S. 524 — Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

This section revises authorization of appropriations for Coast Guard necessary expenses for FY2025 and FY2026 (from FY2022 and FY2023) as follows: (1) for operation and maintenance, $11,287,500,000 for FY2025 (from $10,000,000,000 for FY2022) and $11,851,875,000 for FY2026 (from $10,750,000,000 for FY2023), of which $25,570,000 for FY2025 (from $23,456,000) and $26,848,500 for FY2026 (from $24,353,000) are for environmental compliance and restoration; (2) for procurement, construction, renovation, improvement, and related activities (including bridge alterations), $3,627,600,000 for FY2025 (from $3,312,114,000 for FY2022) and $3,651,480,000 for FY2026 (from $3,477,600,000 for FY2023), with bridge alteration amounts unchanged at $20,400,000 for FY2022 and $20,808,000 for FY2023; (3) for research, development, test, and evaluation, $15,415,000 for FY2025 (from $7,476,000 for FY2022) and $16,185,750 for FY2026 (from $14,681,084 for FY2023); and (4) replaces authorization for the Coast Guard Medicare-eligible retiree health care fund contribution (previously $240,577,000 for FY2022 and $252,887,000 for FY2023) with $1,210,840,000 for FY2025 for retired pay and related payments (i.e., obligations chargeable to lapsed appropriations, Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan and Survivor Benefit Plan payments, career status bonuses, continuation pay, concurrent receipts, combat-related special compensation, and medical care of retirees and dependents).

This section revises authorized levels of Coast Guard military strength and training by (1) specifying an end-of-year active duty strength of 44,500 for FY2025 and FY2026 (from FY2022 and FY2023); and (2) increasing authorized average military training student loads for FY2022 and FY2023 as follows: (A) for recruit and special training, to 3,000 student years (from 2,500); (B) for flight training, to 200 student years (from 165); (C) for professional training in military and civilian institutions, to 450 student years (from 385); and (D) for officer acquisition, to 1,300 student years (from 1,200).

This section defines the term "lead systems integrator" in the prohibition on use of lead systems integrators in Coast Guard acquisitions (14 USC 1105) by reference to its meaning in section 805(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-163).

This section (1) establishes a new statutory exemption (at 14 U.S.C. 1138) for Coast Guard service life extension programs—defined as capital investments solely to extend the service life and address obsolescence of components or systems of a capability or asset—from requirements applicable to Level 1 or Level 2 acquisitions under 14 U.S.C. 1131–1134; (2) revises the biennial acquisition status reporting requirement under 14 U.S.C. 5103 to cover only Level 1 Acquisitions or Level 2 Acquisitions (from all major acquisition programs), adds definitions for those terms referencing 14 U.S.C. 1171, and makes a conforming amendment to the major acquisition risk assessment requirement under 14 U.S.C. 5107; and (3) makes a related clerical amendment to the table of contents for chapter 11 of title 14. (As background, Level 1 Acquisitions are the Coast Guard's largest and highest-risk programs, while Level 2 Acquisitions are mid-tier programs; thus, these changes reduce certain acquisition oversight and reporting to higher-priority programs.)

This section requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the Commandant, to consider life-cycle cost estimates (i.e., total costs from acquisition through disposal) for vessels and aircraft during design and evaluation processes for acquisition and procurement, to the maximum extent practicable.

This section requires the Coast Guard Commandant to submit, not later than 90 days after enactment, a strategy to Congress for the design and construction of a Great Lakes icebreaker at least as capable as the Coast Guard cutter *Mackinaw* (WLBB–30), including a cost estimate and expedited delivery timeline upon funding availability. It also establishes a pilot program during the 5 ice seasons following enactment to assess the Coast Guard Great Lakes icebreaking fleet's ability to keep tier one and tier two waterways open 95% of the time, with reports to Congress on results and performance measures not later than 180 days after each season. Further, the section (1) modifies the public reporting requirement under sec. 11213(f) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (P.L. 117–263) to require publication on the Coast Guard website, not later than July 1 after the first winter following submission of the report required by sec. 11212(a)(3), of costs to meet proposed icebreaking standards under sec. 11212(a)(2); and (2) adds a new sec. 11272(c)(7) to the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 requiring congressional briefings on Coast Guard costs to comply with sexual assault forensic exam procedures under 14 U.S.C. 564 (i.e., written vessel operating procedures ensuring timely exams for victims, prioritizing health, privacy, evidence preservation, and coordination with DoD facilities)—not later than 30 days after enactment for FY2024 costs, November 1, 2025, for FY2025 costs, and November 1, 2026, for FY2026 costs.

This section requires the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Chief of Naval Operations to submit to specified congressional committees—House Transportation and Infrastructure, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and House and Senate Armed Services—a report within 120 days of enactment on the status of Polar Security Cutter (PSC) acquisition. (As background, PSCs are U.S. Coast Guard heavy icebreakers designed for Arctic and Antarctic operations.) The report must include (1) a detailed acquisition timeline with milestones and projected commissioning dates for the first three PSCs; (2) an accounting of funds spent to date, updated cost projections, and projected additional funding needs; (3) potential delay or risk factors; and (4) a review of acquisition to date, including causes of cost overruns and delays. The section further requires briefings to the same committees beginning 90 days after the report and not less frequently than every 90 days thereafter (or after any key milestone), covering progress since the prior briefing, updated timelines and budgets, and explanations of delays or added costs. It also requires notifications to the committees within three business days of any significant change to the PSC acquisition strategy's scope or funding level.

This section prohibits the Coast Guard Commandant from acquiring, procuring, or constructing a floating dry dock for the Coast Guard Yard except through specified methods notwithstanding certain existing restrictions. Permissible methods include (1) arranging for a non-Coast Guard entity to contract for it via contract, lease, purchase, or other agreement; (2) constructing it at the Yard; or (3) acquiring a commercially available one. Such actions are exempt from procurement requirements under 14 U.S.C. §§1131–1133 and 1171, must incorporate commercial design standards and practices to the extent practicable, and require berthing at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, when lifting or maintaining vessels. The term "floating dry dock" means U.S.-constructed equipment capable of servicing vessels at least 418 feet in length with 4,500 gross tons.

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in consultation with the NOAA Administrator, other appropriate federal agencies, and relevant State, Tribal, and local government entities, to develop by one year after enactment a location-specific tsunami preparedness plan for each Coast Guard-owned, operated, or leased real property located in a tsunami inundation zone (i.e., property concerned). Each plan must (1) minimize loss of human life and maximize the Coast Guard's mission capability; (2) be incorporated into the emergency action plan for each affected Coast Guard unit or sector; (3) designate an evacuation route to an assembly area outside the inundation zone; (4) account for near-shore and distant tsunamis; (5) include maps of inundation zones, evacuation routes and instructions, procedures to initiate evacuations expeditiously upon detection of a tsunamigenic event (i.e., earthquake, volcanic eruption, submarine landslide, coastal rockfall, or similar), evacuation plans for aviation and afloat assets, and either on-foot evacuation routes from all locations or an assessment of vertical evacuation refuges (i.e., tsunami-resistant structures or earthen mounds elevated above inundation depth); (6) for properties at risk of near-shore tsunamis, be executable within 15 minutes of seismic detection or a reasonable timeframe to minimize loss of life; and (7) be exercised, communicated via annual in-person training to personnel and dependents, and evaluated by the relevant District Commander at least annually. The Commandant must brief the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by 14 months after enactment on the plans, their implementation status, and feasibility.

This section transfers section 11269 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-263) to title 14, United States Code, as section 529; revises it to require the Coast Guard Commandant to publicly release information not later than the 15th day of each month on the number of drug and person interdictions (previously, the number of migrant interdictions); and makes clerical amendments to related tables of contents. The revised section specifies that the public information must describe (1) the number of drug interdiction incidents, amount and type of drugs interdicted, and Coast Guard sectors and geographic areas involved; and (2) the number of person interdiction incidents, number of persons interdicted (including unaccompanied minors), and Coast Guard sectors and geographic areas involved. It further provides that the section does not require the Coast Guard to collect such information or publicly release confidential, classified, law enforcement sensitive, or otherwise protected information.

This section revises the delegation of ports and waterways safety authorities with respect to the Saint Lawrence Seaway (46 USC 70032). It retains the prohibition on delegating specified authorities (under sections 70001, 70002, 70003, 70004, and 70011) to any agency other than the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation and the requirement to delegate other authorities under subchapters I through III and subchapter IV as necessary for Seaway operations. It adds an exception permitting the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (i.e., DHS), after consultation with the Secretary or agency head delegated those authorities, to (1) issue and enforce special orders under section 70002, (2) establish water or waterfront safety zones under section 70011(b)(3), and (3) take actions for port, harbor, and coastal facility security under section 70116. It also makes a clerical amendment to the chapter analysis heading for section 70032.

This section requires the Secretary, beginning with the first quarterly report under subsection (a) submitted after enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, to include in each such report on Pribilof Island transition activities (1) the status of using recently renovated Coast Guard housing, food preparation, and maintenance and repair facilities on St. Paul Island, Alaska—including projected dates for full use and occupancy in support of Bering Sea missions—and (2) a detailed plan for acquiring and constructing a hangar near existing St. Paul airport facilities to support Coast Guard operations, including plans for required land use.

