(a) Short title.—This Act may be cited as the “Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019”.

(b) Table of contents.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definition.

In this Act, the term “Commandant” means the Commandant of the Coast Guard.

Section 4902 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1)—

(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking “provided for, $7,914,195,000 for fiscal year 2019.” and inserting “provided for—

“(i) $8,801,620,850 for fiscal year 2020; and

“(ii) $8,396,169,475 for fiscal year 2021.”;

(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking “subparagraph (A)” in the matter preceding clause (i) and inserting “subparagraph (A)(i)”; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

“(C) Of the amount authorized under subparagraph (A)(ii)—

“(i) $17,119,000 shall be for environmental compliance and restoration; and

“(ii) $204,344,000 shall be for the contribution of the Coast Guard to the Department of Defense Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health care Fund.”;

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking “and equipment, $2,694,745,000 for fiscal year 2019.” and inserting “and equipment—

“(A) $2,694,745,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

“(B) $2,762,114,000 for fiscal year 2021.”; and

(3) in paragraph (3), by striking “and equipment, $29,141,000 for fiscal year 2019.” and inserting “and equipment—

“(A) $29,141,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

“(B) $29,870,000 for fiscal year 2021.”.

Section 4904 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking “43,000 for fiscal year 2018 and 44,500 for fiscal year 2019” and inserting “44,500 for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021”; and

(2) in subsection (b), by striking “fiscal years 2018 and 2019” and inserting “fiscal years 2020 and 2021”.

(a) Fishing Safety Training Grants Program.—Subsection (i) of section 4502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (3), by striking “50 percent” and inserting “75 percent”; and

(2) in paragraph (4), by striking “2019” and inserting “2021”.

(b) Fishing Safety Research Grant Program.—Subsection (j) of such section is amended—

(1) in paragraph (3), by striking “50 percent” and inserting “75 percent”; and

(2) in paragraph (4), by striking “2019” and inserting “2021”.

(a) In general.—Of the aggregate amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 by section 4902(2) of title 14, United States Code, as amended by section 101 of this Act, $650,000,000 is authorized to be available for the acquisition of a National Security Cutter.

(b) Treatment of acquired Cutter.—Any Cutter acquired using amounts available pursuant to subsection (a) shall be in addition to the National Security Cutters approved under the existing acquisition baseline in the program of record for the National Security Cutter.

(a) In general.—For fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall enter into one or more contracts for the procurement of not fewer than three heavy polar security cutters and three medium polar security cutters and the associated equipment for such polar security cutters.

(b) Funding.—Of the amounts made available for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 by this Act, not less than $745,000,000 shall be available for each heavy polar security cutter authorized to be procured in such fiscal years.

(c) Prohibition on contracts or use of funds for development of common hull design.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may not enter into any contract for, and no funds shall be obligated or expended on, the development of a common hull design for medium polar security cutters and Great Lakes icebreakers.

(a) Active-Duty list officers.—Section 2113 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking “he” each place it appears and inserting “the officer”;

(2) by striking “his” each place it appears and inserting “the officer's”;

(3) in subsection (c), by striking “him” and inserting “the officer”; and

(4) by adding at the end the following:

“(g) (1) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Commandant may provide that an officer may, upon the officer’s request, be excluded from consideration by a selection board convened under 2106 of this title to consider officers for promotion to the next higher grade.

“(2) The Commandant may only approve a request under paragraph (1) if—

“(A) the basis for the request is to allow an officer to complete a broadening assignment, advanced education, a unique personal or professional goal, or another assignment of significant value to the Coast Guard, or a career progression requirement delayed by the assignment, education, or goal;

“(B) the Commandant determines the exclusion from consideration is in the best interest of the Coast Guard; and

“(C) the officer has not previously failed selection for promotion to the grade for which the officer requests the exclusion from consideration.”.

(b) Reserve active-Status list officers.—The text of section 3743 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“(a) In general.—A Reserve officer is eligible for consideration for promotion and for promotion under this subchapter, if that officer is in an active status.

“(b) Ineligibility.—A Reserve officer who has been considered but not recommended for retention in an active status by a board convened under section 3752(a) of this title, is not eligible for consideration for promotion.

“(c) Authority To opt out of promotion board consideration.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant may provide that an officer may, upon the officer’s request, be excluded from consideration by a selection board convened under section 3740(b) of this title to consider officers for promotion to the next higher grade.

“(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Commandant may only approve a request under paragraph (1) if—

“(A) the basis for the request is to allow an officer to complete a broadening assignment, advanced education, a unique personal or professional goal, or another assignment of significant value to the Coast Guard, or a career progression requirement delayed by the assignment, education, or goal;

“(B) the Commandant determines the exclusion from consideration is in the best interest of the Coast Guard; and

“(C) the officer has not previously failed of selection for promotion to the grade for which the officer requests the exclusion from consideration.”.

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

(b) Analysis for chapter 21.—The analysis for chapter 21 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2129 the following:

“2130. Promotion to certain grades for officers with critical skills; captain, commander, lieutenant commander, lieutenant.”.

(a) Retirement of Commandant or Vice Commandant.—Section 303 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(d) Retirement under this section is subject to section 2501(a) of this title.”.

(b) Retirement.—Section 306 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by inserting “satisfactorily, as determined under section 2501 of this title” before the period;

(2) in subsection (b), by inserting “satisfactorily, as determined under section 2501 of this title” before the period; and

(3) in subsection (c), by inserting “if performance of duties in such grade is determined to have been satisfactory pursuant to section 2501 of this title” before the period.

(c) Grade on retirement.—Section 2501 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) by striking “Any commissioned officer, other than a commissioned warrant officer,” and inserting “Commissioned Officers.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—A commissioned officer”;

(B) by striking “him” and inserting “the commissioned officer”;

(C) by striking “his” and inserting “the commissioned officer’s”; and

(D) by adding at the end the following:

“(2) CONDITIONAL DETERMINATION.—When a commissioned officer is under investigation for alleged misconduct at the time of retirement—

“(A) the Secretary may conditionally determine the highest grade of satisfactory service of the commissioned officer pending completion of the investigation; and

“(B) the grade under subparagraph (A) is subject to resolution under subsection (c)(2).”;

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) by inserting “Warrant officers.—” after “(b)”;

(B) by striking “him” and inserting “the warrant officer”; and

(C) by striking “his” and inserting “the warrant officer's”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

“(c) Retirement in lower grade.—

“(1) MISCONDUCT IN LOWER GRADE.—In the case of a commissioned officer whom the Secretary determines committed misconduct in a lower grade, the Secretary may determine the commissioned officer has not served satisfactorily in any grade equal to or higher than that lower grade.

“(2) ADVERSE FINDINGS.—A determination of the retired grade of a commissioned officer shall be resolved following a conditional determination under subsection (a)(2) if the investigation of or personnel action against the commissioned officer results in adverse findings.

“(3) RECALCULATION OF RETIRED PAY.—If the retired grade of a commissioned officer is reduced pursuant to this subsection, the retired pay of the commissioned officer shall be recalculated under chapter 71 of title 10, and any modification of the retired pay of the commissioned officer shall go into effect on the effective date of the reduction in retired grade.

“(d) Finality of retired grade determinations.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), a determination of the retired grade of a commissioned officer under this section is administratively final on the day the commissioned officer is retired, and may not be reopened.

“(2) REOPENING DETERMINATIONS.—A determination of the retired grade of a commissioned officer may be reopened if—

“(A) the retirement or retired grade of the commissioned officer was procured by fraud;

“(B) substantial evidence comes to light after the retirement that could have led to a lower retired grade under this section and such evidence was known by competent authority at the time of retirement;

“(C) a mistake of law or calculation was made in the determination of the retired grade;

“(D) in the case of a retired grade following a conditional determination under subsection (a)(2), the investigation of or personnel action against the commissioned officer results in adverse findings; or

“(E) the Secretary determines, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that good cause exists to reopen the determination.

“(3) REQUIREMENTS.—If a determination of the retired grade of a commissioned officer is reopened under paragraph (2), the Secretary—

“(A) shall notify the commissioned officer of the reopening; and

“(B) may not make an adverse determination on the retired grade of the commissioned officer until the commissioned officer has had a reasonable opportunity to respond regarding the basis of the reopening.

“(4) RECALCULATION OF RETIRED PAY.—If the retired grade of a commissioned officer is reduced through the reopening of the commissioned officer’s retired grade under paragraph (2), the retired pay of the commissioned officer shall be recalculated under chapter 71 of title 10, and any modification of the retired pay of the commissioned officer shall go into effect on the effective date of the reduction in retired grade.

“(e) Inapplicability to commissioned warrant officers.—This section, including subsection (b), shall not apply to commissioned warrant officers.”.

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

(b) Analysis for chapter 25.—The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2513 the following:

“2514. Career flexibility to enhance retention of members.”.

(a) In general.—Subchapter II of chapter 37 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3738 the following:

(b) Analysis for chapter 37.—The analysis for chapter 37 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3738 the following:

“3738a. Direct commissioning authority for individuals with critical skills.”.

Section 219 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–213; 10 U.S.C. 1293 note) is amended—

(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “For fiscal years 2013 through 2018” and inserting “For fiscal years 2019 through 2025”; and

(2) in paragraph (1), by striking “subsection (c)(2)(A)” and inserting “subsection (c)(1)”.

