Bill > S1577

This bill amends section 1151 of title 14 of the United States Code to modify restrictions on the construction of Coast Guard vessels in foreign shipyards. Specifically, the bill establishes new exceptions to the general prohibition on constructing Coast Guard vessels outside the United States. The President may now authorize exceptions to this prohibition when it is determined to be in the national security interest, but must first notify Congress and meet several strict certification requirements. These requirements include ensuring the foreign shipyard is located in a NATO country or an Indo-Pacific defense treaty partner, demonstrating that using the foreign shipyard would be less costly and faster than using a domestic shipyard, and confirming that the foreign shipyard has successfully demonstrated the capability to design, construct, and deliver vessels meeting Coast Guard mission requirements within the previous five years. Additionally, the bill allows the Secretary to acquire a completed vessel from a foreign shipyard under certain conditions, such as the shipyard being in a NATO or Indo-Pacific defense treaty country and the foreign government providing a warranty agreement. Before any contract can be executed under these exceptions, Congress must be notified and must wait 30 days after receiving such notice.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1577/all-info