Technical corrections only. The diff reflects the bill's progression from being introduced to passing the Senate, with no substantive changes to the legislative text. The content, section numbering, and language remain identical between v1 and v2.
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
- Committees
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 10, 2025
Bottom line
S. 524 is a comprehensive reauthorization and policy reform bill for the Coast Guard and related maritime agencies, aiming to modernize operations, improve personnel welfare, and update regulatory frameworks.
What it actually does
This bill authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, setting funding levels for operations, acquisition, and personnel. Beyond funding, it enacts significant policy changes across Coast Guard operations, personnel, and infrastructure, including new mandates for Great Lakes icebreaking, enhanced property management, and expanded behavioral health services. It also includes substantial reforms to merchant mariner credentialing, vessel safety, and the Coast Guard's response to sexual assault and harassment. Additionally, the bill addresses matters related to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including its commissioned officer corps and vessel fleet, and makes amendments to the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue the bill is essential for ensuring the Coast Guard has the resources and authorities needed to fulfill its diverse missions, from national security and maritime safety to environmental protection and law enforcement. They highlight the importance of modernizing the fleet, improving support for service members, and addressing critical issues like sexual misconduct and Great Lakes icebreaking. The reforms to NOAA and the South Pacific Tuna Act are also seen as vital for effective ocean governance and resource management.
Opponents contend
Critics might contend that while the bill addresses important issues, some provisions could lead to excessive spending, create new bureaucratic hurdles, or overreach federal authority. Concerns might be raised about the specific funding levels, the pace of certain reforms, or the potential for unintended consequences from new regulations, particularly for the maritime industry.
This is a lengthy and highly detailed omnibus bill covering numerous complex topics. A thorough understanding would require significant time, likely more than typically afforded for public review of such comprehensive legislation.
Title I, Subtitle A, Sec. 101
Coast Guard Appropriations for FY2025-2026
This section authorizes $11.287 billion for fiscal year 2025 and $11.851 billion for fiscal year 2026 for Coast Guard operations and maintenance. It also specifies authorized amounts for acquisition, construction, and improvements, environmental compliance, research, development, test, and evaluation, and retired pay for both fiscal years.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue these authorizations are essential for maintaining Coast Guard readiness and capabilities, allowing the service to fulfill its diverse missions effectively.
Critics contend
Critics might raise concerns about the overall spending levels or specific allocations, advocating for greater fiscal restraint or different investment priorities.
Tradeoffs
Balancing the critical national security and safety needs served by the Coast Guard with broader fiscal responsibility and budgetary constraints.
Title I, Subtitle B, Sec. 114
Great Lakes Icebreaker Strategy and Pilot Program
This provision requires the Commandant to submit a strategy for designing and constructing a new Great Lakes icebreaker at least as capable as the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw. It also establishes a 5-year pilot program to determine if the Great Lakes icebreaking fleet can maintain tier one and tier two waterways open 95% of the time during an ice season, with annual reporting on the program's results.
Title I, Subtitle C, Sec. 143
Enhanced Use Property Pilot Program Extension and Expansion
This section extends the Coast Guard's authority to enter into enhanced use leases for real property from 5 years to 30 years. It also clarifies that amounts received from these agreements can be retained by the Coast Guard and are available until expended, without further appropriation, for activities described in the program. The authority is set to expire on December 31, 2030.
Title I, Subtitle D, Sec. 154
Expanded Family Leave for Coast Guard Members
This section amends existing law to align Coast Guard family leave policies with Department of Defense standards. It expands eligibility for parental leave to include the placement of a minor child for long-term foster care or adoption, not just birth or adoption. It also allows the Secretary to authorize leave to be taken after the standard one-year period if operational requirements, professional military education, or other reasonable circumstances prevent timely use.
Title I, Subtitle E, Sec. 171
Restructuring of Coast Guard Academy Board of Visitors
This section reconstitutes the Coast Guard Academy's Board of Visitors, specifying its membership to include congressional leaders and Presidential appointees. It outlines the Board's duties, which include reviewing the Academy's morale, discipline (especially regarding sexual assault and harassment), recruitment, curriculum, physical equipment, and fiscal affairs. The section also details administrative matters like meetings, staff support, and reporting requirements to Congress.
Title II, Subtitle A, Sec. 201
Reforms to Merchant Mariner Credentialing and Training Requirements
This section significantly revises requirements for merchant mariner credentials. It reduces sea service requirements for Able Seafarer ratings (e.g., Able Seaman-Unlimited from 3 years to 18 months) and updates rules for substituting approved training programs for sea service. It also clarifies citizenship and noncitizen nationality requirements for credentials and vessel manning, and streamlines the electronic credentialing system.
Title II, Subtitle B, Sec. 214
Performance-Driven Examination Schedule for Foreign Vessels
This section authorizes the Secretary to adopt a performance-driven examination schedule for foreign vessels, allowing for less frequent inspections based on a vessel's safety performance history. Eligibility for this schedule requires a vessel to have no detentions, proved violations, or marine casualties related to safe operation within the last 36 months. The schedule can only be adopted after an assessment confirms it provides at least the same level of safety as annual examinations.
Title II, Subtitle D, Sec. 250
National Inventory and Prohibition on Abandoned Vessels
This section prohibits the abandonment of non-barge vessels on navigable waters of the United States, establishing a civil penalty of up to $500 for violations. It requires the Commandant to create and maintain a national inventory of abandoned vessels, including GIS data, and develop a process for public reporting. The Coast Guard is not responsible for removing these vessels, except in oil spill response actions or imminent threats to life and safety.
Title III, Sec. 301
Enhanced Salvage and Marine Firefighting Response Capabilities
This section amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the President (acting through the Coast Guard) to require periodic inspection of vessels and associated salvage and firefighting equipment. It also allows for verification of response capabilities through drills, contract reviews, equipment testing, and training reviews, and mandates carrying appropriate response equipment using the best economically feasible technology.
Title IV, Sec. 402
Comprehensive Policy for Sexual Misconduct Evidence and Records Retention
This section mandates the Secretary to issue a comprehensive Coast Guard policy on the retention of and access to evidence and records related to 'covered misconduct' (including sexual assault and harassment). It sets specific retention periods, such as not less than 50 years for physical and forensic evidence of rape or sexual assault, and outlines procedures for victim access to records, ensuring privacy protections.
Title IV, Sec. 405
Establishment of Safe-to-Report Policy for Sexual Assault
This section requires the Commandant to establish a 'safe-to-report' policy for the Coast Guard within 90 days. This policy protects alleged victims or reporting witnesses of sexual assault from prosecution for minor collateral misconduct (e.g., underage drinking) that is discovered as a direct result of their sexual assault report, regardless of who receives the report or whether it's handled by military or civilian authorities.
Title IV, Sec. 426
Misconduct Information in Personnel Records and Command Review
This section requires that if a Coast Guard member is convicted by court-martial, receives nonjudicial punishment, or punitive administrative action for 'covered misconduct,' a notation to that effect must be placed in their personnel service record. It also mandates that commanding officers review the misconduct history of assigned or transferred members to inform leadership decisions and prevent repeat offenses. Procedures for suitability for civilian employment in the Coast Guard are also to be established.
Title V, Sec. 501
GAO Report on Coast Guard R&D and Innovation Program
This section mandates the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report within 18 months on the state of the Coast Guard's research, development, and innovation program over the preceding 5 years. The report must evaluate project selection, funding, impact measurement, partnerships (including with DoD), and the process for transitioning technologies from research to production.
Title VII, Subtitle A, Sec. 701
Renaming and Qualification Changes for NOAA Corps Head; Flag Officer Promotions
This section renames the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations to 'Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation Operations.' It also modifies the qualification requirements for this position and mandates that appointments and promotions to the grade of Rear Admiral (upper half) or above in the NOAA Corps require the advice and consent of the Senate.