(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 develop and make available to the public a strategy to improve leadership development in the Coast Guard, including mechanisms to address toxic leadership in the Coast Guard.

(b) Elements.—The strategy shall include the following:

(1) Mechanisms to foster positive and productive leadership qualities in emerging Coast Guard leaders, beginning, at minimum, members at grade O–2 for officers, members at grade E–6 for enlisted members, and members training to become an officer-in-charge.

(2) Mechanisms for the ongoing evaluation of unit commanders, including identification of toxic leadership qualities in commanders.

(3) Formal training on the recognition of toxic leadership qualities (in self and others), including at leadership seminars and school houses in the Coast Guard, including means to correct such qualities.

(4) Clear and transparent policies on standards for command climate, leadership qualities, and inclusion.

(5) Policy to ensure established and emerging leaders have access to hands-on training and tools to improve diversity and inclusion.

(6) Policy and procedures for commanders to identify and hold accountable toxic leaders.

(c) Toxic leadership defined.—In this section, the term “toxic leadership” has the meaning given that term for purposes of Army Doctrine Publication 6–22.

(a) Consideration of women's issues by Board of Visitors of Coast Guard Academy.—Section 1903(d) of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (5), by striking “and” at the end;

(2) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and

(3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph (6):

“(6) women's issues; and”.

(b) National Coast Guard Women's Leadership Committee.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall establish within the Coast Guard a national advisory board to be known as the “National Coast Guard Women's Leadership Committee” (in this subsection referred to as the “Committee”).

(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall be composed of such number of members as the Commandant considers appropriate, selected by the Commandant through a public selection process from among applicants for membership on the Committee. The members of the Committee shall, to the extent practicable, represent the range and diversity of the Coast Guard. The members of the Committee shall include an equal number of each of the following:

(A) Active duty officers of the Coast Guard.

(B) Active duty enlisted members of the Coast Guard.

(C) Members of the Coast Guard Reserve.

(D) Retired members of the Coast Guard.

(3) DUTIES.—The Committee—

(A) shall advise the Commandant on improvements to the recruitment, retention, success, and well-being of women serving in the Coast Guard;

(B) may submit to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, and to the Commandant, recommendations in connection with its duties under this subsection, including recommendations to implement the advice described in subparagraph (A); and

(C) may brief Congress on its duties under this subsection, including the advice described in subparagraph (A) and any recommendations described in subparagraph (B).

(c) Advisory Committee on Women's Leadership at the Coast Guard Academy.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy shall establish at the Coast Guard Academy an advisory committee to be known as the Advisory Committee on Women's Leadership at the Coast Guard Academy (in this subsection referred to as the “Advisory Committee”).

(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advisory Committee shall be composed of not fewer than 12 current cadets of the Coast Guard Academy, including not fewer than 3 cadets from each current class.

(3) APPOINTMENT; TERM.—Cadets shall serve on the Advisory Committee pursuant to appointment by the Superintendent. Appointments shall be made not later than 60 days after the swearing in of a new class of cadets at the Academy. The term of membership of a cadet on the Advisory Committee shall be one year.

(4) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Committee shall meet with the Commandant not less frequently than once each academic year of the Coast Guard Academy on the duties of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee shall meet in person with the Superintendent not less frequently than twice each such academic year on the duties of the Advisory Committee.

(5) DUTIES.—The Advisory Committee shall identify cultural opportunities and challenges facing women cadets at the Academy, including an assessment of culture, leadership development, access to health care, and overall well-being of women cadets at the Academy.

(6) ADVISORY GROUPS.—The Advisory Committee may establish one or more advisory groups to assist the Advisory Committee in carrying out its duties, including advisory groups composed in part of cadets at the Academy who are not current members of the Advisory Committee.

(7) REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS.—The Advisory Committee shall regularly provide the Commandant and the Superintendent reports and briefings on the results of its duties, including recommendations for actions to be taken in light of such results. Such reports and briefings may be provided in writing, in person, or both.

(d) Curriculum and training on climate and culture concerns.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall periodically update curriculum and training toward inclusive leadership and positive climate in the Coast Guard, and shall develop a plan to synchronize such updates to respond to the findings of the RAND gender diversity report, delivered at each of the following:

(1) Officer accession points, including the Coast Guard Academy and the Leadership Development Center.

(2) Enlisted member accession at the United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, New Jersey.

(3) The officer, enlisted member, and civilian leadership courses managed by the Leadership Development Center.

(e) Action plan.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to Congress, and make available to the public on an internet website of the Coast Guard available to the public, a report on the implementation of the recommendations of the RAND gender diversity report.

(2) ELEMENTS.—The report shall set forth the following:

(A) A review and assessment of the status of actions on the recommendations in the RAND gender diversity report.

(B) Additional recommendations to improve the recruitment and retention of women in the Coast Guard.

(C) A plan (including milestones) for actions being taken by the Coast Guard to implement the recommendations in the RAND gender diversity report and the additional recommendations described in subparagraph (B), including recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as may be required in order to carry out the plan.

(D) A plan to launch and maintain an internet website for the sharing of significant policy, benefits, services, and resources, and relevant announcements, in order to centralize resources and tools provided by the Coast Guard, and other resources (as appropriate), to improve gender diversity and retention of women in the Coast Guard.

(3) CONSULTATION.—In preparing the report, the Commandant shall consult with the National Coast Guard Women’s Leadership Committee established pursuant to subsection (b).

(f) RAND gender diversity report defined.—In this section, the term “RAND gender diversity report” means the 2019 report of the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center of the RAND Corporation entitled “Improving Gender Diversity in the U.S. Coast Guard: Identifying Barriers to Female Retention”.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall establish a policy to permit the transfer of a member of the Coast Guard whose dependent is the victim of sexual assault committed by a member of the Armed Forces who is not related to the victim.

(a) In general.—Chapter 27 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(b) Analysis for chapter 27.—The analysis for chapter 27 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“2780. Pay; continuation during lapse in appropriations.”.

Section 316 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:

“(d) Agreements with National Coast Guard Museum Association.—

“(1) The Commandant may offer to enter into one or more agreements with the National Coast Guard Museum Association (referred to in this subsection as the ‘Association’) for any purpose the Commandant considers beneficial to the Coast Guard.

“(2) With respect to the construction of the National Coast Guard Museum, the Commandant may—

“(A) permit the Association to enter into one or more contracts for the design and construction of the National Coast Guard Museum; and

“(B) carry out oversight responsibilities that, among other things, ensures construction of the museum will comport with future Coast Guard operations and sustainment after it is accepted by the Secretary.

“(3) (A) On the satisfactory completion of the National Coast Guard Museum and the satisfaction by the Association of any financial obligations incident to the National Coast Guard Museum—

“(i) the Commandant may accept the National Coast Guard Museum from the Association; and

“(ii) all right, title, and interest in and to the National Coast Guard Museum shall vest in the United States.

“(B) Beginning on the date on which the Commandant accepts the National Coast Guard Museum under subparagraph (A), the Commandant shall assume administrative jurisdiction over the National Coast Guard Museum.

“(C) Before the date on which the Commandant accepts the National Coast Guard Museum under subparagraph (A), the Association may lease the National Coast Guard Museum to the Commandant—

“(i) under such terms and conditions as the Commandant considers appropriate; and

“(ii) for use consistent with the purposes of the National Coast Guard Museum.

“(D) After the date on which the Commandant accepts the National Coast Guard Museum under subparagraph (A), the Commandant may lease 1 or more portions of the National Coast Guard Museum to the Association—

“(i) under such terms and conditions as the Commandant considers appropriate; and

“(ii) for use consistent with the purposes of the National Coast Guard Museum.

“(E) Prior to the acceptance of the National Coast Guard Museum by the Commandant under subparagraph (A), the Commandant may coordinate with, and provide advice to, the Association for purposes of establishing the National Coast Guard Museum.

“(4) The Commandant may require such additional terms and conditions with respect to an agreement or lease authorized under this subsection as the Commandant considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.”.

(a) In general.—Chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 717 the following:

(b) Analysis for chapter 7.—The analysis for chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 717 the following:

“717a. Research projects; transactions other than contracts and grants.”.

(a) In general.—Chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(b) Analysis for chapter 7.—The analysis for chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

“719. Support of elementary and secondary education in science, mathematics, and technology.”.

(a) Admiralty claims against the United States.—Section 937(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “$100,000” and inserting “$425,000”.

(b) Claims for damage to property of the United States.—Section 938 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “$100,000” and inserting “$425,000”.

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

(b) Analysis for chapter 11.—The analysis for chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1110 the following:

“1111. Acquisition workforce authorities.”.

(c) Repeal of superseded authority.—Section 404 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–281) is repealed.

(a) In general.—Subchapter I of chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by section 226, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

(b) Analysis for chapter 11.—The analysis for chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by section 226, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1111 the following:

“1112. Resolution by the Chief Acquisition Officer of acquisition disputes elevated to the Officer.”.

(c) Repeal of superseded requirement.—Section 401 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–281) is amended by striking subsection (e).

Notwithstanding any provision of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) and any regulation or policy implementing that Act, the Commandant may use full and open competitive procedures, as prescribed in section 2304 of title 10, United States Code, to acquire maintenance and repair services for vessels with a homeport in Coast Guard District 17.

