USC Subchapter III

USC Subchapter III
in effect

14 U.S.C. § 331 Centers of expertise for Coast Guard prevention and response

(a) Establishment.—The Commandant may establish and operate one or more centers of expertise for prevention and response missions of the Coast Guard (in this section referred to as a “center”). (b) Missions.—Any center established under subsection (a) shall—(1) promote, facilitate, and conduct—(A) education; (B) training; and (C) activities authorized under section 504(a)(4); (2) be a repository of information on operations, practices, and resources related to the mission for which the center was established; and (3) perform and support the mission for which the center was established. (c) Joint Operation With Educational Institution Authorized.—The Commandant may enter into an agreement with an appropriate official of an institution of higher education to—(1) provide for joint operation of a center; and (2) provide necessary administrative services for a center, including administration and allocation of funds. (d) Acceptance of Donations.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Commandant may accept, on behalf of a center, donations to be used to defray the costs of the center or to enhance the operation of the center. Those donations may be accepted from any State or local government, any foreign government, any foundation or other charitable organization (including any that is organized or operates under the laws of a foreign country), or any individual. (2) The Commandant may not accept a donation under paragraph (1) if the acceptance of the donation would compromise or appear to compromise—(A) the ability of the Coast Guard or the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, any employee of the Coast Guard or the department, or any member of the Armed Forces to carry out any responsibility or duty in a fair and objective manner; or (B) the integrity of any program of the Coast Guard, the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, or of any individual involved in such a program. (3) The Commandant shall prescribe written guidance setting forth the criteria to be used in determining whether or not the acceptance of a donation from a foreign source would have a result described in paragraph (2).

14 U.S.C. § 332 Marine industry training program

The Commandant shall, by policy, establish a program under which an officer, member, or employee of the Coast Guard may be assigned to a private entity to further the institutional interests of the Coast Guard with regard to marine safety, including for the purpose of providing training to an officer, member, or employee. Policies to carry out the program— (1) with regard to an employee of the Coast Guard, shall include provisions, consistent with sections 3702 through 3704 of title 5, as to matters concerning—(A) the duration and termination of assignments; (B) reimbursements; and (C) status, entitlements, benefits, and obligations of program participants; and (2) shall require the Commandant, before approving the assignment of an officer, member, or employee of the Coast Guard to a private entity, to determine that the assignment is an effective use of the Coast Guard’s funds, taking into account the best interests of the Coast Guard and the costs and benefits of alternative methods of achieving the same results and objectives.

