CHAPTER 3—COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION

        

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior analysis for chapter 3 "COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION" consisted of items 41 "Grades and ratings", 41a "Active duty promotion list", 42 "Number and distribution of commissioned officers on active duty promotion list", 44 "Commandant; appointment", 46 "Retirement of Commandant or Vice Commandant", 47 "Vice Commandant; appointment", 50 "Vice admirals", 51 "Retirement", 52 "Vice admirals and admiral, continuity of grade", 53 "Office of the Coast Guard Reserve; Director", 54 "Chief of Staff to President: appointment", 56 "Chief Acquisition Officer", 57 "Prevention and response workforces", 58 "Centers of expertise for Coast Guard prevention and response", 59 "Marine industry training programs", and 60 "Training course on workings of Congress", prior to repeal by Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196.

Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, §§11225(b), 11251(b), title CXIII, §11309(a)(2), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4025, 4053, 4081, added items 315, 319, and 323 and struck out former items 315 "Training course on workings of Congress" and 319 "Land-based unmanned aircraft system program".

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXII [LXXXII], §8211(b), title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8501(b)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4649, 4746, added items 321 and 322.

2019—Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §519(b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1351, added item 320.

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(a), title III, §304(c)(1), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196, 4245, inserted chapter 3 designation and heading and added items 301 to 319.

§301. Grades and ratings

In the Coast Guard there shall be admirals (two); vice admirals; rear admirals; rear admirals (lower half); captains; commanders; lieutenant commanders; lieutenants; lieutenants (junior grade); ensigns; chief warrant officers; cadets; warrant officers; and enlisted members. Enlisted members shall be distributed in ratings established by the Secretary.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 497, §41; Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §§6, 53, 70A Stat. 620, 679; Pub. L. 86–474, §1(1), May 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 144; Pub. L. 92–451, §1(1), Oct. 2, 1972, 86 Stat. 755; Pub. L. 97–417, §2(1), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2085; Pub. L. 98–557, §15(a)(3)(B), (C), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865; Pub. L. 99–145, title V, §514(a)(2), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 628; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title V, §541(f)(4), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2766; Pub. L. 114–120, title II, §201(a), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 33; renumbered §301, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196.)

Historical and Revision Notes

1949 Act

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§5, 9, 21 (Apr. 12, 1902, ch. 501, §1, 32 Stat. 100; Jan. 28, 1915, ch. 20, §2, 38 Stat. 801; May 18, 1920, ch. 190, §8, 41 Stat. 603; June 5, 1920, ch. 235, §1, 41 Stat. 879; Jan. 12, 1923, ch. 25, §§1, 2, 42 Stat. 1130; July 3, 1926, ch. 742, §§3, 9, 10, 44 Stat. 815, 817).

The grades of vice admiral and rear admiral are added to make provision for the commissioned officer personnel structure of the service as provided for in this revision. The entire rating structure for enlisted men is left to the administrative discretion of the Secretary, as in the past, for reasons of flexibility.

The last two paragraphs of said section 5 are obsolete and have been omitted.

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

1956 Act

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
41	14:41. 34:135a(a) (less last sentence, as applicable to temporary appointments).	Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, §1(41), 63 Stat. 497. May 29, 1954, ch. 249, §3(a) (less 3d and last sentences, as applicable to temporary appointments), 68 Stat. 157.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 301, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 518, related to permanent appointment of warrant officers, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177. See section 571 et seq. of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 41 of this title as this section.

2016—Pub. L. 114–120 substituted "admirals (two);" for "an admiral,".

1994—Pub. L. 103–337 substituted "chief warrant officers; cadets; warrant officers;" for "chief warrant officers, W–4; chief warrant officers, W–3; chief warrant officers, W–2; cadets; warrant officers, W–1;".

1985—Pub. L. 99–145 substituted "rear admirals (lower half)" for "commodores".

1984—Pub. L. 98–557 substituted "members" for "men" in two places.

1983—Pub. L. 97–417 inserted "commodores;" after "rear admirals;".

1972—Pub. L. 92–451 substituted "vice admirals" for "a vice admiral".

1960—Pub. L. 86–474 inserted the grade of admiral.

1956—Act Aug. 10, 1956, repealed and reenacted section by general amendment thereby substituting "chief warrant officers, W–4; chief warrant officers, W–3; chief warrant officers, W–2" for "commissioned warrant officers", and "warrant officers, W–1" for "warrant officers".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–337 effective on the first day of the fourth month beginning after Oct. 5, 1994, see section 541(h) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 571 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Effective Date of 1972 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 92–451 effective Oct. 2, 1972, except that continuation boards may not be held until one year thereafter, see section 3 of Pub. L. 92–451, set out as a note under section 2151 of this title.