Section 2946(c) of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking paragraph (2);

(2) by redesignating paragraph (1) as paragraph (2);

(3) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated—

(A) by striking “(2) In such amounts as provided in appropriations Acts, and except” and inserting the following:

“(2) PERMISSIBLE USES.—Except”;

(B) by indenting subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) four ems from the left margin;

(C) in subparagraph (B), by striking “and” at the end;

(D) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and

(E) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(D) the construction or recapitalization of existing military family housing and military unaccompanied housing.”; and

(4) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, the following:

“(1) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts in the Fund shall be available to the Secretary without further appropriation, and shall remain available until expended.”.

Section 5103(e)(3) of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

“(B) operate and sustain the cutters and aircraft identified under paragraph (2);”.

Section 70116 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by inserting “, cyber incidents, transnational organized crime, and foreign state threats” after “an act of terrorism”;

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) in paragraphs (1) and (2), by inserting “cyber incidents, transnational organized crime, and foreign state threats” after “terrorism” each place it appears; and

(B) in paragraph (3)—

(i) by striking “armed” and inserting “, armed (as needed),”; and

(ii) by striking “terrorism or transportation security incidents,” and inserting “terrorism, cyber incidents, transnational organized crime, foreign state threats, or transportation security incidents,”; and

(3) in subsection (c)—

(A) by striking “70034,” and inserting “70033,”; and

(B) by adding at the end the following new sentence: “When preventing or responding to acts of terrorism, cyber incidents, transnational organized crime, or foreign state threats, the Secretary may carry out this section without regard to chapters 5 and 6 of title 5 or Executive Orders 12866 and 13563.”.

(a) In general.—With respect to the creosote-related building closures at Coast Guard Base Seattle, Washington, the Commandant shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enter into one or more agreements or otherwise take actions to secure access to resources, including a gym, that are not otherwise available to members of the Coast Guard during such closures.

(b) Briefing.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall brief Congress with respect to actions taken by the Commandant to comply with subsection (a).

(a) Report on orca enforcement opportunities.—The Commandant, in consultation with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall submit to Congress a report on Coast Guard efforts to enforce southern resident orca vessel buffer zones and other vessel related regulations in Puget Sound in coordination with existing Coast Guard fisheries enforcement, maritime domain awareness, operation Be Whale Wise, and other related missions.

(b) Action plan.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to Congress a briefing on steps the Coast Guard is taking to meet fisheries enforcement boarding and vessel traffic, including orca buffer zone and other related activities, enforcement targets in District 13, as well as recommendations on what resources, appropriations, and assets are needed to meet those targets within 1 year from enactment of this Act.

(c) Pilot program on reducing disturbance to orcas in puget sound.—The Commandant, in consultation with the Maritime Administrator, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and State and Tribal governments, shall establish a pilot program to assess the feasibility and benefit of implementing a program similar to the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation program, or “ECHO program”, in United States waters to reduce acoustic disturbance of southern resident orcas in Puget Sound and the surrounding waters.

(a) In general.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on child care and school age care options available to qualified families.

(b) Elements.—The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—

(A) An assessment of—

(i) the subsidies and financial assistance for child care and school age care made available by the Coast Guard to qualified families; and

(ii) the extent to which qualified families have taken advantage of such subsidies and assistance.

(B) The average number of days between—

(i) the date on which an application for a subsidy or other financial assistance for child care or school age care is submitted by a qualified family; and

(ii) upon approval of an application, the date on which such subsidy or assistance is received by the qualified family.

(C) Recommendations for streamlining the payment of such subsidies and financial assistance.

(D) The amount of funding allocated to such subsidies and financial assistance.

(E) The remaining costs for child care or school age care to qualified families that are not covered by the Coast Guard.

(F) A description of barriers to access to such subsidies and financial assistance.

(G) The number of qualified families that do not receive any such subsidies or financial assistance.

(2) REGULATION OF CHILD CARE SERVICES.—

(A) An assessment of—

(i) the regulations of States with respect to child care services (such as staffing, space and furnishings, safety, and curriculum requirements, and allowable care hours); and

(ii) the effect that differences in such regulations may have on access to child care for qualified families.

(B) An assessment of—

(i) the regulations of the Coast Guard and the Department of Defense with respect to child development centers and other child care providers (including school age care providers), and a comparison of such regulations with similar State regulations; and

(ii) the effect that such regulations may have on access to child care and school age care for qualified families.

(C) The number of qualified families, and children, that do not have access to a Coast Guard child development center for child care.

(3) PARITY WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The differences between child care and school age care services offered by the Coast Guard and child care and school age care authorities of the Coast Guard and the Department of Defense relating to the following:

(i) Authorized uses of appropriated funds for child care and school age care services.

(ii) Access to, and total capacity of, Coast Guard child development centers and Department of Defense child development centers.

(iii) Child care and school age care programs or policy.

(iv) Coast Guard and Department of Defense programs to provide additional assistance to members and civilian employees with respect to child care and school age care options.

(v) Respite care programs.

(vi) Nonappropriated funds.

(vii) Coast Guard and Department of Defense support of certified Family Child Care centers.

(viii) Coast Guard and Department of Defense publicly available online resources for families seeking military child care and school age care.

(4) FEASIBILITY.—An analysis of the feasibility of the Commandant entering into agreements with private child care and school age care service providers to provide child care and school age care for qualified families.

(5) AVAILABILITY.—An analysis of the availability of child care and school age care for qualified families, including accessibility after normal work hours, proximity, and total capacity.

(6) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Recommendations—

(A) to improve access to child care and school age care for qualified families;

(B) to ensure parity between the Coast Guard and the Department of Defense with respect to child care and school age care;

(C) to expand access to child care and school age care for all qualified families, including qualified families that have a child with special needs; and

(D) to ensure that regional child care and child development center needs at the unit, sector, or district level are identified, assessed, and reasonably evaluated by the Commandant for future infrastructure needs.

(7) OTHER MATTERS.—A description or analysis of any other matter the Comptroller General considers relevant to the improvement of expanded access to child care and school age care for qualified families.

(a) Memorandum of Understanding.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Defense to enable qualified families to access the website at https://militarychildcare.com (or a successor website) for purposes of Coast Guard family access to information with respect to State-accredited child development centers and other child care support services as such services become available from the Department of Defense through such website. The memorandum shall provide for the expansion of the geographical areas covered by such website, including regions in which qualified families live that are not yet covered by the program.

(2) INCLUSION OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS ACCESSIBLE UNDER PILOT PROGRAM.—The information accessible pursuant to the memorandum of understanding required by paragraph (1) shall include information with respect to any child development center accessible pursuant to the pilot program under section 244.

(3) ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION, PAYMENT, AND TRACKING SYSTEM.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall develop and maintain an internet website of the Coast Guard accessible to qualified families to carry out the following activities:

(A) Register children for a Coast Guard child development center.

(B) Make online child care payments to a Coast Guard child development center.

(C) Track the status of a child on the waitlist of a Coast Guard child development center, including the placement and position of the child on the waitlist.

(b) Waitlist.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall maintain a record of the waitlist for each Coast Guard child development center.

(2) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—Each record under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) The total number of children of qualified families on the waitlist.

(B) With respect to each child on the waitlist—

(i) the age of the child;

(ii) the number of days the child has been on the waitlist;

(iii) the position of the child on the waitlist;

(iv) any special needs consideration; and

(v) information on whether a sibling of the child is on the waitlist of, or currently enrolled in, the Coast Guard child development center concerned.

(3) REQUIREMENT TO ARCHIVE.—Information placed in the record of a Coast Guard child development center under paragraph (1) shall be archived for a period of not less than 10 years after the date of its placement in the record.

(a) Study.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and for each of the two fiscal years thereafter, the Commandant shall conduct a study on the child care needs of qualified families that incorporates—

(A) the results of the survey under subsection (b); and

(B) any other information the Commandant considers appropriate to ensure adequate tracking and future needs-based assessments with respect to adequate access to Coast Guard child development centers.

(2) CONSULTATION.—In conducting a study under paragraph (1), the Commandant may consult a federally funded research and development center.

(3) SCOPE OF DATA.—The data obtained through each study under paragraph (1) shall be obtained on a regional basis, including by Coast Guard unit, sector, and district.

(b) Survey.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Together with each study under subsection (a), and annually as the Commandant considers appropriate, the Commandant shall carry out a survey of individuals described in paragraph (2) on access to Coast Guard child development centers.

(2) PARTICIPANTS.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall seek the participation in the survey of the following Coast Guard individuals:

(i) Commanding officers, regardless of whether the commanding officers have children.

(ii) Regular and reserve personnel.

(iii) Spouses of individuals described in clauses (i) and (ii).

(B) SCOPE OF PARTICIPATION.—Individuals described in clauses (i) through (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall be surveyed regardless of whether such individuals use or have access to Coast Guard child development centers or other Federal child care facilities.

(C) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION.—Participation of any individual described in subparagraph (A) in a survey shall be on a voluntary basis.

(c) Availability.—On request, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives the results of a study or survey under this section.

(a) In general.—Commencing not later than 60 days after the date on which the report under section 241 is submitted, the Commandant shall carry out a pilot program, based on the recommendations provided in such report, to expand access to public or private child development centers for qualified families.

(b) Duration.—The duration of the pilot program under subsection (a) shall be not more than three years beginning on the date on which the pilot program is established.

(c) Discharge on regional basis.—The Commandant—

(1) may carry out the pilot program on a regional basis; and

(2) shall include in the pilot program remote and urban locations.