14 U.S.C. § 333 Training courses on workings of Congress

(a) In General.—(1) Training course.—(A) In general.—The Commandant, and such other individuals and organizations as the Commandant considers appropriate, shall develop a training course on the workings of Congress. (B) Timing.—(i) In general.—The training course developed in subparagraph (A) shall be offered at least once each year. (ii) Additional training.—The training developed under subparagraph (A) may be provided more than once a year to facilitate timely receipt by covered recipients. (2) Annual basis.—(A) In general.—At least once each year, any covered recipients shall receive the training developed under paragraph (1). (B) Covered recipients.—In this paragraph, the term “covered recipients” means—(i) flag officers serving in the Coast Guard; (ii) members of the senior executive service (career reserved) serving in positions in the Coast Guard; and (iii) political appointees—(I) serving in positions in the Coast Guard; or (II) at the Department of Homeland Security with Coast Guard in their portfolio, including any Senior Advisor to the Secretary for the Coast Guard. (3) Course subject matter.—The training course required by this subsection shall provide an overview and introduction to Congress and the Federal legislative process, including—(A) the history and structure of Congress and the committee systems of the House of Representatives and the Senate, including the functions and responsibilities of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the documents produced by Congress, including bills, resolutions, committee reports, and conference reports, and the purposes and functions of such documents; (C) the legislative processes and rules of the House of Representatives and the Senate, including similarities and differences between the 2 processes and 2 sets of rules, including—(i) the congressional budget process; (ii) the congressional authorization and appropriation processes; (iii) the Senate advice and consent process for Presidential nominees; and (iv) the Senate advice and consent process for treaty ratification; (v) all relevant notification and reporting requirements in statute, policy, or any other agreement to Congress; (D) the roles of Members of Congress and congressional staff in the legislative process; and (E) the concept and underlying purposes of congressional oversight within the governance framework of separation of powers; (F) the roles of independent oversight entities, including the Offices of the Inspector Generals, the Government Accountability Office, and other independent entities, with respect 11 So in original. Probably should be followed by “to”. oversight of the Coast Guard; (G) the legal and ethical requirements of complying with oversight conducted by such independent oversight entities, including compliance with congressionally mandated oversight; (H) an overview of section 552a of title 5 (popularly known at the Privacy Act of 1974) with respect to working with Congress and independent oversight; (I) an overview of the right of all Coast Guard members and staff to engage with Congress as a constitutionally protected right; and (J) with respect to Coast Guard covered recipients, an overview of any law administered by the Coast Guard and any policy implemented by the Coast Guard the understanding of which is necessary to improve—(i) compliance with such law and policy; (ii) ethics; (iii) professionalism; and (iv) timeliness of response to Congressional oversight requests, including requests from independent oversight entities. (b) Training for Congressional Affairs Personnel.—(1) In general.—The Commandant shall develop a training course on the workings of Congress, which shall be administered in person for to 22 So in original. any required participant. (2) Required participant.—In this subsection, the term “required participant” means—(A) any member of the Coast Guard Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs selected for a position as—(i) a fellow; (ii) a liaison; (iii) a counsel; or (iv) administrative staff; (B) a Coast Guard district or area governmental affairs officer; (C) an individual who reviews, makes edits, or transmits formal or informal correspondence with respect to the Coast Guard to Congress, including relevant program level personnel; (D) an individual who serves in—(i) the Office of Coordination, Programs, and Accountability or successor office; or (ii) the Force Design 2028 office; and (iii) Coast Guard Office of General Law personnel, including such personnel detailed to the Coast Guard. (3) Course subject matter.—(A) In general.—The training course required under this subsection shall provide an overview and introduction to Congress and the Federal legislative process, including—(i) the items described in subparagraphs (C) through (K) of subsection (a)(2); 33 So in original. Probably should be “subparagraphs (C) through (J) of subsection (a)(3);”. (ii) the roles of Coast Guard fellows, liaisons, counsels, governmental affairs officers, the Coast Guard Office of Program Review, the Coast Guard Headquarters program offices, and any other entity the Commandant considers relevant; (iii) the roles and responsibilities of Coast Guard public affairs and external communications personnel with respect to Members of Congress and the staff of such Members necessary to enhance communication between Coast Guard units, sectors, and districts and Member offices and committees of jurisdiction so as to ensure visibility of Coast Guard activities; and (iv) with respect to Coast Guard required participants, an overview of any law administered by the Coast Guard and any policy implemented by the Coast Guard the understanding of which is necessary to improve—(I) compliance with such law and policy; (II) ethics; (III) professionalism; and (IV) timeliness of response to Congressional oversight requests, including requests from independent oversight entities. (4) Detail within coast guard office of budget and programs.—(A) In general.—At the written request of a receiving congressional office, the training course required under this section shall include a multi-day detail within the Coast Guard Office of Coordination, Programs,44 So in original. Probably should be followed by “and”. Accountability to ensure adequate exposure to Coast Guard policy, oversight, and requests from Congress. (B) Nonconsecutive detail permitted.—A detail under this paragraph is not required to be consecutive with the balance of the training. (5) Completion of required training.—A member of the Coast Guard selected for a position described in subsection (a) shall complete the training required by this section before the date on which such member reports for duty for such position. (c) Lecturers and Panelists.—(1) Outside experts.—The Commandant shall ensure that not less than 60 percent of the lecturers, panelists, and other individuals providing education and instruction as part of the training courses required under this section are experts on Congress and the Federal legislative process who are not employed by the executive branch of the Federal Government. (2) Authority to accept pro bono services.—In satisfying the requirement under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall seek, and may accept, educational and instructional services of lecturers, panelists, and other individuals and organizations provided to the Coast Guard on a pro bono basis.

