Library / Laws / 113th / s / S. 2131 / Introduced in Senate
II
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2131
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 13, 2014Mr. Begich (for himself and Ms. Cantwell) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To amend the statutory authorities of the Coast Guard to strengthen Coast Guard prevention and
response capabilities in the Arctic, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title; table of contents
(a)
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Coast Guard Arctic Preparedness Act.
(b)
Table of contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Secretary defined.TITLE I—PreventionSec. 101. Clarification of Coast Guard ice operations mission.Sec. 102. Reactivation of Polar Sea.Sec. 103. Competitive bidding in heavy polar icebreaker design and construction.Sec. 104. Vessel requirements for notices of arrival and departure and automatic identification
system.Sec. 105. Improved safety information for vessels.Sec. 106. Recovery of travel and subsistence costs for prevention services.TITLE II—Preparedness and responseSec. 201. Commandant; appointment.Sec. 202. Active duty for emergency augmentation of regular forces.Sec. 203. Acquisition workforce expedited hiring authority.Sec. 204. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request.Sec. 205. Interagency Arctic fusion center.Sec. 206. Enhanced national response capability.Sec. 207. Forward operating facilities.Sec. 208. Prompt intergovernmental notice of marine casualties.Sec. 209. Prompt publication of oil spill information.Sec. 210. Coast Guard centers of expertise.Sec. 211. Research, development, testing, and evaluation.Sec. 212. Area contingency plans.Sec. 213. Coast Guard response plan requirements.Sec. 214. Protection and fair treatment of seafarers.TITLE III—MiscellaneousSec. 301. Waiver.Sec. 302. Transportation of oil from Arctic outer continental shelf lands.Sec. 303. Lease of tidelands and submerged lands under control of the Coast Guard.Sec. 304. Inflationary adjustment for regional citizens’ advisory council.Sec. 305. Coast Guard cutters classification by the American Bureau of Shipping.Sec. 306. Updates to fines and penalties.Sec. 307. Technical amendment; Coast Guard Academy charges and fees for attendance.
2.
Secretary defined
In this Act, except as otherwise specifically provided, the term Secretary means the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
I
Prevention
101.
Clarification of Coast Guard ice operations mission
(a)
Coast Guard provision of Federal icebreaking services
Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 86 the following:
87.
Provision of icebreaking services
(a)
In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as provided in subsection (b), the Coast Guard
shall be the sole supplier of icebreaking services, on an advance payment
or reimbursable basis, to each Federal agency that requires icebreaking
services.
(b)
Exception
In the event that a Federal agency requires icebreaking services and the Coast Guard is unable to
provide the services, the Federal agency may acquire icebreaking services
from another entity.
.
(b)
Priority of Coast Guard missions in polar regions
(1)
Section 110
Section 110(b)(2) of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4109(b)(2)) is amended—
(A) by inserting to execute the statutory missions of the Coast Guard and after needed; and
(B) by inserting and all budget authority related to such operations after projects,.
(2)
Section 312
Section 312(c) of the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 2441(c))
is amended by inserting to execute the statutory missions of the Coast Guard and after needed.
(c)
Conforming amendment
The table of contents for chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 86 the following:
87. Provision of icebreaking services.
.
102.
Reactivation of Polar Sea
(a)
In general
Section 222 of the Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (126 Stat. 1560), is amended—
(1) by amending subsection (d) to
read as follows:
(d)
Reactivation of Polar Sea
(1)
In general
The Secretary shall—
(A) develop a service life extension plan for the reactivation of the Polar Sea, including a timetable
for that reactivation; and
(B) initiate reactivating and extending the service
life of the Polar Sea for 7 to 10 years, in accordance with the service life
extension plan under subparagraph (A).
(2)
Utilization of existing resources
In the
development of the service life extension plan under paragraph (1)(A),
the Secretary shall utilize to the greatest extent practicable
recent plans, studies, assessments, and analyses regarding
the Coast Guard’s icebreakers and high latitude mission
needs and operating requirements.
(3)
Submission
The
Secretary shall submit the service life extension plan under paragraph
(1)(A) to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the
House of Representatives not later than
30 days after the date of its completion.
; and
(2) in subsection (e)—
(A) by striking Except as provided in subsection (d), the and inserting The; and
(B) in paragraph (1), by inserting unless it is necessary for purposes of the service life extension plan under subsection (d), before transfer.