§302. Commandant; appointment

The President may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, one Commandant for a period of four years, who may be reappointed for further periods of four years, who shall act as Chief of the Coast Guard. The term of an appointment, and any reappointment, shall begin on June 1 of the appropriate year and end on May 31 of the appropriate year, except that, in the event of death, retirement, resignation, or reassignment, or when the needs of the Service demand, the Secretary may alter the date on which a term begins or ends if the alteration does not result in the term exceeding a period of 4 years. The Commandant shall be appointed from the officers on the active duty promotion list serving above the grade of captain who have completed at least ten years of active service as a commissioned officer in the Coast Guard. The Commandant while so serving shall have the grade of admiral.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 498, §44; Pub. L. 86–474, §1(3), May 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 144; Pub. L. 88–130, §1(3), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 175; Pub. L. 89–444, §1(3), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 195; Pub. L. 92–451, §1(3), Oct. 2, 1972, 86 Stat. 755; Pub. L. 113–281, title II, §202, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3024; renumbered §302, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §11 (Apr. 16, 1908, ch. 145, §§1, 2, 35 Stat. 61; Jan. 28, 1915, ch. 20, §1, 38 Stat. 800; Jan. 12, 1923, ch. 25, §2, 42 Stat. 1130; Apr. 23, 1930, ch. 211, 46 Stat. 253; June 9, 1937, ch. 309, §1, 50 Stat. 252; June 6, 1940, ch. 257, §1(a), 54 Stat. 246).

Said section has been divided. The provisions of the first proviso are placed in section 45 of this title, and the remainder is placed in this section.

The grade of the Commandant is fixed as vice admiral rather than that prescribed for Bureau Chiefs of the Navy. The additional qualifications that an officer appointed Commandant must have at least 10 years commissioned service in the Coast Guard has been inserted. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 302, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 518, related to temporary appointments of warrant officers, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 44 of this title as this section.

2014—Pub. L. 113–281 inserted after first sentence "The term of an appointment, and any reappointment, shall begin on June 1 of the appropriate year and end on May 31 of the appropriate year, except that, in the event of death, retirement, resignation, or reassignment, or when the needs of the Service demand, the Secretary may alter the date on which a term begins or ends if the alteration does not result in the term exceeding a period of 4 years."

1972—Pub. L. 92–451 substituted "above the grade of captain" for "in the grade of captain or above" in second sentence.

1966—Pub. L. 89–444 struck out provision that the position of an officer appointed Commandant be filled by promotion according to law.

1963—Pub. L. 88–130 substituted "officers on the active duty promotion list serving in the grade of" for "active list of officers who hold a permanent commission as", required qualifying period of 10 years commissioned service to be "active" service, and struck out ", pay, and allowances" before "of admiral".

1960—Pub. L. 86–474 substituted "active list of officers" for "active list of line officers", "captain or above" for "commander or above", and "allowances of admiral" for "allowances of vice admiral".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1972 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 92–451 effective Oct. 2, 1972, except that continuation boards may not be held until one year thereafter, see section 3 of Pub. L. 92–451, set out as a note under section 2151 of this title.

Effective Date of Higher Grade and Increased Pay and Allowances

Pub. L. 86–474, §2, May 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 146, provided that: "The increased grade of admiral for the Commandant and vice admiral for the Assistant Commandant [now Vice Commandant], including the pay and allowances applicable to such grades, shall be effective on the first day of the month following enactment of this Act [May 14, 1960]."

Savings Provision

Pub. L. 86–474, §3, May 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 146, provided that: "Except as provided by section 2 [set out as a note under this section], the amendments by section 1 [amending sections 41, 42, 44, 46, 47, 186 to 191, 222, 247(c), 365, and 462 of this title, and repealing sections 45, 48, and 49 of this title] shall not operate to change or deprive the present incumbents serving as Commandant, Assistant Commandant [now Vice Commandant], and Engineer in Chief of any rights, benefits and privileges appertaining to such offices on the day preceding the date of enactment of this Act [May 14, 1960], nor to divest them of their offices for the terms appointed."

§303. Retirement of Commandant or Vice Commandant

(a)(1) A Commandant who is not reappointed shall be retired with the grade of admiral at the expiration of the appointed term, except as provided in section 306(d) of this title.

(2) A Vice Commandant who is retired while serving as Vice Commandant, after serving not less than 2 years as Vice Commandant, shall be retired with the grade of admiral, except as provided in section 306(d).