(d) Reservation of child care slots.—As part of the pilot program, the Commandant shall seek to enter into one or more memoranda of understanding with one or more child development centers to reserve slots for qualified families in locations in which—

(1) the Coast Guard lacks a Coast Guard child development center; or

(2) the waitlists for the nearest Coast Guard child development center or Department of Defense child development center, where applicable, indicate that qualified families may not be accommodated.

(e) Annual assessment of results.—As part of any study conducted pursuant to section 243(a) after the end of the one-year period beginning with the commencement of the pilot program, the Commandant shall also undertake a current assessment of the impact of the pilot program on access to child development centers for qualified families. The Commandant shall include the results of any such assessment in the results of the most current study or survey submitted pursuant to section 243(b).

The Commandant may use amounts authorized for operations and support to conduct improvements on Coast Guard-owned housing—

(1) to improve or address a housing unit deficiency found during a family child care provider, health, fire and safety, or other home inspection;

(2) to ensure a housing unit is maintained at the standard necessary to meet health, fire and safety, or other home inspection requirements so as to enable the establishment of a Coast Guard family child care center in the housing unit; and

(3) to the maximum extent practicable, the Commandant shall ensure that, in a location in which Coast Guard family child care centers are necessary to meet the demand for child care for qualified families, not fewer than two housing units are maintained in accordance with safety inspection standards so as to accommodate family child care providers.

(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the feasibility of developing a policy to allow the transfer of a Coast Guard-mandated family child care provider qualification or certification between Coast Guard-owned housing units if, as determined by the Commandant—

(1) the qualification or certification is not expired;

(2) the transfer of the qualification or certification would not pose a danger to any child in the care of the family child care provider; and

(3) the transfer would expedite the ability of the family child care provider to establish, administer, and provide family home daycare in a Coast Guard-owned housing unit.

(b) Briefing element.—The briefing required by subsection (a) shall include analysis of options for transferring a Coast Guard-mandated family child care provider qualification or certification as described in that subsection, and of any legal challenges associated with such transfer.

(c) Rule of construction.—The policy under subsection (a) shall not be construed to supersede any other applicable Federal, State, or local law (including regulations) relating to the provision of child care services.

(a) Training and curriculum specialist.—The Commandant shall require that at least one employee at each Coast Guard child development center is a specialist in training and curriculum development. The Commandant shall ensure that such employees have appropriate credentials and experience.

(b) Duties.—An employee described in subsection (a) shall—

(1) carry out special teaching activities at the Coast Guard child development center concerned;

(2) provide—

(A) daily oversight and instruction of other child care employees at such Coast Guard child development center;

(B) daily assistance in the preparation of lesson plans for such Coast Guard child development center; and

(C) assistance in the child abuse prevention and detection program of such Coast Guard child development center; and

(3) advise the director of such Coast Guard child development center on the performance of other child care employees at such center.

(c) Employee status.—Each employee referred to in subsection (a) shall be an employee of the Coast Guard in a competitive service position.

(a) Child development centers.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not less than twice annually, the Commandant shall ensure that each Coast Guard child development center is subject to an unannounced inspection.

(2) RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSPECTIONS.—Of the annual inspections under paragraph (1)—

(A) one shall be carried out by a representative of the Coast Guard installation served by the Coast Guard child development center concerned; and

(B) one shall be carried out by a representative of the Coast Guard Child Development Services Work Life Programs.

(b) Family child care providers.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than quarterly, the Commandant shall ensure that each family child care provider is subject to inspection.

(2) RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSPECTIONS.—Of the quarterly inspections under paragraph (1) each year—

(A) three inspections shall be carried out by a representative of the Coast Guard installation served by the family child care provider concerned; and

(B) one inspection shall be carried out by a representative of the Coast Guard Child Development Services Work Life Programs.

The Commandant shall allow family child care programs to occur at off-base housing, including off-base Coast Guard-owned or subsidized housing. The Commandant shall establish a procedure to ensure that all requirements with respect to such family child care programs are met, including home inspections.

In this subtitle:

(1) COAST GUARD CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER.—The term “Coast Guard child development center” has the meaning given that term in section 2921(3) of title 14, United States Code.

(2) COAST GUARD FAMILY CHILD CARE CENTER.—The term “Coast Guard family child care center” means a location at which family home daycare is provided.

(3) FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDER.—The term “family child care provider” means an individual who provides family home daycare.

(4) FAMILY HOME DAYCARE.—The term “family home daycare” has the meaning given that term in section 2921(5) of title 14, United States Code.

(5) QUALIFIED FAMILY.—The term “qualified family” means any regular, reserve, or retired member of the Coast Guard, and any civilian employee of the Coast Guard, with one or more dependents.

(a) Use of certain appropriated funds.—Section 903 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (d)(1), by striking “reporting” and inserting “briefing”; and

(2) in paragraph (2)—

(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking “Report” and inserting “Briefing”; and

(B) by striking “report” each place it appears and inserting “brief”.

(b) Especially hazardous cargo.—Subsection (e) of section 70103 of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“(e) Especially hazardous cargo.—

“(1) ENFORCEMENT OF SECURITY ZONES.—Consistent with other provisions of Federal law, the Coast Guard shall coordinate and be responsible for the enforcement of any Federal security zone established by the Coast Guard around a vessel containing especially hazardous cargo. The Coast Guard shall allocate available resources so as to deter and respond to a transportation security incident, to the maximum extent practicable, and to protect lives or protect property in danger.

“(2) ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS CARGO DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘especially hazardous cargo’ means anhydrous ammonia, ammonium nitrate, chlorine, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and any other substance, material, or group or class of material, in a particular amount and form that the Secretary determines by regulation poses a significant risk of creating a transportation security incident while being transported in maritime commerce.”.

(c) Compliance with security standards.—Section 809 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–293; 46 U.S.C. 70101 note) is amended by striking subsections (g) and (i).

(d) Marine safety long-Term strategy.—Section 2116 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking “The strategy shall include the issuance of a triennial plan” and inserting “The 5-year strategy shall include the issuance of a plan”;

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) in the subsection heading, by striking “Contents of strategy and triennial plans” and inserting “5-Year strategy and plan”;

(B) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “strategy and triennial plans” and inserting “5-year strategy and plan”; and

(C) in paragraph (2)—

(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “strategy and triennial plans” and inserting “5-year strategy and plan”; and

(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking “plans” and inserting “plan”;

(3) in subsection (c)—

(A) by striking “The Secretary” and inserting “Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary”; and

(B) by striking “triennial”; and

(4) in subsection (d)—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking “No less frequently than semiannually” and inserting “In conjunction with the submission of the 5-year strategy and plan”; and

(B) in paragraph (2)—

(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking “Report to Congress” and inserting “Periodic briefings”;

(ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “report triennially” and all that follows through “the Senate” and inserting “periodically brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives”;

(iii) in subparagraph (A)—

(I) by striking “annual”; and

(II) by striking “for the year covered by the report” and inserting “for the period covered by the briefing”; and

(iv) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking “plans” and inserting “plan”.

(e) Abandoned seafarers fund.—Section 11113(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (4), by striking “On the date” and inserting “Except as provided in paragraph (5), on the date”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(5) NO REPORT REQUIRED.—A report under paragraph (4) shall not be required if there were no expenditures from the Fund in the preceding fiscal year. The Commandant shall notify Congress in the event a report is not required under paragraph (4) by reason of this paragraph.”.

(f) Major acquisition program risk assessment.—Section 5107 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking “April 15 and October 15” and inserting “October 15”; and

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) in paragraph (2), by striking “the 2 fiscal-year quarters preceding such assessment” and inserting “the previous fiscal year”;

(B) in paragraph (3), by striking “such 2 fiscal-year quarters” and inserting “such fiscal year”;

(C) in paragraph (4), by striking “such 2 fiscal-year quarters” and inserting “such fiscal year”; and

(D) in paragraph (5), by striking “such 2 fiscal-year quarters” and inserting “such fiscal year”.

(a) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on how the Coast Guard plans to establish a workforce with the cybersecurity expertise to provide prevention assessments and response capacity to Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) in national port and maritime environments.

(b) Contents.—The report under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A description of the number and skills of active duty and reserve Coast Guard members expected for initial operating capacity and full operating capacity of the workforce described in subsection (a).

(2) A description of the career development path for officers and enlisted members participating in the workforce.

(3) A determination of how the workforce will fulfill the cybersecurity needs of the Area Maritime Security Council and United States port environments.

(4) A determination of how the workforce will integrate with the Hunt and Incident Response (HIRT) and Assessment Teams of the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security.

(5) An assessment of successful models used by other Armed Forces, including National Guard, to recruit, maintain and utilize a cyber workforce including the use of Reserve personnel for that purpose.

(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the training and qualification processes of the Coast Guard for deck watch officers, with a specific focus on basic navigation, bridge resource management, crew rest, and qualification processes.

(b) Contents.—The report under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) Recommendations for improving pipeline training, if necessary, and an assessment how commercial industry best practices on pipeline training can be incorporated into military at sea watchkeeping.

(2) A detailed description of the deck watch officer assessment process of the Coast Guard.

(3) A list of programs that have been approved for credit toward merchant mariner credentials.

(4) A complete analysis of the gap between the existing curriculum for deck watch officer training and the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for officer in charge of a navigational watch at the operational level, Chief level, and Master level.