(b)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2015 to the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast
Guard is operating such sums as may be necessary to reactivate and extend
the service
life of the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea (WAGB 11) for 7 to 10 years.
103.
Competitive bidding in heavy polar icebreaker design and construction
Notwithstanding the requirement of section 3316(a) of title 46, United States Code regarding
classification services for vessels owned by the United States Government,
the Commandant of the Coast Guard, consistent with the requirements of
chapter 15 of title 14, United States Code, and other applicable Federal
law, as a part of any project or program established for the acquisition
of 1 or more new heavy polar icebreakers for the Coast Guard, may solicit
bids and proposals and enter into contracts that include the provision of
classification services by any classification society to which the
Secretary has delegated the authority to provide those services for
vessels not owned by the United States Government.
104.
Vessel requirements for notices of arrival and departure and automatic identification system
(a)
In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish a
final rule implementing the proposed rule Vessel Requirements for Notices of Arrival and Departure, and Automatic Identification System (73 Fed. Reg. 76295).
(b)
Rule of construction
The Secretary shall ensure, with respect to a final rule issued under subsection (a), that any
notice of arrival or notice of departure requirement in the final rule
applies to vessels in a manner consistent with the regulations
promulgated under section 109(a) of the Security and Accountability for
Every Port Act of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 1223 note) and with section 704 of the
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (126 Stat. 1580).
105.
Improved safety information for vessels
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a
permitting process by which an operator of a marine exchange or other
non-Federal vessel traffic information
service may apply for permission to use the automatic identification
system to transmit weather, ice, and other important navigation safety
information to vessels.
106.
Recovery of travel and subsistence costs for prevention services
(a)
Title 46, United States Code
Section 2110 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (c), by inserting appropriate travel and subsistence costs incurred providing a service or thing of value under this
subtitle and after recover; and
(2) in subsection (d), by inserting at the end the following:
(3) Amounts received as reimbursement for appropriate travel and subsistence costs incurred providing a
service or thing of value under this section may be credited to the
account from which expended.
(4) Reimbursement for services provided under this section may include in kind reimbursement for
transportation, travel, and subsistence.
.
(b)
Title 14, United States Code
Section 664 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (c), by inserting appropriate travel and subsistence costs incurred by the Coast Guard in providing a service or
thing of value, after for the fee or charge the;
(2) in subsection (e), by inserting and, as appropriate, for travel and subsistence costs incurred when providing a service or thing of
value after charge; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
(h) Reimbursement for services provided by the Coast Guard may include in-kind reimbursement for
transportation, travel, and subsistence.
.
II
Preparedness and response
201.
Commandant; appointment
Section 44 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the first sentence the
following: The term of an appointment, and any reappointment, shall begin on June 1 of the current year and
end four years later on May 31, except that, in the event of death,
retirement, resignation, or reassignment, or when the needs of the Service
demand, the Secretary may alter the date on which the term begins or ends..
202.
Active duty for emergency augmentation of regular forces
Section 712(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by striking another and inserting any other;
(2) by striking prevention of and inserting prevention of— ;
(3) by inserting (1) before an imminent and indenting accordingly;
(4) in paragraph (1), as redesignated, by striking unit. and inserting unit; and; and
(5) by inserting at the end the following:
(2) a major disaster or emergency (as defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122)), or a discharge (as defined
in section 311(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1321(a))) that the Commandant has classified as a spill of
national significance under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances
Pollution Contingency Plan (part 300 of title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations), the
Secretary may, without the consent of the member affected,
order to active duty for a continuous period of not more than 120 days an
organized training unit of the Coast Guard Ready Reserve, a member
thereof, or a member not assigned to a unit organized to serve as a unit.
.
203.
Acquisition workforce expedited hiring authority
Section 404(b) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (124 Stat. 2951), as amended by section
218 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (126 Stat.
1558), is amended by striking 2015 and inserting 2017.
204.
Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request
(a)
In general
Title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 662 the following:
662a.
Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request
(a)
In general
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the President submits to Congress a budget request
for a fiscal year pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, the Secretary
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 Coast Guard authorization request with respect
to that fiscal year.
(b)
Coast Guard authorization request defined
In this section, the term Coast Guard authorization request means proposed legislation that, with respect to the Coast Guard for the relevant fiscal year,
includes—
(1) recommended end-of-year strengths for active duty personnel and military training student loads for
that fiscal year, as described in section 661;
(2) recommended authorizations of appropriations for that fiscal year, including with respect to
matters described in section 662; and
(3) any other matter the Secretary considers appropriate for inclusion in a Coast Guard authorization
bill.
