[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4188 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.4188
One Hundred Fourteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen
An Act
To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2016
and 2017, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

3dbf2b3720b93be742fd14bf3a285b074b6289d8545f2a158125cc98214ad5ab

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

1f5ef2de21681ec92542edf74eb9404f392eed67d8f22b84c6eede5abaae6a1b

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

3f9decdc7498325c7f33d0140642155ca7ac6de539b721a94926988ea6b8d3f7

70eea43413294bd1aa5a551e2ec44b6f4c949242c1cc34de50053f3b32f3b5e6

TITLE II

-COAST GUARD

bccf5a2085b09d096ae2c10e1a59353cfd8bd614a996e04d33661b166254b913

6f26ba61b4c5e901e9511e19a8c0d93346218e6015a42595dedbff0657988767

TITLE III

-SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION

e8c3308fc6928c4efac43ea32f595db98a6321910b2741c10020d6625ff49739

TITLE IV

-FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

16a59ca259fe598f937524fd37284fdce020acdf796767d34987b7683cd2ac3e

TITLE V

-CONVEYANCES

7ec95c0eefeb699015b2c1e214a260bdffcad62030b9fac6dbc65ff58ec4b25f

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

b31b6c3a3d308de1bfabe039b248073b00998e51ec9c7b43a1ad4fdd5c3a87ef

c7d5a69771e8414ed5de4bce8df6a230127ac97b2783d2d13bd8312a3f00e65f

TITLE VI

-MISCELLANEOUS

150fe0b53722511bd768d95a189e7a8709808aadd614a357ff4a8e4136c10843

States vessels traveling in the Gulf of Mexico.

e42c7c3cf38941951515d230e223dade1014faa4bfd167b22b4720120e7edcd0

(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''.
(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.

ef50772eedc24154c535f6be13baf43f055898fe07a4359319c27d8e28c10fa5

TITLE I

-AUTHORIZATIONS

(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)''.

b6536f7b0a5636fd4a76c0b5d4e288ac8515d1187793fd1134d742e5b2d28b80

(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,''.

4f6122e7fc6259f65a73f21c7f192b2ffcdfd3e81a3d2a8abe39a8d0bb64c11f

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''.

a96f6ddcd6111a2cd7beaa778617c7dc52357c29e5a86a89ebea0b40fe9ba32d

(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.''.

b7dd15f9748acd97bbcf01d61ff4579382565136592acfa893a03f3f5c3137ca

(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;''; and
(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--
(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.''.

49eb7cc5736f1402d32191d6c5c98a0da8a5592feadf66dbca49a2fbcbd619da

(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.

6f39996c9f2e819c485d4d8bb001a1649216a5e3b7be2f71e280219601f50648

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''.

b4e7ebf90f7c46acae0fe9896377a495978052de5e425011fbd6eb002bb15b16

(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 and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
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)''.

99118e80351d2b87df47850c87fae1685d9fdd3f05bbfbebd443698a78e25d31

(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 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.--''.

c9a5815a9d87d68cf779e1b634d9b0292690ac31c61e8bdd9d1cc69c8fa96e05

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''.

511d3d261187cdf658d97e358a13290cdcc6c971da41aa3cc09b20203478a2a7

(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.

45729c7004730af0f616c908679ebb314d237b703ae099b7dd3081652c4f9026

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.

816ea7c245177ddf5294f17fb2c912a892141af6cbd42023d5fb4942d1919d96

(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).
(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.

1f6c31d666be4e40a95ee66f61d2793fbcabd76e5de9be2cc389a4142ea4fa59

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.

be110d0a5e944f477e1fe7013f3db51d5260153aa3de2fbec7804a64f95ee86e

(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;
``(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 subsection.

85ec956d5b60eeb864ec9746328853081419ee032a122f6924e67181fd8b97f8

(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.''.

9939be913f097f0097ac66870a70f077d3374dea1803ce4729425b4da6cdda39

(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:
``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.

54c148c2e3f20faa08052d91c50dc7714cc41f249c2f8401df7303df9034d6ce

(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.

00de7afe0c387277adcdf2556ed2ea094fe4c58291927ea223d8e5b8f36f3b8b

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.''.

