S. 2444 — what changed

added This Act may be cited as the “Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014”.

changed Funds are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years year 2015 and 2016 for necessary expenses of the Coast Guard as follows:

changed Section 44 42(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: “The term of an appointment, and any reappointment, shall begin on June 1 of the current year striking “7,200” and end 4 years later on May 31, except that, in the event of death, retirement, resignation, or reassignment, or when the needs of the Service demand, the Secretary may alter the date on which the term begins or ends as long as the term is no longer than 4 years.”.inserting “6,900”.

changed Section 57 44 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: “The term of an appointment, and any reappointment, shall begin on June 1 of the appropriate year and end on May 31 of the appropriate year, except that, in the event of death, retirement, resignation, or reassignment, or when the needs of the Service demand, the Secretary may alter the date on which a term begins or ends if the alteration does not result in the term exceeding a period of 4 years.”.

removed “(4) waterways operations manager shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with respect to marine transportation system management; or

removed “(5) port and facility safety and security specialist shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with respect to the safety, security, and environmental protection responsibilities associated with maritime ports and facilities.”

added Section 57 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

removed “87. Provision of icebreaking services

removed “(a) In general—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as provided in subsection (b), the Coast Guard shall be the sole supplier of icebreaking services, on an advance payment or reimbursable basis, to each Federal agency that requires icebreaking services.

removed “(b) Exception—In the event that a Federal agency requires icebreaking services and the Coast Guard is unable to provide the services, the Federal agency may acquire icebreaking services from another entity.”

added “(4) waterways operations manager shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with respect to marine transportation system management; or

added “(5) port and facility safety and security specialist shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with respect to the safety, security, and environmental protection responsibilities associated with maritime ports and facilities.”

Section 58(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

changed “(b) Missions—A Missions—Any center established under subsection (a) shall—

changed “(1) promote, facilitate, and conduct education, training, and research programs;conduct—

changed “(2) develop and maintain a repository of information on operations, practices, and resources; and“(A) education;

changed “(3) perform and support any mission of the Coast Guard that the Commandant may specify.”“(B) training; and

added “(C) activities authorized under section 93(a)(4);

added “(2) be a repository of information on operations, practices, and resources related to the mission for which the center was established; and

added “(3) perform and support the mission for which the center was established.”

removed “(f) Equipment, technology, and techniques—For the purposes of subsection (a)(4), the Commandant is authorized to possess, use, and consume any personal property or materials of another government agency or a private agency, or a foreign government agency, subject to the conditions regarding foreign government agencies imposed by that subsection, for the purpose of conducting research, development, testing, evaluation, and demonstration of equipment, technology, or a technique.”

removed “(g) Lease of tidelands and submerged lands

removed “(1) Exception from maximum lease term—Notwithstanding subsection (a)(13), a lease described in paragraph (2) may be for such term in excess of 5 years as the Commandant considers appropriate.

removed “(2) Lease described—A lease referred to in paragraph (1) is a lease of the following:

removed “(A) Tidelands under the control of the Coast Guard.

removed “(B) Submerged lands under the control of the Coast Guard.”

removed “154. Interagency Arctic Maritime Domain Awareness Committee

removed “(a) Establishment

removed “(1) In general—The Secretary is authorized to establish an Interagency Arctic Maritime Domain Awareness Committee (referred to in this section as the “Committee”). The Commandant shall chair the Committee.

removed “(2) Purpose—The purpose of the Committee shall be to improve maritime domain awareness in the Arctic—

removed “(A) by promoting interagency cooperation and coordination;

removed “(B) by employing joint, interagency, and international capabilities; and

removed “(C) by facilitating the sharing of information, intelligence, and data related to the Arctic maritime domain between the participating agencies and departments under paragraph (3).

removed “(3) Participating agencies and departments—The Committee shall coordinate the participation by and sharing of information, intelligence, and data related to the Arctic maritime domain between the following:

removed “(A) the Department of Homeland Security;

removed “(B) the Department of Defense;

removed “(C) the Department of Transportation;

removed “(D) the Department of State;

removed “(E) the Department of the Interior;

removed “(F) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;

removed “(G) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

removed “(H) the Environmental Protection Agency; and

removed “(I) the National Science Foundation.

removed “(b) Organization—The Secretary and the head of an agency or a department under subsection (a)(3) may—

removed “(1) by agreement, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, provide representation on the Committee;

removed “(2) by agreement, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, share personnel, services, equipment, and facilities with the Committee for the purpose under subsection (a)(2); and

removed “(3) to the extent possible, and consistent with applicable law, extend the authorities provided under their enabling statutes to the other participating departments and agencies in furtherance of the purpose under subsection (a)(2).

