Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024

This bill authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 and makes various changes to Coast Guard organization, personnel, acquisition, and operations, as well as amendments to shipping, navigation, oil pollution response, sexual assault policies, and NOAA matters.

Title I, Subtitle A, Authorization of appropriations: Updates the authorization of appropriations for the Coast Guard from fiscal years 2022 and 2023 to fiscal years 2025 and 2026, and increases the authorized training end strength from 2,500 to 3,000.

Title I, Subtitle B, Acquisition: Modifies the prohibition on lead systems integrators, adds requirements for service life extension programs and life-cycle cost estimates for acquisitions, requires a strategy for Great Lakes icebreaking, and mandates reports on Polar Security Cutters and a floating drydock for the Coast Guard Yard.

Title I, Subtitle C, Organization and Authorities: Raises the minor construction project threshold from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000, requires tsunami preparedness plans for Coast Guard properties, makes information publicly available, delegates port safety authorities in the Saint Lawrence Seaway, and addresses Pribilof Island transition, naloxone availability, vessel traffic services, drug trafficking policy, surveillance systems, and training with Taiwan.

Title I, Subtitle D, Personnel: Establishes direct hire authority for certain personnel, exempts the Coast Guard from end strength limits for E-8 and E-9 until 2027, updates reserve selection board guidance, expands family leave, authorizes a maternity uniform allowance, allows acquisition of existing housing, creates a uniform funding system for morale programs, establishes a behavioral health technician pilot program, expands counseling access, mandates command sponsorship in Unalaska, provides travel allowances for Alaska, consolidates precommissioning initiatives, creates a tuition assistance pilot program, modifies career flexibility, and addresses recruitment incentives, training, vice admiral designations, and advisory positions.

Title I, Subtitle E, Coast Guard Academy: Modifies the Board of Visitors, requires a study on Academy oversight, mandates electronic locking mechanisms for cadet rooms, establishes a student advisory board and wellness support, requires reports on behavioral health facilities, mandates posting of information, installs wellness rooms, allows room reassignment, authorizes use of facilities by foundations, and allows concurrent jurisdiction with Connecticut.

Title I, Subtitle F, Reports: Requires a report on maritime domain awareness in the Coast Guard sector for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Title II, Shipping and Navigation: Addresses merchant mariner credentialing, vessel safety including grossly negligent operations and security risks, establishes a National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems and a pilot program for small uncrewed systems, and covers controlled substances, type approval certificates, anchorages, passenger vessel security, and cyber-incident training.

Title III, Oil pollution response: Addresses salvage and marine firefighting response capability, use of marine casualty investigations, timing of review, an online incident reporting system, and investment of Exxon Valdez oil spill court recovery.

Title IV, Sexual assault and sexual harassment response: Requires an independent review of Coast Guard reforms, a comprehensive policy on evidence retention for sexual misconduct, and consideration of transfer requests for cadets.

Title V, Comptroller General reports: Requires reports on Coast Guard research and development, vessel traffic service center employment, and quality and availability of certain items.

Title VI, Amendments: Makes amendments to various laws.

Title VII, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Addresses the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, South Pacific Tuna Treaty matters including definitions, prohibited acts, criminal offenses, civil penalties, licenses, and enforcement, and enhances the North Pacific Research Board.