Title VII, Subtitle B, Sec. 723
Expanded Prohibited Acts under South Pacific Tuna Act
This section amends the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 to expand the list of prohibited acts for fishing vessels. New prohibitions include violating any regional terms and conditions or exceeding limits on authorized fishing effort or catch. It also removes certain exceptions and clarifies existing prohibitions related to fishing in closed areas.
Exempts 'service life extension programs' (SLEPs) from Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition project requirements, defining SLEP as a capital investment solely intended to extend the service life and address obsolescence of components or systems of a particular capability or asset.
Title I, Subtitle B, Sec. 112
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for streamlining technical processes. Exempting SLEPs from full acquisition oversight can expedite maintenance and upgrades for an aging fleet, which is generally seen as an efficiency measure.
Case for: Supporters argue this streamlines the process for maintaining existing assets, allowing the Coast Guard to extend the life of its fleet more efficiently without triggering lengthy and costly major acquisition procedures. This is crucial for an aging fleet facing modernization challenges.
Case against: Critics might contend that exempting SLEPs from rigorous oversight could lead to less scrutiny of significant investments, potentially allowing for cost overruns or less effective solutions if not properly managed, especially given the substantial investments often involved in SLEPs.
Estimated impact: Potentially billions of dollars over time, affecting the longevity and capability of the entire Coast Guard fleet by enabling faster and more flexible maintenance and upgrade cycles.
Amends the Coast Guard's career flexibility program to reduce the notification period for return to active duty from 2 months to 30 days. More significantly, it expands the list of benefits retained by members on temporary separation to include entitlement to all death benefits, travel and transportation allowances for survivors to attend ceremonies, eligibility for general veterans' benefits, and, for victims of alleged sex-related offenses, maintaining access to Coast Guard behavioral health, sexual assault prevention and response, and legal resources (including special victims' counsel).
Title I, Subtitle D, Sec. 164
Why it matters:The changes to the notification period are technical adjustments to program administration. The expansion of retained benefits for victims is a significant policy enhancement that, while important, is placed within a technical amendment to an existing program, which is a common legislative practice for integrating new policy into established frameworks.
Case for: Proponents argue that expanding retained benefits, especially for victims of sex-related offenses, provides crucial support and reduces disincentives for reporting, improving overall welfare and trust within the service. The reduced notification period offers greater flexibility for the Coast Guard to manage its workforce needs.
Case against: Some might argue that a 30-day notification period for returning to active duty from temporary separation could create undue hardship for members who have planned their civilian lives around a longer notice period. While the victim support elements are broadly supported, the administrative implications of these expansions could be a concern.
Estimated impact: Improved support for service members, particularly victims of sex-related offenses, potentially increasing retention and well-being. There will be minor administrative impacts for the Coast Guard and potential increases in claims for veterans' benefits.
Amends 46 U.S.C. 7702(d)(1) to allow the Secretary to deny, suspend, or revoke a merchant mariner credential if there is 'probable cause to believe that the individual has violated company policy and is a security risk that poses a threat to other individuals on the vessel.'
Title II, Subtitle B, Sec. 212
Why it matters:This is a technical expansion of administrative authority, often placed within existing statutory frameworks governing credentialing. It integrates a new criterion for security risk assessment into an established legal process.
Case for: Supporters argue this provides a necessary tool to address immediate security risks on vessels, allowing the Coast Guard to act quickly based on company policy violations that pose a threat, even before a criminal conviction. This enhances safety and security for all onboard.
Case against: Critics might raise concerns about due process, arguing that 'violated company policy' is a broad standard and that action based on 'probable cause' rather than a higher standard of proof could lead to unfair or premature credential revocations, impacting a mariner's livelihood.
Estimated impact: Potentially faster removal of individuals deemed security risks from vessels, with implications for mariner employment and due process. It could lead to increased administrative actions against credentials.