Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

(a) Short title.— This Act may be cited as the “Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025”.

(b) Table of contents.— The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

In this Act, the term Commandant means the Commandant of the Coast Guard.

Section 4902 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking “fiscal years 2022 and 2023” and inserting “fiscal years 2025 and 2026”;

(2) in paragraph (1)—

(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the following:

“(i) $11,287,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; and

(ii) $11,851,875,000 for fiscal year 2026.”;

(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking “$23,456,000” and inserting “$25,570,000”; and

(C) in subparagraph (C) by striking “$24,353,000” and inserting “$26,848,500”;

(3) in paragraph (2)(A) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the following:

“(i) $3,627,600,000 for fiscal year 2025; and

(ii) $3,651,480,000 for fiscal year 2026.”;

(4) in paragraph (3) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following:

“(A) $15,415,000 for fiscal year 2025; and

(B) $16,185,750 for fiscal year 2026.”; and

(5) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

“(4) For retired pay, including the payment of obligations otherwise chargeable to lapsed appropriations for purposes of retired pay, payments under the Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan and the Survivor Benefit Plan, payment for career status bonuses, payment of continuation pay under section 356 of title 37, concurrent receipts, combat-related special compensation, and payments for medical care of retired personnel and their dependents under chapter 55 of title 10, $1,210,840,000 for fiscal year 2025.”.

Section 4904 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a) by striking “fiscal years 2022 and 2023” and inserting “fiscal years 2025 and 2026”; and

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) in paragraph (1) by striking “2,500” and inserting “3,000”;

(B) in paragraph (2) by striking “165” and inserting “200”;

(C) in paragraph (3) by striking “385” and inserting “450”; and

(D) in paragraph (4) by striking “1,200” and inserting “1,300”.

Section 1105 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(c) Lead systems integrator defined.— In this section, the term lead systems integrator has the meaning given such term in section 805(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163).”.

(a) In general.— Subchapter II of chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“1138. Service life extension programs.—

(a) In general.— 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.

(b) Service life extension program defined.— In this section, the term “service life extension program” means a capital investment that is solely intended to extend the service life and address obsolescence of components or systems of a particular capability or asset.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 11 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1137 the following:

(c) Major acquisitions.— Section 5103 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a) by striking “major acquisition programs” and inserting “Level 1 Acquisitions or Level 2 Acquisitions”;

(2) in subsection (b) by striking “major acquisition program” and inserting “Level 1 Acquisition or Level 2 Acquisition”; and

(3) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:

“(f) Definitions.— In this section:

(1) Level 1 acquisition.— The term “Level 1 Acquisition” has the meaning given such term in section 1171.

(2) Level 2 acquisition.— The term “Level 2 Acquisition” has the meaning given such term in section 1171.”.

(d) Major acquisition program risk assessment.— Section 5107 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “section 5103(f)” and inserting “section 1171”.

(a) In general.— Subchapter II of chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“1139. Consideration of life-cycle cost estimates for acquisition and procurement.— In carrying out the acquisition and procurement of vessels and aircraft, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the Commandant, shall consider the life-cycle cost estimates of vessels and aircraft, as applicable, during the design and evaluation processes to the maximum extent practicable.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1138 (as added by this Act) the following:

(a) Great Lakes icebreaker.—

(1) Strategy.— Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 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 strategy detailing how the Coast Guard will complete design and construction of a Great Lakes icebreaker at least as capable as the Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw (WLBB–30) as expeditiously as possible after funding is provided for such icebreaker, including providing a cost estimate and an estimated delivery timeline that would facilitate the expedited delivery detailed in the strategy.

(2) Great Lakes icebreaker pilot program.—

(A) In general.— During the 5 ice seasons beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall conduct a pilot program to determine the extent to which the Coast Guard Great Lakes icebreaking cutter fleet is capable of maintaining tier one and tier two waterways open 95 percent of the time during an ice season.

(B) Report.— Not later than 180 days after the end of each of the 5 ice seasons beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, 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 report that details—

(i) the results of the pilot program required under subparagraph (A); and

(ii) any relevant new performance measures implemented by the Coast Guard, including the measures described in pages 5 through 7 of the report of the Coast Guard titled “Domestic Icebreaking Operations” and submitted to Congress on July 26, 2024, as required by section 11212(a)(3) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263), and the results of the implementation of such measures.

(b) Modification to reporting requirement relating to icebreaking operations in Great Lakes.—

(1) In general.— Section 11213(f) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263) is amended to read as follows:

“(f) Public report.— Not later than July 1 after the first winter in which the Commandant has submitted the report required by paragraph (3) of section 11212(a), the Commandant shall publish on a publicly accessible website of the Coast Guard a report on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting the proposed standards described in paragraph (2) of such section.”.

(2) Public report.— Section 11272(c) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(7) Public report.—

(A) In general.— Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House or Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting the requirements of section 564 of title 14, United States Code, in fiscal year 2024.

(B) Secondary briefings.— Not later than November 1, 2025 and November, 1, 2026, the Commandant shall brief the committees described in subparagraph (A) on the cost to the Coast Guard of meeting the requirements of section 564 of title 14, United States Code, in fiscal years 2025 and 2026, respectively.”.

(a) Report.—

(1) Report to Congress.— Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant and the Chief of Naval Operations shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the status of acquisition of Polar Security Cutters.

(2) Elements.— The report under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) a detailed timeline for the acquisition process of Polar Security Cutters, including expected milestones and a projected commissioning date for the first 3 Polar Security Cutters;

(B) an accounting of the previously appropriated funds spent to date on the Polar Security Cutter Program, updated cost projections for Polar Security Cutters, and projections for when additional funds will be required;

(C) potential factors and risks that could further delay or imperil the completion of Polar Security Cutters; and

(D) a review of the acquisition of Polar Security Cutters to date, including factors that led to substantial cost overruns and delivery delays.

(b) Briefings.—

(1) Provision to Congress.— Not later than 90 days after the submission of the report under subsection (a), and not less frequently than every 90 days thereafter, the Commandant and the Chief of Naval Operations shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing on the status of the Polar Security Cutter acquisition process.

(2) Timeline.— The briefings under paragraph (1) shall occur after any key milestone in the Polar Security Cutter acquisition process, but not less frequently than every 90 days.

(3) Elements.— Each briefing under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) a summary of acquisition progress since the most recent previous briefing conducted pursuant to paragraph (1);

(B) an updated timeline and budget estimate for acquisition and building of pending Polar Security Cutters; and

(C) an explanation of any delays or additional costs incurred in the acquisition progress.

(c) Notifications.— In addition to the briefings required under subsection (b), the Commandant and the Chief of Naval Operations shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives within 3 business days of any significant change to the scope or funding level of the Polar Security Cutter acquisition strategy of such change.

(a) In general.— Subchapter III of chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“1159. Floating drydock for United States Coast Guard Yard.—

(a) In general.— Except as provided in subsection (b), the Commandant may not acquire, procure, or construct a floating dry dock for the Coast Guard Yard.

(b) Permissible acquisition, procurement, or construction methods.— Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and section 1105(a), the Commandant may—

(1) provide for an entity other than the Coast Guard to contract for the acquisition, procurement, or construction of a floating drydock by contract, lease, purchase, or other agreement;

(2) construct a floating drydock at the Coast Guard Yard; or

(3) acquire or procure a commercially available floating drydock.

(c) Exemptions from requirements.— Sections 1131, 1132, 1133, and 1171 shall not apply to an acquisition or procurement under subsection (b).

(d) Design standards and construction practices.— To the extent practicable, a floating drydock acquired, procured, or constructed under this section shall reflect commercial design standards and commercial construction practices that are consistent with the best interests of the Federal Government.

(e) Berthing requirement.— Any floating drydock acquired, procured, or constructed under subsection (b) shall be berthed at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, when lifting or maintaining vessels.

(f) Floating dry dock defined.— In this section, the term “floating dry dock” means equipment that is—

(1) constructed in the United States; and

(2) capable of meeting the lifting and maintenance requirements of a vessel that is at least 418 feet in length with a gross tonnage of 4,500 gross tons.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1158 the following:

Section 903(d)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “$1,500,000” and inserting “$2,000,000”.

(a) In general.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop a location-specific tsunami preparedness plan for each property concerned.

(b) Requirements.— In developing each preparedness plan under subsection (a), the Commandant shall ensure that the plan—

(1) minimizes the loss of human life;

(2) maximizes the ability of the Coast Guard to meet the mission of the Coast Guard;

(3) is included in the emergency action plan for each Coast Guard unit or sector located within the applicable tsunami inundation zone;

(4) designates an evacuation route to an assembly area located outside the tsunami inundation zone;

(5) takes into consideration near-shore and distant tsunami inundation of the property concerned;

(6) includes—

(A) maps of all applicable tsunami inundation zones;

(B) evacuation routes and instructions for all individuals located on the property concerned;

(C) procedures to begin evacuations as expeditiously as possible upon detection of a seismic or other tsunamigenic event;

(D) evacuation plans for Coast Guard aviation and afloat assets; and

(E)

(i) routes for evacuation on foot from any location within the property concerned; or

(ii) if an on-foot evacuation is not possible, an assessment of whether there is a need for vertical evacuation refuges that would allow evacuation on foot;

(7) in the case of a property concerned that is at risk for a near-shore tsunami, is able to be completely executed within 15 minutes of detection of a seismic event, or if complete execution is not possible within 15 minutes, within a timeframe the Commandant considers reasonable to minimize the loss of life; and

(8) not less frequently than annually, is—

(A) exercised by each Coast Guard unit and sector located in the applicable tsunami inundation zone;

(B) communicated through an annual in-person training to Coast Guard personnel and dependents located or living on the property concerned; and

(C) evaluated by the relevant District Commander for each Coast Guard unit and sector located within the applicable tsunami inundation zone.

(c) Consultation.— In developing each preparedness plan under subsection (a), the Commandant shall consult relevant State, Tribal, and local government entities, including emergency management officials.

(d) Briefing.— Not later than 14 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on each plan developed under subsection (a), including the status of implementation and feasibility of each such plan.

(e) Definitions.— In this section:

(1) Property concerned.— The term “property concerned” means any real property owned, operated, or leased by the Coast Guard within a tsunami inundation zone.

(2) Tsunamigenic event.— The term “tsunamigenic event” means any event, such as an earthquake, volcanic eruption, submarine landslide, coastal rockfall, or other event, with the magnitude to cause a tsunami.

(3) Vertical evacuation refuge.— The term “vertical evacuation refuge” means a structure or earthen mound designated as a place of refuge in the event of a tsunami, with sufficient height to elevate evacuees above the tsunami inundation depth, designed and constructed to resist tsunami load effects.

(a) In general.— Section 11269 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263) is—

(1) transferred to appear at the end of subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code;

(2) redesignated as section 529; and

(3) amended—

(A) by striking the section enumerator and heading and inserting the following:

“529. Public availability of information.— ”;

(B) by striking “Not later than” and inserting the following:

“(a) In general.— Not later than”;

(C) by striking “the number of migrant” and inserting “the number of drug and person”; and

(D) by adding at the end the following:

“(b) Contents.— In making information about interdictions publicly available under subsection (a), the Commandant shall include a description of the following:

(1) The number of incidents in which drugs were interdicted, the amount and type of drugs interdicted, and the Coast Guard sectors and geographic areas of responsibility in which such incidents occurred.

(2) The number of incidents in which persons were interdicted, the number of persons interdicted, the number of those persons who were unaccompanied minors, and the Coast Guard sectors and geographic areas of responsibility in which such incidents occurred.

(c) Rule of construction.— Nothing in this provision shall be construed to require the Coast Guard to collect the information described in subsection (b), and nothing in this provision shall be construed to require the Commandant to publicly release confidential, classified, law enforcement sensitive, or otherwise protected information.”.

(b) Clerical amendments.—

(1) The analysis for chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 528 the following:

(2) The table of sections in section 11001(b) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (division K of Public Law 117–263) is amended by striking the item relating to section 11269.

(a) In general.— Section 70032 of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“70032. Delegation of ports and waterways authorities in Saint Lawrence Seaway.—

(a) In general.— Except as provided in subsection (b), the authority granted to the Secretary under sections 70001, 70002, 70003, 70004, and 70011 may not be delegated with respect to the Saint Lawrence Seaway to any agency other than the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Any other authority granted the Secretary under subchapters I through III and this subchapter shall be delegated by the Secretary to the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation to the extent the Secretary determines such delegation is necessary for the proper operation of the Saint Lawrence Seaway.

(b) Exception.— The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, after consultation with the Secretary or the head of an agency to which the Secretary has delegated the authorities in subsection (a), may—

(1) issue and enforce special orders in accordance with section 70002;

(2) establish water or waterfront safety zones, or other measures, for limited, controlled, or conditional access and activity when necessary for the protection of any vessel structure, waters, or shore area, as permitted in section 70011(b)(3); and

(3) take actions for port, harbor, and coastal facility security in accordance with section 70116.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 70032 and inserting the following:

Section 11221 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(e) Additional reports on status of use of facilities and helicopter basing.— Beginning with the first quarterly report required under subsection (a) submitted after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Secretary shall include in each such report—

(1) the status of the use of recently renovated Coast Guard housing facilities, food preparation facilities, and maintenance and repair facilities on St. Paul Island, Alaska, including a projected date for full use and occupancy of such facilities in support of Coast Guard missions in the Bering Sea; and

(2) a detailed plan for the acquisition and construction of a hangar in close proximity to existing St. Paul airport facilities for the prosecution of Coast Guard operational missions, including plans for the use of land needed for such hangar.”.

(a) Policy.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use, at Coast Guard facilities, onboard Coast Guard assets, and during Coast Guard operations, of medication to treat drug overdoses, including the use of naloxone or other similar medication to treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses.

(b) Availability.— The updated policy required under subsection (a) shall require naloxone or other similar medication be available—

(1) at each Coast Guard clinic;

(2) at each independently located Coast Guard unit;

(3) onboard each Coast Guard cutter; and

(4) for response to opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses at other appropriate Coast Guard installations and facilities and onboard other Coast Guard assets.

(c) Participation in tracking system.— Not later than 1 year after the earlier of the date of enactment of this Act or the date on which the tracking system established under section 706 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 1090 note) is established, the Commandant shall ensure the participation of the Coast Guard in the such tracking system.

(d) Memorandum of understanding.— Not later than 1 year after the earlier of the date of enactment of this Act or the date on which the tracking system established under section 706 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 1090 note) is established, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a service in the Navy and the Secretary of Defense shall finalize a memorandum of understanding to facilitate Coast Guard access such tracking system.

(e) Briefing.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the use, by members and personnel of the Coast Guard at Coast Guard facilities, onboard Coast Guard assets, and during Coast Guard operations, of—

(A) naloxone or other similar medication to treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses; and

(B) opioids, including fentanyl.

(2) Elements.— The briefing required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) A description of—

(i) the progress made in the implementation of the updated policy required under subsection (a);

(ii) the prevalence and incidence of the illegal use of fentanyl and other controlled substances in the Coast Guard during the 5-year period preceding the briefing;

(iii) processes of the Coast Guard to mitigate substance abuse in the Coast Guard, particularly with respect to fentanyl; and

(iv) the status of the memorandum of understanding required under subsection (d).

(B) For the 5-year period preceding the briefing, a review of instances in which naloxone or other similar medication was used to treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses at a Coast Guard facility, onboard a Coast Guard asset, or during a Coast Guard operation.

(f) Privacy.— In carrying out the requirements of this section, the Commandant shall ensure compliance with all applicable privacy law, including section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the “Privacy Act”), and the privacy regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note).

(g) Rule of construction.— For purposes of the availability requirement under subsection (b), with respect to a Coast Guard installation comprised of multiple Coast Guard facilities or units, naloxone or other similar medication available at a single Coast Guard facility within the installation shall be considered to be available to all Coast Guard facilities or units on the installation if appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure access, at all times during operations, to the naloxone or other similar medication contained within such single Coast Guard facility.

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue or amend regulations to address any applicable 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.

(a) In general.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense, shall develop a policy, consistent with the Constitution of the United States, as well as domestic and international law, to address, disincentivize, and interdict illicit trafficking by sea of controlled substances (and precursors of controlled substances) being transported to produce illicit synthetic drugs.

(b) Elements.— The policy required under subsection (a) shall—

(1) include a requirement that, to the maximum extent practicable, a vessel unlawfully transporting a controlled substance or precursors of a controlled substance being transported to produce illicit synthetic drugs, be seized or appropriately disposed of consistent with domestic and international law, as well as any international agreements to which the United States is a party; and

(2) aim to reduce incentives for illicit maritime drug trafficking on a global scale, including in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the Indo-Pacific region, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

(c) Briefing.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives on—

(1) the policy developed pursuant to subsection (a); and

(2) recommendations with respect to—

(A) additional methods for reducing illicit drug trafficking; and

(B) additional resources necessary to implement the policy required under subsection (a) and methods recommended under subparagraph (A).

(a) In general.— Except as provided in subsection (b)(2), subject to the availability of appropriations and if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that there is a need, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall—

(1) procure a tactical maritime surveillance system, or similar technology, for use by the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the areas of operation of—

(A) Coast Guard Sector San Diego in California;

(B) Coast Guard Sector San Juan in Puerto Rico; and

(C) Coast Guard Sector Key West in Florida; and

(2) for purposes of data integration and land-based data access, procure for each area of operation described in paragraph (1) and for Coast Guard Station South Padre Island a land-based maritime domain awareness system capable of sharing data with the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection—

(A) to operate in conjunction with—

(i) the system procured under section 11266 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 4063) for Coast Guard Station South Padre Island; and

(ii) the tactical maritime surveillance system procured for each area of operation under paragraph (1); and

(B) to be installed in the order in which the systems described in subparagraph (A) are installed.

(b) Study; limitation.—

(1) Study required.— Prior to the procurement or operation of a tactical maritime surveillance system, or similar technology, that is deployed from a property owned by the Department of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall complete a study, in coordination with Secretary of Defense, analyzing the potential impacts to the national security of the United States of such operation.

(2) Limitation.— If it is determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense through the study required under paragraph (1) that the placement or installation of a system described in subsection (a) negatively impacts the national security of the United States, such system shall not be procured or installed.

(a) Purpose.— The purpose of this section is to require a plan to increase joint and integrated training opportunities for the United States Coast Guard and the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration.

(b) Plan.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, shall complete a plan to expand opportunities for additional joint and integrated training activities for the United States Coast Guard and the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration.

(2) Elements.— The plan required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) The estimated costs for fiscal years 2024 through 2029—

(i) to deploy United States Coast Guard mobile training teams to Taiwan to meaningfully enhance the maritime security, law enforcement, and deterrence capabilities of Taiwan; and

(ii) to accommodate the participation of an increased number of members of the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration in United States Coast Guard-led maritime training courses, including associated training costs for such members, such as costs for lodging, meals and incidental expenses, travel, training of personnel, and instructional materials.

(B) A strategy for increasing the number of seats, as practicable, for members of the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration at each of the following United States Coast Guard training courses:

(i) The International Maritime Officers Course.

(ii) The International Leadership and Management Seminar.

(iii) The International Crisis Command and Control Course.

(iv) The International Maritime Domain Awareness School.

(v) The International Maritime Search and Rescue Planning School.

(vi) The International Command Center School.

(C) An assessment of—

(i) the degree to which integrated and joint United States Coast Guard and Taiwan Coast Guard Administration maritime training would assist in—

(I) preventing, detecting, and suppressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing operations in the South China Sea and surrounding waters; and

(II) supporting counter-illicit drug trafficking operations in the South China Sea and surrounding waters; and

(ii) whether the frequency of United States Coast Guard training team visits to Taiwan should be increased to enhance the maritime security, law enforcement, and deterrence capabilities of Taiwan.

(3) Briefing.— Not later than 60 days after the date on which the plan required under paragraph (1) is completed, the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a briefing on the contents of the plan.

Section 907 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), in the first sentence—

(A) by striking “20 years” and inserting “30 years”;

(B) by striking “or National” and inserting “National”; and

(C) by inserting before the period “, medical facilities, Coast Guard child development centers (as such term is defined in section 2921), and training facilities, including small arms firing ranges”; and

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) by striking the period and inserting a semicolon;

(B) by striking “means any facilities” and inserting

“(1) any facilities”; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

“(2) medical facilities;

(3) Coast Guard child development centers (as such term is defined in section 2921); and

(4) training facilities, including small arms firing ranges.”.

Section 546 of title 14, United States Code, is amended in the second sentence by inserting “and the amounts collected shall be available until expended” after “special deposit account”.

Section 504 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)(13) by striking “five years” and inserting “30 years”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(g) Additional provisions.—

(1) In general.— Amounts received under subsection (a)(13) shall be—

(A) in addition to amounts otherwise available for the activities described in subsection (a)(13) for any fiscal year; and

(B) available, without further appropriation, until expended.

(2) Consideration.—

(A) In general.— Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a person or entity entering into a contractual agreement under this section shall provide consideration for the contractual agreement at fair market value, as determined by the Commandant.

(B) Exception.— In the case of a contractual agreement under this section between the Coast Guard and any other Federal department or agency, the Federal department or agency concerned shall provide consideration for the contractual agreement that is equal to the full cost borne by the Coast Guard in connection with completing such contractual agreement.

(C) Forms.— Consideration under this subsection may take any of the following forms:

(i) The payment of cash.

(ii) The maintenance, construction, modification, or improvement of existing or new facilities on real property under the jurisdiction of the Commandant.

(iii) The use by the Coast Guard of facilities on the property concerned.

(iv) The provision of services, including parking, telecommunications, and environmental remediation and restoration of real property under the jurisdiction of the Commandant.

(v) Any other consideration the Commandant considers appropriate.

(vi) A combination of any forms described in this subparagraph.

(3) Sunset.— The authority under paragraph (13) of subsection (a) shall expire on December 31, 2030. The expiration under this paragraph of authority under paragraph (13) of subsection (a) shall not affect the validity or term of contractual agreements under such paragraph or the retention by the Commandant of proceeds from such agreements entered into under such subsection before the expiration of the authority.”.

(a) In general.— Chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“722. Cooperation with eligible entities.—

(a) Definitions.— In this section:

(1) Coast Guard installation.— The term “Coast Guard installation” means a base, unit, station, yard, other property under the jurisdiction of the Commandant or, in the case of property in a foreign country, under the operational control of the Coast Guard, without regard to the duration of operational control.

(2) Cultural resource.— The term “cultural resource” means any of the following:

(A) A building, structure, site, district, or object eligible for or included in the National Register of Historic Places maintained under section 302101 of title 54.

(B) Cultural items, as that term is defined in section 2(3) of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001(3)).

(C) An archaeological resource, as that term is defined in section 3(1) of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470bb(1))).

(D) An archaeological artifact collection and associated records covered by part 79 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations.

(E) A sacred site, as that term is defined in section 1(b) of Executive Order No. 13007 (42 U.S.C. 1996 note; relating to Indian sacred sites).

(F) Treaty or trust resources of an Indian Tribe, including the habitat associated with such resources.

(G) Subsistence resources of an Indian Tribe or a Native Hawaiian organization including the habitat associated with such resources.

(3) Eligible entity.— The term “eligible entity” means any the following:

(A) A State, or a political subdivision of a State.

(B) A local government.

(C) An Indian Tribe.

(D) A Native Hawaiian organization.

(E) A Tribal organization.

(F) A Federal department or agency.

(4) Indian Tribe.— The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(5) Native Hawaiian organization.— The term “Native Hawaiian organization” has the meaning given such term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

(6) Natural resource.— The term “natural resource” means land, fish, wildlife, biota, air, water, ground water, drinking water supplies, and other such resources belonging to, managed by, held in trust by, appertaining to, or otherwise controlled by the United States (including the resources of the waters of the United States), any State or local government, any Indian Tribe, any Native Hawaiian organization, or any member of an Indian Tribe, if such resources are subject to a trust restriction on alienation and have been categorized into one of the following groups:

(A) Surface water resources.

(B) Ground water resources.

(C) Air resources.

(D) Geologic resources.

(E) Biological resources.

(7) State.— The term “State” includes each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories and possessions of the United States.

(8) Tribal organization.— The term “Tribal organization” has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(b) Cooperative agreements for management of cultural resources.—

(1) Authority.— The Commandant may enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity (or in the case that the eligible entity is a Federal department or agency, an interagency agreement)—

(A) to provide for the preservation, management, maintenance, and improvement of natural resources and cultural resources located on a site described under paragraph (2); and

(B) for the purpose of conducting research regarding the natural resources and cultural resources.

(2) Authorized natural and cultural resources sites.— To be covered by a cooperative agreement under paragraph (1), the relevant natural resources or cultural resources shall be located—

(A) on a Coast Guard installation; or

(B) on a site outside of a Coast Guard installation, but only if the cooperative agreement will directly relieve or eliminate current or anticipated restrictions that would or might restrict, impede, or otherwise interfere, either directly or indirectly, with current or anticipated Coast Guard training, testing, maintenance, or operations on a Coast Guard installation.

(3) Application of other laws.— Section 1535 and chapter 63 of title 31 shall not apply to an agreement entered into under paragraph (1).

(c) Agreements and considerations.—

(1) Agreements authorized.— The Commandant may enter into an agreement with an eligible entity, and may enter into an interagency agreement with the head of another Federal department or agency, to address the use or development of property in the vicinity of, or ecologically related to, a Coast Guard installation for purposes of—

(A) limiting any development or use of such property that would be incompatible with the mission of the Coast Guard installation;

(B) preserving habitat on such property in a manner that—

(i) is compatible with environmental requirements; and

(ii) may eliminate or relieve current or anticipated environmental restrictions that would or might otherwise restrict, impede, or interfere, either directly or indirectly, with current or anticipated Coast Guard training or operations on the Coast Guard installation;

(C) maintaining or improving Coast Guard installation resilience;

(D) maintaining and improving natural resources, or benefitting natural and historic research, on the Coast Guard installation;

(E) maintaining access to cultural resources and natural resources, including—

(i) Tribal treaty fisheries and shellfish harvest, and usual and accustomed fishing areas; and

(ii) subsistence fisheries, or any other fishery or shellfish harvest, of an Indian Tribe;

(F) providing a means to replace or repair property or cultural resources of an Indian Tribe or a Native Hawaiian organization if such property is damaged by Coast Guard personnel or operations, in consultation with the affected Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization; or

(G) maintaining and improving natural resources located outside a Coast Guard installation, including property of an eligible entity, if the purpose of the agreement is to relieve or eliminate current or anticipated challenges that could restrict, impede, or otherwise interfere with, either directly or indirectly, current or anticipated Coast Guard activities.

(2) Inapplicability of certain contract requirements.— Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, an agreement under subsection (b)(1) that is a cooperative agreement and concerns a cultural resource or a natural resource may be used to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government.

(d)

(1) An agreement under subparagraph (b)(1) shall provide for—

(A) the acquisition by an eligible entity or entities of all right, title, and interest in and to any real property, or any lesser interest in the property, as may be appropriate for purposes of this subsection; and

(B) the sharing by the United States and an eligible entity or entities of the acquisition costs in accordance with paragraph (3).

(2) Property or interests may not be acquired pursuant to an agreement under subsection (b)(1) unless the owner of the property or interests consents to the acquisition.

(3)

(A) An agreement with an eligible entity under subsection (b)(1) may provide for—

(i) the management of natural resources on, and the monitoring and enforcement of any right, title, or interest in real property in which the Commandant acquires any right, title, or interest in accordance with this subsection; and

(ii) for the payment by the United States of all or a portion of the costs of such management, monitoring, or enforcement if the Commandant determines that there is a demonstrated need to preserve or restore habitat for the purposes of subsection (b) or (c).

(B) Any payment provided for under subparagraph (A) may—

(i) be paid in a lump sum;

(ii) include an amount intended to cover the future costs of natural resource management and monitoring and enforcement; and

(iii) be placed by the eligible entity in an interest-bearing account, so long as any interest is to be applied for the same purposes as the principal.

(C) Any payments made under this paragraph shall be subject to periodic auditing by the Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.

(4)

(A) In entering into an agreement under subsection (b)(1), the Commandant shall determine the appropriate portion of the acquisition costs to be borne by the United States in the sharing of acquisition costs of real property, or an interest in real property, as required under paragraph (1)(B).

(B) In lieu of, or in addition to, making a monetary contribution toward the cost of acquiring a parcel of real property, or an interest therein, pursuant to an agreement under subsection (b)(1), the Commandant may convey real property in accordance with applicable law.

(C) The portion of acquisition costs borne by the United States pursuant to subparagraph (A), either through the contribution of funds, excess real property, or both, may not exceed an amount equal to—

(i) the fair market value of any property, or interest in property, to be transferred to the United States upon the request of the Commandant under paragraph (5); or

(ii) the cumulative fair market value of all properties, or all interests in properties, to be transferred to the United States under paragraph (5) pursuant to an agreement under subsection (b)(1).

(D) The contribution of an eligible entity to the acquisition costs of real property, or an interest in real property, under paragraph (1)(B) may include, with the approval of the Commandant, the following:

(i) The provision of funds, including funds received by the eligible entity from—

(I) a Federal agency outside the department in which the Coast Guard is operating; or

(II) a State or local government in connection with a Federal, State, or local program.

(ii) The provision of in-kind services, including services related to the acquisition or maintenance of such real property or interest in real property.

(iii) The exchange or donation of real property or any interest in real property.

(iv) Any combination of clauses (i) through (iii).

(5)

(A) In entering into an agreement under subsection (b)(1), each eligible entity that is a party to the agreement shall agree, as a term of the agreement, to transfer to the United States, upon request of the Commandant, all or a portion of the property or interest acquired under the agreement or a lesser interest therein, except no such requirement need be included in the agreement if—

(i) the property or interest is being transferred to a State or another Federal agency, or the agreement requires the property or interest to be subsequently transferred to a State or another Federal agency; and

(ii) the Commandant determines that the laws and regulations applicable to the future use of such property or interest provide adequate assurance that the property concerned will be developed and used in a manner appropriate for purposes of this subsection.

(B) The Commandant shall limit a transfer request pursuant to subparagraph (A) to the minimum property or interests necessary to ensure that the property or interest concerned is developed and used in a manner appropriate for purposes of this subsection.

(C)

(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (A), If all or a portion of a property or interest acquired under an agreement under subsection (b)(1) is initially or subsequently transferred to a State or another Federal agency, before that State or other Federal agency may declare the property or interest in excess to its needs or propose to exchange the property or interest, the State or other Federal agency shall give the Commandant reasonable advance notice of its intent to so declare.

(ii) Upon receiving such reasonable advance notice under clause (i), the Commandant may request, within a reasonable time period, that administrative jurisdiction over the property or interest be transferred to the Commandant, if the Commandant determines such transfer necessary for the preservation of the purposes of this subsection.

(iii) Upon a request from the Commandant under clause (ii), the administrative jurisdiction over the property or interest be transferred to the Commandant at no cost.

(iv) If the Commandant does not make a request under clause (ii) within a reasonable time period, all such rights of the Commandant to request transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the property or interest shall remain available to the Commandant with respect to future transfers or exchanges of the property or interest and shall bind all subsequent transferees.

(D) The Commandant may accept, on behalf of the United States, any property or interest to be transferred to the United States under an agreement under subsection (b)(1).

(E) For purposes of the acceptance of property or interests under an agreement under subsection (b)(1), the Commandant may accept an appraisal or title documents prepared or adopted by a non-Federal entity as satisfying the applicable requirements of section 301 of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4651) or section 3111 of title 40 if the Commandant finds that the appraisal or title documents substantially comply with the requirements of such sections and is reasonably accurate.

(e) Minimal criteria for approval of agreements.— The Commandant may approve a cooperative agreement under subsection (b)(1) if the Commandant determines that—

(1) the eligible entity has authority to carry out the project;

(2) the project would be completed without unreasonable delay as determined by the Commandant; and

(3) the project cannot be effectively completed without the cooperative agreement authority under subsection (b)(1).

(f) Additional terms and conditions.— The Commandant may require such additional terms and conditions in an agreement under subsection (b)(1) as the Commandant considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States, in accordance with applicable Federal law.

(g) Notification; availability of agreements to Congress.—

(1) Notification.— The Commandant shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation or the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate when the eligible entity is a Tribe, Tribal Organization or Native Hawaiian organization, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives in writing not later than the date that is 3 full business days prior to any day on which the Commandant intends to enter into an agreement under subsection (b)(1), and include in such notification the anticipated costs of carrying out the agreement, to the extent practicable.

(2) Availability of agreements.— A copy of an agreement entered into under subsection (b)(1) shall be provided to any member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation or the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives not later than 5 full business days after the date on which such request is submitted to the Commandant.

(h) Consultation.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall consult with Indian Tribes to improve opportunities for Indian Tribe participation in the development and execution of Coast Guard oil spill response and prevention activities.

(i) Rule of construction.— Nothing in this section may be construed to undermine the rights of any Indian Tribe to seek full and meaningful government-to-government consultation under this section or under any other law.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 721 the following:

(a) In general.— Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“2517. Direct hire authority for certain personnel.—

(a) In general.— The Commandant may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such chapter) of title 5, qualified candidates to any of the following positions in the competitive service (as defined in section 2102 of title 5) in the Coast Guard:

(1) Any category of medical or health professional positions within the Coast Guard.

(2) Any childcare services position.

(3) Any position in the Coast Guard housing office of a Coast Guard installation, the primary function of which is supervision of Coast Guard housing covered by subchapter III of chapter 29 of this title.

(4) Any nonclinical specialist position the purpose of which is the integrated primary prevention of harmful behavior, including suicide, sexual assault, harassment, domestic abuse, and child abuse.

(5) Any special agent position of the Coast Guard Investigative Service.

(6) The following positions at the Coast Guard Academy:

(A) Any civilian faculty member appointed under section 1941.

(B) A position involving the improvement of cadet health or well-being.

(b) Limitation.— The Commandant shall only appoint qualified candidates under the authority provided by subsection (a) if the Commandant determines that there is a shortage of qualified candidates for the positions described in such subsection or a critical hiring need for such positions.

(c) Briefing requirement.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, and annually thereafter for the following 5 years, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a written briefing which describes the use of the authority provided under this section on an annual basis, including the following:

(1) The number of employees hired under the authority provided under this section within the year for which the briefing is provided.

(2) The positions and grades for which employees were hired.

(3) A justification for the Commandant’s determination that such positions involved a shortage of qualified candidates or a critical hiring need.

(4) The number of employees who were hired under the authority provided under this section who have separated from the Coast Guard.

(5) Steps the Coast Guard has taken to engage with the Office of Personnel Management under subpart B of part 337 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, for positions for which the Commandant determines a direct hire authority remains necessary.

(d) Sunset.— The authority provided under subsection (a) shall expire on September 30, 2030.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 2516 the following:

Section 517(a) of title 10, United States Code, shall not apply with respect to the Coast Guard until October 1, 2027.

Section 3740(f) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “section 2117” and inserting “sections 2115 and 2117”.

(a) In general.— Section 2512 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the section heading by striking “Leave” and inserting “Family leave”;

(2) in subsection (a)—

(A) by striking “, United States Code,” and inserting “or, with respect to the reserve component of the Coast Guard, the Secretary of Defense promulgates a new regulation for members of the reserve component of the Coast Guard pursuant to section 711 of title 10,”;

(B) by striking “or adoption of a child” and inserting “or placement of a minor child with the member for adoption or long term foster care”;

(C) by striking “and enlisted members” and inserting “, enlisted members, and members of the reserve component”; and

(D) by inserting “or, with respect to members of the reserve component of the Coast Guard, the Secretary of Defense” after “provided by the Secretary of the Navy”;

(3) in subsection (b)—

(A) in the subsection heading by striking “adoption of child” and inserting “placement of minor child with member for adoption or long term foster care”;

(B) by striking “and 704” and inserting “, 704, and 711”;

(C) by striking “and enlisted members” and inserting “, enlisted members, and members of the reserve component”;

(D) by striking “or adoption” inserting “, adoption, or long term foster care”;

(E) by striking “immediately”;

(F) by striking “or adoption” and inserting “, placement of a minor child with the member for long-term foster care or adoption,”; and

(G) by striking “enlisted member” and inserting “, enlisted member, or member of the reserve component”;

(4) by adding at the end the following:

“(c) Period of leave.—

(1) In general.— The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, may authorize leave described under subparagraph (b) to be taken after the one-year period described in subparagraph (b) in the case of a member described in subsection (b) who, except for this subparagraph, would lose unused family leave at the end of the one-year period described in subparagraph (A) as a result of—

(A) operational requirements;

(B) professional military education obligations; or

(C) other circumstances that the Secretary determines reasonable and appropriate.

(2) Extended deadline.— The regulation, rule, policy, or memorandum prescribed under paragraph (a) shall require that any leave authorized to be taken after the one-year period described in subparagraph (c)(1)(A) shall be taken within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, after cessation of the circumstances warranting the extended deadline.

(d) Member of the reserve component of the Coast Guard defined.— In this section, the term “member of the reserve component of the Coast Guard” means a member of the Coast Guard who is a member of—

(1) the selected reserve who is entitled to compensation under section 206 of title 37; or

(2) the individual ready reserve who is entitled to compensation under section 206 of title 37 when attending or participating in a sufficient number of periods of inactive-duty training during a year to count the year as a qualifying year of creditable service toward eligibility for retired pay.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 2512 and inserting the following:

(c) Compensation.— Section 206(a)(4) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by inserting before the period at the end “or family leave under section 2512 of title 14”.

Section 2708 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(c) The Coast Guard may provide a cash allowance, in such amount as the Secretary shall determine by policy, to be paid to pregnant officer personnel for the purchase of maternity-related uniform items, if such uniform items are not so furnished to the member by the Coast Guard.”.

(a) In general.— Subchapter III of chapter 29 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“2948. Authorization for acquisition of existing family housing in lieu of construction.—

(a) In general.— In lieu of constructing any family housing units authorized by law to be constructed, the Commandant may acquire sole interest in existing family housing units that are privately owned or that are held by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, except that in foreign countries the Commandant may acquire less than sole interest in existing family housing units.

(b) Acquisition of interests in land.— When authority provided by law to construct Coast Guard family housing units is used to acquire existing family housing units under subsection (a), the authority includes authority to acquire interests in land.

(c) Limitation on net floor area.— The net floor area of a family housing unit acquired under the authority of this section may not exceed the applicable limitation specified in section 2826 of title 10. The Commandant may waive the limitation set forth in the preceding sentence for family housing units acquired under this section during the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section.

2949. Acceptance of funds to cover administrative expenses relating to certain real property transactions.—

(a) Authority to accept.— In connection with a real property transaction referred to in subsection (b) with a non-Federal person or entity, the Commandant may accept amounts provided by the person or entity to cover administrative expenses incurred by the Commandant in entering into the transaction.

(b) Covered transactions.— Subsection (a) applies to the following transactions involving real property under the control of the Commandant:

(1) The exchange of real property.

(2) The grant of an easement over, in, or upon real property of the United States.

(3) The lease or license of real property of the United States.

(4) The disposal of real property of the United States for which the Commandant will be the disposal agent.

(5) The conveyance of real property under section 2945.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 29 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(c) Report on GAO recommendations on housing program.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 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 the status of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Government Accountability Office titled “Coast Guard: Better Feedback Collection and Information Could Enhance Housing Program”, and issued February 5, 2024 (GAO–24–106388).

(a) In general.— Subchapter IV of chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“565. Uniform funding and management of morale, well-being, and recreation programs and Coast Guard Exchange.—

(a) Authority for uniform funding and management.— Under policies issued by the Commandant, funds appropriated to the Coast Guard and available for morale, well-being, and recreation programs and the Coast Guard Exchange may be treated as nonappropriated funds and expended in accordance with laws applicable to the expenditure of nonappropriated funds. When made available for morale, well-being, and recreation programs and the Coast Guard Exchange under such policies, appropriated funds shall be considered to be nonappropriated funds for all purposes and shall remain available until expended.

(b) Conditions on availability.— Funds appropriated to the Coast Guard and subject to a policy described in subsection (a) shall only be available in amounts that are determined by the Commandant to be consistent with—

(1) Coast Guard policy; and

(2) Coast Guard readiness and resources.

(c) Updated policy.— Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall update the policies described in subsection (a) consistent with this section.

(d) Briefing.— Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Commandant issues the updated policies required under subsection (c), the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on such policies.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 564 the following:

(a) Establishment.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in coordination with the Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety, and Work Life, shall establish and conduct a pilot program, to be known as the “Coast Guard Embedded Behavioral Health Technician Program” (referred to in this section as the “Pilot Program”), to integrate behavioral health technicians serving at Coast Guard units for the purposes of—

(A) facilitating, at the clinic level, the provision of integrated behavioral health care for members of the Coast Guard;

(B) providing, as a force extender under the supervision of a licensed behavioral health care provider, at the clinic level—

(i) psychological assessment and diagnostic services, as appropriate;

(ii) behavioral health services, as appropriate;

(iii) education and training related to promoting positive behavioral health and well-being; and

(iv) information and resources, including expedited referrals, to assist members of the Coast Guard in dealing with behavioral health concerns;

(C) improving resilience and mental health care among members of the Coast Guard who respond to extraordinary calls of duty, with the ultimate goals of preventing crises and addressing mental health concerns before such concerns evolve into more complex issues that require care at a military treatment facility;

(D) increasing—

(i) the number of such members served by behavioral health technicians; and

(ii) the proportion of such members returning to duty after seeking behavioral health care; and

(E) positively impacting the Coast Guard in a cost-effective manner by extending behavioral health services to the workforce and improving access to care.

(2) Briefing.— Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with a briefing regarding a plan to establish and conduct the Pilot Program.

(b) Selection of Coast Guard clinics.— The Commandant shall select, for participation in the Pilot Program, 3 or more Coast Guard clinics that support units that have significantly high operational tempos or other force resiliency risks, as determined by the Commandant.

(c) Placement of staff at Coast Guard clinics.—

(1) In general.— Under the Pilot Program, a Coast Guard health services technician with a grade of E–5 or higher, or an assigned civilian behavioral health specialist, shall be—

(A) assigned to each selected Coast Guard clinic; and

(B) located at a unit with high operational tempo.

(2) Training.—

(A) Health services technicians.— Before commencing an assignment at a Coast Guard clinic under paragraph (1), a Coast Guard health services technician shall complete behavioral health technician training and independent duty health services training.

(B) Civilian behavioral health specialists.— To qualify for an assignment at a Coast Guard clinic under paragraph (1), a civilian behavioral health specialist shall have at least the equivalent behavioral health training as the training required for a Coast Guard behavioral health technician under subparagraph (A).

(d) Administration.— The Commandant, in coordination with the Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety, and Work Life, shall administer the Pilot Program through the Health, Safety, and Work-Life Service Center.

(e) Data collection.—

(1) In general.— The Commandant shall collect and analyze data concerning the Pilot Program for purposes of—

(A) developing and sharing best practices for improving access to behavioral health care; and

(B) providing information to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the implementation of the Pilot Program and related policy issues.

(2) Plan.— Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 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 plan for carrying out paragraph (1).

(f) Annual report.— Not later than September 1 of each year until the date on which the Pilot Program terminates under subsection (g), 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 report on the Pilot Program that includes the following:

(1) An overview of the implementation of the Pilot Program at each applicable Coast Guard clinic, including—

(A) the number of members of the Coast Guard who received services on site by a behavioral health technician assigned to such clinic;

(B) feedback from all members of the Coast Guard empaneled for their medical care under the Pilot Program;

(C) an assessment of the deployability and overall readiness of members of the applicable operational unit; and

(D) an estimate of potential costs and impacts on other Coast Guard health care services of supporting the Pilot Program at such units and clinics.

(2) The data and analysis required under subsection (e)(1).

(3) A list and detailed description of lessons learned from the Pilot Program as of the date of on which the report is submitted.

(4) The feasibility, estimated cost, and impacts on other Coast Guard health care services of expanding the Pilot Program to all Coast Guard clinics, and a description of the personnel, fiscal, and administrative resources that would be needed for such an expansion.

(g) Termination.— The Pilot Program shall terminate on September 30, 2028.

(a) In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall hire, train, and deploy not fewer than 5 additional behavioral health specialists, in addition to the personnel required under section 11412(a) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 504 note).

(b) Requirement.— The Commandant shall ensure that not fewer than 35 percent of behavioral health specialists required to be deployed under subsection (a) have experience in—

(1) behavioral health care related to military sexual trauma; and

(2) behavioral health care for the purpose of supporting members of the Coast Guard with needs for mental health care and counseling services for post-traumatic stress disorder and co-occurring disorders related to military sexual trauma.

(c) Accessibility.— The support provided by the behavioral health specialists hired pursuant to subsection (a)—

(1) may include care delivered via telemedicine; and

(2) shall be made widely available to members of the Coast Guard.

(d) Notification.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives if the Coast Guard has not completed hiring, training, and deploying—

(A) the personnel referred to in subsections (a) and (b); and

(B) the personnel required under section 11412(a) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 504 note).

(2) Contents.— The notification required under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) the date of publication of the hiring opportunity for all such personnel;

(B) the General Schedule grade level advertised in the publication of the hiring opportunity for all such personnel;

(C) the number of personnel to whom the Coast Guard extended an offer of employment in accordance with the requirements of this section and section 11412(a) of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 504 note), and the number of such personnel who accepted or declined such offer of employment;

(D) a summary of the efforts by the Coast Guard to publicize, advertise, or otherwise recruit qualified candidates in accordance with the requirements of this section and section 11412(a) of such Act; and

(E) any recommendations and a detailed plan to ensure full compliance with the requirements of this section and section 11412(a) of such Act, which may include special payments discussed in the report of the Government Accountability Office titled “Federal Pay: Opportunities Exist to Enhance Strategic Use of Special Payments”, published on December 7, 2017 (GAO–18–91), which may be made available to help ensure full compliance with all such requirements in a timely manner.

On request by a member of the Coast Guard assigned to Unalaska, Alaska, the Commandant shall grant command sponsorship to the dependents of such member.

(a) Establishment.— The Commandant shall implement a policy that provides for reimbursement to eligible members of the Coast Guard for the cost of airfare for such members to travel to the homes of record of such member during the period specified in subsection (e).

(b) Eligible members.— A member of the Coast Guard is eligible for a reimbursement under subsection (a) if—

(1) the member is assigned to a duty location in Alaska; and

(2) an officer in a grade above O–5 in the chain of command of the member authorizes the travel of the member.

(c) Treatment of time as leave.— The time during which an eligible member is absent from duty for travel reimbursable under subsection (a) shall be treated as leave for purposes of section 704 of title 10, United States Code.

(d) Briefing required.— Not later than February 1, 2027, the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on—

(1) the use and effectiveness of reimbursements under subsection (a);

(2) the calculation and use of the cost of living allowance for a member assigned to a duty location in Alaska; and

(3) the use of special pays and other allowances as incentives for cold weather proficiency or duty locations.

(e) Period specified.— The period specified in this subsection is the period—

(1) beginning on the date of enactment of this Act; and

(2) ending on the later of—

(A) December 31, 2026; or

(B) the date on which the authority under section 352 of title 37, United States Code, to grant assignment or special duty pay to members of the uniform services terminates under subsection (g) of such section.

(a) In general.— Section 3710 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“3710. College student precommissioning initiative.—

(a) In general.— There is authorized within the Coast Guard a college student precommissioning initiative program (in this section referred to as the “Program”) for eligible undergraduate students to enlist in the Coast Guard Reserve and receive a commission as a Reserve officer.

(b) Criteria for selection.— To be eligible for the Program an applicant shall meet the following requirements upon submitting an application:

(1) Age.— The applicant shall be not less than 19 years old and not more than 31 years old as of September 30 of the fiscal year in which the Program selection panel selecting such applicant convenes, or an age otherwise determined by the Commandant.

(2) Character.—

(A) In general.— The applicant shall be of outstanding moral character and meet any other character requirement set forth by the Commandant.

(B) Coast Guard applicants.— Any applicant serving in the Coast Guard may not be commissioned if in the 36 months prior to the first Officer Candidate School class convening date in the selection cycle, such applicant was convicted by a court-martial or assigned nonjudicial punishment, or did not meet performance or character requirements set forth by the Commandant.

(3) Citizenship.— The applicant shall be a United States citizen.

(4) Clearance.— The applicant shall be eligible for a secret clearance.

(5) Education.— The applicant shall be enrolled in a college degree program at—

(A) an institution of higher education described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a));

(B) an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that, at the time of the application has had for 3 consecutive years an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students (as defined in section 312(e) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1058(e))) that is a total of at least 50 percent Black American, Hispanic American, Asian American (as defined in section 371(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c))), Native American Pacific Islander (as defined in such section), or Native American (as defined in such section), among other criteria, as determined by the Commandant; or

(C) an institution that meets the eligibility requirements for funding as a rural-serving institution of higher education under section 861 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161q).

(6) Location.— The institution at which the applicant is an undergraduate shall be within 100 miles of a Coast Guard unit or Coast Guard Recruiting Office unless otherwise approved by the Commandant.

(7) Records.— The applicant shall meet credit and grade point average requirements set forth by the Commandant.

(8) Medical and administrative.— The applicant shall meet other medical and administrative requirements as set forth by the Commandant.

(c) Financial assistance.—

(1) In general.— The Commandant may provide financial assistance to enlisted members of the Coast Guard Reserve on active duty participating in the Program, for expenses of the enlisted member while the enlisted member is enrolled, on a full-time basis, in a college degree program approved by the Commandant at a college, university, or institution of higher education described in subsection (b)(5) that leads to—

(A) a baccalaureate degree in not more than 5 academic years; or

(B) a post-baccalaureate degree.

(2) Written agreements.— To be eligible for financial assistance under this section, an enlisted member of the Coast Guard Reserve shall enter into a written agreement with the Coast Guard that notifies the Reserve enlisted member of the obligations of that member under this section, and in which the member agrees to the following:

(A) The member shall complete an approved college degree program at a college, university, or institution of higher education described in subsection (b)(5).

(B) The member shall satisfactorily complete all required Coast Guard training and participate in monthly military activities of the Program as required by the Commandant.

(C) Upon graduation from the college, university, or institution of higher education described in subsection (b)(5), the member shall—

(i) accept an appointment, if tendered, as a commissioned officer in the Coast Guard Reserve; and

(ii) serve a period of obligated active duty for a minimum of 3 years immediately after such appointment as follows:

(I) Members participating in the Program shall be obligated to serve on active duty 3 months for each month of instruction for which they receive financial assistance pursuant to this section for the first 12 months and 1 month for each month thereafter, or 3 years, whichever is greater.

(II) The period of obligated active duty service incurred while participating in the Program shall be in addition to any other obligated service a member may incur due to receiving other bonuses or other benefits as part of any other Coast Guard program.

(III) If an appointment described in clause (i) is not tendered, the member will remain in the Reserve component until completion of the member’s enlisted service obligation.

(D) The member shall agree to perform such duties or complete such terms under the conditions of service specified by the Coast Guard.

(3) Expenses.— Expenses for which financial assistance may be provided under this section are the following:

(A) Tuition and fees charged by the college, university, or institution of higher education at which a member is enrolled on a full-time basis.

(B) The cost of books.

(C) In the case of a program of education leading to a baccalaureate degree, laboratory expenses.

(D) Such other expenses as the Commandant considers appropriate, which may not exceed $25,000 for any academic year.

(4) Time limit.— Financial assistance may be provided to a member under this section for up to 5 consecutive academic years.

(5) Breach of agreement.—

(A) In general.— The Secretary may retain in the Coast Guard Reserve, and may order to active duty for such period of time as the Secretary prescribes (but not to exceed 4 years), a member who breaches an agreement under paragraph (2). The period of time for which a member is ordered to active duty under this paragraph may be determined without regard to section 651(a) of title 10.

(B) Appropriate enlisted grade or rating.— A member who is retained in the Coast Guard Reserve under subparagraph (A) shall be retained in an appropriate enlisted grade or rating, as determined by the Commandant.

(6) Repayment.— A member who does not fulfill the terms of the obligation to serve as specified under paragraph (2), or the alternative obligation imposed under paragraph (5), shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) of title 37.

(d) Briefing.—

(1) In general.— Not later than August 15 of each year following the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the Program.

(2) Contents.— The briefing required under paragraph (1) shall describe—

(A) outreach and recruitment efforts over the previous year; and

(B) demographic information of enrollees, including—

(i) race;

(ii) ethnicity;

(iii) gender;

(iv) geographic origin; and

(v) educational institution.”.

(b) Repeal.— Section 2131 of title 14, United States Code, is repealed.

(c) Clerical amendments.—

(1) The analysis for chapter 21 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 2131.

(2) The analysis for chapter 37 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 3710 and inserting the following:

(a) Establishment.— Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the Commandant, shall establish a tuition assistance pilot program for active-duty members of the Coast Guard, to be known as the “Tuition Assistance and Advanced Education Assistance Pilot Program for Sea Duty” (referred to in this section as the “pilot program”).

(b) Formal agreement.— A member of the Coast Guard participating in the pilot program shall enter into a formal agreement with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating that provides that, upon the successful completion of a sea duty tour by such member, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall, for a period equal to the length of the sea duty tour, beginning on the date on which the sea duty tour concludes—

(1) reduce by 1 year the service obligation incurred by such member as a result of participation in the advanced education assistance program under section 2005 of title 10, United States Code, or the tuition assistance program under section 2007 of such title; and

(2) increase the tuition assistance cost cap for such member to not more than double the amount of the standard tuition assistance cost cap set by the Commandant for the applicable fiscal year.

(c) Report.— Not later than 1 year after the date on which the pilot program is established, and annually thereafter through the date on which the pilot program is terminated under subsection (d), 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 report that—

(1) evaluates and compares—

(A) the Coast Guard’s retention, recruitment, and filling of sea duty billets for all members of the Coast Guard; and

(B) the Coast Guard’s retention, recruitment, and filling of sea duty billets for all members of the Coast Guard participating in the pilot program;

(2) includes the number of participants in the pilot program as of the date of the report, disaggregated by officer and enlisted billet type; and

(3) assesses the progress made by such participants in their respective voluntary education programs, in accordance with their degree plans, during the period described in subsection (b).

(d) Termination.— The pilot program shall terminate on the date that is 6 years after the date on which the pilot program is established.

Section 2514 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (c)(3) by striking “2 months” and inserting “30 days”; and

(2) in subsection (h)—

(A) in paragraph (1) by striking “and” at the end;

(B) in paragraph (2) by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

“(3) the entitlement of the member and of the survivors of the member to all death benefits under subchapter II of chapter 75 of title 10;

(4) the provision of all travel and transportation allowances to family members of a deceased member to attend the repatriation, burial, or memorial ceremony of a deceased member as provided in section 453(f) of title 37;

(5) the eligibility of the member for general benefits as provided in part II of title 38; and

(6) in the case of a victim of an alleged sex-related offense (as such term is defined in section 1044e(h) of title 10) to the maximum extent practicable, maintaining access to—

(A) Coast Guard behavioral health resources;

(B) sexual assault prevention and response resources and programs of the Coast Guard; and

(C) Coast Guard legal resources, including, to the extent practicable, special victims’ counsel.”.

(a) Identification of remote locations.— The Commandant shall identify locations to be considered remote locations for purposes of this section, which shall include, at a minimum, each Coast Guard fire station located in an area in which members of the Coast Guard and the dependents of such members are eligible for the TRICARE Prime Remote program.

(b) Incentive program.—

(1) In general.— To ensure uninterrupted operations by civilian firefighters employed by the Coast Guard in remote locations, the Commandant shall establish an incentive program for such firefighters consisting of—

(A) recruitment and relocation bonuses consistent with section 5753 of title 5, United States Code; and

(B) retention bonuses consistent with section 5754 of title 5, United States Code.

(2) Eligibility criteria.— The Commandant, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Personnel and Management, shall establish eligibility criteria for the incentive program established under paragraph (1), which shall include a requirement that a firefighter described in paragraph (1) may only be eligible for the incentive program under this section if, with respect to the applicable remote location, the Commandant has made a determination that incentives are appropriate to address an identified recruitment, retention, or relocation need.

(c) Annual report.— Not less frequently than annually for the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—

(1) details the use and effectiveness of the incentive program established under this section; and

(2) includes—

(A) the number of participants in the incentive program;

(B) a description of the distribution of incentives under such program; and

(C) a description of the impact of such program on civilian firefighter recruitment and retention by the Coast Guard in remote locations.

(a) In general.— Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by—

(1) transferring section 316 to appear after section 323 and redesignating such section as section 324; and

(2) inserting after section 315 the following:

“316. Training course on workings of Congress.—

(a) In general.— The Commandant, and such other individuals and organizations as the Commandant considers appropriate, shall develop a training course on the workings of Congress and offer such training course at least once each year.

(b) Course subject matter.— The training course required by this section shall provide an overview and introduction to Congress and the Federal legislative process, including—

(1) the history and structure of Congress and the committee systems of the House of Representatives and the Senate, including the functions and responsibilities of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;

(2) the documents produced by Congress, including bills, resolutions, committee reports, and conference reports, and the purposes and functions of such documents;

(3) the legislative processes and rules of the House of Representatives and the Senate, including similarities and differences between the 2 processes and 2 sets of rules, including—

(A) the congressional budget process;

(B) the congressional authorization and appropriation processes;

(C) the Senate advice and consent process for Presidential nominees; and

(D) the Senate advice and consent process for treaty ratification;

(4) the roles of Members of Congress and congressional staff in the legislative process; and

(5) the concept and underlying purposes of congressional oversight within the governance framework of separation of powers.

(c) Lecturers and panelists.—

(1) Outside experts.— The Commandant shall ensure that not less than 60 percent of the lecturers, panelists, and other individuals providing education and instruction as part of the training course required under this section are experts on Congress and the Federal legislative process who are not employed by the executive branch of the Federal Government.

(2) Authority to accept pro bono services.— In satisfying the requirement under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall seek, and may accept, educational and instructional services of lecturers, panelists, and other individuals and organizations provided to the Coast Guard on a pro bono basis.

(d) Effect of law.—

(1) In general.— The training required by this section shall replace the substantially similar training that was required by the Commandant on the day before the date of the enactment of this section.

(2) Previous training recipients.— A Coast Guard flag officer or a Coast Guard Senior Executive Service employee who, not more than 3 years before the date of the enactment of this section, completed the training that was required by the Commandant on the day before such date of enactment, shall not be required to complete the training required by this section.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking the item relating to section 316 and inserting after the item relating to section 323 the following:

(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 315 the following:

(c) Services and use of funds for, and leasing of, the National Coast Guard Museum.— Section 324 of title 14, United States Code, as transferred and redesignated by subsection (a), is amended—

(1) in subsection (b)—

(A) in paragraph (1) by striking “The Secretary” and inserting “Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary”; and

(B) in paragraph (2) by striking “on the engineering and design of a Museum.” and inserting “on—”

“(A) the design of the Museum; and

(B) engineering, construction administration, and quality assurance services for the Museum.”;

(2) in subsection (e), by amending paragraph (2)(A) to read as follows:

“(2)

(A) for the purpose of conducting Coast Guard operations, lease from the Association—

(i) the Museum; and

(ii) any property owned by the Association that is adjacent to the railroad tracks that are adjacent to the property on which the Museum is located; and”; and

(3) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:

“(g) Services.— With respect to the services related to the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Museum, the Commandant may, from nonprofits entities including the Association,—

(1) solicit and accept services; and

(2) enter into contracts or memoranda of agreement to acquire such services.”.

(a) In general.— Section 305(a)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking “may” and inserting “shall”; and

(2) in subparagraph (A)(ii) by striking “be the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard” and inserting “oversee personnel management, workforce and dependent support, training, and related matters”.

(b) Reorganization.— Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by redesignating sections 312 through 324 as sections 314 through 326, respectively.

(c) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by redesignating the items relating to sections 312 through 324 as relating to sections 314 through 326, respectively.

(a) In general.— Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after section 311 the following:

“312. Commandant Advisory Judge Advocate.— There shall be in the Coast Guard a Commandant Advisory Judge Advocate who is a judge advocate in a grade of O–6. The Commandant Advisory Judge Advocate shall be assigned to the staff of the Commandant in the first regularly scheduled O–6 officer assignment panel to convene following the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 and perform such duties relating to legal matters arising in the Coast Guard as such legal matters relate to the Commandant, as may be assigned.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 311 the following item:

(a) In general.— Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 312 the following:

“313. Special Advisor to Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs.—

(a) In general.— In accordance with Federal trust responsibilities and treaty obligations, laws, and policies relevant to Indian Tribes and in support of the principles of self-determination, self-governance, and co-management with respect to Indian Tribes, and to support engagement with Native Hawaiians, there shall be in the Coast Guard a Special Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs (in this section referred to as the “Special Advisor”), who shall—

(1) be selected by the Secretary and the Commandant through a competitive search process;

(2) have expertise in Federal Indian law and policy, including government-to-government consultation;

(3) to the maximum extent practicable, have expertise in legal and policy issues affecting Native Hawaiians; and

(4) have an established record of distinguished service and achievement working with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

(b) Career reserved position.— The position of Special Advisor shall be a career reserved position at the GS–15 level or greater.

(c) Duties.— The Special Advisor shall—

(1) ensure the Federal government upholds the Federal trust responsibility and conducts consistent, meaningful, and timely government-to-government consultation and engagement with Indian Tribes, which shall meet or exceed the standards of the Federal Government and the Coast Guard;

(2) ensure meaningful and timely engagement with—

(A) Native Hawaiian organizations; and

(B) Tribal organizations;

(3) advise the Commandant on all policies of the Coast Guard that have Tribal implications in accordance with applicable law and policy, including Executive Orders;

(4) work to ensure that the policies of the Federal Government regarding consultation and engagement with Indian Tribes and engagement with Native Hawaiian organizations and Tribal organizations are implemented in a meaningful manner, working through Coast Guard leadership and across the Coast Guard, together with—

(A) liaisons located within Coast Guard districts;

(B) the Director of Coast Guard Governmental and Public Affairs; and

(C) other Coast Guard leadership and programs and other Federal partners; and

(5) support Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal organizations in all matters under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard.

(d) Direct access to Secretary and Commandant.— No officer or employee of the Coast Guard or the Department of Homeland Security may interfere with the ability of the Special Advisor to give direct and independent advice to the Secretary and the Commandant on matters related to this section.

(e) Definitions.— In this section:

(1) Indian tribe.— The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(2) Native Hawaiian organization.— The term “Native Hawaiian organization” has the meaning given such term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

(3) Tribal organization.— The term “Tribal organization” has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 312 the following:

(c) Briefings.—

(1) Initial briefing.— Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the manner in which the Special Advisor for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs will be incorporated into the governance structure of the Coast Guard, including a timeline for the incorporation that is completed not later than 1 year after date of enactment of this Act.

(2) Annual briefings on special advisor to the Commandant tor Tribal and Native Hawaiian affairs.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the establishment of the position of the Special Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs under section 313 of title 14, United States Code, and annually thereafter for 2 years, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with a briefing on the duties, responsibilities, and actions of the Special Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs, including management of best practices.

(3) Briefing on collaboration with tribes on research consistent with Coast Guard mission requirements.—

(A) In general.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with a briefing on potential collaborations on and research and use of indigenous place-based knowledge and research.

(B) Element.— In providing the briefing under subparagraph (A), the Commandant shall identify current and potential future opportunities to improve coordination with Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal organizations to support—

(i) Coast Guard mission needs, such as the potential for research or knowledge to enhance maritime domain awareness, including opportunities through the ADAC–ARCTIC Center of Excellence of the Department of Homeland Security; and

(ii) Coast Guard efforts to protect indigenous place-based knowledge and research.

(4) Definitions.— In this subsection:

(A) Indian tribe.— The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(B) Native Hawaiian organization.— The term “Native Hawaiian organization” has the meaning given such term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

(C) Tribal organization.— The term “Tribal organization” has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(d) Rule of construction.— Nothing in this section, or an amendment made by this section, shall be construed to impact—

(1) the right of any Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304); or

(2) any government-to-government consultation.

(e) Conforming amendments.—

(1) Section 11237 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263) is amended—

(A) in subsection (a), by striking “section 312 of title 14” and inserting “section 315 of title 14”; and

(B) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking “section 312 of title 14” and inserting “section 315 of title 14”.

(2) Section 807(a) of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–282) is amended by striking “section 313 of title 14” and inserting “section 316 of title 14”.

(3) Section 3533(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31) is amended by striking “section 315 of title 14” and inserting “section 318 of title 14”.

(4) Section 311(j)(9)(D) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(9)(D)) is amended by striking “section 323 of title 14” each place it appears and inserting “section 325 of title 14” each such place.

(a) In general.— The Commandant shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress notification as described in subsection (b)—

(1) not later than the date that is 10 days before the final day of each fiscal year; or

(2) in the case of a continuing resolution that, for a period of more than 10 days, provides appropriated funds in lieu of an appropriations Act, not later than the date that is 10 days before the final day of the period that such continuing resolution covers.

(b) Elements.— Notification under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) the status of funding for the Coast Guard during the subsequent fiscal year or at the end of the continuing resolution if other appropriations measures are not enacted, as applicable;

(2) the status of the Coast Guard as a component of the Armed Forces;

(3) the number of members currently serving overseas and otherwise supporting missions related to title 10, United States Code;

(4) the fact that members of the Armed Forces have service requirements unlike those of other Federal employees, which require them to continue to serve even if unpaid;

(5) the impacts of historical shutdowns of the Federal Government on members of the Coast Guard; and

(6) other relevant matters, as determined by the Commandant.

(c) Appropriate committees of Congress defined.— In this section, the term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—

(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;

(2) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;

(3) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and

(4) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.

Section 1903 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“1903. Annual Board of Visitors.—

(a) In general.— The Commandant shall establish a Board of Visitors to the Coast Guard Academy to review and make recommendations on the operation of the Academy.

(b) Membership.—

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

(A) The chairperson of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or a member of such Committee designated by such chairperson.

(B) The chairperson of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, or a member of such Committee designated by such chairperson.

(C) 3 Senators appointed by the Vice President.

(D) 4 Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(E) 2 Senators appointed by the Vice President, each of whom shall be selected from among members of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

(F) 2 Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall be selected from among members of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(G) 6 individuals designated by the President.

(2) Timing of appointments of members.—

(A) If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(C) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate with jurisdiction over the authorization of appropriations of the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die.

(B) If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(D) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over the authorization of appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die.

(C) If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(E) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate with jurisdiction over appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die.

(D) If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(F) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die.

(3) Chairperson.—

(A) In general.— On a biennial basis and subject to paragraph (4), the Board shall select from among the members of the Board a Member of Congress to serve as the Chair of the Board.

(B) Rotation.— A Member of the House of Representatives and a Member of the Senate shall alternately be selected as the Chair of the Board.

(C) Term.— An individual may not serve as Chairperson of the Board for consecutive terms.

(4) Length of service.—

(A) Members of congress.— A Member of Congress designated as a member of the Board under paragraph (1) shall be designated as a member in the first session of the applicable Congress and shall serve for the duration of such Congress.

(B) Individuals designated by the president.— Each individual designated by the President under paragraph (1)(G) 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 by the President.

(C) 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.

(c) Duties.—

(1) Academy visits.—

(A) Annual visit.— The Commandant shall invite each member of the Board, and any designee of a member of the Board, to visit the Coast Guard Academy at least once annually to review the operation of the Academy.

(B) Additional visits.— With the approval of the Secretary, the Board or any members of the Board in connection with the duties of the Board may—

(i) make visits to the Academy in addition to the visits described in subparagraph (A); or

(ii) consult with—

(I) the Superintendent of the Academy; or

(II) the faculty, staff, or cadets of the Academy.

(C) Access.— The Commandant shall ensure that the Board or any members of the Board who visits the Academy under this paragraph is provided reasonable access to the grounds, facilities, cadets, faculty, staff, and other personnel of the Academy for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Board.

(2) Oversight review.— In conducting oversight of the Academy under this section, the Board shall review, with respect to the Academy—

(A) the state of morale and discipline, including with respect to prevention of, response to, and recovery from sexual assault and sexual harassment;

(B) recruitment and retention, including diversity, inclusion, and issues regarding women specifically;

(C) the curriculum;

(D) instruction;

(E) physical equipment, including infrastructure, living quarters, and deferred maintenance;

(F) fiscal affairs; and

(G) any other matter relating to the Academy the Board considers appropriate.

(d) Administrative matters.—

(1) Meetings.—

(A) In general.— Not less frequently than annually, the Board shall meet at a location chosen by the Commandant, in consultation with the Board, to conduct the review required by subsection (c)(2).

(B) Chairperson and charter.— The Federal officer designated under subsection (f)(1)(B) shall organize a meeting of the Board for the purposes of—

(i) selecting a Chairperson of the Board under subsection (b)(3);

(ii) adopting an official charter for the Board, which shall establish the schedule of meetings of the Board; and

(iii) any other matter such designated Federal officer or the Board considers appropriate.

(C) Scheduling.— In scheduling a meeting of the Board, such designated Federal officer shall coordinate, to the greatest extent practicable, with the members of the Board to determine the date and time of the meeting.

(D) Notification.— Not less than 30 days before each scheduled meeting of the Board, such designated Federal officer shall notify each member of the Board of the time, date, and location of the meeting.

(2) Staff.—

(A) Designation.— The chairperson and the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the chairperson and the ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives may each designate 1 staff member of each such Committees.

(B) Role.— Staff designated under subparagraph (A)—

(i) may attend and participate in visits and carry out consultations described under subsection (c)(1) and attend and participate in meetings described under paragraph (1); and

(ii) may not otherwise carry out duties or take actions reserved to members of the Board under this section.

(3) Advisors.— If approved by the Secretary, the Board may consult with advisors in carrying out the duties of the Board under this section.

(4) Reports.—

(A) In general.— Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Board conducts a meeting of the Board under paragraph (1), the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, in consultation with the Board, shall submit a report on the actions of the Board during the meeting and the recommendations of the Board pertaining to the Academy to—

(i) the Secretary;

(ii) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and

(iii) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.

(B) Publication.— Each report submitted under this paragraph shall be published on a publicly accessible website of the Coast Guard.

(e) Disclosure.— The Commandant and the Superintendent of the Academy shall ensure candid and complete disclosure to the Board, consistent with applicable laws relating to disclosure of information, with respect to—

(1) each issue described in subsection (c)(2); and

(2) any other issue the Board or the Commandant considers appropriate.

(f) Coast Guard support.—

(1) In general.— The Commandant shall—

(A) provide support to the Board, as Board considers necessary for the performance of the duties of the Board;

(B) designate a Federal officer to support the performance of the duties of the Board; and

(C) in cooperation with the Superintendent of the Academy, advise the Board of any institutional issues, consistent with applicable laws concerning the disclosure of information.

(2) Reimbursement.— Each member of the Board and each advisor consulted by the Board under subsection (d)(3) 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 advisor.

(g) Notification.— Not later than 30 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the Commandant shall provide to the chairperson and ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the chairperson and ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the President notification of the requirements of this section.”.

(a) In general.— Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, shall enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center with relevant expertise under which such center shall conduct an assessment of the oversight and governance of the Coast Guard Academy, including—

(1) examining the—

(A) authorities regarding Coast Guard and Departmental oversight of the Coast Guard Academy, including considerations of how these may impact accreditation review at the academy;

(B) roles and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees of such Academy;

(C) Coast Guard roles and responsibilities with respect to management and facilitation of the Board of Trustees of such Academy;

(D) advisory functions of the Board of Trustees of such Academy; and

(E) membership of the Board of Trustees for the 10-year period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act, to include expertise, objectiveness, and effectiveness in conducting oversight of such Academy; and

(2) an analysis of the involvement of the Board of Trustees during the Operation Fouled Anchor investigation, including to what extent the Board members were informed, involved, or made decisions regarding the governance of the academy based on that investigation.

(b) Report.— Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Commandant enters into an agreement under subsection (a), the federally funded research and development center selected under such subsection shall submit to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Commandant, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that contains—

(1) the results of the assessment required under subsection (a); and

(2) recommendations to improve governance of the Coast Guard Academy and the Board of Trustees.

(a) In general.— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy (referred to in this section as the “Superintendent”), shall—

(1) install an electronic locking mechanism for each room at the Coast Guard Academy within which 1 or more Coast Guard Academy cadets reside overnight;

(2) test each such mechanism not less than once every 6 months for proper function and maintained in proper working order; and

(3) use a system that electronically records the date, time, and identity of each individual who accesses a cadet room using an electronic access token, code, card, or other electronic means, which shall be maintained in accordance with the general schedule for records retention, or a period of five years, whichever is later.

(b) Electronic locking mechanisms.—

(1) In general.— Each electronic locking mechanism described in subsection (a) shall be coded in a manner that provides access to a room described in such subsection only to—

(A) the 1 or more cadets assigned to the room; and

(B) such Coast Guard Academy officers, administrators, staff, or security personnel, including personnel of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, as are necessary to access the room in the event of an emergency.

(2) Existing mechanisms.— Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Superintendent shall ensure that electronic locking mechanisms installed in academic buildings of the Coast Guard Academy, Chase Hall common spaces, and in any other location at the Coast Guard Academy are maintained in proper working order.

(c) Access policy instruction.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Superintendent shall promulgate a policy regarding cadet room security policies and procedures, which shall include, at a minimum—

(1) a prohibition on sharing with any other cadet, employee, or other individual electronic access tokens, codes, cards, or other electronic means of accessing a cadet room;

(2) procedures for resetting electronic locking mechanisms in the event of a lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised electronic access token, code, card, or other electronic means of accessing a cadet room;

(3) procedures to maintain the identity of each individual who accesses a cadet room using an electronic access token, code, card, or other electronic means, while ensuring the security of personally identifiable information and protecting the privacy of any such individual, as appropriate;

(4) procedures by which cadets may report to the chain of command the malfunction of an electronic locking mechanism; and

(5) a schedule of testing to ensure the proper functioning of electronic locking mechanisms.

(d) Minimum training requirements.— The Superintendent shall ensure that each Coast Guard Academy cadet receives, not later than 1 day after the date of the initial arrival of the cadet at the Coast Guard Academy, an initial training session, and any other training the Superintendent considers necessary, on—

(1) the use of electronic locking mechanisms installed under this section; and

(2) the policy promulgated under subsection (c).

(a) In general.— Subchapter I of Chapter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“1907. Coast Guard Academy Student and Women Advisory Board.—

(a) Establishment.— The Commandant shall establish within the Coast Guard Academy an advisory board to be known as the “Coast Guard Academy Student and Women Advisory Board” (in this section referred to as the “Advisory Board”).

(b) Membership.— The Advisory Board shall be composed of not fewer than 12 cadets of the Coast Guard Academy who are enrolled at the Coast Guard Academy at the time of appointment, including not fewer than 3 cadets from each class.

(c) Appointment.—

(1) In general.— Cadets shall be appointed to the Advisory Board by the Provost, in consultation with the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy.

(2) Application.— Cadets who are eligible for appointment to the Advisory Board shall submit an application for appointment to the Provost of the Coast Guard Academy, or a designee of the Provost, for consideration.

(d) Selection.— The Provost shall select eligible applicants who—

(1) are best suited to fulfill the duties described in subsection (g); and

(2) best represent the student body makeup at the Coast Guard Academy.

(e) Term.—

(1) In general.— Appointments shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of the swearing in of a new class of cadets at the Coast Guard Academy.

(2) Term.— The term of membership of a cadet on the Advisory Board shall be 1 academic year.

(f) Meetings.— The Advisory Board shall meet in person with the Superintendent not less frequently than twice each academic year to discuss the activities of the Advisory Board.

(g) Duties.— The Advisory Board shall—

(1) identify challenges facing Coast Guard Academy cadets, including cadets who are women, relating to—

(A) health and wellbeing;

(B) cadet perspectives and information with respect to sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention, response, and recovery at the Coast Guard Academy;

(C) the culture of, and leadership development and access to health care for, cadets at the Academy who are women; and

(D) any other matter the Advisory Board considers important;

(2) discuss and propose possible solutions to such challenges, including improvements to leadership development at the Coast Guard Academy; and

(3) periodically review the efficacy of Coast Guard Academy academic, wellness, and other relevant programs and provide recommendations to the Commandant for improvement of such programs.

(h) Working groups.—

(1) In general.— The Advisory Board shall establish 2 working groups of which—

(A) 1 working group shall be composed, at least in part, of Coast Guard Academy cadets who are not current members of the Advisory Board and members of the Cadets Against Sexual Assault, or any similar successor organization, to assist the Advisory Board in carrying out its duties under subsection (g)(1)(B); and

(B) 1 working group shall be composed, at least in part, of Coast Guard Academy cadets who are not current members of the Advisory Board to assist the Advisory Board in carrying out its duties under subsection (g)(1)(C).

(2) Other working groups.— The Advisory Board may establish such other working groups (which may be composed, at least in part, of Coast Guard Academy cadets who are not current members of the Advisory Board) as the Advisory Board finds to be necessary to carry out the Board’s duties other than the duties in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (g)(1).

(i) Reporting.—

(1) Commandant and Superintendent.— The Advisory Board shall regularly submit a report or provide a briefing to the Commandant and the Superintendent on the results of the activities carried out in furtherance of the duties of the Advisory Board under subsection (g), including recommendations for actions to be taken based on such results, not less than once per academic semester.

(2) Annual report.— The Advisory Board shall transmit to the Commandant, through the Provost and the Superintendent an annual report at the conclusion of the academic year, containing the information and materials that were presented to the Commandant or Superintendent, or both, during the regularly occurring briefings under paragraph (1).

(3) Congress.— The Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives any report or other materials provided to the Commandant and Superintendent under paragraph (1) and any other information related to the Advisory requested by the Committees.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1906 the following:

(a) In general.— Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 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 report on existing behavioral health and wellness support services facilities at the Coast Guard Academy in which Coast Guard Academy cadets and officer candidates, respectively, may receive timely and independent behavioral health and wellness support services, including via telemedicine.

(b) Elements.— The report required under paragraph (1) shall include—

(1) an identification of each building at the Coast Guard Academy that contains a dormitory or other overnight accommodations for cadets or officer candidates; and

(2)

(A) an identification of additional behavioral health or wellness support services that would be beneficial to cadets and officer candidates, such as additional facilities with secure access to telemedicine;

(B) a description of the benefits that such services would provide to cadets and officer candidates, particularly to cadets and officer candidates who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment; and

(C) a description of the resources necessary to provide such services.

The Commandant shall ensure that, in each building at the Coast Guard Academy that contains a dormitory or other overnight accommodations for cadets or officer candidates, written information is posted in a visible location with respect to—

(1) the methods and means by which a cadet or officer candidate may report a crime, including harassment, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and any other offense;

(2) the contact information for the Coast Guard Investigative Service;

(3) external resources for—

(A) wellness support;

(B) work-life;

(C) medical services; and

(D) support relating to behavioral health, civil rights, sexual assault, and sexual harassment; and

(4) cadet and officer candidate rights with respect to reporting incidents to the Coast Guard Investigative Service, civilian authorities, the Office of the Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, and any other applicable entity.

(a) In general.— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall install or construct at the Coast Guard Academy 2 rooms to be used for the purpose of supporting cadet and officer candidate behavioral health and wellness.

(b) Standards of rooms.— Each room installed or constructed under this section—

(1) shall be—

(A) equipped—

(i) in a manner that ensures the protection of the privacy of cadets and officer candidates, consistent with law and policy;

(ii) with a telephone and computer to allow for the provision of behavioral health and wellness support or other services; and

(iii) with an accessible and private wireless internet connection for the use of personal communications devices at the discretion of the cadet or officer candidate concerned; and

(B) to the extent practicable and consistent with good order and discipline, accessible to cadets and officer candidates at all times; and

(2) shall contain the written information described in section 176, which shall be posted in a visible location.

Section 1902 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(f) Room reassignment.— Coast Guard Academy cadets may request room reassignment if experiencing discomfort due to Coast Guard Academy rooming assignments, consistent with policy.”.

(a) In general.— Subchapter I of chapter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“1908. Authorization for use of Coast Guard Academy facilities and equipment by covered foundations.—

(a) Authority.— Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary, with the concurrence of the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, may authorize a covered foundation to use, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis as determined by the Secretary, facilities or equipment of the Coast Guard Academy.

(b) Prohibition.— The Secretary may not authorize any use of facilities or equipment under subsection (a) if such use may jeopardize the health, safety, or well-being of any member of the Coast Guard or cadet of the Coast Guard Academy.

(c) Limitations.— The Secretary may only authorize the use of facilities or equipment under subsection (a) if such use—

(1) is without any liability of the United States to the covered foundation;

(2) does not—

(A) affect the ability of any official or employee of the Coast Guard, or any member of the armed forces, to carry out any responsibility or duty in a fair and objective manner;

(B) compromise the integrity or appearance of integrity of any program of the Coast Guard, or any individual involved in any such program; or

(C) include the participation of any cadet of the Coast Guard Academy at an event of the covered foundation, other than participation of such a cadet in an honor guard;

(3) complies with any applicable ethics regulation; and

(4) has been reviewed and approved by an attorney of the Coast Guard.

(d) Issuance of policies.— The Secretary shall issue Coast Guard policies to carry out this section.

(e) Briefing.— For any fiscal year in which the Secretary exercises the authority under subsection (a), not later than the last day of such fiscal year, the Commandant shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the number of events or activities of a covered foundation supported by such exercise of authority during the fiscal year.

(f) Covered foundation defined.— In this section, the term “covered foundation” means an organization that—

(1) is a charitable, educational, or civic nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and

(2) the Secretary determines operates exclusively to support—

(A) recruiting activities with respect to the Coast Guard Academy;

(B) parent or alumni development in support of the Coast Guard Academy;

(C) academic, leadership, or character development of Coast Guard Academy cadets;

(D) institutional development of the Coast Guard Academy; or

(E) athletics in support of the Coast Guard Academy.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The analysis for chapter 19 of title 14, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to item 1907 the following:

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may establish concurrent jurisdiction between the Federal Government and the State of Connecticut over the lands constituting the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, as necessary to facilitate the ability of the State of Connecticut and City of New London to investigate and prosecute any crimes cognizable under Connecticut law that are committed on such Coast Guard Academy property.

Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 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 containing—

(1) an overview of the maritime domain awareness in the area of responsibility of the Coast Guard sector responsible for Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, including—

(A) the average volume of known maritime traffic that transited the area during fiscal years 2020 through 2023;

(B) current sensor platforms deployed by such sector to monitor illicit activity occurring at sea in such area;

(C) the number of illicit activity incidents at sea in such area that the sector responded to during fiscal years 2020 through 2023;

(D) an estimate of the volume of traffic engaged in illicit activity at sea in such area and the type and description of any vessels used to carry out illicit activities that such sector responded to during fiscal years 2020 through 2023; and

(E) the maritime domain awareness requirements to effectively meet the mission of such sector;

(2) a description of current actions taken by the Coast Guard to partner with Federal, regional, State, and local entities to meet the maritime domain awareness needs of such area;

(3) a description of any gaps in maritime domain awareness within the area of responsibility of such sector resulting from an inability to meet the enduring maritime domain awareness requirements of the sector or adequately respond to maritime disorder;

(4) an identification of current technology and assets the Coast Guard has to mitigate the gaps identified in paragraph (3);

(5) an identification of capabilities needed to mitigate such gaps, including any capabilities the Coast Guard currently possesses that can be deployed to the sector;

(6) an identification of technology and assets the Coast Guard does not currently possess and are needed to acquire in order to address such gaps; and

(7) an identification of any financial obstacles that prevent the Coast Guard from deploying existing commercially available sensor technology to address such gaps.

(a) Provision to Congress.— Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 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 the condition of dayboards and the placement of buoys on the Missouri River.

(b) Elements.— The report under paragraph (1) shall include—

(1) a list of the most recent date on which each dayboard and buoy was serviced by the Coast Guard;

(2) an overview of the plan of the Coast Guard to systematically service each dayboard and buoy on the Missouri River; and

(3) assigned points of contact.

(c) Limitation.— Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant may not remove the aids to navigation covered in subsection (a), unless there is an imminent threat to life or safety, until a period of 180 days has elapsed following the date on which the Commandant submits the report required under subsection (a).

(a) Study.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center with relevant expertise under which such center shall conduct an assessment of the operational capabilities and ability of the Coast Guard to conduct the primary duties of the Coast Guard under section 102 of title 14, United States Code, and missions under section 888 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468).

(2) Elements.— In carrying out the assessment required under paragraph (1), the federally funded research and development center selected under such subsection shall, with respect to the primary duties and missions described in paragraph (1), include the following:

(A) An analysis of the extent to which the Coast Guard is able to effectively carry out such duties and missions.

(B) An analysis of any budgetary, policy, and manpower factors that may constrain the Coast Guard’s ability to carry out such duties and missions,

(C) An analysis of the impacts to safety, national security, and the economy, of any shortfalls in the Coast Guards ability to meet such missions.

(D) Recommendations for the Coast Guard to more effectively carry out such duties and missions, in light of manpower and asset constraints.

(E) Identification of any duties and missions that are being conducted by the Coast Guard on behalf of other Department of Homeland Security components, the Department of Defense, and other Federal agencies.

(F) An analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of the Coast Guard conducting missions on behalf of other agencies identified in subparagraph (E), including—

(i) the budgetary impact of the duties and missions identified in such subparagraph;

(ii) data on the degree to which the Coast Guard is reimbursed for the costs of such missions; and

(iii) recommendations to minimize the impact of the missions identified in such subparagraph to the Coast Guard budget, including improving reimbursements and budget autonomy of the Coast Guard.

(b) Assessment to commandant.— Not later than 1 year after the date on which Commandant enters into an agreement under section (a), the federally funded research and development center selected under such subsection shall submit to the Commandant, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the assessment required under subsection (a).

(c) Report to Congress.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 90 days after receipt of the assessment under subsection (b), the Commandant 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 that includes recommendations included in the assessment to strengthen the ability of the Coast Guard to carry out such duties and missions.

(2) Elements.— The report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) The assessment received by the Commandant under subsection (b).

(B) For each recommendation included in the such assessment—

(i) an assessment by the Commandant of the feasibility and advisability of implementing such recommendation; and

(ii) if the Commandant considers the implementation of such recommendation feasible and advisable, a description of the actions taken, or to be taken, to implement such recommendation.

(a) Initial report.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall issue a report detailing the progress of all approved Coast Guard cutter homeporting projects within Coast Guard District 17 with respect to each of the following:

(A) Fast Response Cutters.

(B) Offshore Patrol Cutters.

(C) The commercially available polar icebreaker procured pursuant to section 11223 of Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (14 U.S.C. 561 note).

(2) Elements.— The report required under paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to each homeporting project described in such paragraph, the following:

(A) A description of—

(i) the status of funds appropriated for the project;

(ii) activities carried out toward completion of the project; and

(iii) activities anticipated to be carried out during the subsequent 1-year period to advance completion of the project.

(B) An updated timeline, including key milestones, for the project.

(b) Subsequent reports.—

(1) In general.— Not later than July 1 of the first calendar year after the year in which the report required under subsection (a) is submitted, and each July 1 thereafter until the date specified in paragraph (2), the Commandant shall issue an updated report containing, with respect to each Coast Guard cutter homeporting project described in subsection (a)(1) (including any such project approved on a date after the date of the enactment of this Act and before the submission of the applicable report), each element described in subsection (a)(2).

(2) Date specified.— The date specified in this paragraph is the earlier of—

(A) July 2, 2031; or

(B) the date on which all projects described in subsection (a)(1) are completed.

(c) Report on capacity of Coast Guard Base Ketchikan.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall complete a report detailing the cost of and time frame for expanding the industrial capacity of Coast Guard Base Ketchikan to do out of water repairs on Fast Response Cutters.

(2) Report.— Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 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 the report required under paragraph (1).

(d) Public availability.— The Commandant shall publish each report issued under this section on a publicly accessible website of the Coast Guard.

(e) Homeporting project defined.— In this section, the term “homeporting project”—

(1) means the facility infrastructure modifications, upgrades, new construction, and real property and land acquisition associated with homeporting new or modified cutters; and

(2) includes shoreside and waterfront facilities, cutter maintenance facilities, housing, child development facilities, and any other associated infrastructure directly required as a result of homeporting new or modified cutters.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 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—

(1) a report that describes the strategy of the Coast Guard with respect to the replacement of the Bay class icebreaking tug fleet;

(2) in the case of such a strategy that results in the replacement of the last Bay class icebreaking tug on a date that is more than 15 years after such date of enactment, a plan to maintain the operational capabilities of the Bay class icebreaking tug fleet until the date on which such fleet is projected to be replaced; and

(3) in the case of such a plan that does not include the replacement of the main propulsion engines and marine gear components of the Bay class icebreaking tug fleet, an assessment of the manner in which not replacing such engines and gear components will effect the future operational availability of such fleet.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a service in the Navy, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall—

(1) complete 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

(2) submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of such study.

(a) In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall commence a study and gap analysis with respect to the aviation hangar at Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi and the capacity of such hangar to accommodate the aircraft currently assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi and any aircraft anticipated to be so assigned in the future.

(b) Elements.— The study and gap analysis required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) An identification of hangar infrastructure requirements needed—

(A) to meet mission requirements for all aircraft currently assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi; and

(B) to accommodate the assignment of an additional HC–144 Ocean Sentry aircraft to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi.

(2) An assessment as to whether the aviation hangar at Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi is sufficient to accommodate all rotary-wing assets assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi.

(3) In the case of an assessment that such hangar is insufficient to accommodate all such rotary-wing assets, a description of the facility modifications that would be required to do so.

(4) An assessment of the facility modifications of such hangar that would be required to accommodate all aircraft assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi upon completion of the transition from the MH–65 rotary-wing aircraft to the MH–60T rotary-wing aircraft.

(5) An evaluation with respect to which fixed-wing assets assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi should be enclosed in such hangar so as to most effectively mitigate the effects of corrosion while meeting mission requirements.

(6) An evaluation as to whether, and to what extent, the storage of fixed-wing assets outside such hangar would compromise the material condition and safety of such assets.

(7) An evaluation of the extent to which any material condition and safety issue identified under paragraph (6) may be mitigated through the use of gust locks, chocks, tie-downs, or related equipment.

(c) Report.— Not later than 1 year after the commencement of the study and gap analysis required under subsection (a), 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 report on the results of the study and gap analysis.

(a) In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the impacts of the Joint Travel Regulations on members of the Coast Guard who are commuting, on permanent change of station travel, or on other official travel to or from locations served by ferry systems.

(b) Elements.— The report required under subsection (a) shall include an analysis of the impacts on such members of the Coast Guard of the following policies under the Joint Travel Regulations:

(1) The one-vehicle shipping policy.

(2) The unavailability of reimbursement of costs incurred by such members due to ferry schedule unavailability, sailing cancellations, and other sailing delays during commuting, permanent change of station travel, or other official travel.

(3) The unavailability of local infrastructure to support vehicles or goods shipped to duty stations in locations outside the contiguous United States that are not connected by the road system, including locations served by the Alaska Marine Highway System.

(c) Definitions.— In this section:

(1) Appropriate committees of congress.— The term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—

(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and

(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

(2) Joint travel regulations.— The term “Joint Travel Regulations”, with respect to official travel, means the terms, rates, conditions, and regulations maintained under section 464 of title 37, United States Code.

(a) In general.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 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 report on the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.

(b) Elements.— The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A description of the standards and criteria prescribed by the Coast Guard for educational institution participation in the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.

(2) With respect to each educational institution offering a Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program—

(A) a description of—

(i) the training and course of military instruction provided to students;

(ii) the facilities and drill areas used for the program;

(iii) the type and amount of Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program resources provided by the Coast Guard;

(iv) the type and amount of Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program resources provided by the educational institution; and

(v) any other matter relating to program requirements the Commandant considers appropriate;

(B) an assessment as to whether the educational institution is located in an educationally and economically deprived area (as described in section 2031 of title 10, United States Code);

(C) beginning with the year in which the program was established at the educational institution, the number of students who have participated in the program, disaggregated by gender, race, and grade of student participants; and

(D) an assessment of the participants in the program, including—

(i) the performance of the participants in the program;

(ii) the number of participants in the program who express an intent to pursue a commission or enlistment in the Coast Guard; and

(iii) a description of any other factor or matter considered by the Commandant to be important in assessing the success of program participants at the educational institution.

(3) With respect to any unit of the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps suspended or placed on probation pursuant to section 2031(h) of title 10, United States Code—

(A) a description of the unit;

(B) the reason for such suspension or placement on probation;

(C) the year the unit was so suspended or placed on probation; and

(D) with respect to any unit that was reinstated after previously being suspended or placed on probation, a justification for the reinstatement of such unit.

(4) A description of the resources and personnel required to maintain, implement, and provide oversight for the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at each participating educational institution and within the Coast Guard, including the funding provided to each such educational institution, disaggregated by educational institution and year.

(5) A recommendation with respect to—

(A) whether the number of educational institutions participating in the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program should be increased; and

(B) in the case of a recommendation that such number should be increased, additional recommendations relating to such an increase, including—

(i) the number of additional educational institutions that should be included in the program;

(ii) the locations of such institutions;

(iii) any additional authorities or resources necessary for such an increase; and

(iv) any other matter the Commandant considers appropriate.

(6) Any other matter the Commandant considers necessary in order to provide a full assessment of the effectiveness of the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.

(a) Report.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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 report on the status of the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Program.

(2) Elements.— The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) A review and timeline of Coast Guard outreach efforts in Coast Guard districts that do not have a Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Program.

(B) A review and timeline of Coast Guard outreach efforts in Coast Guard districts in which there are multiple Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Programs.

(C) Policy recommendations regarding future expansion of the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Program.

(b) Expansion.—

(1) In general.— Beginning on December 31, 2026, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall maintain at all times a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program with not fewer than 20 such programs.

(2) Cost assessment.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall provide Congress with an estimate of the costs associated with implementing this subsection.