51e63a24be404477021bf39aded0e3eb63a7325fca7b3be7ad953befa231b783

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.''.

d8abb6182bf8aa873a0aef68c893714f6d469cec4304070b291027459f5b0407

(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.''.

f95dd4fa5462062fa4a353f26abd8c283598aedd41e088a7830dd012e065f807

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 a statutory
mission of the Coast Guard under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2)
of section 888(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 468(a)), including--
(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 Procedures and Criteria.--The procedures and
criteria 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 procedures and criteria required by subsection (a)
may reapply for combat-related special compensation under such section
on the basis of such procedures and criteria in accordance with such
procedures as the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard
is operating shall specify.

ccd7f050da8a6c77fcb4caf40b2863432ef4b27277a81875388a360560548a14

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

d26a97cd89bd812d51f4ea61e80980bab90b7a0a78c96c8f274c10688bee360f

(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) Scope.--In conducting the review under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall include an examination of passenger vessel
casualties that have occurred in the waters of other nations.
(3) Updates.--The Secretary shall update the review required
under paragraph (1) every 5 years.
(4) Revision.--Based on the review conducted under paragraph
(1), including updates thereto, the Secretary shall revise
regulations concerning the carriage of survival craft under section
3104(c) of title 46, United States Code.
(c) GAO Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
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 report to
determine any adverse or positive changes in public safety after
the implementation of the amendments and requirements under this
section and section 3104 of title 46, United States Code.
(2) Requirements.--In completing the report under paragraph
(1), the Comptroller General shall examine--
(A) the number of casualties, by vessel type and area of
operation, as the result of immersion in water reported to the
Coast Guard for each of the 10 most recent fiscal years for
which such data are available;
(B) data for each fiscal year on--
(i) vessel safety, including stability and safe
navigation; and
(ii) survivability of individuals, including
individuals with disabilities, children, and the elderly;
(C) the efficacy of alternative safety systems, devices, or
measures; and
(D) any available data on the costs of the amendments and
requirements under this section and section 3104 of title 46,
United States Code.

2b23b6185ff6f16051a6540c15d13fd1149e817698d2f82939c53b09a5bfbe8f

(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.''.

e2eaa1c0ebe5cd4f3cfccec62c551ff04b8f94b4ca516f9808cd277b852ead2a

(a) In General.--Section 4302 of title 46, United States Code is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e)(1) Under this section, a model year for recreational vessels
and associated equipment 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 the date of enactment of this
Act.

a60388e8a0fe8041ee9467a93c964db27ea137c4c38a73bfa8cc54f5c9c8cba8

(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 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.

5b76fb41bb9f75914e560853e983de36924f301ea9428b340cdca65b012e4fed

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.

ce10db33d25220da7bedb00e12e3f6dcccb905d74391de716f2c2e9ab0300dfd

(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).

dffc45871b54f0ab042a8163fb7ce718c5b39fed8dde393f97deefa3374c62f2

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.

6dcac3c10e5ab59e5bf0100eb6513cb5cdefe040fcc45d6888dd73752205915c

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.

ba4a3965695d53691b259ac3d04447ecbb74726312410987e886689c88fe7544

(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.''.
(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.''.

759b67859119e5e548d93f952a3ca48aa7e1d7f7f3a7803ad7f00205eeb42dd3

(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.

b9330864fb32315d4d93625aba8cce16dca6ad78310f0af86e6143cbadcaaed1

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.

1b6a657fac9462c53520bc47c41dd6885023cd8f4e41ec98b8407d9530f9de25

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.

6942263d9d0f816ead12bd89d44057ec2f0cd69a068e5c2e0cef7bed6cfea5d4

(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) is--
(A) 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.

7e5e8cb84fe0a63d7b46734eb709b466d47a4d648220d648e6d547e5888589b9

(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.''.

dedd857c180e40a7b19a3525904f0573b0b448f277274dc40e9575dbf0e53114

(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 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.

e6b8a169712a5def9e3114ebc6ebcc304a55c69acac5a126e84b384cb04aa56c

(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).''.

521e484be93e812a87c34c097ad5f63732604a9933ac2a7a7fd9ecb4aeb607a0

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.''.

cacc5c5191d2aa56db967edd4ee6994d1f5ae60e79d0224f0aa3cc61ff22715b

(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 as listed on the vessel's certificate of
documentation or certificate of number; and
``(B)(i) is built after the date of the enactment of the Coast
Guard Authorization Act of 2015; and
``(ii) complies with--
``(I) the requirements described in subsection (e); or
``(II) the alternative requirements established by the
Secretary under subsection (f).''; and
(4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g), and
inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) The requirements referred to in subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii)(I)
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 altered 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 alteration.
``(5) The vessel undergoes a condition survey at least twice in
5 years, not to exceed 3 years between surveys, 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 substantial
alteration 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.
``(f)(1) Not later than 10 years after the date of the enactment of
the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, the Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report that provides an analysis of the
adequacy of the requirements under subsection (e) in maintaining the
safety of the fishing vessels and fish tender vessels which are
described in subsection (c)(2) and which comply with the requirements
of subsection (e).
``(2) If the report required under this subsection includes a
determination that the safety requirements under subsection (e) are not
adequate or that additional safety measures are necessary, that the
Secretary may establish an alternative safety compliance program for
fishing vessels or fish tender vessels (or both) which are described in
subsection (c)(2) and which comply with the requirements of subsection
(e).
``(3) The alternative safety compliance program established under
this subsection 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 twice in 5 years, not
to exceed 3 years between surveys;
``(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.''.
(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 casualties, 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, naval architects, 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.

