[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 524 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 524
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To authorize appropriations for 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,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 2025''.
(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.
TITLE I--COAST GUARD
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 102. Authorized levels of military strength and training.
Subtitle B--Acquisition
Sec. 111. Modification of prohibition on use of lead systems
integrators.
Sec. 112. Service life extension programs.
Sec. 113. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for acquisition
and procurement.
Sec. 114. Great Lakes icebreaking.
Sec. 115. Regular Polar Security Cutter updates.
Sec. 116. Floating drydock for United States Coast Guard Yard.
Subtitle C--Organization and Authorities
Sec. 131. Modification of treatment of minor construction and
improvement project management.
Sec. 132. Preparedness plans for Coast Guard properties located in
tsunami inundation zones.
Sec. 133. Public availability of information.
Sec. 134. Delegation of ports and waterways safety authorities in Saint
Lawrence Seaway.
Sec. 135. Additional Pribilof Island transition completion actions.
Sec. 136. Policy and briefing on availability of naloxone to treat
opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses.
Sec. 137. Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River cooperative vessel
traffic service.
Sec. 138. Policy on methods to reduce incentives for illicit maritime
drug trafficking.
Sec. 139. Procurement of tactical maritime surveillance systems.
Sec. 140. Plan for joint and integrated maritime operational and
leadership training for United States Coast
Guard and Taiwan Coast Guard
Administration.
Sec. 141. Modification of authority for special purpose facilities.
Sec. 142. Timely reimbursement of damage claims for Coast Guard
property.
Sec. 143. Enhanced use property pilot program.
Sec. 144. Coast Guard property provision.
Subtitle D--Personnel
Sec. 151. Direct hire authority for certain personnel.
Sec. 152. Temporary exemption from authorized end strength for enlisted
members on active duty in Coast Guard in
pay grades E-8 and E-9.
Sec. 153. Additional available guidance and considerations for reserve
selection boards.
Sec. 154. Family leave policies for the Coast Guard.
Sec. 155. Authorization for maternity uniform allowance for officers.
Sec. 156. Housing.
Sec. 157. Uniform funding and management system for morale, well-being,
and recreation programs and Coast Guard
Exchange.
Sec. 158. Coast Guard embedded behavioral health technician program.
Sec. 159. Expansion of access to counseling.
Sec. 160. Command sponsorship for dependents of members of Coast Guard
assigned to Unalaska, Alaska.
Sec. 161. Travel allowance for members of Coast Guard assigned to
Alaska.
Sec. 162. Consolidation of authorities for college student
precommissioning initiative.
Sec. 163. Tuition Assistance and Advanced Education Assistance Pilot
Program.
Sec. 164. Modifications to career flexibility program.
Sec. 165. Recruitment, relocation, and retention incentive program for
civilian firefighters employed by Coast
Guard in remote locations.
Sec. 166. Reinstatement of training course on workings of Congress;
Coast Guard Museum.
Sec. 167. Modification of designation of Vice Admirals.
Sec. 168. Commandant Advisory Judge Advocate.
Sec. 169. Special Advisor to Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian
affairs.
Sec. 170. Notification.
Subtitle E--Coast Guard Academy
Sec. 171. Modification of Board of Visitors.
Sec. 172. Study on Coast Guard Academy oversight.
Sec. 173. Electronic locking mechanisms to ensure Coast Guard Academy
cadet room security.
Sec. 174. Coast Guard Academy student advisory board and access to
timely and independent wellness support
services for cadets and candidates.
Sec. 175. Report on existing behavioral health and wellness support
services facilities at Coast Guard Academy.
Sec. 176. Required posting of information.
Sec. 177. Installation of behavioral health and wellness rooms.
Sec. 178. Coast Guard Academy room reassignment.
Sec. 179. Authorization for use of Coast Guard Academy facilities and
equipment by covered foundations.
Sec. 180. Concurrent jurisdiction at Coast Guard Academy.
Subtitle F--Reports
Sec. 181. Maritime domain awareness in Coast Guard sector for Puerto
Rico and Virgin Islands.
Sec. 182. Report on condition of Missouri River dayboards.
Sec. 183. Study on Coast Guard missions.
Sec. 184. Annual report on progress of certain homeporting projects.
Sec. 185. Report on Bay class icebreaking tug fleet replacement.
Sec. 186. Feasibility study on supporting additional port visits and
deployments in support of Operation Blue
Pacific.
Sec. 187. Study and gap analysis with respect to Coast Guard Air
Station Corpus Christi aviation hangar.