(b) A Commandant or Vice Commandant who is retired for physical disability shall be placed on the retired list with the grade of admiral.

(c) An officer who is retired prior to the expiration of the officer's term, while serving as Commandant or as an officer serving as Vice Commandant who has served less than 2 years as Vice Commandant, may, in the discretion of the President, be retired with the grade of admiral.

(d) Retirement under this section is subject to section 2501(a) of this title.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 499, §46; Pub. L. 86–474, §1(5), May 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 144; Pub. L. 88–130, §1(4), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 175; Pub. L. 89–444, §1(4), (5), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 195; Pub. L. 97–295, §2(1), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1301; Pub. L. 99–348, title II, §205(b)(1), July 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 699; Pub. L. 103–206, title II, §204(a), Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2421; Pub. L. 114–120, title II, §209(2), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 40; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, §3528(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2318; renumbered §303 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§104(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196, 4240; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXII [LXXXII], §8201(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4641; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, §11240, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4039.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §161 (Jan. 12, 1923, ch. 25, §2, 42 Stat. 1130; June 25, 1936, ch. 808, 49 Stat. 1924; June 9, 1937, ch. 309, §1, 50 Stat. 252; June 6, 1940, ch. 257, §1(a), 54 Stat. 246).

Provision is added for retirement of the Commandant with the grade and pay of vice admiral after 3 years service, in the discretion of the President, regardless of total length of service. Provision is also added for retirement with the grade and pay of vice admiral in case of physical disability. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 303, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 518, required compulsory retirement of warrant officers reaching age of sixty-two years, with retired pay of grade with which retired, prior to repeal by act May 29, 1954, ch. 249, §20(o), 68 Stat. 167, and by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 117–263, §11240(1), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "A Vice Commandant who is not reappointed or appointed Commandant shall be retired with the grade of admiral at the expiration of the appointed term, except as provided in section 306(d)."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–263, §11240(2), substituted "or as an officer serving as Vice Commandant who has served less than 2 years as Vice Commandant" for "or Vice Commandant".

2021—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283 added subsec. (d).

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, §104(b), renumbered section 46 of this title as this section.

Pub. L. 115–232, §3528(a)(1), inserted "or Vice Commandant" after "Commandant" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–282, §123(b)(2), substituted "section 306(d)" for "section 51(d)" in pars. (1) and (2).

Pub. L. 115–232, §3528(a)(2), (3), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–232, §3528(a)(4), inserted "or Vice Commandant" after "Commandant".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–232, §3528(a)(4), (5), inserted "or Vice Commandant" after "Commandant" and substituted "the officer's" for "his".

2016—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–120 substituted "section" for "subsection".

1993—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–206 amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: "Any Commandant who is not reappointed shall, at the expiration of his term, be retired with the grade of admiral."

1986—Pub. L. 99–348 struck out "and retired pay computed at the highest rates of basic pay applicable to him while he served as Commandant" after "admiral" in subsecs. (a) to (c).

1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–295 substituted "Commandant" for "commandant".

1966—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–444, §1(4), removed requirement that the Commandant serve 2½ years as Commandant before being eligible for retirement with the grade of admiral and retired pay computed at the highest rates of basic pay applicable to him while he served as Commandant.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 89–444, §1(5), repealed subsec. (d) which provided that a Commandant who retired within 2½ years of the date of his original appointment as Commandant would retire in his permanent grade and with the retired pay of that grade.

1963—Subsecs. (a) to (c). Pub. L. 88–130 substituted "of admiral and retired pay computed at the highest rates of basic pay applicable to him while he served as Commandant" for "and retired pay of admiral".

1960—Pub. L. 86–474 authorized any Commandant who is not reappointed at the expiration of his term to be retired with the grade and retired pay of admiral, directed placement on the retired list with the grade and retired pay of admiral for a Commandant who is retired for physical disability, reduced from three to two and one-half years the period that the Commandant must serve before he may voluntarily apply retirement without regard to total length of service, and provided that any Commandant who retires within two and one-half years of the date of his original appointment as Commandant shall retire in his permanent grade and with the retired pay of that grade.