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update, not later than one year after enactment, the service's policy on using medications to treat drug overdoses—including naloxone or similar medications for opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses—at Coast Guard facilities, onboard assets, and during operations. The updated policy requires such medications to be available at each Coast Guard clinic, each independently located unit, onboard each cutter, and for responses at other appropriate installations, facilities, and assets (with a rule of construction deeming availability at one facility on a multi-facility installation sufficient if accessible at all times). This section further requires the Commandant, not later than one year after the earlier of enactment or establishment of the tracking system under section 706 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 1090 note), to ensure Coast Guard participation in that system and requires the Secretary overseeing the Coast Guard (when not operating as a Navy service) and the Secretary of Defense, on the same timeline, to finalize a memorandum of understanding facilitating such access. Finally, this section requires the Commandant to provide specified congressional committees, not later than two years after enactment, a briefing on Coast Guard use of naloxone or similar medications and opioids (including fentanyl)—covering policy implementation progress, substance abuse prevalence and mitigation processes over the prior five years, memorandum status, and instances of overdose treatment—while ensuring compliance with applicable privacy laws.

This section directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue or amend regulations, not later than two years after the date of enactment, addressing 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.

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in consultation with the DEA Administrator, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense, to develop within one year after enactment a policy—consistent with the U.S. Constitution, domestic law, and international law—to address, disincentivize, and interdict maritime trafficking of controlled substances and precursors for illicit synthetic drugs. The policy must (1) require seizure or disposal of vessels unlawfully transporting such substances or precursors, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with law and U.S. international agreements; and (2) aim to reduce global incentives for such trafficking, including in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Indo-Pacific region, Caribbean, and Middle East. Within one year after enactment, the Commandant must brief specified Senate and House committees on the policy and recommendations for additional methods to reduce illicit drug trafficking and resources needed to implement the policy and those methods.

This section directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, subject to the availability of appropriations and a determination of need, to procure tactical maritime surveillance systems, or similar technology, for use by the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the areas of operation of Coast Guard Sector San Diego (California), Coast Guard Sector San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Coast Guard Sector Key West (Florida). The section further directs procurement, for data integration and land-based access, of a land-based maritime domain awareness system (i.e., for sharing data with the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection) for each of those areas and Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, to operate in conjunction with an existing system procured under section 11266 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 for South Padre Island and the new tactical systems. Prior to procuring or operating a system deployed from Department of Defense property, the Secretary of Homeland Security must complete a study, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, analyzing national security impacts; if negative impacts are identified, procurement or installation is prohibited.

This section directs the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, in consultation with the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, to complete within 180 days of enactment a plan to expand joint and integrated maritime training activities with the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration. The plan must include (1) estimated costs for FY2024 through FY2029 to deploy U.S. Coast Guard mobile training teams to Taiwan and to accommodate additional Taiwan Coast Guard Administration participants in U.S. Coast Guard-led courses (including lodging, meals, travel, and materials); (2) a strategy to increase, as practicable, seats for Taiwan participants in six specified U.S. Coast Guard international training courses, including the International Maritime Officers Course, International Leadership and Management Seminar, International Crisis Command and Control Course, International Maritime Domain Awareness School, International Maritime Search and Rescue Planning School, and International Command Center School; and (3) an assessment of the benefits of such training for countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and illicit drug trafficking in the South China Sea region, as well as whether to increase the frequency of U.S. training team visits to Taiwan. Within 60 days after completing the plan, the Commandant must brief the Senate Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Foreign Relations and the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Foreign Affairs.

This section increases the maximum term of lease agreements for Coast Guard special purpose facilities (i.e., facilities for aviation, maritime, or navigation missions, excluding general purpose office and storage space) to 30 years (from 20 years), inclusive of renewal options; expands the definition of such facilities to include medical facilities, Coast Guard child development centers (as defined in 14 U.S.C. §2921), and training facilities (including small arms firing ranges); and authorizes use of originally obligated contract amounts for cancellation or termination costs associated with leases for those facilities. (Thus, the changes support long-term leasing for a broader range of mission-essential infrastructure while protecting U.S. interests through cancellation provisions.)

This section revises the Coast Guard enhanced use property pilot program under 14 U.S.C. 504(a)(13), which authorizes the Commandant to enter into long-term leases and other agreements for underutilized real property to support Coast Guard operations or generate revenue, by (1) increasing the maximum term of such agreements to 30 years (from 5 years); and (2) adding subsection (g) to specify that proceeds from such agreements are available until expended without further appropriation and in addition to other funds, require fair market value consideration (or full cost recovery for interagency agreements) in forms such as cash, facility improvements, or services, and sunset the authority on December 31, 2030. (Thus, existing agreements remain valid post-sunset.)

This section establishes new authority in 14 U.S.C. §722 for the Coast Guard Commandant to enter into cooperative agreements (or interagency agreements with federal entities) with eligible entities—defined to include states, local governments, Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, tribal organizations, and federal departments or agencies—for the preservation, management, maintenance, improvement, and research on natural resources and cultural resources. Cultural resources are defined broadly to include National Register-eligible properties, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act cultural items, Archaeological Resources Protection Act archaeological resources (16 U.S.C. §470bb(1)), archaeological artifact collections, sacred sites, and tribal treaty, trust, or subsistence resources (including associated habitats); natural resources encompass categorized surface water, groundwater, air, geologic, and biological resources subject to U.S. control or tribal trust restrictions. Such agreements may cover resources on Coast Guard installations (defined to include bases, units, stations, yards, and other properties under Commandant jurisdiction) or off-installation sites if they relieve current or anticipated restrictions on Coast Guard training, testing, maintenance, or operations; the agreements are exempt from 31 U.S.C. §1535 (Economy Act) and chapter 63 of title 31 (using shared services). This section further authorizes agreements or interagency agreements to limit incompatible development or uses of property in the vicinity of or ecologically related to Coast Guard installations, preserve compatible habitat to relieve environmental restrictions on operations, improve installation resilience, benefit natural or historic research, and maintain access to tribal treaty fisheries, shellfish harvests, subsistence fisheries, and usual and accustomed fishing areas.

This section establishes direct hire authority for the Coast Guard Commandant to appoint qualified candidates to specified competitive service positions, bypassing most competitive hiring procedures of 5 U.S.C. subchapter I of chapter 33 (except §§3303 and 3328), if the Commandant determines a shortage of qualified candidates or critical hiring need exists. Eligible positions include (1) medical or health professional positions; (2) childcare services positions; (3) Coast Guard housing office positions supervising Coast Guard housing; (4) nonclinical specialist positions for preventing harmful behaviors such as suicide, sexual assault, harassment, domestic abuse, and child abuse; (5) Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent positions; and (6) at the Coast Guard Academy, civilian faculty positions under 14 U.S.C. §1941 and positions improving cadet health or well-being. The section further requires the Commandant to submit annual briefings to specified congressional committees for five years, beginning one year after enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, detailing usage, hiring numbers and grades, justifications, separations, and engagement with the Office of Personnel Management; the authority sunsets on September 30, 2030. This section also makes a conforming amendment to the table of contents for 14 U.S.C. chapter 25.

This section revises Coast Guard family leave policies (previously titled "Leave associated with birth or adoption of child") to cover officers, enlisted members, and reserve component members for the birth or placement of a minor child for adoption or long-term foster care. It requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to match new rules by the Secretary of the Navy (under 10 U.S.C. 704) or, for reserves, the Secretary of Defense (under 10 U.S.C. 711); authorizes such leave during the one-year period following the event (striking prior "immediately" qualifier), with flexible scheduling at the commanding officer's discretion; and permits the Secretary to extend unused leave beyond one year for operational requirements, professional military education, or other circumstances, to be taken within a reasonable time thereafter. The section further defines "member of the reserve component of the Coast Guard" (i.e., selected reserve or individual ready reserve members entitled to compensation under 37 U.S.C. 206); makes a clerical amendment to the table of contents for 14 U.S.C. ch. 25; and amends 37 U.S.C. 206(a)(4) to provide compensation for reserve family leave under this section.

This section authorizes the Coast Guard to provide a cash allowance, in an amount determined by the Secretary, to pregnant officer personnel for the purchase of maternity-related uniform items if such items are not furnished by the Coast Guard. (Thus, this supplements existing Coast Guard authority to sell uniforms and related items to officers, cadets, and enlisted personnel.)

This section authorizes the Coastant of the Coast Guard to (1) acquire sole interest in existing privately owned or Department of Housing and Urban Development-held family housing units—or less than sole interest in foreign countries—in lieu of constructing family housing units authorized by law, including related land interests, subject to net floor area limits under 10 U.S.C. §2826 (waivable for five years after enactment); and (2) accept funds from non-federal persons or entities to cover administrative expenses for specified real property transactions (i.e., exchanges, easements, leases or licenses, disposals where the Commandant is the disposal agent, and conveyances under 14 U.S.C. §2945). This section also requires the Commandant to submit to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, not later than one year after enactment, a report on the status of implementing recommendations in the Government Accountability Office report titled “Coast Guard: Better Feedback Collection and Information Could Enhance Housing Program” (GAO–24–106388, Feb. 5, 2024).

This section establishes a uniform funding and management system for Coast Guard morale, well-being, and recreation (MWR) programs—which provide recreational, fitness, and family support services to personnel—and the Coast Guard Exchange, which operates retail stores similar to military post exchanges. It authorizes the Commandant, under Commandant-issued policies, to treat appropriated funds for these programs as nonappropriated funds (NAFs), subjecting them to NAF expenditure laws and making them available until expended, provided the amounts are consistent with Coast Guard policy and readiness/resources. The Commandant must update such policies within 90 days of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 and brief the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure within 30 days thereafter. (Thus, this enhances funding flexibility for MWR and Exchange activities previously limited by annual appropriations.)