(5) A complete analysis of the gap between the existing training curriculum for deck watch officers and the licensing requirement for 3rd mate unlimited, Chief, and Master.

(6) An assessment of deck watch officer options to complete the 3rd mate unlimited license and the qualification under the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for officer in charge of a navigational watch.

(7) An assessment of senior deck watch officer options to complete the Chief Mate and Master unlimited license and the qualification under the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Chief Mate and Master.

(a) Report required.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the Arctic capabilities of the Armed Forces.

(b) Elements.—The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A comparison of the capabilities of the United States, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and other countries operating in the Arctic, including an assessment of the ability of the navy of each such country to operate in varying sea-ice conditions.

(2) A description of commercial and foreign military surface forces currently operating in the Arctic in conditions inaccessible to Navy surface forces.

(3) An assessment of the potential security risk posed to Coast Guard forces by military forces of other countries operating in the Arctic in conditions inaccessible to Navy surface or aviation forces in the manner such forces currently operate.

(4) A comparison of the domain awareness capabilities of—

(A) Coast Guard forces operating alone; and

(B) Coast Guard forces operating in tandem with Navy surface and aviation forces and the surface and aviation forces of other allies.

(5) A comparison of the defensive capabilities of—

(A) Coast Guard forces operating alone; and

(B) Coast Guard forces operating in mutual defense with Navy forces, other Armed Forces, and the military forces of allies.

(c) Form.—The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.

(d) Appropriate committees of Congress defined.—In this section, the term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—

(1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the search and rescue capabilities of the Coast Guard in Arctic coastal communities.

(b) Contents.—The report under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) An identification of ways in which the Coast Guard can more effectively partner with Arctic coastal communities to respond to search and rescue incidents through training, funding, and deployment of assets.

(2) An analysis of the costs of forward deploying on a seasonal basis Coast Guard assets in support of such communities for responses to such incidents.

(a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The acquisition strategy of the Coast Guard to recapitalize its fleet of MH–65 helicopters for land-based and sea-based operations is critical to maintaining the various missions of the Coast Guard.

(2) As of July 2019, the Commandant intends to leverage the Department of Defense future vertical lift acquisition program in the mid-2030s to replace the legacy fleet of the Coast Guard, and in the interim, continue the service life extension program of the MH–65D fleet to an upgraded “Echo” capability.

(3) The current MH–65 sustainment plan may be under resourced and insufficient to accommodate the additional hours required to meet operational demands until recapitalization.

(b) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—

(1) includes an updated fleet life-cycle analysis and service life extension plan that includes dynamic components, and which clearly demonstrates the mission viability of the MH–65 through anticipated fleet recapitalization;

(2) includes a realistic sustainment budget necessary to achieve the operational availability rates necessary to meet MH–65 mission requirements through fleet recapitalization;

(3) includes an update on the status of the Coast Guard MH–65 helicopter recapitalization; and

(4) includes a description of any alternative, available, and cost-effective Government and civil systems, or updates, that the Coast Guard is considering for MH–65 operational missions, including Coast Guard cutter deployability requirements, in the event of delays to the future vertical lift program of the Coast Guard.

Not later than 180 days after the release of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security report titled “Allegations of Racial Discrimination and Inadequate Action at the United States Coast Guard Academy”, the Commandant shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the recommendations made by the Inspector General. The report of the Commandant shall include a timeline, accountability measures, and metrics for evaluation of the comprehensive implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Inspector General, and of such other measures in connection with such recommendations as have been specified by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the response capabilities of the Coast Guard with respect to cyber incidents on vessels entering ports or waters of the United States.

(b) Review.—The report under subsection (a) shall include a review of each of the following:

(1) The number and type of commercial vessels of the United States subject to regulations under part 104 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling).

(2) Policies and guidance issued by the Commandant, in accordance with guidelines on cyber risk management of the International Maritime Organization, to vessels of the United States.

(3) Measures to be taken by owners or operators of commercial vessels of the United States to increase cybersecurity posture on such vessels.

(4) Responses of the Commandant to cyber incidents on vessels described in paragraph (1) prior to the date of the enactment of this Act.

(5) Response protocols followed by personnel of the Coast Guard to a cyber incident on any vessel described in paragraph (1) experienced while that vessel is traveling to ports or waters of the United States.

(6) Oversight by the Commandant of—

(A) vessel-to-facility interface, as defined in section 101.105 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling); and

(B) actions taken by the Coast Guard in coordination with vessel and facility owners and operators to protect commercial vessels and port facility infrastructure from cyber attacks and proliferation.

(7) Requirements of the Commandant for the reporting of cyber incidents that occur on the vessels described in paragraph (1).

(c) Recommendations and appropriations.—The Commandant shall include in the report under subsection (a)—

(1) recommendations—

(A) to improve cyber incident response; and

(B) for policies to address gaps identified by the review under subsection (b); and

(2) a description of authorities and appropriations necessary to improve the preparedness of the Coast Guard for cyber incidents on vessels entering ports or waters of the United States and the ability of the Coast Guard to prevent and respond to such incidents.

(d) Form.—The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.

(e) Vessel of the United States defined.—In this section, the term “vessel of the United States” has the meaning given such term in section 116 of title 46, United States Code.

(a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The Coast Guard seizes an average of 1,221 pounds of cocaine and 85 pounds of marijuana each day in the transit zones of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Southern maritime border approaches.

(2) The Joint Interagency Task Force–South (JIATF–South) estimates that it has a spectrum of actionable intelligence on more than 80 percent of drug movements into the United States from Central America and South America.

(3) The Coast Guard must balance asset allocation across 11 statutory missions. As such, the Coast Guard interdicts less than 10 percent of maritime noncommercial smuggling of illicit drugs into the United States from Central America and South America.

(4) In 2017, the Government Accountability Office recommended that the Commandant of the Coast Guard—

(A) develop new performance goals relating to the interdiction of illicit drugs smuggled into the United States, or describe the manner in which existing goals are sufficient;

(B) report such goals to the public;

(C) assess the extent to which limitations in performance data with respect to such goals are documented;

(D) document measurable corrective actions and implementation timeframes with respect to such goals; and

(E) document efforts to monitor implementation of such corrective actions.

(b) Study.—The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall conduct a study in order to identify gaps in resources that contribute to low interdiction rates for maritime noncommercial smuggling of illicit drugs into the United States from Central America and South America despite having actionable intelligence on more than 80 percent of drug movements in the transit zones of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Southern maritime border approaches.

(c) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study under subsection (b).

(d) Form.—The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.

(a) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on vulnerabilities of installations of the Coast Guard resulting from the current and potential effects of rising temperatures, rising sea levels, increased flooding, drought, desertification, wildfires, thawing permafrost, changing ice conditions, and other extreme weather events, and on requirements for mitigating the effects of such events on the Coast Guard, over the 20-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) Elements.—The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A list of the ten most vulnerable installations of the Coast Guard based on the current and potential effects of rising temperatures, rising sea levels, increased flooding, drought, desertification, wildfires, thawing permafrost, changing ice conditions, other extreme weather events, and any other effects the Commandant considers necessary.

(2) An overview of mitigations that may be necessary to ensure the continued operational viability and to increase the resiliency of the installations listed under paragraph (1) and the cost of such mitigations.

(3) A discussion of the current and potential effects of rising temperatures, rising sea levels, increased flooding, drought, desertification, wildfires, thawing permafrost, changing ice conditions, and other extreme weather events on the Coast Guard, including—

(A) the increase in the frequency of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions; and

(B) the campaign plans, contingency plans, and operational posture of the Coast Guard.

(4) An overview of mitigations that may be necessary to ensure mission resiliency and the cost of such mitigations.

(c) Form.—The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

(a) In general.—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 Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the resources, regulations, policies, protocols, and other actions designed to carry out the Coast Guard Certificate of Compliance program with respect to liquefied natural gas tank vessels (including examinations under section 153.808 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations) and vessels that carry bulk liquified gases as cargo (including examinations under section part154 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations) for purposes of maintaining the efficiency of examinations under that program.

(b) Contents.—The report under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) An assessment of the adequacy of current Coast Guard resources, regulations, policies, and protocols to maintain vessel examination efficiency while carrying out the program referred to in subsection (a) as United States bulk liquified gases cargo, liquefied natural gas exports, and associated vessel traffic at United States ports increase.

(2) An evaluation of the constraints and challenges to maintaining examination efficiency under the program as United States bulk liquified gases cargo, liquefied natural gas exports, and associated vessel traffic at United States ports increase.

(3) Recommendations for changes to resources, regulations, policies, and protocols to maintain the efficiency of the program, including analysis of the following alternatives:

(A) Establishment of a Coast Guard marine examination unit near the Panama Canal to conduct inspections under the program on liquefied natural gas tank vessels bound for the United States, similar to Coast Guard operations carried out by Coast Guard Activities Europe and Coast Guard Activities Far East, including the effects of the establishment of such a unit on the domestic aspects of the program.

(B) Management of all marine examiners with gas carrier qualification within each Coast Guard District by a single Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (as defined in section 50.10–10 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations) to improve the efficiency of their vessel examination assignments.

(C) Extension of the duration of assignment of marine examiners with a gas carrier qualification at Coast Guard units that most frequently inspect vessels that carry bulk liquified gases as cargo and liquefied natural gas tank vessels.

(D) Increase in the use of civilians to conduct and support examinations under the program.