§304. Vice Commandant; appointment

The President may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, one Vice Commandant who shall rank next after the Commandant, shall perform such duties as the Commandant may prescribe and shall act as Commandant during the absence or disability of the Commandant or in the event that there is a vacancy in the office of Commandant. The Vice Commandant shall be selected from the officers on the active duty promotion list serving above the grade of captain. The Commandant shall make recommendation for such appointment. The Vice Commandant shall, while so serving, have the grade of admiral with pay and allowances of that grade. The appointment and grade of a Vice Commandant shall be effective on the date the officer assumes that duty, and shall terminate on the date the officer is detached from that duty, except as provided in section 306(d) of this title.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 499, §47; Pub. L. 86–474, §1(6), May 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 144; Pub. L. 88–130, §1(5), (6), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 175; Pub. L. 89–444, §1(6), (7), June 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 195; Pub. L. 92–451, §1(4), Oct. 2, 1972, 86 Stat. 755; Pub. L. 97–295, §2(2), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1301; Pub. L. 99–348, title II, §205(b)(2), July 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 700; Pub. L. 103–206, title II, §204(b)(1), Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2421; Pub. L. 111–281, title V, §511(f)(1), (g), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2952, 2953; Pub. L. 114–120, title II, §§201(b), 209(3), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 33, 40; renumbered §304 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§104(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196, 4240.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§11a, 12 (Apr. 16, 1908, ch. 145, §§1, 2, 35 Stat. 61; Jan. 28, 1915, ch. 20, §1, 38 Stat. 800; Jan. 12, 1923, ch. 25, §2, 42 Stat. 1130; May 24, 1939, ch. 148, §§2, 3, 53 Stat. 757; June 6, 1940, ch. 257, §§1(b), 3, 54 Stat. 246; July 23, 1947, ch. 301, §2, 61 Stat. 410; May 19, 1948, ch. 305, 62 Stat. 239).

Said sections have been divided. The provisions of the proviso of title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §11a, and the first proviso of title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §12, are placed in section 48 of this title and the remainder is placed in this section.

The provisions regarding appointment of the Assistant Commandant and Engineer in Chief are coordinated, inasmuch as these positions are about equal in the Coast Guard organization. The qualification that the Engineer in Chief be appointed from the active list of engineering officers is changed to the active list of officers who have qualified for engineering duty, because there is no longer any provision for a corps of engineering officers. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 304, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 518, provided for voluntary retirement of warrant officers after thirty years' service, with retired pay of grade with which retired, prior to repeal by act May 29, 1954, ch. 249, §20(o), 68 Stat. 167, and by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, §123(b)(2), substituted "section 306(d)" for "section 51(d)".

Pub. L. 115–282, §104(b), renumbered section 47 of this title as this section.

2016—Pub. L. 114–120, §209(3), substituted "Commandant" for "commandant" in section catchline.

Pub. L. 114–120, §201(b), substituted "grade of admiral" for "grade of vice admiral".

2010—Pub. L. 111–281 substituted "Vice commandant; appointment" for "Vice Commandant; assignment" in section catchline and "section 51(d)" for "subsection 51(d)" in text.

1993—Pub. L. 103–206 struck out "; retirement" after "assignment" in section catchline, struck out "(a)" before "The President may appoint", substituted "The appointment and grade of a Vice Commandant shall be effective on the date the officer assumes that duty, and shall terminate on the date the officer is detached from that duty, except as provided in subsection 51(d) of this title." for "The appointment of a Vice Commandant shall be effective on the date the officer assumes such duty, and shall terminate on the date he is detached from such duty.", and struck out subsecs. (b) to (d) which read as follows:

"(b) A Vice Commandant, while so serving, who is retired for physical disability shall be placed on the retired list with the grade of vice admiral.

"(c) An officer who is retired while serving as Vice Commandant, or who, after serving at least two and one-half years as Vice Commandant, is retired after completion of that service while serving in a lower rank or grade, may, in the discretion of the President, be retired with the grade of vice admiral.

"(d) An officer who, after serving less than two and one-half years as Vice Commandant, is retired after completion of that service while serving in a lower rank or grade, shall be retired in his permanent grade."

1986—Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 99–348, §205(b)(2)(A), struck out "and retired pay" after "with the grade".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–348, §205(b)(2)(B), struck out "and with the retired pay of that grade" after "permanent grade".

1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–295 substituted "a" for "an" before "Vice Commandant".

1972—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 92–451 substituted "Vice Commandant" for "Assistant Commandant" in four places, and "above the grade of captain" for "in the grade of captain or above" in second sentence.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 92–451 substituted "A Vice Commandant" for "An Assistant Commandant".

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 92–451 substituted "Vice Commandant" for "Assistant Commandant" wherever appearing.

1966—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–444, §1(6), struck out requirement that Assistant Commandant serve 2½ years as Assistant Commandant before becoming eligible for retirement with the grade and pay of vice admiral.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 89–444, §1(7), struck out provision that section 334 of this title, which covers cases of retirement when a higher grade has been held, shall not apply to an officer retiring within 2½ years of the date of his original assignment as Assistant Commandant.