This section establishes a pilot program, to be known as the Coast Guard Embedded Behavioral Health Technician Program, to integrate behavioral health technicians at Coast Guard clinics supporting units with high operational tempos or force resiliency risks. The Commandant must (1) select 3 or more such clinics and assign to each an E-5 or higher Coast Guard health services technician (after behavioral health and independent duty training) or equivalently trained civilian behavioral health specialist located at a high operational tempo unit; (2) provide a briefing on the implementation plan to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure within 120 days of enactment; (3) submit a data collection plan to those committees within 270 days of enactment and establish the program within that same timeframe; and (4) administer the program through the Health, Safety, and Work-Life Service Center to facilitate integrated behavioral health care, assessments, education, referrals, resilience, and return-to-duty rates. The Commandant must submit annual reports to the committees by September 1 through fiscal year 2028 assessing implementation metrics (e.g., members served, feedback, readiness, costs), data analysis, lessons learned, and expansion feasibility; the program terminates on September 30, 2028.

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard, not later than 180 days after enactment, to hire, train, and deploy not fewer than 5 additional behavioral health specialists—in addition to personnel required under section 11412(a) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 504 note)—with at least 35% having experience in behavioral health care related to military sexual trauma or supporting Coast Guard members with post-traumatic stress disorder and co-occurring disorders related to such trauma. The section requires that support from these specialists include telemedicine options and be made widely available to Coast Guard members. (Thus, the specialists provide mental health counseling to address trauma experienced by Coast Guard personnel.) The section further requires the Commandant to notify the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure within 180 days after enactment if hiring, training, and deployment requirements are not met, including details on recruitment efforts, offers extended, and a plan for compliance that may involve special payments.

This section establishes a reimbursement policy under which the Coast Guard Commandant must pay airfare costs for eligible members assigned to duty in Alaska to travel to their home of record, with such travel time charged as leave under 10 U.S.C. 704 (i.e., annual paid vacation or absence from duty). Eligible members must receive authorization from an officer in a grade above O-5. The policy applies from enactment through the later of December 31, 2026, or termination of special duty pay authority under 37 U.S.C. 352(g). This section also requires the Commandant to brief specified congressional committees by February 1, 2027, on the policy's use and effectiveness, Alaska cost-of-living allowances, and related incentives for cold-weather duty.

This section revises the Coast Guard's college student precommissioning initiative program by (1) authorizing eligible students to enlist in the Coast Guard Reserve and receive a commission as a Reserve officer; (2) expanding the maximum age eligibility to 31 years old (from 27) as of September 30 of the selection fiscal year, or as determined by the Commandant; (3) broadening eligible institutions to include rural-serving institutions of higher education under section 861 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161q) and removing the sophomore-or-junior requirement; (4) adding requirements that the institution be within 100 miles of a Coast Guard unit or recruiting office (unless approved otherwise by the Commandant), that applicants meet Commandant-set credit and GPA standards, and that they satisfy other medical and administrative standards; and (5) eliminating dependency restrictions. (As background, the Program supports officer commissioning from underrepresented undergraduate students at minority-serving and similar institutions.) The section further establishes a financial assistance program for participating enlisted Coast Guard Reservists on active duty, covering tuition, fees, books, laboratory expenses, and other costs up to $25,000 per academic year for up to 5 years toward a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree; requires a written agreement obligating recipients to complete the degree and training, accept a Reserve commission if tendered, and serve at least 3 years of active duty post-commission (calculated as 3 months of service per month of assistance for the first 12 months and 1 month per month thereafter, or 3 years minimum, in addition to other service obligations); and specifies breach consequences.

This section establishes a Tuition Assistance and Advanced Education Assistance Pilot Program for Sea Duty for active-duty Coast Guard members, to be implemented by the Commandant within 120 days of enactment. Participants must enter an agreement under which, upon successfully completing a sea duty tour, (1) the member's service obligation incurred under the advanced education assistance program (10 U.S.C. 2005, which requires active-duty service in exchange for education above the secondary level) or tuition assistance program (10 U.S.C. 2007) is reduced by one year; and (2) the member's tuition assistance cost cap is increased to not more than double the standard cap set by the Commandant for the applicable fiscal year, for a period equal to the sea duty tour length beginning upon tour completion. This section further requires the Commandant to submit annual reports to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure—beginning one year after establishment and continuing through termination—evaluating Coast Guard retention, recruitment, and sea duty billet filling for participants versus all members (disaggregated by officer and enlisted), along with participants' progress in voluntary education programs; and it terminates the pilot program six years after establishment.

This section modifies the Coast Guard career flexibility program—which authorizes inactivation from active duty for up to three years to meet personal or professional needs, followed by service in the Ready Reserve, proficiency training, and a post-inactivation active duty obligation—by (1) reducing the post-inactivation active duty service obligation to 30 days for each month of inactivation (from two months); and (2) adding to subsection (h) requirements that participants retain entitlements to (A) death benefits under 10 U.S.C. ch. 75 subch. II, (B) family travel and transportation allowances for repatriation, burial, or memorial under 37 U.S.C. 453(f), (C) general benefits under 38 U.S.C. pt. II, and (D) to the maximum extent practicable for victims of alleged sex-related offenses (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 1044e(h)), access to Coast Guard behavioral health, sexual assault prevention and response, and legal resources (including special victims' counsel).

This section directs the Coast Guard Commandant to identify remote locations—including Coast Guard fire stations where personnel and dependents qualify for TRICARE Prime Remote—and establish an incentive program for civilian firefighters at those locations consisting of (1) recruitment and relocation bonuses consistent with 5 U.S.C. 5753 and (2) retention bonuses consistent with 5 U.S.C. 5754. The Commandant, in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management Director, must establish eligibility criteria—including a determination of recruitment, retention, or relocation needs—and submit annual reports for five years to the Senate Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure detailing the program's use and effectiveness, participant numbers, incentive distribution, and impact on recruitment and retention.

This section reinstates, as new §316 of title 14, United States Code, a requirement—previously imposed administratively on the Coast Guard Commandant—for an annual training course on the workings of Congress, covering its history and structure (including relevant House and Senate committees), legislative documents and processes (including budget, authorization, appropriations, and advice-and-consent functions), roles of Members and staff, and congressional oversight; requires at least 60% of lecturers and panelists to be non-executive branch experts (pro bono services authorized); and exempts flag officers and Senior Executive Service employees who completed substantially similar prior training within three years of enactment. The section redesignates existing §316 as §324 (updating the chapter analysis to reflect "Training for congressional affairs personnel"), and amends §324 with respect to the National Coast Guard Museum as follows: (1) conditions the Secretary's provision of services on paragraph (b)(2) and expands those services to include the Museum's design, engineering, construction administration, and quality assurance; (2) authorizes the Coast Guard, for operational purposes, to lease the Museum and any Association-owned property adjacent to nearby railroad tracks; and (3) authorizes the Commandant to solicit and accept services from nonprofit entities (including the Association) for the Museum's construction, maintenance, and operation, including via contracts or memoranda of agreement.

This section requires the President to designate one of the Coast Guard's vice admirals to oversee personnel management, workforce and dependent support, training, and related matters (previously optional as the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard). It further redesignates §§312–324 of title 14, U.S. Code, as §§314–326, respectively, and makes conforming changes to the table of contents for chapter 3.

This section establishes in the Coast Guard a Commandant Advisory Judge Advocate position for a judge advocate in O-6 grade, assigned to the Commandant's staff in the first regularly scheduled O-6 officer assignment panel after enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 to perform duties on legal matters relating to the Commandant.

This section establishes in the Coast Guard a Special Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs as a career-reserved position at the GS-15 level or greater. The Special Advisor must be selected through a competitive process by the Secretary and Commandant; possess expertise in federal Indian law and policy (including government-to-government consultation), to the maximum extent practicable expertise in Native Hawaiian legal and policy issues, and an established record of distinguished service with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations; and perform duties that include (1) ensuring government-to-government consultation with Indian Tribes and engagement with Native Hawaiian and Tribal organizations that meets or exceeds federal and Coast Guard standards; (2) advising the Commandant on Coast Guard policies with Tribal implications; (3) implementing federal consultation and engagement policies across the Coast Guard; and (4) supporting Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal organizations on Coast Guard matters. The Special Advisor has direct, independent access to the Secretary and Commandant without interference from other Coast Guard or Department of Homeland Security personnel. The section defines "Indian Tribe," "Native Hawaiian organization," and "Tribal organization" by reference to specified statutes (with an expanded definition for Native Hawaiian organization). This section also makes a clerical amendment to add the new position to the table of contents for 14 U.S.C. Chapter 3. Finally, this section requires the Commandant to provide congressional briefings as follows: (1) an initial briefing within 120 days of enactment on incorporating the Special Advisor into Coast Guard governance (with completion within one year); (2) annual briefings for two years, beginning one year after position establishment, on the Special Advisor's duties, responsibilities, actions, and best practices to specified Senate and House committees; and (3) within one year of enactment, a briefing on collaborations with Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal organizations to support Coast Guard missions using indigenous place-based knowledge (e.g., enhancing maritime domain awareness via the ADAC-ARCTIC Center of Excellence).

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives (1) not later than 10 days before the final day of each fiscal year; or (2) for a continuing resolution providing appropriated funds for more than 10 days in lieu of an appropriations act, not later than 10 days before the final day of such resolution. The notification must include (1) the status of Coast Guard funding for the subsequent fiscal year or at the end of the resolution if other appropriations are not enacted; (2) the Coast Guard's status as a component of the Armed Forces; (3) the number of members currently serving overseas or supporting missions under Title 10, United States Code; (4) the unique service requirements of Armed Forces members, who must continue serving even if unpaid unlike other federal employees; (5) the impacts of historical federal government shutdowns on Coast Guard members; and (6) other relevant matters as determined by the Commandant.

This section revises the Board of Visitors for the Coast Guard Academy (i.e., an advisory body that reviews Academy operations, including morale and discipline, recruitment and retention, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, and fiscal affairs) as follows: (1) requires the Commandant (previously not specified) to establish the Board; (2) increases total membership to 19 (from 15) by adding 2 Senators from the Senate Appropriations Committee (appointed by the Vice President) and 2 House members from the House Appropriations Committee (appointed by the Speaker), while clarifying designees for committee chairs must be committee members; (3) establishes appointment contingencies, under which chairs and ranking members of relevant Coast Guard subcommittees serve if primary appointees under subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), or (F) are not designated within 180 days of a Congress's first session; (4) requires the Board to select a congressional member as chairperson biennially (alternating between House and Senate members, with no consecutive terms); (5) modifies duties to require the Commandant to invite annual visits (previously Board-initiated), ensure Board access to Academy grounds, facilities, cadets, faculty, staff, and personnel, and expand review scope to explicitly include sexual assault and harassment prevention/response/recovery (under morale and discipline) and infrastructure, living quarters, and deferred maintenance (under physical equipment).

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard, not later than 30 days after enactment, to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to assess oversight and governance of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy—including Coast Guard and departmental authorities (and their impact on accreditation), roles and responsibilities of the Academy's Board of Trustees, Coast Guard facilitation of the Board, the Board's advisory functions, Board membership over the prior 10 years (with respect to expertise, objectiveness, and effectiveness), and the Board's involvement in the Operation Fouled Anchor investigation. Not later than one year after entering the agreement, the center must submit a report to the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Commandant, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure containing the assessment results and recommendations to improve Academy and Board governance.

This section directs the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, in consultation with the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, to install electronic locking mechanisms on all cadet overnight rooms not later than two years after enactment of this Act; test each mechanism at least semiannually; and implement a recording system that logs the date, time, and identity of each individual accessing a room via electronic means, with records retained for the longer of five years or the applicable general records schedule. The mechanisms must limit access to assigned cadets and necessary personnel (i.e., officers, administrators, staff, security, and Coast Guard Investigative Service personnel) for emergencies only; requires the Superintendent to ensure proper maintenance of existing mechanisms in academic buildings, Chase Hall common spaces, and other locations within 30 days of enactment; directs the Superintendent to promulgate a cadet room security policy within one year covering prohibitions on sharing access credentials, reset procedures, identity maintenance with privacy protections, malfunction reporting, and testing schedules; and requires initial training for cadets on the mechanisms and policy within one day of arrival, plus any additional training deemed necessary. (Thus, the measures enhance physical security and accountability for rooms at the Coast Guard Academy, which trains commissioned officers for the U.S. Coast Guard.)

This section establishes the Coast Guard Academy Student and Women Advisory Board within the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, composed of at least 12 enrolled cadets (including at least 3 from each class) appointed by the Provost for one-year terms. The board (1) identifies challenges facing cadets—including health and wellbeing, sexual assault and harassment prevention/response/recovery, culture/leadership/healthcare access for women cadets, and other matters; (2) proposes solutions, including leadership development improvements; and (3) reviews the efficacy of relevant Academy programs and recommends enhancements to the Commandant. The board forms required working groups on sexual assault (including Cadets Against Sexual Assault members) and women cadets' issues—both including non-board cadets—and may form others; meets in person with the Superintendent at least twice per academic year; reports or briefs the Commandant and Superintendent semiannually; and submits an annual report through them, which the Commandant transmits to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, not later than 120 days after enactment, a report on existing behavioral health and wellness support services facilities at the Coast Guard Academy where cadets and officer candidates may receive timely and independent services, including via telemedicine. The report must (1) identify each Academy building containing dormitories or other overnight accommodations for cadets or officer candidates; and (2) identify additional beneficial behavioral health or wellness support services (e.g., additional facilities with secure telemedicine access), describe their benefits particularly for cadets and officer candidates who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, and describe the resources necessary to provide such services.

This section requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to post written information in visible locations in each Coast Guard Academy building containing dormitories or overnight accommodations for cadets or officer candidates. The information must cover (1) methods to report crimes, including harassment, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other offenses; (2) contact information for the Coast Guard Investigative Service; (3) external resources for wellness support, work-life services, medical services, and support related to behavioral health, civil rights, sexual assault, and sexual harassment; and (4) cadet and officer candidate rights regarding reports to the Coast Guard Investigative Service, civilian authorities, the Office of the Inspector General, and other applicable entities.

This section directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to install or construct, not later than two years after the date of enactment, two rooms at the Coast Guard Academy to support cadet and officer candidate behavioral health and wellness. Each room must (1) protect user privacy consistent with law and policy; be equipped with a telephone, computer for behavioral health support, and accessible private wireless internet for personal devices at user discretion; and be accessible to cadets and officer candidates at all times, to the extent practicable and consistent with good order and discipline; and (2) visibly display written information described in section 176.

This section requires the Coast Guard Academy's policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence to authorize cadets to request room reassignment if experiencing discomfort due to rooming assignments, consistent with Academy policy.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, with the concurrence of the Coast Guard Academy Superintendent, to permit covered foundations to use Coast Guard Academy facilities or equipment on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis, subject to prohibitions on uses that jeopardize the health, safety, or well-being of Coast Guard personnel or cadets. It imposes limitations on such authorizations, including no U.S. liability to the foundation; no impact on the impartiality or integrity of Coast Guard programs; no cadet participation except in honor guards; compliance with ethics regulations; and approval by a Coast Guard attorney. (A covered foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that the Secretary determines operates exclusively to support Coast Guard Academy recruiting, parent or alumni development, academic/leadership/character development of cadets, institutional development, or athletics.) The section further requires the Secretary to issue implementing policies and directs the Commandant to provide annual briefings to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on the number of supported foundation events or activities. It also makes a conforming amendment to the table of contents for chapter 19 of title 14, U.S. Code.

This section authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to establish concurrent jurisdiction between the federal government and the State of Connecticut over lands constituting the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. This authority facilitates the ability of the state and City of New London to investigate and prosecute crimes under Connecticut law committed on academy property.

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to submit to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, not later than 270 days after enactment, a report on maritime domain awareness (MDA)—i.e., monitoring of maritime traffic and illicit activities—in the Coast Guard sector responsible for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that includes (1) an overview of MDA in the sector, including average known maritime traffic volume during FY2020-FY2023, current sensor platforms, illicit activity incidents responded to during FY2020-FY2023, estimated illicit traffic volume and vessel types, and MDA requirements for the sector's mission; (2) current Coast Guard partnerships with federal, regional, state, and local entities to address MDA needs; (3) gaps in MDA resulting from unmet requirements or inadequate responses to maritime disorder; (4) current Coast Guard technology and assets to mitigate such gaps; (5) capabilities needed to mitigate gaps, including any deployable existing Coast Guard capabilities; (6) technology and assets the Coast Guard lacks that must be acquired; and (7) financial obstacles to deploying existing commercial sensor technology.

This section directs the Coast Guard Commandant to submit to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, not later than 270 days after enactment, a report on the condition of dayboards (i.e., daytime visual navigation aids) and buoy placement on the Missouri River that includes (1) the most recent service date for each dayboard and buoy, (2) an overview of the Coast Guard's plan to systematically service them, and (3) assigned points of contact. It prohibits the Commandant from removing these aids to navigation, absent an imminent threat to life or safety, for 180 days following report submission.

This section directs the Coast Guard Commandant, not later than 90 days after enactment, to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to assess the Coast Guard's operational capabilities to perform its primary duties under 14 U.S.C. 102—enforcing federal laws on the high seas and U.S. waters, promoting safety of life and property, providing aids to navigation and icebreaking, conducting oceanographic research, and maintaining defense readiness—and missions under section 888 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468). The assessment must (1) analyze the Coast Guard's effectiveness in carrying out these duties and missions; (2) identify constraining budgetary, policy, and manpower factors; (3) evaluate impacts of any shortfalls on safety, national security, and the economy; (4) provide recommendations to improve performance amid constraints; and (5) examine duties and missions performed for other Department of Homeland Security components, the Department of Defense, and federal agencies—including benefits, drawbacks, budgetary effects, reimbursement levels, and options to enhance reimbursements and budget autonomy. Not later than one year after the agreement, the center must submit the assessment to the Commandant and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Not later than 90 days after receiving it, the Commandant must submit to those committees a report including the assessment, an evaluation of each recommendation's feasibility and advisability, and descriptions of actions taken or planned for feasible recommendations.