Sec. 188. Report on impacts of joint travel regulations on members of
Coast Guard who rely on ferry systems.
Sec. 189. Report on Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.
Sec. 190. Report on and expansion of Coast Guard Junior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps Program.
TITLE II--SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION
Subtitle A--Merchant Mariner Credentials
Sec. 201. Merchant mariner credentialing.
Sec. 202. Nonoperating individual.
Sec. 203. Merchant mariner licensing and documentation system
requirements.
Subtitle B--Vessel Safety
Sec. 211. Grossly negligent operations of a vessel.
Sec. 212. Administrative procedure for security risks.
Sec. 213. Study of amphibious vessels.
Sec. 214. Performance driven examination schedule.
Sec. 215. Ports and waterways safety.
Sec. 216. Study on Bering Strait vessel traffic projections and
emergency response posture at ports of the
United States.
Sec. 217. Underwater inspections brief.
Sec. 218. St. Lucie River railroad bridge.
Sec. 219. Authority to establish safety zones for special activities in
exclusive economic zone.
Sec. 220. Improving Vessel Traffic Service monitoring.
Sec. 221. Designating pilotage waters for the Straits of Mackinac.
Sec. 222. Receipts; international agreements for ice patrol services.
Sec. 223. Requirements for certain fishing vessels and fish tender
vessels.
Subtitle C--Matters Involving Uncrewed Systems
Sec. 231. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous
Maritime Systems.
Sec. 232. Pilot program for governance and oversight of small uncrewed
maritime systems.
Sec. 233. Coast Guard training course.
Sec. 234. NOAA membership on Autonomous Vessel Policy Council.
Sec. 235. Technology pilot program.
Sec. 236. Uncrewed systems capabilities report and briefing.
Sec. 237. Definitions.
Subtitle D--Other Matters
Sec. 241. Controlled substance onboard vessels.
Sec. 242. Information on type approval certificates.
Sec. 243. Clarification of authorities.
Sec. 244. Anchorages.
Sec. 245. Amendments to passenger vessel security and safety
requirements.
Sec. 246. Cyber-incident training.
Sec. 247. Extension of pilot program to establish a cetacean desk for
Puget Sound region.
Sec. 248. Suspension of enforcement of use of devices broadcasting on
AIS for purposes of marking fishing gear.
Sec. 249. Classification societies.
Sec. 250. Abandoned and derelict vessel removals.
TITLE III--OIL POLLUTION RESPONSE
Sec. 301. Salvage and marine firefighting response capability.
Sec. 302. Use of marine casualty investigations.
Sec. 303. Timing of review.
Sec. 304. Online incident reporting system.
Sec. 305. Investment of Exxon Valdez oil spill court recovery in high
yield investments and marine research.
TITLE IV--SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT RESPONSE
Sec. 401. Independent review of Coast Guard reforms.
Sec. 402. Comprehensive policy and procedures on retention and access
to evidence and records relating to sexual
misconduct and other misconduct.
Sec. 403. 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. 404. Designation of officers with particular expertise in military
justice or healthcare.
Sec. 405. Safe-to-Report policy for Coast Guard.
Sec. 406. Modification of reporting requirements on covered misconduct
in Coast Guard.
Sec. 407. Modifications to the officer involuntary separation process.
Sec. 408. Review of discharge characterization.
Sec. 409. Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial.
Sec. 410. Definition of covered misconduct.
Sec. 411. Notification of changes to Uniform Code of Military Justice
or Manual for Courts Martial relating to
covered misconduct.
Sec. 412. Complaints of retaliation by victims of sexual assault or
sexual harassment and related persons.
Sec. 413. Development of policies on military protective orders.
Sec. 414. Coast Guard implementation of independent review commission
recommendations on addressing sexual
assault and sexual harassment in the
military.
Sec. 415. Policy relating to care and support of victims of covered
misconduct.
Sec. 416. Establishment of special victim capabilities to respond to
allegations of certain special victim
offenses.
Sec. 417. Members asserting post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual
assault, or traumatic brain injury.
Sec. 418. Participation in CATCH a Serial Offender program.
Sec. 419. Accountability and transparency relating to allegations of
misconduct against senior leaders.
Sec. 420. Confidential reporting of sexual harassment.
Sec. 421. Report on policy on whistleblower protections.
Sec. 422. Review and modification of Coast Guard Academy policy on
sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Sec. 423. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Academy access to defense sexual
assault incident database.
