Union Calendar No. 174
119th CONGRESS 1st Session |
[Report No. 119–214]
To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard, to establish the Secretary of the Coast Guard, and for other purposes.
July 2, 2025
Mr. Graves (for himself, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Ezell, and Mr. Carbajal) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
July 22, 2025
Additional sponsor: Mr. Webster of Florida
July 22, 2025
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 2, 2025]
To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard, to establish the Secretary of the Coast Guard, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
(b) Table of contents.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Commandant defined.
Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 102. Authorized levels of military strength and training.
Sec. 111. Annual report on progress of certain homeporting projects.
Sec. 112. Major acquisitions.
Sec. 113. Quarterly acquisition brief requirements.
Sec. 114. Overdue reports.
Sec. 115. Requirement for Coast Guard to provide analysis of alternatives for aircraft.
Sec. 116. Oversight of funds provided pursuant to Public Law 119–21.
Sec. 117. Regular polar security cutter updates.
Sec. 118. Annual plan for Coast Guard operations in the Pacific.
Sec. 201. Secretary of the Coast Guard.
Sec. 202. Reappointment of Commandant.
Sec. 203. Special Advisor to Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs.
Sec. 204. Reinstatement of training course on workings of Congress.
Sec. 205. Services and use of funds for, and leasing of, the National Coast Guard Museum.
Sec. 211. Enhanced use property pilot program.
Sec. 212. Public availability of information.
Sec. 213. Timely reimbursement of damage claims for Coast Guard property.
Sec. 214. Uniform funding and management system for morale, well-being, and recreation programs and Coast Guard Exchange.
Sec. 215. Coast Guard property.
Sec. 216. Cyber coordination and support in foreign territories.
Sec. 217. Modification of treatment of minor construction and improvement project management.
Sec. 218. Modification of authority for special purpose facilities.
Sec. 219. Preparedness plans for Coast Guard properties located in tsunami inundation zones.
Sec. 220. Additional Pribilof Island transition completion actions.
Sec. 221. Scientific mission for USCGC Storis.
Sec. 222. Coast Guard access to Department of the Treasury fund.
Sec. 231. Modification of prohibition on use of lead systems integrators.
Sec. 232. Acquisition improvements.
Sec. 233. Restriction on acquisition, procurement, or construction of vessels in foreign shipyards.
Sec. 234. Floating drydock for United States Coast Guard Yard.
Sec. 235. Great Lakes icebreaking.
Sec. 236. Entity other than the Coast Guard.
Sec. 241. Family leave policies for Coast Guard.
Sec. 242. Modifications to career flexibility program.
Sec. 243. Direct hire authority for certain personnel.
Sec. 244. Command sponsorship for dependents of members of Coast Guard assigned to Unalaska, Alaska.
Sec. 245. Authorization for maternity uniform allowance for officers.
Sec. 246. Consolidation of authorities for college student precommissioning initiative.
Sec. 247. Additional available guidance and considerations for reserve selection boards.
Sec. 248. Housing.
Sec. 249. Behavioral health.
Sec. 250. Travel allowance for members of Coast Guard assigned to Alaska.
Sec. 251. Tuition Assistance and Advanced Education Assistance Pilot Program.
Sec. 252. Recruitment, relocation, and retention incentive program for civilian firefighters employed by Coast Guard in remote locations.
Sec. 253. Notification.
Sec. 261. Modification of Board of Visitors.
Sec. 262. Study on Coast Guard Academy oversight.
Sec. 263. Electronic locking mechanisms to ensure Coast Guard Academy cadet room security.
Sec. 264. Report on existing behavioral health and wellness support services facilities at Coast Guard Academy.
Sec. 265. Required posting of information.
Sec. 266. Installation of multipurpose medical privacy rooms.
Sec. 267. Coast Guard Academy room reassignment.
Sec. 268. Authorization for use of Coast Guard Academy facilities and equipment by covered foundations.
Sec. 269. Concurrent jurisdiction at Coast Guard Academy.
Sec. 271. Policy and briefing on availability of naloxone to treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses.
Sec. 272. Policy on methods to reduce incentives for illicit maritime drug trafficking.
Sec. 273. Report on condition of aids to navigation.
Sec. 274. Feasibility study on supporting additional port visits and deployments in support of Operation Blue Pacific.
Sec. 275. Study and gap analysis with respect to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi aviation hangar.
Sec. 276. Report on impacts of joint travel regulations on members of Coast Guard who rely on ferry systems.
Sec. 277. Report on Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.
Sec. 278. Report and briefings on implementing section 564 of title 14.
Sec. 279. Report on role of Coast Guard.
Sec. 280. Report on Coast Guard personnel skills.
Sec. 281. Report on Coast Guard search and rescue operations.
Sec. 282. Report on alternative sites for the location of Station St. Thomas.
Sec. 283. Report on East Rockaway inlet navigation.
Sec. 301. Merchant mariner credentialing.
Sec. 302. Nonoperating individual.
Sec. 311. Grossly negligent operations of a vessel.
Sec. 312. Performance driven examination schedule.
Sec. 313. Fishing vessel and fisherman training safety.
Sec. 314. Designating pilotage waters for the Straits of Mackinac.
Sec. 315. Receipts; international agreements for ice patrol services.
Sec. 316. Study of amphibious vessels.
Sec. 317. St. Lucie River railroad bridge.
Sec. 318. Large recreational vessel regulations.
Sec. 321. Ports and waterways safety.
Sec. 322. Study on Bering Strait vessel traffic projections and emergency response posture at ports of the United States.
Sec. 323. Improving Vessel Traffic Service monitoring.
Sec. 324. Controlled substance onboard vessels.
Sec. 325. Cyber-incident training.
Sec. 326. Navigational protocols.
Sec. 331. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems.
Sec. 332. Pilot program for governance and oversight of small uncrewed maritime systems.
Sec. 333. Coast Guard training course.
Sec. 334. NOAA membership on Autonomous Vessel Policy Council.
Sec. 335. Technology pilot program.
Sec. 336. Uncrewed systems capabilities report.
Sec. 337. Medium unmanned aircraft systems capabilities study.
Sec. 338. Comptroller General report on Coast Guard acquisition and deployment of unmanned systems.
Sec. 339. National Academies of Sciences report on unmanned systems and use of data.
Sec. 340. Unmanned aircraft systems.
Sec. 341. Information on type approval certificates.
Sec. 342. Clarification of authorities.
Sec. 343. Amendments to passenger vessel security and safety requirements.
Sec. 344. Extension of pilot program to establish a cetacean desk for Puget Sound region.
Sec. 345. Suspension of enforcement of use of devices broadcasting on AIS for purposes of marking fishing gear.
Sec. 346. Classification societies.
Sec. 347. Abandoned and derelict vessel removals.
Sec. 348. Report on certain Coast Guard requirements.
Sec. 349. Offshore operations.
Sec. 350. Administrative costs.
Sec. 351. Briefing on deployment of Special Purpose Craft – Heavy Weather second generation (SPC-HWX II) vessels in Pacific Northwest.
Sec. 401. Vessel response plans.
Sec. 402. Use of marine casualty investigations.
Sec. 403. Timing of review.
Sec. 404. Online incident reporting system.
Sec. 405. Investment of Exxon Valdez oil spill court recovery in high yield investments and marine research.
Sec. 406. Additional response assets.
Sec. 407. International maritime oil spill response.
Sec. 501. Independent review of Coast Guard reforms.
Sec. 502. Comprehensive policy and procedures on retention and access to evidence and records relating to sexual misconduct and other misconduct.
Sec. 503. Consideration of request for transfer of a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy who is the victim of a sexual assault or related offense.
Sec. 504. Designation of officers with particular expertise in military justice or healthcare.
Sec. 505. Safe-to-Report policy for Coast Guard.
Sec. 506. Modification of reporting requirements on covered misconduct in Coast Guard.
Sec. 507. Modifications to the officer involuntary separation process.
Sec. 508. Review of discharge characterization.
Sec. 509. Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial.
Sec. 510. Definition of covered misconduct.
Sec. 511. Notification of changes to Uniform Code of Military Justice or Manual for Courts Martial relating to covered misconduct.
Sec. 512. Complaints of retaliation by victims of sexual assault or sexual harassment and related persons.
Sec. 513. Development of policies on military protective orders.
Sec. 514. Coast Guard implementation of independent review commission recommendations on addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military.
Sec. 515. Policy relating to care and support of victims of covered misconduct.
Sec. 516. Establishment of special victim capabilities to respond to allegations of certain special victim offenses.
Sec. 517. Members asserting post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual assault, or traumatic brain injury.
Sec. 518. Participation in CATCH a Serial Offender program.
Sec. 519. Accountability and transparency relating to allegations of misconduct against senior leaders.
Sec. 520. Confidential reporting of sexual harassment.
Sec. 521. Report on policy on whistleblower protections.
Sec. 522. Review and modification of Coast Guard Academy policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Sec. 523. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Academy access to defense sexual assault incident database.
Sec. 524. Director of Coast Guard Investigative Service.
Sec. 525. Modifications and revisions relating to reopening retired grade determinations.
Sec. 526. Inclusion and command review of information on covered misconduct in personnel service records.
Sec. 527. Flag officer review of, and concurrence in, separation of members who have reported sexual misconduct.
Sec. 528. Expedited transfer in cases of sexual misconduct or domestic violence.
Sec. 529. Access to temporary separation program for victims of alleged sex-related offenses.
Sec. 530. Policy and program to expand prevention of sexual misconduct.
Sec. 531. Continuous vetting of security clearances.
Sec. 532. Training and education programs for covered misconduct prevention and response.
Sec. 601. Comptroller General report on Coast Guard research, development, and innovation program.
Sec. 602. Comptroller General review of quality and availability of Coast Guard behavioral health care and resources for personnel wellness.
Sec. 603. Comptroller General study on Coast Guard efforts to reduce prevalence of missing or incomplete medical records and sharing of medical data with Department of Veterans Affairs and other entities.
Sec. 604. Comptroller General study on Coast Guard training facility infrastructure.
Sec. 605. Comptroller General study on Coast Guard basic allowance for housing.
Sec. 606. Comptroller General report on safety and security infrastructure at Coast Guard Academy.
Sec. 607. Comptroller General study and report on permanent change of station process.
Sec. 701. Amendments.
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 the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking “fiscal years 2022 and 2023” and inserting “fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029”;
(2) in paragraph (1)—
(5) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
“(4) For retired pay, including the payment of obligations otherwise chargeable to lapsed appropriations for purposes of retired pay, payments under the Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection and Survivor Benefits Plans, payment for career status bonuses, payment of continuation pay under section 356 of title 37, concurrent receipts, combat-related special compensation, and payments for medical care of retired personnel and their dependents under chapter 55 of title 10—
(a) In general.—Section 4904 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a) by striking “44,500 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023” and inserting “50,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026, 55,000 for fiscal year 2027, and 60,000 for each of fiscal years 2028 and 2029”; and
(2) in subsection (b)—
(B) in paragraph (1) by striking “2,500 student years” and inserting “4,000 student years for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029”;
(C) in paragraph (2) by striking “165 student years” and inserting “250 student years for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029”;
(b) Reporting requirement.—In any fiscal year in which the submission required under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, does not include a proportional increase in the Operations and Support funding under section 4902(1)(A) of title 14, United States Code, to support the end strengths authorized under the amendments made by subsection (a)—
(1) the end strengths shall not exceed the levels authorized in fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2023; and
(2) the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the plan of the Coast Guard to achieve growth in the Coast Guard’s military strength to 60,000, which shall include—
(a) In general.—Section 5102 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
“(c) Briefing.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Commandant fails to submit the report required under this section, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the steps being taken to produce the report not less than once every 30 days until the required report is produced.
(b) Report.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the status of shore infrastructure required to homeport or station all surface and aviation assets to be delivered as part of Level 1 or Level 2 acquisitions that have entered the obtain phase as authorized under section 1132(b) of title 14, United States Code.
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) a description of the current homeports and stations to which of Coast Guard cutters and aircraft are assigned;
(B) a description of cutters or aircrafts that are able to be located by the homeport or station to which they are assigned;
(C) the current number of aircraft and cutters planned for the program of record of the Coast Guard;
(D) a description of cutter and aircraft which are scheduled to be decommissioned or put in special commission status; and
(c) Initial report.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall issue a report detailing the progress of all approved Coast Guard cutter homeporting projects within the Coast Guard Arctic District with respect to each of the following:
(C) The USCGC Storis procured pursuant to section 11223 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 561 note).
(d) Subsequent reports.—Not later than July 1 of the first calendar year after the year in which the report required under subsection (c)(1) is submitted, and each July 1 thereafter until July 2, 2031, or the date on which all projects described in subsection (c)(1) are completed, the Commandant shall issue an updated report, with respect to each Coast Guard cutter homeporting project described in subsection (b)(1) (including any such project approved on a date after the date of enactment of this Act and before the submission of the applicable report), containing each element described in subsection (b)(2).
(c) Report on capacity of coast guard base ketchikan.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall complete a report detailing the cost of and time frame for expanding the industrial capacity of Coast Guard Base Ketchikan to do out of water repairs on Fast Response Cutters.
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the report required under paragraph (1).
(d) Public availability.—The Commandant shall publish each report issued under this section on a publicly accessible website of the Coast Guard.
(a) In general.—Section 5103 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a) by striking “major acquisition programs” and inserting “Level 1 acquisitions or Level 2 acquisitions”;
(a) In general.—Section 5107 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Ҥ 5107. Quarterly acquisition reports and major acquisition program risk assessment
“(a) In general.—Not later than 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a briefing on all Level 1 and Level 2 acquisition programs, as such terms are defined in section 1171.
“(b) Additional briefing.—Not later than 1 week before taking procurement actions that will significantly impact the costs or timelines of a Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition program, the Commandant shall brief the committees described in subsection (a).
“(c) Elements.—Each briefing required under subsection (a) or (b) shall include, for each program—
“(2) the total number of units, as appropriate, to be acquired annually until procurement is complete under the current acquisition program baseline;
“(4) a comparison between the initial Department-approved acquisition program baseline cost, schedule, and performance thresholds and objectives and the current such thresholds and objectives of the program, if applicable;
“(5) the lifecycle cost estimate, adjusted for comparison to the Future Coast Guard Program, including—
“(6) a summary of the findings of any independent verification and validation of the items to be acquired or an explanation for why no such verification and validation has been performed;
“(7) a table displaying the obligation of all program funds by prior fiscal year, the estimated obligation of funds for the current fiscal year, and an estimate for the planned carryover of funds into the subsequent fiscal year;
“(9) narrative descriptions of risks to cost, schedule, or performance that could result in a program breach if not successfully mitigated, including—
“(B) any failure of such program to demonstrate a key performance parameter or threshold during operational test and evaluation conducted during the previous fiscal year;
“(C) whether there has been any decision in such fiscal year to order full-rate production before all key performance parameters or thresholds are met;
“(d) Memorandum deadline.—Not later than 5 business days after the date on which the Secretary approves an Acquisition Decision Memorandum for programs described in this section, the Commandant shall submit such memorandum to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.”.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 5107 and inserting the following:
“5107. Quarterly acquisition reports and major acquisition program risk assessment.”.
(a) In general.—Chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 5116. Status of overdue reports
“(a) In general.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this section, and not later than March 1 of each year thereafter, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the status of reports or briefings required under this chapter that have not been delivered to Congress.
“(b) Contents.—The report required under section (a) shall contain the following:
“(1) The status of each required report or briefing that has not been delivered to Congress, including the date the report or briefing is due, and if applicable, the number of days the Coast Guard has exceeded the required completion date.
“(c) Briefing.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Commandant fails to submit the report required under this section, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the steps being taken to produce the report not less than once every 30 days until the required report is produced.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“5116. Status of overdue reports.”.
(a) In general.—Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the status of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Government Accountability Office titled “Aircraft Fleet and Aviation Workforce Assessments Needed,” and issued April 9, 2024 (GAO–24–106374).
(b) Contents.—The report required under section (a) shall contain the following:
(1) An assessment of the type of helicopters the Coast Guard requires to meet the mission demands of the Coast Guard.
(c) Limitation of aircraft expenses.—No funds authorized to be appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of title 14, United States Code (as added by section 101(3)(A)), may be obligated or expended in fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for the procurement or modernization of helicopters until the Commandant submits the report required under this section.
(d) Minimum rotary wing fleet.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall maintain an operational, geographically dispersed rotary wing fleet of not less than 140 aircraft for the purpose of meeting minimum operational capabilities until the Commandant submits the report required under this section.
(2) REPORT.—In the event the operational rotary wing fleet of the Coast Guard falls below the requirements of this subsection, the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a notification not later than 5 business days after the inability of the Commandant to meet the requirement.
(a) In general.—The Commandant may not expend or obligate funds—
(1) appropriated pursuant to Public Law 119–21 during any fiscal year in which the Commandant is not compliant with sections 5102 and 5103 (excluding section 5103(e)) of title 14, United States Code; and
(2) that are provided in Public Law 119–21 until the Commandant provides the report required under section 11217 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263) to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(b) Notification requirement.—Not less than 1 week before taking any procurement action impacting estimated costs or timelines for acquisitions or procurements appropriated pursuant to Public Law 119–21, the Commandant shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of such action.
(c) Expenditure plan.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of Public Law 119–21, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a detailed expenditure plan, including projected project time lines for each acquisition and procurement appropriated under such Act and a list of project locations to be funded under such Act.
(d) Exception.—If the President authorizes an exception under section 1151(b) of title 14, United States Code, for any Coast Guard vessel, or the hull or superstructure of such vessel for which funds are appropriated under Public Law 119–21, no such funds shall be obligated until the President submits to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written explanation of the circumstances requiring such an exception in the national security interest, including—
(e) Certifications and classification.—Notwithstanding Public Law 119–21, the Commandant shall ensure any cutters or aircraft procured with appropriations made available by such Act meet the requirements of section 1133(c) of title 14, United States Code.
(a) Report.—
(1) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant and the Chief of Naval Operations shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the status of acquisition of Polar Security Cutters.
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) a detailed timeline for the acquisition process of Polar Security Cutters, including expected milestones and a projected commissioning date for the first 3 Polar Security Cutters;
(B) an accounting of the previously appropriated funds spent to date on the Polar Security Cutter Program, updated cost projections for Polar Security Cutters, and projections for when additional funds will be required;
(b) Briefings.—
(1) PROVISION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days after the submission of the report under subsection (a), and not less frequently than every 90 days thereafter, the Commandant and the Chief of Naval Operations shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing on the status of the Polar Security Cutter acquisition process until Polar Security Cutter 2 achieves full operational capability.
(2) TIMELINE.—The briefings under paragraph (1) shall occur after any key milestone in the Polar Security Cutter acquisition process, but not less frequently than every 90 days.
(c) Notifications.—In addition to the briefings required under subsection (b), the Commandant and the Chief of Naval Operations shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives within 3 business days of any significant change to the scope or funding level of the Polar Security Cutter acquisition strategy of such change.
(a) In general.—Chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 5116. Annual plan for Coast Guard operations in the Pacific
“(a) In general.—Not later than December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in consultation with the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for Coast Guard operations in the Pacific region for the year after the year during which the plan is submitted. Such plan shall include, for the year covered by the plan, each of the following elements:
“(1) A list of objectives for Coast Guard engagement in the Pacific region in support of Department of State and Department of Defense missions.
“(2) An assessment of the capabilities of the Coast Guard to support Department of State and Department of Defense missions in the Pacific region.
“(3) A list of any areas in the Pacific region where an increased Coast Guard presence would better support Department of State and Department of Defense missions.
“(4) The projected demand for Coast Guard engagement in the Pacific region from the Department of State and the Department of Defense for the year covered by the plan and the subsequent 10 years.
“(5) An assessment of whether the Coast Guard will be able to meet such projected demand for the year covered by the plan, including—
“(A) a list of any factors limiting the ability of the Coast Guard to meet such projected demand; and
“(B) an analysis of the location from which any Coast Guard assets used to carry out missions in the Pacific, in addition to assets available in the year prior to the year in which the plan is submitted, will be transferred and any associated gaps in Coast Guard mission coverage any such transfers will create.
“(b) Form.—Each plan under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
“(c) Briefing required.—Not later than February 15, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Commandant shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a briefing on the annual plan required under subsection (a) submitted during the preceding year.
Ҥ 5117. Annual budget display for Coast Guard operations in the Pacific
“(a) In general.—Not later than February 15, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed budget display for Coast Guard operations in the Pacific region for the fiscal year after the fiscal year during which the budget display is submitted. The Commandant shall base such budget display on the projected demand for Coast Guard engagement in the Pacific region as identified in the most recent annual plan developed under section 5116 of this title. Such budget display shall include, for the year covered by the budget display, the following information:
“(1) With respect to procurement accounts, amounts displayed by account, budget activity, line number, line item, and line item title.
“(2) With respect to research, development, test, and evaluation accounts, amounts displayed by account, budget activity, line number, program element, and program element title.
“(b) Form.—Each display under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“5116. Annual plan for Coast Guard operations in the Pacific.
“5117. Annual budget display for Coast Guard operations in the Pacific.”.
(b) Transfer.—Section 888(a) of Public Law 107–296 is transferred to appear after section 101 of title 14, United States Code, redesignated as section 102, and amended to read as follows:
“(a) In general.—The Coast Guard shall administer laws, promulgate and enforce regulations, and engage in operations and activities, with due regard to the requirements of national defense, in support of the following:
“(1) NON-HOMELAND SECURITY MISSIONS.—
“(A) MARINE SAFETY.—Engage in oceanographic research, ensure the safe operation of and facilitate the economical movement of goods through the Marine Transportation System, and develop, establish, maintain, and operate rescue facilities for the promotion of safety on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and protect the lives and safety of those on the sea.
“(B) SEARCH AND RESCUE.—Respond to maritime disasters, natural or man-made, and render aid to people in distress to protect the lives and promote the safety of life and property on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, covering all matters not specifically delegated by law to some other executive department.
“(C) AIDS TO NAVIGATION.—Develop, establish, maintain and operate aids to maritime navigation to promote the safe operation of the Marine Transportation System, pursuant to subchapter III of chapter 5, on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
“(D) LIVING MARINE RESOURCES (FISHERIES LAW ENFORCEMENT).—Safeguard fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, from unlawful acts and environmental degradation under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
“(2) HOMELAND SECURITY MISSIONS.—
“(A) PORTS, WATERWAYS AND COASTAL SECURITY.—Conduct maritime recovery operations in the aftermath of incidents of national significance to ensure the continuity of commerce and critical port and waterway functions, protect the United States maritime domain and the Marine Transportation System, and deny the use and exploitation of the maritime domain as a means for attacks on United States territory, population, vessels, and critical infrastructure.
“(B) DRUG INTERDICTION.—Engage in maritime air surveillance or maritime interdiction to enforce or assist in the enforcement of laws of the United States regarding controlled substances on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
“(C) MIGRANT INTERDICTION.—Engage in maritime air surveillance or maritime interdiction of the maritime border and approaches to enforce or assist in the enforcement of laws of the United States, including the immigration laws of the United States on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
“(D) DEFENSE READINESS.—Defend United States national interests in the maritime domain against hostile acts through military action, and maintain a state of readiness to assist in the defense of the United States, including when functioning as a specialized service in the Navy pursuant to section 103.
(c) Section 888.—Section 888 of Public Law 107–296 is amended—
(1) in subsection (d)—
(A) by striking “No mission” and inserting “No primary duty described in section 102 of title 14, United States Code,”;
(2) in subsection (e) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
(d) Technical amendments.—
(1) MEMBERS ASSERTING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER OR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.—Section 2516 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(2) CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF COAST GUARD FOR COMBAT-RELATED SPECIAL COMPENSATION.—Section 221 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016 (10 U.S.C. 1413a note) is amended by striking “section 888(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(a))” and inserting “section 102 of title 14, United States Code”.