This section requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to submit to Congress, within 90 days of enactment, an initial report on the progress of approved homeporting projects (i.e., facility infrastructure modifications, upgrades, new construction, and real property acquisition for basing new or modified cutters) in Coast Guard District 17 for Fast Response Cutters, Offshore Patrol Cutters, and the commercially available polar icebreaker procured under section 11223 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 561 note). The report must detail, for each project, the status of appropriated funds, activities completed, planned activities for the next year, and an updated timeline with milestones; annual updates are required each July 1 thereafter until the earlier of July 2, 2031, or completion of all projects (including any approved after enactment). This section further requires a separate report, completed within 90 days of enactment and submitted to specified congressional committees within 120 days, on the cost and timeframe to expand industrial capacity at Coast Guard Base Ketchikan for out-of-water repairs on Fast Response Cutters. All reports must be published on a publicly accessible Coast Guard website.

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, a report on the Coast Guard's strategy for replacing the Bay class icebreaking tug fleet that includes (1) a description of the replacement strategy; (2) if the strategy replaces the last Bay class icebreaking tug more than 15 years after enactment, a plan to maintain the fleet's operational capabilities until projected replacement; and (3) if that plan does not include replacing the main propulsion engines and marine gear components, an assessment of the impact on the fleet's future operational availability.

This section directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to complete not later than 180 days after enactment a study on the feasibility and advisability of supporting additional Coast Guard port visits and deployments in support of Operation Blue Pacific, or any successor operation oriented toward Oceania, and to submit a report on the study's findings to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to commence, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment, a study and gap analysis of the aviation hangar at Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi to assess its capacity for currently assigned aircraft—including rotary-wing assets such as MH-65 helicopters transitioning to MH-60T—and anticipated future assignments, including one additional HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft. The study must (1) identify hangar infrastructure requirements to meet mission needs; (2) assess sufficiency for rotary-wing assets and required modifications if insufficient; (3) evaluate modifications needed post-MH-65 to MH-60T transition; (4) determine optimal enclosure of fixed-wing assets to mitigate corrosion; (5) assess impacts of outdoor storage on fixed-wing material condition and safety; and (6) evaluate mitigation options such as gust locks, chocks, and tie-downs. Not later than one year after commencement, the Commandant must submit a report on the results to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, on the impacts of the Joint Travel Regulations—terms, rates, conditions, and regulations for official travel of uniformed services members under 37 U.S.C. §464—on Coast Guard members who commute, conduct permanent change of station travel, or engage in other official travel to or from locations served by ferry systems. The report must analyze impacts from (1) the one-vehicle shipping policy; (2) unavailability of reimbursement for costs due to ferry schedule unavailability, sailing cancellations, and other delays; and (3) unavailability of local infrastructure to support vehicles or goods shipped to duty stations outside the contiguous United States that lack road connections (e.g., locations served by the Alaska Marine Highway System). The appropriate committees are the Senate Committees on Armed Services and Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and the House Committee on Armed Services and Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

This section requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, a report on the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. The report must include (1) the standards and criteria for educational institution participation; (2) for each participating institution, descriptions of training, facilities, and resources provided by the Coast Guard and the institution, an assessment of whether it is in an educationally and economically deprived area, annual student participation numbers disaggregated by gender, race, and grade since program establishment, and an assessment of participant performance, intent to pursue Coast Guard commission or enlistment, and other success factors; (3) for any suspended or probated units, a description, reason, year of action, and reinstatement justification if applicable; (4) resources, personnel, and funding required for program maintenance, implementation, and oversight, disaggregated by institution and year; (5) recommendations on whether to increase participating institutions, including proposed numbers, locations, additional authorities or resources needed, and other related matters; and (6) any other matters for a full program effectiveness assessment.

This section requires (1) a report from the Coast Guard Commandant to specified congressional committees, due not later than 90 days after enactment, on the status of the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program (CGJROTC)—including reviews and timelines of outreach efforts in districts without and with multiple programs, plus policy recommendations for expansion; and (2) the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to maintain at all times, beginning December 31, 2026, not fewer than 20 CGJROTC programs, along with a cost estimate for implementation due not later than one year after enactment. (CGJROTC provides secondary school students with instruction in leadership, citizenship, and Coast Guard operations.)

This section revises merchant mariner credential requirements for deck and engine department personnel (i.e., credentials issued by the Coast Guard authorizing service aboard U.S. merchant vessels). Specifically, it (1) amends 46 U.S.C. §2101 to define "merchant mariner credential" (a license, certificate, or document issued under title 46) and "nautical school program" (a comprehensive training program with substantial sea service approved by the Coast Guard); (2) strikes subsection (c) of 46 U.S.C. §7116 (examinations); (3) replaces 46 U.S.C. §7306 to establish seven classes of deck department credentials (Able Seaman-Unlimited, Limited, Special, Offshore Supply Vessels, Sail, Fishing Industry, and Ordinary Seaman), authorizes classification by tonnage, propulsion, waters, or other standards, and requires applicants to be at least 18 years old with required service, professional qualifications via exam or education, and physical fitness (with implementation exempt from notice-and-comment rulemaking and certain executive orders); (4) amends 46 U.S.C. §7313 to remove "coal passer" from engine department ratings, add credential classifications, and require applicants to be at least 18 years old with at least 6 months' service in an entry rating, professional qualifications, and physical fitness; (5) repeals 46 U.S.C. §7314 (student requirements for nautical school ships); and (6) replaces 46 U.S.C. §7315 to allow nautical school program graduation to substitute fully for sea service requirements under specified sections and approved training programs to substitute up to one-half of such requirements, with training days equated as follows: 1 classroom day for 2 sea days, 1 laboratory/practical day for 4 sea days, 1 simulator day for 6 sea days, and 1 underway training day for 1.5 sea days (subject to Coast Guard approval). (Thus, these changes standardize qualifications, expand training flexibility, and eliminate outdated ratings to modernize credentialing.)

This section establishes requirements for an electronic merchant mariner credentialing system (i.e., for licenses, certificates, and documents issued by the Coast Guard to merchant mariners who operate on U.S. commercial vessels) in new 46 U.S.C. §7512. In implementing the system, the Coast Guard must consider maximizing, to the extent practicable, (1) electronic submission of application components such as sea service documentation and medical records, (2) direct secure electronic submissions from employers, training providers, and other stakeholders, and (3) electronic processing including remote evaluation; the Coast Guard must also provide the Maritime Administration and authorized agencies access to anonymized aggregated data on mariner sea service, credentials by rating and demographics, processing times, training providers, and uniformed service status while protecting privacy.

This section revises penalties under 46 U.S.C. §2302(b) for grossly negligent vessel operation by (1) specifying a class A misdemeanor for operation that endangers the life, limb, or property of a person; and (2) establishing a class E felony, plus a civil penalty of up to $35,000, for operation that results in serious bodily injury (as defined in 18 U.S.C. §1365(h)(3)).

This section expands the criteria for deeming an individual a security risk under the administrative procedure for merchant mariner credential suspension or revocation (46 U.S.C. 7702(d)(1)) by adding a new basis where there is probable cause to believe the individual violated company policy and poses a threat to other individuals on the vessel. It also makes conforming redesignations and a technical amendment to related definitions (46 U.S.C. 2101(47)(B)).

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to conduct a study on the applicability of current safety regulations to commercial amphibious vessels (defined as vessels operating as small passenger vessels in U.S. waters per 33 C.F.R. § 2.38 or successor regulation, and as motor vehicles per 42 U.S.C. § 7550, excluding DUKW amphibious passenger vessels subject to regulations under section 11502 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (46 U.S.C. 3306 note)). The study must include (1) an overview and analysis of applicable safety regulations; (2) an evaluation of safety gaps and risks; (3) an evaluation of whether aspects of the DUKW regulations should apply; and (4) recommendations on potential regulations. Not later than one year after enactment, the Commandant must submit a report with the study's findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

This section amends cargo vessel examination requirements under 46 U.S.C. §3714 to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Coast Guard Commandant, to adopt a performance-driven examination schedule for certain foreign tank vessels (i.e., replacing the current requirement for annual examinations), based on vessel safety performance considerations such as compliance history, violations, detentions, casualties, and data from port state control and classification societies; vessels are ineligible if detained by the Coast Guard or subject to a proved violation or relevant casualty within the prior 36 months. Adoption is restricted until the Secretary completes a safety assessment recommended in a specified GAO report pursuant to the FY2021 NDAA (P.L. 116-283), determines it maintains equivalent safety levels, and notifies the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. (As background, §3714 governs Coast Guard inspections of foreign tank vessels carrying oil, hazardous materials, or bulk cargoes to verify compliance with U.S. safety standards; performance-based scheduling rewards strong safety records with reduced inspection frequency.) The section further revises authority under §11237(a) of the FY2023 NDAA (P.L. 117-263) to provide assignment pay or special duty pay under 37 U.S.C. §352 to Coast Guard members serving as marine inspectors pursuant to 14 U.S.C. §312 (i.e., in prevention positions requiring specialized qualifications for vessel inspections) assigned to hard-to-fill billets due to location, experience, certifications, or candidate shortages. Finally, the section requires the Commandant to brief those congressional committees within six months of enactment, and annually for two years after program implementation, on program status (including examinations conducted and intervals), marine inspector workforce size and shortages, and recommendations for vessel inspection, governance, or oversight.

This section expands Coast Guard authorities for ports and waterways safety to address cyber incidents, transnational organized crime, and foreign state threats by (1) including damage or destruction from such threats within the scope of waterfront safety measures for facilities and adjacent waters; (2) authorizing regulation of vessel anchorage and movement during such incidents, in addition to existing triggers such as war or insurrection; and (3) prohibiting representatives of governments designated by the Secretary of State as repeatedly supporting acts of international terrorism from visiting facilities requiring a facility security plan.