(E) Extension of the duration of certificates of compliance under the program for vessels that carry bulk liquified gases as cargo and liquefied natural gas tank vessels that are less than 10 years of age and participate in a Coast Guard vessel quality program.

(a) GAO report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report setting for the results of a comprehensive review, conducted by the Comptroller General for purposes of the report, on the Coast Guard’s International Port Security Program, including the findings, and any recommendations for improvement of the program, of the Comptroller General.

(b) Required elements of review.—The review required under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) review of the actions of the Coast Guard under the Coast Guard’s International Port Security Program, since 2014, to enhance foreign port inspections;

(2) review of the actions of the Coast Guard to recognize and monitor port inspection programs of foreign governments;

(3) identification and review of the actions the Coast Guard takes to address any deficiencies it observes during visits with foreign ports;

(4) identify and review the benchmarks of the Coast Guard for measuring the effectiveness of the program; and

(5) review of the extent to which the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection coordinate efforts to secure cargo at foreign ports.

(a) GAO report.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report setting for the results of a comprehensive review, conducted by the Comptroller General for purposes of the report, on the surge capacity of the Coast Guard to respond to a catastrophic incident (such as a hurricane), including the findings, and any recommendations for improvement, of the Comptroller General.

(b) Required elements of review.—The review required under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) a description and review of each Coast Guard deployment in response to a catastrophic incident after 2005;

(2) identification of best practices informed by the deployments described in paragraph (1);

(3) a review of the ability of the surge force of the Coast Guard to meet the demands of the response roles in which it was serving during each deployment described in paragraph (1);

(4) identification of any statutory or regulatory impediments, such as adaptability, planning, training, mobilization, or information and resource integration, to the surge capacity of the Coast Guard in response to a catastrophic incident;

(5) review of the impacts of a surge of the Coast Guard in response to a catastrophic incident on the capacity of the Coast Guard to perform its statutory missions;

(6) review of the capability of the Coast Guard to surge in response to concurrent or subsequent catastrophic incidents; and

(7) review and description of existing voluntary and involuntary deployments of Coast Guard personnel and assets in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection response to a national emergency (as defined in Presidential Proclamation 9844) on the surge capacity of the Coast Guard in the event of a catastrophic incident.

(c) Definitions.—In this section, the terms “catastrophic incident” and “surge capacity” have the meaning given such terms in section 602 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 701).

(a) GAO report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report setting forth the results of a comprehensive review, conducted by the Comptroller General for purposes of the report, on the marine inspections program of the Coast Guard, including the findings, and any recommendations for improvement of the program, of the Comptroller General.

(b) Required elements of review.—The review required under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) analysis of the demand for marine inspectors;

(2) identification of the number of fully qualified marine inspectors;

(3) determination of whether the number of marine inspectors identified in paragraph (2) is sufficient to meet the demand described in paragraph (1);

(4) review of the enlisted marine inspector workforce compared to the civilian marine inspector workforce and whether there is any discernable distinction or impact between such workforces in the performance of the marine safety mission;

(5) evaluation of the training continuum of marine inspectors; and

(6) description and review of what actions, if any, the Coast Guard is taking to adapt to the current rise in United States export of crude oil and other fuels, such as implementing a safety inspection regime for barges.

(a) GAO report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report setting forth the results of a comprehensive review, conducted by the Comptroller General for purposes of the report, on the information technology program of the Coast Guard, including the findings, and any recommendations for improvement of the program, of the Comptroller General.

(b) Required elements of review.—The review required under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) analysis of how the Coast Guard manages its information technology program, including information technology acquisitions, to meet its various mission needs and reporting requirements;

(2)(3) analysis of whether and, if so, how the Coast Guard—

(A) identifies and satisfies any knowledge and skill requirements; and

(B) recruits, trains, and develops its information technology personnel; and

(3)(4) analysis of whether and, if so, how the Coast Guard separates information technology from operational technology for cybersecurity purposes.

(a) Study.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study that examines access to, experience with, and needs under the TRICARE program of members of the Coast Guard and their dependents.

(2) ELEMENTS.—The study conducted under paragraph (1) shall analyze the following:

(A) The record of the TRICARE program in meeting the standards for care for primary and specialty care for members of the Coast Guard and dependents of those members, including members stationed in remote units.

(B) The accuracy and update periodicity of lists of providers under the TRICARE program in areas serving Coast Guard families.

(C) The wait times under the TRICARE program for appointments, specialty care, and referrals for members of the Coast Guard and dependents of those members.

(D) The availability of providers under the TRICARE program in remote locations, including providers for mental health, juvenile specialty care, dental, and female health.

(E) The access of members of the Coast Guard and dependents of those members to services under the TRICARE program in comparison to the access to such services by personnel of the Department of Defense and dependents of such personnel.

(F) The liaison assistance between members of the Coast Guard and dependents of those members and the TRICARE program provided by the Coast Guard in comparison to such assistance provided by the Department of Defense.

(G) How delayed access to care, timeliness of care, and distance traveled to care may impact personnel readiness of members of the Coast Guard.

(H) The regions particularly impacted by lack of access to care and recommendations to address those access issues.

(b) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations to improve access to quality, timely, and effective health care for members of the Coast Guard and dependents of those members from the study required under subsection (a).

(c) Definitions.—In this section, the terms “dependent” and “TRICARE program” have the meanings given those terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.

(a) Study.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study that examines the health care system of the Coast Guard.

(2) ELEMENTS.—The study conducted under paragraph (1) shall analyze the following:

(A) The billets in clinics of the Coast Guard, whether for personnel of the Coast Guard or otherwise, including the number of billets, vacancies, and length of vacancies.

(B) The wait times for patients to attain an appointment for urgent care, routine physician care, and dental care.

(C) The impact of billet vacancies on such wait times.

(D) The ability of the Coast Guard to use other medical personnel of the Department of Defense, including physicians and physician assistants, to fill provider vacancies for the Coast Guard.

(E) The barriers, if any, to improving coordination and access to physicians within the health care system of the Department of Defense.

(F) The accessibility and availability of behavioral health medical personnel at clinics of the Coast Guard, including personnel available for family counseling, therapy, and other needs.

(G) The staffing models of clinics of the Coast Guard, including recommendations to modernize those models.

(H) The locations and needs of Coast Guard units with or without clinics.

(I) How access to care models for members of the Coast Guard are managed, including models with respect to the time and distance traveled to receive care, the cost of that travel, and alternate options to secure care quickly and efficiently for members serving in units without a clinic.

(b) Report.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations from the study required under subsection (a).

(2) ELEMENTS.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) Recommendations for medical staffing standards for the Coast Guard, including recommendations for health service technicians, flight surgeons, physician assistants, dentists, dental hygienists, family advocate services, pharmacists, and administrators.

(B) An identification of the number of members of the Coast Guard and types of units of the Coast Guard serviced by the health care system of the Coast Guard.

(C) An assessment of the ability of the Coast Guard to conduct medical support at outlying units, including remote units.

(D) An assessment of the capacity of the Coast Guard to support surge operations using historical data from the 10-year period preceding the date of the report.

(E) An assessment of the impact to operations of the Coast Guard by extended wait times or travel times to receive care or other issues identified by the report.

(a) Study.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study that examines the potential use, in the event of a Cascadia subduction zone event, of a vertical evacuation of Coast Guard personnel stationed at United States Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor, Washington, and the dependents of such Coast Guard personnel housed in Coast Guard housing.

(2) ELEMENTS.—The study required under paragraph (1) shall analyze the following:

(A) The number of such personnel and dependents to be evacuated.

(B) The resources available to conduct an evacuation, and the feasibility of a successful evacuation in a case in which inundation maps and timelines are available.

(C) With the resources available, the amount of time needed to evacuate such personnel and dependents.

(D) Any resource that is otherwise available within a reasonable walking distance to Station Grays Harbor and Coast Guard housing for Station Grays Harbor.

(E) The benefit to the surrounding community of such a vertical evacuation.

(F) The interoperability of the tsunami warning system with the Coast Guard communication systems at Station Grays Harbor and Coast Guard housing for Station Grays Harbor.

(G) Current interagency coordination and communication policies in place for emergency responders to address a Cascadia subduction zone event.

(b) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations, if any, from the study required under subsection (a).

(a) Maritime transportation system.—Section 312(b)(4) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “marine transportation system” and inserting “maritime transportation system”.

(b) Common appropriations structure.—

(1) PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT OF FUNDS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE.—Section 506 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting “as established under chapter 56 of title 10” after “Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund”; and

(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking “operating expenses” and inserting “operations and support”.

(2) USE OF CERTAIN APPROPRIATED FUNDS.—Section 903 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in subsection (a), by striking “acquisition, construction, and improvement of facilities, for research, development, test, and evaluation; and for the alteration of bridges over the navigable waters” and inserting “procurement, construction, and improvement of facilities and for research and development”; and

(B) in subsection (d)(1), amended by section 241(b)(1), by striking “operating expenses” and inserting “operations and support”.

(3) DISPOSITION OF INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TO E-LORAN.—Section 914(c)(2)(A) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “Environmental Compliance and Restoration” and inserting “Operations and Support”.

(4) CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATIVE EXPENSES.—Section 944 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(A) by striking “necessary expenses for the operation” and inserting “the operations and support”; and

(B) by striking “his” each place it appears and inserting “the Commandant's”.

