SEC. 201. Commissioned Officers.
Section 42(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “ 7,200” and inserting “ 6,900”.
Title II — Coast Guard
TITLE II Coast Guard
SEC. 202. Commandant; Appointment.
Section 44 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: “ The term of an appointment, and any reappointment, shall begin on June 1 of the appropriate year and end on May 31 of the appropriate year, except that, in the event of death, retirement, resignation, or reassignment, or when the needs of the Service demand, the Secretary may alter the date on which a term begins or ends if the alteration does not result in the term exceeding a period of 4 years.”.
SEC. 203. Prevention and Response Workforces.
Section 57 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (2) by striking “ or” at the end;
in paragraph (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(4) waterways operations manager shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with respect to marine transportation system management; or
“(5) port and facility safety and security specialist shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with respect to the safety, security, and environmental protection responsibilities associated with maritime ports and facilities.”
in subsection (c) by striking “ or marine safety engineer” and inserting “ marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port and facility safety and security specialist”; and
in subsection (f)(2) by striking “ investigator or marine safety engineer.” and inserting “ investigator, marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port and facility safety and security specialist.”.
SEC. 204. Centers of Expertise.
Section 58(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
“(b) Missions.—Any center established under subsection (a) shall—
“(1) promote, facilitate, and conduct—
“(A) education;
“(B) training; and
“(C) activities authorized under section 93(a)(4);
“(2) be a repository of information on operations, practices, and resources related to the mission for which the center was established; and
“(3) perform and support the mission for which the center was established.”
SEC. 205. Penalties.
Aids to Navigation and False Distress Messages.— Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
in section 83 by striking “ $100” and inserting “ $1,500”;
in section 84 by striking “ $500” and inserting “ $1,500”;
in section 85 by striking “ $100” and inserting “ $1,500”; and
in section 88(c)(2) by striking “ $5,000” and inserting “ $10,000”.
Unauthorized Use of Words “Coast Guard”.— Section 639 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “ $1,000” and inserting “ $10,000”.
SEC. 206. Agreements.
by striking “ , investigate” and inserting “ and investigate”; and
by striking “ , and cooperate and coordinate such activities with other Government agencies and with private agencies”.
Authority.— Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 102. Agreements
“(a) In General.—In carrying out section 93(a)(4), the Commandant may—
“(1) enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, and other agreements with—
“(A) Federal entities;
“(B) other public or private entities in the United States, including academic entities; and
“(C) foreign governments with the concurrence of the Secretary of State; and
“(2) impose on and collect from an entity subject to an agreement or contract under paragraph (1) a fee to assist with expenses incurred in carrying out such section.
“(b) Deposit and Use of Fees.—Fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury as offsetting receipts. The fees may be used, to the extent provided in advance in an appropriation law, only to carry out activities under section 93(a)(4).”
Clerical Amendment.— The analysis for such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following:
“102. Agreements.”.
SEC. 207. Tuition Assistance Program Coverage of Textbooks and Other Educational Materials.
Section 93(a)(7) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting “ and the textbooks, manuals, and other materials required as part of such training or course of instruction” after “ correspondence courses”.
SEC. 208. Coast Guard Housing.
Commandant; General Powers.— Section 93(a)(13) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “ the Treasury” and inserting “ the fund established under section 687”.
Lighthouse Property.— Section 672a(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “ the Treasury” and inserting “ the fund established under section 687”.
Conforming Amendment.— Section 687(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(4) Monies received under section 93(a)(13).
“(5) Amounts received under section 672a(b).”
SEC. 209. Lease Authority.
Section 93 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(f) Leasing of Tidelands and Submerged Lands.—
“(1) Authority.—The Commandant may lease under subsection (a)(13) submerged lands and tidelands under the control of the Coast Guard without regard to the limitation under that subsection with respect to lease duration.