(e) Plan.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Prior to the President implementing section 201 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, and appointing a Secretary of the Coast Guard, the Commandant, in coordination with the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, shall—
(2) CONTENTS.—The plan required under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) a complete organizational chart, to include the creation of the Office of the Secretary of the Coast Guard and the directorates that report to the Commandant of the Coast Guard;
(C) a description of the offices and policies which each new position would be responsible for and how those offices would interact with the offices of the Commandant;
(f) Review of plan.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall provide the plan developed in subsection (e) to the Comptroller General of the United States.
(2) REPORT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the transmission of the plan prepared under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall review such plan and provide recommendations to the Commandant in a report.
(B) CONTENTS.—The report shall include—
(i) a compilation of the responsibilities and duties assigned to the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, and potential responsibilities and duties that can be moved to the Secretary of the Coast Guard;
(ii) a detailed list of all responsibilities and duties assigned to the Commandant and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, and how those duties overlap or remain distinct;
(iii) a detailed analysis of the responsibilities in clause (i) that should be reassigned or delegated to the Secretary of the Coast Guard and the Commandant of the Coast Guard;
(iv) a detailed analysis of the proper separation and oversight of duties in the chain of command between the Secretary, the Secretary of the Coast Guard, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard;
(v) an analysis of the feasibility of the reorganization of the service in order to preserve the integrity of the military chain of command;
(3) SUBMISSION.—The Comptroller General shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the report developed pursuant to paragraph (2).
(4) RESPONSES.—In addition to the plan and report, the Commandant shall provide responses to the recommendations in the report under paragraph (2) to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate to include—
(g) Secretary of the Coast Guard.—Subtitle I of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(3) by inserting after section 107, as so redesignated, the following:
“201. Secretary of the Coast Guard.
“(a) Secretary of the Coast Guard.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—There is a Secretary of the Coast Guard, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
“(2) NOT OPERATING AS A SERVICE IN THE NAVY.—Subject to section 103(c) of Public Law 107–296 and when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy, the Secretary of the Coast Guard shall report directly to the Secretary without being required to report through any other official of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. The Secretary of the Coast Guard shall not be required to report to any other position in the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, military or civilian, including any other under secretaries, or assistant secretaries.
“(b) Powers.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Coast Guard shall exercise the powers of the Secretary in this title, except as may be reserved by the Secretary and reserved for the Commandant pursuant to sections 504 and 505.
“(2) AUTHORITY.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Coast Guard is responsible for and has the authority necessary to conduct all affairs of the Coast Guard.
“(B) AUTHORITIES AND FUNCTIONS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authorities and functions prescribed in paragraphs (2) through (5) of section 701(a) of Public Law 107–296 as such authorities and functions pertain to the Coast Guard shall be reserved for the Secretary of the Coast Guard.
“(3) RESPONSIBILITIES.—Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Coast Guard is also responsible to the Secretary for—
“(B) the formulation of policies and programs by the Coast Guard that are fully consistent with national security objectives and policies established by the President or the Secretary;
“(C) the effective and timely implementation of policy, program, and budget decisions and instructions of the President or the Secretary relating to the functions of the Coast Guard;
“(D) carrying out the functions of the Coast Guard so as to fulfill the current and future operational requirements of the unified and specified combatant commands;
“(E) effective cooperation and coordination between the Coast Guard and the other military departments and agencies of the Department of Defense with regards to defense readiness missions to provide for more effective, efficient, and economical administration and to eliminate duplication;
“(4) RECOMMENDATIONS.—After first informing the Secretary, the Secretary of the Coast Guard may make such recommendations to appropriate congressional committees, as defined in section 1171, as the Secretary of the Coast Guard considers appropriate.
“(5) ASSIGNMENT OF FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES.—
“(A) DELEGATION.—
“(B) SECRETARY OF THE COAST GUARD’S STAFF.—The Secretary of the Coast Guard’s staff shall be limited in the roles and responsibilities of such staff to the execution of the powers vested in the Secretary of the Coast Guard. The size of the Secretary of the Coast Guard’s staff may not exceed the size necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the office of the Secretary of the Coast Guard.
“(6) ADDITIONAL POWERS.—The Secretary of the Coast Guard may—
“(c) Limitations.—No officer serving in an appointment described in subsections (a) through (e) of section 103 of Public Law 107–296 may perform the duties of the Secretary of the Coast Guard.
“(d) Commandant reporting.—The Commandant shall report directly to the Secretary of the Coast Guard. The Commandant shall not be required to report to any other position in the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, military or civilian, including under secretaries, or assistant secretaries.”.
(h) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 1 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(i) Clarifying amendment.—Section 505 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “Secretary” and inserting “Secretary of the Coast Guard”.
(j) Public Law 107–296.—Public Law 107–296 is amended—
(1) in section 103—
(A) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
“(c) Secretary of the Coast Guard.—When the Coast Guard is operating as a service within the Department of Homeland Security, to assist the Secretary in the performance of the Secretary's functions, there is a Secretary of the Coast Guard who shall be appointed as provided in section 201 of title 14, United States Code, and who shall report directly to the Secretary.”; and
(k) Chief prosecutor of the Coast Guard; Inspector General of the Coast Guard.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 324. Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard
“(a) In general.—There shall be in the Coast Guard a Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard selected by the Commandant under policies established by the Secretary and who meets the qualifications set forth in subsection (b).
“(b) Qualifications.—The Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard shall be a commissioned officer of the Coast Guard who—
“(c) Duties and authorities.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard shall carry out the duties under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice) and shall perform the duties assigned as determined by the Secretary and consistent with the policy, regulations, or other guidance promulgated under section 824a of title 10 (article 24a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).
“(2) DETERMINATION OF COVERED OFFENSE; RELATED CHARGES.—
“(A) AUTHORITY.—The Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard shall have exclusive authority to determine whether a reported offense is a covered offense and shall exercise authority over any such offense in accordance with chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice). Any determination to prefer or refer charges shall not act to disqualify the Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard as an accuser.
“(B) KNOWN AND RELATED OFFENSES.—If the Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard determines that a reported offense is a covered offense, the Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard may also exercise authority over any offense that the special trial counsel determines to be related to the covered offense and any other offense alleged to have been committed by a person alleged to have committed the covered offense.
“(3) DISMISSAL; REFERRAL; PLEA BARGAINS.—Subject to paragraph (5), with respect to charges and specifications alleging any offense over which the Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard exercises authority, the Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard shall have exclusive authority to, in accordance with this chapter and with chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice)—
“(4) BINDING DETERMINATION.—The determination of the Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard to refer charges and specifications to a court-martial for trial shall be binding on any applicable convening authority for the referral of such charges and specifications.
“(5) DEFERRAL TO COMMANDER OR CONVENING AUTHORITY.—If the Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard exercises authority over an offense and elects not to prefer charges and specifications for such offense or, with respect to charges and specifications for such offense preferred by a person other than the Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard, elects not to refer such charges and specifications, a commander or convening authority may exercise any of the authorities of such commander or convening authority under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice), with respect to such offense, except that such commander or convening authority may not refer charges and specifications for a covered offense for trial by special or general court-martial.
Ҥ 325. Office of the Inspector General of the Coast Guard
“(a) In general.—There is in the Office of the Secretary of the Coast Guard an Inspector General of the Coast Guard, who shall be detailed to such position by the Secretary. The Inspector General of the Coast Guard shall be detailed from officers on the active-duty list in the line of the Coast Guard serving in grades above captain. An officer may not be detailed to such position for a tour of duty of more than 4 years, except that the Secretary of the Coast Guard may extend such a tour of duty if the Secretary of the Coast Guard makes a special finding that the extension is necessary and in the public interest.
“(b) Duties.—When directed by the Secretary of the Coast Guard or the Commandant, the Inspector General shall inquire into and report upon any matter that affects the discipline, military efficiency, or economy of the Coast Guard.
“(c) Recommendations.—The Inspector General shall periodically propose programs of inspections to the Secretary of the Coast Guard and shall recommend additional inspections and investigations as may appear appropriate.
“(d) Cooperation.—The Inspector General shall cooperate fully with the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security in connection with the performance of any duty or function by the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security under section 103 of Public Law 107–296 regarding the Coast Guard.
“(e) Duties.—In addition to the responsibilities described in paragraph (2), the Inspector General shall periodically propose programs of inspections to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary of the Coast Guard, and the appropriate committees of Congress and shall recommend additional inspections and investigations as may appear appropriate.”.
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“324. Chief Prosecutor of the Coast Guard.
“325. Office of the Inspector General of the Coast Guard. ”.
Section 302 of title 14, United States Code, is amended in the first sentence by striking “further periods of four years” and inserting “one further period of four years”.
(a) Reorganization.—Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by redesignating sections 312 through 325 as sections 313 through 326, respectively.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by redesignating the items relating to sections 312 through 325 as relating to sections 313 through 326, respectively.
(c) Special Advisor to Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs.—Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after section 311 the following:
Ҥ 312. Special Advisor to Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs
“(a) In general.—In accordance with Federal trust responsibilities and treaty obligations, laws, and policies relevant to Indian Tribes and in support of the principles of self-determination, self-governance, and co-management with respect to Indian Tribes, and to support engagement with Native Hawaiians, there shall be in the Coast Guard a Special Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs (in this section referred to as the ‘Special Advisor’), who shall—
“(2) have expertise in Federal Indian law and policy, including government-to-government consultation;
“(b) Career reserved position.—The position of Special Advisor shall be a career reserved position at the GS–15 level or greater.
“(c) Duties.—The Special Advisor shall—
“(1) ensure the Federal government upholds the Federal trust responsibility and conducts consistent, meaningful, and timely government-to-government consultation and engagement with Indian Tribes, which shall meet or exceed the standards of the Federal Government and the Coast Guard;
“(3) advise the Commandant on all policies of the Coast Guard that have Tribal implications in accordance with applicable law and policy, including Executive Orders;
“(4) work to ensure that the policies of the Federal Government regarding consultation and engagement with Indian Tribes and engagement with Native Hawaiian organizations and Tribal organizations are implemented in a meaningful manner, working through Coast Guard leadership and across the Coast Guard, together with—
“(d) Direct access to Secretary and Commandant.—No officer or employee of the Coast Guard or the Department of Homeland Security may interfere with the ability of the Special Advisor to give direct and independent advice to the Secretary and the Commandant on matters related to this section.
“(e) Definitions.—In this section:
“(1) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian Tribe’ has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
“(2) NATIVE HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘Native Hawaiian organization’ has the meaning given such term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
“(3) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘Tribal organization’ has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).”.
(d) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 311 the following:
“312. Special Advisor to Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs.”.
(e) Briefings.—
(1) INITIAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the manner in which the Special Advisor for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs will be incorporated into the governance structure of the Coast Guard, including a timeline for the incorporation that is completed not later than 1 year after date of enactment of this Act.
(2) ANNUAL BRIEFINGS ON SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE COMMANDANT TO TRIBAL AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the establishment of the position of the Special Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs under section 313 of title 14, United States Code, and annually thereafter for 2 years, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with a briefing on the duties, responsibilities, and actions of the Special Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs, including management of best practices.
(3) BRIEFING ON COLLABORATION WITH TRIBES ON RESEARCH CONSISTENT WITH COAST GUARD MISSION REQUIREMENTS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with a briefing on potential collaborations on and research and use of indigenous place-based knowledge and research.
(B) ELEMENT.—In providing the briefing under subparagraph (A), the Commandant shall identify current and potential future opportunities to improve coordination with Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal organizations to support—
(4) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection:
(A) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(B) NATIVE HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATION.—The term “Native Hawaiian organization” has the meaning given such term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
(C) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term “Tribal organization” has the meaning given the such in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(f) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this section, or an amendment made by this section, shall be construed to impact—
(1) the right of any Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304); or
(g) Conforming amendments.—
(1) Section 11237 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263) is amended—
(2) Section 807(a) of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–282) is amended by striking “section 313 of title 14” and inserting “section 314 of title 14”.
(3) Section 3533(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31) is amended by striking “section 315 of title 14” and inserting “section 316 of title 14”.
(4) Section 311(j)(9)(D) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(9)(D)) is amended by striking “section 323 of title 14” each place it appears and inserting “section 324 of title 14” each such place.
(a) In general.—Section 316 of title 14, United States Code, as so redesignated, is amended to read as follows:
Ҥ 316. Training courses on workings of Congress
“(a) In general.—
“(1) TRAINING COURSE.—The Commandant, and such other individuals and organizations as the Commandant considers appropriate, shall develop a training course on the workings of Congress and offer such training course at least once each year.
“(2) COURSE SUBJECT MATTER.—The training course required by this section shall provide an overview and introduction to Congress and the Federal legislative process, including—
“(A) the history and structure of Congress and the committee systems of the House of Representatives and the Senate, including the functions and responsibilities of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
“(B) the documents produced by Congress, including bills, resolutions, committee reports, and conference reports, and the purposes and functions of such documents;
“(3) LECTURERS AND PANELISTS.—
“(A) OUTSIDE EXPERTS.—The Commandant shall ensure that not less than 60 percent of the lecturers, panelists, and other individuals providing education and instruction as part of the training course required under this section are experts on Congress and the Federal legislative process who are not employed by the executive branch of the Federal Government.
“(4) EFFECT OF LAW.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The training required by this section shall replace the substantially similar training that was required by the Commandant on the day before the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025.
“(B) PREVIOUS TRAINING RECIPIENTS.—A Coast Guard flag officer or a Coast Guard Senior Executive Service employee who, not more than 3 years before the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, completed the training that was required by the Commandant on the day before such date of enactment, shall not be required to complete the training required by this section.
“(b) Training for congressional affairs personnel.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall develop a training course, which shall be administered in person, on the workings of Congress for any member of the Coast Guard selected for a position as a fellow, liaison, counsel, or administrative staff for the Coast Guard Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs or as any Coast Guard district or area governmental affairs officer.
“(2) COURSE SUBJECT MATTER.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The training course required under this section shall provide an overview and introduction to Congress and the Federal legislative process, including—
“(vii) the concept and underlying purposes of congressional oversight within the governance framework of separation of powers;
“(viii) the roles of Coast Guard fellows, liaisons, counsels, governmental affairs officers, the Coast Guard Office of Program Review, the Coast Guard Headquarters program offices, and any other entity the Commandant considers relevant; and
“(ix) the roles and responsibilities of Coast Guard public affairs and external communications personnel with respect to Members of Congress and the staff of such Members necessary to enhance communication between Coast Guard units, sectors, and districts and Member offices and committees of jurisdiction so as to ensure visibility of Coast Guard activities.
“(3) DETAIL WITHIN COAST GUARD OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAMS.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—At the written request of a receiving congressional office, the training course required under this section shall include a multi-day detail within the Coast Guard Office of Budget and Programs to ensure adequate exposure to Coast Guard policy, oversight, and requests from Congress.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 316 and inserting the following:
“316. Training courses on workings of Congress.”.
Section 317 of title 14, United States Code, as so redesignated, is amended—
(1) in subsection (b)—
Section 504 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(2) by adding at the end the following:
“(g) Additional provisions.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—Amounts received under subsection (a)(13) shall be—
“(2) CONSIDERATION.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a person or entity entering into a contractual agreement under this section shall provide consideration for the contractual agreement at fair market value, as determined by the Commandant.
“(B) EXCEPTION.—In the case of a contractual agreement under this section between the Coast Guard and any other Federal department or agency, the Federal department or agency concerned shall provide consideration for the contractual agreement that is equal to the full cost borne by the Coast Guard in connection with completing such contractual agreement.
“(C) FORMS.—Consideration under this subsection may take any of the following forms:
“(ii) The maintenance, construction, modification, or improvement of existing or new facilities on real property under the jurisdiction of the Commandant.
“(3) SUNSET.—The authority under paragraph (13) of subsection (a) shall expire on December 31, 2029. The expiration under this paragraph of authority under paragraph (13) of subsection (a) shall not affect the validity or term of contractual agreements under such paragraph or the retention by the Commandant of proceeds from such agreements entered into under such subsection before the expiration of the authority.”.
(a) In general.—Section 11269 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263) is—
(1) transferred to appear at the end of subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code;
(3) amended—
(D) by adding at the end the following:
“(b) Contents.—In making information about interdictions publicly available under subsection (a), the Commandant shall include a description of the following:
“(c) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this provision shall be construed to require the Coast Guard to collect the information described in subsection (b), and nothing in this provision shall be construed to require the Commandant to publicly release confidential, classified, law enforcement sensitive, or otherwise protected information.”.
(b) Clerical amendments.—
(1) TITLE 14.—The analysis for chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 528 the following:
“529. Public availability of information on monthly drug and migrant interdictions.”.
(2) JAMES M. INHOFE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023.—The table of contents for the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263) is amended by striking the item relating to section 11269.
(3) DON YOUNG COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2022.—The table of contents for the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (division K of Public Law 117–263) is amended by striking the item relating to section 11269.
Section 546 of title 14, United States Code, is amended in the second sentence by inserting “and the amounts collected shall be available until expended” after “special deposit account”.
(a) In general.—Subchapter IV of chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 565. Uniform funding and management of morale, well-being, and recreation programs and Coast Guard Exchange
“(a) Authority for uniform funding and management.—Under policies issued by the Commandant, funds appropriated to the Coast Guard and available for morale, well-being, and recreation programs and the Coast Guard Exchange may be treated as nonappropriated funds and expended in accordance with laws applicable to the expenditure of nonappropriated funds. When made available for morale, well-being, and recreation programs and the Coast Guard Exchange under such policies, appropriated funds shall be considered to be nonappropriated funds for all purposes and shall remain available until expended.
“(b) Conditions on availability.—Funds appropriated to the Coast Guard and subject to a policy described in subsection (a) shall only be available in amounts that are determined by the Commandant to be consistent with—
“(c) Updated policy.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall update the policies described in subsection (a) consistent with this section.
“(d) Briefing.—Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Commandant issues the updated policies required under subsection (c), the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on such policies.”.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“565. Uniform funding and management of morale, well-being, and recreation programs and Coast Guard Exchange.”.
(a) In general.—Chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 722. Cooperation with eligible entities
“(a) Definitions.—In this section:
“(1) COAST GUARD INSTALLATION.—The term ‘Coast Guard installation’ means a base, unit, station, yard, other property under the jurisdiction of the Commandant or, in the case of property in a foreign country, under the operational control of the Coast Guard, without regard to the duration of operational control.
“(2) CULTURAL RESOURCE.—The term ‘cultural resource’ means any of the following:
“(A) A building, structure, site, district, or object eligible for or included in the National Register of Historic Places maintained under section 302101 of title 54.
“(B) Cultural items, as that term is defined in section 2(3) of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001(3)).
“(C) An archaeological resource, as that term is defined in section 3(1) of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470bb(1))).
“(D) An archaeological artifact collection and associated records covered by part 79 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations.
“(E) A sacred site, as that term is defined in section 1(b) of Executive Order No. 13007 (42 U.S.C. 1996 note; relating to Indian sacred sites).
“(4) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian Tribe’ has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
“(5) NATIVE HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘Native Hawaiian organization’ has the meaning given such term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
“(6) NATURAL RESOURCE.—The term ‘natural resource’ means land, fish, wildlife, biota, air, water, ground water, drinking water supplies, and other such resources belonging to, managed by, held in trust by, appertaining to, or otherwise controlled by the United States (including the resources of the waters of the United States), any State or local government, any Indian Tribe, any Native Hawaiian organization, or any member of an Indian Tribe, if such resources are subject to a trust restriction on alienation and have been categorized into one of the following groups:
“(7) STATE.—The term ‘State’ includes each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories and possessions of the United States.
“(8) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘Tribal organization’ has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
“(b) Cooperative agreements for management of cultural resources.—
“(1) AUTHORITY.—The Commandant may enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity (or in the case that the eligible entity is a Federal department or agency, an interagency agreement)—
“(2) AUTHORIZED NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES SITES.—To be covered by a cooperative agreement under paragraph (1), the relevant natural resources or cultural resources shall be located—
“(B) on a site outside of a Coast Guard installation, but only if the cooperative agreement will directly relieve or eliminate current or anticipated restrictions that would or might restrict, impede, or otherwise interfere, either directly or indirectly, with current or anticipated Coast Guard training, testing, maintenance, or operations on a Coast Guard installation.
“(3) APPLICATION OF OTHER LAWS.—Section 1535 and chapter 63 of title 31 shall not apply to an agreement entered into under paragraph (1).
“(c) Agreements and considerations.—
“(1) AGREEMENTS AUTHORIZED.—The Commandant may enter into an agreement with an eligible entity, and may enter into an interagency agreement with the head of another Federal department or agency, to address the use or development of property in the vicinity of, or ecologically related to, a Coast Guard installation for purposes of—
“(A) limiting any development or use of such property that would be incompatible with the mission of the Coast Guard installation;
“(D) maintaining and improving natural resources, or benefitting natural and historic research, on the Coast Guard installation;
“(F) providing a means to replace or repair property or cultural resources of an Indian Tribe or a Native Hawaiian organization if such property is damaged by Coast Guard personnel or operations, in consultation with the affected Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization; or
“(G) maintaining and improving natural resources located outside a Coast Guard installation, including property of an eligible entity, if the purpose of the agreement is to relieve or eliminate current or anticipated challenges that could restrict, impede, or otherwise interfere with, either directly or indirectly, current or anticipated Coast Guard activities.
“(2) INAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.—Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, an agreement under subsection (b)(1) that is a cooperative agreement and concerns a cultural resource or a natural resource may be used to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government.
“(d) (1) An agreement under subparagraph (b)(1) shall provide for—
“(A) the acquisition by an eligible entity or entities of all right, title, and interest in and to any real property, or any lesser interest in the property, as may be appropriate for purposes of this subsection; and
“(B) the sharing by the United States and an eligible entity or entities of the acquisition costs in accordance with paragraph (3).
“(2) Property or interests may not be acquired pursuant to an agreement under subsection (b)(1) unless the owner of the property or interests consents to the acquisition.
“(3) (A) An agreement with an eligible entity under subsection (b)(1) may provide for—
“(i) the management of natural resources on, and the monitoring and enforcement of any right, title, or interest in real property in which the Commandant acquires any right, title, or interest in accordance with this subsection; and
“(ii) for the payment by the United States of all or a portion of the costs of such management, monitoring, or enforcement if the Commandant determines that there is a demonstrated need to preserve or restore habitat for the purposes of subsection (b) or (c).
“(4) (A) In entering into an agreement under subsection (b)(1), the Commandant shall determine the appropriate portion of the acquisition costs to be borne by the United States in the sharing of acquisition costs of real property, or an interest in real property, as required under paragraph (1)(B).
“(B) In lieu of, or in addition to, making a monetary contribution toward the cost of acquiring a parcel of real property, or an interest therein, pursuant to an agreement under subsection (b)(1), the Commandant may convey real property in accordance with applicable law.
“(C) The portion of acquisition costs borne by the United States pursuant to subparagraph (A), either through the contribution of funds, excess real property, or both, may not exceed an amount equal to—
“(D) The contribution of an eligible entity to the acquisition costs of real property, or an interest in real property, under paragraph (1)(B) may include, with the approval of the Commandant, the following:
“(5) (A) In entering into an agreement under subsection (b)(1), each eligible entity that is a party to the agreement shall agree, as a term of the agreement, to transfer to the United States, upon request of the Commandant, all or a portion of the property or interest acquired under the agreement or a lesser interest therein, except no such requirement need be included in the agreement if—
“(i) the property or interest is being transferred to a State or another Federal agency, or the agreement requires the property or interest to be subsequently transferred to a State or another Federal agency; and
“(ii) the Commandant determines that the laws and regulations applicable to the future use of such property or interest provide adequate assurance that the property concerned will be developed and used in a manner appropriate for purposes of this subsection.