This section directs the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the United States Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS) and in coordination with the Commandant of the Coast Guard, to complete within two years of enactment a study on current and projected commercial vessel traffic through the Bering Strait and the adequacy of emergency response capabilities and infrastructure at nearby U.S. ports, including Point Spencer, Nome, and Kotzebue, Alaska. The study must include (1) analysis of traffic volume and types (e.g., oil and gas tankers, cargo vessels, barges, fishing vessels, cruise lines), projections over the next decade, seasonality, and vessel details (e.g., sizes, ages, countries of registration, including those transiting to or from Russia or China or owned or operated by Russian or Chinese entities); (2) assessment of vessel traffic services and oil spill and emergency response capabilities near the Bering Strait, Chukchi Sea, and Bering Sea; (3) risk assessment of traffic growth, maritime accidents (including spills), and impacts on the Arctic environment and Native Alaskan communities; (4) evaluation of Point Spencer as a port of refuge and staging center for emergency and spill response; and (5) recommendations for Congress, federal agencies, the State of Alaska, vessel operators, the marine salvage industry, and other stakeholders to mitigate identified risks. In preparing the study, the CMTS must consult the Maritime Administration, Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of State, National Transportation Safety Board, Government of Canada (as appropriate), Port Coordination Council for the Port of Point Spencer, state and local governments, maritime industry participants, relevant NGOs, Indian Tribes (including Alaska Native Corporations), and Alaska Native communities. Not later than one year after initiating the study, the CMTS must submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the Senate Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Foreign Relations and the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Foreign Affairs.

This section directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard, or a designee, to brief the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation not later than 30 days after enactment on the underwater inspection in lieu of drydock program under 46 CFR §176.615 (i.e., an alternative to traditional drydocking for certain inspected small passenger vessels).

This section authorizes the Coast Guard to establish safety zones in the exclusive economic zone for special activities—including space launches and reentries by U.S. citizens and offshore energy development activities on or near fixed platforms—and defines related terms such as safety zone, special activities, U.S. citizen, and fixed platform. It makes a conforming clerical amendment to the table of sections for 46 U.S.C. chapter 700; repeals temporary authority under sec. 8343 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283); and applies these changes retroactively as if enacted on February 1, 2024.

This section directs the Coast Guard Commandant to implement, not later than one year after enactment, the November 2021 proposed plan of Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Los Angeles-Long Beach to restructure federal anchorages in San Pedro Bay, as described on page 54 of the National Transportation Safety Board report titled “Anchor Strike of Underwater Pipeline and Eventual Crude Oil Release,” issued January 2, 2024. The section further requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study identifying anchorage grounds—other than those in San Pedro Bay—where the distance between the anchorage center and a pipeline is less than 1 mile and, not later than two years after enactment, submit a report to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation listing such anchorages, assessing the feasibility of relocating each to at least 1 mile from pipelines, and recommending any relocations with explanations. This section additionally requires the Commandant to (1) consult with vessel monitoring system providers to add audible and visual alarms to VTS systems alerting watchstanders to anchored vessels encroaching on pipelines; and (2) develop, not later than one year after enactment, procedures for all VTS areas to notify pipeline and utility operators of potential incursions on submerged pipelines. Not later than one year after enactment, and annually thereafter for three years, the Commandant must report to the specified congressional committees on implementation of these requirements.

This section expands the Great Lakes waters in which a United States or Canadian registered pilot must direct vessel navigation—subject to the master's customary authority—to include the Straits of Mackinac and all other waters designated by the President (previously, only designated waters). It defines the Straits of Mackinac as all U.S. navigable waters bounded by longitudes 84°20' west and 85°10' west and latitudes 45°39' north and 45°54' north, including Gray’s Reef Passage, the South Channel, Round Island Passage, and approaches thereto. (Thus, pilots must direct navigation in the Straits of Mackinac without requiring presidential designation.)

This section provides that receipts from international agreements for ice patrol services shall remain available until expended for the Coast Guard international ice patrol program under chapter 803 of title 46, United States Code. (As background, the program—funded by contributions from 14 nations—monitors icebergs and forecasts ice conditions in North Atlantic shipping lanes to protect maritime traffic.)

This section authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the relevant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, to grant temporary waivers from towing vessel inspection and manning requirements of chapters 33 and 89 of title 46, United States Code, for fishing vessels and fish tender vessels under 200 gross tons that tow net pens or associated work platforms to or from aquaculture or hatchery sites shoreward of the Boundary Line (i.e., the line demarcating ocean from inland waters, 46 U.S.C. § 103) in Southeast Alaska or Prince William Sound, provided the vessels carry no cargo or hazardous materials (including oil) and comply with applicable inspection requirements under 46 U.S.C. § 3301 (with exemptions under § 3302). Waivers require a detailed application process and expire on January 1, 2027. This section also extends a load line exemption for such vessels to 5 years (from 3 years) under section 11325(a) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 4095).

This section establishes a National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems to advise the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating on matters relating to the regulation and use of autonomous systems within U.S. territorial waters. The Committee consists of 15 members appointed by the Secretary with expertise in such matters, including at least one representative from each of the following: (1) marine safety or security entities; (2) vessel design and construction entities; (3) entities engaged in production or research of uncrewed vehicles (e.g., drones, autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles); (4) port districts, authorities, or terminal operators; (5) vessel operators; (6) national labor unions representing merchant mariners; (7) maritime pilots; (8) commercial space transportation operators; and (9) academic institutions. The Secretary must establish the Committee not later than 90 days after enactment and makes conforming clerical amendments to the chapter analysis for chapter 151 of title 46, United States Code.

This section establishes a two-year pilot program, beginning on the date of enactment, exempting small uncrewed maritime systems owned, operated, or chartered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—or performing specified oceanographic surveys for NOAA under contract or written agreement—from vessel inspection, design, operations, navigation, credentialing, or training requirements if the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Marine and Aviation Operations determines such requirements would harm real-time operational extreme weather oceanographic and atmospheric data collection and predictions. This section preserves the Coast Guard Commandant's authority to address immediate safety or security concerns regarding such systems.

This section requires the Coast Guard Commandant, or designee, to develop a training course on small uncrewed maritime systems and offer it at least once each year for three years following enactment to Coast Guard personnel working with or regulating such systems. The course must cover (1) an overview and examples of small uncrewed maritime systems used by the federal government, academia, and commercial sectors; (2) benefits and disadvantages of their use; (3) safe navigation and collision avoidance; (4) communication and alerting capabilities with nearby vessels; (5) response to alarms and failures; (6) present and future capabilities; and (7) the International Maritime Organization's governance role.

This section requires the Coast Guard Commandant, with concurrence from NOAA's Assistant Administrator of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, to establish permanent membership for a NOAA employee on the Coast Guard's Automated and Autonomous Vessel Policy Council not later than 30 days after enactment.

This section revises the Coast Guard technology pilot program to require deployment on two or more small boats deployed at operational units and two or more existing small boats (previously, two or more existing small boats deployed at operational units).

This section directs the Coast Guard Commandant to submit to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, a report outlining a plan to establish an uncrewed systems capabilities office within the Coast Guard responsible for acquiring and developing uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system technologies to expand capabilities in support of the service's primary statutory duties under 14 U.S.C. 102 (i.e., federal law enforcement, maritime safety and navigation aids, icebreaking, oceanographic research, and defense readiness). The report must include (1) management and service-wide coordination strategies for such technologies; (2) identification of needed contracting authorities and commercially available technologies; (3) a cross-agency collaboration plan with the Department of Defense and others; (4) opportunities to obtain and share uncrewed system data for maritime domain awareness; and (5) a concept of operations for an integrated data system incorporating communications, storage, artificial intelligence, and information sharing. This section further requires the Commandant, in coordination with the NOAA Administrator, ONR Executive Director, NSF Director, and OSTP Director, to provide briefings to the same committees not later than one year after enactment and annually thereafter for three years on the future operation and governance of small uncrewed maritime systems.

This section establishes definitions for the following terms used in the subtitle: (1) counter-uncrewed system, meaning a system or device capable of lawfully and safely disabling, disrupting, or seizing control of an uncrewed system, including a counter-unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) system (as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 44801); (2) small uncrewed maritime systems, meaning unmanned maritime systems (as defined in 33 U.S.C. § 4101, i.e., remotely operated or autonomous commercial vehicles without onboard human presence used for oceanographic or scientific purposes) that are not greater than 35 feet in length, operated remotely or autonomously, and exclusively perform oceanographic surveys or scientific research; and (3) uncrewed system, meaning an uncrewed surface, undersea, or aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and control components) required for safe and efficient operation, including an unmanned aircraft system (as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 44801).

This section revises the prohibitions on controlled substance offenses on covered vessels under 46 U.S.C. § 70503(a)—which applies to vessels without nationality or subject to U.S. jurisdiction for maritime drug law enforcement—by (1) striking the introductory phrase requiring an individual to be on board the vessel, (2) amending paragraph (1) to prohibit manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance, possessing it with intent to manufacture or distribute, or placing or causing it to be placed on board a covered vessel with such intent, (3) inserting “on board a covered vessel” into paragraph (2), and (4) inserting “while on board a covered vessel” into paragraph (3). (Thus, the changes enable prosecution for placing controlled substances on a covered vessel even if the individual is not physically on board.)