“(2) Limitation.—The Commandant may lease submerged lands and tidelands under paragraph (1) only if—
“(A) lease payments are—
“(i) received exclusively in the form of cash;
“(ii) equal to the fair market value of the use of the leased submerged lands or tidelands for the period during which such lands are leased, as determined by the Commandant; and
“(iii) deposited in the fund established under section 687; and
“(B) the lease does not provide authority to or commit the Coast Guard to use or support any improvements to such submerged lands or tidelands, or obtain goods or services from the lessee.”
SEC. 210. Notification of Certain Determinations.
In General.— Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 103. Notification of certain determinations
“(a) In General.—At least 90 days prior to making a final determination that a waterway, or a portion thereof, is navigable for purposes of the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard, the Commandant shall provide notification regarding the proposed determination to—
“(1) the Governor of each State in which such waterway, or portion thereof, is located;
“(2) the public; and
“(3) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
“(b) Content Requirement.—Each notification provided under subsection (a) to an entity specified in paragraph (3) of that subsection shall include—
“(1) an analysis of whether vessels operating on the waterway, or portion thereof, subject to the proposed determination are subject to inspection or similar regulation by State or local officials;
“(2) an analysis of whether operators of commercial vessels on such waterway, or portion thereof, are subject to licensing or similar regulation by State or local officials; and
“(3) an estimate of the annual costs that the Coast Guard may incur in conducting operations on such waterway, or portion thereof.”
Clerical Amendment.— The analysis for such chapter, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
“103. Notification of certain determinations.”.
SEC. 211. Annual Board of Visitors.
Section 194 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Ҥ 194. Annual Board of Visitors
“(a) In General.—A Board of Visitors to the Coast Guard Academy is established 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 chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or the chairman’s designee.
“(B) The chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, or the chairman’s designee.
“(C) 3 Members of the Senate designated by the Vice President.
“(D) 4 Members of the House of Representatives designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“(E) 6 individuals designated by the President.
“(2) Length of service.—
“(A) Members of congress.—A Member of Congress designated under subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (1) as a member of the Board shall be designated as a member in the First Session of a Congress and serve for the duration of that Congress.
“(B) Individuals designated by the president.—Each individual designated by the President under subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) shall serve as a member of the Board for 3 years, except that any such member whose term of office has expired shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed.
“(3) Death or resignation of a member.—If a member of the Board dies or resigns, a successor shall be designated for any unexpired portion of the term of the member by the official who designated the member.
“(c) Academy Visits.—
“(1) Annual visit.—The Board shall visit the Academy annually to review the operation of the Academy.
“(2) Additional visits.—With the approval of the Secretary, the Board or individual members of the Board may make other visits to the Academy in connection with the duties of the Board or to consult with the Superintendent of the Academy.
“(d) Scope of Review.—The Board shall review, with respect to the Academy—
“(1) the state of morale and discipline;
“(2) the curriculum;
“(3) instruction;
“(4) physical equipment;
“(5) fiscal affairs; and
“(6) other matters relating to the Academy that the Board determines appropriate.
“(e) Report.—Not later than 60 days after the date of an annual visit of the Board under subsection (c)(1), the Board shall submit 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 report on the actions of the Board during such visit and the recommendations of the Board pertaining to the Academy.
“(f) Advisors.—If approved by the Secretary, the Board may consult with advisors in carrying out this section.
“(g) Reimbursement.—Each member of the Board and each adviser consulted by the Board under subsection (f) shall be reimbursed, to the extent permitted by law, by the Coast Guard for actual expenses incurred while engaged in duties as a member or adviser.”
SEC. 212. Flag Officers.
In General.— Title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 295 the following:
Ҥ 296. Flag officers
“During any period in which the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy, section 1216(d) of title 10 does not apply with respect to flag officers of the Coast Guard.”
Clerical Amendment.— The analysis for chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 295 the following:
“296. Flag officers.”.
SEC. 213. Repeal of Limitation on Medals of Honor.
Section 494 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “ medal of honor,” each place it appears.
