{"format":1,"id":"118-hr-7659","congress":118,"number":"H.R. 7659","kind":"bill","group":"bills","title":"Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024","title_source":"Short Title(s) as Passed House","official_title":"To authorize and amend authorities, programs, and statutes administered by the Coast Guard.","titles":[{"type":"Official Title as Introduced","title":"To authorize and amend authorities, programs, and statutes administered by the Coast Guard."},{"type":"Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text","title":"Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024"},{"type":"Display Title","title":"Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024"},{"type":"Short Title(s) as Introduced","title":"Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024"},{"type":"Short Title(s) as Reported to House","title":"Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024"},{"type":"Short Title(s) as Passed House","title":"Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024"}],"outcome":"passed_house","law_number":null,"introduced":"2024-03-13","chambers":{"house":{"status":"roll_call","date":"2024-05-14","vote":{"id":"118-2024-h197","question":"On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended","title":"Coast Guard Authorization Act","result":"Passed","yea":376,"nay":16,"present":0,"not_voting":38,"source":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2024/roll197.xml"}},"senate":{"status":"na","date":null,"vote":null}},"president":{"status":"na","date":null},"vice_president_tie_breaker":null,"latest_action":{"text":"Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.","date":"2024-05-15"},"nominees":null,"amendments":[],"other_votes":[],"crs_summary":{"date":"2024-03-13","stage":"Introduced in House","blocks":[{"k":"h","t":"Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024"},{"k":"p","t":"This bill reauthorizes certain Coast Guard authorities and programs through FY2026, including by extending current levels for active-duty personnel and military training student loads. The bill also modifies several existing policies and programs."},{"k":"p","t":"Among other provisions, the bill"},{"k":"li","t":"authorizes the Coast Guard to act to protect against damage or destruction resulting from cyber incidents, transnational organized crime, or foreign state threats;","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"exempts service life extension programs from certain requirements for acquisition projects or programs;","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"provides the Coast Guard with direct hire authority to appoint Coast Guard Academy civilian faculty;","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"provides members of certain reserve components with up to 12 inactive-duty training periods of parental leave; and","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"expands benefits for individuals who are participating in the Career Intermission Program to include benefits such as disability and death benefits.","d":1},{"k":"p","t":"The bill also"},{"k":"li","t":"requires the Coast Guard to establish location specific tsunami evacuation plans for units and sectors located in areas that have a high or very high risk of a tsunami,","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"establishes certain notice requirements for foreign vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf,","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"amends the requirements for certain merchant mariner credentials, and","d":1},{"k":"li","t":"requires higher-level review for certain determinations regarding the retention of an officer whose record includes a sexual assault offense.","d":1},{"k":"p","t":"Further, the bill requires the Coast Guard to provide Congress reports detailing the status of the Polar Security Cutter program, among other reporting requirements."},{"k":"p","t":"Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the acquisition of additional vessels and aircraft, information technology modernization, and shoreside infrastructure."}],"words":249},"summary":{"main_subject":{"text":"Authorizes Coast Guard appropriations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 and amends laws on Coast Guard organization, personnel, shipping and navigation, merchant mariner credentials, oil pollution liability, and sexual assault accountability.","cites":[{"label":"Sec. 101","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H6F8BC4F282E94E59AC349EA266186BAF"},{"label":"Title II","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HBE1C0E0932FC4BA0851C4C286F3BE938"},{"label":"Title III","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H9C404FC99FD74A4DB4E02EAB0D786EB1"},{"label":"Title IV","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H1A20D41554D14EA39630534137E1EB6B"},{"label":"Title V","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HE0D46AA6F6D64A59979CBA7A68BFA90A"}]},"core_areas":["Coast Guard appropriations authorizations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026","Coast Guard organization, acquisition and congressional reporting","Coast Guard personnel and parental leave","Foreign vessel operations and notification on the outer Continental Shelf","Merchant mariner credentialing","Vessel safety and ports and waterways authorities","Oil pollution incident liability and response","Sexual assault and harassment accountability in the Coast Guard"],"what_it_does":[{"text":"Amends section 4902 of title 14 to set Coast Guard authorizations of appropriations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, including $11,287,500,000 for fiscal year 2025 and $11,851,875,000 for fiscal year 2026 in paragraph (1)(A).","cite":{"label":"Sec. 101","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H6F8BC4F282E94E59AC349EA266186BAF"}},{"text":"Authorizes $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 and $600,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 for Coast Guard shoreside infrastructure, including $225,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 for improvements to facilities at Training Center Cape May in New Jersey.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 102","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HEC79EAB99E43448AB997F8C9BD24D863"}},{"text":"Authorizes $1,200,000,000 for the acquisition of a Polar Security Cutter and $1,100,000,000 for the acquisition of 2 Offshore Patrol Cutters, both for fiscal year 2026.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 103","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H58B46536C36641049240A86C167B593F"}},{"text":"Requires the Commandant, within 1 year, to establish location-specific tsunami evacuation plans for Coast Guard units and sectors in areas designated high risk or very high risk and located inside a tsunami inundation zone.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 203","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HC87EB6ED549D4BA09C6CC43CF668D2EF"}},{"text":"Exempts a Coast Guard service life extension program from the Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition requirements in sections 1131 through 1134 of title 14.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 204","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HB03D3D388EE349E78BA82886754CA6DA"}},{"text":"Allows certain Coast Guard reserve members up to 12 inactive-duty training periods of parental leave in the one-year period after the birth, adoption, or placement of a child.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 224","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HD86D0B855B6E4BC8992504BF4B823D08"}},{"text":"Requires the operator of a foreign vessel to file a notification of its planned activities before operating on the outer Continental Shelf, and requires the Secretary to publish it in the Customs Bulletin and Decisions within 14 days.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 302","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H22978A44CCCD419FBE06D068B186B6D8"}},{"text":"Amends title 46 to set classes of merchant mariner credentials for deck department members and to shorten required service periods, including changing 3 years to 18 months in section 7307.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 311","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H228831F5AEF24E56BF70ADB3F4A06B3E"}},{"text":"Prohibits owners and operators from abandoning non-barge vessels on navigable waters, allows a civil penalty of not more than $500, and requires the Commandant to maintain a national inventory of abandoned vessels.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 353","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H4ADFD54C510A4FFDB30CFFC8ED88BE4F"}},{"text":"Requires a board that decides to retain an officer whose record indicates a sexual assault offense to forward its record and recommendation for higher-level review.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 510","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H828E4EE6DB8840CB86AA2E2C44822E9E"}}],"unexpected":[{"category":"off_subject","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 342","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HA556F28A06544055981909E9182CFF21"},"heading":"Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems","effect":"Establishes a 9-member National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems to advise the Secretary on regulation and use of autonomous systems in U.S. territorial waters.","amount":null,"quote":"The Committee shall advise the Secretary on matters relating to the regulation and use of Autonomous Systems within the territorial waters of the United States."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 345","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H05BA7A2E17F7468B81A172E9F7C5E3C4"},"heading":"Information on type approval certificates","effect":"Requires the Commandant, on request of a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory, to provide Coast Guard data on water quality and biological organism concentrations for ballast water management systems with a type approval certificate.","amount":null,"quote":"shall, upon request by any State, the District of Columbia, or any territory of the United States, provide all data possessed by the Coast Guard pertaining to challenge water quality characteristics"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 343","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H24BF13CAD24A4B08B126770273B370FF"},"heading":"Controlled substance onboard vessels","effect":"Amends section 70503(a) of title 46 so the prohibition on manufacturing, distributing or placing controlled substances applies to an individual without the 'while on board a covered vessel' limit, with the offense tied to a covered vessel.","amount":null,"quote":"manufacture or distribute, possess with intent to manufacture or distribute, or place or cause to be placed with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance on board a covered vessel"}]},{"category":"narrow_beneficiary","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 341","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HDA4C277098C44D358816D5BD9CE3D89A"},"heading":"Anchor handling activities","effect":"Extends the section 12111(d) anchor handling provisions to floating offshore wind facilities and to vessels supporting commercial space transportation or space exploration activities.","amount":null,"quote":"or other energy production or transmission facility, or vessel engaged in the launch, recovery, or support of commercial space transportation or space exploration activities"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 210","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H9D2F655746514FFAB23647836106CA1C"},"heading":"Authorization of certain support for Coast Guard Academy foundations","effect":"Allows the Coast Guard Academy Superintendent to let a covered foundation use Academy facilities or equipment without reimbursement; covered foundations are nonprofits that operate exclusively to support a Service Academy.","amount":null,"quote":"the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy may authorize a covered foundation to use, on an unreimbursed basis, facilities or equipment of the Coast Guard Academy"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 351","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H2E4F28DB796D48DD924C2FD2B10B4455"},"heading":"National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee composition","effect":"Raises the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee from 15 to 17 members and adds 2 seats for entities engaged in non-mineral energy activities on the Outer Continental Shelf.","amount":null,"quote":"2 members shall represent entities engaged in non-mineral energy activities on the Outer Continental Shelf."}]},{"category":"named_funding","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 102","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HEC79EAB99E43448AB997F8C9BD24D863"},"heading":"Shoreside infrastructure and facilities and information technology","effect":"Authorizes specific amounts for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 for named facilities, including $225,000,000 for Training Center Cape May in fiscal year 2025, plus named projects at the Coast Guard Academy, Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Air Station Barbers Point and Coast Guard Base Seattle.","amount":null,"quote":"$225,000,000 is authorized for the purposes of improvements to facilities at the United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May in Cape May, New Jersey"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 211","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HFE7D15954B3441978C48D40DD745287C"},"heading":"National Coast Guard Museum","effect":"Amends the law on the National Coast Guard Museum to let the Commandant accept services from, and make grants to, the Association for museum construction, maintenance and operation, and to lease the Museum and adjacent properties from the Association.","amount":null,"quote":"enter into contracts or memorandums of agreement with or make grants to the Association to acquire such services."}]},{"category":"selective_carve_out","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 204","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HB03D3D388EE349E78BA82886754CA6DA"},"heading":"Service life extension programs","effect":"Exempts Coast Guard service life extension programs from the Level 1 and Level 2 acquisition project requirements in sections 1131 through 1134 of title 14.","amount":null,"quote":"Requirements for a Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition project or program under sections 1131 through 1134 shall not apply to an acquisition by the Coast Guard that is a service life extension program."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 222","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H302B5066E426474780F989E1E6A2FF5E"},"heading":"Temporary exemption from authorized end strength for Coast Guard enlisted members on active duty","effect":"Until October 1, 2027, lets the number of Coast Guard enlisted members in pay grades E-8 and E-9 exceed the percentage limits that otherwise apply under section 517 of title 10.","amount":null,"quote":"the authorized end strength for enlisted members on active duty (other than for training) in the Coast Guard in pay grades E–8 and E–9 may be more than 3.0 percent and 1.25 percent respectively"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 311","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H228831F5AEF24E56BF70ADB3F4A06B3E"},"heading":"Revising merchant mariner deck training requirements","effect":"Directs the Secretary to implement certain amended merchant mariner requirements without regard to chapters 5 and 6 of title 5 and Executive Orders 12866 and 13563.","amount":null,"quote":"shall implement the amended requirements under subsections (c)(3), (c)(4), and (c)(6) of this section without regard to chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, and Executive Orders 12866 and 13563"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 324","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HA62A58A4A292430C9898A9F28E0E854B"},"heading":"Risk based examination of tank vessels","effect":"Allows the Secretary to adopt a risk-based examination schedule, instead of annual examinations, for foreign-flagged tank vessels once listed studies and a safety assessment are completed.","amount":null,"quote":"the Secretary may adopt a risk-based examination schedule to which such vessels shall be examined and the frequency with which the examinations occur."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 330","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H1AF8145F903D477D8FD39B883672B0AC"},"heading":"Articulated tug-barge manning","effect":"Allows an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection to authorize minimum licensed engineer manning on covered articulated tug-barge towing vessels notwithstanding watch setting requirements and other law, with a covered-vessel definition that includes vessels with a manning document issued before July 19, 2022.","amount":null,"quote":"Notwithstanding the watch setting requirements set forth in section 8104 of title 46, United States Code, or any other provision of law or regulation, an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection may authorize a covered vessel"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 346","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HBFC0115BEC20410AA7585E19D1CDB62D"},"heading":"Manning and crewing requirements for certain vessels, vehicles, and structures","effect":"Lets the Secretary exempt owners or operators of certain foreign-owned vessels, rigs and platforms from outer Continental Shelf manning regulations for up to 12 months, renewable, if crew meet citizenship or residency criteria; ends existing exemptions after 120 days and sets a civil penalty of $10,000 per day for violations.","amount":null,"quote":"The Secretary may provide an exemption described in subsection (b) to the owner or operator of a covered facility if each individual who is manning or crewing the covered facility is"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 347","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H9F557DEB4C4C49319C7C4E2767926D0E"},"heading":"Classification societies","effect":"Revises when the Secretary may delegate authority to a foreign classification society, tying it to whether the society's home government delegates to the American Bureau of Shipping or to no society, and bars delegation to a classification society from the People's Republic of China.","amount":null,"quote":"delegates that authority to the American Bureau of Shipping"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 354","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HF4AAB89718AB41F58CBAAC1317506B4D"},"heading":"Anchorages","effect":"Requires the Commandant to prohibit vessel anchoring on a described reach of the Hudson River except within anchorages established before January 1, 2021, and strikes two existing subsections.","amount":null,"quote":"The Commandant shall prohibit any vessel anchoring on the reach of the Hudson River described in subsection (a) unless such anchoring is within any anchorage established before January 1, 2021."