.
(b)
Conforming amendment
The table of contents for chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 662 the following:
662a. Transmission of annual Coast Guard authorization request.
.
205.
Interagency Arctic fusion center
(a)
In general
Chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
154.
Interagency Arctic fusion center
(a)
Establishment
(1)
In general
The Secretary is authorized to establish an interagency Arctic fusion center (referred to in this
section as the Center). The Commandant shall operate the Center.
(2)
Purpose
The purpose of the Center shall be to improve maritime domain awareness in the Arctic—
(A) by promoting interagency cooperation and coordination;
(B) by employing joint, interagency, and international capabilities; and
(C) by facilitating the sharing of information, intelligence, and data related to the Arctic maritime
domain between the participating agencies and departments under paragraph
(3).
(3)
Participating agencies and departments
The Center shall coordinate the participation by and sharing of information, intelligence, and data
related to the Arctic maritime domain between the following:
(A) the Department of Homeland Security;
(B) the Department of Defense;
(C) the Department of Transportation;
(D) the Department of State;
(E) the Department of the Interior;
(F) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(G) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
(H) the Environmental Protection Agency; and
(I) the National Science Foundation.
(b)
Organization
(1)
Staffing and other resources
The Secretary and the head of an agency or department under subsection (a)(3) may—
(A) by agreement, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, provide permanent representation to the Center;
(B) by agreement, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, share personnel, services, equipment (including
aircraft and vessels), and facilities with the Center for the purpose
under subsection (a)(2); and
(C) to the extent possible, and consistent with applicable law, extend the authorities provided under
their enabling statutes to the other participating departments and
agencies in furtherance of the purpose under subsection (a)(2).
(2)
Budget
The Secretary and the head of each participating agency and department under subsection (a)(3), at
their discretion, may develop interagency plans and budgets and engage in
interagency financing to establish and maintain the Center.
(c)
Information sharing
(1)
In general
The Secretary and the head of each participating agency and department under subsection (a)(3), to
the maximum extent permissible under law, shall share through the Center
all applicable information, intelligence, and data related to maritime
domain awareness in the Arctic.
(2)
Collection and use
Subject to applicable confidentiality and privacy laws, the Secretary, through the Center, shall
oversee and coordinate the collection, storage, analysis, and use of all
applicable information, intelligence, and data shared under paragraph (1).
(d)
5-Year strategic plan
Not later than 180 days after the date that the Center is established under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall develop a 5-year strategic plan to guide interagency and
international intergovernmental cooperation and coordination for the
purpose of improving maritime domain awareness in the Arctic. The
Secretary shall update the plan at least once every 5 years thereafter.
(e)
Definitions
In this section—
(1)
Arctic
The term Arctic has the meaning given the term in section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15
U.S.C. 4111).
(2)
Maritime domain awareness
The term maritime domain awareness means the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could
impact the safety, security, economy, or environment of the United States.
.
(b)
Conforming amendment
The table of contents for chapter 7 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 153 the following:
154. Interagency Arctic fusion center.
.
206.
Enhanced national response capability
(a)
In general
Section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(23)—
(A) by striking Unit each place it appears and inserting Functions; and
(B) by striking established and inserting maintained;
(2) in subsection (j)(2), by striking National response unit through acting through the National Response Unit and inserting the following:
National response functions
The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating—
; and
(3) in subsection (j)(4)(C)(vi), by striking , and into operating procedures of the National Response Unit.
(b)
Conforming amendment
Section 4202(b) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 1321 note) is amended—
(1) by striking paragraph (2); and
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.
207.
Forward operating facilities
The Secretary is authorized to construct or lease hangar, berthing, and messing facilities in the
Arctic Region and
Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands operating area. The facilities shall—
(1) support aircraft maintenance, including exhaust ventilation, heat, engine wash
system, head
facilities, fuel, ground support services, and electrical power;
(2) provide shelter for both current helicopter assets and those projected to be located at Air Station
Kodiak, Alaska, for at least 20 years; and
(3) provide berthing and messing facilities for maintenance and aircrew personnel.
208.