“(B) The Commandant shall limit a transfer request pursuant to subparagraph (A) to the minimum property or interests necessary to ensure that the property or interest concerned is developed and used in a manner appropriate for purposes of this subsection.
“(C) (i) Notwithstanding paragraph (A), If all or a portion of a property or interest acquired under an agreement under subsection (b)(1) is initially or subsequently transferred to a State or another Federal agency, before that State or other Federal agency may declare the property or interest in excess to its needs or propose to exchange the property or interest, the State or other Federal agency shall give the Commandant reasonable advance notice of its intent to so declare.
“(ii) Upon receiving such reasonable advance notice under clause (i), the Commandant may request, within a reasonable time period, that administrative jurisdiction over the property or interest be transferred to the Commandant, if the Commandant determines such transfer necessary for the preservation of the purposes of this subsection.
“(iii) Upon a request from the Commandant under clause (ii), the administrative jurisdiction over the property or interest be transferred to the Commandant at no cost.
“(iv) If the Commandant does not make a request under clause (ii) within a reasonable time period, all such rights of the Commandant to request transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the property or interest shall remain available to the Commandant with respect to future transfers or exchanges of the property or interest and shall bind all subsequent transferees.
“(D) The Commandant may accept, on behalf of the United States, any property or interest to be transferred to the United States under an agreement under subsection (b)(1).
“(E) For purposes of the acceptance of property or interests under an agreement under subsection (b)(1), the Commandant may accept an appraisal or title documents prepared or adopted by a non-Federal entity as satisfying the applicable requirements of section 301 of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4651) or section 3111 of title 40 if the Commandant finds that the appraisal or title documents substantially comply with the requirements of such sections and is reasonably accurate.
“(e) Minimal criteria for approval of agreements.—The Commandant may approve a cooperative agreement under subsection (b)(1) if the Commandant determines that—
“(f) Additional terms and conditions.—The Commandant may require such additional terms and conditions in an agreement under subsection (b)(1) as the Commandant considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States, in accordance with applicable Federal law.
“(g) Notification; availability of agreements to Congress.—
“(1) NOTIFICATION.—The Commandant shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation or the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate when the eligible entity is a Tribe, Tribal Organization or Native Hawaiian organization, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives in writing not later than the date that is 3 full business days prior to any day on which the Commandant intends to enter into an agreement under subsection (b)(1), and include in such notification the anticipated costs of carrying out the agreement, to the extent practicable.
“(2) AVAILABILITY OF AGREEMENTS.—A copy of an agreement entered into under subsection (b)(1) shall be provided to any member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation or the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives not later than 5 full business days after the date on which such request is submitted to the Commandant.
“(h) Consultation.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall consult with Indian Tribes to improve opportunities for Indian Tribe participation in the development and execution of Coast Guard oil spill response and prevention activities.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 721 the following:
“722. Cooperation with eligible entities.”.
(a) In general.—Chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after section 722 (as added by this Act) the following:
Ҥ 723. Cyber coordination in foreign territories
“(a) In general.—The Secretary, acting through the Commandant, may coordinate with a foreign entity to provide cyber prevention and response assistance related to the marine transportation systems and assets located outside the United States that have a nexus to the United States Marine Transportation System or illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
“(b) Types of support.—The Commandant may conduct cyber assessments, audits, inspections, operations, or other activities as provided under subsection (a).
“(c) Coordination.—The Secretary may provide support under subsections (a) and (b) after coordination with the Secretary of State.
Section 903(d)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “$1,500,000” and inserting “$4,000,000”.
Section 907 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(a) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop a location-specific tsunami preparedness plan for each property concerned.
(b) Requirements.—In developing each preparedness plan under subsection (a), the Commandant shall ensure that the plan—
(3) is included in the emergency action plan for each Coast Guard unit or sector located within the applicable tsunami inundation zone;
(6) includes—
(7) in the case of a property concerned that is at risk for a near-shore tsunami, is able to be completely executed within 15 minutes of detection of a seismic event, or if complete execution is not possible within 15 minutes, within a timeframe the Commandant considers reasonable to minimize the loss of life; and
(c) Consultation.—In developing each preparedness plan under subsection (a), the Commandant shall consult relevant State, Tribal, and local government entities, including emergency management officials.
(d) Briefing.—Not later than 14 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on each plan developed under subsection (a), including the status of implementation and feasibility of each such plan.
(e) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) PROPERTY CONCERNED.—The term “property concerned” means any real property owned, operated, or leased by the Coast Guard within a tsunami inundation zone.
Section 11221 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(e) Additional reports on status of use of facilities and helicopter basing.—Beginning with the first quarterly report required under subsection (a) submitted after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Secretary shall include in each such report—
“(1) the status of the use of recently renovated Coast Guard housing facilities, food preparation facilities, and maintenance and repair facilities on St. Paul Island, Alaska, including a projected date for full use and occupancy of such facilities in support of Coast Guard missions in the Bering Sea; and
Section 11223 of Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 561 note) is amended—
(1) in subsection (d)—
(B) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
“(4) MEMORANDA OF AGREEMENT.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant—
“(i) shall enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Under Secretary to allow the Under Secretary to use any vessel acquired under this section to conduct research, and facilitate science activities, data collection, and other procedures necessary to carry out the purposes described in subsection (c); and
“(ii) may enter into a memorandum of agreement with any other Federal, State, local government entity, institution of higher education, or research institution to use any vessel acquired under this section to conduct research to facilitate science activities, data collection, and other procedures necessary to allow such an entity or institution to carry out the purposes described in subsection (c).
(a) Inclusion of Coast Guard as Department of the Treasury law enforcement organization.—Section 9705 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking “the Department of the Treasury or the United States Coast Guard” and inserting “a Department of the Treasury law enforcement organization”;
(3) in subsection (a)(2)(H) by striking “the Department of the Treasury” and inserting “a Department of the Treasury law enforcement organization”;
(6) in subsection (h)(1) by striking “the Department of the Treasury” and inserting “a Department of the Treasury law enforcement organization”;
(7) in subsection (j)(1) by striking “the Department of the Treasury or the United States Coast Guard” and inserting “a Department of the Treasury law enforcement organization”;
(b) Elimination of separate funds for the coast guard.—Section 9705 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—
(c) Technical corrections.—Section 9705 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (f)(3)(C), as so redesignated, by striking “section 4(B) of 9703(g)” and inserting “paragraph (4)(B)”;
(2) in subsection (f)(4)(B), as so redesignated, by striking “for transfers pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) and”;
Section 1105 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(c) Lead systems integrator defined.—In this section, the term ‘lead systems integrator’ has the meaning given such term in section 805(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163).”.
(a) In general.—Subchapter II of chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 1139. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for acquisition and procurement
“In carrying out the acquisition and procurement of vessels and aircraft, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the Commandant, shall consider the life-cycle cost estimates of vessels and aircraft, as applicable, during the design and evaluation processes to the maximum extent practicable.
Ҥ 1140. Contracts that provide best value for taxpayer
“(a) In general.—In carrying out a Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition project or program under this subchapter, the Commandant shall publicly announce all construction, design, and engineering requirements and negotiate contracts for construction, design, and engineering services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualification for the type of professional services required and at fair and reasonable prices.
“(b) Selection procedure.—The following procedures shall apply to the procurement of Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition project or program under this subchapter:
“(1) STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATION AND PERFORMANCE.—The Commandant shall require prospective contractors to submit a statement of qualifications and performance data.
“(2) EVALUATION.—For each proposed project, the Commandant shall—
“(3) SELECTION.—From the firms with which discussions have been conducted under paragraph (2)(B), the Commandant shall select, in order of preference, at least 3 firms that the Commandant considers most highly qualified to provide the services required, based on criteria established and published by the Commandant.
“(c) Negotiation of contract.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall negotiate a contract for construction, design, and engineering services under this section at compensation which the Commandant determines is fair and reasonable to the Federal Government.
“(2) FAIR AND REASONABLE COMPENSATION.—In determining fair and reasonable compensation, the Commandant shall consider the scope, complexity, professional nature, and estimated value of the services to be rendered.
“(3) NEGOTIATION.—The Commandant shall attempt to negotiate a contract with the most highly qualified firm selected under subsection (b).
“(4) FURTHER NEGOTIATION.—If the Commandant is unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with the firm under paragraph (3), the Commandant shall formally terminate negotiations with such firm and undertake negotiations with the next most qualified of the selected firms, continuing the process until an agreement is reached.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1137 the following:
“1138. Service life extension programs.
“1139. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for acquisition and procurement.
“1140. Contracts that provide best value for taxpayer. ”.
(a) In general.—Section 1151 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Ҥ 1151. Restriction on acquisition, procurement, or construction of vessels in foreign shipyards
“(a) In general.—Except as provided in subsection (b), the Commandant may not lease, charter, or otherwise procure a vessel which contains a major component of the hull or superstructure constructed in a foreign shipyard.
“(b) Exceptions.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The President may authorize exceptions to the prohibition in subsection (a) when the President determines that it is in the national security interest of the United States to address an immediate adverse effect on Coast Guard missions.
“(2) TIMING.—An exception made by the President under paragraph (1) shall not take effect until the President submits to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written explanation of the circumstances requiring such an exception in the national security interest, including—
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 1151 and inserting the following:
“1151. Restriction on acquisition, procurement, or construction of vessels in foreign shipyards. ”.
(a) In general.—Subchapter III of chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 1159. Floating drydock for United States Coast Guard Yard
“(a) In general.—Except as provided in subsection (b), the Commandant may not acquire, procure, or construct a floating dry dock for the Coast Guard Yard.
“(b) Permissible acquisition, procurement, or construction methods.—Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and section 1105(a), the Commandant may—
“(c) Exemptions from requirements.—Sections 1131, 1132, 1133, and 1171 shall not apply to an acquisition or procurement under subsection (b).
“(d) Design standards and construction practices.—To the extent practicable, a floating drydock acquired, procured, or constructed under this section shall reflect commercial design standards and commercial construction practices that are consistent with the best interests of the Federal Government.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1158 the following:
“1159. Floating drydock for United States Coast Guard Yard.”.
(a) Great Lakes icebreaker and icebreaking tugs.—
(1) STRATEGY.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a strategy detailing how the Coast Guard will complete design and construction of a Great Lakes icebreaker at least as capable as the Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw (WLBB–30) as expeditiously as possible after funding is provided for such icebreaker, including providing a cost estimate and an estimated delivery timeline that would facilitate the expedited delivery detailed in the strategy.
(2) REPORT ON BAY CLASS ICEBREAKING TUG FLEET REPLACEMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate—
(A) a report that describes the strategy of the Coast Guard with respect to the replacement of the Bay class icebreaking tug fleet;
(B) in the case of such a strategy that results in the replacement of the last Bay class icebreaking tug on a date that is more than 15 years after such date of enactment, a plan to maintain the operational capabilities of the Bay class icebreaking tug fleet until the date on which such fleet is projected to be replaced; and
(C) in the case of such a plan that does not include the replacement of the main propulsion engines and marine gear components of the Bay class icebreaking tug fleet, an assessment of the manner in which not replacing such engines and gear components will effect the future operational availability of such fleet.
(b) Great Lakes icebreaker pilot program.—Section 11212(a) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(4) PILOT PROGRAM.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—During the 5 ice seasons beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall conduct a pilot program to determine the extent to which the Coast Guard Great Lakes icebreaking cutter fleet is capable of maintaining tier one and tier two waterways open 95 percent of the time during an ice season.
“(B) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the end of each of the 5 ice seasons beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that details—
“(ii) any relevant new performance measures implemented by the Coast Guard, including the measures described in pages 5 through 7 of the report of the Coast Guard titled ‘Domestic Icebreaking Operations’ and submitted to Congress on July 26, 2024, as required by section 11212(a)(3) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263), and the results of the implementation of such measures.”.
(c) Modification to reporting requirement relating to icebreaking operations in Great Lakes.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 11213(f) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263) is amended to read as follows:
“(f) Public report.—Not later than July 1 after the first winter in which the Commandant has submitted the report required by paragraph (3) of section 11212(a), the Commandant shall publish on a publicly accessible website of the Coast Guard a report on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting the proposed standards described in paragraph (2) of such section.”.
(2) PUBLIC REPORT.—Section 11272(c) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(7) PUBLIC REPORT.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House or Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting the requirements of section 564 of title 14, United States Code, in fiscal year 2024.
“(B) SECONDARY BRIEFINGS.—Not later than November 1, 2025 and November, 1, 2026, the Commandant shall brief the committees described in subparagraph (A) on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting the requirements of section 564 of title 14, United States Code, in fiscal years 2025 and 2026, respectively.”.
Notwithstanding section 1105(a) of title 14, United States Code, the Commandant may provide for an entity other than the Coast Guard to contract for the acquisition, procurement, or construction of—
(1) the Arctic Security Cutters for which funds were appropriated under section 40001 of Public Law 119–21; and
(2) all other vessels for which funds were appropriated under section 40001 of Public Law 119–21.
(a) In general.—Section 2512 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(2) in subsection (a)—
(A) by striking “, United States Code,” and inserting “or, with respect to the reserve component of the Coast Guard, the Secretary of Defense promulgates a new regulation for members of the reserve component of the Coast Guard pursuant to section 711 of title 10,”;
(B) by striking “or adoption of a child” and inserting “or placement of a minor child with the member for adoption or long term foster care”;
(3) in subsection (b)—
(A) in the subsection heading by striking “adoption of child” and inserting “placement of minor child with member for adoption or long term foster care”;
(C) by striking “and enlisted members” and inserting “, enlisted members, and members of the reserve component”;
(4) by adding at the end the following:
“(c) Period of leave.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, may authorize leave described under subparagraph (b) to be taken after the one-year period described in subparagraph (b) in the case of a member described in subsection (b) who, except for this subparagraph, would lose unused family leave at the end of the one-year period described in subparagraph (A) as a result of—
“(2) EXTENDED DEADLINE.—The regulation, rule, policy, or memorandum prescribed under paragraph (a) shall require that any leave authorized to be taken after the one-year period described in subparagraph (c)(1)(A) shall be taken within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, after cessation of the circumstances warranting the extended deadline.
“(d) Member of the reserve component of the Coast Guard defined.—In this section, the term ‘member of the reserve component of the Coast Guard’ means a member of the Coast Guard who is a member of—
“(2) the individual ready reserve who is entitled to compensation under section 206 of title 37 when attending or participating in a sufficient number of periods of inactive-duty training during a year to count the year as a qualifying year of creditable service toward eligibility for retired pay.”.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 2512 and inserting the following:
“2512. Family leave policies for the Coast Guard.”.
Section 2514 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(2) in subsection (h)—
(C) by adding at the end the following:
“(3) the entitlement of the member and of the survivors of the member to all death benefits under subchapter II of chapter 75 of title 10;
“(4) the provision of all travel and transportation allowances to family members of a deceased member to attend the repatriation, burial, or memorial ceremony of a deceased member as provided in section 453(f) of title 37;
(a) In general.—Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 2517. Direct hire authority for certain personnel
“(a) In general.—The Commandant may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such chapter) of title 5, qualified candidates to any of the following positions in the competitive service (as defined in section 2102 of title 5) in the Coast Guard:
“(3) Any position in the Coast Guard housing office of a Coast Guard installation, the primary function of which is supervision of Coast Guard housing covered by subchapter III of chapter 29 of this title.
“(b) Noncompetitive appointment.—The Secretary may, without regard to the appointment requirements of title 5, noncompetitively appoint a highly qualified candidate to a faculty position in the excepted service.
“(c) Limitation.—The Commandant shall only appoint qualified candidates under the authority provided by subsections (a) and (b) if the Commandant determines that there is a shortage of qualified candidates for the positions described in such subsection or a critical hiring need for such positions.
“(d) Briefing requirement.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, and annually thereafter for the following 5 years, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a written briefing which describes the use of the authority provided under this section on an annual basis, including the following:
“(1) The number of employees hired under the authority provided under this section within the year for which the briefing is provided.
“(3) A justification for the Commandant’s determination that such positions involved a shortage of qualified candidates or a critical hiring need.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 2516 the following:
“2517. Direct hire authority for certain personnel.”.
(a) In general.—Chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after section 2517 (as added by this Act) the following:
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2517 the following:
“2518. Command sponsorship.”.
Section 2708 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(a) In general.—Section 3710 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Ҥ 3710. College student precommissioning initiative
“(a) In general.—There is authorized within the Coast Guard a college student precommissioning initiative program (in this section referred to as the ‘Program’) for eligible undergraduate students to enlist in the Coast Guard Reserve and receive a commission as a Reserve officer.
“(b) Criteria for selection.—To be eligible for the Program an applicant shall meet the following requirements upon submitting an application:
“(1) AGE.—The applicant shall be not less than 19 years old and not more than 31 years old as of September 30 of the fiscal year in which the Program selection panel selecting such applicant convenes, or an age otherwise determined by the Commandant.
“(2) CHARACTER.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The applicant shall be of outstanding moral character and meet any other character requirement set forth by the Commandant.
“(B) COAST GUARD APPLICANTS.—Any applicant serving in the Coast Guard may not be commissioned if in the 36 months prior to the first Officer Candidate School class convening date in the selection cycle, such applicant was convicted by a court-martial or assigned nonjudicial punishment, or did not meet performance or character requirements set forth by the Commandant.
“(5) EDUCATION.—The applicant shall be enrolled in a college degree program at—
“(A) an institution of higher education described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a));
“(B) an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that, at the time of the application has had for 3 consecutive years an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students (as defined in section 312(e) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1058(e))) that is a total of at least 50 percent Black American, Hispanic American, Asian American (as defined in section 371(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c))), Native American Pacific Islander (as defined in such section), or Native American (as defined in such section), among other criteria, as determined by the Commandant; or
“(C) an institution that meets the eligibility requirements for funding as a rural-serving institution of higher education under section 861 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161q).
“(6) LOCATION.—The institution at which the applicant is an undergraduate shall be within 100 miles of a Coast Guard unit or Coast Guard Recruiting Office unless otherwise approved by the Commandant.
“(c) Financial assistance.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant may provide financial assistance to enlisted members of the Coast Guard Reserve on active duty participating in the Program, for expenses of the enlisted member while the enlisted member is enrolled, on a full-time basis, in a college degree program approved by the Commandant at a college, university, or institution of higher education described in subsection (b)(5) that leads to—
“(2) WRITTEN AGREEMENTS.—To be eligible for financial assistance under this section, an enlisted member of the Coast Guard Reserve shall enter into a written agreement with the Coast Guard that notifies the Reserve enlisted member of the obligations of that member under this section, and in which the member agrees to the following:
“(A) The member shall complete an approved college degree program at a college, university, or institution of higher education described in subsection (b)(5).
“(B) The member shall satisfactorily complete all required Coast Guard training and participate in monthly military activities of the Program as required by the Commandant.
“(C) Upon graduation from the college, university, or institution of higher education described in subsection (b)(5), the member shall—
“(ii) serve a period of obligated active duty for a minimum of 3 years immediately after such appointment as follows:
“(I) Members participating in the Program shall be obligated to serve on active duty 3 months for each month of instruction for which they receive financial assistance pursuant to this section for the first 12 months and 1 month for each month thereafter, or 3 years, whichever is greater.
“(3) EXPENSES.—Expenses for which financial assistance may be provided under this section are the following:
“(4) TIME LIMIT.—Financial assistance may be provided to a member under this section for up to 5 consecutive academic years.
“(5) BREACH OF AGREEMENT.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may retain in the Coast Guard Reserve, and may order to active duty for such period of time as the Secretary prescribes (but not to exceed 4 years), a member who breaches an agreement under paragraph (2). The period of time for which a member is ordered to active duty under this paragraph may be determined without regard to section 651(a) of title 10.
“(d) Briefing.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than August 15 of each year following the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the Program.
(c) Clerical amendments.—
(1) The analysis for chapter 21 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 2131.
(2) The analysis for chapter 37 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 3710 and inserting the following:
“3710. College student precommissioning initiative.”.
Section 3740(f) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “section 2117” and inserting “sections 2115 and 2117”.
(a) In general.—Subchapter III of chapter 29 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 2948. Authorization for acquisition of existing family housing in lieu of construction
“(a) In general.—In lieu of constructing any family housing units authorized by law to be constructed and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Commandant may acquire sole interest in existing family housing units that are privately owned or that are held by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, except that in foreign countries the Commandant may acquire less than sole interest in existing family housing units.
“(b) Acquisition of interests in land.—When authority provided by law to construct Coast Guard family housing units is used to acquire existing family housing units under subsection (a), the authority includes authority to acquire interests in land.
“(c) Limitation on net floor area.—The net floor area of a family housing unit acquired under the authority of this section may not exceed the applicable limitation specified in section 2826 of title 10. The Commandant may waive the limitation set forth in the preceding sentence for family housing units acquired under this section during the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section.
Ҥ 2949. Acceptance of funds to cover administrative expenses relating to certain real property transactions
“(a) Authority to accept.—In connection with a real property transaction referred to in subsection (b) with a non-Federal person or entity, the Commandant may accept amounts provided by the person or entity to cover administrative expenses incurred by the Commandant in entering into the transaction.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 29 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“2948. Authorization for acquisition of existing family housing in lieu of construction.
“2949. Acceptance of funds to cover administrative expenses relating to certain real property transactions.”.
(c) Report on GAO recommendations on housing program.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the status of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Government Accountability Office titled “Coast Guard: Better Feedback Collection and Information Could Enhance Housing Program”, and issued February 5, 2024 (GAO–24–106388).
(a) Coast Guard embedded behavioral health technician program.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in coordination with the Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety, and Work Life, shall establish and conduct a pilot program, to be known as the “Coast Guard Embedded Behavioral Health Technician Program” (referred to in this section as the “Pilot Program”), to integrate behavioral health technicians serving at Coast Guard units for the purposes of—
(i) facilitating, at the clinic level, the provision of integrated behavioral health care for members of the Coast Guard;
(ii) providing, as a force extender under the supervision of a licensed behavioral health care provider, at the clinic level—
(iii) improving resilience and mental health care among members of the Coast Guard who respond to extraordinary calls of duty, with the ultimate goals of preventing crises and addressing mental health concerns before such concerns evolve into more complex issues that require care at a military treatment facility;
(B) BRIEFING.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with a briefing regarding a plan to establish and conduct the Pilot Program.
(2) SELECTION OF COAST GUARD CLINICS.—The Commandant shall select, for participation in the Pilot Program, 3 or more Coast Guard clinics that support units that have significantly high operational tempos or other force resiliency risks, as determined by the Commandant.
(3) PLACEMENT OF STAFF AT COAST GUARD CLINICS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Under the Pilot Program, a Coast Guard health services technician with a grade of E–5 or higher, or an assigned civilian behavioral health specialist, shall be—
(B) TRAINING.—
(i) HEALTH SERVICES TECHNICIANS.—Before commencing an assignment at a Coast Guard clinic under subparagraph (A), a Coast Guard health services technician shall complete behavioral health technician training and independent duty health services training.
(ii) CIVILIAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS.—To qualify for an assignment at a Coast Guard clinic under subparagraph (A), a civilian behavioral health specialist shall have at least the equivalent behavioral health training as the training required for a Coast Guard behavioral health technician under clause (i).
(4) ADMINISTRATION.—The Commandant, in coordination with the Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety, and Work Life, shall administer the Pilot Program through the Health, Safety, and Work-Life Service Center.
(5) DATA COLLECTION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall collect and analyze data concerning the Pilot Program for purposes of—
(B) PLAN.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a plan for carrying out subparagraph (A).