1963—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 88–130, §1(5), substituted "officers on the active duty promotion list serving in the grade of captain or above" for "active list of officers who hold a permanent commission as captain or above".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 88–130, §1(6), substituted "section 334" for "section 243".

1960—Pub. L. 86–474 amended section generally, and, among other changes, required Assistant Commandant to be appointed from the active list of officers who hold a permanent commission as captain or above, raised grade of Assistant Commandant from rear admiral to vice admiral, increased his pay and allowances from that of a rear admiral (upper half) to that of a vice admiral, struck out provisions which related to an Engineer in Chief, and added subsecs. (b) to (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1972 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 92–451 effective Oct. 2, 1972, except that continuation boards may not be held until one year thereafter, see section 3 of Pub. L. 92–451, set out as a note under section 2151 of this title.

Effective Date of Higher Grade and Increased Pay and Allowances

The increased grade of vice admiral for the Vice Commandant, including the pay and allowances applicable to such grade, effective on the first day of the month following May 14, 1960, see section 2 of Pub. L. 86–474, set out as a note under section 302 of this title.

§305. Vice admirals

(a)(1) The President may—

(A) designate, within the Coast Guard, no more than five positions of importance and responsibility that shall be held by officers who, while so serving—

(i) shall have the grade of vice admiral, with the pay and allowances of that grade; and

(ii) shall perform such duties as the Commandant may prescribe, except that if the President designates five such positions, one position shall be the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard; and

(B) designate, within the executive branch, other than within the Coast Guard or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, positions of importance and responsibility that shall be held by officers who, while so serving, shall have the grade of vice admiral, with the pay and allowances of that grade.

(2) The President may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and reappoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to any such position an officer of the Coast Guard who is serving on active duty above the grade of captain. The Commandant shall make recommendations for such appointments.

(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), one of the vice admirals designated under paragraph (1)(A) must have at least 10 years experience in vessel inspection, marine casualty investigations, mariner licensing, or an equivalent technical expertise in the design and construction of commercial vessels, with at least 4 years of leadership experience at a staff or unit carrying out marine safety functions and shall serve as the principal advisor to the Commandant on these issues.

(B) The requirements of subparagraph (A) do not apply to such vice admiral if the subordinate officer serving in the grade of rear admiral with responsibilities for marine safety, security, and stewardship possesses that experience.

(4) Prior to making a recommendation to the President for the nomination of an officer for appointment to a position of importance and responsibility under this section, which appointment would result in the initial appointment of the officer concerned in the grade of vice admiral, the Commandant shall consider all officers determined to be among the best qualified for such position.

(b)(1) The appointment and the grade of vice admiral shall be effective on the date the officer assumes that duty and, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection or in section 306(d) of this title, shall terminate on the date the officer is detached from that duty.

(2) An officer who is appointed to a position designated under subsection (a) shall continue to hold the grade of vice admiral—

(A) while under orders transferring the officer to another position designated under subsection (a), beginning on the date the officer is detached from that duty and terminating on the date before the day the officer assumes the subsequent duty, but not for more than 60 days;

(B) while hospitalized, beginning on the day of the hospitalization and ending on the day the officer is discharged from the hospital, but not for more than 180 days;

(C) at the discretion of the Secretary, while awaiting orders after being relieved from the position, beginning on the day the officer is relieved from the position, but not for more than 60 days; and

(D) while awaiting retirement, beginning on the date the officer is detached from duty and ending on the day before the officer's retirement, but not for more than 60 days.

(c)(1) An appointment of an officer under subsection (a) does not vacate the permanent grade held by the officer.

(2) An officer serving in a grade above rear admiral who holds the permanent grade of rear admiral (lower half) shall be considered for promotion to the permanent grade of rear admiral as if the officer was serving in the officer's permanent grade.

(d) Whenever a vacancy occurs in a position designated under subsection (a), the Commandant shall inform the President of the qualifications needed by an officer serving in that position or office to carry out effectively the duties and responsibilities of that position or office.

(Added Pub. L. 92–451, §1(5), Oct. 2, 1972, 86 Stat. 755, §50; amended Pub. L. 103–206, title II, §204(c), Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2421; Pub. L. 111–281, title V, §511(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2951; Pub. L. 111–330, §1(5), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3569; Pub. L. 114–120, title II, §202, Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 33; renumbered §305 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§104(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196, 4240; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, §551(b)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3630.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 305, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 518, provided for voluntary retirement after twenty years' service, with retired pay of grade with which retired, prior to repeal by act May 29, 1954, ch. 249, §20(o), 68 Stat. 167, and by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 116–283 added par. (4).