removed “(c) Information sharing

removed “(1) In general—The Secretary and the head of each participating agency and department under subsection (a)(3), to the maximum extent permissible under law, shall share through the Committee all applicable information, intelligence, and data related to maritime domain awareness in the Arctic.

removed “(2) Collection and use—Subject to applicable confidentiality and privacy laws, the Secretary, through the Committee, shall oversee and coordinate the collection, storage, analysis, and use of all applicable information, intelligence, and data shared under paragraph (1).

removed “(d) 5-Year strategic plan—Not later than 180 days after the date that the Committee is established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop a 5-year strategic plan to guide interagency and international intergovernmental cooperation and coordination for the purpose of improving maritime domain awareness in the Arctic. The Secretary shall update the plan periodically.

removed “(e) Definitions—In this section—

removed “(1) Arctic—The term Arctic has the meaning given the term in section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111).

removed “(2) Maritime domain awareness—The term maritime domain awareness means the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact the safety, security, economy, or environment of the United States.”

added “102. Agreements

added “(a) In general—In carrying out section 93(a)(4), the Commandant may—

added “(1) enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, and other agreements with—

added “(A) Federal entities;

added “(B) other public or private entities in the United States, including academic entities; and

added “(C) foreign governments with the concurrence of the Secretary of State; and

added “(2) impose on and collect from an entity subject to an agreement or contract under paragraph (1) a fee to assist with expenses incurred in carrying out such section.

added “(b) Deposit and use of fees—Fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury as offsetting receipts. The fees may be used, to the extent provided in advance in an appropriation law, only to carry out activities under section 93(a)(4).”

changed Section 194 93(a)(7) of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read by inserting “and the textbooks, manuals, and other materials required as follows:part of such training or course of instruction” after “correspondence courses”.

removed “194. Annual Board of Visitors

removed “(a) In general—A Board of Visitors to the Coast Guard Academy is established to review and make recommendations on the operation of the Academy.

removed “(b) Membership

removed “(1) In general—The membership of the Board shall consist of the following:

removed “(A) The chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or the chairman’s designee.

removed “(B) The chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, or the chairman’s designee.

removed “(C) 3 Members of the Senate designated by the Vice President.

removed “(D) 4 Members of the House of Representatives designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

removed “(E) 6 individuals designated by the President.

removed “(2) Length of service

removed “(A) Members of Congress—A Member of Congress designated under subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (1) as a member of the Board shall be designated as a member in the first session of a Congress and serve for the duration of that Congress.

removed “(B) Individuals designated by the President—Each individual designated by the President under subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) shall serve as a member of the Board for 3 years, except that any such member whose term of office has expired shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed.

removed “(3) Death or resignation of a member—If a member of the Board dies or resigns, a successor shall be designated for any unexpired portion of the term of the member by the official who designated the member.

removed “(c) Academy visits

removed “(1) Annual visit—The Board shall visit the Academy annually to review the operation of the Academy.

removed “(2) Additional visits—With the approval of the Secretary, the Board or individual members of the Board may make other visits to the Academy in connection with the duties of the Board or to consult with the Superintendent of the Academy.

removed “(d) Scope of review—The Board shall review, with respect to the Academy—

removed “(1) the state of morale and discipline;

removed “(2) the curriculum;

removed “(3) the instruction;

removed “(4) the physical equipment;

removed “(5) the fiscal affairs; and

removed “(6) other matters relating to the Academy that the Board determines appropriate.

removed “(e) Report—Not later than 60 days after the date of an annual visit of the Board under subsection (c)(1), the Board shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the actions of the Board during such visit and the recommendations of the Board pertaining to the Academy.

removed “(f) Advisors—If approved by the Secretary, the Board may consult with advisors in carrying out this section.

removed “(g) Reimbursement—Each member of the Board and each adviser consulted by the Board under subsection (f) shall be reimbursed, to the extent permitted by law, by the Coast Guard for actual expenses incurred while engaged in duties as a member or an adviser.”