(6) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than September 1 of each year until the date on which the Pilot Program terminates under paragraph (7), the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the Pilot Program that includes the following:
(A) An overview of the implementation of the Pilot Program at each applicable Coast Guard clinic, including—
(i) the number of members of the Coast Guard who received services on site by a behavioral health technician assigned to such clinic;
(ii) feedback from all members of the Coast Guard empaneled for their medical care under the Pilot Program;
(b) Behavioral health specialist.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall hire, train, and deploy not fewer than 5 additional behavioral health specialists, in addition to the personnel required under section 11412(a) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 504 note).
(2) REQUIREMENT.—The Commandant shall ensure that not fewer than 35 percent of behavioral health specialists required to be deployed under paragraph (1) have experience in—
(3) ACCESSIBILITY.—The support provided by the behavioral health specialists hired pursuant to paragraph (1)—
(4) NOTIFICATION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives if the Coast Guard has not completed hiring, training, and deploying—
(ii) the personnel required under section 11412(a) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 504 note).
(B) CONTENTS.—The notification required under subparagraph (A) shall include—
(ii) the General Schedule grade level advertised in the publication of the hiring opportunity for all such personnel;
(iii) the number of personnel to whom the Coast Guard extended an offer of employment in accordance with the requirements of this section and section 11412(a) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 504 note), and the number of such personnel who accepted or declined such offer of employment;
(iv) a summary of the efforts by the Coast Guard to publicize, advertise, or otherwise recruit qualified candidates in accordance with the requirements of this section and section 11412(a) of such Act; and
(v) any recommendations and a detailed plan to ensure full compliance with the requirements of this section and section 11412(a) of such Act, which may include special payments discussed in the report of the Government Accountability Office titled “Federal Pay: Opportunities Exist to Enhance Strategic Use of Special Payments”, published on December 7, 2017 (GAO–18–91), which may be made available to help ensure full compliance with all such requirements in a timely manner.
(a) Establishment.—The Commandant shall implement a policy that provides for reimbursement to eligible members of the Coast Guard for the cost of airfare for such members to travel to a place within the United States or the territories of the United States at the request of such member during the period specified in subsection (g).
(b) Eligible members.—A member of the Coast Guard is eligible for a reimbursement under subsection (a) if—
(c) Treatment of time as leave.—The time during which an eligible member is absent from duty for travel reimbursable under subsection (a) shall be treated as leave for purposes of section 704 of title 10, United States Code.
(d) Restriction.—The Commandant shall not deny reimbursement for travel authorized under subsection (b)(2) to the respective member.
(e) Justification.—If a member requests to travel to a place that is not the home of record, or state of legal residence, of such member, the approving official under subsection (b)(2) may require a justification of the request by such member and shall not unreasonably deny such request.
(f) Briefing required.—Not later than February 1, 2027, the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on—
(a) Establishment.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the Commandant, shall establish a tuition assistance pilot program for active-duty members of the Coast Guard, to be known as the “Tuition Assistance and Advanced Education Assistance Pilot Program for Sea Duty” (referred to in this section as the “pilot program”).
(b) Formal agreement.—A member of the Coast Guard participating in the pilot program shall enter into a formal agreement with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating that provides that, upon the successful completion of a sea duty tour by such member, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall, for a period equal to the length of the sea duty tour, beginning on the date on which the sea duty tour concludes—
(c) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which the pilot program is established, and annually thereafter through the date on which the pilot program is terminated under subsection (d), the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—
(1) evaluates and compares—
(a) Identification of remote locations.—The Commandant shall identify locations to be considered remote locations for purposes of this section, which shall include, at a minimum, each Coast Guard fire station located in an area in which members of the Coast Guard and the dependents of such members are eligible for the TRICARE Prime Remote program.
(b) Incentive program.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—To ensure uninterrupted operations by civilian firefighters employed by the Coast Guard in remote locations, the Commandant shall establish an incentive program for such firefighters consisting of—
(2) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—The Commandant, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Personnel and Management, shall establish eligibility criteria for the incentive program established under paragraph (1), which shall include a requirement that a firefighter described in paragraph (1) may only be eligible for the incentive program under this section if, with respect to the applicable remote location, the Commandant has made a determination that incentives are appropriate to address an identified recruitment, retention, or relocation need.
(c) Annual report.—Not less frequently than annually for the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—
(a) In general.—The Commandant shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress notification as described in subsection (b)—
(b) Elements.—Notification under subsection (a) shall include—
(1) the status of funding for the Coast Guard during the subsequent fiscal year or at the end of the continuing resolution if other appropriations measures are not enacted, as applicable;
(3) the number of members currently serving overseas and otherwise supporting missions related to title 10, United States Code;
(4) the fact that members of the Armed Forces have service requirements unlike those of other Federal employees, which require them to continue to serve even if unpaid;
Section 1903 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Ҥ 1903. Annual Board of Visitors
“(a) In general.—The Commandant shall establish a Board of Visitors to the Coast Guard Academy to review and make recommendations on the operation of the Academy.
“(b) Membership.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The membership of the Board shall consist of the following:
“(A) The chairperson of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or a member of such Committee designated by such chairperson.
“(B) The chairperson of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, or a member of such Committee designated by such chairperson.
“(D) 4 Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“(E) 2 Senators appointed by the Vice President, each of whom shall be selected from among members of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
“(2) TIMING OF APPOINTMENTS OF MEMBERS.—
“(A) If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(C) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate with jurisdiction over the authorization of appropriations of the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die.
“(B) If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(D) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over the authorization of appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die.
“(C) If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(E) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate with jurisdiction over appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die.
“(D) If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(F) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die.
“(3) CHAIRPERSON.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—On a biennial basis and subject to paragraph (4), the Board shall select from among the members of the Board a Member of Congress to serve as the Chair of the Board.
“(4) LENGTH OF SERVICE.—
“(A) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.—A Member of Congress designated as a member of the Board under paragraph (1) shall be designated as a member in the first session of the applicable Congress and shall serve for the duration of such Congress.
“(c) Duties.—
“(1) ACADEMY VISITS.—
“(A) ANNUAL VISIT.—The Commandant shall invite each member of the Board, and any designee of a member of the Board, to visit the Coast Guard Academy at least once annually to review the operation of the Academy.
“(B) ADDITIONAL VISITS.—With the approval of the Secretary, the Board or any members of the Board in connection with the duties of the Board may—
“(C) ACCESS.—The Commandant shall ensure that the Board or any members of the Board who visits the Academy under this paragraph is provided reasonable access to the grounds, facilities, cadets, faculty, staff, and other personnel of the Academy for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Board.
“(2) OVERSIGHT REVIEW.—In conducting oversight of the Academy under this section, the Board shall review, with respect to the Academy—
“(A) the state of morale and discipline, including with respect to prevention of, response to, and recovery from sexual assault and sexual harassment;
“(d) Administrative matters.—
“(1) MEETINGS.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than annually, the Board shall meet at a location chosen by the Commandant, in consultation with the Board, to conduct the review required by subsection (c)(2).
“(B) CHAIRPERSON AND CHARTER.—The Federal officer designated under subsection (f)(1)(B) shall organize a meeting of the Board for the purposes of—
“(2) STAFF.—
“(A) DESIGNATION.—The chairperson and the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the chairperson and the ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives may each designate 1 staff member of each such Committees.
“(3) ADVISORS.—If approved by the Secretary, the Board may consult with advisors in carrying out the duties of the Board under this section.
“(4) REPORTS.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Board conducts a meeting of the Board under paragraph (1), the Commandant, in consultation with the Board, shall submit a report on the actions of the Board during the meeting and the recommendations of the Board pertaining to the Academy to—
“(e) Disclosure.—The Commandant and the Superintendent of the Academy shall ensure candid and complete disclosure to the Board, consistent with applicable laws relating to disclosure of information, with respect to—
“(f) Coast Guard support.—
“(g) Notification.—Not later than 30 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the Commandant shall provide to the chairperson and ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the chairperson and ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the President notification of the requirements of this section.”.
(a) In general.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall conduct a study on the governance of the Coast Guard Academy, including examining the roles, responsibilities, authorities, advisory functions, and membership qualifications and expertise of the Annual Board of Visitors established under section 1903 of title 14, United States Code, and Board of Trustees established under the United States Coast Guard Academy Board of Trustees Charter.
(b) Contents.—In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Commandant shall examine—
(1) the authorities regarding Coast Guard and department in which the Coast Guard is operating oversight of the Coast Guard Academy, including considerations of how the Coast Guard and department may impact accreditation review at the Academy;
(a) In general.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy (referred to in this section as the “Superintendent”), shall—
(1) install an electronic locking mechanism for each room at the Coast Guard Academy within which 1 or more Coast Guard Academy cadets reside overnight;
(2) test each such mechanism not less than once every 6 months for proper function and maintained in proper working order; and
(3) use a system that electronically records the date, time, and identity of each individual who accesses a cadet room using an electronic access token, code, card, or other electronic means, which shall be maintained in accordance with the general schedule for records retention, or a period of five years, whichever is later.
(b) Electronic locking mechanisms.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each electronic locking mechanism described in subsection (a) shall be coded in a manner that provides access to a room described in such subsection only to—
(2) EXISTING MECHANISMS.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Superintendent shall ensure that electronic locking mechanisms installed in academic buildings of the Coast Guard Academy, Chase Hall common spaces, and in any other location at the Coast Guard Academy are maintained in proper working order.
(c) Access policy instruction.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Superintendent shall promulgate a policy regarding cadet room security policies and procedures, which shall include, at a minimum—
(1) a prohibition on sharing with any other cadet, employee, or other individual electronic access tokens, codes, cards, or other electronic means of accessing a cadet room;
(2) procedures for resetting electronic locking mechanisms in the event of a lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised electronic access token, code, card, or other electronic means of accessing a cadet room;
(3) procedures to maintain the identity of each individual who accesses a cadet room using an electronic access token, code, card, or other electronic means, while ensuring the security of personally identifiable information and protecting the privacy of any such individual, as appropriate;
(d) Minimum training requirements.—The Superintendent shall ensure that each Coast Guard Academy cadet receives, not later than 1 day after the date of the initial arrival of the cadet at the Coast Guard Academy, an initial training session, and any other training the Superintendent considers necessary, on—
(a) In general.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on existing behavioral health and wellness support services facilities at the Coast Guard Academy in which Coast Guard Academy cadets and officer candidates, respectively, may receive timely and independent behavioral health and wellness support services, including via telemedicine.
(b) Elements.—The report required under paragraph (1) shall include—
(1) an identification of each building at the Coast Guard Academy that contains a dormitory or other overnight accommodations for cadets or officer candidates; and
(2) (A) an identification of additional behavioral health or wellness support services that would be beneficial to cadets and officer candidates, such as additional facilities with secure access to telemedicine;
The Commandant shall ensure that, in each building at the Coast Guard Academy that contains a dormitory or other overnight accommodations for cadets or officer candidates, written information is posted in a visible location with respect to—
(1) the methods and means by which a cadet or officer candidate may report a crime, including harassment, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and any other offense;
(a) In general.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall install or construct at the Coast Guard Academy not fewer than 2 rooms to be used for the purpose of providing privacy to cadets and officer candidates seeking medical or other health-related services.
(b) Standards of rooms.—Each room installed or constructed under this section shall—
(1) be equipped—
(A) in a manner that ensures the protection of the privacy of cadets and officer candidates, consistent with law and policy;
Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(a) In general.—Subchapter I of chapter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 1908. Authorization for use of Coast Guard Academy facilities and equipment by covered foundations
“(a) Authority.—Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary, with the concurrence of the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, may authorize a covered foundation to use, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis as determined by the Secretary, facilities or equipment of the Coast Guard Academy.
“(b) Prohibition.—The Secretary may not authorize any use of facilities or equipment under subsection (a) if such use may jeopardize the health, safety, or well-being of any member of the Coast Guard or cadet of the Coast Guard Academy.
“(c) Limitations.—The Secretary may only authorize the use of facilities or equipment under subsection (a) if such use—
“(2) does not—
“(A) affect the ability of any official or employee of the Coast Guard, or any member of the armed forces, to carry out any responsibility or duty in a fair and objective manner;
“(d) Issuance of policies.—The Secretary shall issue Coast Guard policies to carry out this section.
“(e) Briefing.—For any fiscal year in which the Secretary exercises the authority under subsection (a), not later than the last day of such fiscal year, the Commandant shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the number of events or activities of a covered foundation supported by such exercise of authority during the fiscal year.
“(f) Covered foundation defined.—In this section, the term ‘covered foundation’ means an organization that—
“(1) is a charitable, educational, or civic nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to item 1907 the following:
“1908. Authorization for use of Coast Guard Academy facilities and equipment by covered foundations.”.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may establish concurrent jurisdiction between the Federal Government and the State of Connecticut over the lands constituting the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, as necessary to facilitate the ability of the State of Connecticut and City of New London to investigate and prosecute any crimes cognizable under Connecticut law that are committed on such Coast Guard Academy property.
(a) Policy.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdoses, including the use of naloxone or other similar medication to treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses.
(b) Availability.—The updated policy required under subsection (a) shall require naloxone or other similar medication be available for members of the Coast Guard—
(c) Participation in tracking system.—Not later than 1 year after the earlier of the date of enactment of this Act or the date on which the tracking system established under section 706 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 1090 note) is established, the Commandant shall ensure the participation of the Coast Guard in the such tracking system.
(d) Memorandum of understanding.—Not later than 1 year after the earlier of the date of enactment of this Act or the date on which the tracking system established under section 706 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 1090 note) is established, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a service in the Navy and the Secretary of Defense shall finalize a memorandum of understanding to facilitate Coast Guard access such tracking system.
(e) Briefing.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the use, by members and personnel of the Coast Guard at Coast Guard facilities, onboard Coast Guard assets, and during Coast Guard operations, of—
(2) ELEMENTS.—The briefing required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) A description of—
(ii) the prevalence and incidence of the illegal use of fentanyl and other controlled substances in the Coast Guard during the 5-year period preceding the briefing;
(f) Privacy.—In carrying out the requirements of this section, the Commandant shall ensure compliance with all applicable privacy law, including section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the “Privacy Act”), and the privacy regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note).
(g) Rule of construction.—For purposes of the availability requirement under subsection (b), with respect to a Coast Guard installation comprised of multiple Coast Guard facilities or units, naloxone or other similar medication available at a single Coast Guard facility within the installation shall be considered to be available to all Coast Guard facilities or units on the installation if appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure access, at all times during operations, to the naloxone or other similar medication contained within such single Coast Guard facility.
(a) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense, shall develop a policy, consistent with the Constitution of the United States, as well as domestic and international law, to address, disincentivize, and interdict illicit trafficking by sea of controlled substances (and precursors of controlled substances) being transported to produce illicit synthetic drugs.
(b) Elements.—The policy required under subsection (a) shall—
(1) include a requirement that, to the maximum extent practicable, a vessel unlawfully transporting a controlled substance or precursors of a controlled substance being transported to produce illicit synthetic drugs, be seized or appropriately disposed of consistent with domestic and international law, as well as any international agreements to which the United States is a party; and
(c) Briefing.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives on—
(a) Provision to Congress.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the condition of dayboards and the placement of buoys on the Missouri River, the Coast Guard Northeast District, and the Coast Guard Northwest District.
(b) Elements.—The report under paragraph (1) shall include—
(2) an overview of the plan of the Coast Guard to systematically service each dayboard and buoy on the Missouri River;
(3) an overview of the plan of the Coast Guard to systematically service each buoy located in the Coast Guard Northeast District;
(c) Limitation.—Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant may not remove the aids to navigation covered in subsection (a), unless there is an imminent threat to life or safety, until a period of 180 days has elapsed following the date on which the Commandant submits the report required under subsection (a).
(d) Study on reliance on aids to navigation.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall conduct a study on the extent to which physical aids to navigation, including buoys and dayboards, are relied upon by maritime users in the Missouri River, Coast Guard Northeast District, and Coast Guard Northwest District.
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In the study conducted under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall include the following:
(A) An analysis of the extent to which physical aids to navigation serve as primary navigational references for operators of vessels that lack electronic or satellite-based systems, including small commercial vessels, recreational boats, sailboats, and skiffs.
(B) An assessment of the role physical aids to navigation play in supporting safe vessel operation during outages, disruptions, or inaccuracies in electronic or satellite-based navigation systems.
(C) An assessment of mariner perspectives on the availability, visibility, and reliability of physical aids to navigation, based on input from recreational boaters, commercial fishermen, pilot associations, port authorities, and other relevant waterway users.
(D) A summary of reported incidents or near-miss events from the past five years in which the presence or absence of physical aids to navigation played a contributory role in navigational outcomes, including collisions, groundings, or deviations from intended routes.
(E) Recommendations for enhancing navigational safety for mariners who rely exclusively on, or supplement electronic systems with, traditional visual aids to navigation.
(F) A cost–benefit analysis of the continued maintenance of physical aids to navigation, and the projected consequences of their removal, including—
(i) an estimate of the potential increase in maritime accidents, search and rescue operations, environmental incidents, and Coast Guard response missions that could result from the reduction or removal of physical aids to navigation;
(ii) a comparison of the anticipated costs associated with such increased Coast Guard response operations to the ongoing costs of maintaining and servicing buoys and dayboards, particularly in high-traffic areas or locations with limited access to electronic navigation systems;
(3) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a service in the Navy, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall—
(1) complete a study on the feasibility and advisability of supporting additional Coast Guard port visits and deployments, including the homeporting of fast response cutters in the Northern Mariana Islands, in support of Operation Blue Pacific, or any successor operation oriented toward Oceania;
(2) include, as part of the study under paragraph (1), an analysis of where any Coast Guard assets used for port visits and deployments in support of Operation Blue Pacific, or any successor operation oriented toward Oceania, will be transferred from and any associated gaps in Coast Guard coverage any such transfer will create; and
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall commence a study and gap analysis with respect to the aviation hangar at Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi and the capacity of such hangar to accommodate the aircraft currently assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi and any aircraft anticipated to be so assigned in the future.
(b) Elements.—The study and gap analysis required by subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An identification of hangar infrastructure requirements needed—
(2) An assessment as to whether the aviation hangar at Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi is sufficient to accommodate all rotary-wing assets assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi.
(3) In the case of an assessment that such hangar is insufficient to accommodate all such rotary-wing assets, a description of the facility modifications that would be required to do so.
(4) An assessment of the facility modifications of such hangar that would be required to accommodate all aircraft assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi upon completion of the transition from the MH–65 rotary-wing aircraft to the MH–60T rotary-wing aircraft.
(5) An evaluation with respect to which fixed-wing assets assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi should be enclosed in such hangar so as to most effectively mitigate the effects of corrosion while meeting mission requirements.
(c) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the commencement of the study and gap analysis required under subsection (a), the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study and gap analysis.
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the impacts of the Joint Travel Regulations on members of the Coast Guard who are commuting, on permanent change of station travel, or on other official travel to or from locations served by ferry systems.
(b) Elements.—The report required under subsection (a) shall include an analysis of the impacts on such members of the Coast Guard of the following policies under the Joint Travel Regulations:
(a) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.
(b) Elements.—The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) A description of the standards and criteria prescribed by the Coast Guard for educational institution participation in the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.
(2) With respect to each educational institution offering a Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program—
(A) a description of—
(iii) the type and amount of Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program resources provided by the Coast Guard;
(B) an assessment as to whether the educational institution is located in an educationally and economically deprived area (as described in section 2031 of title 10, United States Code);
(C) beginning with the year in which the program was established at the educational institution, the number of students who have participated in the program, disaggregated by gender, race, and grade of student participants; and
(3) With respect to any unit of the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps suspended or placed on probation pursuant to section 2031(h) of title 10, United States Code—
(4) A description of the resources and personnel required to maintain, implement, and provide oversight for the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at each participating educational institution and within the Coast Guard, including the funding provided to each such educational institution, disaggregated by educational institution and year.
(5) A recommendation with respect to—
(A) whether the number of educational institutions participating in the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program should be increased; and
Section 11272(c) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(7) PUBLIC REPORT.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House or Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting the requirements of section 564 of title 14, United States Code, in fiscal year 2024.
“(B) SECONDARY BRIEFINGS.—Not later than November 1, 2025 and November, 1, 2026, the Commandant shall brief the committees described in subparagraph (A) on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting the requirements of section 564 of title 14, United States Code, in fiscal years 2025 and 2026, respectively.”.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when it is not operating as a Service in the Navy, shall prepare a report on the role the Coast Guard is expected to play in the 5, 10, and 20 years after the date of enactment of this Act in providing assistance to the military departments in—
(1) working with the navies and domestic coast guard of nations located in the Indo-Pacific region on building capacity to protect the territorial waters of such nations from incursions by other nations;
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes the following:
(1) An analysis of the skills and experience of Coast Guard personnel, particularly such personnel with backgrounds in engineering, navigation, heavy equipment operation, and maintenance, that are directly transferable to the dredging industry.
(2) A plan for developing and implementing targeted outreach and recruitment strategies to connect separating or retiring Coast Guard personnel with employment opportunities, including registered apprentice programs, in the dredging industry.
(a) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report detailing the search and rescue operations at impacted Coast Guard facilities that contains the following:
(4) The number of search and rescue personnel at each impacted Coast Guard facility beginning in 2021 and accounted for annually thereafter.
(5) A description of active and past first responder cooperative agreements made between each impacted Coast Guard facility and local law enforcement or first responders for search and rescue operations.
(6) The average response time for all search and rescue operations at each impacted Coast Guard facility beginning in 2021 and accounted for annually thereafter.
(7) The number of lives lost during search and rescue operations at each impacted Coast Guard facility beginning in 2021 and accounted for annually thereafter.
(8) The number of vessel safety checks administered by an impacted Coast Guard facility beginning in 2021 and accounted for annually thereafter.
(9) The number of search and rescue incidents in which a facility responded to a search and rescue incident in an area previously covered by an impacted Coast Guard facility but was unable to fulfill the mission, including—
(D) whether the search and rescue team was able to reach the destination of the incident to complete operations;
(b) Definition of impacted Coast Guard facility.—In this section, the term “impacted Coast Guard facility” means a facility or station that was designated as a schedule mission station or closed under either the Assignment Year 2024 Force Alignment Initiative or the Assignment Year 2025 Force Alignment Initiative.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that—
(1) examines alternative sites on St. Thomas, Virgin Island for the location of Station St. Thomas, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands;
(2) analyzes geographic threats and opportunities on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to Coast Guard mission objectives; and
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report of the navigable waterway of the East Rockaway Inlet located on Long Island, New York.
(a) Reduction of lengths of certain periods of service.—Section 3534 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31) is amended—
(2) by striking subsection (j) and inserting the following:
“(j) Revising merchant mariner deck training requirements.—Section 2101 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
“(1) by redesignating paragraphs (20) through (56) as paragraphs (21), (22), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28), (29), (30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), (36), (37), (38), (39), (40), (41), (42), (43), (44), (45), (46), (47), (48), (49), (50), (51), (52), (53), (54), (55), (56), (57), and (58), respectively; and
“(3) by inserting after paragraph (22), as so redesignated, the following:
“(k) Noncitizenship nationality.—
“(1) CITIZENSHIP OR NONCITIZEN NATIONALITY.—Section 7102 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
“(B) by inserting ‘or noncitizen nationals (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))’ after ‘citizens’.
“(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 7304 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
“(ii) by inserting ‘or noncitizen nationals (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))’ after ‘citizens’.
“(B) CITIZENSHIP AND NAVY RESERVE REQUIREMENTS.—Section 8103 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
“(vi) in subsection (e) by inserting ‘or noncitizen national’ after ‘citizen’ each place it appears;
“(viii) in subsection (k)—
“(II) in paragraph (2)—
“(bb) by adding at the end the following:
‘(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for the period beginning on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 and ending on December 31, 2065, not more than 50 percent of the unlicensed seamen on a vessel described in paragraph (1) may be aliens referred to in subparagraph (B) or (C) of such paragraph.’ ; and
“(ix) by adding at the end the following:
‘(l) Noncitizen national defined.—In this section, the term ‘noncitizen national’ means an individual described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408).’ .