SEC. 214. Coast Guard Family Support and Child Care.
In General.— Title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting after chapter 13 the following:
“CHAPTER 14— COAST GUARD FAMILY SUPPORT AND CHILD CARE
“subchapter i— general provisions
“531. Work-life policies and programs.
“532. Surveys of Coast Guard families.
“subchapter ii— coast guard family support
“542. Education and training opportunities for Coast Guard spouses.
“543. Youth sponsorship initiatives.
“subchapter iii— coast guard child care
“551. Definitions.
“553. Child development center standards and inspections.
“554. Child development center employees.
“555. Parent partnerships with child development centers.
“SUBCHAPTER I— GENERAL PROVISIONS
Ҥ 531. Work-life policies and programs
“The Commandant is authorized—
“(1) to establish an office for the purpose of developing, promulgating, and coordinating policies, programs, and activities related to the families of Coast Guard members;
“(2) to implement and oversee policies, programs, and activities described in paragraph (1) as the Commandant considers necessary; and
“(3) to perform such other duties as the Commandant considers necessary.
Ҥ 532. Surveys of Coast Guard families
“(a) Authority.—The Commandant, in order to determine the effectiveness of Federal policies, programs, and activities related to the families of Coast Guard members, may survey—
“(1) any Coast Guard member;
“(2) any retired Coast Guard member;
“(3) the immediate family of any Coast Guard member or retired Coast Guard member; and
“(4) any survivor of a deceased Coast Guard member.
“(b) Voluntary Participation.—Participation in any survey conducted under subsection (a) shall be voluntary.
“(c) Federal Recordkeeping.—Each person surveyed under subsection (a) shall be considered an employee of the United States for purposes of section 3502(3)(A)(i) of title 44.
“SUBCHAPTER II— COAST GUARD FAMILY SUPPORT
Ҥ 542. Education and training opportunities for Coast Guard spouses
“(a) Tuition Assistance.—The Commandant may provide, subject to the availability of appropriations, tuition assistance to an eligible spouse to facilitate the acquisition of—
“(1) education and training required for a degree or credential at an accredited college, university, or technical school in the United States that expands employment and portable career opportunities for the spouse; or
“(2) education prerequisites and a professional license or credential required, by a government or government-sanctioned licensing body, for an occupation that expands employment and portable career opportunities for the spouse.
“(b) Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply:
“(1) Eligible spouse.—
“(A) In general.—The term ‘eligible spouse’ means the spouse of a member of the Coast Guard who is serving on active duty and includes a spouse who receives transitional compensation under section 1059 of title 10.
“(B) Exclusion.—The term ‘eligible spouse’ does not include a person who—
“(i) is married to, but legally separated from, a member of the Coast Guard under a court order or statute of any State or territorial possession of the United States; or
“(ii) is eligible for tuition assistance as a member of the Armed Forces.
“(2) Portable career.—The term ‘portable career’ includes an occupation that requires education, training, or both that results in a credential that is recognized by an industry, profession, or specific type of business.
Ҥ 543. Youth sponsorship initiatives
“(a) In General.—The Commandant is authorized to establish, within any Coast Guard unit, an initiative to help integrate into new surroundings the dependent children of members of the Coast Guard who received permanent change of station orders.
“(b) Description of Initiative.—An initiative established under subsection (a) shall—
“(1) provide for the involvement of a dependent child of a member of the Coast Guard in the dependent child’s new Coast Guard community; and
“(2) primarily focus on preteen and teenaged children.
“(c) Authority.—In carrying out an initiative under subsection (a), the Commandant may—
“(1) provide to a dependent child of a member of the Coast Guard information on youth programs and activities available in the dependent child’s new Coast Guard community; and
“(2) enter into agreements with nonprofit entities to provide youth programs and activities to such child.
“SUBCHAPTER III— COAST GUARD CHILD CARE
Ҥ 551. Definitions
“In this subchapter, the following definitions apply:
“(1) Child abuse and neglect.—The term ‘child abuse and neglect’ has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 note).