Sec. 424. Director of Coast Guard Investigative Service.
Sec. 425. Modifications and revisions relating to reopening retired
grade determinations.
Sec. 426. Inclusion and command review of information on covered
misconduct in personnel service records.
Sec. 427. Flag officer review of, and concurrence in, separation of
members who have reported sexual
misconduct.
Sec. 428. Expedited transfer in cases of sexual misconduct or domestic
violence.
Sec. 429. Access to temporary separation program for victims of alleged
sex-related offenses.
Sec. 430. Policy and program to expand prevention of sexual misconduct.
Sec. 431. Continuous vetting of security clearances.
Sec. 432. Training and education programs for covered misconduct
prevention and response.
TITLE V--COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORTS
Sec. 501. Comptroller General report on Coast Guard research,
development, and innovation program.
Sec. 502. Comptroller General study on vessel traffic service center
employment, compensation, and retention.
Sec. 503. Comptroller General review of quality and availability of
Coast Guard behavioral health care and
resources for personnel wellness.
Sec. 504. 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. 505. Comptroller General study on Coast Guard training facility
infrastructure.
Sec. 506. Comptroller General study on facility and infrastructure
needs of Coast Guard stations conducting
border security operations.
Sec. 507. Comptroller General study on Coast Guard basic allowance for
housing.
Sec. 508. Comptroller General report on safety and security
infrastructure at Coast Guard Academy.
Sec. 509. Comptroller General study on athletic coaching at Coast Guard
Academy.
Sec. 510. Comptroller General study and report on permanent change of
station process.
TITLE VI--AMENDMENTS
Sec. 601. Amendments.
TITLE VII--NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Subtitle A--National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commissioned Officer Corps
Sec. 701. Title and qualifications of head of National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Commissioned
Officer Corps and Office of Marine and
Aviation Operations; promotions of flag
officers.
Sec. 702. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel fleet.
Sec. 703. Cooperative Aviation Centers.
Sec. 704. Eligibility of former officers to compete for certain
positions.
Sec. 705. Alignment of physical disqualification standard for obligated
service agreements with standard for
veterans' benefits.
Sec. 706. Streamlining separation and retirement process.
Sec. 707. Separation of ensigns found not fully qualified.
Sec. 708. Repeal of limitation on educational assistance.
Sec. 709. Disposal of survey and research vessels and equipment of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
Subtitle B--South Pacific Tuna Treaty Matters
Sec. 721. References to South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988.
Sec. 722. Definitions.
Sec. 723. Prohibited acts.
Sec. 724. Exceptions.
Sec. 725. Criminal offenses.
Sec. 726. Civil penalties.
Sec. 727. Licenses.
Sec. 728. Enforcement.
Sec. 729. Findings by Secretary of Commerce.
Sec. 730. Disclosure of information.
Sec. 731. Closed area stowage requirements.
Sec. 732. Observers.
Sec. 733. Fisheries-related assistance.
Sec. 734. Arbitration.
Sec. 735. Disposition of fees, penalties, forfeitures, and other
moneys.
Sec. 736. Additional agreements.
Subtitle C--Other Matters
Sec. 741. North Pacific Research Board enhancement.
SEC. 2. COMMANDANT DEFINED.
In this Act, the term ``Commandant'' means the Commandant of the
Coast Guard.
TITLE I--COAST GUARD
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
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 and 2026'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking clauses (i) and
(ii) and inserting the following:
``(i) $11,287,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
``(ii) $11,851,875,000 for fiscal year 2026.'';
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``$23,456,000''
and inserting ``$25,570,000''; and
(C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``$24,353,000''
and inserting ``$26,848,500'';
(3) in paragraph (2)(A) by striking clauses (i) and (ii)
and inserting the following:
``(i) $3,627,600,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
``(ii) $3,651,480,000 for fiscal year 2026.'';
(4) in paragraph (3) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B)
and inserting the following:
``(A) $15,415,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
``(B) $16,185,750 for fiscal year 2026.''; and
(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 Plan and the Survivor Benefit Plan, 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,
$1,210,840,000 for fiscal year 2025.''.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZED LEVELS OF MILITARY STRENGTH AND TRAINING.
Section 4904 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ``fiscal years 2022 and
2023'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2025 and 2026''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``2,500'' and
inserting ``3,000'';
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``165'' and
inserting ``200'';
(C) in paragraph (3) by striking ``385'' and
inserting ``450''; and
(D) in paragraph (4) by striking ``1,200'' and
i