land Order 2650 (published in the Federal Register on 
     April 12, 1962).
       (6) Secretary.--Except as otherwise specifically provided, 
     the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the department 
     in which the Coast Guard is operating.
       (7) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Alaska.
       (8) Tract.--The term ``Tract'' or ``Tracts'' means any of 
     Tract 1, Tract 2, Tract 3, Tract 4, Tract 5, or Tract 6, as 
     appropriate, or any portion of such Tract or Tracts.
       (9) Tracts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.--The terms ``Tract 1'', 
     ``Tract 2'', ``Tract 3'', ``Tract 4'', ``Tract 5'', and 
     ``Tract 6'' each mean the land generally depicted as Tract 1, 
     Tract 2, Tract 3, Tract 4, Tract 5, or Tract 6, respectively, 
     on the map entitled the ``Point Spencer Land Retention and 
     Conveyance Map'', dated January 2015, and on file with the 
     Department of Homeland Security and the Department of the 
     Interior.

     SEC. 533. AUTHORITY TO CONVEY LAND IN POINT SPENCER.

       (a) Authority To Convey Tracts 1, 3, and 4.--Within 1 year 
     after the Secretary notifies the Secretary of the Interior 
     that the Coast Guard no longer needs to retain jurisdiction 
     of Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 4 and subject to section 534, 
     the Secretary of the Interior shall convey to BSNC or the 
     State, subject to valid existing rights, all right, title, 
     and interest of the United States in and to the surface and 
     subsurface estates of that Tract in accordance with 
     subsection (d).
       (b) Authority To Convey Tracts 2 and 5.--Within 1 year 
     after the date of the enactment of this section and subject 
     to section 534, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey, 
     subject to valid existing rights, all right, title, and 
     interest of the United States in and to the surface and 
     subsurface estates of Tract 2 and Tract 5 in accordance with 
     subsection (d).
       (c) Authority To Transfer Tract 6.--Within one year after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act and subject to sections 
     534 and 535, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey, 
     subject to valid existing rights, all right, title, and 
     interest of the United States in and to the surface and 
     subsurface estates of Tract 6 in accordance with subsection 
     (e).
       (d) Order of Offer To Convey Tract 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.--
       (1) Determination and offer.--
       (A) Tract 1, 3, or 4.--If the Secretary makes the 
     determination under subsection (a) and subject to section 
     534, the Secretary of the Interior shall offer Tract 1, Tract 
     3, or Tract 4 for conveyance to BSNC under the Alaska Native 
     Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
       (B) Tract 2 and 5.--Subject to section 534, the Secretary 
     of the Interior shall offer Tract 2 and Tract 5 to BSNC under 
     the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et 
     seq.).
       (2) Offer to bsnc.--
       (A) Acceptance by bsnc.--If BSNC chooses to accept an offer 
     of conveyance of a Tract under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     of the Interior shall consider Tract 6 as within BSNC's 
     entitlement under section 14(h)(8) of the Alaska Native 
     Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1613(h)(8)) and shall convey 
     such Tract to BSNC.
       (B) Decline by bsnc.--If BSNC declines to accept an offer 
     of conveyance of a Tract under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     of the Interior shall offer such Tract for conveyance to the 
     State under the Act of July 7, 1958 (commonly known as the 
     ``Alaska Statehood Act'') (48 U.S.C. note prec. 21; Public 
     Law 85-508).
       (3) Offer to state.--
       (A) Acceptance by state.--If the State chooses to accept an 
     offer of conveyance of a Tract under paragraph (2)(B), the 
     Secretary of the Interior shall consider such Tract as within 
     the State's entitlement under the Act

[[Page 19960]]

     of July 7, 1958 (commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood 
     Act'') (48 U.S.C. note prec. 21; Public Law 85-508) and shall 
     convey such Tract to the State.
       (B) Decline by state.--If the State declines to accept an 
     offer of conveyance of a Tract offered under paragraph 
     (2)(B), such Tract shall be disposed of pursuant to 
     applicable public land laws.
       (e) Order of Offer To Convey Tract 6.--
       (1) Offer.--Subject to section 534, the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall offer Tract 6 for conveyance to the State.
       (2) Offer to state.--
       (A) Acceptance by state.--If the State chooses to accept an 
     offer of conveyance of Tract 6 under paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary of the Interior shall consider Tract 6 as within 
     the State's entitlement under the Act of July 7, 1958 
     (commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood Act'') (48 U.S.C. 
     note prec. 21; Public Law 85-508) and shall convey Tract 6 to 
     the State.
       (B) Decline by state.--If the State declines to accept an 
     offer of conveyance of Tract 6 under paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary of the Interior shall offer Tract 6 for conveyance 
     to BSNC under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
     U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
       (3) Offer to bsnc.--
       (A) Acceptance by bsnc.--
       (i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), if BSNC chooses to 
     accept an offer of conveyance of Tract 6 under paragraph 
     (2)(B), the Secretary of the Interior shall consider Tract 6 
     as within BSNC's entitlement under section 14(h)(8) of the 
     Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1613(h)(8)) 
     and shall convey Tract 6 to BSNC.
       (ii) Lease by the state.--The conveyance of Tract 6 to BSNC 
     shall be subject to BSNC negotiating a lease of Tract 6 to 
     the State at no cost to the State, if the State requests such 
     a lease.
       (B) Decline by bsnc.--If BSNC declines to accept an offer 
     of conveyance of Tract 6 under paragraph (2)(B), the 
     Secretary of the Interior shall dispose of Tract 6 pursuant 
     to the applicable public land laws.

     SEC. 534. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE, LIABILITY, AND 
                   MONITORING.