Prompt intergovernmental notice of marine casualties
Section 6101 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting after subsection (b) the
following:
(c)
Notice to State and tribal governments
(1)
Requirement to notify
Not later than 1 hour after receiving a report of a marine casualty under this section, the
Secretary shall forward the report to the designated official of—
(A) each appropriate State agency of a State; and
(B) each tribal government of an Indian tribe (as defined in section 102 of the Federally Recognized
Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a)) that has jurisdiction
concurrent with the United States or is adjacent to waters in which the
marine casualty occurred.
(2)
Designated official
Each State and tribal government referred to in paragraph (1) shall identify for the Secretary the
designated official to receive a report under paragraph (1).
.
209.
Prompt publication of oil spill information
(a)
In general
In any response to an oil spill in which the Coast Guard serves as the Federal on-scene coordinator
leading a unified command, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall
publish, on a publicly accessible website, all written incident action
plans prepared and approved as a part of the response to the oil spill.
(b)
Timeliness and duration
The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall—
(1) publish each incident action plan under subsection (a) promptly after the incident action plan is
approved for implementation by the unified command, but not later than 12
hours after the beginning of the operational period for which the plan is
prepared; and
(2) ensure that each incident action plan under subsection (a) remains publicly accessible on the
website under subsection (a) for the duration of the response to the
applicable oil spill.
(c)
Redaction of personal information
The Commandant may redact information from an incident action plans published under subsection (a)
to the extent necessary to comply with applicable privacy laws and other
laws regarding the protection of personal information.
210.
Coast Guard centers of expertise
Section 58(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
(b)
Missions
A center shall—
(1) promote, facilitate, and conduct education, training, and research programs;
(2) develop and maintain a repository of information on operations, practices, and resources; and
(3) perform and support any mission of the Coast Guard that the Commandant may specify.
.
211.
Research, development, testing, and evaluation
Section 93 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking agencies and with private agencies; and inserting agencies, private agencies, and, through the Secretary with the concurrence of the Secretary of
State, with foreign government agencies; and; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
(f)
Equipment, technology, and techniques
For the purposes of subsection (a)(4), the Commandant is authorized to possess, use, and consume
any personal property or materials of another government agency or a
private agency, or a foreign government agency, subject to the conditions
regarding foreign government agencies imposed by that subsection, for the
purpose of conducting research, development, testing, evaluation, and
demonstration of equipment, technology, or a technique.
.
212.
Area contingency plans
Section 311(j)(4) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(4)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting , and of tribal governments of Indian tribes (as defined in section 102 of the Federally Recognized
Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 429a)) after and local agencies;
(2) in subparagraph (B)(ii)—
(A) by striking and local and inserting , local, and tribal; and
(B) by striking wildlife; and inserting wildlife, including advance planning with respect to the closing and reopening of fishing grounds
following a discharge;;
(3) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking and local and inserting , local, and tribal; and
(4) in subparagraph (C)—
(A) in clause (iv), by inserting and tribal governments of Indian tribes after local agencies,;
(B) by redesignating clauses (vii) and (viii) as clauses (viii) and (ix), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after clause (vi) the following:
(vii) develop a framework for advance planning and decisionmaking with respect to the closing and
reopening of fishing grounds following a discharge, including protocols
and standards for the closing and reopening of fishing areas;
.
213.
Coast Guard response plan requirements
(a)
Response plan updates
(1)
In general
The Secretary shall require that a response plan that is approved by the Coast Guard be updated at
least once every 5 years.
(2)
Best commercially available technology
Each update under paragraph (1) shall incorporate the best commercially available technology and
methods to contain and remove, to the maximum extent practicable, a worst
case discharge, including a discharge resulting from fire or explosion,
and to mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of such a discharge.
(3)
Technology standards
The Secretary may establish requirements and guidance for utilizing the best commercially available
technology and methods. The technology and methods shall be based on
measurable standards and capabilities, and planning criteria, whenever
practicable.
(b)
Vessel response plan contents
The Secretary shall require that each vessel response plan prepared for a mobile offshore drilling
unit include information from the facility response plan prepared for the
mobile offshore drilling unit regarding the planned response to a worst
case discharge, and to a threat of such a discharge.
(c)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Mobile offshore drilling unit
The term mobile offshore drilling unit has the meaning given the term in section 1001(18) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C.
2701(18)).
(2)
Response plan
The term response plan means a response plan prepared under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1321(j)).
(3)
Worst case discharge
The term worst case discharge has the meaning given the term under section 311(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1321(a)).
214.