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, §104(b), renumbered section 50 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–282, §123(b)(2), substituted "section 306(d)" for "section 51(d)".

2016—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–120, §202(1)(A), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: "The President may designate no more than 4 positions of importance and responsibility that shall be held by officers who—

"(A) while so serving, shall have the grade of vice admiral, with the pay and allowances of that grade; and

"(B) shall perform such duties as the Commandant may prescribe."

Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 114–120, §202(1)(B), substituted "under paragraph (1)(A)" for "under paragraph (1)".

Subsec. (b)(2)(C), (D). Pub. L. 114–120, §202(2), added subpar. (C) and redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D).

2010—Pub. L. 111–281, §511(a), as amended by Pub. L. 111–330, amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section provided for the appointment of a Commander, Atlantic Area, and a Commander, Pacific Area, each having the grade of vice admiral with pay and allowances of that grade.

1993—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–206 substituted "The appointment and grade of an area commander shall be effective on the date the officer assumes that duty, and shall terminate on the date the officer is detached from that duty, except as provided in subsection 51(d) of this title." for "The appointment of an area commander is effective on the date the officer assumes that duty, and terminates on the date he is detached from that duty."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–330, §1, Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3569, provided that the amendment made by section 1(5) is effective with the enactment of Pub. L. 111–281.

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 2, 1972, except that continuation boards may not be held until one year thereafter, see section 3 of Pub. L. 92–451, set out as an Effective Date of 1972 Amendment note under section 2151 of this title.

Treatment of Incumbents; Transition

Pub. L. 111–281, title V, §511(h)(1), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2953, provided that:

"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an officer who, on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 15, 2010], is serving as Chief of Staff, Commander, Atlantic Area, or Commander, Pacific Area—

"(A) shall continue to have the grade of vice admiral with pay and allowance of that grade until such time that the officer is relieved of his duties and appointed and confirmed to another position as a vice admiral or admiral; or

"(B) for the purposes of transition, may continue at the grade of vice admiral with pay and allowance of that grade, for not more than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, to perform the duties of the officer's former position and any other such duties that the Commandant prescribes."

§306. Retirement

(a) An officer, other than the Commandant or Vice Commandant, who, while serving in the grade of admiral or vice admiral, is retired for physical disability shall be placed on the retired list with the highest grade in which that officer served satisfactorily, as determined under section 2501 of this title.

(b) An officer, other than the Commandant or Vice Commandant, who is retired while serving in the grade of admiral or vice admiral, or who, after serving at least 2½ years in the grade of admiral or vice admiral, is retired while serving in a lower grade, may in the discretion of the President, be retired with the highest grade in which that officer served satisfactorily, as determined under section 2501 of this title.

(c) An officer, other than the Commandant or Vice Commandant, who, after serving less than 2½ years in the grade of admiral or vice admiral, is retired while serving in a lower grade, shall be retired in his permanent grade if performance of duties in such grade is determined to have been satisfactory pursuant to section 2501 of this title.

(d) An officer serving in the grade of admiral or vice admiral shall continue to hold that grade—

(1) while being processed for physical disability retirement, beginning on the day of the processing and ending on the day that officer is retired, but not for more than 180 days; and

(2) while awaiting retirement, beginning on the day that officer is relieved from the position of Commandant, Vice Commandant, or Vice Admiral and ending on the day before the officer's retirement, but not for more than 60 days.

(Added Pub. L. 92–451, §1(5), Oct. 2, 1972, 86 Stat. 755, §51; amended Pub. L. 99–348, title II, §205(b)(3), July 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 700; Pub. L. 103–206, title II, §§204(d), 205(c), Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2421, 2422; Pub. L. 111–281, title V, §511(c), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2952; Pub. L. 114–120, title II, §201(c), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 33; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, §3528(b), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2318; renumbered §306, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXII [LXXXII], §8201(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4641.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 306, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 519, related to retirement for disabilities incident to service, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408, and by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177. See sections 1204 and 1376 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–283, §8201(b)(1), inserted "satisfactorily, as determined under section 2501 of this title" before period at end.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–283, §8201(b)(2), inserted "satisfactorily, as determined under section 2501 of this title" before period at end.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–283, §8201(b)(3), inserted "if performance of duties in such grade is determined to have been satisfactory pursuant to section 2501 of this title" before period at end.

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 51 of this title as this section.

Subsecs. (a) to (c). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "other than the Commandant or Vice Commandant," for "other than the Commandant,".

2016—Subsecs. (a) to (c). Pub. L. 114–120 inserted "admiral or" before "vice admiral," wherever appearing.