This section requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard, upon request by any state, the District of Columbia, an Indian tribe, or U.S. territory (unless otherwise prohibited by law), to provide all data possessed by the Coast Guard for a ballast water management system with a type-approval certificate under Coast Guard regulations (46 C.F.R. subpart 162.060). The data covers (1) challenge water quality characteristics, (2) post-treatment water quality characteristics, (3) challenge water biologic organism concentrations, and (4) post-treatment water biologic organism concentrations (as defined in 46 C.F.R. § 162.060–3). (As background, type-approved ballast water management systems treat ships' ballast water to prevent discharge of invasive aquatic species into U.S. waters.)

This section amends section 5 of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1504) to clarify and transfer regulatory authorities for deepwater ports (i.e., offshore facilities licensed for oil and natural gas import, export, and storage) as follows: (1) revises subsection (a) to authorize the Secretary to issue regulations notwithstanding section 888(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(b)); (2) revises subsection (f) to designate the Maritime Administration as the federal lead agency for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance on all applications, with such compliance fulfilling NEPA requirements; (3) directs the Coast Guard Commandant to transfer, not later than 18 months after enactment, authorities in 33 C.F.R. part 148 (except those for deepwater port design, construction, equipment, operation, and navigational safety, which Coast Guard retains) to the Secretary of Transportation, who must issue updated regulations as soon as practicable; (4) states that the changes do not limit other agencies' authorities under the Deepwater Port Act or other laws; and (5) provides that the amendments do not apply to applications submitted before enactment.

This section amends Section 8437 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283) by (1) striking subsections (d) and (e), (2) redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d), and (3) inserting a new subsection (c) that prohibits the Coast Guard Commandant from allowing any vessel to anchor on the reach of the Hudson River described in subsection (a) unless the anchoring is within an anchorage established before January 1, 2021.

This section amends passenger vessel security and safety requirements under 46 U.S.C. 3507— (1) by requiring vessels to maintain prophylactics to prevent sexually transmitted diseases following a sexual assault, taking into consideration the length of the voyage and the number of passengers and crewmembers the vessel can accommodate; and (2) by requiring procedures restricting crew access to passenger staterooms to include a system that electronically records the date, time, and identity of each crew member accessing each stateroom, and to ensure such procedures and restrictions are fully and properly implemented, reviewed annually, and updated as necessary.

This section authorizes the Secretary to conduct no-notice exercises in Captain of the Port Zones (as defined in 33 C.F.R. part 3) involving a facility or vessel required to maintain a security plan under 46 U.S.C. 70103(c). (Thus, the Coast Guard may perform unannounced drills to test maritime transportation security plan compliance at applicable U.S. ports and waterways.)

This section revises the suspension of Coast Guard enforcement of requirements to use devices broadcasting on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) for marking fishing gear until December 31, 2029 (from the earlier of December 31, 2026, or the date the Commandant certifies to Congress that a final rule implementing such gear-marking requirements is in effect). (Thus, the suspension is no longer contingent on issuance of a final rule.)

This section revises 46 U.S.C. §3316(d)(2)(B)(i), the criteria authorizing the Secretary to delegate U.S. vessel inspection authority to a foreign classification society (i.e., a private organization that establishes technical standards for ship construction, maintenance, and operation), to permit such delegation only if the foreign society's home government delegates that authority to the American Bureau of Shipping or to no classification society. The section also adds paragraph (5) to prohibit any such delegation to a classification society from the People's Republic of China.

This section amends chapter 47 of title 46, United States Code—previously limited to barges—to cover all vessels by revising the chapter heading to "Vessels," designating existing provisions as subchapter I ("Barges"), and adding subchapter II ("Non-Barge Vessels"). Subchapter II (1) defines key terms, including "abandon" (to moor, strand, wreck, sink, or leave a covered vessel—i.e., a non-barge vessel—unattended for longer than 45 days), "covered vessel," "Indian Tribe," and "Native Hawaiian organization" (as defined in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. 7517, except to also include the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs); (2) prohibits owners or operators from abandoning covered vessels on U.S. navigable waters, requires Coast Guard notification of apparent owners and a determination of abandonment not earlier than 45 days after notice, and authorizes civil penalties of up to $500 (with in rem liability and exceptions for extenuating circumstances such as long-term medical incapacitation); and (3) directs the Coast Guard, not later than one year after enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 and in consultation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and relevant state agencies, to establish and publicly post a national inventory of abandoned covered vessels (including location data) and a process for reporting by states, Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, or persons. (Thus, the inventory supports targeted removal efforts except in pollution responses or imminent threats.) The section further requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (Coast Guard) to issue related regulations in consultation with the Secretary of the Army (Chief of Engineers) and Secretary of Commerce (NOAA) and makes conforming amendments to existing sections.

This section revises the title of the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations to Assistant Administrator of NOAA for such office (from Director of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations) and changes the qualification for the position to having served in the grade of captain or above for not less than one year (from serving in rear admiral (lower half)). It makes a conforming amendment to reflect this title change in another statute. The section further requires appointments and promotions to NOAA Corps flag officer grades of rear admiral (upper half) or above to be made by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate (previously, appointments and promotions to all permanent grades were made by the President).

This section revises the NOAA Fleet Modernization Act (33 U.S.C. 891 et seq.) as follows: (1) In section 603 (33 U.S.C. 891a), replaces authorization for a 15-year fleet replacement and modernization program with a requirement for the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator for Marine and Aviation Operations, to operate and maintain the NOAA fleet (which supports NOAA missions including oceanographic research, fisheries surveys, weather and climate observations, and hydrographic mapping); revises the section heading to "Operation and maintenance of NOAA fleet." (2) In section 604 (33 U.S.C. 891b), requires the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator, to submit a fleet replacement and modernization plan within 180 days of enactment and every two years thereafter (replacing prior requirements); specifies new plan contents including vessel status and service life, operation/maintenance/replacement plans and funding needs, number of vessels to be constructed, use of small/uncrewed vessels and partnerships for days-at-sea requirements, required NOAA commissioned officers and wage mariners, and related challenges/solutions; prohibits NOAA from procuring vessels over 65 feet without Assistant Administrator approval. (3) In section 605 (33 U.S.C. 891c), updates references to the Assistant Administrator for Marine and Aviation Operations and requires an initial annual report (eliminating "subsequent"). (4) In section 608 (33 U.S.C. 891f), eliminates vessel agreement restrictions and updates references to the Assistant Administrator. (5) In section 610 (33 U.S.C. 891h), provides $93 million for FY2025-FY2026 to carry out the title and sec. 302 of the Fisheries Survey Vessel Authorization Act of 2000 (33 U.S.C. 891b note). The section also removes the "up to six" limit on fishery survey vessels under sec. 302(a) of the Fisheries Survey Vessel Authorization Act of 2000 and updates congressional notification requirements for proposed vessel deactivations under sec. 401(b)(4) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 891b note) to reflect current committees.

This section revises the aviation accession training program for the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (i.e., trains pilots for NOAA's aeronautical missions in atmospheric and oceanic research) by renaming it Cooperative Aviation Centers, requiring the Administrator to designate one or more such centers at qualified educational institutions, and stating their purpose as facilitating aviator development and recruitment. It modifies institution criteria by requiring applications rather than requests to participate, eliminating the requirement for a climate accommodating flight training at least 75% of the year, and removing prior administrative determinations of enrollment and program satisfaction. The section strikes all provisions on program membership eligibility, financial assistance, and institutional limitations (e.g., advisor academic rank); establishes a dedicated Cooperative Aviation Centers Advisor from the NOAA Corps to coordinate agency engagement (including curriculum assistance) and serve as chief aviation recruiting officer; and makes conforming changes to the section heading and table of contents.

This section amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 to establish eligibility for former NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps members—separated under honorable conditions after at least three years of active service—to compete for vacant competitive service or Senior Executive Service positions that an agency opens to applicants outside its workforce under merit promotion procedures. If selected, such individuals receive a career or career-conditional appointment, as appropriate; merit promotion announcements for such positions must indicate their eligibility and publicize the positions in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3327 (i.e., notifying Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Employment Service offices); and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management must issue implementing regulations. (Thus, former NOAA Corps officers gain a defined pathway to reenter federal civilian service without being excluded from external merit competitions.) The NOAA Administrator must report to specified congressional committees within three years of enactment on agency use of this authority—including hires, locations, and employment impacts—and the provision sunsets five years after enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. This section also makes a conforming change to the Act's table of contents.

This section revises the standard for waiving service obligations of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) officers disqualified due to a physical or medical condition, changing it to one not resulting from the officer's own "willful misconduct" (from "misconduct or grossly negligent conduct"). (Thus, this aligns the NOAA Corps standard with that used for veterans' benefits eligibility.)

This section modifies the effective date of retirements or separations for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) officers recommended by a personnel board, requiring such actions to take effect no earlier than 60 days after Secretarial approval (from the first day of the sixth month after approval), unless the officer requests and the Secretary approves an earlier date. (Thus, the provision streamlines the process by shortening the default waiting period from approximately six months to two months.)

This section modifies the separation procedures for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps ensigns found not fully qualified by striking the requirements for (1) permanent separation and (2) revocation of the officer's commission.

This section repeals Section 204 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 3079-1), which limited educational assistance under 33 U.S.C. 3079 for students pursuing baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degrees at accredited institutions to join the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps in exchange for active duty service obligations of up to three or five years. (As background, the program covers tuition, fees, books, laboratory expenses, and related costs not to exceed amounts specified under 10 U.S.C. 2173(e)(2), for up to five academic years.)

This section revises surplus vessel disposal requirements under 40 U.S.C. 548 by (1) designating the existing Maritime Administration requirements—applicable to vessels of 1,500 gross tons or more determined to be merchant vessels or convertible to merchant use—as subsection (a) with an exception for NOAA vessels, and (2) adding subsection (b). Subsection (b) authorizes the NOAA Administrator to dispose of covered vessels and equipment (i.e., survey and research vessels and related equipment owned by the federal government and under NOAA control) through sales or transfers under title 40; permits NOAA to retain proceeds from such disposals during the two-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 (notwithstanding 40 U.S.C. 571 and 31 U.S.C. 3302); and allows use of such proceeds, without fiscal year limitation, to acquire new covered vessels and equipment or repair and maintain existing ones. (Thus, NOAA gains flexibility to directly reinvest in its research fleet, bypassing standard federal surplus property procedures.)

This section specifies that, except as otherwise expressly provided, all references in this subtitle to a section or provision are deemed to be to a section or provision of the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 (16 U.S.C. 973 et seq.).

This section revises definitions in the South Pacific Tuna Act (16 U.S.C. 973)—which implements the Treaty on Fisheries between the United States and designated Pacific Island Parties, authorizing licensed U.S. tuna purse seine vessels to access the Parties' exclusive economic zones (EEZs)—as follows: (1) revises "applicable national law" to mean any provision of law of a Pacific Island Party noticed and in effect in accordance with the Treaty (from those described in paragraph 1(a) of Annex I); (2) revises "Closed Area" to mean any area within the jurisdiction of a Pacific Island Party closed to vessels pursuant to that Party's national law noticed and in effect in accordance with the Treaty (from closed areas identified in Schedule 2 of Annex I); (3) in the definition of "fishing," inserts "for any purpose" after "harvesting of fish" in subparagraph (C), and revises subparagraph (F) to mean use of any other vessel, vehicle, aircraft, or hovercraft for such activities except in emergencies involving crew health or safety or vessel safety (from aircraft use relating to such activities except in emergencies involving crew health or safety or vessel safety); (4) revises "fishing vessel" or "vessel" to mean any boat, ship, or other craft used for, equipped for, or normally used for commercial purse seine fishing for tuna and documented under U.S. laws (from commercial fishing); (5) revises "Licensing Area" to mean all waters under the jurisdiction of a Pacific Island Party except internal waters, territorial seas, archipelagic waters, and Closed Areas (from all waters in the Treaty Area except U.S.-jurisdictional waters, Closed Areas, and Limited Areas closed to fishing); (6) strikes the definitions of "Limited Area," "Party," and "Treaty Area"; and (7) adds a definition of "regional terms and conditions" to mean terms or conditions attached by the Administrator to a license issued by the Administrator, as notified by the Secretary.

This section revises the list of prohibited acts applicable to persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction under the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 by (1) eliminating the general exception previously provided under section 973d, (2) striking prohibitions on violating fishing arrangements under Article 3 of the Treaty and on fishing in Limited Areas in violation of Schedule 3 of Annex I, (3) permitting fishing in Closed Areas in accordance with an agreement pursuant to the Treaty, and (4) adding prohibitions on violating regional terms and conditions or limits on authorized fishing effort or catch. The section further revises prohibitions applicable in the Licensing Area by eliminating the general exception under section 973d and striking paragraph (5).

This section applies the $250,000 maximum civil penalty to all violations of prohibited acts under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (16 USC 973 et seq.) (previously excepted for acts under section 973c(a)(4), (5), (7), (8), (10), (11), and (12) and section 973c(b)(1), (2), (3), and (7)). The section also revises subsection (g) to (1) limit waiver of referral to the Attorney General for nonpayment to violations of section 973c(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (11), (12), or (13) (from (a)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), or (13)); and (2) remove ", all Limited Areas closed to fishing" from waiver conditions for fishing outside the Licensing Area. (The Act implements the U.S. treaty with Pacific Island parties regulating commercial tuna fishing in the region.)

This section revises vessel licensing procedures under the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 (i.e., procedures for issuing licenses to U.S. tuna purse seine vessels to fish in the exclusive economic zones of Pacific Island Parties to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty) by (1) requiring the Secretary of Commerce to forward applications directly to the Treaty Administrator if they comply with Secretary-established procedures, subject to allocation rules and denial grounds (previously forwarded through the Secretary of State upon complete application and fee payment); (2) requiring fees to be paid in accordance with the Treaty and any Secretary procedures (striking initial-year schedule of at least $50,000 for the first 40 licenses, $60,000 for the next 10, and a $1.75 million minimum before any forwarding); (3) authorizing the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to deny forwarding of applications if the owner or charterer lacks full maritime liability insurance or has unpaid penalties assessed under the Act, or is in U.S. bankruptcy proceedings without financial assurances; and (4) updating the grandfathering provision for U.S.-documented vessels licensed as of enactment of the Fisheries Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-43) to authorize tuna fishing in the Licensing Area, on the high seas, and in specified U.S. waters west of 146° W longitude and east of 129.5° E longitude, subject to applicable law and without intentionally encircling dolphins or other marine mammals with purse seine nets.

This section amends enforcement provisions under the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 by (1) revising notice requirements to Pacific Island Parties prior to instituting legal proceedings for alleged Treaty infringements to refer generally to the Treaty (striking references to "paragraph 8 of Article 4 of the Treaty" and "Article 10 of the Treaty"); and (2) making punctuation changes to the authorized searches and seizures provision (i.e., striking "or" at the end of clause (ii) and adding "or" at the end of clause (iii)).

This section revises vessel expulsion orders under the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 by excluding all Limited Areas (thus, limiting such orders to the Licensing Area and all Closed Areas). It also simplifies multiple citations to specific Treaty articles and paragraphs (e.g., removing "paragraph 2 of Article 3 of" and "paragraph 7 of Article 5 of"); updates probable cause cross-references from statutory violations under 16 U.S.C. 973c to Treaty section 5 paragraphs and subparagraphs (e.g., section 5(b)(7) to section 5(b)(6)); and limits unpaid judgment violations to those in waters under the jurisdiction of a Pacific Island Party (from within the Treaty Area of such a party).

This section revises confidentiality and disclosure requirements for information under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (i.e., the Act implementing the U.S. treaty with Pacific island parties for management of tuna and other fisheries). It prohibits the Secretary, pursuant to FOIA exemption 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(3), from disclosing—except as authorized in subsection (b)—(1) information provided by the Treaty Administrator and designated confidential, (2) information collected by observers, and (3) information submitted by any person in compliance with the Act. Authorized disclosures include (1) by court order; (2) by federal employees for enforcement or Coast Guard missions under 6 U.S.C. 468; (3) by federal or Fishery Management Council employees for Treaty or fishery administration, management, and monitoring; (4) to the Administrator per the Treaty and Act; (5) to international fisheries organizations per their requirements and with identity protections; (6) with written authorization from the submitter, if consistent with the Act; or (7) in aggregate or summary form that does not identify submitters. It includes a savings clause preserving Congress's (including committees' and members') authority to obtain such information and clarifying that its absence elsewhere does not limit such access.

This section revises Closed Area stowage requirements for fishing vessels by striking specific directives—lowering the boom as far as possible while keeping the skiff accessible, tying down helicopters, and securing launches—and instead requiring gear to be stowed in a manner not readily available for fishing and in accordance with any requirements established by the Secretary. (Closed Areas are designated zones in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention area where fishing is prohibited.)

This section revises the fisheries-related assistance provision (16 U.S.C. 973m) by eliminating the requirement for the U.S. tuna industry to provide $250,000 annually in technical assistance, coordinated by the Secretary of State. Instead, it authorizes the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of State to provide assistance to a Pacific Island Party (i.e., parties to the U.S. South Pacific Tuna Treaty) to support development of fisheries resources and operation of Treaty-licensed fishing vessels, including (1) technical assistance, (2) training and capacity building opportunities, (3) facilitation of private sector activities or partnerships, and (4) other activities as determined appropriate by the Secretaries.

This section revises U.S. procedures for establishing arbitral tribunals under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty (i.e., the Treaty on Fisheries Between the Government of Certain Pacific Island States and the United States of America). It (1) generalizes references to arbitrator appointment and related agreements from "Article 6, paragraph 3" to the Treaty generally; and (2) requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, to determine the location of the arbitration.

This section replaces the requirement for the Secretary of State to consult with the Secretary within 30 days of receiving notice from a Pacific Island Party of an arrangement under the Treaty on Fisheries Between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America with authority for the Secretary to establish procedures for review of any agreements for additional fishing access entered into pursuant to the Treaty. (Thus, the prior mandatory notification and applicability determination process for specified Treaty procedures is eliminated.)

This section amends provisions governing the North Pacific Research Board—which administers the 20% share of annual interest from the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund (established from a Supreme Court award in *United States v. Alaska*) allocated to the Secretary of Commerce for marine research activities in the North Pacific (43 U.S.C. 1474d(e))—to (1) add one board member representing Alaska Natives with personal knowledge of and direct experience with subsistence uses, nominated by the board and appointed by the Secretary; (2) establish 3-year terms (reappointable once) for that member and the member appointed under subparagraph (N); (3) authorize the NOAA Administrator to increase the 15% cap on administrative expenses under paragraph (4)(B) for a fiscal year if funding under subsection (c)(2) is less than the prior year (to prioritize board operations, maximizing research funds, and maintaining grant quality standards); and (4) waive that 15% cap from enactment through five years thereafter.