14 U.S.C. § 334 National Coast Guard Museum

(a) Establishment.—The Commandant may establish, accept, operate, maintain and support the Museum, on lands which will be federally owned and administered by the Coast Guard, and are located in New London, Connecticut. (b) Use of Funds.—The Secretary may expend funds appropriated to the Coast Guard on—(1) the design of a Museum; (2) engineering, construction, construction administration, and quality assurance services for a Museum, including construction, construction administration, and quality assurance services carried out by the Association; and (3) providing Federal financial assistance to the Association for the activities under subsection (d). (c) Funding Plan.—Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020 and at least 90 days before the date on which the Commandant accepts the Museum under subsection (f), the Commandant 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 plan for constructing, operating, and maintaining such Museum, including—(1) estimated planning, engineering, design, construction, operation, and maintenance costs; (2) the extent to which appropriated, nonappropriated, and non-Federal funds will be used for such purposes, including the extent to which there is any shortfall in funding for engineering, design, or construction; (3) an explanation of any environmental remediation issues related to the land associated with the Museum; and (4) a certification by a third party entity qualified to undertake such a certification process that the estimates provided pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) are reasonable and realistic. (d) Construction.—(1) The Association may construct the Museum described in subsection (a). (2) The Museum shall be designed and constructed in compliance with the International Building Code 2018, and construction performed on Federal land under this section shall be exempt from State and local requirements for building or demolition permits. (e) Agreements.—Under such terms and conditions as the Commandant considers appropriate, notwithstanding section 504, and until the Commandant accepts the Museum under subsection (f), the Commandant may—(1) license Federal land to the Association for the purpose of constructing the Museum described in subsection (a); and (2)(A) at a nominal charge, lease the Museum from the Association for activities and operations related to the Museum; and (B) authorize the Association to generate revenue from the use of the Museum. (f) Acceptance.—Not earlier than 90 days after the Commandant submits the plan under subsection (c), the Commandant shall accept the Museum from the Association and all right, title, and interest in and to the Museum shall vest in the United States when—(1) the Association demonstrates, in a manner acceptable to the Commandant, that the Museum meets the design and construction requirements of subsection (d); and (2) all financial obligations of the Association incident to the National Coast Guard Museum have been satisfied. (g) Services.—With respect to the services related to the activities for which the Secretary can expend funds under subsection (b), or for maintenance or operation of the Museum, the Secretary may, with respect to any entity—(1) solicit and accept such services; and (2) enter into contracts or memoranda of agreement to acquire such services. (h) Authority.—The Commandant may not establish a Museum except as set forth in this section. (i) Definitions.—In this section:(1) Museum.—The term “Museum” means the National Coast Guard Museum. (2) Association.—The term “Association” means the National Coast Guard Museum Association.

14 U.S.C. § 335 Environmental Compliance and Restoration Program

(a) Definitions.—For the purposes of this section—(1) “environment”, “facility”, “person”, “release”, “removal”, “remedial”, and “response” have the same meaning they have in section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601); (2) “hazardous substance” has the same meaning it has in section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601), except that it also includes the meaning given “oil” in section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321); and (3) “pollutant” has the same meaning it has in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362). (b) Program.—(1) The Secretary shall carry out a program of environmental compliance and restoration at current and former Coast Guard facilities. (2) Program goals include:(A) Identifying, investigating, and cleaning up contamination from hazardous substances and pollutants. (B) Correcting other environmental damage that poses an imminent and substantial danger to the public health or welfare or to the environment. (C) Demolishing and removing unsafe buildings and structures, including buildings and structures at former Coast Guard facilities. (D) Preventing contamination from hazardous substances and pollutants at current Coast Guard facilities. (3)(A) The Secretary shall respond to releases of hazardous substances and pollutants—(i) at each Coast Guard facility the United States owns, leases, or otherwise possesses; (ii) at each Coast Guard facility the United States owned, leased, or otherwise possessed when the actions leading to contamination from hazardous substances or pollutants occurred; and (iii) on each vessel the Coast Guard owns or operates. (B) Subparagraph (A) of this paragraph does not apply to a removal or remedial action when a potentially responsible person responds under section 122 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9622). (C) The Secretary shall pay a fee or charge imposed by a State authority for permit services for disposing of hazardous substances or pollutants from Coast Guard facilities to the same extent that nongovernmental entities are required to pay for permit services. This subparagraph does not apply to a payment that is the responsibility of a lessee, contractor, or other private person. (4) The Secretary may agree with another Federal agency for that agency to assist in carrying out the Secretary’s responsibilities under this section. The Secretary may enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and grant agreements with State and local governments to assist in carrying out the Secretary’s responsibilities under this section. Services that may be obtained under this paragraph include identifying, investigating, and cleaning up off-site contamination that may have resulted from the release of a hazardous substance or pollutant at a Coast Guard facility. (5) Section 119 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9619) applies to response action contractors that carry out response actions under this section. The Coast Guard shall indemnify response action contractors to the extent that adequate insurance is not generally available at a fair price at the time the contractor enters into the contract to cover the contractor’s reasonable, potential, long-term liability. (c) Amounts Recovered for Response Actions.—(1) All sums appropriated to carry out the Coast Guard’s environmental compliance and restoration functions under this section or another law shall be credited or transferred to an appropriate Coast Guard account, as determined by the Commandant and remain available until expended. (2) Funds may be obligated or expended from such account to carry out the Coast Guard’s environmental compliance and restoration functions under this section or another law. (3) In proposing the budget for any fiscal year under section 1105 of title 31, the President shall set forth separately the amount requested for the Coast Guard’s environmental compliance and restoration activities under this section or another law. (4) Amounts recovered under section 107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9607) for the Secretary’s response actions at current and former Coast Guard facilities shall be credited to an appropriate Coast Guard account, as determined by the Commandant. (d) Annual List of Projects to Congress.—The Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a prioritized list of projects eligible for environmental compliance and restoration funding for each fiscal year concurrent with the President’s budget submission for that fiscal year.

14 U.S.C. § 336 Unmanned system program and autonomous control and computer vision technology project

(a) Unmanned System Program.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish, under the control of the Commandant, an unmanned system program for the use by the Coast Guard of land-based, cutter-based, and aircraft-based unmanned systems for the purpose of increasing effectiveness and efficiency of mission execution. (b) Autonomous Control and Computer Vision Technology Project.—(1) In general.—The Commandant shall conduct a project to retrofit up to 4 existing Coast Guard small boats deployed at operational units with—(A) commercially available autonomous control and computer vision technology; and (B) such sensors and methods of communication as are necessary to control, and technology to assist in conducting, search and rescue, surveillance, and interdiction missions. (2) Data collection.—As part of the project required under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall collect and evaluate field-collected operational data from the retrofit described in such paragraph to inform future requirements. (3) Briefing.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which the project required under paragraph (1) is completed, the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing in person or in writing on the project that includes an evaluation of the data collected from the project. (c) Unmanned System Defined.—In this section, the term “unmanned system” means—(1) an unmanned aircraft system (as such term is defined in section 44801 of title 49); (2) an unmanned marine surface system; and (3) an unmanned marine subsurface system.

14 U.S.C. § 337 Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

(a) Establishment.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may establish and maintain a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, organized into units, at public and private secondary educational institutions. (b) Applicability.—Except as provided in subsection (d), the provisions of chapter 102 of title 10 shall apply to a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps established and maintained under this section in the same manner that such provisions apply to the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps of each military department. For purposes of the application of such provisions to this section—(1) any reference in such provisions to a “military department” shall be treated as a reference to the department in which the Coast Guard is operating; and (2) any reference in such provisions to a “Secretary of a military department”, a “Secretary concerned”, or the “Secretary of Defense” shall be treated as a reference to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. (c) Scope.—Beginning on December 31, 2025, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall maintain at all times a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program with not fewer than 1 such program established in each Coast Guard district. (d) Exception.—The requirements of chapter 102 of title 10 shall not apply to a unit of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps established by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating before the date of the enactment of this section unless the Secretary determines it is appropriate to apply such requirements to such unit.

14 U.S.C. § 338 Redistricting notification requirement

The Commandant shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate at least 180 days before— (1) implementing any plan to reduce the number of, change the location of, or change the geographic area covered by any existing Coast Guard Districts; or (2) permanently transferring more than 10 percent of the personnel or equipment from a district office where such personnel or equipment is based.

14 U.S.C. § 339 Prevention and response workforces

(a) Career Paths.—The Secretary, acting through the Commandant, shall ensure that appropriate career paths for civilian and military Coast Guard personnel who wish to pursue career paths in prevention or response positions are identified in terms of the education, training, experience, and assignments necessary for career progression of civilians and members of the Armed Forces to the most senior prevention or response positions, as appropriate. The Secretary shall make available published information on such career paths. (b) Qualifications for Certain Assignments.—An officer, member, or civilian employee of the Coast Guard assigned as a—(1) marine inspector shall have the training, experience, and qualifications equivalent to that required for a similar position at a classification society recognized by the Secretary under section 3316 of title 46 for the type of vessel, system, or equipment that is inspected; (2) marine casualty investigator shall have the training, experience, and qualifications in investigation, marine casualty reconstruction, evidence collection and preservation, human factors, and documentation using best investigation practices by Federal and non-Federal entities; (3) marine safety engineer shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience in—(A) the construction and operation of commercial vessels; (B) judging the character, strength, stability, and safety qualities of such vessels and their equipment; or (C) the qualifications and training of vessel personnel; (4) waterways operations manager shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with respect to maritime transportation system management; or (5) port and facility safety and security specialist shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with respect to the safety, security, and environmental protection responsibilities associated with maritime ports and facilities. (c) Apprenticeship Requirement To Qualify for Certain Careers.—The Commandant may require an officer, member, or employee of the Coast Guard in training for a specialized prevention or response career path to serve an apprenticeship under the guidance of a qualified individual. However, an individual in training to become a marine inspector, marine casualty investigator, marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port and facility safety and security specialist shall serve a minimum of one-year as an apprentice unless the Commandant authorizes a shorter period for certain qualifications. (d) Management Information System.—The Secretary, acting through the Commandant, shall establish a management information system for the prevention and response workforces that shall provide, at a minimum, the following standardized information on individuals serving in those workforces:(1) Qualifications, assignment history, and tenure in assignments. (2) Promotion rates for military and civilian personnel. (e) Sector Chief of Prevention.—There shall be in each Coast Guard sector a Chief of Prevention who shall be at least a Lieutenant Commander or civilian employee within the grade GS–13 of the General Schedule, and who shall be a—(1) marine inspector, qualified to inspect vessels, vessel systems, and equipment commonly found in the sector; and (2) qualified marine casualty investigator, marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port and facility safety and security specialist. (f) Signatories of Letter of Qualification for Certain Prevention Personnel.—Each individual signing a letter of qualification for marine safety personnel must hold a letter of qualification for the type being certified. (g) Sector Chief of Response.—There shall be in each Coast Guard sector a Chief of Response who shall be at least a Lieutenant Commander or civilian employee within the grade GS–13 of the General Schedule in each Coast Guard sector.

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