“(2) Child development center employee.—The term ‘child development center employee’ means a civilian employee of the Coast Guard who is employed to work in a Coast Guard child development center without regard to whether the employee is paid from appropriated or nonappropriated funds.
“(3) Coast guard child development center.—The term ‘Coast Guard child development center’ means a facility on Coast Guard property or on property under the jurisdiction of the commander of a Coast Guard unit at which child care services are provided for members of the Coast Guard.
“(4) Competitive service position.—The term ‘competitive service position’ means a position in the competitive service (as defined in section 2102 of title 5).
“(5) Family home daycare.—The term ‘family home daycare’ means home-based child care services provided for a member of the Coast Guard by an individual who—
“(A) is certified by the Commandant as qualified to provide home-based child care services; and
“(B) provides home-based child care services on a regular basis in exchange for monetary compensation.
Ҥ 553. Child development center standards and inspections
“(a) Standards.—The Commandant shall require each Coast Guard child development center to meet standards that the Commandant considers appropriate to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the children and employees at the center.
“(b) Inspections.—The Commandant shall provide for regular and unannounced inspections of each Coast Guard child development center to ensure compliance with this section.
“(c) National Reporting.—
“(1) In general.—The Commandant shall maintain and publicize a means by which an individual can report, with respect to a Coast Guard child development center or a family home daycare—
“(A) any suspected violation of—
“(i) standards established under subsection (a); or
“(ii) any other applicable law or standard;
“(B) suspected child abuse or neglect; or
“(C) any other deficiency.
“(2) Anonymous reporting.—The Commandant shall ensure that an individual making a report pursuant to paragraph (1) may do so anonymously if so desired by the individual.
“(3) Procedures.—The Commandant shall establish procedures for investigating reports made pursuant to paragraph (1).
Ҥ 554. Child development center employees
“(a) Training.—
“(1) In general.—The Commandant shall establish a training program for Coast Guard child development center employees and satisfactory completion of the training program shall be a condition of employment for each employee of a Coast Guard child development center.
“(2) Timing for new hires.—The Commandant shall require each employee of a Coast Guard child development center to complete the training program established under paragraph (1) not later than 6 months after the date on which the employee is hired.
“(3) Minimum requirements.—The training program established under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, instruction with respect to—
“(A) early childhood development;
“(B) activities and disciplinary techniques appropriate to children of different ages;
“(C) child abuse and neglect prevention and detection; and
“(D) cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency medical procedures.
“(4) Use of department of defense programs.—The Commandant may use Department of Defense training programs, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, for purposes of this subsection.
“(b) Training and Curriculum Specialists.—
“(1) Specialist required.—The Commandant shall require that at least 1 employee at each Coast Guard child development center be a specialist in training and curriculum development with appropriate credentials and experience.
“(2) Duties.—The duties of the specialist described in paragraph (1) shall include—
“(A) special teaching activities;
“(B) daily oversight and instruction of other child care employees;
“(C) daily assistance in the preparation of lesson plans;
“(D) assisting with child abuse and neglect prevention and detection; and
“(E) advising the director of the center on the performance of the other child care employees.
“(3) Competitive service.—Each specialist described in paragraph (1) shall be an employee in a competitive service position.
Ҥ 555. Parent partnerships with child development centers
“(a) Parent Boards.—
“(1) Formation.—The Commandant shall require that there be formed at each Coast Guard child development center a board of parents, to be composed of parents of children attending the center.
“(2) Functions.—Each board of parents formed under paragraph (1) shall—
“(A) meet periodically with the staff of the center at which the board is formed and the commander of the unit served by the center, for the purpose of discussing problems and concerns; and
“(B) be responsible, together with the staff of the center, for coordinating any parent participation initiative established under subsection (b).
“(3) FACA.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) does not apply to a board of parents formed under paragraph (1).
“(b) Parent Participation Initiative.—The Commandant is authorized to establish a parent participation initiative at each Coast Guard child development center to encourage and facilitate parent participation in educational and related activities at the center.”
Transfer of Provisions.—
In general.—
Reimbursement for adoption expenses.— Section 514 of title 14, United States Code, is redesignated as section 541 and transferred to appear before section 542 of such title, as added by subsection (a) of this section.
Child development services.— Section 515 of title 14, United States Code—
is redesignated as section 552 and transferred to appear after section 551 of such title, as added by subsection (a) of this section; and
is amended—
in subsection (b)(2)(B) by inserting “ and whether a family is participating in an initiative established under section 555(b)” after “ family income”;
by striking subsections (c) and (e); and
by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).
Dependent school children.— Section 657 of title 14, United States Code—
is redesignated as section 544 and transferred to appear after section 543 of such title, as added by subsection (a) of this section; and
is amended in subsection (a) by striking “ Except as otherwise” and all that follows through “ the Secretary may” and inserting “ The Secretary may”.
Conforming amendments.—
Part i.— The analysis for part I of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 13 the following:
“14. Coast Guard Family Support and Child Care 531”.
Chapter 13.— The analysis for chapter 13 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
by striking the item relating to section 514; and
by striking the item relating to section 515.
Chapter 14.— The analysis for chapter 14 of title 14, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section, is amended by inserting—
before the item relating to section 542 the following:
“541. Reimbursement for adoption expenses.”;
after the item relating to section 551 the following:
“552. Child development services.”; and
after the item relating to section 543 the following:
“544. Dependent school children.”.
Chapter 17.— The analysis for chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 657.
Commandant; General Powers.— Section 93(a)(7) of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting “ , and to eligible spouses as defined under section 542,” after “ Coast Guard”.
Sense of Congress.—
In general.— It is the sense of Congress that the amount of funds appropriated for a fiscal year for operating expenses related to Coast Guard child development services should not be less than the amount of the child development center fee receipts estimated to be collected by the Coast Guard during that fiscal year.
Child development center fee receipts defined.— In this subsection, the term “child development center fee receipts” means fees paid by members of the Coast Guard for child care services provided at Coast Guard child development centers.
SEC. 215. Mission Need Statement.
In General.— Section 569 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Ҥ 569. Mission need statement
“(a) In General.—On the date on which the President submits to Congress a budget for fiscal year 2016 under section 1105 of title 31, on the date on which the President submits to Congress a budget for fiscal year 2019 under such section, and every 4 years thereafter, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an integrated major acquisition mission need statement.
“(b) Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply:
“(1) Integrated major acquisition mission need statement.—The term ‘integrated major acquisition mission need statement’ means a document that—
“(A) identifies current and projected gaps in Coast Guard mission capabilities using mission hour targets;
“(B) explains how each major acquisition program addresses gaps identified under subparagraph (A) if funded at the levels provided for such program in the most recently submitted capital investment plan; and
“(C) describes the missions the Coast Guard will not be able to achieve, by fiscal year, for each gap identified under subparagraph (A).
“(2) Major acquisition program.—The term ‘major acquisition program’ has the meaning given that term in section 569a(e).
“(3) Capital investment plan.—The term ‘capital investment plan’ means the plan required under section 663(a)(1).”
Clerical Amendment.— The analysis for chapter 15 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 569 and inserting the following:
“569. Mission need statement.”.
SEC. 216. Transmission of Annual Coast Guard Authorization Request.
In General.— Title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 662 the following:
Ҥ 662a. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request
“(a) In General.—Not later than 30 days after the date on which the President submits to Congress a budget for a fiscal year pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a Coast Guard authorization request with respect to such fiscal year.
“(b) Coast Guard Authorization Request Defined.—In this section, the term ‘Coast Guard authorization request’ means a proposal for legislation that, with respect to the Coast Guard for the relevant fiscal year—
“(1) recommends end strengths for personnel for that fiscal year, as described in section 661;
“(2) recommends authorizations of appropriations for that fiscal year, including with respect to matters described in section 662; and
“(3) addresses any other matter that the Secretary determines is appropriate for inclusion in a Coast Guard authorization bill.”
Clerical Amendment.— The analysis for chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 662 the following:
“662a. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request.”.
SEC. 217. Inventory of Real Property.
In General.— Chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 679. Inventory of real property
“(a) In General.—Not later than September 30, 2015, the Commandant shall establish an inventory of all real property, including submerged lands, under the control of the Coast Guard, which shall include—
“(1) the size, the location, and any other appropriate description of each unit of such property;
“(2) an assessment of the physical condition of each unit of such property, excluding lands;
“(3) a determination of whether each unit of such property should be—
“(A) retained to fulfill a current or projected Coast Guard mission requirement; or
“(B) subject to divestiture; and
“(4) other information the Commandant considers appropriate.
“(b) Inventory Maintenance.—The Commandant shall—
“(1) maintain the inventory required under subsection (a) on an ongoing basis; and
“(2) update information on each unit of real property included in such inventory not later than 30 days after any change relating to the control of such property.
“(c) Recommendations to Congress.—Not later than March 30, 2016, and every 5 years thereafter, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes—
“(1) a list of all real property under the control of the Coast Guard and the location of such property by property type;
“(2) recommendations for divestiture with respect to any units of such property; and
“(3) recommendations for consolidating any units of such property, including—
“(A) an estimate of the costs or savings associated with each recommended consolidation; and
“(B) a discussion of the impact that such consolidation would have on Coast Guard mission effectiveness.”
Clerical Amendment.— The analysis for such chapter, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
“679. Inventory of real property.”.
SEC. 218. Retired Service Members and Dependents Serving on Advisory Committees.
In General.— Chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Ҥ 680. Retired service members and dependents serving on advisory committees
“A committee that—
“(1) advises or assists the Coast Guard with respect to a function that affects a member of the Coast Guard or a dependent of such a member; and
“(2) includes in its membership a retired Coast Guard member or a dependent of such a retired member;
Clerical Amendment.— The analysis for such chapter, as amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 679 the following:
“680. Retired service members and dependents serving on advisory committees.”.
SEC. 219. Active Duty for Emergency Augmentation of Regular Forces.
Section 712(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “ not more than 60 days in any 4-month period and”.
SEC. 220. Acquisition Workforce Expedited Hiring Authority.
Section 404(b) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–281; 124 Stat. 2951) is amended by striking “ 2015” and inserting “ 2017”.
SEC. 221. Coast Guard Administrative Savings.
Elimination of Outdated and Duplicative Reports.—
by striking “ (a) In General.—The Commandant” and inserting “ The Commandant”; and
by striking subsection (b).
Operations and expenditures.— Section 651 of title 14, United States Code, and the item relating to such section in the analysis for chapter 17 of such title, are repealed.
Drug interdiction.— Section 103 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996 (14 U.S.C. 89 note), and the item relating to that section in the table of contents in section 2 of that Act, are repealed.
National defense.— Section 426 of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (14 U.S.C. 2 note), and the item relating to that section in the table of contents in section 1(b) of that Act, are repealed.
Living marine resources.— Section 4(b) of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 (16 U.S.C. 1828 note) is amended by adding at the end the following: “ No report shall be required under this subsection, including that no report shall be required under section 224 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 or section 804 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006, for fiscal years beginning after fiscal year 2014.”.
Consolidation and Reform of Reporting Requirements.—
Marine safety.—
In general.— Section 2116(d)(2)(B) of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
“(B) on the program’s mission performance in achieving numerical measurable goals established under subsection (b), including—
“(i) the number of civilian and military Coast Guard personnel assigned to marine safety positions; and
“(ii) an identification of marine safety positions that are understaffed to meet the workload required to accomplish each activity included in the strategy and plans under subsection (a); and”
Conforming amendment.— Section 57 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended—
by striking subsection (e); and
by redesignating subsections (f), (g), and (h) as subsections (e), (f), and (g) respectively.
