S-524 : Still Just a Bill

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, or S. 524, authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard and addresses various aspects of its operations. Key provisions include:

• Authorization of Appropriations: Allocates funding for Coast Guard operations, acquisitions, and retired pay for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
• Acquisition and Procurement: Modifies rules related to lead systems integrators and service life extension programs, and emphasizes consideration of life-cycle costs in vessel and aircraft procurement.
• Great Lakes Icebreaking: Requires a strategy for constructing a Great Lakes icebreaker and implements a pilot program to assess icebreaking capabilities.
• Organization and Authorities: Modifies project management for minor construction projects, mandates preparedness plans for Coast Guard properties in tsunami zones, and delegates certain waterway safety authorities in the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
• Personnel: Establishes direct hire authority for certain personnel, provides temporary exemptions from end strength limitations, expands family leave policies, and addresses housing and morale programs.
• Coast Guard Academy: Modifies the Board of Visitors, mandates a study on oversight, enhances cadet room security, establishes a student advisory board, and requires a report on existing behavioral health support.
• Shipping and Navigation: Reforms merchant mariner credentialing, addresses grossly negligent vessel operations, and requires a study of amphibious vessels.
• Uncrewed Systems: Establishes a National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems and implements a pilot program for small uncrewed maritime systems.
• Oil Pollution Response: Addresses salvage and marine firefighting response capabilities, use of marine casualty investigations, and online incident reporting.
• Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Response: Mandates an independent review of Coast Guard reforms, implements policies on evidence retention and access, and addresses victim transfer requests.
• Comptroller General Reports: Requires reports on various Coast Guard programs, including research and development, vessel traffic service centers, behavioral health care, and medical records.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Includes provisions related to the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, vessel fleet, Cooperative Aviation Centers, and South Pacific Tuna Treaty matters.