“(C) COMMAND OF DOCUMENTED VESSELS.—Section 12131(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))’ after ‘citizen’.
“(D) INVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATES OF DOCUMENTATION.—Section 12135(2) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))’ after ‘citizen’.
“(3) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The analysis for chapter 71 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 7102 and inserting the following:
‘7102. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality.”.
“(B) SECTION 7304.—The analysis for chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 7304 and inserting the following:
‘7304. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality notation on merchant mariners’ documents.”.
“(C) SECTION 8103.—The analysis for chapter 81 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 8103 and inserting the following:
‘8103. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality and Navy Reserve requirements. ”.
“(l) Examinations.—Section 7116 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (c).
“(m) Merchant mariners documents.—Chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code is amended—
“(1) by amending section 7306 to read as follows:
Ԥ 7306. General requirements and classifications for members of deck departments
‘(a) In general.—The Secretary may issue a merchant mariner credential, to members of the deck department in the following classes:
‘(b) Classification of credentials.—The Secretary may classify the merchant mariner credential issued under subsection (a) based on—
‘(c) Qualifications.—To qualify for a credential under this section, an applicant shall provide satisfactory proof that the applicant—
‘(3) is qualified professionally as demonstrated by an applicable examination or educational requirements;
“(5) in section 7313—
“(B) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
‘(c) Classification of credentials.—The Secretary may classify the merchant mariner credential issued under subsection (a) based on—
“(6) by amending section 7315 to read as follows:
‘(a) Nautical school program.—Graduation from a nautical school program may be substituted for the sea service requirements under sections 7307 through 7311a and 7313 of this title.
‘(b) Other approved training programs.—The satisfactory completion of a training program approved by the Secretary may be substituted for not more than one-half of the sea service requirements under sections 7307 through 7311a and 7313 of this title in accordance with subsection (c).
‘(c) Training days.—For purposes of subsection (b), training days undertaken in connection with training programs approved by the Secretary may be substituted for days of required sea service under sections 7307 through 7311a and 7313 of this title as follows:
‘(1) Each shore-based training day in the form of classroom lectures may be substituted for 2 days of sea service requirements.
‘(2) Each training day of laboratory training, practical demonstrations, and other similar training, may be substituted for 4 days of sea service requirements.
‘(3) Each training day of full mission simulator training may be substituted for 6 days of sea service requirements.
“(n) Implementation.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall implement the requirements under subsection (c) of section 7306 of title 46, United States Code (as amended by this section), without regard to chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, and Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 (5 U.S.C. 601 note).
“(2) SECTION 7315.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall implement the requirements of section 7315 of title 46, United States Code, as amended by this subsection, without regard to chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, and Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 (5 U.S.C. 601 note) and 14094 (88 Fed. Reg. 21879).
“(o) Repeal.—Section 7314 of title 46, United States Code, and the item relating to such section in the analysis for chapter 73 of such title, are repealed.
“(p) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 7306 and inserting the following:
‘7306. General requirements and classifications for members of deck departments.”.
“(q) Amendments to chapter 75.—Chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
“(2) in section 7510(c)—
“(B) in paragraph (1)—
“(ii) by striking ‘Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016’ and insert “Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025”;
“(iii) by striking ‘new questions for inclusion in’ and inserting ‘questions, content, and relevancy of’;
“(C) in paragraph (4)—
“(ii) in subparagraph (A)—
“(II) by striking ‘Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016’ and inserting “Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025”;
“(IV) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) as clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), and (vii), respectively;
“(r) Plan.—
“(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 270 days after the completion of the review under paragraph (4) of subsection (c), the Commandant shall develop a plan to update and modernize the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination and implement the recommendations developed by the review under such paragraph.
“(2) CONTENTS.—The plan developed under paragraph (1) shall not diminish demonstrated competency standards and shall include—
“(A) the elimination of redundant topics between the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination and other examinations required to obtain a Merchant Mariner Credential;
“(B) the elimination or updating of outdated topics, contents, core competencies, or questions covered by the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination;
“(3) COORDINATION.—In developing the plan under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall develop such plan in consultation with the working group and individuals with expertise in modern best practices for relevant standardized testing.
“(4) BRIEFING REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Coast Guard shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a briefing on the review and plan developed under this subsection.
“(s) Amendments to chapter 77.—Section 7702(d)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
“(1) in subparagraph (B) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iv) as subclauses (I) through (IV), respectively (and by conforming the margins accordingly);
“(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively (and by conforming the margins accordingly);
“(t) Technical and conforming amendments.—
“(1) TITLE 46.—Title 46, United States Code, is amended—
“(2) OTHER LAWS.—
“(A) Section 3(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802(3)) is amended by striking ‘2101(30) of title 46’ and inserting ‘2101 of title 46’.
“(B) Section 1992(d)(7) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘section 2101(31) of title 46’ and inserting ‘section 2101 of title 46’.
“(C) Section 311(a)(26)(D) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(a)(26)(D)) is amended by striking ‘section 2101(23)’ and inserting ‘section 2101’.
Section 8313(b) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283) is amended by striking “2025” and inserting “2029”.
Section 2302(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Amendments.—Section 3714 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(1) by striking “The Secretary” and inserting “Except as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary”;
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
“(c) Performance-driven examination schedule.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to examinations of foreign vessels to which this chapter applies, and subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary may adopt a performance-driven examination schedule to which such vessels are to be examined and the frequency with which such examinations occur, including the frequency of examinations for each vessel. Such schedule shall be consistent with the Secretary’s assessment of the safety performance of such vessels, including each vessel participating in the performance-driven examination schedule, in accordance with paragraph (2).
“(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing an examination schedule under paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (3), with respect to each vessel in determining eligibility to participate in the performance based examination schedule—
“(A) the Secretary shall consider—
“(B) the Secretary may consider—
“(i) data from relevant vessel quality assurance and risk assessment programs including Quality Shipping for the 21st Century (QUALSHIP 21);
“(3) ELIGIBILITY.—In developing an examination schedule under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not consider a vessel eligible to take part in a performance-driven examination schedule under paragraph (1) if, within the last 36 months, the vessel has—
“(4) RESTRICTIONS.—The Secretary may not adopt a performance-driven examination schedule under paragraph (1) until the Secretary has—
“(A) conducted the assessment recommended in the Government Accountability Office report submitted under section 8254(a) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283);
(b) Career incentive pay for marine inspectors.—Subsection (a) of section 11237 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (37 U.S.C. 352 note) is amended as follows:
“(a) Authority to provide assignment pay or special duty pay.—For the purposes of addressing an identified shortage of marine inspectors, the Secretary may provide assignment pay or special duty pay under section 352 of title 37, United States Code, to a member of the Coast Guard serving in a prevention position that—
(c) Briefing.—Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually for 2 years after the implementation of a performance-driven examination schedule program under section 3714(c) of title 46, United States Code, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on—
(1) the status of utilizing the performance-driven examination schedule program, including the quantity of examinations conducted and duration between examinations for each individual vessel examined under the performance-driven examination schedule;
Section 4502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (i)—
(2) in subsection (j)—
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting “, and understanding and mitigating behavioral and physical health risks, to include substance use disorder and worker fatigue, facing members of the commercial fishing industry” after “weather detection”;
(a) In general.—Section 9302(a)(1)(A) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking “in waters” and inserting “in the Straits of Mackinac and in all other waters”.
(b) Definition of the Straits of Mackinac.—Section 9302 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(g) Definition of the Straits of Mackinac.—In this section, the term ‘Straits of Mackinac’ includes all of the United States navigable waters bounded by longitudes 84 degrees 20 minutes west and 85 degrees 10 minutes west and latitudes 45 degrees 39 minutes north and 45 degrees 54 minutes north, including Gray’s Reef Passage, the South Channel, and Round Island Passage, and approaches thereto.”.
Section 80301(c) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting “and shall remain available until expended for the purpose of the Coast Guard international ice patrol program under this chapter.”.
(a) In general.—The Commandant shall conduct a study to determine the applicability of current safety regulations that apply to commercial amphibious vessels.
(b) Elements.—The study required under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An overview and analysis that identifies safety regulations that apply to commercial amphibious vessels;
(2) An evaluation of whether safety gaps and risks exist associated with the application of regulations identified in subsection (b)(1) to the operation of commercial amphibious vessels;
(3) An evaluation of whether aspects of the regulations established in section 11502 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (46 U.S.C. 3306 note) should apply to amphibious commercial vessels; and
(c) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations from the study required under subsection (a).
(d) Definition of amphibious vessel.—In this section, the term “amphibious vessel” means a vessel which is operating as a small passenger vessel in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, as defined in section 2.38 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation) and is operating as a motor vehicle as defined in section 216 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7550) and that is not a DUKW amphibious passenger vessel as defined in section 11502 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (46 U.S.C. 3306 note).
Regarding Docket Number USCG–2022–0222, before adopting a final rule, the Commandant shall conduct an independent boat traffic study at mile 7.4 of the St. Lucie River.
Section 3529(a)(3) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232) is amended by striking “this Act” and inserting “the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025”.
(a) In general.—Section 8343 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (46 U.S.C. 70034 note) is amended—
(b) Waterfront safety.—Section 70011(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(c) Facility visit by state sponsor of terrorism.—Section 70011(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(3) by adding at the end the following:
“(5) prohibiting a representative of a government of country that the Secretary of State has determined has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism under section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371) from visiting a facility for which a facility security plan is required under section 70103(c).”.
(d) Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway navigation.—Section 70032 of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Ҥ 70032. Delegation of ports and waterways authorities in Saint Lawrence Seaway
“(a) In general.—Except as provided in subsection (b), the authority granted to the Secretary under sections 70001, 70002, 70003, 70004, and 70011 may not be delegated with respect to the Saint Lawrence Seaway to any agency other than the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Any other authority granted the Secretary under subchapters I through III and this subchapter shall be delegated by the Secretary to the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation to the extent the Secretary determines such delegation is necessary for the proper operation of the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
“(b) Exception.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, after consultation with the Secretary or the head of an agency to which the Secretary has delegated the authorities in subsection (a), may—
(e) Regulation of anchorage and movement of vessels during national emergency.—Section 70051 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting “or cyber incidents, or transnational organized crime, or foreign state threats,” after “threatened war, or invasion, or insurrection, or subversive activity,”.
(f) Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence river cooperative vessel traffic service.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue or amend such regulations as are necessary to address any applicable arrangements with the Canadian Coast Guard regarding vessel traffic services cooperation and vessel traffic management data exchanges within the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes.
(g) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 70032 and inserting the following:
“70032. Delegation of ports and waterways authorities in Saint Lawrence Seaway. ”.
(a) In general.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, under which the Marine Board of the Transportation Research Board (in this section referred to as the “Board”) shall conduct a study to—
(b) Elements.—The study required under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An analysis of the volume and types of domestic and international commercial vessel traffic through the Bering Strait and the projected growth of such traffic, including a summary of—
(2) An assessment of the state and adequacy of vessel traffic services and oil spill and emergency response capabilities in the vicinity of the Bering Strait, including its approaches.
(3) A risk assessment of the projected growth in commercial vessel traffic in the Bering Strait and higher probability of increased frequency in the number of maritime accidents, including spill events, and the potential impacts to the Arctic maritime environment and Native Alaskan village communities in the vicinity of the Bering Strait.
(4) An evaluation of the ability of the Port of Point Spencer, Alaska, to serve as a port of refuge and as a staging, logistics, and operations center to conduct and support maritime emergency and spill response activities.
(5) Recommendations for practical actions that can be taken by the Congress, Federal agencies, the State of Alaska, vessel carriers and operators, the marine salvage and emergency response industry, and other relevant stakeholders to mitigate risks, upgrade infrastructure, and improve the posture of the Port of Point Spencer, Alaska, to function as a strategic staging and logistics center for maritime emergency and spill response operations in the Bering Strait region.
(c) Consultation.—In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Board shall consult with—
(d) Report.—Not later than 1 year after initiating the study under subsection (a), the Board shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing the findings and recommendations of the study.
(e) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) ARCTIC.—The term “Arctic” has the meaning given such term in section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111).
(2) PORT COORDINATION COUNCIL FOR THE PORT OF POINT SPENCER.—The term “Port Coordination Council for the Port of Point Spencer” means the Council established under section 541 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–120).
(a) Proximity of anchorages to pipelines.—
(1) IMPLEMENTATION OF RESTRUCTURING PLAN.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall implement the November 2021 proposed plan of the Vessel Traffic Service Los Angeles-Long Beach for restructuring the Federal anchorages in San Pedro Bay described on page 54 of the Report of the National Transportation Safety Board titled “Anchor Strike of Underwater Pipeline and Eventual Crude Oil Release” and issued January 2, 2024.
(2) STUDY.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall conduct a study to identify any anchorage grounds other than the San Pedro Bay Federal anchorages in which the distance between the center of an approved anchorage ground and a pipeline is less than 1 mile.
(3) REPORT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study required under paragraph (2).
(b) Proximity to pipeline alerts.—
(1) AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARMS.—The Commandant shall consult with the providers of vessel monitoring systems to add to the monitoring systems for vessel traffic services audible and visual alarms that alert the watchstander when an anchored vessel is encroaching on a pipeline.
(2) NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall develop procedures for all vessel traffic services to notify pipeline and utility operators following potential incursions on submerged pipelines within the vessel traffic service area of responsibility.
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually for the subsequent 3 years, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the implementation of paragraphs (1) and (2).
Section 70503(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking “While on board a covered vessel, an” and inserting “An”;
Section 70103(c) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(9) The Secretary may conduct no-notice exercises in Captain of the Port Zones (as described in part 3 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations as in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025) involving a facility or vessel required to maintain a security plan under this subsection.”.
The Commandant, in consultation with the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall examine the navigational protocols used for foreign allied nations governing port and vessel operations in fog and low visibility operations and how those nations utilize advanced navigation technologies such as remote sensing, radar, tracking, and unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor visibility and manage port and vessels operations.
(a) In general.—Chapter 151 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 15110. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems
“(a) Establishment.—There is established a National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems (in this section referred to as the ‘Committee’).
“(b) Function.—The Committee shall advise the Secretary on matters relating to the regulation and use of Autonomous Systems within the territorial waters of the United States.
“(c) Membership.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section and section 15109.
“(2) EXPERTISE.—Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.
“(3) REPRESENTATION.—Each of the following groups shall be represented by at least 1 member on the Committee:
(b) Clerical amendments.—The analysis for chapter 151 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“15110. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems.”.
(a) Limitation.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date that is 2 years after such date of enactment, small uncrewed maritime systems owned, operated, or chartered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or that are performing specified oceanographic surveys on behalf of and pursuant to a contract or other written agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall not be subject to any vessel inspection, design, operations, navigation (except for chapter 551 of title 46, United States Code), credentialing, or training requirement, law, or regulation, that the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determines will harm real-time operational extreme weather oceanographic and atmospheric data collection and predictions.
(b) Other authority.—Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the Commandant, if there is an immediate safety or security concern regarding small uncrewed maritime systems.
(c) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) SMALL UNCREWED MARITIME SYSTEMS.—The term “small uncrewed maritime systems” means unmanned maritime systems (as defined in section 2 of the CENOTE Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4101)), that—
(2) UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term “uncrewed system”—
(a) In general.—For the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date that is 3 years after such date of enactment, the Commandant, or such other individual or organization as the Commandant considers appropriate, shall develop a training course on small uncrewed maritime systems and offer such training course at least once each year for Coast Guard personnel working with or regulating small uncrewed maritime systems.
(b) Course subject matter.—The training course developed under subsection (a) shall—
(1) provide an overview and introduction to small uncrewed maritime systems, including examples of those used by the Federal Government, in academic settings, and in commercial sectors;
(3) address safe navigation of small uncrewed maritime systems, including measures to ensure collision avoidance;
(4) address the ability of small uncrewed maritime systems to communicate with and alert other vessels in the vicinity;
(c) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) SMALL UNCREWED MARITIME SYSTEMS.—The term “small uncrewed maritime systems” means unmanned maritime systems (as defined in section 2 of the CENOTE Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4101)), that—
(2) UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term “uncrewed system”—
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, with the concurrence of the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall establish the permanent membership of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employee to the Automated and Autonomous Vessel Policy Council of the Coast Guard.
Section 319(b)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “2 or more” and inserting “up to 4”.
(a) In general.—
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that outlines a plan for establishing an uncrewed systems capabilities office within the Coast Guard responsible for the acquisition and development of uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system technologies and to expand the capabilities of the Coast Guard with respect to such technologies.
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) A management strategy for the acquisition, development, and deployment of uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system technologies.
(B) A service-wide coordination strategy to synchronize and integrate efforts across the Coast Guard in order to—
(C) The identification of contracting and acquisition authorities needed to expedite the development and deployment of uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system technologies.
(D) A detailed list of commercially available uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system technologies with capabilities determined to be useful for the Coast Guard.
(E) A cross-agency collaboration plan to engage with the Department of Defense and other relevant agencies to identify common requirements and opportunities to partner in acquiring, contracting, and sustaining uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system capabilities.
(F) Opportunities to obtain and share uncrewed system data from government and commercial sources to improve maritime domain awareness.
(G) The development of a concept of operations for a data system that supports and integrates uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system technologies with key enablers, including enterprise communications networks, data storage and management, artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, and information sharing and dissemination capabilities.
(b) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) COUNTER-UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term “counter-uncrewed system”—
(2) UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term “uncrewed system”—
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility of expanding the National Security Cutter’s medium unmanned aircraft system capabilities to Medium Endurance Cutters and Offshore Patrol Cutters.
(b) Report.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written report that contains the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).
(a) In general.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the Senate the first of multiple reports of the use and acquisition of the Coast Guard of unmanned systems, with subsequent reports submitted after the first report.
(b) Elements.—The reports required by subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An inventory of the current unmanned systems of the Coast Guard, including the missions and assets on which such systems are deployed.
(2) Cost, schedule, and performance status of the unmanned system acquisition programs of the Coast Guard.
(3) The extent to which the Coast Guard has assessed how the use of such systems support the primary duties of the Coast Guard pursuant to section 102 of title 14, United States Code.
(4) An evaluation of the acquisition strategy of the Coast Guard for unmanned systems, including the extent to which the Coast Guard has evaluated the benefits and costs of acquiring—
(5) An evaluation of the progress of the Coast Guard in establishing an unmanned systems capabilities office responsible for the acquisition and development of unmanned system technologies, and the effectiveness of such office, including the ability to—
(A) support the acquisition, development, leasing, and deployment of unmanned systems technologies, including autonomous capabilities;
(B) execute a service-wide coordination strategy to synchronize and integrate efforts across the Coast Guard;
(a) In general.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy shall prepare an assessment of available unmanned, autonomous, or remotely-controlled maritime domain awareness technologies for use by the Coast Guard.
(b) Assessment.—In carrying out the assessment under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences shall—
(1) describe the potential benefits and limitations of current and emerging unmanned, autonomous, or remotely controlled systems used in the maritime domain for—
(2) assess how technologies described in paragraph (1) can help prioritize Federal investment by examining—
(3) analyze whether the use of new and emerging maritime domain awareness technologies can be used to—
(c) Report to Congress.—Not later than 1 year after entering into an arrangement under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the assessment prepared under this section.
(d) Use of information.—In formulating costs pursuant to subsection (b), the National Academy of Sciences may utilize information from other Coast Guard reports, assessments, or analyses regarding existing Coast Guard manpower requirements or other reports, assessments, or analyses for the acquisition of unmanned, autonomous, or remotely-controlled technologies by the Federal Government.
(a) In general.—Subchapter IV of chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“566. Use of unmanned aircraft systems.”.
(a) In general.—Title IX of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–282) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“SEC. 904. Information on type approval certificates.
“Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall, upon request by any State, the District of Columbia, any Indian Tribe, or any territory of the United States, provide all data possessed by the Coast Guard for a ballast water management system with a type approval certificate approved by the Coast Guard pursuant to subpart 162.060 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 pertaining to—
“(1) challenge water (as defined in section 162.060–3 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025) quality characteristics;
(b) Clerical amendment.—The table of contents for the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–282) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 903 the following:
“Sec. 904. Information on type approval certificates.”.
(a) In general.—Section 5(a) of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1504(a)) is amended by striking the first sentence and inserting “Notwithstanding section 888(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(b)), the Secretary shall have the authority to issue regulations to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act, in accordance with the provisions of section 553 of title 5, United States Code, without regard to subsection (a) thereof.”.
(b) NEPA compliance.—Section 5 of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1504) is amended by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
“(f) NEPA compliance.—
“(1) DEFINITION OF LEAD AGENCY.—In this subsection, the term ‘lead agency’ has the meaning given the term in section 111 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336e).
“(2) LEAD AGENCY.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—For all applications, the Maritime Administration shall be the Federal lead agency for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
“(B) EFFECT OF COMPLIANCE.—Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in accordance with subparagraph (A) shall fulfill the requirement of the Federal lead agency in carrying out the responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) pursuant to this Act.”.
(c) Regulations.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall transfer the authorities provided to the Coast Guard in part 148 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), except as provided in paragraph (2), to the Secretary of Transportation.
(d) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this section, or the amendments made by this section, may be construed to limit the authorities of other governmental agencies previously delegated authorities of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) or any other law.
(a) Maintenance of supplies that prevent sexually transmitted diseases.—Section 3507(d)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting “(taking into consideration the length of the voyage and the number of passengers and crewmembers that the vessel can accommodate)” after “a sexual assault”.
Section 11304(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (16 U.S.C. 1390 note) is amended by striking “4 years” and inserting “6 years”.
Section 11320 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 4092) is amended by striking “during the period” and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting “until December 31, 2029.”.
Section 3316(d) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(a) In general.—Chapter 47 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(3) by adding at the end the following:
“In this subchapter:
“(1) ABANDON.—The term ‘abandon’ means to moor, strand, wreck, sink, or leave a covered vessel unattended for longer than 45 days.
“(2) COVERED VESSEL.—The term ‘covered vessel’ means a vessel that is not a barge to which subchapter I applies.
“(3) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian Tribe’ has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
“(4) NATIVE HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘Native Hawaiian organization’ has the meaning given such term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Ҥ 4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited
“(a) In general.—An owner or operator of a covered vessel may not abandon such vessel on the navigable waters of the United States.
“(b) Determination of abandonment.—
“(1) NOTIFICATION.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—With respect to a covered vessel that appears to be abandoned, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall—
“(c) Penalty.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant may assess a civil penalty of not more than $500 against an owner or operator of a covered vessel determined to be abandoned under subsection (b) for a violation of subsection (a).
Ҥ 4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels
“(a) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and relevant State agencies, shall establish and maintain a national inventory of covered vessels that are abandoned.
“(b) Contents.—The inventory established and maintained under subsection (a) shall include data on each vessel, including geographic information system data related to the location of each such vessel.
“(c) Publication.—The Commandant shall make the inventory established under subsection (a) publicly available on a website of the Coast Guard.
“(d) Reporting of potentially abandoned vessels.—In carrying out this section, the Commandant shall develop a process by which—
“(e) Clarification.—Except in a response action carried out under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321) or in the case of imminent threat to life and safety, the Commandant shall not be responsible for removing any covered vessels listed on the inventory established and maintained under subsection (a).”.
(b) Rulemaking.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in consultation with the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, and the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall issue regulations with respect to the procedures for determining that a vessel is abandoned for the purposes of subchapter II of chapter 47 of title 46, United States Code (as added by this section).
(c) Conforming amendments.—Chapter 47 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(d) Clerical amendments.—The analysis for chapter 47 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that provides legislative and regulatory recommendations to ensure the safe operation of vessels.
