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Title II — Transfer of naval vessels to certain other foreign recipients

H.R. 3470 · 113th Congress · Apr 8, 2014 · Lineage

II Transfer of naval vessels to certain other foreign recipients

Sec. 201 Findings

(a)
Relating to Mexico— Congress finds the following:
(1)
The partnership between the United States and Mexico helps the economic and national security of both countries, including in the area of energy.
(2)
The United States and Mexico share a common goal of reducing the flow of narcotics and the influence of transnational gangs in the Hemisphere.
(3)
The partnership between the United States and Mexico helps the economic competitiveness and national security of both countries.
(4)
The economies of the United States and Mexico are increasingly interdependent, with bilateral foreign direct investment increasing more than six-fold over the past two decades.
(5)
In 2012 alone, bilateral trade in goods and services between the United States and Mexico exceeded $500,000,000,000.
(6)
The transfer of naval vessels to Mexico authorized under section 202 supports the modernization efforts of the Mexican Navy.
(7)
Such naval vessels are suitable to support Mexico’s offshore maritime surveillance, counter trafficking, interdiction, and oil platform security.
(8)
The transfer of such naval vessels will contribute to United States interests in promoting increased maritime awareness to support security and protection of the people of the United States and the people of Mexico.
(b)
Relating to Thailand— Congress finds the following:
(1)
Thailand was the first treaty ally of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region and remains a steadfast friend of the United States.
(2)
In December 2003, the United States designated Thailand as a major non-NATO ally, which improved the security of both countries, particularly by facilitating joint counterterrorism efforts.
(3)
For more than 30 years, Thailand has been the host country of Cobra Gold, the United States Pacific Command’s annual multinational military training exercise, which is designed to ensure regional peace and promote regional security cooperation.
(4)
The Royal Thai Navy has commanded Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) of the Combined Maritime Forces, a multi-national naval partnership consisting of 30 nations operating in and around the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia.
(5)
With the assistance of the Royal Thai Navy’s Counter Piracy Task Group, CTF 151 is helping to expressly disrupt and suppress piracy, protect all vessels in the region and secure their free navigation.
(6)
The Royal Thai Navy is also participating in the multilateral Malacca Straits patrols with other regional partners to promote maritime safety and security.
(7)
The transfer of naval vessels to Thailand authorized under section 202 will support enhanced interoperability between the Royal Thai Navy and United States Navy forces.
(8)
The transfer of such naval vessels underscores the United States commitment to United States-Thai relations and to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sec. 202 Transfer of naval vessels to certain other foreign recipients

(a)
Transfers by grant— The President is authorized to transfer vessels to foreign countries on a grant basis under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j), as follows:
(1)
Mexico— To the Government of Mexico, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates USS CURTS (FFG–38) and USS MCCLUSKY (FFG–41).
(2)
Thailand— To the Government of Thailand, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates USS RENTZ (FFG–46) and USS VANDEGRIFT (FFG–48).
(b)
Alternative transfer authority— Notwithstanding the authority provided in subsection (a) to transfer specific vessels to specific countries, the President is authorized, subject to the same conditions that would apply for such country under this section, to transfer any vessel named in this section to any country named in this section such that the total number of vessels transferred to such country does not exceed the total number of vessels authorized for transfer to such country by this section.
(c)
Grants not counted in annual total of transferred excess defense articles— The value of a vessel transferred to another country on a grant basis pursuant to authority provided by subsection (a) or (b) shall not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred in any fiscal year under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j).
(d)
Costs of transfers— Any expense incurred by the United States in connection with a transfer authorized by this section shall be charged to the recipient notwithstanding section 516(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j(e)).
(e)
Repair and refurbishment in united states shipyards— To the maximum extent practicable, the President shall require, as a condition of the transfer of a vessel under this section, that the recipient to which the vessel is transferred have such repair or refurbishment of the vessel as is needed, before the vessel joins the naval forces of that recipient, performed at a shipyard located in the United States, including a United States Navy shipyard.
(f)
Expiration of authority— The authority to transfer a vessel under this section shall expire at the end of the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.