2010—Subsecs. (a) to (c). Pub. L. 111–281, §511(c)(1), added subsecs. (a) to (c) and struck out former subsecs. (a) to (c) which read as follows:

"(a) An officer who, while serving in the grade of vice admiral, is retired for physical disability shall be placed on the retired list with the grade of vice admiral.

"(b) An officer who is retired while serving in the grade of vice admiral, or who, after serving at least two and one-half years in the grade of vice admiral, is retired while serving in a lower grade, may in the discretion of the President, be retired with the grade of vice admiral.

"(c) An officer who, after serving less than two and one-half years in the grade of vice admiral, is retired while serving in a lower grade, shall be retired in his permanent grade."

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 111–281, §511(c)(2), substituted "or Vice Admiral" for "Area Commander, or Chief of Staff".

1993—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–206, §205(c)(1), substituted "in the grade of vice admiral" for "as Commander, Atlantic Area, or Commander, Pacific Area".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–206, §205(c)(2), substituted "in the grade of vice admiral" for "as Commander, Atlantic Area, or Commander, Pacific Area".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–206, §204(d), added subsec. (d).

1986—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 99–348, §205(b)(3)(A), struck out "and retired pay" after "with the grade".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–348, §205(b)(3)(B), struck out "and with the retired pay of that grade" after "permanent grade".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 2, 1972, except that continuation boards may not be held until one year thereafter, see section 3 of Pub. L. 92–451, set out as an Effective Date of 1972 Amendment note under section 2151 of this title.

§307. Vice admirals and admiral, continuity of grade

The continuity of an officer's precedence on the active duty promotion list, date of rank, grade, pay, and allowances as a vice admiral or admiral shall not be interrupted by the termination of an appointment for the purpose of reappointment to another position as a vice admiral or admiral.

(Added Pub. L. 97–322, title I, §115(a)(1), Oct. 15, 1982, 96 Stat. 1585, §52; amended Pub. L. 101–225, title II, §203(1), Dec. 12, 1989, 103 Stat. 1911; Pub. L. 111–281, title V, §511(d), (f)(2), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2952, 2953; renumbered §307, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 307, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 519, provided for compulsory retirement of warrant officers after thirty years' service, upon recommendation of a personnel board, prior to repeal by act May 29, 1954, ch. 249, §20(o), 68 Stat. 167, and by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 52 of this title as this section.

2010—Pub. L. 111–281 substituted "Vice admirals and admiral, continuity of grade" for "Vice admirals, continuity of grade" in section catchline and inserted "or admiral" after "allowances as a vice admiral" in text.

1989—Pub. L. 101–225 inserted "or admiral" after "position as a vice admiral".

§308. Chief Acquisition Officer

(a) In General.—There shall be in the Coast Guard a Chief Acquisition Officer selected by the Commandant who shall be a Rear Admiral or civilian from the Senior Executive Service (career reserved) and who meets the qualifications set forth under subsection (b). The Chief Acquisition Officer shall serve at the Assistant Commandant level and have acquisition management as that individual's primary duty.

(b) Qualifications.—

(1) The Chief Acquisition Officer and any flag officer serving in the Acquisition Directorate shall be an acquisition professional with a Level III acquisition management certification and must have at least 10 years experience in an acquisition position, of which at least 4 years were spent as—

(A) the program executive officer;

(B) the program manager of a Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition project or program;

(C) the deputy program manager of a Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition;

(D) the project manager of a Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition; or

(E) any other acquisition position of significant responsibility in which the primary duties are supervisory or management duties.

(2) The Commandant shall periodically publish a list of the positions designated under paragraph (1).

(3) In this subsection each of the terms "Level 1 acquisition" and "Level 2 acquisition" has the meaning that term has in chapter 11 of this title.

(c) Functions of the Chief Acquisition Officer.—The functions of the Chief Acquisition Officer include—

(1) monitoring the performance of acquisition projects and programs on the basis of applicable performance measurements and advising the Commandant, through the chain of command, regarding the appropriate business strategy to achieve the missions of the Coast Guard;

(2) maximizing the use of full and open competition at the prime contract and subcontract levels in the acquisition of property, capabilities, assets, and services by the Coast Guard by establishing policies, procedures, and practices that ensure that the Coast Guard receives a sufficient number of sealed bids or competitive proposals from responsible sources to fulfill the Government's requirements, including performance and delivery schedules, at the lowest cost or best value considering the nature of the property, capability, asset, or service procured;