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 503","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H691F023A5AFB4764B75F14FD34BD478C"},"heading":"Requirement to maintain certain records","effect":"Requires the Commandant to keep work product on disposition decisions for investigations of Coast Guard members for 7 years, but excludes certain controlled substance offenses by lower-grade officers and enlisted members from the case action summary requirement.","amount":null,"quote":"except for offenses of wrongful use or possession of a controlled substance under section 912a of title 10"}]},{"category":"rule_delay","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 328","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H4EE477A81A424EBC88F1207FC69516F8"},"heading":"St. Lucie River railroad bridge","effect":"Requires the Commandant to conduct an independent boat traffic study at mile 7.4 of the St. Lucie River before adopting a final rule in the named docket.","amount":null,"quote":"Regarding Docket Number USCG–2022–0222, before adopting a final rule, the Commandant shall conduct an independent boat traffic study at mile 7.4 of the St. Lucie River."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 344","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H8B100D8247D4443AA482A93FA1CCE78E"},"heading":"Nonoperating individual","effect":"Changes the year \"2025\" to \"2027\" in section 8313(b) of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which concerns nonoperating individuals.","amount":null,"quote":"is amended by striking “2025” and inserting “2027”"}]},{"category":"process_change","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 350","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H3BA2B468B8BB497B918926C81182E8C5"},"heading":"Authority over Deepwater Port Act of 1974","effect":"Gives the Secretary of Transportation Deepwater Port Act rulemaking authority and lead agency role for environmental reviews, and requires the Commandant to transfer certain part 148 authorities to that Secretary within 6 months.","amount":null,"quote":"Notwithstanding section 888(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(b)), the Secretary, in cooperation with other involved Federal agencies and departments, shall comply with the National Environmental Policy Act"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 215","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-HBF3FE72ED2A34756BA6D26C98FB72739"},"heading":"Delegation of ports and waterways safety authorities in St. Lawrence seaway","effect":"Rewrites section 70032 of title 46 so that certain ports and waterways authorities for the Saint Lawrence Seaway may be delegated only to the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, with listed exceptions.","amount":null,"quote":"may not be delegated with respect to the Saint Lawrence Seaway to any agency other than the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 221","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H41F79784F9F746F8BA0C751E2AB84CA9"},"heading":"Direct hire authority for civilian faculty at the Coast Guard Academy","effect":"Lets the Secretary appoint a candidate to a Coast Guard Academy faculty position noncompetitively, without regard to the title 5 appointment requirements.","amount":null,"quote":"The Secretary may, without regard to the appointment requirements of title 5, United States Code, noncompetitively appoint a highly qualified candidate to a faculty position in the excepted service."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 303","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H56AA8108F98D4927B776089056748F0B"},"heading":"Publication of fines and penalties","effect":"Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish pre-penalty notices and penalty notifications under section 55102 of title 46 in the Customs Bulletin and Decisions within 14 days, with vessel and owner details, and to issue implementing regulations.","amount":null,"quote":"the Secretary of Homeland Security shall publish such pre-penalty notice or a notification of such penalty in the Customs Bulletin and Decisions"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 403","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H22EC088F8FA7457A8513056CC5151BC7"},"heading":"Timing of review","effect":"Bars any person from bringing an action challenging an on-scene coordinator's decision about a removal action until the removal action is complete.","amount":null,"quote":"no person may bring an action under this Act, section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321), or chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 404","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh#toc-H664C14AF0FDA42518B7A40F4F00D0A73"},"heading":"Online incident reporting system","effect":"Requires the National Response Center to build a web-based application for oil discharge and hazardous substance release notifications within 2 years, while not requiring its use.","amount":null,"quote":"the National Response Center may not require the notification of an oil discharge or release of a hazardous substance to be made using the application"}]}],"version":{"type":"Engrossed in House","date":"2024-05-14","rule":"passed","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text/eh"},"current":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","approved":"2026-10-02","approved_by":"checks"},"sources":{"congress_gov":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659","text":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7659/text"},"card":{"image":"card/item/118-hr-7659.png","v":"2ab3ca20305e","alt":"Votes on Record. H.R. 7659, 118th Congress: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. House: 376 Yea, 16 Nay. Outcome: Passed House, 14 May 2024."}}