(b) Contents.—The report under subsection (a) shall include recommendations—
(1) to ensure that if cases of harassment required to be reported under section 10104 of title 46, United States Code, are not the result of the policies and procedures of the responsible entity of a vessel, the Commandant shall not take administrative action against the responsible entity of a vessel as a result of the reporting of such cases;
(a) In general.—Section 3702(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(b) Oil fuel tank protection.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law and not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall amend section 125.115(b) of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on such date of enactment), to reflect the amendment made in subsection (a).
(2) APPLICATION.—If the Commandant fails to amend the section described in paragraph (1) by the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, then, in lieu of the application of such section, the Secretary shall allow vessels to which section 3702 of title 46, United States Code, applies to transfer fuel from the fuel supply tanks of such vessel to offshore facilities in support of exploration, development, or production of offshore energy resources.
(c) Outer continental shelf activities.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall amend section G6.3.a of the United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Manual, Volume II titled “Materiel Inspection: Outer Continental Shelf Activities”, issued September 20, 2021 (COMDTINST M16000.76) (as in effect on such date of enactment), to reflect the amendment made in subsection (a).
(2) APPLICATION.—If the Commandant fails to amend the section described in paragraph (1) by the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, then the Secretary shall in lieu of such section not apply section 3702 of title 46, United States Code, to a documented vessel transferring fuel from the fuel supply tanks of such vessel to an offshore facility if such vessel is not a tanker and is in the service of exploration, development, or production of offshore energy resources.
Section 9(b) of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1958) is amended by striking “, of which not more than 5 percent is authorized for each fiscal year for administrative costs”.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on—
(1) the status of the acquisition and procurement of second-generation Special Purpose Craft – Heavy Weather (SPC–HWX II) vessels;
(a) Salvage and marine firefighting response capability.—Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(10) SALVAGE AND MARINE FIREFIGHTING RESPONSE CAPABILITY.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The President, acting through the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating unless otherwise delegated by the President, may require—
“(i) periodic inspection of vessels and salvage equipment, firefighting equipment, and other major marine casualty response equipment on or associated with vessels;
(b) Report to Congress.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on—
(B) other considerations with respect to fires at waterfront facilities (including vessel fires) and vessel fires on the navigable waters (as such term is defined in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)).
(2) CONTENTS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall—
(A) examine—
Section 6308 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(2) by adding at the end the following:
“(e) For purposes of this section, an administrative proceeding conducted by the United States includes proceedings under section 7701 and claims adjudicated under section 1013 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2713).”.
Section 1017 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2717) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(g) Timing of review.—Before the date of completion of a removal action, no person may bring an action under this Act, section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321), or chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code, challenging any decision relating to such removal action that is made by an on-scene coordinator appointed under the National Contingency Plan.”.
(a) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Response Center shall submit to Congress a plan to design, fund, and staff the National Response Center to develop and maintain a web-based application by which the National Response Center may receive notifications of oil discharges or releases of hazardous substances.
Section 350 of Public Law 106–113 (43 U.S.C. 1474b note) is amended—
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7) as subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), respectively, and indenting the subsections appropriately;
(3) in paragraph (1)—
(A) by striking “(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to the provisions of paragraphs (5) and (7)” and inserting the following:
“(a) Definitions.—In this section:
“(1) CONSENT DECREE.—The term ‘Consent Decree’ means the consent decree issued in United States v. Exxon Corporation, et al. (No. A91–082 CIV) and State of Alaska v. Exxon Corporation, et al. (No. A91–083 CIV).
“(2) FUND.—The term ‘Fund’ means the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Fund established pursuant to title I of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1992 (43 U.S.C. 1474b).
(4) in subsection (b)(1) (as so designated)—
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking “issued in United States v. Exxon Corporation, et al. (No. A91–082 CIV) and State of Alaska v. Exxon Corporation, et al. (No. A91–083 CIV) (hereafter referred to as the ‘Consent Decree’),”;
(5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)) by striking “(c) Joint” and inserting the following:
(6) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)) by striking “(d) The transfer” and inserting the following:
(7) in subsection (e) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))—
(8) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))—
(a) Exemption and requirements.—Section 3302 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(o) Additional response assets.—
“(1) VESSELS EXEMPT FROM INSPECTION.—Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a qualified vessel engaged in a qualified oil spill response shall not be subject to inspection if the qualified vessel—
“(A) has—
“(i) an agreement by contract or other approved means with an oil spill removal organization to support a response plan under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)), including training and exercises related to oil spill response activities; or
“(B) is normally and substantially involved in activities other than, and not adapted to, spill response;
“(2) ALLOWANCES.—A qualified vessel under paragraph (1) may—
“(A) unless otherwise inspected as a towing vessel under this title, tow only—
“(B) carry—
“(i) temporary storage containers on board for recovered oil or oil-contaminated materials collected during an oil spill response, including bags, drums, and totes as approved by the Secretary;
“(iii) no more than 6 passengers for hire in support of a response plan under Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) approved by the Secretary unless the vessel has been inspected under paragraph (4) or (8) of section 3301 or is authorized by the Secretary to carry more than 6 passengers for hire;
“(C) if the qualified vessel is a tank vessel, be used for storage of recovered oil only if not carrying oil as cargo at the time of an oil spill response; or
“(D) conduct any other operation, or engage in training or exercises, in support of a response plan under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) approved by the Secretary.
“(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection:
“(A) QUALIFIED VESSEL.—The term ‘qualified vessel’ means a vessel operating in any part of the area of responsibility—
(b) Repeal.—Section 11316 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263) is repealed.
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall, in coordination with the Secretary of State, review and update the Canada-US Joint Maritime Pollution Contingency Plan.
(b) Requirements.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Commandant shall—
(c) Exercises.—The Commandant, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall conduct a joint training exercise not less than once a year to determine emergency response capabilities and identify other types of support necessary to effectuate a successful oil spill response, in accordance with the Canada-US Joint Maritime Pollution Contingency Plan.
(a) Government Accountability Office report.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the efforts of the Coast Guard to mitigate cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment within the service.
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under paragraph (1) shall—
(A) evaluate—
(i) the efforts of the Commandant to implement the directed actions from enclosure 1 of the memorandum titled “Commandant's Directed Actions—Accountability and Transparency” dated November 27, 2023;
(ii) whether the Commandant met the reporting requirements under section 5112 of title 14, United States Code; and
(iii) the effectiveness of the actions of the Coast Guard, including efforts outside of the actions described in the memorandum titled “Commandant's Directed Actions—Accountability and Transparency” dated November 27, 2023, to mitigate instances of sexual assault and sexual harassment and improve the enforcement relating to such instances within the Coast Guard, and how the Coast Guard is overcoming challenges in implementing such actions;
(B) make recommendations to the Commandant for improvements to the efforts of the service to mitigate instances of sexual assault and sexual harassment and improve the enforcement relating to such instances within the Coast Guard; and
(C) make recommendations to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate to mitigate instances of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the Coast Guard and improve the enforcement relating to such instances within the Coast Guard, including proposed changes to any legislative authorities.
(b) Report by Commandant.—Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Comptroller General completes all actions under subsection (a), the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes the following:
(a) In general.—Subchapter II of chapter 9 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 955. Comprehensive policy and procedures on retention and access to evidence and records relating to sexual misconduct and other misconduct
“(a) Issuance of policy.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Secretary, in consultation with the Office of the Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating and the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, shall issue a comprehensive policy for the Coast Guard on the retention of and access to evidence and records relating to covered misconduct involving members of the Coast Guard.
“(b) Objectives.—The comprehensive policy required by subsection (a) shall revise existing policies and procedures, including systems of records, as necessary to ensure preservation of such evidence and records for periods sufficient—
“(1) to ensure that members of the Coast Guard who were victims of covered misconduct are able to pursue claims for veterans benefits;
“(c) Elements.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—In developing the comprehensive policy required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall, at a minimum—
“(B) with respect to records relating to covered misconduct involving members of the Coast Guard that are not records of the Coast Guard, identify such records known to or in the possession of the Coast Guard, and set forth procedures for Coast Guard coordination with the custodian of such records for proper retention of the records;
“(C) set forth criteria for the collection and retention of records relating to covered misconduct involving members of the Coast Guard;
“(D) identify physical evidence and nondocumentary forms of evidence relating to covered misconduct that shall be retained;
“(E) set forth the period for which evidence and records relating to covered misconduct involving members of the Coast Guard, including Coast Guard Form 6095, shall be retained, except that—
“(i) any physical or forensic evidence relating to rape or sexual assault, as described in sections 920(a) and 920(b) of title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), shall be retained not less than 50 years, and for other covered misconduct not less than the statute of limitations of the alleged offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice; and
“(G) identify media and methods that may be used to preserve and ensure access to such records, including electronic systems of records;
“(H) ensure the protection of privacy of—
“(I) designate the 1 or more positions within the Coast Guard that shall have the responsibility for such record retention by the Coast Guard;
“(J) require education and training for members and civilian employees of the Coast Guard on record retention requirements under this section;
“(K) set forth criteria for access to such records relating to covered misconduct involving members of the Coast Guard, including whether the consent of the victim should be required, by—
“(2) RETENTION OF CERTAIN FORMS AND EVIDENCE IN CONNECTION WITH RESTRICTED REPORTS AND UNRESTRICTED REPORTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT INVOLVING MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The comprehensive policy required by subsection (a) shall require all unique or original copies of Coast Guard Form 6095 filed in connection with a restricted or unrestricted report on an alleged incident of rape or sexual assault, as described in sections 920(a) and 920(b) of title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), involving a member of the Coast Guard to be retained for the longer of—
“(3) RETENTION OF CASE NOTES IN INVESTIGATIONS OF COVERED MISCONDUCT INVOLVING MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD.—
“(A) REQUIRED RETENTION OF ALL INVESTIGATIVE RECORDS.—The comprehensive policy required by subsection (a) shall require, for all criminal investigations relating to an alleged incident of covered misconduct involving a member of the Coast Guard, the retention of all elements of the case file.
“(B) ELEMENTS.—The elements of the case file to be retained under subparagraph (A) shall include, at a minimum—
“(C) RETENTION PERIOD.—All elements of the case file shall be retained for not less than 50 years for cases involving rape or sexual assault, as described in sections 920(a) and 920(b) of title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), and not less than the statute of limitations of the alleged offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for other covered misconduct, and no element of any such case file may be destroyed until the expiration of such period.
“(4) RETURN OF PERSONAL PROPERTY UPON COMPLETION OF RELATED PROCEEDINGS IN UNRESTRICTED REPORTING CASES.—Notwithstanding the records and evidence retention requirements described in paragraphs (1)(E) and (2), personal property retained as evidence in connection with an incident of rape or sexual assault, as described in sections 920(a) and 920(b) of title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), involving a member of the Coast Guard may be returned to the rightful owner of such property after the conclusion of all legal, adverse action, and administrative proceedings related to such incident, as determined by the Commandant.
“(5) RETURN OF PERSONAL PROPERTY IN RESTRICTED REPORTING CASES.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall prescribe procedures under which a victim who files a restricted report of an incident of sexual assault may request, at any time, the return of any personal property of the victim obtained as part of the sexual assault forensic examination.
“(B) REQUIREMENTS.—The procedures required by subparagraph (A) shall ensure that—
“(i) a request by a victim for the return of personal property described under subparagraph (A) may be made on a confidential basis and without affecting the restricted nature of the restricted report; and
“(ii) at the time of the filing of the restricted report, a Special Victims’ Counsel, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, or Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate—
“(6) VICTIM ACCESS TO RECORDS.—With respect to victim access to records after all final disposition actions and any appeals have been completed, as applicable, the comprehensive policy required by subsection (a) shall provide that, to the maximum extent practicable, and in such a manner that will not jeopardize an active investigation or an active case—
“(A) a victim of covered misconduct in a case in which either the victim or alleged perpetrator is a covered person shall have access to all records that are directly related to the victim’s case, or related to the victim themselves, in accordance with the policy issued under subsection (a) and subject to required protections under sections 552 and 552a of title 5;
“(B) a victim of covered misconduct who requests access to records under section 552 or 552a of title 5 concerning the victim’s case shall be determined to have a compelling need, and the records request shall be processed under expedited processing procedures, if in the request for such records the victim indicates that the records concerned are related to the covered misconduct case;
“(C) in applying sections 552 and 552a of title 5 to the redaction of information related to a records request by a victim of covered misconduct made under such sections after all final disposition actions and any appeals have been completed—
“(D) in the case of such a records request for which the timelines for expedited processing are not met, the Commandant shall provide to the Secretary, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing that explains the reasons for the denial or the delay in processing, as applicable.
“(d) Definition of covered person.—In this section, the term ‘covered person’ includes—
“(2) a member of the Coast Guard Reserve with respect to crimes investigated by or reported to the Secretary on any date on which such member is in a military status under section 802 of title 10 (article 2 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);
“(e) Savings clause.—Nothing in this section authorizes or requires, or shall be construed to authorize or require, the discovery, inspection, or production of reports, memoranda, or other internal documents or work product generated by counsel, an attorney for the Government, or their assistants or representatives.”.
(b) In general.—Subchapter II of chapter 9 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 956. Requirement to maintain certain records
“(a) In general.—The Commandant shall maintain all work product related to documenting a disposition decision on an investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Service or other law enforcement entity investigating a Coast Guard member accused of an offense against chapter 47 of title 10.
“(b) Record retention period.—Work product documents and the case action summary described in subsection (c) shall be maintained for a period of not less than 7 years from the date of the disposition decision.
“(c) Case action summary.—Upon a final disposition action for cases described in subsection (a), except for offenses of wrongful use or possession of a controlled substance under section 912a of title 10 (article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), where the member accused is an officer of pay grade O–4 and below or an enlisted member of pay grade E–7 and below, a convening authority shall sign a case action summary that includes the following:
“(e) Savings clause.—Nothing in this section authorizes or requires, or shall be construed to authorize or require, the discovery, inspection, or production of reports, memoranda, or other internal documents or work product generated by counsel, an attorney for the Government, or their assistants or representatives.”.
(c) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 9 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“Sec. 955. Comprehensive policy and procedures on retention and access to evidence and records relating to sexual misconduct and other misconduct.
“Sec. 956. Requirement to maintain certain records.”.
Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
“(g) Consideration of request for transfer of cadet who is the victim of sexual assault or related offense.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall provide for timely consideration of and action on a request submitted by a cadet appointed to the Coast Guard Academy who is the victim of an alleged sexual assault or other offense covered by section 920, 920c, or 930 of title 10 (article 120, 120c, or 130 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) for transfer to another military service academy or to enroll in a Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program affiliated with another institution of higher education.
“(2) REGULATIONS.—The Commandant, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish policies to carry out this subsection that—
“(A) provide that the Superintendent shall ensure that any cadet who has been appointed to the Coast Guard Academy is informed of the right to request a transfer pursuant to this subsection, and that any formal request submitted by a cadet who alleges an offense referred to in paragraph (1) is processed as expeditiously as practicable through the chain of command for review and action by the Superintendent;
“(B) direct the Superintendent, in coordination with the Superintendent of the military service academy to which the cadet requests to transfer—
“(i) to take action on a request for transfer under this subsection not later than 72 hours after receiving the formal request from the cadet;
“(ii) to approve such request for transfer unless there are exceptional circumstances that require denial of the request;
“(iii) upon approval of such request for transfer, to take all necessary and appropriate action to effectuate the transfer of the cadet to the military service academy concerned as expeditiously as possible, subject to the considerations described in clause (iv); and
“(iv) in determining the transfer date of the cadet to the military service academy concerned, to take into account—
“(C) direct the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, in coordination with the Secretary of the military department that sponsors the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at the institution of higher education to which the cadet requests to transfer—
“(i) to take action on a request for transfer under this subsection not later than 72 hours after receiving the formal request from the cadet;
“(ii) subject to the cadet’s acceptance for admission to the institution of higher education to which the cadet wishes to transfer, to approve such request for transfer unless there are exceptional circumstances that require denial of the request;
“(iii) to take all necessary and appropriate action to effectuate the cadet’s enrollment in the institution of higher education to which the cadet wishes to transfer and to process the cadet for participation in the relevant Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program as expeditiously as possible, subject to the considerations described in clause (iv); and
“(iv) in determining the transfer date of the cadet to the institution of higher education to which the cadet wishes to transfer, to take into account—
“(3) REVIEW.—If the Superintendent denies a request for transfer under this subsection, the cadet may request review of the denial by the Secretary, who shall take action on such request for review not later than 72 hours after receipt of such request.
“(4) CONFIDENTIALITY.—The Secretary shall ensure that all records of any request, determination, transfer, or other action under this subsection remain confidential, consistent with applicable law and regulation.
“(5) EFFECT OF OTHER LAW.—A cadet who transfers under this subsection may retain the cadet’s appointment to the Coast Guard Academy or may be appointed to the military service academy to which the cadet transfers without regard to the limitations and requirements set forth in sections 7442, 8454, and 9442 of title 10.
“(6) COMMISSION AS OFFICER IN THE COAST GUARD.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—Upon graduation, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Naval Academy who transferred to that academy under this subsection is entitled to be accepted for appointment as a permanent commissioned officer in the Regular Coast Guard in the same manner as graduates of the Coast Guard Academy, as set forth in section 2101 of this title.
“(B) COMMISSION AS OFFICER IN OTHER ARMED FORCE.—
“(i) IN GENERAL.—A cadet who transfers under this subsection to the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Naval Academy and indicates a preference pursuant to clause (ii) may be appointed as a commissioned officer in an armed force associated with the academy from which the cadet graduated.
“(ii) STATEMENT OF PREFERENCE.—A cadet seeking appointment as a commissioned officer in an armed force associated with the academy from which the cadet graduated under clause (i) shall, before graduating from that academy, indicate to the Commandant that the cadet has a preference for appointment to that armed force.
“(iii) CONSIDERATION BY COAST GUARD.—The Commandant shall consider a preference of a cadet indicated pursuant to clause (ii), but may require the cadet to serve as a permanent commissioned officer in the Regular Coast Guard instead of being appointed as a commissioned officer in an armed force associated with the academy from which the cadet graduated.
“(iv) TREATMENT OF SERVICE AGREEMENT.—With respect to a service agreement entered into under section 1925 of this title by a cadet who transfers under this subsection to the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Naval Academy and is appointed as a commissioned officer in an armed force associated with that academy, the service obligation undertaken under such agreement shall be considered to be satisfied upon the completion of 5 years of active duty service in the service of such armed force.
“(C) SENIOR RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS PROGRAM.—A cadet who transfers under this subsection to a Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program affiliated with another institution of higher education is entitled upon graduation from the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training program to commission into the Coast Guard, as set forth in section 3738a of this title.”.
(a) In general.—Subchapter I of chapter 21 of title 14, United States Code is amended by adding at the end the following:
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 21 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2131 the following:
“2132. Designation of officers with particular expertise in military justice or healthcare.”.
(c) Conforming amendments.—
(1) Section 2102(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended, in the second sentence by striking “and officers of the permanent commissioned teaching staff of the Coast Guard Academy” and inserting “officers of the permanent commissioned teaching staff of the Coast Guard Academy, and officers designated by the Secretary pursuant this section”.
(2) Subsection (e) of section 2103 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
(3) Section 2126 of title 14, United States Code, is amended, in the second sentence, by inserting “and as to officers designated by the Secretary pursuant to this section” after “reserve components”.
(a) In general.—Subchapter I of chapter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 1909. Safe-to-Report policy for Coast Guard
“(a) In general.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, establish and maintain a safe-to-report policy described in subsection (b) that applies with respect to all members of the Coast Guard (including members of the reserve and auxiliary components of the Coast Guard), cadets at the Coast Guard Academy, and any other individual undergoing training at an accession point of the Coast Guard.
“(b) Safe-to-Report policy.—The safe-to-report policy described in this subsection is a policy that—
“(c) Mitigating and aggravating circumstances.—In issuing the policy under subsection (a), the Commandant shall specify mitigating circumstances that decrease the gravity of minor collateral misconduct or the impact of such misconduct on good order and discipline and aggravating circumstances that increase the gravity of minor collateral misconduct or the impact of such misconduct on good order and discipline for purposes of the safe-to-report policy.
“(d) Tracking of collateral misconduct incidents.—In conjunction with the issuance of the policy under subsection (a), the Commandant shall develop and implement a process to anonymously track incidents of minor collateral misconduct that are subject to the safe-to-report policy.
“(e) Minor collateral misconduct defined.—In this section, the term ‘minor collateral misconduct’ means any minor misconduct that is potentially punishable under chapter 47 of title 10 that—
“(1) is committed close in time to or during a sexual assault and directly related to the incident that formed the basis of the allegation of sexual assault allegation;
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1908 (as added by this Act) the following:
“1909. Safe-to-Report policy for Coast Guard.”.
(a) Assessment of policy on covered misconduct.—Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended—
(1) in the section heading by striking “Policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence” and inserting “Academy policy and report on covered misconduct”; and
(2) by striking subsections (c) through (e) and inserting the following:
“(c) Assessment.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall direct the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy to conduct at the Coast Guard Academy during each Academy program year an assessment to determine the effectiveness of the policies of the Academy with respect to covered misconduct involving cadets or other military or civilian personnel of the Academy.
“(2) BIENNIAL SURVEY.—For the assessment at the Academy under paragraph (1) with respect to an Academy program year that begins in an odd-numbered calendar year, the Superintendent shall conduct a survey of cadets and other military and civilian personnel of the Academy—
“(A) to measure the incidence, during such program year—
“(i) of covered misconduct events, on or off the Academy campus, that have been reported to an official of the Academy;
“(B) to assess the perceptions of the cadets and other military and civilian personnel of the Academy with respect to—
“(i) the Academy’s policies, training, and procedures on covered misconduct involving cadets and other military and civilian personnel of the Academy;
“(d) Report.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—Not earlier than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, and each March 1 thereafter through March 1, 2031, the Commandant shall direct the Superintendent to submit to the Commandant a report on incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation for reporting of covered misconduct involving cadets or other military and civilian personnel of the Academy.
“(2) ELEMENTS.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
“(i) Information and data on all incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation described in paragraph (1) reported to the Superintendent or any other official of the Academy during the preceding Academy program year (referred to in this subsection as a ‘reported incident’),
“(ii) The number of reported incidents committed against a cadet or any other military or civilian personnel of the Academy.
“(iii) The number of reported incidents committed by a cadet or any other military or civilian personnel of the Academy.
“(iv) Information on reported incidents, in accordance with the policy prescribed under section 549G(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (10 U.S.C. 1561 note), to the maximum extent practicable.
“(v) The number of reported incidents that were entered into the Catch a Serial Offender system, including the number of such incidents that resulted in the identification of a potential or confirmed match.
“(vi) The number of reported incidents that were substantiated (referred to in this subsection as a ‘substantiated reported incident’).
“(vii) A synopsis of each substantiated reported incident that includes—
“(viii) The type of case disposition associated with each substantiated reported incident, such as—
“(I) conviction and sentence by court-martial, including charges and specifications for which convicted;
“(III) as appropriate, imposition of a nonjudicial punishment under section 815 of title 10 (article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);
“(IV) as appropriate, administrative action taken, including a description of each type of such action imposed;
“(V) dismissal of all charges, including a description of each reason for dismissal and the stage at which dismissal occurred; and
“(VI) whether the accused cadet or other military or civilian personnel of the Academy was administratively separated or, in the case of an officer, allowed to resign in lieu of court martial, and the characterization (honorable, general, or other than honorable) of the service of the military member upon separation or resignation.
“(ix) With respect to any incident of covered misconduct involving cadets or other military and civilian personnel of the Academy reported to the Superintendent or any other official of the Academy during the preceding Academy program year that involves a report of retaliation relating to the incident—
“(x) With respect to any investigation of a reported incident—
“(IV) in the case of an investigation that is complete, a description of the results of such an investigation and information with respect to whether the results of the investigation were provided to the complainant; and
“(V) whether the investigation substantiated an offense under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice).
