United States Coast Guard Corrosion Control Assistance Team Pilot Program Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
- Committees
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 14, 2026
Bottom line
This bill establishes a pilot program to enhance the Coast Guard's ability to prevent and control corrosion on its maritime assets, aiming to improve readiness and extend service life through specialized teams and interagency collaboration.
What it actually does
This bill directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to establish a 3-year pilot program, with a possible 2-year extension, known as the 'United States Coast Guard Corrosion Control Assistance Team Pilot Program.' The program will provide on-site technical advisory services, direct assistance, and training in corrosion prevention and control to Coast Guard field units. It also mandates coordination with the Department of Defense's Office of Corrosion Policy and Oversight and the Navy's Corrosion Control Assistance Team program to leverage existing expertise and best practices.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that establishing dedicated corrosion control assistance teams will significantly improve the operational readiness and extend the service life of critical Coast Guard maritime assets, leading to long-term cost savings by reducing maintenance and replacement expenses. They emphasize leveraging existing Department of Defense expertise to efficiently implement a tailored program for the Coast Guard's unique operational environment, thereby enhancing national security capabilities.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that establishing a new pilot program and dedicated teams could create additional bureaucracy and potentially duplicate efforts if existing Coast Guard maintenance protocols or Department of Defense resources could be more effectively utilized or expanded without a new, distinct program. Concerns could also be raised about the initial costs of establishing and staffing these teams without a clear, immediate return on investment.
The bill is concise and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick review by interested parties.
Section 2, subsections (a), (b), and (c)
Establishment of the USCG Corrosion Control Assistance Team Pilot Program
This section mandates the Commandant of the Coast Guard to establish a pilot program within 180 days to provide corrosion prevention and control assistance to field units. The program will offer on-site technical services, maintain a repository of best practices, assess corrosion conditions, support training, coordinate with other federal agencies, and collect data to evaluate its effectiveness. The objectives include demonstrating feasibility, applying lessons from the Navy, quantifying impact on readiness, and developing recommendations for future initiatives.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision is crucial for addressing the pervasive issue of corrosion in maritime environments, which significantly degrades Coast Guard assets. By establishing a dedicated program, the Coast Guard can proactively combat corrosion, ensuring its fleet remains operational and extending the lifespan of expensive equipment, ultimately saving taxpayer money and enhancing national security capabilities.
Critics contend
Some might argue that while corrosion control is important, creating a new, dedicated pilot program might be an overly bureaucratic approach. They might contend that existing maintenance budgets and personnel could be better utilized or that the Coast Guard should integrate these functions within existing structures rather than establishing a separate team, potentially leading to redundancy or inefficient resource allocation.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies between the immediate administrative and financial costs of establishing a new program versus the long-term benefits of improved asset readiness and reduced maintenance costs. There's also a balance between leveraging external expertise (DoD) and building internal, Coast Guard-specific capabilities.
Section 4
Organization and Staffing of Corrosion Control Assistance Teams
This section requires the Commandant to establish at least two Corrosion Control Assistance Teams, composed of qualified specialists in areas like marine coatings, cathodic protection systems, C5I systems corrosion control, and preventive maintenance. Team members must possess relevant technical certifications (e.g., AMPP credentials), and firms performing work should be AMPP QP 5 Accredited. The Commandant is also authorized to coordinate with the Department of Defense for personnel detailing and technical support, and to contract with private sector entities.
Sections 5 and 6
Program Reporting Requirements and Duration
This section mandates interim and final reports to Congress on the pilot program's activities, impact on readiness and costs, challenges, and lessons learned. The final report must include a comprehensive assessment of effectiveness, quantified metrics, and recommendations for a permanent program, including its proposed structure, staffing, and funding. The pilot program is set to terminate 3 years after commencing operations, with a possible extension of up to 2 additional years if the Commandant determines it has demonstrated sufficient effectiveness and requires more data.