4e5665a415d7b04feace0c3de8e89d67d38403966cc25c56ae9ec3588dd57068

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)''.

f960360a9611e19720ba0e2bb48c81c35d69f8ae49b3398cfe3ac7dec1b660ba

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''.

65aec5215c65d3d2bad237e6436931d5e898ef0503b5b1e02eda81848bf124a8

(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.''.

b0903700a4a287c9348b238ec1fcf4c7406174149197c3940790eea856e5b466

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).''.

60257fe8c25bd29deae6d0e8aa120d27870652daef49b8eaafc060afb5a0aedf

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.''.
Subtitle A--Miscellaneous Conveyances

47d354572170b3a57f069e38d3ebeeee24ea8e23bdb53218beb9e8cc31e78109

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.
(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.

738b5227d0a3e28f22a7567e91f0077977e142499e559a80c74253adc487db51

(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

bc354d21d6de2db6d5aa843f169217dfab6f253cbdebff71d62a7331e1f4d6db

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

cad73fe98f5a3d39fe400604d64b18086cd1ec709758f60b66bcb1853d576108

(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.

efba49bdab4e41307f6a07c849e7a52a32abe075eaa0b9089b4114e080d5d01f

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.''; and
(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 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.''.

8e40ded0c5cdd2a1938cbdd9b4dd11c10146b757627d5b1a06f3af3cb7c6a428

(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

b0388a7aea7dabc8b7517edc81d69b973b69d59a20e4606c901b3d48f1da44bd

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.

302892818b22c61af51597d6bbb6c0514337e39cfd0a626fb33cc868cbbd4d33

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.

a22c8a3800b245a613c03514010eb5cf10ec6f4aa313539c9cdf308509972cc1

(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 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.

a30413350fb76934030496db6738470e333a2596e7d46e31e585939c5cab7e14

(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.

265cba53ae01e8fa4b37ce7aa1709acedf2b65d2be8e0dcf552f3b7afb8f656a

(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.

e0f7b883158b3c9eea9431afa620a0f7e726420e70a6b82d73c2025aa4c54f1b

(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.

95857b3bb1e6f23dccc2669703104667bf78e11a0de6618350bf6a14ce1decb1

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.

8decd5aaee907d9c780851d6a7742be429d476b9510c1e99de3c5ab0e7b07f34

(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.

840f487ce5439c05e65d594a046716373c5513fbeb7b45ed60b7d32487c79145

(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)).

d8bd6a3255a5ac8e82b219ee82115b40d41c215769166164416ee6b5cfadeef7

(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.

e1d9c054cd409d0499517a1c8612bf9abaa6bb10fe1cffdfffe1f53883c54e1e

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

5b7e426bc4b65719c3420607a4f9b97e7757539908c9b0d76e53aa608d1fca3b

(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.

1a62d41ff86b9656d1b986f597ccc7f618abb8f3c86364b2c3adf51f0cb333c7

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.''.

225196141bad4a9f8c3d3a372835cd92c8ff96d1e1871efac0956b69ce24fc14

(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.

38c86f8d7c861fc860277c6cf08f0d7a34f4c503bda12b80732083a6473030be

(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 and the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology 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.

7fab70931aea3052b74ce9b39e2703a61581066caf12b1bfbaa99946e5ab4df0

(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)

4dad94c672419ee1162e7220772dcae7f78464e481eec9bc7b362e6e2a69e873

(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 and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 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.

306da4b467beb5a945cda1d3d72fc7af70ad7cfd91820ea05a11a0504a737906

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).

5a86d4ea928891791dd99bdc477f50f02c3b0827fadbdabf5384c4b489bfde3a

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.

ed10615f367cf692015a4c9d157cd48eb367aed1d303f9d1fe5f5c00248ec65a

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.''.

c2602fed8b8b0b2c2af237b87c1fda7249d64798bdd0b1d62bd7c1709eabb54e

(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 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.''.

e607ffaeab4809c17cbae4a5532cf073efb8d7b892801c989bc8995f769496b7

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.''.

f20bbcfffe91bc643af7d9fedd1847d11d87b13447b5c6f82234597e95558e2c

UNITED STATES VESSELS TRAVELING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.
Section 5102(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(13) a vessel of the United States on a domestic voyage that
is within the Gulf of Mexico and operating not more than 15
nautical miles seaward of the base line from which the territorial
sea of the United States is measured between Crystal Bay, Florida
and Hudson Creek, Florida.''.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.

2596d5c77aa56d507383bbfbe32015c7d1cc99bc6f30e5713bb4dd806e9d369f

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 — HR. 4188

Other Sections