“(3) TRENDS.—Subject to subsection (f), beginning on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, each report required under paragraph (1) shall include an analysis of trends in incidents described in paragraph (1), as applicable, since the date of enactment of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–213).
“(4) RESPONSE.—Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include, for the preceding Academy program year, a description of the policies, procedures, processes, initiatives, investigations (including overarching investigations), research, or studies implemented by the Commandant in response to any incident described in paragraph (1) involving a cadet or any other military or civilian personnel of the Academy.
“(5) PLAN.—Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include a plan for actions to be taken during the year following the Academy program year covered by the report to enhance the prevention of and response to incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation for reporting of covered misconduct involving cadets or other military or civilian personnel of the Academy.
“(6) COVERED MISCONDUCT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE ACTIVITIES.—Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the adequacy of covered misconduct prevention and response carried out by the Academy during the preceding Academy program year.
“(7) CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.—Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include, for incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation for reporting of covered misconduct involving cadets or other military or civilian personnel of the Academy—
“(8) BIENNIAL SURVEY.—Each report under paragraph (1) for an Academy program year that begins in an odd-numbered calendar year shall include the results of the survey conducted under subsection (c)(2) in such Academy program year.
“(9) FOCUS GROUPS.—For each Academy program year with respect to which the Superintendent is not required to conduct a survey at the Academy under subsection (c)(2), the Commandant shall require focus groups to be conducted at the Academy for the purpose of ascertaining information relating to covered misconduct issues at the Academy.
“(10) SUBMISSION OF REPORT; BRIEFING.—
“(A) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 270 days after the date on which the Commandant receives a report from the Superintendent under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, as an enclosure or appendix to the report required by section 5112—
“(B) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Commandant submits a report under subparagraph (A), the Commandant shall provide a briefing on the report submitted under subparagraph (A) to—
(b) Covered misconduct in Coast Guard.—Section 5112 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Ҥ 5112. Covered misconduct in Coast Guard
“(a) In general.—Not later than March 1 each year, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on incidents of covered misconduct involving members of the Coast Guard, including recruits and officer candidates, and claims of retaliation related to the reporting of any such incident.
“(b) Continuity of data and reporting.—In carrying out this section, the Commandant shall ensure the continuity of data collection and reporting such that the ability to analyze trends is not compromised.
“(c) Contents.—
“(1) INCIDENTS INVOLVING MEMBERS.—
“(A) INFORMATION AND DATA.—
“(i) IN GENERAL.—Each report required under subsection (a) shall include, for the preceding calendar year, information and data on—
“(ii) INCLUSIONS.—The information and data on the incidents described in clause (i) shall include the following:
“(I) All incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation described in clause (i) reported to the Commandant or any other official of the Coast Guard during the preceding calendar year (referred to in this subsection as a ‘reported incident’).
“(IV) Information on reported incidents, in accordance with the policy prescribed under section 549G(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (10 U.S.C. 1561 note), to the maximum extent practicable.
“(V) The number of reported incidents that were entered into the Catch a Serial Offender system, including the number of such incidents that resulted in the identification of a potential or confirmed match.
“(VI) The number of reported incidents that were substantiated (referred to in this subsection as a ‘substantiated reported incident’).
“(VIII) The type of case disposition associated with each substantiated reported incident, such as—
“(aa) conviction and sentence by court-martial, including charges and specifications for which convicted;
“(cc) as appropriate, imposition of a nonjudicial punishment under section 815 of title 10 (article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);
“(dd) as appropriate, administrative action taken, including a description of each type of such action imposed;
“(IX) With respect to any incident of covered misconduct reported to the Commandant or any other official of the Coast Guard during the preceding calendar year that involves a report of retaliation relating to the incident—
“(X) The disposition of or action taken by the Coast Guard or any other Federal, State, local, or Tribal entity with respect to a substantiated reported incident.
“(XI) With respect to any investigation of a reported incident—
“(aa) the status of the investigation or information relating to any referral to outside law enforcement entities;
“(cc) a description of the results of such an investigation or information with respect to whether the results of the investigation were provided to the complainant; or
“(dd) whether the investigation substantiated an offense under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice).
“(B) TRENDS.—Subject to subsection (b), beginning on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, each report required by subsection (a) shall include, for the preceding calendar year, an analysis or assessment of trends in the occurrence, as applicable, of incidents described in subparagraph (A)(i), since the date of enactment of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–213).
“(C) RESPONSE.—Each report required under subsection (a) shall include, for the preceding calendar year, a description of the policies, procedures, processes, initiatives, investigations (including overarching investigations), research, or studies implemented by the Commandant in response to any incident described in subparagraph (A)(i) involving a member of the Coast Guard.
“(D) PLAN.—Each report required under subsection (a) shall include a plan for actions to be taken during the year following the year covered by the report to enhance the prevention of and response to incidents described in subparagraph (A)(i) involving members of the Coast Guard.
“(E) COVERED MISCONDUCT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE ACTIVITIES.—Each report required under subsection (a) shall include an assessment of the adequacy of covered misconduct prevention and response activities related to incidents described in subparagraph (A)(i) carried out by the Coast Guard during the preceding calendar year.
“(2) INCIDENTS INVOLVING RECRUITS AND OFFICER CANDIDATES.—
“(A) INFORMATION AND DATA.—
“(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), each report required under subsection (a) shall include, as a separate appendix or enclosure, for the preceding calendar year, information and data on—
“(ii) INCLUSIONS.—
“(I) IN GENERAL.—The information and data on the incidents described in clause (i) shall include the following:
“(aa) All incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation described in clause (i) reported to the Commandant or any other official of the Coast Guard during the preceding calendar year (referred to in this subsection as a ‘reported incident’).
“(bb) The number of reported incidents committed against recruits and officer candidates described in clause (i)(I).
“(dd) Information on reported incidents, in accordance with the policy prescribed under section 549G(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (10 U.S.C. 1561 note), to the maximum extent practicable.
“(ee)(AA) The number of reported incidents that were entered into the Catch a Serial Offender system.
“(BB) Of such reported incidents entered into such system, the number that resulted in the identification of a potential or confirmed match.
“(ff) The number of reported incidents that were substantiated (referred to in this subsection as a ‘substantiated reported incident’).
“(gg) A synopsis of each substantiated reported incident that includes—
“(AA) a brief description of the nature of the incident; and
“(BB) whether alcohol or other controlled or prohibited substances were involved in the incident, and a description of the involvement.
“(hh) The type of case disposition associated with each substantiated reported incident, such as—
“(AA) conviction and sentence by court-martial, including charges and specifications for which convicted;
“(BB) acquittal of all charges at court-martial;
“(CC) as appropriate, imposition of a nonjudicial punishment under section 815 of title 10 (article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);
“(DD) as appropriate, administrative action taken, including a description of each type of such action imposed;
“(EE) dismissal of all charges, including a description of each reason for dismissal and the stage at which dismissal occurred; and
“(FF) whether the accused member was administratively separated or, in the case of an officer, allowed to resign in lieu of court-martial, and the characterization (honorable, general, or other than honorable) of the service of the member upon separation or resignation.
“(ii) With respect to any incident of covered misconduct involving recruits or officer candidates reported to the Commandant or any other official of the Coast Guard during the preceding calendar year that involves a report of retaliation relating to the incident—
“(AA) a narrative description of the retaliation claim;
“(BB) the nature of the relationship between the complainant and the individual accused of committing the retaliation; and
“(CC) the nature of the relationship between the individual accused of committing the covered misconduct and the individual accused of committing the retaliation.
“(jj) The disposition of or action taken by the Coast Guard or any other Federal, State, local, or Tribal entity with respect to a substantiated reported incident.
“(kk) With respect to any investigation of a reported incident—
“(AA) the status of the investigation or information relating to any referral to outside law enforcement entities;
“(BB) the official or office of the Coast Guard that received the complaint;
“(CC) a description of the results of such an investigation or information with respect to whether the results of the investigation were provided to the complainant; or
“(DD) whether the investigation substantiated an offense under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice).
“(B) TRENDS.—Subject to subsection (b), beginning on the date of enactment of Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, each report required by subsection (a) shall include, for the preceding calendar year, an analysis or assessment of trends in the occurrence, as applicable, of incidents described in subparagraph (A)(i), since the date of enactment of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–213).
“(C) RESPONSE.—Each report required under subsection (a) shall include, for the preceding calendar year, a description of the policies, procedures, processes, initiatives, investigations (including overarching investigations), research, or studies implemented by the Commandant in response to any incident described in subparagraph (A)(i) involving—
“(D) PLAN.—Each report required under subsection (a) shall include a plan for actions to be taken during the year following the year covered by the report to enhance the prevention of and response to incidents described in subparagraph (A)(i) involving a recruit of the Coast Guard at Training Center Cape May or an officer candidate at the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School.
“(E) COVERED MISCONDUCT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE ACTIVITIES.—Each report required under subsection (a) shall include an assessment of the adequacy of covered misconduct prevention and response activities related to incidents described in subparagraph (A)(i) of this paragraph carried out by the Coast Guard during the preceding calendar year.
“(3) IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY REVIEW DIRECTED ACTIONS.—Each report required under subsection (a) submitted during the 5-year period beginning on March 1, 2025, shall include information on the implementation by the Commandant of the directed actions described in the memorandum of the Coast Guard titled ‘Commandant’s Directed Actions—Accountability and Transparency’, issued on November 27, 2023, including—
“(A) a description of actions taken to address each directed action during the year covered by the report;
“(C) in the case of any directed action that has not been implemented—
“(D) a description of the metrics and milestones used to measure completion, accountability, and effectiveness of each directed action;
“(d) Victim confidentiality.—To the extent that information collected under the authority of this section is reported or otherwise made available to the public, such information shall be provided in a form that is consistent with applicable privacy protections under Federal law and does not jeopardize the confidentiality of victims.
“(e) Substantiated defined.—In this section, the term ‘substantiated’ has the meaning given the term under section 1631(c) of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (10 U.S.C. 1561 note).”.
(c) Clerical amendments.—
(1) CHAPTER 19.—The analysis for chapter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 1902 and inserting the following:
“1902. Academy policy and report on covered misconduct.”.
(2) CHAPTER 51.—The analysis for chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 5112 and inserting the following:
“5112. Covered misconduct in the Coast Guard.”.
(a) Review of records.—Section 2158 of title 14, United States Code, is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking “may at any time convene a board of officers” and inserting “shall prescribe, by regulation, procedures”.
(b) Boards of inquiry.—Section 2159(c) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “send the record of its proceedings to a board of review” and inserting “recommend to the Secretary that the officer not be retained on active duty”.
(d) Technical and conforming amendments.—
(1) Title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(A) in section 2161 by striking “section 2158, 2159, or 2160” each place it appears and inserting “section 2158 or 2159”;
(2) The analysis at the beginning of chapter 21 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 2160.
(a) In general.—Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 2519. Review of discharge characterization
“(a) Downgrade.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The decision to conduct a case review under this section shall be at the discretion of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
“(2) BOARD OF REVIEW.—In addition to the requirements of section 1553 of title 10, a board of review for a former member of the Coast Guard established pursuant to such section and under part 51 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025), may upon a motion of the board and subject to review by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, downgrade an honorable discharge to a general (under honorable conditions) discharge upon a finding that a former member of the Coast Guard, while serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces, committed sexual assault or sexual harassment in violation of section 920, 920b, or 934 of title 10 (article 120, 120b, or 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).
“(3) EVIDENCE.—Any downgrade under paragraph (2) shall be supported by clear and convincing evidence.
“(4) LIMITATION.—The review board under paragraph (2) may not downgrade a discharge of a former member of the Coast Guard if the same action described in paragraph (2) was considered prior to separation from active duty by an administrative board in determining the characterization of discharge as otherwise provided by law and in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
“(b) Procedural rights.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—A review by a board established under section 1553 of title 10 and under part 51 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025), shall be based on the records of the Coast Guard, and with respect to a member who also served in another one of the armed forces, the records of the armed forces concerned and such other evidence as may be presented to the board.
“(3) APPEARANCE BEFORE BOARD.—A person who requests a review under this section may appear before the board in person or by counsel or an accredited representative of an organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under chapter 59 of title 38.
“(4) NOTIFICATION.—A former member of the Coast Guard who is subject to a downgrade in discharge characterization review under subsection (a) shall be notified in writing of such proceedings, afforded the right to obtain copies of records and documents relevant to the proceedings, and the right to appear before the board in person or by counsel or an accredited representative of an organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under chapter 59 of title 38.”.
(b) Rulemaking.—
(c) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
“2519. Review of discharge characterization.”.
Section 7511(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(a) In general.—Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 2520. Covered misconduct defined
“In this title, the term ‘covered misconduct’ means—
“(1) rape and sexual assault, as described in sections 920(a) and 920(b) of title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);
“(2) sexual harassment, as described in Executive Order 14062 dated January 26, 2022, and enumerated under section 934 of title 10 (article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);
“(3) abusive sexual contact and aggravated sexual contact, as described in sections 920(c) and 920(d) of title 10 (articles 120(c) and 120(d) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);
“(4) wrongful broadcast, dissemination, or creation of content as described in sections 917 and 920c of title 10 (articles 117a and 120c of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);
“(5) the child pornography offenses as described in section 934 of title 10 (article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
“2520. Covered misconduct defined.”.
(a) In general.—Chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 5117. Notification of changes to Uniform Code of Military Justice or Manual for Courts Martial relating to covered misconduct
“Beginning on March 30, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Commandant shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with respect to each of the following:
“(1) Whether the Uniform Code of Military Justice (chapter 47 of title 10) has been amended—
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 51 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“5117. Notification of changes to Uniform Code of Military Justice Or Manual for Courts Martial relating to covered misconduct.”.
Section 1562a of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(B) by adding at the end the following:
“(2) COAST GUARD.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall designate the Commandant of the Coast Guard to be responsible for carrying out the requirements of this section with respect to members of the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy.”;
(2) in subsection (b)—
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting “and the Commandant of the Coast Guard” after “Secretary”;
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall issue updated policies of the Coast Guard relating to military protective orders that are consistent with the law and policies of the Department of Defense.
(2) ELEMENTS.—The policies developed under paragraph (1) shall require—
(A) that any denial of a request for a military protective order shall include a written explanation for the denial, which shall be—
(B) the recusal of an approving authority from participating in the granting or denying of a military protective order, if such authority was, at any time—
(3) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.—The Commandant shall develop a policy to ensure that sexual assault response coordinators, victim advocates, and other appropriate personnel shall inform victims of the process by which the victim may request an expedited transfer, a no-contact order, or a military or civilian protective order.
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall review the report of the Independent Review Commission titled “Hard Truths and the Duty to Change: Recommendations from the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military” referred to in the memorandum of the Department of Defense titled “Memorandum for Senior Pentagon Leadership Commanders of the Combatant Commands Defense Agency and DoD Field Activity Directors”, dated September 22, 2021, (relating to commencing Department of Defense actions and implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review Commission to address sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military).
(b) Strategy and action plan.—On completion of the review required under subsection (a), and not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a strategy and action plan that—
(1) (A) identifies any recommendation set forth in the report by the Independent Review Commission described in subsection (a) that addresses a matter that is not within the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard, does not apply to the Coast Guard, or otherwise would not be beneficial to members of the Coast Guard, as determined by the Commandant; and
(2) with respect to each recommendation set forth in such report that is not identified under paragraph (1), includes—
(c) Briefing.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter through 2028, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with a briefing on the status of the implementation of this section and any modification to the strategy and plan submitted under subsection (b).
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall issue Coast Guard policy relating to the care and support of members of the Coast Guard who are alleged victims covered misconduct.
(b) Elements.—The policy required by subsection (a) shall require, to the maximum extent practicable, that—
(1) a member of the Coast Guard who is an alleged victim of covered misconduct and discloses such covered misconduct to the appropriate individual of the Coast Guard responsible for providing victim care and support—
(2) in the case of such an alleged victim to whom care and support cannot be provided by the appropriate individual contacted by the alleged victim based on programmatic eligibility criteria or any other reason that affects the ability of such appropriate individual to provide care and support (such as being stationed at a remote unit or serving on a vessel currently underway) the alleged victim shall receive, with the permission of the alleged victim—
(c) Applicability.—The policy issued under subsection (a) shall apply to—
(d) Revision of policy relating to domestic abuse.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall issue or revise any Coast Guard policy or process relating to domestic abuse so as to define the term “intimate partner” to have the meaning given such term in section 930 of title 10, United States Code.
(e) Training.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—All Coast Guard personnel responsible for the care and support of members of the Coast Guard who are alleged victims of covered misconduct shall receive training in accordance with professional standards of practice to ensure that such alleged victims receive adequate care that is consistent with the policy issued under subsection (a).
(a) In general.—Section 573 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 U.S.C. 1561 note) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(2) in subsection (b) by striking “or Air Force Office of Special Investigations” and inserting “, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, or Coast Guard Investigative Services”;
(3) in subsection (c) by inserting “or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a service in the Navy” after “Secretary of Defense”;
(4) in subsection (d)—
(5) by adding at the end the following:
“(h) Time for establishment for Coast Guard.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report containing all the items described in subsections (e) and (f) as applied to the Coast Guard.”.
(b) Briefing.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with a briefing on the Commandant’s assessment and implementation, as appropriate, of the recommendations included in the Center for Naval Analyses report titled “Assessing the USCG’s Special Victims’ Counsel Program”, issued in June 2024, including—
(2) for each adopted recommendation, a description of actions taken to implement such recommendation;
(4) a description of any recommendation that will not be adopted and an explanation of the reason the recommendation will not be adopted;
(5) a description of the metrics and milestones used to ensure completion and effectiveness of each adopted recommendation;
Section 2516 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
“(2) MENTAL, BEHAVIORAL, OR EMOTIONAL DISORDER.—A member of the Coast Guard who has been sexually assaulted during the preceding 5-year period and who alleges, based on such sexual assault, the signs and symptoms of a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder described within the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association—
“(A) is provided the opportunity to request a medical examination to clinically evaluate such signs and symptoms; and
“(B) receives such a medical examination to evaluate a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder described within the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.”;
(E) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated—
(i) by inserting “or a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder” before “under this subsection”;
(2) in subsection (b) by inserting “or a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder” after “traumatic brain injury”; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
“(e) Notification of right to request medical examination.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—Any member of the Coast Guard who receives a notice of involuntary administrative separation shall be advised at the time of such notice of the right of the member to request a medical examination under subsection (a) if any condition described in such subsection applies to the member.
(a) In general.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a service in the Navy, acting through the Commandant, shall ensure the participation of the Coast Guard in the Catch a Serial Offender program (referred to in this section as the “CATCH program”) of the Department of Defense established in accordance with section 543 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291).
(b) Memorandum of understanding.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating and the Secretary of Defense shall finalize a memorandum of agreement to facilitate Coast Guard access to and participation in the CATCH program.
(a) In general.—Subchapter II of chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by redesignating section 2521 as section 2531.
(b) Accountability and transparency relating to allegations of misconduct against senior leaders.—Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 2521. Accountability and transparency relating to allegations of misconduct against senior leaders
“(a) In general.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Secretary shall establish a policy to improve oversight, investigations, accountability, and public transparency regarding alleged misconduct of senior leaders of the Coast Guard.
“(b) Elements.—The policy required by subsection (a)—
“(1) shall require that—
“(A) any allegation of alleged misconduct made against a senior leader of the Coast Guard shall be reported to the Office of the Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating not later than 72 hours after the allegation is reported to the Coast Guard or the department in which the Coast Guard is operating; and
“(B) the Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall notify the head of the Coast Guard office in which the senior leader is serving with respect to the receipt of such allegation, or, in a case where the senior leader is the head of such Coast Guard office, the next in the chain of command, as appropriate, except in a case in which the Inspector General determines that such notification would risk impairing an ongoing investigation, would unnecessarily compromise the anonymity of the individual making the allegation, or would otherwise be inappropriate; and
“(c) First right to exclusive investigation.—The Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating—
“(2) in cases with concurrent jurisdiction involving an allegation described in subsection (b)(1)(A), may investigate such an allegation to the exclusion of any other Coast Guard criminal or administrative investigation if the Inspector General determines that an exclusive investigation is necessary to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
“(d) Public availability and broad dissemination.—The policy established under subsection (a) shall be made available to the public and incorporated into training and curricula across the Coast Guard at all levels to ensure broad understanding of the policy among members and personnel of the Coast Guard.
“(e) Definitions.—In this section:
“(1) ALLEGED MISCONDUCT.—The term ‘alleged misconduct’—
“(A) means a credible allegation that, if proven, would constitute a violation of—
“(i) a provision of criminal law, including the Uniform Code of Military Justice (chapter 47 of title 10); or
“(B) could reasonably be expected to be of significance to the Secretary or the Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, particularly in a case in which there is an element of misuse of position or of unauthorized personal benefit to the senior official, a family member, or an associate.
“(2) SENIOR LEADER OF THE COAST GUARD.—The term ‘senior leader of the Coast Guard’ means—
“(C) a current or former civilian member of the Senior Executive Service employed by the Coast Guard; or
“(D) any civilian member of the Coast Guard whose position is deemed equivalent to that of a member of the Senior Executive Service, as determined by the Office of the Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in concurrence with the Secretary acting through the Commandant.”.
(c) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended—
Section 1561b of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(2) in subsection (c)—
(3) by adding at the end the following:
“(e) Reports for the Coast Guard.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than April 30, 2025, and April 30 every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report containing data on the complaints of sexual harassment alleged pursuant to the process under subsection (a) during the previous 2 calendar years.
(a) In general.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the policy of the Coast Guard on whistleblower protections.
(b) Elements.—The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) A discussion of the policy of the Coast Guard as of the date of enactment of this Act with respect to—
(2) A description of the responsibilities of commanders and equivalent civilian supervisors with respect to whistleblower complaints and measures used by the Coast Guard to ensure compliance with such responsibilities, such as—
(A) the mechanisms to ensure that—
(i) any such commander complies with section 1034 of title 10, United States Code, including subsection (a)(1) of that section;
(B) actions to be taken against any a commander or equivalent civilian supervisor who fails to act on a whistleblower complaint or improperly interferes with a whistleblower after a complaint is filed or during the preparation of a complaint;
(3) A discussion of the availability of Coast Guard staff, including civilian staff, assigned to providing, in accordance with professional standards or practice, behavioral health care to whistleblowers, including—
(C) an identification of any limitation existing as of the date of enactment of this Act to the provision of such care;
(4) An assessment of the manner in which the policies discussed in paragraph (1), the responsibilities of commanders and civilian supervisors described in paragraph (2), and the availability of Coast Guard staff as discussed in paragraph (3) apply specifically to cadets and leadership at the Coast Guard Academy.
(5) Recommendations (including, as appropriate, proposed legislative changes and a plan to publish in the Federal Register not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act a request for information seeking public comment and recommendations) of the Commandant regarding manners in which Coast Guard policies and procedures may be strengthened—
(a) In general.—The Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy (referred to in this section as the “Superintendent”) shall—
(1) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, commence a review of the Coast Guard Academy policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence established in accordance with section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, that includes an evaluation as to whether any long-standing Coast Guard Academy tradition, system, process, or internal policy impedes the implementation of necessary evidence-informed best practices followed by other military service academies in prevention, response, and recovery relating to sexual harassment and sexual violence; and
(b) Modifications to policy.—In modifying the Coast Guard Academy policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence referred to in subsection (a), the Superintendent shall ensure that such policy includes the following:
(2) Updates to achieve compliance with chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (Uniform Code of Military Justice).