added Chapter 555 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

removed “316. Flag officers; determination of unfitness

removed “When the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy—

removed “(1) section 1216(d) of title 10 shall not apply with respect to any member who is a flag officer being processed for retirement by reason of age or length of service; and

removed “(2) the Secretary may, with respect to any member who is a flag officer being processed for retirement by reason of age or length of service—

removed “(A) retire such member under section 1201 of title 10;

removed “(B) place such member on the temporary disability retired list under section 1202 of title 10; or

removed “(C) separate such member from the Coast Guard under section 1203 of title 10;”

changed Section 404(b) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (124 Stat. 2951), as amended by section 218 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act 51103 of 2012 (126 Stat. 1558), title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking “2015” and inserting “2017”.adding at the end the following:

added “(e) Donation for historical purposes

added “(1) In general—The Secretary may convey the right, title, and interest of the United States Government in any property administered by the Maritime Administration, except real estate or vessels, if—

added “(A) the Secretary determines that such property is not needed by the Maritime Administration; and

added “(B) the recipient—

added “(i) is a nonprofit organization, a State, or a political subdivision of a State;

added “(ii) agrees to hold the Government harmless for any claims arising from exposure to hazardous materials, including asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, or lead paint, after conveyance of the property;

added “(iii) provides a description and explanation of the intended use of the property to the Secretary for approval;

added “(iv) has provided to the Secretary proof, as determined by the Secretary, of resources sufficient to accomplish the intended use provided under clause (iii) and to maintain the property;

added “(v) agrees that when the recipient no longer requires the property, the recipient shall—

added “(I) return the property to the Secretary, at the recipient’s expense and in the same condition as received except for ordinary wear and tear; or

added “(II) subject to the approval of the Secretary, retain, sell, or otherwise dispose of the property in a manner consistent with applicable law; and

added “(vi) agrees to any additional terms the Secretary considers appropriate.

added “(2) Reversion—The Secretary shall include in any conveyance under this subsection terms under which all right, title, and interest conveyed by the Secretary shall revert to the Government if the Secretary determines the property has been used other than as approved by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(B)(iii).”

added Section 54101(i) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking “2009 through 2013” and inserting “2015 through 2017”.

removed “428. Timely provision of sea service letters

removed “A member of the Coast Guard who will retire or separate from the Service and who is eligible to receive a sea service letter shall be provided such sea service letter, at the member's request, not later than 90 days after making such request.”

added Section 7706 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

removed “461. Remission of indebtedness

removed “The Secretary or the Secretary’s designee may have remitted or cancelled any part of an individual's indebtedness to the United States or any instrumentality of the United States if—

removed “(1) the indebtedness was incurred while the individual served on active duty as a member of the Coast Guard; and

removed “(2) the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee considers remitting or cancelling any part of the indebtedness to be in the best interest of the United States.”

added “(j) The Secretary may issue a license under this section in a class under subsection (c) to an applicant that—

added “(1) has at least 3 months of qualifying service on vessels of the uniformed services (as that term is defined in section 101(a) of title 10) of appropriate tonnage or horsepower within the 7-year period immediately preceding the date of application; and

added “(2) satisfies all other requirements for such a license.”

added “428. Sea service letters

added “(a) In general—The Secretary shall provide a sea service letter to a member or former member of the Coast Guard who—

added “(1) accumulated sea service on a vessel of the armed forces (as such term is defined in section 101(a) of title 10); and

added “(2) requests such letter.

added “(b) Deadline—Not later than 30 days after receiving a request for a sea service letter from a member or former member of the Coast Guard under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide such letter to such member or former member if such member or former member satisfies the requirement under subsection (a)(1).”

removed “14 Coast Guard family support and child care authorities

removed “A General provisions

removed “531. Work-life policies and programs

removed “The Commandant is authorized—

removed “(1) to establish a program for the purpose of developing and promulgating policies that promote or support the well-being of Coast Guard active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel, and their families;

removed “(2) to implement and oversee the policies under paragraph (1) as the Commandant considers necessary; and

removed “(3) to perform such other duties as the Commandant considers necessary to promote or support the well-being of Coast Guard active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel, and their families.

removed “532. Surveys of Coast Guard families

removed “(a) Authority—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commandant, in order to determine the effectiveness of Federal programs that promote or support the well-being of Coast Guard active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel, and their families, may survey—

removed “(1) any Coast Guard active duty, reserve, or civilian personnel;

removed “(2) any retired Coast Guard member or civilian personnel;

removed “(3) the immediate family of any member or personnel described under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2); and

removed “(4) any survivor of a deceased member.

removed “(b) Voluntary participation—Participation in any survey conducted under this section shall be voluntary.

removed “(c) Federal recordkeeping—With respect to a survey authorized under subsection (a) that includes a person referred to in that subsection who is not an employee of the United States or is not otherwise considered an employee of the United States for the purposes of section 3502(3)(A)(i) of title 44, the person shall be considered an employee of the United States for the purposes of that section.

removed “B Coast guard family support”

removed “542. Education and training opportunities for Coast Guard spouses

removed “(a) Tuition assistance; education and training—The Commandant may provide, subject to the availability of appropriations, tuition assistance to an eligible spouse of a member of the Coast Guard in achieving—

removed “(1) the education and training required for a degree or credential, that expands employment and portable career opportunities for the spouse, at an accredited college, university, or technical school in the United States; or

removed “(2) the education prerequisites and professional licensure or credentialing required by a government or government-sanctioned licensing body for an occupation that expands employment and portable career opportunities for the spouse.

removed “(b) Definitions—For the purposes of this section—

removed “(1) Eligible spouse

removed “(A) In general—The term eligible spouse means the spouse of a member of the Coast Guard who is serving on active duty, including a spouse who receives transitional support in the case of such a member who is discharged due to domestic violence.

removed “(B) Exclusions—The term eligible spouse does not include—

removed “(i) a person who is married to, but legally separated from, a member of the Coast Guard under court order or statute of any State or territorial possession of the United States; or

removed “(ii) a person who is eligible for tuition assistance as a member of the armed forces.

removed “(2) Portable career opportunities—The term portable career opportunities includes an occupation requiring education, training, or both, that results in a credential that is recognized by an industry, profession, or specific type of business.

removed “543. Youth sponsorship initiatives

removed “(a) In general—The Commandant is authorized to establish, within any Coast Guard unit, an initiative to help integrate into new communities the dependent children of members of the Coast Guard when the members receive permanent change of station orders.

removed “(b) Description of initiative—A youth sponsorship initiative under this section shall—

removed “(1) apply to a dependent child who resides in the new community due to a permanent change of station order;

removed “(2) provide for the involvement of a dependent child of a member of the Coast Guard in the dependent child's new Coast Guard community; and

removed “(3) primarily focus on children in their preteen and teenage years.”

removed “C Coast Guard child care

removed “551. Definitions

removed “In this subchapter:

removed “(1) Child abuse and neglect—The term child abuse and neglect has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 note).

removed “(2) Child development center employee—The term child development center employee means a civilian employee of the Coast Guard who is employed to work in a Coast Guard child development center regardless of whether the employee is paid from appropriated or nonappropriated funds.

removed “(3) Coast Guard child development center

removed “(A) In general—The term Coast Guard child development center means a facility on Coast Guard property or on property under the jurisdiction of the commander of a Coast Guard unit, at which child care services are provided for members of the Coast Guard.

removed “(B) Exclusions—The term Coast Guard child development center does not include a child care services facility for which space is allotted under section 590 of title 40.

removed “(4) Competitive service position—The term competitive service position means a position in the competitive service (as defined in section 2102(a)(1) of title 5).

removed “(5) Family home daycare—The term family home daycare means home-based child care services provided for a member of the Coast Guard by an individual who—

removed “(A) is certified by the Commandant as qualified to provide home-based child care services; and

removed “(B) provides home-based child care services on a regular basis in exchange for monetary compensation.”

removed “553. Child development center standards and inspections

removed “(a) Early childhood development standards—The Commandant shall require that each child development center meets applicable health and safety standards.

removed “(b) Safety standards—The Commandant shall require that each child development center under this subchapter meets such safety standards as the Commandant considers appropriate to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the children and employees at the child development center.

removed “(c) Inspections—The Commandant shall provide for regular and unannounced inspections of each child development center under this subchapter to ensure compliance with this section.

removed “(d) National reporting

removed “(1) In general—The Commandant shall maintain and publicize a means by which an individual can report—

removed “(A) any suspected violation of—

removed “(i) standards of operation;

removed “(ii) health or safety standards; or

removed “(iii) other law or standards;

removed “(B) any suspected child abuse or neglect; or

removed “(C) any other deficiency at a Coast Guard child development center or in family home daycare.

removed “(2) Anonymous reporting—The Commandant shall ensure that a report under paragraph (1) can be made anonymously if so desired by the individual making the report.

removed “(3) Procedures—The Commandant shall establish procedures for investigating a report under paragraph (1).”

removed “554. Child development center employees

removed “(a) Training

removed “(1) In general—The Commandant shall prescribe a training program for Coast Guard child development center employees. Satisfactory completion of the training program shall be a condition of employment for an employee of a Coast Guard child development center. The Commandant shall require each employee complete the training program not later than 6 months after the date that the employee is employed as a Coast Guard child development center employee.

removed “(2) Minimum requirements—The training program shall include, at a minimum, instruction in the following:

removed “(A) Early childhood development.

removed “(B) Activities and disciplinary techniques appropriate to children of different ages.

removed “(C) Child abuse and neglect prevention and detection.

removed “(D) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency medical procedures.

removed “(3) Use of department of defense programs—The Commandant may use Department of Defense training programs on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, for purposes of complying with the requirements of this subsection.

removed “(b) Training and curriculum specialists

removed “(1) Specialist required—The Commandant shall require that at least 1 employee at each Coast Guard child development center be a specialist in training and curriculum development with appropriate credentials and experience.

removed “(2) Duties—The duties of the employee under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

removed “(A) Special teaching activities at the Coast Guard child development center.

removed “(B) Daily oversight and instruction of other child care employees at the Coast Guard child development center.

removed “(C) Daily assistance in the preparation of lesson plans.

removed “(D) Assisting with child abuse and neglect prevention and detection at the Coast Guard child development center.

removed “(E) Advising the director of the Coast Guard child development center on the performance of the other child care employees.

removed “(3) Competitive service—Each employee under paragraph (1) shall be an employee in a competitive service position.

removed “555. Parent partnerships with child development centers

removed “(a) Parent boards

removed “(1) Formation—The Commandant shall require that there be formed at each Coast Guard child development center a board of parents, to be composed of parents of children attending the center.

removed “(2) Functions—Each parent board shall—

removed “(A) meet periodically with the staff and the commander of the unit served by the center at which the parent board is formed, for the purpose of discussing problems and concerns; and

removed “(B) be responsible, together with the staff of that center, for coordinating the parent participation initiative required under subsection (b).

removed “(3) FACA—A board of parents under this subsection shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).

removed “(b) Parent participation initiative

removed “(1) In general—The Commandant is authorized to establish a parent participation initiative at each Coast Guard child development center to encourage and facilitate parent participation in educational and related activities at the center.

removed “(2) Fee reduction authority—The Commandant, in the case of a parent who participates in an initiative adopted under paragraph (1), may establish fees at a lower rate than charged under section 552(b)(2)(A) for that parent.”

changed Section 712(a) 55305(e) of title 14, 46, United States Code, is amended—

added “(2) In this subsection, the term high-risk waters means waters so designated by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in the maritime security directive issued by the Commandant and in effect on the date on which an applicable voyage begins, if the Secretary of Transportation—

added “(A) determines that an act of piracy occurred in the 12-month period preceding the date the voyage begins; or

added “(B) in such period, issued an advisory warning that an act of piracy is possible in such waters.”

removed “(2) a major disaster or emergency (as defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122)), or a discharge (as defined in section 311(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(a))) that the Commandant has classified as a spill of national significance under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (part 300 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations), the Secretary may, without the consent of the member affected, order to active duty for a continuous period of not more than 120 days an organized training unit of the Coast Guard Ready Reserve, a member thereof, or a member not assigned to a unit organized to serve as a unit.”

removed Notwithstanding section 1085 of title 10, United States Code, or any other requirements under chapter 55 of that title providing for the reimbursement of inpatient or outpatient medical or dental care that the Department of Defense or a military department has provided to a member or former member of the Coast Guard or a dependent thereof, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in lieu of such reimbursement, shall transfer from funds appropriated for the operating expenses of the Coast Guard an amount determined by the Board of Actuaries to represent the value of care that the Department of Defense or a military department shall provide, during the fiscal year in which funds are made available, to a member or former member of the Coast Guard or a dependent thereof.

added There is authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Maritime Commission $24,700,000 for fiscal year 2015.

removed “662a. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request

removed “(a) In general—Not later than 30 days after the date on which the President submits to Congress a budget request for a fiscal year pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a Coast Guard authorization request with respect to that fiscal year.

removed “(b) Coast Guard authorization request defined—In this section, the term Coast Guard authorization request means proposed legislation that, with respect to the Coast Guard for the relevant fiscal year, includes—

removed “(1) recommended end-of-year strengths for active duty personnel and military training student loads for that fiscal year, as described in section 661;

removed “(2) recommended authorizations of appropriations for that fiscal year, including with respect to matters described in section 662; and

removed “(3) any other matter the Secretary considers appropriate for inclusion in a Coast Guard authorization bill.”

added Section 41305 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

removed “(3) Amounts received as reimbursement for appropriate travel and subsistence costs incurred providing a service or thing of value under this section may be credited to the account from which expended.

removed “(4) Reimbursement for services provided under this section may include in kind reimbursement for transportation, travel, and subsistence.”

added “(e) Attorney fees—In any action brought under section 41301, the prevailing party may be awarded reasonable attorney fees.”

removed “(h) Reimbursement for services provided by the Coast Guard may include in-kind reimbursement for transportation, travel, and subsistence.”

added “(2) Terms—The term of each Commissioner is 5 years. When the term of a Commissioner ends, the Commissioner may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified, but for a period not to exceed one year. Except as provided in paragraph (3), no individual may serve more than 2 terms.”

added “(3) Vacancies—A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. An individual appointed to fill a vacancy is appointed only for the unexpired term of the individual being succeeded. An individual appointed to fill a vacancy may serve 2 terms in addition to the remainder of the term for which the predecessor of that individual was appointed.

added “(4) Conflicts of interest

added “(A) Limitation on relationships with regulated entities—A Commissioner may not have a pecuniary interest in, hold an official relation to, or own stocks or bonds of any entity the Commission regulates under chapter 401 of this title.

added “(B) Limitation on other activities—A Commissioner may not engage in another business, vocation, or employment.”

removed “679. Retired servicemembers and family members serving on advisory committees

removed “A committee within the Coast Guard that advises or assists the Coast Guard in the performance of any function that affects members of military families and includes in its membership a retired Coast Guard member or a member of a military family shall not be considered an advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) solely because of such membership.”

added “90. Arctic maritime transportation

added “(a) Purpose—The purpose of this section is to ensure safe and secure maritime shipping in the Arctic including the availability of aids to navigation, vessel escorts, spill response capability, and maritime search and rescue in the Arctic.

added “(b) International Maritime Organization Agreements—To carry out the purpose of this section, the Secretary is encouraged to enter into negotiations through the International Maritime Organization to conclude and execute agreements to promote coordinated action among the United States, Russia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark and other seafaring and Arctic nations to ensure, in the Arctic—

added “(1) placement and maintenance of aids to navigation;

added “(2) appropriate marine safety, tug, and salvage capabilities;

added “(3) oil spill prevention and response capability;

added “(4) maritime domain awareness, including long-range vessel tracking; and

added “(5) search and rescue.

added “(c) Coordination by Committee on the Maritime Transportation System—The Committee on the Maritime Transportation System established under section 55501 of title 46, United States Code, shall coordinate the establishment of domestic transportation policies in the Arctic necessary to carry out the purpose of this section.

added “(d) Agreements and contracts—The Secretary may, subject to the availability of appropriations, enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, or other agreements with, or make grants to, individuals and governments to carry out the purpose of this section or any agreements established under subsection (b).

added “(e) Icebreaking—The Secretary shall promote safe maritime navigation by means of icebreaking where necessary, feasible, and effective to carry out the purposes of this section.

added “(f) Arctic definition—In this section, the term “Arctic” has the meaning given such term in section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111).”

removed Section 6101 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting after subsection (b) the following:

removed “(c) Notice to State and tribal governments

removed “(1) Requirement to notify—Not later than 24 hours after receiving notice of a reportable marine casualty under this section, the Secretary shall report the marine casualty to the designated official of—

removed “(A) each appropriate State agency of a State; and

removed “(B) each tribal government of an Indian tribe (as defined in section 102 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a)) that has jurisdiction concurrent with the United States or is adjacent to waters in which the marine casualty occurred.

removed “(2) Designated official—Each State and tribal government referred to in paragraph (1) shall identify for the Secretary the designated official to receive a report under paragraph (1).”

added “154. Arctic maritime domain awareness

added “(a) In general—The Commandant shall improve maritime domain awareness in the Arctic—

added “(1) by promoting interagency cooperation and coordination;

added “(2) by employing joint, interagency, and international capabilities; and

added “(3) by facilitating the sharing of information, intelligence, and data related to the Arctic maritime domain between the Coast Guard and departments and agencies listed in subsection (b).

added “(b) Coordination—The Commandant shall seek to coordinate the collection, sharing, and use of information, intelligence, and data related to the Arctic maritime domain between the Coast Guard and the following:

added “(1) The Department of Homeland Security.

added “(2) The Department of Defense.

added “(3) The Department of Transportation.

added “(4) The Department of State.

added “(5) The Department of the Interior.

added “(6) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

added “(7) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

added “(8) The Environmental Protection Agency.

added “(9) The National Science Foundation.

added “(10) The Arctic Research Commission.

added “(11) Any Federal agency or commission or State the Commandant determines is appropriate.