Minor construction.— Section 656(d)(2) of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
“(2) Report.—Not later than the date on which the President submits to Congress a budget under section 1105 of title 31 each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing each project carried out under paragraph (1), in the most recently concluded fiscal year, for which the amount expended under such paragraph for such project was more than $1,000,000. If no such project was carried out during a fiscal year, no report under this paragraph shall be required with respect to that fiscal year.”
SEC. 222. Technical Corrections to Title 14.
SEC. 223. Multiyear Procurement Authority for Offshore Patrol Cutters.
In fiscal year 2015 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may enter into, in accordance with section 2306b of title 10, United States Code, multiyear contracts for the procurement of Offshore Patrol Cutters and associated equipment.
SEC. 224. Maintaining Medium Endurance Cutter Mission Capability.
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 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—
a schedule and plan for decommissioning, not later than September 30, 2029, each of the 210-foot, Reliance-Class Cutters operated by the Coast Guard on the date of enactment of this Act;
a schedule and plan for enhancing the maintenance or extending the service life of each of the 270-foot, Famous-Class Cutters operated by the Coast Guard on the date of enactment of this Act—
to maintain the capability of the Coast Guard to carry out sea-going missions with respect to such Cutters at the level of capability existing on September 30, 2013; and
for the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date on which the final Offshore Patrol Cutter is scheduled to be commissioned under paragraph (4);
an identification of the number of Offshore Patrol Cutters capable of sea state 5 operations that, if 8 National Security Cutters are commissioned, are necessary to return the sea state 5 operating capability of the Coast Guard to the level of capability that existed prior to the decommissioning of the first High Endurance Cutter in fiscal year 2011;
a schedule and plan for commissioning the number of Offshore Patrol Cutters identified under paragraph (3); and
a schedule and plan for commissioning, not later than September 30, 2034, a number of Offshore Patrol Cutters not capable of sea state 5 operations that is equal to—
25; less
the number of Offshore Patrol Cutters identified under paragraph (3).
SEC. 225. Aviation Capability.
In General.— The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may—
request and accept through a direct military-to-military transfer under section 2571 of title 10, United States Code, such H–60 helicopters as may be necessary to establish a year-round operational capability in the Coast Guard’s Ninth District; and
use funds provided under section 101 of this Act to convert such helicopters to Coast Guard MH–60T configuration.
Prohibition.—
In general.— The Coast Guard may not—
close a Coast Guard air facility that was in operation on November 30, 2014; or
retire, transfer, relocate, or deploy an aviation asset from an air facility described in subparagraph (A) for the purpose of closing such facility.
Sunset.— This subsection is repealed effective January 1, 2016.
SEC. 226. Gaps in Writings on Coast Guard History.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on any gaps that exist in writings on the history of the Coast Guard. The report shall address, at a minimum, operations, broad topics, and biographies with respect to the Coast Guard.
SEC. 227. Officer Evaluation Reports.
Assessment Required.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard 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 written assessment of the Coast Guard’s officer evaluation reporting system.
Contents of Assessment.— The assessment required under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, an analysis of—
the extent to which the Coast Guard’s officer evaluation reports differ in length, form, and content from the officer fitness reports used by the Navy and other branches of the Armed Forces;
the extent to which differences determined pursuant to paragraph (1) are the result of inherent differences between—
the Coast Guard and the Navy; and
the Coast Guard and other branches of the Armed Forces;
the feasibility of more closely aligning and conforming the Coast Guard’s officer evaluation reports with the officer fitness reports of the Navy and other branches of the Armed Forces; and
the costs and benefits of the alignment and conformity described in paragraph (3), including with respect to—
Coast Guard administrative efficiency;
fairness and equity for Coast Guard officers; and
carrying out the Coast Guard’s statutory mission of defense readiness, including when operating as a service in the Navy.