(5) PROCUREMENT OF PERSONNEL.—Section 2701 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(A) by striking “operating expenses” and inserting “operations and support”;

(B) by striking “but not limited to”; and

(C) by striking “in order”.

(6) REQUIREMENT FOR PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 4901 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking “maintenance” and inserting “support”;

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking “acquisition” and inserting “procurement”;

(C) by striking paragraphs (3), (4), and (6);

(D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (3); and

(E) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by subparagraph (D), by striking “research, development, test, and evaluation” and inserting “research and development.”.

(c) Mission need statement.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1110 of title 14, United States Code—

(A) is transferred to appear after section 5108 of such title; and

(B) is redesignated as section 5109.

(2) ANALYSES.—

(A) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 11.—The analysis for chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 1110.

(B) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 51.—The analysis for chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“5109. Mission need statement.”.

(3) REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED REQUIREMENT.—Section 401 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–281) is amended by striking subsection (e).

Section 3105 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(c) Equivalency between paper charts and electronic charts.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—Until the date that final regulations are published under subsection (a)—

“(A) a covered vessel equipped with and operating electronic navigational charts produced by a government hydrographic office and that conform to a standard acceptable to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall be deemed in compliance with any requirement under title 33 or title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, to have a chart, marine chart, or map on board the covered vessel; and

“(B) the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may allow a covered vessel that operates solely within the baseline of the territorial sea of the United States (as described in Presidential Proclamation No. 5928 of December 27, 1988 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note)) to utilize a software-based, platform-independent electronic chart system that is capable of displaying electronic navigational charts with necessary scale and detail to ensure safe navigation for the intended voyage.

“(2) COVERED VESSEL DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘covered vessel’ means a vessel described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of subsection (a)(1).”.

Sections 3317(b), 7504, 80301(c), and 80505(b)(3) of title 46, United States Code, are each amended by striking “operating expenses” and inserting “operations and support”.

Section 4503a of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (f) as subsections (e) through (g), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:

“(d) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a vessel that—

“(1) is 79 feet or less in length as listed on the vessel's certificate of documentation or certificate of number; and

“(2) is examined at dockside by the Secretary every 2 years upon the request of the owner and in accordance with section 4502(f)(2) of this title.”.

(a) Service under licenses issued without examination.—Section 8303 of title 46, United States Code, and the item relating to that section in the analysis for chapter 83 of such title, are repealed.

(b) Standards for tank vessels of the United States.—Section 9102 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking subsection (b); and

(2) by striking “(a) The Secretary” and inserting “The Secretary”.

(c) Conforming amendment.—Section 14305(a)(10) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking “sections 8303 and 8304” and inserting “section 8304”.

Section 12121 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following:

“(A) was built in the United States;

“(B) was not built in the United States and is at least 3 years old; or

“(C) if rebuilt, was rebuilt—

“(i) in the United States; or

“(ii) outside the United States at least 3 years before the certificate requested under subsection (b) would take effect.”; and

(2) in subsection (b), by inserting “12132,” after “12113,”.

Section 15106(c)(3) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking “mineral and oil operations, including geophysical services” and inserting “operations”;

(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking “exploration and recovery”;

(3) in subparagraph (E), by striking “engaged in diving services related to offshore construction, inspection, and maintenance” and inserting “providing diving services to the offshore industry”;

(4) in subparagraph (F), by striking “engaged in safety and training services related to offshore exploration and construction” and inserting “providing safety and training services to the offshore industry”;

(5) in subparagraph (G), by striking “engaged in pipelaying services related to offshore construction” and inserting “providing subsea engineering, construction, or remotely operated vehicle support to the offshore industry”;

(6) in subparagraph (H), by striking “mineral and energy”; and

(7) in subparagraph (J), by striking “deepwater ports” and inserting “entities engaged in offshore oil exploration and production on the Outer Continental Shelf including adjacent to Alaska”.

(a) In general.—Chapter 555 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(b) Treatment of existing committee.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law—

(1) an advisory committee that is substantially similar to the National Maritime Transportation System Advisory Committee established by section 55502 of title 46, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and that was in force or in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of such section, including the charter, membership, and other aspects of such substantially similar advisory committee, may remain in force or in effect for the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of such section; and

(2) during such 2-year period—

(A) any requirement relating to the National Maritime Transportation System Advisory Committee established by such section shall be deemed satisfied by the substantially similar advisory committee; and

(B) the enactment of this section, including the amendment made by subsection (a), shall not be the basis—

(i) to deem, find, or declare such substantially similar advisory committee, including the charter, membership, and other aspects thereof, void, not in force, or not in effect;

(ii) to suspend the activities of such substantially similar advisory committee; or

(iii) to bar the members of such substantially similar advisory committee from a meeting.

(c) Analysis for chapter 555.—The analysis for chapter 555 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“55502. National Maritime Transportation System Advisory Committee.”.

(d) Repeal.—Section 55603 of title 46, United States Code, and the item relating to that section in the analysis for chapter 556 of such title, are repealed.

Section 70103 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (b)(3), by inserting “and updates thereto” after “Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans” each place it appears; and

(2) in subsection (c)(4), by inserting “or update thereto” after “plan” each place it appears.

Section 80301(c) of title 46, United States Code, as amended by section 302, is further amended by inserting “and shall be available until expended” before the period at the end.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report setting forth the following:

(1) A list of each liability limit to which the Coast Guard is currently subject, including the statutory or administration authority establishing such limit.

(2) If the Commandant determines that any liability limit listed pursuant to paragraph (1) should be modified—

(A) a description of the liability limit, as so modified;

(B) a justification for such modification; and

(C) a recommendation for legislative or administrative action to achieve such modification.

Section 8905 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(c) After consultation with the Governor of Alaska and the State boating law administrator of Alaska, the Secretary may exempt an individual operating a self-propelled uninspected passenger vessel from the requirements of section 8903 of this title, if—

“(1) the individual only operates such vessel wholly within waters located in Alaska; and

“(2) such vessel is—

“(A) 26 feet or less in length; and

“(B) carrying not more than 6 passengers.”.

(a) In general.—Notwithstanding section 9701 of title 31, United States Code, and section 2110 of title 46, United States Code, the Commandant of the Coast Guard may, until the date described in subsection (b), charge an annual inspection fee to an owner or managing operator of a towing vessel who selects the Towing Safety Management System option under subchapter M of chapter I of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act), for a towing vessel required to have a Certificate of Inspection under such subchapter.

(b) Date described.—The date described in this subsection is the first day on which the Commandant of the Coast Guard has—

(1) completed the review of towing safety management system fees required by section 815 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–282); and

(2) promulgated regulations for annual inspection user fees for towing vessels required to have a Certificate of Inspection under subchapter M of chapter I of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act).

(a) Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.—Section 1012(a)(5)(A) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2712(a)(5)(A)) is amended by striking “operating expenses incurred by” and inserting “operations and support of”.

(b) Historic Light Station Sales.—Section 305106(b) of title 54, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1)(B)(i), by striking “Operating Expenses” and inserting “Operations and Support”; and

(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking “Operating Expense” and inserting “Operations and Support”.

(c) Bridge permits.—Section 712(a)(2) of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–213; 33 U.S.C. 491 prec. note) is amended by striking “operating expenses” and inserting “operations and support”.

(d) Contracts.—Section 557(a) of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (Public Law 113–6; 14 U.S.C. 577 note) is amended by striking “Acquisition” and inserting “Procurement”.

(e) Child development services.—Section 214(d)(1) of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–281; 128 Stat. 3034) is amended by striking “operating expenses” and inserting “operations and support”.

Section 1143(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (2)—

(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy” before “shall”; and

(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking “Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps” and inserting “armed forces”; and

(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting “and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy” before “shall”; and

(2) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii), by striking “in the case of members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, request the Department of Defense” and inserting “make a request to the applicable Secretary under subsection (a)(1)”.

(a) Assessment.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall regularly assess available unmanned maritime systems for potential use to support missions of the Coast Guard.

(2) CONSULTATION.—The Commandant shall make the assessment required under paragraph (1) after consultation with the Department of Defense, other Federal agencies, the academic sector, and developers and manufacturers of unmanned maritime systems.

(b) Report.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the actual and potential effects of the use of available unmanned maritime systems on the mission effectiveness of the Coast Guard.

(2) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) An inventory of available unmanned maritime systems used by the Coast Guard, an overview of such usage, and a discussion of the mission effectiveness of such systems, including any benefits realized or risks or negative aspects of such usage.

(B) A prioritized list of Coast Guard mission requirements that could be met with additional unmanned maritime systems, and the estimated costs of acquiring and operating such systems. This list should take into consideration interoperability with the current and future fleet of National Security Cutters, Fast Response Cutters, Offshore Patrol Cutters, Polar Security Cutters, and in-service legacy cutters such as the 270-foot, 210-foot, and 225-foot Buoy Tenders.

(c) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) UNMANNED MARITIME SYSTEM.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The term “unmanned maritime system” means a remotely operated or autonomous vehicle that—

(i) is produced by the commercial sector;

(ii) is designed to travel in the air, on or under the ocean surface, on land, or any combination thereof; and

(iii) functions without an on-board human presence.

(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term “unmanned maritime system” includes—

(i) associated components, such as control and communications, data transmission, and processing systems;

(ii) an unmanned undersea vehicle;

(iii) an unmanned surface vehicle;

(iv) an unmanned aerial vehicle;

(v) an autonomous underwater vehicle;

(vi) an autonomous surface vehicle; and

(vii) an autonomous aerial vehicle.