(3) A description of the roles and responsibilities of staff of the Coast Guard Academy Sexual Assault Prevention, Response, and Recovery program, including—
(4) A description of the role of the Coast Guard Investigative Service with respect to sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention, response, and recovery at the Coast Guard Academy.
(5) A description of the role of support staff at the Coast Guard Academy, including chaplains, with respect to sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention, response, and recovery.
(7) A delineation of the relationship between—
(8) A provision that requires cadets and Coast Guard Academy personnel to participate in not fewer than one in-person training each academic year on the prevention of, responses to, and resources relating to incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence, to be provided by the staff of the Coast Guard Academy Sexual Assault Prevention, Response, and Recovery program.
(9) The establishment, revision, or expansion, as necessary, of an anti-retaliation Superintendent’s Instruction for cadets who—
(10) A provision that explains the purpose of and process for issuance of a no-contact order at the Coast Guard Academy, including a description of the manner in which such an order shall be enforced.
(c) Primary prevention specialist.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Superintendent shall hire a Primary Prevention Specialist, to be located and serve at the Coast Guard Academy.
(d) Temporary leave of absence To receive medical services and mental health and related support services.—The Superintendent shall ensure that the Academy’s policy regarding a cadet who has made a restricted or unrestricted report of sexual harassment to request a leave of absence from the Coast Guard Academy is consistent with other military service academies.
(a) Memorandum of understanding.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall enter into a memorandum of understanding to enable the criminal offender case management and analytics database of the Coast Guard to have system interface access with the Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database (referred to in this section as the “Database”) established by section 563 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (10 U.S.C. 1561 note).
(b) Plan.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after entering into the memorandum of understanding required under subsection (a), the Commandant, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan to carry out the terms of such memorandum.
(2) ELEMENTS.—The plan required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) Measures to ensure that authorized staff of the Coast Guard have system interface access to the Database, and a description of any barrier to such access.
(B) Measures to ensure that authorized staff of the Coast Guard Academy have system interface access to the Database, and a description of any barrier to such access that is unique to the Coast Guard Academy.
(C) Measures to facilitate formal or informal communication between the Coast Guard and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office of the Department of Defense, or any other relevant Department of Defense component, to identify or seek a resolution to barriers to Database access.
(D) A description of the steps, measures, and improvements necessary to remove any barrier encountered by staff of the Coast Guard or the Coast Guard Academy in accessing the Database, including any failure of system interface access necessitating manual entry of investigative data.
(E) An assessment of the technical challenges, timeframes, and costs associated with providing authorized staff of the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Academy with system interface access for the Database that is substantially similar to such system interface access possessed by other branches of the Armed Forces.
(a) In general.—Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 326 the following:
“327. Director of Coast Guard Investigative Service.”.
(a) In general.—Section 2501(d)(2) of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (E) as subparagraphs (F) through (H), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
“(C) substantial evidence comes to light that, during the commissioned service of the officer, the officer failed to carry out applicable laws, with an intent to deceive or defraud;
“(D) substantial evidence comes to light after the retirement that the officer committed rape or sexual assault, as described in sections 920(a) and 920(b) of title 10 (articles 120(a) and 120(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) at any time during the commissioned service of the officer;
“(E) substantial evidence comes to light after the retirement that the commissioned officer knew of and failed to report through proper channels, in accordance with existing law at the time of the alleged incident, any known instances of sexual assault by a member of the Coast Guard under the command of the officer during the officer’s service;”.
(b) Issuance and revision of regulations relating to good cause to reopen retired grade determinations.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue or revise, as applicable, and at the discretion of the Secretary consistent with this section, regulations of the Coast Guard to do the following:
(1) Define what constitutes good cause to reopen a retired grade determination referred to in subparagraph (H) of section 2501(d)(2) of title 14, United States Code, as redesignated by subsection (a), to ensure that the following shall be considered good cause for such a reopening:
(c) Revision of limitations on reopening retired grade determinations.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall revise applicable guidance in section K.10 of chapter 3 of Commandant Instruction 1000.4A to remove any restriction that limits the ability to reopen the retired grade of a commissioned officer based on—
(a) In general.—Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 2522. Inclusion and command review of information on covered misconduct in personnel service records
“(a) Information on reports on covered misconduct.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—If a complaint of covered misconduct is made against a member of the Coast Guard and the member is convicted by court-martial or receives nonjudicial punishment or punitive administrative action for such covered misconduct, a notation to that effect shall be placed in the personnel service record of the member, regardless of the grade of the member.
“(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the inclusion of information in personnel service records under paragraph (1) is to alert supervisors and commanders to any member of their command who has received a court-martial conviction, nonjudicial punishment, or punitive administrative action for covered misconduct in order—
“(3) LIMITATION ON PLACEMENT.—A notation under paragraph (1) may not be placed in the restricted section of the personnel service record of a member.
“(4) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit or limit the capacity of a member of the Coast Guard to challenge or appeal the placement of a notation, or location of placement of a notation, in the personnel service record of the member in accordance with procedures otherwise applicable to such challenges or appeals.
“(b) Command review of history of covered misconduct.—
“(1) IN GENERAL.—Under policy to be prescribed by the Secretary, the commanding officer of a unit or facility to which a covered member is assigned or transferred shall review the history of covered misconduct as documented in the personnel service record of a covered member in order to become familiar with such history of the covered member.
“(2) COVERED MEMBER DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘covered member’ means a member of the Coast Guard who, at the time of assignment or transfer as described in paragraph (1), has a history of 1 or more covered misconduct offenses as documented in the personnel service record of such member or such other records or files as the Commandant shall specify in the policy prescribed under subparagraph (A).
“(c) Review of personnel service record to determine suitability for civilian employment.—Under policy to be prescribed by the Secretary, the Commandant shall establish procedures that are consistent with the law, policies, and practices of the Department of Defense in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 to consider and review the personnel service record of a former member of the Armed Forces to determine the suitability of the individual for civilian employment in the Coast Guard.”.
(b) Clerical amendment.—The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2521 (as added by this Act) the following:
“2522. Inclusion and command review of information on covered misconduct in personnel service records.”.
(a) Policy to require review of certain proposed involuntary separations.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall establish, with respect to any proposed involuntary separation under chapter 59 of title 10, United States Code, a Coast Guard policy to review the circumstances of, and grounds for, such a proposed involuntary separation of any member of the Coast Guard who—
(1) made a restricted or unrestricted report of covered misconduct (as such term is defined in section 2519 of title 14, United States Code);
(b) Recusal.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The policy established under subsection (a) shall set forth a process for the recusal of commanding officers and the flag officer described in subsection (c)(2) from making initial or subsequent decisions on proposed separations or from reviewing proposed separations.
(2) CRITERIA.—The recusal process established under paragraph (1) shall specify criteria for recusal, including mandatory recusal from making a decision on a proposed separation, and from reviewing a proposed separation, if the commanding officer or the flag officer described in subsection (c)(2) was, at any time—
(c) Concurrence of flag officer required.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The policy established under subsection (a) shall require the concurrence of the flag officer described in paragraph (2) in order to separate the member of the Coast Guard described in such subsection.
(2) FLAG OFFICER DESCRIBED.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the flag officer described in this paragraph is—
(B) CHAIN OF COMMAND EXCEPTION.—In the case of a member of the Coast Guard described in subsection (a) who is in the immediate chain of command of the Commandant or the designee of the Commandant that oversees personnel policy, the flag officer described in this paragraph is a flag officer outside the chain of command of such member, as determined by the Commandant consistent with the policy established under subsection (a).
(a) Expedited transfer policy update.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall update Coast Guard policy as necessary to implement—
(1) an expedited transfer process for covered individuals consistent with—
(2) a process by which—
(A) a covered individual, the commanding officer of a covered individual, or any other Coast Guard official may initiate a request that a subject be administratively assigned to another unit in accordance with military assignments and authorized absence policy for the duration of the investigation and, if applicable, prosecution of such subject;
(b) Recusal.—The expedited transfer process implemented under this section shall require the recusal of any official involved in the approval or denial of an expedited transfer request if the official was, at any time—
(c) Notification requirement.—With respect to a member of the Coast Guard who makes an unrestricted report of sexual assault or a report of domestic violence, the updated policy required under subsection (a) shall specify the appropriate officials of the Coast Guard who shall provide such member with information regarding expedited transfer authority.
(d) Report.—
(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than March 1 of the year that is not less than 1 year after the date on which the updates required under subsection (a) are completed, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, as an enclosure or appendix to the report required by section 5112 of title 14, United States Code, a report on such updates that includes—
(C) for the preceding year, the number of covered individuals who have requested an expedited transfer, disaggregated by gender of the requester and whether the request was granted or denied;
(2) SUBSEQUENT REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the Commandant submits the report required under paragraph (1), and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, as an enclosure or appendix to the report required by section 5112 of title 14, United States Code, a report on the updates required under subsection (a) that includes—
(e) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) COVERED INDIVIDUAL.—The term “covered individual” means—
(A) a member of the Coast Guard who is a victim of sexual assault in a case handled under the Sexual Assault Prevention, Response, and Recovery Program or the Family Advocacy Program;
(B) a member of the Coast Guard who is a victim of domestic violence (as defined by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating in the policies prescribed under this section) committed by the spouse or intimate partner of the member, regardless of whether the spouse or intimate partner is a member of the Coast Guard; and
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall update the Coast Guard policy relating to temporary separation of members of the Coast Guard who are victims of alleged sex-related offenses as required under subsection (b).
(b) Eligibility.—The updated policy required under subsection (a) shall include—
(1) a provision that allows a member of the Coast Guard to request to participate in the temporary separation program if the member has reported, in an unrestricted format or to the greatest extent practicable, a restricted format, being the victim of an alleged sex-related offense on a date that is during—
(2) a provision that provides eligibility for a member of the Coast Guard to request temporary separation if the member has reported being the victim of an alleged sex-related offense, even if—
(3) an updated standard of review consistent with the application of, and purposes of, this section; and
(c) Exception from repayment of bonuses, incentive pay, or similar benefits and termination of remaining payments.—For any temporary separation granted under the updated policy required under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may conduct a review to determine whether to exercise discretion in accordance with section 373(b)(1) of title 37, United States Code.
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall develop and issue a comprehensive policy for the Coast Guard to reinvigorate the prevention of misconduct involving members and civilians of the Coast Guard that contains the policy elements described in section 1561 of title 10, United States Code.
Section 1564(c) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)—
(2) in paragraph (2) by inserting “(other than an individual described in paragraph (3))” after “is an individual”;
(5) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by paragraph (3), by striking “Secretary” and all that follows through “paragraph (2)” and inserting the following: “Secretary of Defense, in the case of an individual described in paragraph (2), and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in the case of an individual described in paragraph (3), shall ensure that relevant information on the conviction or determination described in paragraph (1) of such an individual”.
(a) Modification of curriculum.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall revise the curriculum of the Coast Guard with respect to covered misconduct prevention and response training—
(A) to include—
(i) information on procedures and responsibilities with respect to reporting requirements, investigations, survivor health and safety (including expedited transfers, no-contact orders, military and civilian protective orders, and temporary separations), and whistleblower protections;
(ii) information on Department of Veterans Affairs resources available to veterans, active-duty personnel, and reserve personnel;
(iii) information on the right of any member of the Coast Guard to seek legal resources outside the Coast Guard;
(b) Covered misconduct prevention and response training and education.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall ensure that all members and civilian employees of the Coast Guard are provided with annual covered misconduct prevention and response training and education for the purpose of strengthening individual knowledge, skills, and capacity relating to the prevention of and response to covered misconduct.
(c) Covered first responder training.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall ensure that—
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In addition to the information described in subsection (a)(1)(A), the initial and recurring covered misconduct prevention and response training for covered first responders shall include information on procedures and responsibilities with respect to—
(d) Training for prospective commanding officers and executive officers.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall ensure that training for prospective commanders and executive officers at all levels of command includes the covered misconduct prevention and response training described in subsection (b).
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In addition to the information described in subsection (a)(1)(A), the covered misconduct prevention and response training for prospective commanding officers and executive officers shall be—
(A) tailored to the responsibilities and leadership requirements of members of the Coast Guard as they are assigned to command positions; and
(B) revised, as necessary, to include information on—
(i) fostering a command climate—
(ii) the possible variations in the effect of trauma on individuals who have experienced covered misconduct;
(iii) potential differences in the procedures and responsibilities, Department of Veterans Affairs resources, and legal resources described in subsection (a)(1)(A) depending on the operating environment in which an incident of covered misconduct occurred;
(iv) the investigation of alleged incidents of covered misconduct, including training on understanding evidentiary standards;
(e) Entry and accession trainings.—
(1) INITIAL TRAINING.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide for the inclusion of an initial covered misconduct prevention and response training module in the training for each new member of the Coast Guard, which shall be provided not later than 14 duty days after the date of accession.
(2) SUBSEQUENT TRAINING.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall provide for the inclusion of a detailed covered misconduct prevention and response training module in the training for each new member of the Coast Guard, which shall be provided not later than 60 duty days after the date on which the initial training module described in paragraph (1)(A) is provided.
(f) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) COVERED FIRST RESPONDER.—The term “covered first responder” includes sexual assault response coordinators, victim advocates, Coast Guard medical officers, Coast Guard security forces, Coast Guard Investigative Service agents, judge advocates, special victims’ counsel, chaplains, and related personnel.
(a) In general.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the state of the research, development, and innovation program of the Coast Guard during the 5-year period ending on such date of enactment.
(b) Elements.—The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An evaluation and description of the process for selecting projects to be carried out under the research, development, and innovation program of the Coast Guard.
(2) An analysis of the manner in which funding needs are determined and requested for such program, and for the activities and projects of such program, in alignment with the appropriate fiscal year.
(3) An assessment of the manner in which the Coast Guard determines desired outcomes, and measures the impact, of successful projects on the execution of the operations and mission of the Coast Guard.
(4) An assessment of the manner in which the Coast Guard evaluates impacts and benefits of partnerships between the Coast Guard and the Department of Defense and other entities, and a description of the extent to which and manner in which the Coast Guard is leveraging such benefits and identifying and managing any potential challenge.
(5) An analysis of the manner in which the Commandant is working with partners to accelerate project transition from research, testing, evaluation, and prototype to production.
(6) An assessment of the manner in which the authority to enter into transactions other than contracts and grants pursuant to sections 719 and 1158 of title 14, United States Code, has been exercised by the Commandant, and a description of any training or resources necessary (including additional agreements for officers and training) to more fully exercise such authority.
(7) An evaluation of the role of the Blue Tech Center of Expertise established in section 302 of the Coast Guard Blue Technology Center of Expertise Act (Public Law 115–265).
(a) In general.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall commence a review of the quality and availability of behavioral health care and related resources for Coast Guard personnel at the locations described in subsection (b).
(b) Locations to be reviewed.—In conducting the review under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall—
(c) Elements.—The review conducted under subsection (a) shall include, for each location described in subsection (b), an assessment, and a description of available trend information (as applicable) for the 10-year period preceding the date of the review, with respect to each of the following:
(2) The manner in which the Coast Guard has managed treatment for recruits, cadets, officer candidates, or other personnel who may be experiencing a behavioral health crisis at the location (including individuals who have transferred to other buildings or facilities within the location).
(3) The extent to which the Coast Guard has identified the resources, such as physical spaces and facilities, necessary to manage behavioral health challenges and crises that Coast Guard personnel may face at the location.
(4) The behavioral health screenings required by the Coast Guard for recruits, cadets, officer candidates, or other personnel at the location, and the manner in which such screenings compare with screenings required by the Department of Defense for military recruits, service academy cadets, officer candidates, or other personnel at military service accession points.
(5) Whether the Coast Guard has assessed the adequacy of behavioral health resources and services for recruits, cadets, officer candidates, and other personnel at the location, and if so, the additional services and resources (such as resilience and life skills coaching), if any, needed to address any potential gaps.
(6) The manner in which the Coast Guard manages care transfers related to behavior health at the location, including command and other management input and privacy policies.
(7) The extent to which the Coast Guard has evaluated contributing factors or reasons for behavioral health crises experienced by newly enlisted personnel, cadets, officer candidates, or other personnel at the location.
(8) The extent to which the Coast Guard has addressed, at the location, provider care staffing standards and credentialing deficiencies identified in the report of the Comptroller General titled “Coast Guard Health Care: Improvements Needed for Determining Staffing Needs and Monitoring Access to Care”, issued on February 4, 2022.
(d) Reports.—The Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives—
(1) as soon as practicable but not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, a report relating to the results of the review conducted under subsection (a) relating to Training Center Cape May, including any recommendations the Comptroller General considers appropriate; and
(a) Study.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall commence a study assessing the efforts of the Commandant—
(b) Elements.—In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall review the following:
(1) The steps the Commandant has taken to reduce the prevalence of missing or incomplete medical records of members of the Coast Guard.
(2) How implementation of an electronic health record system has affected the ability of the Commandant to manage health records of members of the Coast Guard, including—
(A) how the Commandant adds records from private medical providers to the electronic health record system;
(3) The ability of members of the Coast Guard, medical professionals of the Coast Guard and of the Department of Defense, personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other personnel to access and search, as appropriate, the electronic health records of individuals, including the ability to search or quickly find information within electronic health records.
(c) Report.—Upon completion of the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report containing the results of the study under subsection (a).
(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall commence a study on Coast Guard training facility infrastructure, including the specific needs of the Coast Guard training facilities described in subsection (c).
(b) Elements.—The study required under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) With respect to each Coast Guard training facility described in subsection (c)—
(C) an assessment of necessary improvements, including improvements to essential training equipment (including swimming pools, operational simulators, and marksmanship training ranges) to enable the Coast Guard to achieve all operational training objectives;
(E) an assessment of any security deficiency, including with respect to base access, training facility access, and trainee berthing area access;
(c) Coast Guard training facilities described.—The Coast Guard training facilities described in this subsection are the following:
(d) Report.—Not later than 1 year after commencing the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the study.
(a) In general.—Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Department of Defense issues the report on the Fourteenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, the Comptroller General of the United States shall commence a study of Coast Guard involvement in, and efforts to support, the determination of the cost of adequate housing and the calculation of the basic allowance for housing under section 403 of title 37, United States Code.
(b) Elements.—The study required under subsection (a) shall include, to the extent practicable, the following:
(1) An identification of Coast Guard duty locations in which there is a misalignment between the basic allowance for housing rate and the prevailing housing cost for members of the Coast Guard such that the basic allowance for housing is less than 95 percent of the monthly cost of adequate housing for such members in the corresponding military housing area.
(c) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which the study required under subsection (a) commences, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Commandant a report on the findings of the study, including any recommendation the Comptroller General considers appropriate.
(d) Plan.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which the report required by subsection (c) is submitted to the Commandant, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives—
(a) GAO report.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the safety and security infrastructure at the Coast Guard Academy.
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of each of the following:
(A) Existing security infrastructure for the grounds, buildings, athletic facilities, and any other facility of the Coast Guard Academy, including access points, locks, surveillance, and other security methods, as appropriate.
(B) Coast Guard policies with respect to the management, data storage and access, and operational capacity of the security infrastructure and methods evaluated under subparagraph (A).
(C) Special security needs relating to events at the Coast Guard Academy, such as large athletic events and other widely attended events.
(E) Existing processes by which the Commandant, the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, or a designated individual may prohibit or restrict access to Coast Guard Academy grounds by any current or former member or civilian employee of the Coast Guard who—
(b) Actions by Commandant.—
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Comptroller General submits the report required under subsection (a), the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that includes—
(2) POLICY.—Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Comptroller General submits the report required under subsection (a), the Commandant, in a manner that maintains good order and discipline, shall update Coast Guard policy relating to access to the Coast Guard Academy grounds to include procedures by which individuals may be prohibited from accessing the Coast Guard Academy—
(a) Study.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall commence a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the permanent change of station process of the Coast Guard.
(b) Report.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after commencing the study required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the study.
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(B) A description of Coast Guard spending on permanent change of station moves and associated support costs.
(C) An evaluation of the effectiveness of using contracted movers for permanent change of station moves, including the estimated costs associated with—
(a) Prohibition on entry and operation.—Section 70022(b)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking “Federal Register” and inserting “the Federal Register”.
(b) Port, harbor, and coastal facility security.—Section 70116(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(c) Enforcement by state and local officers.—Section 70118(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by striking “section 1 of title II of the Act of June 15, 1917 (chapter 30; 50 U.S.C. 191)” and inserting “section 70051”; and
(2) by striking “section 7(b) of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1226(b))” and inserting “section 70116(b)”.
(d) Chapter 701 definitions.—Section 70131(2) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by striking “section 1 of title II of the Act of June 15, 1917 (50 U.S.C. 191)” and inserting “section 70051”; and
(2) by striking “section 7(b) of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1226(b))” and inserting “section 70116(b)”.
(e) Notice of arrival requirements for vessels on the outer continental shelf.—
(1) PREPARATORY CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 70001 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by redesignating subsections (l) and (m) as subsections (m) and (n), respectively.
(2) TRANSFER OF PROVISION.—Section 704 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act 2012 (Public Law 112–213; 46 U.S.C. 70001 note) is—
(B) amended by striking “(33 U.S.C. 1223 note)” and inserting “(46 U.S.C. 70001 note)”;
(f) Title 46.—Title 46, United States Code, is amended as follows:
(3) In the analysis for subtitle VII by striking the period after “70001” in the item relating to chapter 700.
(4) In the analysis for chapter 700 by striking the item relating to section 70006 and inserting the following:
“70006. Establishment by Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating of anchorage grounds and regulations generally.”.
(5) In the heading for subchapter IV in the analysis for chapter 700 by inserting a comma after “Definitions”.
(6) In the heading for subchapter VI in the analysis for chapter 700 by striking “of the United”and inserting “of United”.
(7) Section 70052(e)(1) is amended by striking “section 4197 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (46 U.S.C. App. 91)” and inserting “section 60105”.
(g) Oil pollution act of 1990.—The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) is amended as follows:
(1) Section 1001 (33 U.S.C. 2701) is amended—
(A) in paragraph (32)(G) by striking “pipeline” and all that follows through “offshore facility” and inserting “pipeline, offshore facility”;
(D) ) in paragraph (41) by striking “section 101(20)(G)(iii)” and inserting “section 101(20)(H)(iii)”;
(2) Section 1003(d)(6) (33 U.S.C. 2703(d)(6)) is amended by striking “this paragraph” and inserting “this subsection”.
(3) Section 1016 (33 U.S.C. 2716) is amended—
(4) Section 1012(b)(2) (33 U.S.C. 2712(b)(2)) is amended by striking “section 1016(f)(1)” and inserting “section 1016(e)(1)”.
(5) Section 1005(b)(5)(B) (33 U.S.C. 2716(b)(5)(B)) is amended by striking “section 1016(g)” and inserting “section 2716(f)”.
(6) Section 1018(c) (33 U.S.C. 2718(c)) is amended by striking “the Act of March 3, 1851 (46 U.S.C. 183 et seq.)” and inserting “chapter 305 of title 46, United States Code”.
(7) Section 7001(h)(1) (33 U.S.C. 2761(h)(1)) is amended by striking “subsection (c)(4)” and inserting “subsection (e)(4)”.
(h) Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998.—Section 303 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892a) is amended—
(i) Chapter 5.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by redesignating the second section 548 (relating to Marking anchorage grounds by Commandant of the Coast Guard) as section 551.
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 550 the following:
“551. Marking anchorage grounds by Commandant of the Coast Guard.”.
(j) Section 807.—Section 807 of the Frank Lobiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (14 U.S.C. 313 note) is amended by striking “District 9” and inserting “Great Lakes District”.
Union Calendar No. 174 | |||||
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[Report No. 119–214] | |||||
A BILL | |||||
To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard, to establish the Secretary of the Coast Guard, and for other purposes. | |||||
July 22, 2025 | |||||
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed |