Bill > HR7659

This bill, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024, authorizes appropriations and amends various authorities, programs, and statutes administered by the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. * **Coast Guard Operations and Personnel:** Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard's operating expenses, including $11.287 billion for fiscal year 2025 and $11.851 billion for fiscal year 2026. It also appropriates $3.477 billion for fiscal year 2025 and $3.651 billion for fiscal year 2026 for acquisition, construction, and improvements. Additionally, $1.210 billion is authorized for retired pay for fiscal year 2025. The bill also sets authorized levels of military strength and training for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. * **Infrastructure and Information Technology:** Allocates $36.3 million for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to modernize the Coast Guard's information technology systems, including funds for a new credentialing system for merchant mariners. It also appropriates $500 million for fiscal year 2025 and $600 million for fiscal year 2026 for shoreside infrastructure maintenance, construction, and repairs, with specific allocations for training centers, the Coast Guard Academy, a floating drydock, hangars, and waterfront improvements. * **Acquisition of Vessels and Aircraft:** Authorizes $138.5 million for fiscal year 2025 for one HC-130J Super Hercules aircraft and $216 million for two Fast Response Cutters. For fiscal year 2026, it authorizes $1.2 billion for a Polar Security Cutter, $1.1 billion for two Offshore Patrol Cutters, $138.5 million for another HC-130J Super Hercules aircraft, and $153.5 million to outfit five MH-60T Jayhawk aircraft. * **Programs and Services:** Allocates $25 million for fiscal year 2025 and $35 million for fiscal year 2026 for implementing directed actions related to accountability and transparency within the Coast Guard. It also provides funds for recruiting personnel and enhancing recruiting capabilities. * **Personnel and Training:** Includes provisions for direct hire authority for civilian faculty at the Coast Guard Academy, temporary exemptions from end strength for certain enlisted members, parental leave parity for reserve components, and maternity uniform allowances for officers. * **Shipping and Navigation:** Amends various laws related to vessel operations, merchant mariner credentialing, and vessel safety. This includes revising training requirements for merchant mariners, establishing new rules for amphibious passenger vessels, and implementing risk-based examinations for tank vessels. * **Oil Pollution Incident Liability:** Updates requirements for vessel response plans and the use of marine casualty investigations. * **Accountability and Transparency:** Establishes requirements for reporting on the implementation of directed actions related to accountability and transparency, mandates independent reviews of Coast Guard reforms concerning sexual assault and harassment, and requires the maintenance of certain investigation records. * **Other Matters:** Addresses various other provisions including the establishment of a National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems, improvements to vessel traffic service monitoring, and procedures for abandoned and derelict vessel removals.