added “(c) Cooperation—The Commandant and the head of a department or agency listed in subsection (b) may by agreement, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, share personnel, services, equipment, and facilities to carry out the requirements of this section.

added “(d) 5-year strategic plan—Not later than January 1, 2016 and every 5 years thereafter, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a 5-year strategic plan to guide interagency and international intergovernmental cooperation and coordination for the purpose of improving maritime domain awareness in the Arctic

added “(e) Definitions—In this section the term “Arctic” has the meaning given that term in section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111).”

removed Section 7706 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

added Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and thereafter with the submission of the budget proposal submitted for each of fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 2018 under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a report on—

removed “11113. Protection and fair treatment of seafarers

removed “(a) Purpose—The purpose of this section shall be to ensure the protection and fair treatment of seafarers.

removed “(b) Special fund

removed “(1) Establishment—There is established in the Treasury a special fund known as the Support of Seafarers Fund.

removed “(2) Use of amounts in fund—The amounts deposited into the Fund shall be available to the Secretary, without fiscal year limitation—

removed “(A) to pay necessary support under subsection (c)(1); and

removed “(B) to reimburse a shipowner for necessary support for the duration of a seafarer's involvement in an investigation under subsection (c)(2).

removed “(3) Amounts credited to fund—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Fund may receive—

removed “(A) any moneys ordered to be paid to the Fund in the form of community service under section 8B1.3 of the United States Sentencing Guidelines Manual or to the extent permitted under paragraph (4); and

removed “(B) amounts reimbursed or recovered under subsection (e).

removed “(4) Prerequisite for community service credits—The Fund may receive credits under paragraph (3)(A) if the unobligated balance of the Fund is less than $5,000,000.

removed “(5) Authorization of appropriation—There is authorized to be appropriated, from the Fund, for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for the purposes set forth in paragraph (2).

removed “(6) Report required

removed “(A) In general—The Secretary shall submit to Congress, concurrent with the President's budget submission for a given fiscal year, a report that describes—

removed “(i) the amounts credited to the Fund under paragraph (3) for the preceding fiscal year;

removed “(ii) in detail, the activities for which amounts were charged; and

removed “(iii) the projected level of expenditures from the Fund for the upcoming fiscal year, based on—

removed “(I) on-going activities; and

removed “(II) new cases, derived from historic data.

removed “(B) Exception—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to obligations during the first fiscal year during which amounts are credited to the Fund.

removed “(7) Fund manager—The Secretary shall designate a Fund manager who shall—

removed “(A) ensure the visibility and accountability of transactions utilizing the Fund;

removed “(B) prepare the report under paragraph (6);

removed “(C) monitor the unobligated balance of the Fund; and

removed “(D) provide notice to the Secretary and the Attorney General whenever the unobligated balance of the Fund is less than $5,000,000.

removed “(c) Authority—The Secretary may—

removed “(1) pay, from amounts appropriated from the Fund, necessary support of—

removed “(A) a seafarer that—

removed “(i) enters, remains, or is paroled into the United States; and

removed “(ii) is involved in an investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter that is related to the administration or enforcement of any treaty, law, or regulation by the Coast Guard; and

removed “(B) a seafarer that the Secretary determines was abandoned in the United States; and

removed “(2) reimburse, from amounts appropriated from the Fund, a shipowner that has provided necessary support of a seafarer who has been paroled into the United States to facilitate an investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter that is related to the administration or enforcement of any treaty, law, or regulation by the Coast Guard, for the costs of necessary support if the Secretary determines that reimbursement is necessary to avoid serious injustice.

removed “(d) Limitation—Nothing in this section shall be construed—

removed “(1) to create a right, benefit, or entitlement to necessary support; or

removed “(2) to compel the Secretary to pay or reimburse the cost of necessary support.

removed “(e) Reimbursement; recovery

removed “(1) In general—A shipowner shall reimburse the Fund an amount equal to the total amount paid from the Fund for necessary support of a seafarer plus a surcharge of 25 percent of the total amount if—

removed “(A) the shipowner—

removed “(i) during the course of an investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter that the Coast Guard referred to a United States Attorney or the Attorney General, fails to provide necessary support of a seafarer who was paroled into the United States to facilitate the investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication; and

removed “(ii) subsequently receives a criminal penalty; or

removed “(B) the shipowner, under any circumstance, abandons a seafarer in the United States, as determined by the Secretary.

removed “(2) Enforcement—If a shipowner fails to reimburse the Fund under paragraph (1), the Secretary may—

removed “(A) proceed in rem against the vessel on which the affected seafarer served in the Federal district court for the district in which the vessel is found; and

removed “(B) withhold or revoke the clearance required under section 60105 of any vessel of the shipowner wherever the vessel is found.