Protection and fair treatment of seafarers
(a)
In general
Chapter 111 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
11113.
Protection and fair treatment of seafarers
(a)
Purpose
The purpose of this section shall be to ensure the protection and fair treatment of seafarers.
(b)
Special fund
(1)
Establishment
There is established in the Treasury a special fund known as the Support of Seafarers Fund.
(2)
Use of amounts in fund
The amounts deposited into the Fund shall be available to the Secretary, without fiscal year
limitation—
(A) to pay necessary support under subsection (c)(1); and
(B) to reimburse a shipowner for necessary support under subsection (c)(2).
(3)
Amounts credited to fund
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Fund may receive—
(A) any moneys ordered to be paid to the Fund in the form of community service under section 8B1.3 of
the United States Sentencing Guidelines Manual or to the extent permitted
under paragraph (4); and
(B) amounts reimbursed or recovered under subsection (e).
(4)
Prerequisite for community service credits
The Fund may receive credits under paragraph (3)(A) if the unobligated balance of the Fund is less
than $5,000,000.
(5)
Authorization of appropriation
There is authorized to be appropriated, from the Fund, for each fiscal year such sums as may be
necessary for the purposes set forth in paragraph (2).
(6)
Report required
(A)
In general
The Secretary shall submit to Congress, concurrent with the President's budget submission for a
given fiscal year, a report that describes—
(i) the amounts credited to the Fund under paragraph (3) for the preceding fiscal year;
(ii) in detail, the activities for which amounts were charged; and
(iii) the projected level of expenditures from the Fund for the upcoming fiscal year, based on—
(I) on-going activities; and
(II) new cases, derived from historic data.
(B)
Exception
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to obligations during the first fiscal year during which amounts
are credited to the Fund.
(7)
Fund manager
The Secretary shall designate a Fund manager who shall—
(A) ensure the visibility and accountability of transactions utilizing the Fund;
(B) prepare the report under paragraph (6);
(C) monitor the unobligated balance of the Fund; and
(D) provide notice to the Secretary and the Attorney General whenever the unobligated balance of the
Fund is less than $5,000,000.
(c)
Authority
The Secretary may—
(1) pay, from amounts appropriated from the Fund, necessary support of—
(A) a seafarer that—
(i) enters, remains, or is paroled into the United States; and
(ii) is involved in an investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter that is
related to the administration or enforcement of any treaty, law, or
regulation by the Coast Guard; and
(B) a seafarer that the Secretary determines was abandoned in the United States; and
(2) reimburse, from amounts appropriated from the Fund, a shipowner that has provided necessary support
of a seafarer who has been paroled into the United States to facilitate an
investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter
that is related to the administration or enforcement of any treaty, law,
or regulation by the Coast Guard, for the costs of necessary support if
the Secretary determines that reimbursement is necessary to avoid serious
injustice.
(d)
Limitation
Nothing in this section shall be construed—
(1) to create a right, benefit, or entitlement to necessary support; or
(2) to compel the Secretary to pay or reimburse the cost of necessary support.
(e)
Reimbursement; recovery
(1)
In general
A shipowner shall reimburse the Fund an amount equal to the total amount paid from the Fund for
necessary support of a seafarer plus a surcharge of 25 percent of the
total amount if—
(A) the shipowner—
(i) during the course of an investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter that
the Coast Guard referred to a United States Attorney or the Attorney
General, fails to provide necessary support of a seafarer who was paroled
into the United States to facilitate the investigation, reporting,
documentation, or adjudication; and
(ii) subsequently receives a criminal penalty; or
(B) the shipowner, under any circumstance, abandons a seafarer in the United States, as determined by
the Secretary.
(2)
Enforcement
If a shipowner fails to reimburse the Fund under paragraph (1), the Secretary may—
(A) proceed in rem against any vessel of the shipowner in the Federal district court for the district
in which the vessel is found; and
(B) withhold or revoke the clearance required under section 60105 of any vessel of the shipowner
wherever the vessel is found.
(3)
Remedy
A vessel may obtain clearance from the Secretary after it is withheld or revoked under paragraph
(2)(B) if the shipowner reimburses the Fund the amount required under
paragraph (1).
(f)
Bond and surety
(1)
Authority
The Secretary may require a bond or a surety satisfactory as an alternative to withholding or
revoking clearance under subsection (e) if, in the opinion of the
Secretary, the bond or surety satisfactory is necessary to facilitate an
investigation, reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter
that is related to the administration or enforcement of any treaty, law,
or regulation by the Coast Guard.
