HR-4275 : Still Just a Bill

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, also known as H.R. 4275, is a bill to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard, establish the Secretary of the Coast Guard, and address various aspects of Coast Guard operations, organization, and personnel management. Key provisions include:

• Authorization of Appropriations: Allocates specific funding levels for Coast Guard operations, acquisitions, and retired pay for fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
• Military Strength and Training: Sets authorized levels for military strength and training, along with a reporting requirement if proportional funding increases are not included.
• Accountability Measures: Requires annual reports on homeporting projects, quarterly acquisition reports, and a status report on overdue congressional reports.
• Organization: Establishes a Secretary of the Coast Guard position. Also includes the creation of a Special Advisor for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs, and the reinstatement of a training course on the workings of Congress.
• Authorities: Updates and clarifies the Coast Guard's authority in areas such as cyber coordination in foreign territories and minor construction project management.
• Acquisition Improvements: Modifies the prohibition on using lead systems integrators. Focuses on improvements to life cycle cost considerations.
• Personnel Matters: Modifies family leave policies, career flexibility programs, and provides direct hire authority for certain personnel. Also includes various provisions related to housing, allowances, and assistance for Coast Guard members assigned to Alaska.
• Coast Guard Academy: Modifies the Board of Visitors, requires studies on oversight, and directs actions to improve cadet room security and behavioral health support.
• Shipping and Navigation: Focuses on issues such as mariner credentialing, vessel safety, ports, and autonomous systems.
• Oil Pollution Response: Addresses vessel response plans, use of marine casualty investigations, and online incident reporting.
• Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Response: Mandates independent reviews of reforms, comprehensive policies on evidence retention, and consideration of transfer requests for victims at the Coast Guard Academy.
• Comptroller General Reports: Requires several reports on topics including the Coast Guard's research and development program, behavioral healthcare, medical records, and training facility infrastructure.