(2) AVAILABLE UNMANNED MARITIME SYSTEMS.—The term “available unmanned maritime systems” includes unmanned maritime systems that can be purchased commercially or are available to the Coast Guard in coordination with the Department of Defense or other Federal agency.

(a) Training area.—The Commandant shall carry out and update, as appropriate, a program for the use of a training area one or more training areas to facilitate the use of unmanned aircraft systems and small unmanned aircraft systems to support missions of the Coast Guard.

(b) Designation of area.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall, as part of the program under subsection (a), designate an area for the training, testing, and development of unmanned aircraft systems and small unmanned aircraft systems.

(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In designating a training area under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall—

(A) select an area that leverages the capabilities of the common test site for unmanned aircraft systems of the Department of Homeland Security; and

(B) take into consideration all of the following attributes of the training area:

(i) Direct over-water maritime access from the site.

(ii) The availability of existing Coast Guard support facilities, including pier and dock space.

(iii) Proximity to existing and available offshore Warning Area airspace for test and training.

(iv) Existing facilities and infrastructure to support unmanned aircraft system-augmented, and small unmanned aircraft system-augmented, training, evaluations, and exercises.

(v) Existing and appropriate Federal Aviation Administration flight authorizations for the area.

(vi) Existing facilities with a proven track record of supporting unmanned aircraft systems and small unmanned aircraft systems flight operations.

(c) Definitions.—In this section—

(1) the term “existing” means as of the date of enactment of this Act; and

(2) the terms “small unmanned aircraft” and “unmanned aircraft system” have the meanings given those terms in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.

Section 105(f)(2) of the Pribilof Islands Transition Act (Public Law 106–562; 16 U.S.C. 1161 note) is amended by striking “subsection (a)” and inserting “paragraph (1)”.

(a) Definitions.—In this section—

(1) the term “Boundary Line” has the meaning given the term in section 103 of title 46, United States Code;

(2) the term “Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection” has the meaning given the term in section 3305(d)(4) of title 46, United States Code; and

(3) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating.

(b) Interim exemption.—A towing vessel described in subsection (c) is exempt from any additional requirements of subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, and chapter I of title 33 and chapter I of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), that would result solely from such vessel operating outside the Boundary Line, if—

(1) the vessel is operating outside the Boundary Line solely to perform regular harbor assist operations;

(2) the voyage of the vessel occurring outside of the Boundary Line—

(A) is less than 12 hours in total duration;

(B) originates and ends in the inspection zone of a single Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection; and

(C) occurs no further than 10 nautical miles from the Boundary Line;

(3) the vessel is approved for operations outside the Boundary Line by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection and the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center; and

(4) the vessel has sufficient manning and lifesaving equipment for all persons on board, in accordance with part 15 and section 141.225 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).

(c) Applicability.—This section applies to a towing vessel—

(1) that is subject to inspection under chapter 33 of title 46, United States Code, and subchapter M of chapter I of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation);

(2) with only “Lakes, Bays, and Sounds” or “Rivers” routes recorded on such vessel’s certificate of inspection under section 136.230 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation); and

(3) that is operating as a harbor assist vessel and regularly engaged in harbor assist operations, including the docking, undocking, mooring, unmooring, and escorting of vessels with limited maneuverability.

(d) Safety.—

(1) SAFETY RESTRICTIONS.—The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection for an inspection zone may restrict operations under the interim exemption provided under subsection (b) for safety purposes.

(2) COMPREHENSIVE LISTS.—The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection for an inspection zone shall maintain a comprehensive list, updated periodically, of all towing vessels described in subsection (c) that operate in the inspection zone.

(3) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 24 hours prior to intended operations outside of the Boundary Line, a towing vessel exempted under subsection (b) shall notify the Office in Charge, Marine Inspection for the inspection zone of such operations. Such notification shall include—

(A) the date, time, and length of voyage;

(B) a crew list, with each crew member’s credentials and work hours; and

(C) an attestation from the master of the towing vessel that the vessel has sufficient manning and lifesaving equipment for all persons on board.

(e) Briefing.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the following:

(1) The impacts of the interim exemption provided under this section.

(2) Any safety concerns regarding the expiration of such interim exemption.

(3) Whether such interim exemption should be extended.

(f) Termination.—The interim exemption provided under subsection (b) shall terminate on the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.

Section 343 of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–295; 116 Stat. 2106) and the item relating to that section in section 1(b) of that Act, are repealed.

Not later than May 1, 2021, the Commandant shall conduct a review of navigation on the East Coast of the United States and submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the review, including any recommendations for new fairways on that coast to facilitate commerce.

Section 11113 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) of subsection (a)(2), by striking “may be appropriated” and inserting “shall be available without further appropriations and shall remain available until expended”; and

(2) in subsection (c)—

(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), by inserting “plus a surcharge of 25 percent of such total amount,” after “seafarer,”; and

(B) by striking paragraph (4).

Chapter 701 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in section 70107—

(A) in subsection (a), by striking “law enforcement agency personnel” and inserting “public safety personnel”;

(B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(8), by striking “law enforcement personnel—” and inserting “public safety personnel—”; and

(C) in subsection (c)(2)(C), by striking “law enforcement personnel” and inserting “public safety personnel”; and

(2) in section 70132—

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of subsection (a), by striking “law enforcement personnel—” and inserting “public safety personnel—”;

(B) in subsection (b), by striking “law enforcement personnel” each instance such term appears and inserting “public safety personnel”; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

“(d) Public safety personnel defined.—For the purposes of this section, the term ‘public safety personnel’ includes any Federal, State (or political subdivision thereof), territorial, or Tribal law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency response provider.”.

Subsection (c) of section 9 of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (Public Law 112–90; 125 Stat. 1912; 49 U.S.C. 60117 note) is repealed and shall be deemed not to have been enacted.

(a) In general.—Section 1012(b) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2712(b)) is amended—

(1) by striking “Fund.—The” and inserting the following: “Fund.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(2) SUBROGATION.—Except for a guarantor claim pursuant to a defense under section 1016(f)(1), Fund compensation of any claim by an insurer or other indemnifier of a responsible party or injured third party is subject to the subrogated rights of that responsible party or third party to such compensation.”.

(b) Effective date.—The amendments made by this section shall take effect 180 days following the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general.—Chapter 43 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(b) Analysis for chapter 43.—The analysis for chapter 43 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“4313. Use of engine cut-off switch links.”.

(a) In general.—Section 4305 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the section heading, by adding “and Equivalents” after “Exemptions”;

(2) by striking “If the Secretary” and inserting the following:

“(a) Exemptions.—If the Secretary”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

“(b) Equivalents.—If the Secretary considers that recreational vessel safety will not be adversely affected, the Secretary may accept a substitution for associated equipment performance or other safety standards for a recreational vessel as required by this chapter, if the substitution provides an equivalent level of safety.”.

(b) Analysis for chapter 43.—The analysis for chapter 43 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 4305 and inserting the following:

“4305. Exemptions and equivalents.”.

The Commandant shall—

(1) engage directly with local coastal whaling and fishing communities in the Arctic region when conducting the Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study, in accordance with chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, and as described in the notice of study published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2018 (83 Fed. Reg. 65701); and

(2) shall consider the concerns of the Arctic coastal community regarding any Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route, including safety needs and concerns.

(a) Definitions.—In this section—

(1) the term “Automatic Identification System” has the meaning given the term in section 164.46(a) of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation;

(2) the term “Automatic Identification System device” means a covered device that operates in radio frequencies assigned to the Automatic Identification System;

(3) the term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission; and

(4) the term “covered device” means a device used to mark fishing equipment.

(b) Rulemaking required.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission, in consultation with the Commandant, shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to consider whether to authorize covered devices to operate in radio frequencies assigned to the Automatic Identification System.

(c) Considerations.—In conducting the rulemaking under subsection (b), the Commission shall consider whether imposing requirements with respect to the manner in which Automatic Identification System devices are deployed and used would enable the authorization of covered devices to operate in radio frequencies assigned to the Automatic Identification System consistent with the core purpose of the Automatic Identification System to prevent maritime accidents.

(a) Parallel direct hire authority for the Department of Homeland Security.—Chapter 99 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(b) Conforming and clerical amendments.—

(1) CHAPTER HEADING.—The heading of chapter 99 of such title is amended to read as follows:

(2) ANALYSIS FOR CHAPTER 99.—The analysis for chapter 99 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

“9905a. Direct hire authority for certain personnel of the Department of Homeland Security.”.

(3) TABLES OF CHAPTERS.—The tables of chapters at the beginning of title 5, United States Code, and at the beginning of part III of such title are each amended by striking the item relating to chapter 99 and inserting the following new item:

• “99. Personnel Authorities for Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security 9901”.

(a) In general.—Chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating sections 70004 and 70005 as sections 70005 and 70006, respectively; and

(2) by inserting after section 70003 the following:

(b) Analysis for chapter 700.—The analysis for chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the items relating to sections 70004 and 70005 and inserting the following:

“70004. Vessel traffic service system.
“70005. Considerations by Secretary.
“70006. International agreements.”.

(c) Conforming amendments.—Chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, as amended by this section, is further amended—

(1) in section 70001(a)—