(2)
Surety corporations
A surety corporation may provide a bond or surety satisfactory under paragraph (1) if the surety
corporation is authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury under section
9305 of title 31 to provide surety bonds under section 9304 of title 31.
(3)
Application
The authority to require a bond or surety satisfactory or to request the withholding or revocation
of the clearance under subsection (e) applies to any investigation,
reporting, documentation, or adjudication of any matter that is related to
the administration or enforcement of any treaty, law, or regulation by the
Coast Guard.
(g)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Abandons; abandoned
The term abandons or abandoned means—
(A) a shipowner's unilateral severance of ties with a seafarer; or
(B) a shipowner's failure to provide necessary support of a seafarer.
(2)
Fund
The term Fund means the Support of Seafarers Fund established under this section.
(3)
Necessary support
The term necessary support means normal wages, lodging, subsistence, clothing, medical care (including hospitalization),
repatriation, and any other expense the Secretary considers appropriate.
(4)
Seafarer
The term seafarer means an alien crewman who is employed or engaged in any capacity on board a vessel subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States. A seafarer is a claimant for the
purposes of section 30509 of this title.
(5)
Shipowner
The term shipowner means an individual or entity that owns, has an ownership interest in, or operates a vessel
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(6)
Vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
The term vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States has the meaning given the term in section 70502(c), except that it excludes—
(A) a vessel—
(i) that is owned by the United States, a State or political subdivision thereof, or a foreign nation;
and
(ii) that is not engaged in commerce; and
(B) a bareboat—
(i) that is chartered and operated by the United States, a State or political subdivision thereof, or a
foreign nation; and
(ii) that is not engaged in commerce.
(h)
Regulations
The Secretary may prescribe regulations to implement this section.
.
(b)
Conforming amendment
The table of contents for chapter 111 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 11112 the following:
11113. Protection and fair treatment of seafarers.
.
(c)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Support of Seafarers Fund $1,500,000 for each of
fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
III
Miscellaneous
301.
Waiver
Notwithstanding sections 12112 and 12132 and chapter 551 of title 46, United States Code, the
Secretary may issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise
endorsement for the F/V WESTERN CHALLENGER (IMO number 5388108).
302.
Transportation of oil from Arctic outer continental shelf lands
Section 5 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1334) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
(k)
Oil transportation in Arctic waters
The Secretary shall—
(1) require that oil produced from Federal leases in Arctic waters in the Chukchi Sea planning area,
Beaufort Sea planning area, or Hope Basin planning area be transported by
pipeline to onshore facilities; and
(2) provide for, and issue appropriate permits for, the transportation of oil from Federal leases in
Arctic waters in preproduction phases (including exploration) by means
other than pipeline.
.
303.
Lease of tidelands and submerged lands under control of the Coast Guard
Section 93 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by section 211 of this Act, is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
(g)
Lease of tidelands and submerged lands
(1)
Exception from maximum lease term
Notwithstanding subsection (a)(13), a lease described in paragraph (2) may be for such term in
excess of 5 years as the Commandant considers appropriate.
(2)
Lease described
A lease referred to in paragraph (1) is a lease of the following:
(A) Tidelands under the control of the Coast Guard.
(B) Submerged lands under the control of the Coast Guard.
.
304.
Inflationary adjustment for regional citizens’ advisory council
Section 5002(k)(3) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2732(k)(3)) is amended by striking more than $1,000,000 and inserting less than $1,400,000.
305.
Coast Guard cutters classification by the American Bureau of Shipping
Section 573(c)(3) of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by striking (A) In general.—; and
(2) by striking before final acceptance after Shipping.
306.
Updates to fines and penalties
(a)
Aids to navigation and false distress messages
Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in section 83, by striking $100 and inserting $1,500;
(2) in section 84, by striking $500 and inserting $5,000;
(3) in section 85, by striking $100 and inserting $1,500; and
(4) in section 88(c)(2), by striking $5,000 and inserting $10,000.
(b)
Coast Guard ensigns and pennants
Section 638(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking $5,000 and inserting $50,000.
(c)
Unauthorized use of words Coast Guard
Section 639 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking $1,000 and inserting $10,000.
307.
Technical amendment; Coast Guard Academy charges and fees for attendance
Section 197(b) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking of Homeland Security.