removed “(3) Remedy—A vessel may obtain clearance from the Secretary after it is withheld or revoked under paragraph (2)(B) if the shipowner reimburses the Fund the amount required under paragraph (1).

removed “(f) Bond and surety

removed “(1) Authority—The Secretary may require a bond or a surety satisfactory as an alternative to withholding or revoking clearance under subsection (e) if, in the opinion of the Secretary, the bond or surety satisfactory is necessary to facilitate an investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter that is related to the administration or enforcement of any treaty, law, or regulation by the Coast Guard.

removed “(2) Surety corporations—A surety corporation may provide a bond or surety satisfactory under paragraph (1) if the surety corporation is authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury under section 9305 of title 31 to provide surety bonds under section 9304 of title 31.

removed “(3) Application—The authority to require a bond or surety satisfactory or to request the withholding or revocation of the clearance under subsection (e) applies to any investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter that is related to the administration or enforcement of any treaty, law, or regulation by the Coast Guard.

removed “(g) Definitions—In this section:

removed “(1) Abandons; abandoned—The term abandons or “abandoned” means—

removed “(A) a shipowner's unilateral severance of ties with a seafarer; or

removed “(B) a shipowner's failure to provide necessary support of a seafarer.

removed “(2) Fund—The term Fund means the Support of Seafarers Fund established under this section.

removed “(3) Necessary support—The term necessary support means normal wages, lodging, subsistence, clothing, medical care (including hospitalization), repatriation, and any other expense the Secretary considers appropriate.

removed “(4) Seafarer—The term seafarer means an alien crewman who is employed or engaged in any capacity on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. A seafarer is a claimant for the purposes of section 30509 of this title.

removed “(5) Shipowner—The term shipowner means an individual or entity that owns, has an ownership interest in, or operates a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

removed “(6) Vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States—The term vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States has the meaning given the term in section 70502(c), except that it excludes—

removed “(A) a vessel—

removed “(i) that is owned by the United States, a State or political subdivision thereof, or a foreign nation; and

removed “(ii) that is not engaged in commerce; and

removed “(B) a bareboat—

removed “(i) that is chartered and operated by the United States, a State or political subdivision thereof, or a foreign nation; and

removed “(ii) that is not engaged in commerce.

removed “(h) Regulations—The Secretary may prescribe regulations to implement this section.”

added The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may construct facilities in the Arctic (as that term is defined in section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111). The facilities shall—

added “(3) Result of no determination—If in the analysis submitted under this section the Secretary does not make a determination under subsection (a)(5) regarding whether it is cost effective to reactivate the Polar Sea, then—

added “(A) the Commandant of the Coast Guard may decommission the Polar Sea; or

added “(B) the Secretary may make such determination, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, and take actions in accordance with this subsection as though such determination was made in the analysis previously submitted.”

added “(e) Strategies

added “(1) In general—Not later than 180 days after the date on which the analysis required under subsection (a) is submitted, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate—

added “(A) unless the Secretary makes a determination under this section that it is cost effective to reactivate the Polar Sea, a bridging strategy for maintaining the Coast Guard’s polar icebreaking services until at least September 30, 2024;

added “(B) a strategy to meet the Coast Guard’s Arctic ice operations needs through September 30, 2050; and

added “(C) a strategy to meet the Coast Guard’s Antarctic ice operations needs through September 30, 2050

added “(2) Requirement—The strategies required under paragraph (1) shall include a business case analysis comparing the leasing and purchasing of icebreakers to maintain the needs and services described in that paragraph.”

removed Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish a permitting process by which an operator of a marine exchange or other non-Federal vessel traffic information service may apply for permission to use the automatic identification system to transmit weather, ice, and other important navigation safety information to vessels.

added “87. Icebreaking in polar regions

added “The President shall facilitate planning for the design, procurement, maintenance, deployment, and operation of icebreakers as needed to support the statutory missions of the Coast Guard in the polar regions by allocating all funds to support icebreaking operations in such regions, except for recurring incremental costs associated with specific projects, to the Coast Guard.”

added Section 421 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (46 U.S.C. 8103 note) is amended—

changed Section 5002(k)(3) of the Oil Pollution Act 2(a) of 1990 Public Law 110–299 (33 U.S.C. 2732(k)(3)) 1342 note) is amended by striking “not more than $1,000,000” “2014” and inserting “not less than $1,400,000”.“2017”.