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To provide a deadline for compliance with an alternate safety compliance program and for other purposes.

S. 3088 · 114th Congress · Jun 23, 2016 · Lineage

A BILL

Section 1 Deadline for compliance with alternative safety compliance program

Section 4503(d) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:

“(1) After the later of January 1, 2020, or the end of the 3-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues a final rule establishing an alternate safety compliance program developed in cooperation with the commercial fishing industry for fishing vessels, fish processing vessels, or fish tender vessels to which section 4502(b) of this title applies, such a vessel shall comply with such program, if the vessel—

“(A) is at least 50 feet overall in length;

“(B) is built before July 1, 2012; and

“(C) is 25 years of age or older.

“(2) If, after such alternate safety compliance program is established, there are substantial changes to the requirements of the alternate safety compliance program, the Secretary shall provide at least three years for fishing vessels, fish processing vessels, or fish tender vessels to which section 4502(b) of this title applies to comply with such changes.”

Sec. 2 Coordination

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall publish and disseminate a Coast Guard policy to standardize coordination, outreach, and design of the alternate compliance program referred to in section 4503(d)(1) of title 46, United States Code, to ensure consistency between Coast Guard Districts.

Sec. 3 Public engagement

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall publish a public memorandum for the fishing, shipbuilding, and maritime industry and the public including guidance, timelines, and opportunities for public engagement.

Sec. 4 Report to Congress

No later than June 1, 2018, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating in coordination with the head of the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety, shall submit a report to Congress on the progress of the design and implementation of the alternate compliance program referred to in section 4503(d)(1) of title 46, United States Code, which shall include—
(1)
meeting summaries, including, the date, location, industry represented and a summary of topics, from—
(A)
a public forum, including fish expos, conferences, and other appropriate venues;
(B)
meetings with fleet-specific industry representatives;
(C)
meetings with fleet-specific industry representatives where the design and implementation of fleet-specific annexes was discussed; and
(D)
outreach completed in by each District Coordinator;
(2)
all documents provided to the public, including drafts of area plans and annexes;
(3)
a prioritized list of the high-risk fisheries being evaluated by the Coast Guard for additional safety requirements;
(4)
a list of all fleets where annexes are currently being designed, or may be designed, including rationale for each fleet’s inclusion in the list;
(5)
a summary of outreach to naval architects or other experts involved in the design of the program;
(6)
references for data and analyses being used to determine safety criteria in both area plans as well as annexes; and
(7)
a summary of appropriations used to design and implement the program, as well as appropriations needed to complete the program under the deadline prescribed.