SEC. 228. Improved Safety Information for Vessels.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish a process that allows an operator of a marine exchange or other non-Federal vessel traffic information service to use the automatic identification system to transmit weather, ice, and other important navigation safety information to vessels.
SEC. 229. E–loran.
In General.— The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may not carry out activities related to the dismantling or disposal of infrastructure that supported the former LORAN system until the later of—
the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act; or
the date on which the Secretary provides to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate notice of a determination by the Secretary that such infrastructure is not required to provide a positioning, navigation, and timing system to provide redundant capability in the event GPS signals are disrupted.
Exception.— Subsection (a) does not apply to activities necessary for the safety of human life.
Agreements.— The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, and other agreements with Federal entities and other public or private entities, including academic entities, to develop a positioning, navigation, and timing system, including an enhanced LORAN system, to provide redundant capability in the event GPS signals are disrupted.
SEC. 230. Analysis of Resource Deficiencies with Respect to Maritime Border Security.
In General.— Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report describing any Coast Guard resource deficiencies related to—
securing maritime borders with respect to the Great Lakes and the coastal areas of the Southeastern and Southwestern United States, including with respect to Florida, California, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands;
patrolling and monitoring maritime approaches to the areas described in paragraph (1); and
patrolling and monitoring relevant portions of the Western Hemisphere Drug Transit Zone.
Scope.— In preparing the report under subsection (a), the Commandant shall consider, at a minimum—
the Coast Guard’s statutory missions with respect to migrant interdiction, drug interdiction, defense readiness, living marine resources, and ports, waterways, and coastal security;
whether Coast Guard missions are being executed to meet national performance targets set under the National Drug Control Strategy;
the number and types of cutters and other vessels required to effectively execute Coast Guard missions;
the number and types of aircraft, including unmanned aircraft, required to effectively execute Coast Guard missions;
the number of assets that require upgraded sensor and communications systems to effectively execute Coast Guard missions;
the Deployable Specialized Forces required to effectively execute Coast Guard missions; and
whether additional shoreside facilities are required to accommodate Coast Guard personnel and assets in support of Coast Guard missions.
SEC. 231. Modernization of National Distress and Response System.
Report.— 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 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 the Rescue 21 project in Alaska and in Coast Guard sectors Upper Mississippi River, Lower Mississippi River, and Ohio River Valley.
Contents.— The report required under subsection (a) shall—
describe what improvements are being made to the distress response system in the areas specified in subsection (a), including information on which areas will receive digital selective calling and direction finding capability;
describe the impediments to installing digital selective calling and direction finding capability in areas where such technology will not be installed;
identify locations in the areas specified in subsection (a) where communication gaps will continue to present a risk to mariners after completion of the Rescue 21 project;
include a list of all reported marine accidents, casualties, and fatalities occurring in the locations identified under paragraph (3) since 1990; and
provide an estimate of the costs associated with installing the technology necessary to close communication gaps in the locations identified under paragraph (3).
SEC. 232. Report Reconciling Maintenance and Operational Priorities on the Missouri River.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that outlines a course of action to reconcile general maintenance priorities for cutters with operational priorities on the Missouri River.
SEC. 233. Maritime Search and Rescue Assistance Policy Assessment.
In General.— The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall assess the Maritime Search and Rescue Assistance Policy as it relates to State and local responders.
Scope.— The assessment under subsection (a) shall consider, at a minimum—
the extent to which Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators have entered into domestic search and rescue agreements with State and local responders under the National Search and Rescue Plan;
whether the domestic search and rescue agreements include the Maritime Search and Rescue Assistance Policy; and
the extent to which Coast Guard sectors coordinate with 911 emergency centers, including ensuring the dissemination of appropriate maritime distress check-sheets.
Report.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit a report on the assessment under subsection (a) to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.