       (a) Environmental Compliance.--Nothing in this Act or any 
     amendment made by this Act may be construed to affect or 
     limit the application of or obligation to comply with any 
     applicable environmental law, including section 120(h) of the 
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
     Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)).
       (b) Liability.--A person to which a conveyance is made 
     under this subtitle shall hold the United States harmless 
     from any liability with respect to activities carried out on 
     or after the date of the conveyance of the real property 
     conveyed. The United States shall remain responsible for any 
     liability with respect to activities carried out before such 
     date on the real property conveyed.
       (c) Monitoring of Known Contamination.--
       (1) In general.--To the extent practicable and subject to 
     paragraph (2), any contamination in a Tract to be conveyed to 
     the State or BSNC under this subtitle that--
       (A) is identified in writing prior to the conveyance; and
       (B) does not pose an immediate or long-term risk to human 
     health or the environment,

     may be routinely monitored and managed by the State or BSNC, 
     as applicable, through institutional controls.
       (2) Institutional controls.--Institutional controls may be 
     used if--
       (A) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency and the Governor of the State concur that such 
     controls are protective of human health and the environment; 
     and
       (B) such controls are carried out in accordance with 
     Federal and State law.

     SEC. 535. EASEMENTS AND ACCESS.

       (a) Use by Coast Guard.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     shall make each conveyance of any relevant Tract under this 
     subtitle subject to an easement granting the Coast Guard, at 
     no cost to the Coast Guard--
       (1) use of all existing and future landing pads, airstrips, 
     runways, and taxiways that are located on such Tract; and
       (2) the right to access such landing pads, airstrips, 
     runways, and taxiways.
       (b) Use by State.--For any Tract conveyed to BSNC under 
     this subtitle, BSNC shall provide to the State, if requested 
     and pursuant to negotiated terms with the State, an easement 
     granting to the State, at no cost to the State--
       (1) use of all existing and future landing pads, airstrips, 
     runways, and taxiways located on such Tract; and
       (2) a right to access such landing pads, airstrips, 
     runways, and taxiways.
       (c) Right of Access or Right of Way.--If the State requests 
     a right of access or right of way for a road from the 
     airstrip to the southern tip of Point Spencer, the location 
     of such right of access or right of way shall be determined 
     by the State, in consultation with the Secretary and BSNC, so 
     that such right of access or right of way is compatible with 
     other existing or planned infrastructure development at Point 
     Spencer.
       (d) Access Easement Across Tracts 2, 5, and 6.--In 
     conveyance documents to the State and BSNC under this 
     subtitle, the Coast Guard shall retain an access easement 
     across Tracts 2, 5, and 6 reasonably necessary to afford the 
     Coast Guard with access to Tracts 1, 3, and 4 for its 
     operations.
       (e) Access.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Coast Guard shall provide to the 
     State and BSNC, access to Tracts for planning, design, and 
     engineering related to remediation and use of and 
     construction on those Tracts.
       (f) Public Access Easements.--No public access easements 
     may be reserved to the United States under section 17(b) of 
     the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1616(b)) 
     with respect to the land conveyed under this subtitle.

     SEC. 536. RELATIONSHIP TO PUBLIC LAND ORDER 2650.

       (a) Tracts Not Conveyed.--Any Tract that is not conveyed 
     under this subtitle shall remain withdrawn pursuant to Public 
     Land Order 2650 (published in the Federal Register on April 
     12, 1962).
       (b) Tracts Conveyed.--For any Tract conveyed under this 
     subtitle, Public Land Order 2650 shall automatically 
     terminate upon issuance of a conveyance document issued 
     pursuant to this subtitle for such Tract.

     SEC. 537. ARCHEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES.

       Conveyance of any Tract under this subtitle shall not 
     affect investigations, criminal jurisdiction, and 
     responsibilities regarding theft or vandalism of 
     archeological or cultural resources located in or on such 
     Tract that took place prior to conveyance under this 
     subtitle.

     SEC. 538. MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.

       (a) Preparation of Maps and Legal Descriptions.--As soon as 
     practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of the Interior in consultation with the Secretary 
     shall prepare maps and legal descriptions of Tract 1, Tract 
     2, Tract 3, Tract 4, Tract 5, and Tract 6. In doing so, the 
     Secretary of the Interior may use metes and bounds legal 
     descriptions based upon the official survey plats of Point 
     Spencer accepted by the Bureau of Land Management on December 
     6, 1978, and on information provided by the Secretary.
       (b) Survey.--Not later than 5 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
     survey Tracts conveyed under this subtitle and patent the 
     Tracts in accordance with the official plats of survey.
       (c) Legal Effect.--The maps and legal descriptions prepared 
     under subsection (a) and the surveys prepared under 
     subsection (b) shall have the same force and effect as if the 
     maps and legal descriptions were included in this Act.
       (d) Corrections.--The Secretary of the Interior may correct 
     any clerical and typographical errors in the maps and legal 
     descriptions prepared under subsection (a) and the surveys 
     prepared under subsection (b).
       (e) Availability.--Copies of the maps and legal 
     descriptions prepared under subsection (a) and the surveys 
     prepared under subsection (b) shall be available for public 
     inspection in the appropriate offices of--
       (1) the Bureau of Land Management; and
       (2) the Coast Guard.

     SEC. 539. CHARGEABILITY FOR LAND CONVEYED.

       (a) Conveyances to Alaska.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     shall charge any conveyance of land conveyed to the State of 
     Alaska pursuant to this subtitle against the State's 
     remaining entitlement under section 6(b) of the Act of July 
     7, 1958 (commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood Act''; 
     Public Law 85-508; 72 Stat. 339).
       (b) Conveyances to BSNC.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     shall charge any conveyance of land conveyed to BSNC pursuant 
     to this subtitle, against BSNC's remaining entitlement under 
     section 14(h)(8) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
     (43 U.S.C. 1613(h)(8)).

     SEC. 540. REDUNDANT CAPABILITY.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
     section 681 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by 
     this Act, shall not be construed to prohibit any transfer or 
     conveyance of lands under this subtitle or any actions that 
     involve the dismantling or disposal of infrastructure that 
     supported the former LORAN system that are associated with 
     the transfer or conveyance of lands under this subtitle.
       (b) Continued Access to and Use of Facilities.--If the 
     Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
     operating determines, within the 5-year period beginning on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, that a facility on any 
     of Tract 1, Tract 3, or Tract 4 that is transferred under 
     this subtitle is subsequently required to provide a 
     positioning, navigation, and timing system to provide 
     redundant capability in the event GPS signals are disrupted, 
     the Secretary may, for as long as such facility is needed to 
     provide redundant capability--
       (1) operate, maintain, keep, locate, inspect, repair, and 
     replace such facility; and
       (2) in carrying out the activities described in paragraph 
     (1), enter, at any time, the facility without notice to the 
     extent that it is not possible to provide advance notice.

     SEC. 541. PORT COORDINATION COUNCIL FOR POINT SPENCER.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a Port 
     Coordination Council for the Port of Point Spencer.

[[Page 19961]]

       (b) Membership.--The Council shall consist of a 
     representative appointed by each of the following:
       (1) The State.
       (2) BSNC.
       (c) Duties.--The duties of the Council are as follows:
       (1) To develop a Port Management Coordination Plan to help 
     coordinate infrastructure development and operations at the 
     Port of Point Spencer, that includes plans for--
       (A) construction;
       (B) funding eligibility;
       (C) land use planning and development; and
       (D) public interest use and access, emergency preparedness, 
     law enforcement, protection of Alaska Native archaeological 
     and cultural resources, and other matters that are necessary 
     for public and private entities to function in proximity 
     together in a remote location.
       (2) Update the Plan annually for the first 5 years after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act and biennially 
     thereafter.
       (3) Facilitate coordination among BSNC, the State, and the 
     Coast Guard, on the development and use of the land and 
     coastline as such development relates to activities at the 
     Port of Point Spencer.
       (4) Assess the need, benefits, efficacy, and desirability 
     of establishing in the future a port authority at Point 
     Spencer under State law and act upon that assessment, as 
     appropriate, including taking steps for the potential 
     formation of such a port authority.
       (d) Plan.--In addition to the requirements under subsection 
     (c)(1) to the greatest extent practicable, the Plan developed 
     by the Council shall facilitate and support the statutory 
     missions and duties of the Coast Guard and operations of the 
     Coast Guard in the Arctic.
       (e) Costs.--Operations and management costs for airstrips, 
     runways, and taxiways at Point Spencer shall be determined 
     pursuant to provisions of the Plan, as negotiated by the 
     Council.

                        TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

     SEC. 601. MODIFICATION OF REPORTS.

       (a) Distant Water Tuna Fleet.--Section 421(d) of the Coast 
     Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (46 U.S.C. 8103 
     note) is amended by striking ``On March 1, 2007, and annually 
     thereafter'' and inserting ``Not later than July 1 of each 
     year''.
       (b) Annual Updates on Limits to Liability.--Section 
     603(c)(3) of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act 
     of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 2704 note) is amended by striking ``on an 
     annual basis.'' and inserting ``not later than January 30 of 
     the year following each year in which occurs an oil discharge 
     from a vessel or nonvessel source that results or is likely 
     to result in removal costs and damages (as those terms are 
     defined in section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 
     U.S.C. 2701)) that exceed liability limits established under 
     section 1004 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 
     2704).''.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard 
     shall submit to the Secretary of the department in which the 
     Coast Guard is operating a report detailing the 
     specifications and capabilities for interoperable 
     communications the Commandant determines are necessary to 
     allow the Coast Guard to successfully carry out its missions 
     that require communications with other Federal agencies, 
     State and local governments, and nongovernmental entities.

     SEC. 602. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT LAKES.

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

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

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

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

     SEC. 603. USE OF VESSEL SALE PROCEEDS.

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

     SEC. 604. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES COST ASSESSMENT.

       (a) Cost Assessment.--The Secretary of the department in 
     which the Coast Guard is operating shall seek to enter into 
     an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences under 
     which the Academy, by no later than 365 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, shall submit to the Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate an assessment of the costs 
     incurred by the Federal Government to carry out polar 
     icebreaking missions. The assessment shall--
       (1) describe current and emerging requirements for the 
     Coast Guard's polar icebreaking capabilities, taking into 
     account the rapidly changing ice cover in the Arctic 
     environment, national security considerations, and expanding 
     commercial activities in the Arctic and Antarctic, including 
     marine transportation, energy development, fishing, and 
     tourism;
       (2) identify potential design, procurement, leasing, 
     service contracts, crewing, and technology options that could 
     minimize life-cycle costs and optimize efficiency and 
     reliability of Coast Guard polar icebreaker operations in the 
     Arctic and Antarctic; and
       (3) examine--
       (A) Coast Guard estimates of the procurement and operating 
     costs of a Polar icebreaker capable of carrying out Coast 
     Guard maritime safety, national security, and stewardship 
     responsibilities including--
       (i) economies of scale that might be achieved for 
     construction of multiple vessels; and
       (ii) costs of renovating existing polar class icebreakers 
     to operate for a period of no less than 10 years.
       (B) the incremental cost to augment the design of such an 
     icebreaker for multiuse capabilities for scientific missions;
       (C) the potential to offset such incremental cost through 
     cost-sharing agreements with other Federal departments and 
     agencies; and
       (D) United States polar icebreaking capability in 
     comparison with that of other Arctic nations, and with 
     nations that conduct research in the Arctic.
       (b) Included Costs.--For purposes of subsection (a), the 
     assessment shall include costs incurred by the Federal 
     Government for--
       (1) the lease or operation and maintenance of the vessel or 
     vessels concerned;
       (2) disposal of such vessels at the end of the useful life 
     of the vessels;
       (3) retirement and other benefits for Federal employees who 
     operate such vessels; and
       (4) interest payments assumed to be incurred for Federal 
     capital expenditures.
       (c) Assumptions.--For purposes of comparing the costs of 
     such alternatives, the Academy shall assume that--
       (1) each vessel under consideration is--
       (A) capable of breaking out McMurdo Station and conducting 
     Coast Guard missions in the Antarctic, and in the United 
     States territory in the Arctic (as that term is defined in 
     section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 
     U.S.C. 4111)); and
       (B) operated for a period of 30 years;
       (2) the acquisition of services and the operation of each 
     vessel begins on the same date; and
       (3) the periods for conducting Coast Guard missions in the 
     Arctic are of equal lengths.
       (d) Use of Information.--In formulating cost pursuant to 
     subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences may utilize 
     information from other Coast Guard reports, assessments, or 
     analyses regarding existing Coast Guard Polar class 
     icebreakers or for the acquisition of a polar icebreaker for 
     the Federal Government.

[[Page 19962]]



     SEC. 605. PENALTY WAGES.

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

     SEC. 606. RECOURSE FOR NONCITIZENS.

       Section 30104 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before the first 
     sentence; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Restriction on Recovery for Nonresident Aliens 
     Employed on Foreign Passenger Vessels.--A claim for damages 
     or expenses relating to personal injury, illness, or death of 
     a seaman who is a citizen of a foreign nation, arising during 
     or from the engagement of the seaman by or for a passenger 
     vessel duly registered under the laws of a foreign nation, 
     may not be brought under the laws of the United States if--
       ``(1) such seaman was not a permanent resident alien of the 
     United States at the time the claim arose;
       ``(2) the injury, illness, or death arose outside the 
     territorial waters of the United States; and
       ``(3) the seaman or the seaman's personal representative 
     has or had a right to seek compensation for the injury, 
     illness, or death in, or under the laws of--
       ``(A) the nation in which the vessel was registered at the 
     time the claim arose; or
       ``(B) the nation in which the seaman maintained citizenship 
     or residency at the time the claim arose.
       ``(c) Compensation Defined.--As used in subsection (b), the 
     term `compensation' means--
       ``(1) a statutory workers' compensation remedy that 
     complies with Standard A4.2 of Regulation 4.2 of the Maritime 
     Labour Convention, 2006; or
       ``(2) in the absence of the remedy described in paragraph 
     (1), a legal remedy that complies with Standard A4.2 of 
     Regulation 4.2 of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, that 
     permits recovery for lost wages, pain and suffering, and 
     future medical expenses.''.

     SEC. 607. COASTWISE ENDORSEMENTS.

       (a) ``Elettra III''.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding sections 12112 and 12132, 
     of title 46, United States Code, and subject to paragraphs 
     (2) and (3), the Secretary of the department in which the 
     Coast Guard is operating may issue a certificate of 
     documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the vessel M/V 
     Elettra III (United States official number 694607).
       (2) Limitation on operation.--Coastwise trade authorized 
     under a certificate of documentation issued under paragraph 
     (1) shall be limited to the carriage of passengers and 
     equipment in association with the operation of the vessel in 
     the Puget Sound region to support marine and maritime science 
     education.
       (3) Termination of effectiveness of certificate.--A 
     certificate of documentation issued under paragraph (1) shall 
     expire on the earlier of--
       (A) the date of the sale of the vessel or the entity that 
     owns the vessel;
       (B) the date any repairs or alterations are made to the 
     vessel outside of the United States; or
       (C) the date the vessel is no longer operated as a vessel 
     in the Puget Sound region to support the marine and maritime 
     science education.
       (b) ``F/V Rondys''.--Notwithstanding section 12132 of title 
     46, United States Code, the Secretary of the department in 
     which the Coast Guard is operating may issue a certificate of 
     documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the F/V Rondys 
     (O.N. 291085)

     SEC. 608. INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL.

       (a) Requirement for Report.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the 
     Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives a report that describes the current 
     operations to perform the International Ice Patrol mission 
     and on alternatives for carrying out that mission, including 
     satellite surveillance technology.
       (b) Alternatives.--The report required by subsection (a) 
     shall include whether an alternative--
       (1) provides timely data on ice conditions with the highest 
     possible resolution and accuracy;
       (2) is able to operate in all weather conditions or any 
     time of day; and
       (3) is more cost effective than the cost of current 
     operations.

     SEC. 609. ASSESSMENT OF OIL SPILL RESPONSE AND CLEANUP 
                   ACTIVITIES IN THE GREAT LAKES.

       (a) Assessment.--The Commandant of the Coast Guard, in 
     consultation with the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration and the head of any other 
     agency the Commandant determines appropriate, shall conduct 
     an assessment of the effectiveness of oil spill response 
     activities specific to the Great Lakes. Such assessment shall 
     include--
       (1) an evaluation of new research into oil spill impacts in 
     fresh water under a wide range of conditions; and
       (2) an evaluation of oil spill prevention and clean up 
     contingency plans, in order to improve understanding of oil 
     spill impacts in the Great Lakes and foster innovative 
     improvements to safety technologies and environmental 
     protection systems.
       (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the 
     Coast Guard shall submit to the Congress a report on the 
     results of the assessment required by subsection (a).

     SEC. 610. REPORT ON STATUS OF TECHNOLOGY DETECTING PASSENGERS 
                   WHO HAVE FALLEN OVERBOARD.

       Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit a 
     report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (1) describes the status of technology for immediately 
     detecting passengers who have fallen overboard;
       (2) includes a recommendation to cruise lines on the 
     feasibility of implementing technology that immediately 
     detects passengers who have fallen overboard, factoring in 
     cost and the risk of false positives;
       (3) includes data collected from cruise lines on the status 
     of the integration of the technology described in paragraph 
     (2) on cruise ships, including--
       (A) the number of cruise ships that have the technology to 
     capture images of passengers who have fallen overboard; and
       (B) the number of cruise lines that have tested technology 
     that can detect passengers who have fallen overboard; and
       (4) includes information on any other available 
     technologies that cruise ships could integrate to assist in 
     facilitating the search and rescue of a passenger who has 
     fallen overboard.

     SEC. 611. VENUE.

       Section 311(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
     and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861(d)) is amended by striking 
     the second sentence and inserting ``In the case of Hawaii or 
     any possession of the United States in the Pacific Ocean, the 
     appropriate court is the United States District Court for the 
     District of Hawaii, except that in the case of Guam and Wake 
     Island, the appropriate court is the United States District 
     Court for the District of Guam, and in the case of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands, the appropriate court is the United 
     States District Court for the District of the Northern 
     Mariana Islands.''.

     SEC. 612. DISPOSITION OF INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TO E-LORAN.

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

     ``Sec. 681. Disposition of infrastructure related to E-LORAN

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may not carry out 
     activities related to the dismantling or disposal of 
     infrastructure comprising the LORAN-C system until the date 
     on which the Secretary provides to the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the Senate notice of a 
     determination by the Secretary that such infrastructure is 
     not required to provide a positioning, navigation, and timing 
     system to provide redundant capability in the event the 
     Global Positioning System signals are disrupted.
       ``(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) does not apply to 
     activities necessary for the safety of human life.
       ``(c) Disposition of Property.--
       ``(1) In general.--On any date after the notification is 
     made under subsection (a), the Administrator of General 
     Services, acting on behalf of the Secretary, may, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, sell any real and 
     personal property under the administrative control of the 
     Coast Guard and used for the LORAN-C system, subject to such 
     terms and conditions that the Secretary believes to be 
     necessary to protect government interests and program 
     requirements of the Coast Guard.
       ``(2) Availability of proceeds.--
       ``(A) Availability of proceeds.--The proceeds of such 
     sales, less the costs of sale incurred by the General 
     Services Administration, shall be deposited as offsetting 
     collections into the Coast Guard `Environmental

[[Page 19963]]

     Compliance and Restoration' account and, without further 
     appropriation, shall be available until expended for--
       ``(i) environmental compliance and restoration purposes 
     associated with the LORAN-C system;
       ``(ii) the costs of securing and maintaining equipment that 
     may be used as a backup to the Global Positioning System or 
     to meet any other Federal navigation requirement;
       ``(iii) the demolition of improvements on such real 
     property; and
       ``(iv) the costs associated with the sale of such real and 
     personal property, including due diligence requirements, 
     necessary environmental remediation, and reimbursement of 
     expenses incurred by the General Services Administration.
       ``(B) Other environmental compliance and restoration 
     activities.--After the completion of activities described in 
     subparagraph (A), the unexpended balances of such proceeds 
     shall be available for any other environmental compliance and 
     restoration activities of the Coast Guard.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis at the beginning of 
     such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following:

``681. Disposition of infrastructure related to E-LORAN.''.
       (3) Conforming repeals.--
       (A) Section 229 of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and 
     Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-281; 128 
     Stat. 3040), and the item relating to that section in section 
     2 of such Act, are repealed.
       (B) Subsection 559(e) of the Department of Homeland 
     Security Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-83; 123 
     Stat. 2180) is repealed.
       (b) Agreements To Develop Backup Positioning, Navigation, 
     and Timing System.--Section 93(a) of title 14, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at 
     the end of paragraph (23), by striking the period at the end 
     of paragraph (24) and inserting ``; and'', and by adding at 
     the end the following the following:
       ``(25) enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, and 
     other agreements with Federal entities and other public or 
     private entities, including academic entities, to develop a 
     positioning, navigation, and timing system to provide 
     redundant capability in the event Global Positioning System 
     signals are disrupted, which may consist of an enhanced LORAN 
     system.''.

     SEC. 613. PARKING.

       Section 611(a) of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime 
     Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-281; 128 Stat. 
     3064) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Reimbursement.--Through September 30, 2017, 
     additional parking made available under paragraph (2) shall 
     be made available at no cost to the Coast Guard or members 
     and employees of the Coast Guard.''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 4188.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 4188, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, is a product of 
bipartisan efforts to reauthorize the Coast Guard through fiscal year 
2017. The House passed similar legislation by a voice vote in May.
  The bill makes several reforms to Coast Guard authorities, as well as 
laws governing shipping and navigation. Specifically, the bill supports 
Coast Guard servicemembers, improves Coast Guard mission effectiveness, 
enhances oversight of the Coast Guard programs, encourages job growth 
in the maritime sector by cutting regulatory burdens on job creators, 
strengthens maritime drug enforcement laws, and increases coordination 
with partner nations, further strengthening port security. It does all 
this in a way that allows this to be brought under suspension in a 
bipartisan way.
  I want to commend Ranking Members DeFazio and Garamendi for their 
efforts in getting us to this point and, of course, the leadership of 
Chairman Shuster.
  I also want to thank the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard for 
the tremendous job they do for our Nation. Coast Guard servicemembers 
place their lives at risk on a daily basis to save those in danger, 
ensure the safety and security of our ports and waterways, and protect 
our environmental resources.

                              {time}  1515

  They do all this on aging, obsolete cutters, and aircraft, some of 
which were first commissioned in World War II.
  Passing H.R. 4188 will help rebuild and strengthen the Coast Guard. 
It will also demonstrate the strong support Congress has for the men 
and women of the Coast Guard and the deep appreciation we have for the 
sacrifices that they make for our Nation.
  I urge all Members to support H.R. 4188.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                Washington, DC, December 10, 2015.
     Hon. Bill Shuster,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 4188, the 
     ``Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015,'' which was 
     introduced on December 8, 2015.
       H.R. 4188 contains provisions within the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology's rule X jurisdiction. As a 
     result of your having consulted with the Committee and in 
     order to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will forgo action 
     on the bill. This is being done on the basis of our mutual 
     understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or alter 
     the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees, or 
     to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters 
     contained in the bill or similar legislation.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding, and would request that you include a copy 
     of this letter and your response in the Congressional Record 
     during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you in 
     advance for your cooperation.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                Washington, DC, December 10, 2015.
     Hon. Lamar Smith
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Smith: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 4188, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015. I 
     appreciate your cooperation in expediting the consideration 
     of this legislation on the House floor.
       As you know, the Parliamentarians were not able to render 
     an official decision as to the jurisdictional claim the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology may have had. I 
     agree that the absence of a decision on this bill will not 
     prejudice any claim the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology may have had or may have to this or similar 
     legislation in the future. In addition, should a conference 
     on the bill be necessary, I would support your effort to seek 
     appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any 
     House-Senate conference involving provisions in this 
     legislation on which the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology has a valid jurisdictional claim.
       I will include our letters on H.R. 4188 in the 
     Congressional Record during House floor consideration of the 
     bill. Again, I appreciate your cooperation regarding this 
     legislation, and I look forward to working with the Committee 
     on Science, Space, and Technology as the bill moves through 
     the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Shuster,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I am pleased to be here again at the end of another year to rise and 
join Chairman Hunter, for whom I have great respect. We have been able 
to get some stuff done.
  I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) for bringing this 
bill to the floor today to authorize the funding of the United States 
Coast Guard and to advance new policy initiatives to strengthen the 
prospects for the U.S. flag and U.S. maritime industry.
  H.R. 4188, the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2015, is carefully 
crafted bipartisan legislation developed over the course of several 
months of negotiation within this House and with that other body. It is 
deserving of robust support from Members of both sides of the aisle. I 
urge its quick passage by the House today.

[[Page 19964]]

  I want to thank Chairman Hunter for all the leadership and the 
cooperative spirit in working with me and our other Democratic Members. 
He addressed our concerns. They were handled and taken care of in the 
bill.
  The willingness of Chairman Hunter and his outstanding staff and 
members of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee to 
collaborate and work through the several nettlesome issues is very, 
very much appreciated.
  That is not to say this bill does not contain some items which I 
might have some lingering concerns about, but they are few. As is the 
case with every piece of legislation I don't personally draft all by 
myself, this bill has those minor issues.
  I am sure, if the chairman were to draft it all by himself, it would 
be perfect, also. But we did it together, and it came out quite well.
  I am extremely pleased that this legislation would provide stable and 
sufficient authorized funding levels for the Coast Guard for the next 2 
years. The importance of budget stability cannot be overstated. The 
Coast Guard is pressed daily to meet the demands of its 11 statutory 
missions.
  The last thing the Coast Guard needs is to face recurrent budget 
uncertainties, a circumstance which would leave the service's 
leadership unable to know exactly what resources and capabilities they 
have available to address port and harbor security, illegal drug 
interdiction, search and rescue, and law enforcement actions, along 
with many other important activities.
  I am also pleased this legislation continues to move the ball down 
the field in the effort to strengthen and recapitalize a new fleet of 
Polar-class heavy icebreakers for the Coast Guard, and a cheer goes up 
between the chairman and myself if we can get that done.
  It is clear that we are at the advent of Arctic operations for the 
Coast Guard, and it is vital that the service has the icebreaking 
capabilities it will need to operate safely and effectively in this 
very unforgiving maritime environment.
  The bill will advance the completion of the materiel assessment of 
the Polar Sea to determine, finally, if this heavy icebreaker can be 
returned to service.
  Additionally, this legislation authorized funding to allow the Coast 
Guard to maintain progress in developing requirements and preliminary 
design for a new heavy icebreaker. So we will figure out, hopefully, 
this next year which way we will go.
  I am also pleased that this legislation includes language that will 
continue to preserve the remaining LORAN-C infrastructure until such 
time as the administration makes a final decision on whether or not to 
build out an enhanced LORAN or e-LORAN infrastructure to provide a 
reliable, land-based, low-frequency backup navigation timing signal to 
back up GPS, the Global Positioning System.
  For several years, we have known that the relatively weak, high-
frequency GPS signal is fairly easy to corrupt, to degrade, or 
altogether disrupt, stop.
  For this reason, the Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter, has called GPS 
a potential single source of failure for important national defense 
assets. It is also a major liability across 16 sectors of critical 
infrastructure.
  If Russia, China, and the EU have land-based GPS backup systems, the 
question is: Why does the United States not have one?
  This administration needs to make a decision now. At least language 
in this legislation ensures that we will have available the option of 
re-purposing what remains of the LORAN-C infrastructure for an e-LORAN 
system of the future.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I have already said it twice. I will say it 
a third time. To Chairman Hunter and his staff, we like working with 
you and we like you, too.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I enjoy working with the gentleman from 
California as well. It is a strange situation when we actually get 
stuff done. It is a California thing.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from California 
(Mr. Hunter), the chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation Subcommittee, for yielding me time. I also want to thank 
both him and the Transportation Committee chairman himself, Bill 
Shuster, for their work on this legislation.
  This bill ensures the safety and security of our maritime borders and 
maritime interests around the globe.
  The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology shares jurisdiction 
with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee over important 
research and development programs carried out by the Coast Guard.
  These programs improve search and rescue, navigation, marine safety, 
marine environmental protection enforcement of laws and treaties, ice 
operations, oceanographic research, and defense readiness.
  The bill also authorizes funding to help acquire a new Polar 
icebreaker and requires a study of alternatives for conducting 
icebreaking operations.
  The Coast Guard's icebreakers are critical to the United States 
missions in the polar regions, which include important research 
supported by the National Science Foundation.
  I look forward to the results of the study this bill calls for on 
cost-effective alternatives for icebreaking. This will help us ensure 
taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and efficiently.
  Again, I thank Chairman Hunter and Chairman Shuster for taking the 
initiative with this critical legislation.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume, as 
long as it is less than 3 minutes, to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. 
DeFazio), the ranking member of the committee.
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I want to congratulate Chairman Hunter, Ranking Member Garamendi, and 
talk just briefly about how important this legislation is.
  The Coast Guard, first off, is now going to get 2 years of budget 
certainty. That has been a real problem. It is pretty hard to run a 
military organization that large on something that creates short-term 
uncertainty with your budget, particularly when they have to begin to 
plan for acquiring more major assets with larger ships.
  In particular, we have just been talking about the icebreakers. I 
went up to Seattle to visit the Polar Sea in its decrepitude. But the 
interesting thing I found is that it is an absolutely unique hull 
design. The ice band contains materials that are no longer 
manufactured. They are superior to current technologies.
  There is substantial thought that this ship could be renovated using 
the existing hull with a modern ship, modern engines, and electronics. 
The ship has now been hulled. The hull is being evaluated, and we are 
going to do a cost-benefit analysis.
  If we were to go down that path--and I believe it will prove to be 
the best path--then that would provide additional spare parts for its 
sister ship, which is the only one we have got working, and then would 
set a template for rehabilitating that ship later.
  The Russians have about two dozen icebreakers. Five, I believe, are 
nuclear powered.
  The Chinese are building two large icebreakers. The United States of 
America is down to one 45-year-old heavy icebreaker, which has an 
Antarctic mission, which means, for the next 6 months after it comes 
back, it is in dry dock and being repaired.
  We do not have any longer the capability of deploying north and south 
with heavy icebreakers, despite the fact that the Northwest Passage 
long dreamed of is about to open.
  So for the United States of America maritime power to not have at 
least two heavy icebreakers, if not a half a dozen, is absolutely 
absurd, penny-wise, pound-foolish stupidity, on the part of former 
Congresses. I am glad that this Congress has seen the light and we are 
beginning to move forward to re-institute that program.

[[Page 19965]]

  The gentleman from California has been particularly persistent and 
outspoken about the LORAN-C system. I believe it is absolutely critical 
that we maintain this infrastructure until we know what alternatives we 
are going to have. I think it is a critical national security asset.
  And then, finally, to the more everyday national security-oriented 
duties of the Coast Guard in this bill, there is a particular provision 
that is incredibly important to the State of Oregon and the State of 
South Carolina and to hundreds of people who make their living on the 
ocean out of those two ports.
  The Port of Newport, mid-coast Oregon, has an air rescue facility. 
They do half the rescues in the mid-coast. Oregon has extremely cold 
water year-round. We have some of the roughest bar entrances in the 
United States, and rescue time is critical in terms of saving lives.
  The Coast Guard has been underfunded by Congress, and we are 
beginning to rectify that. But in a budget-cutting mode last year, with 
no discussion with anyone, they proposed to close Newport and close 
Charleston.
  Last year, in the omnibus bill at the end of the year, we put in 
place a 1-year prohibition on the closure. This bill extends the 
statutory prohibition on closing either of those two stations for 2 
years and then puts in place a very different and meaningful process, 
should they ever wish to think about closing critical air rescue 
stations in the future.
  First, it requires them to develop a program to manage their 
airframes and learn about and figure about how we are going to replace 
our helicopter fleets, which are about at the same point as these 
icebreakers. So they need that plan. They have to develop that.
  Then, if they wish to close an individual station, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security will have to make a number of findings, that it 
wouldn't jeopardize life and safety and degrade rescue capabilities, a 
pretty long list.
  Then, if the Secretary makes that determination, the Secretary would 
have to go forward in a public process to take input from those 
communities.
  Then, if the Secretary further decided, after going through that, 
that this was necessary and prudent and wouldn't jeopardize lives and 
safety at sea, that future Secretary would have to submit the proposal 
to the Congress.
  So we have effectively safeguarded the Newport and the Charleston 
stations in this legislation, and I believe we have safeguarded them 
for all time.
  I believe, also, Congress should give the Coast Guard adequate 
funding so they can replenish and rebuild their air fleet and they 
don't have to struggle and close stations that they know could 
potentially lead to loss of life.
  So there are many, many things to recommend in this legislation. I 
would expect Congress to nearly, if not totally, unanimously improve it 
on this side. And then, hopefully, we can get the Senate to finally act 
because we need this done by January 1.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Brown).
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and 
ranking member for their work in moving the Coast Guard bill forward.
  Transportation is one of the most bipartisan bills in this Congress. 
I am just so proud that we are really moving this Congress forward and 
putting the American people back to work.
  The Coast Guard personnel serve this country and do a wonderful job, 
and I truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of these fine 
servicemembers.
  The Coast Guard has been protecting our shores for more than 200 
years and has done an outstanding job. The Coast Guard was the first 
agency to react to the terrorist attacks on September 11 and provide 
critical assistance during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This 
bill provides the resources and policy provisions that the Coast Guard 
needs to continue their critical mission.
  Assisting migrants and stopping drug shipments at sea, search-and-
rescue missions, monitoring our ports, and protecting our homeland are 
just a few of the vital services that the Coast Guard provides, all of 
which is critical to my home State of Florida, where 14 deepwater ports 
and 1,200 miles of coastline are the gateway to America.

                              {time}  1530

  This legislation also includes important provisions I have long 
championed that bring maritime laws into the modern era and recognize 
the positive changes that have taken place in employment rights.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the men and women serving the 
Coast Guard for their hard work and their vigilance in protecting our 
country. This is a good bill, and it will allow the Coast Guard to 
continue protecting our Nation.
  I strongly encourage its passing in both the House and the Senate and 
for the President to sign it into law.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time 
remains.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California (Mr. 
Garamendi) has 7 minutes remaining.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Courtney), my colleague.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, as a co-chairman of the House Coast Guard 
Caucus and the Representative from southeastern Connecticut with a deep 
connection to the Coast Guard, I rise in strong support of the Coast 
Guard authorization bill and the hard work of Chairman Hunter and 
Ranking Member Garamendi.
  Every single day, the men and women of our Coast Guard are operating 
around the country and around the world to enforce our laws and protect 
our country. This bill provides them the tools and support they need to 
do this important work.
  In particular, I want to highlight a specific provision in this bill, 
section 219, that I was pleased to work with my colleague from 
Connecticut, Senator Blumenthal, and committee staff to bolster the 
National Coast Guard Museum.
  Despite a history that reaches back to the founding of our Nation, 
the Coast Guard is the only armed service without a national museum to 
highlight its heritage. Indeed, the Coast Guard this year is 
celebrating its 225th anniversary, and it is actually older than the 
U.S. Navy. Thankfully, efforts are underway to change this.
  The nonprofit National Coast Guard Museum Association is building 
national support and funding for a new museum in New London, 
Connecticut. When completed, Mr. Speaker, this facility will be a 
tribute to all who have served and those who serve today in the Coast 
Guard, and I am proud to support their efforts.
  Section 219 ensures that the Coast Guard can provide support to 
preserve and display its historical artifacts that will be a key part 
of the museum. This language opens the vault of the Coast Guard's rich 
treasure of maritime artifacts from America's oldest maritime fleet to 
be displayed for learning and understanding by the American public and 
the world.
  This is a huge boost to the effort to create a long-overdue museum 
and sends a powerful signal that this effort has the backing of 
Congress, the Federal Government, and the Coast Guard.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Commandant Admiral Zukunft; former 
Commandant Papp, who is his predecessor; Joann Burdian; Brittany 
Panetta; and Kent Reinhold in the Coast Guard legislative office for 
the work that they have done with my office on this and other critical 
Coast Guard issues and, above all else, for their service to our 
Nation.
  I congratulate Chairman Hunter and Ranking Member Garamendi for their 
strong advocacy for our Coast Guard and our Nation's maritime industry.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close.
  Mr. Speaker, to my colleague Mr. Hunter and those who have assisted 
in

[[Page 19966]]

the drafting of the bill, particularly our staff, I want to thank you 
for making all of this possible.
  This bill, which does extend the authorization for the Coast Guard, 
also provides very, very important elements, most of which you have 
heard here today. I would urge its passing.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Ranking Member Garamendi and all the 
staff who worked so hard on this, and, again, the ranking member of the 
full committee, Mr. DeFazio, and Chairman Shuster for their help, 
leadership, and support on this.
  Explanation of Sec. 310. Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study. This 
section would require the Coast Guard to complete its on-going Atlantic 
Coast Port Access Route Study (PARS) by April 2016. This provision was 
included in H.R. 1987 because the House was concerned about the impacts 
on navigation safety from the construction of certain offshore 
renewable energy projects. The Study will assist the federal 
government, as well as stakeholders, to understand potential impacts 
and whether the siting of these projects could pose hazards to safe 
navigation, especially projects built in or near vessel traffic routes.
  The Coast Guard's Atlantic Coast PARS working group has developed 
standards and a methodology for assessing potential impacts on 
navigation safety including high, medium and low or minimal impacts. 
The purpose of the study and the reason for developing standards and 
methodologies is to assist in future determinations of waterway 
suitability for proposed development projects.
  When the Atlantic Coast PARS began, it excluded the waters in and 
around Nantucket Sound. These waters are heavily traveled by commercial 
vessels, fishing and recreational vessels as well as passenger and 
freight ferries. Because of increased vessel traffic and the potential 
impacts to navigation from any future development, this section would 
direct the Coast Guard to complete a separate port access route study 
of Nantucket Sound using the new standards and methodologies developed 
by the Coast Guard's working group. The Atlantic Coast PARS will help 
the Coast Guard determine whether they should revise current 
regulations to improve navigation safety by establishing safety 
fairways, traffic separation zones or new vessel routing. The Nantucket 
Sound PARS is intended to guide decision-makers to ensure that any 
future development in Nantucket Sound will have minimal impact and low 
risk to navigational safety. This section would require the completion 
of the Nantucket Sound PARS by December
  I urge the passage of H.R. 4188.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
4188, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015.
  H.R. 4188 authorizes the United States Coast Guard, a critical 
component of the Department of Homeland Security, through fiscal year 
2017 at $8.7 billion per year. The bill includes provisions aimed at 
improving Coast Guard mission effectiveness, modernizing the Service's 
aging vessels and other assets, and reforming U.S. maritime 
transportation laws.
  Since our Nation's earliest years, the Coast Guard has kept our ports 
and waterways secure, protected our shores and coastal communities, and 
responded to disasters and other emergencies. As Ranking Member of the 
House Committee on Homeland Security, I recognize and thank the men and 
women of the Coast Guard for their work, particularly their efforts at 
fulfilling the Coast Guard's critical homeland security missions. I am 
pleased to support legislation that reauthorizes the Coast Guard to 
ensure that it is positioned to effectively execute its eleven vital 
statutory homeland security and non-homeland security missions.
  Modernizing the Coast Guard's aircraft, vessels, and other technology 
is critical to its operations. H.R. 4188 includes provisions that seek 
to improve the Service's acquisition process and improve the quality of 
assets delivered. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland 
Security to develop and present to Congress a strategic plan for the 
Coast Guard's long-term acquisition and manpower needs. This 
requirement will go a long way to enhancing both the DHS and Congress' 
understanding and prioritization of Coast Guard capability needs.
  In addition, H.R. 4188 directs the Coast Guard to have a new manpower 
requirements plan that assesses all projected mission requirements for 
the next four fiscal years; the number of personnel available currently 
and projected; capability gaps caused by a lack of available personnel; 
and the steps the Coast Guard will take to address these gaps. In 
carrying out this requirement, it is important that the Coast Guard 
take into account the need to foster greater diversity at all levels of 
the organization. Consistently deploying broad recruitment efforts can 
only strengthen the Coast Guard.
  Congress must continue to ensure these brave men and women have the 
necessary authorities and resources to accomplish all that they do on 
behalf of our Nation. H.R. 4188 is a good step in that direction, and I 
congratulate my colleagues in moving this important legislation 
forward.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, Section 310(b) of H.R. 4188, the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2015, requires the Coast Guard to prepare a Port 
Access Route Study for Nantucket Sound. The study would include the 
area subject to a lease for the Cape Wind Project. That lease is the 
subject of pending litigation that challenges, among other claims, the 
Coast Guard's terms and conditions under section 414 of the Coast Guard 
and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 for failing to protect 
navigational safety. It is important that we do not interfere in this 
litigation, and section 310(b) does not make any presuppositions about 
the validity of the Coast Guard's actions under section 414. In 
addition, section 310(b) does not make any presuppositions about the 
validity of the lease for that Project. It is for the court to decide 
whether the Coast Guard properly set the terms and conditions for that 
project in accordance with section 414, and the Department of the 
Interior imposed proper conditions on the lease.
  Section 310(b) is needed because, when the Atlantic Coast PARS began, 
Nantucket Sound had been excluded. The PARS must review how any project 
in Nantucket Sound would impact the navigational safety of current 
marine transportation and vessel activities. The Coast Guard is also 
directed to review existing regulations to improve navigation safety. 
The goal of the report is to identify the impact to the current and 
future navigational activities and how to avoid unsafe operating 
requirements on vessels, and revise existing regulations to improve 
navigational safety in Nantucket Sound.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4188.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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