(3) making acquisition decisions in concurrence with the technical authority, or technical authorities, of the Coast Guard, as designated by the Commandant, consistent with all other applicable laws and decisions establishing procedures within the Coast Guard;

(4) ensuring the use of detailed performance specifications in instances in which performance-based contracting is used;

(5) managing the direction of acquisition policy for the Coast Guard, including implementation of the unique acquisition policies, regulations, and standards of the Coast Guard;

(6) developing and maintaining an acquisition career management program in the Coast Guard to ensure that there is an adequate acquisition workforce;

(7) assessing the requirements established for Coast Guard personnel regarding knowledge and skill in acquisition resources and management and the adequacy of such requirements for facilitating the achievement of the performance goals established for acquisition management;

(8) developing strategies and specific plans for hiring, training, and professional development;

(9) reporting to the Commandant, through the chain of command, on the progress made in improving acquisition management capability; and

(10)(A) keeping the Commandant informed of the progress of major acquisition programs (as that term is defined in section 1171);

(B) informing the Commandant on a continuing basis of any developments on such programs that may require new or revisited trade-offs among cost, schedule, technical feasibility, and performance, including—

(i) significant cost growth or schedule slippage; and

(ii) requirements creep (as that term is defined in section 3104(c)(1) of title 10); and

(C) ensuring that the views of the Commandant regarding such programs on cost, schedule, technical feasibility, and performance trade-offs are strongly considered by program managers and program executive officers in all phases of the acquisition process.

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title IV, §401(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2929, §56; amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §899(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2332; renumbered §308 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§104(b), 123(b)(2), (c)(4), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196, 4240, 4241; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1702(d)(1), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2156.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 308, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 519, provided for retired pay of warrant officers involuntarily retired under section 307, prior to repeal by act May 29, 1954, ch. 249, §20(o), 68 Stat. 167, and by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (c)(10)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted "section 3104(c)(1)" for "section 2547(c)(1)".

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, §104(b), renumbered section 56 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–282, §123(c)(4), substituted "chapter 11" for "chapter 15".

Subsec. (c)(10)(A). Pub. L. 115–282, §123(b)(2), substituted "section 1171" for "section 581".

2016—Subsec. (c)(10). Pub. L. 114–328 added par. (10).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Selection Deadline

Pub. L. 111–281, title IV, §401(c), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2930, provided that: "As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 15, 2010], but no later than October 1, 2011, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall select a Chief Acquisition Officer under section 56 [now 308] of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this section."

Special Rate Supplements

Pub. L. 111–281, title IV, §401(d), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2930, as amended by Pub. L. 111–330, §1(3), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3569, provided that:

"(1) Requirement to establish.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 15, 2010] and in accordance with section 9701.333 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall establish special rate supplements that provide higher pay levels for employees necessary to carry out the amendment made by this section [enacting this section].

"(2) Subject to appropriations.—The requirement under paragraph (1) is subject to the availability of appropriations."

Elevation of Disputes to the Chief Acquisition Officer

Pub. L. 111–281, title IV, §401(e), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2931, which directed the Commandant to provide to Congress a description of the issues involved in disputes elevated to the Chief Acquisition Officer that remained unresolved after 90 days, was repealed by Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8501(a)(4), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4745.

§309. Office of the Coast Guard Reserve; Director

(a) Establishment of Office; Director.—There is in the executive part of the Coast Guard an Office of the Coast Guard Reserve. The head of the Office is the Director of the Coast Guard Reserve. The Director of the Coast Guard Reserve is the principal adviser to the Commandant on Coast Guard Reserve matters and may have such additional functions as the Commandant may direct.

(b) Appointment.—The President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint the Director of the Coast Guard Reserve, from officers of the Coast Guard who—

(1) have had at least 10 years of commissioned service;

(2) are in a grade above captain; and

(3) have been recommended by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(c) Term.—(1) The Director of the Coast Guard Reserve holds office for a term determined by the President, normally two years, but not more than four years. An officer may be removed from the position of Director for cause at any time.

(2) The Director of the Coast Guard Reserve, while so serving, holds a grade above Captain, without vacating the officer's permanent grade.

(d) Budget.—The Director of the Coast Guard Reserve is the official within the executive part of the Coast Guard who, subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Commandant, is responsible for preparation, justification, and execution of the personnel, operation and maintenance, and construction budgets for the Coast Guard Reserve. As such, the Director of the Coast Guard Reserve is the director and functional manager of appropriations made for the Coast Guard Reserve in those areas.

(e) Annual Report.—The Director of the Coast Guard Reserve shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense an annual report on the state of the Coast Guard Reserve and the ability of the Coast Guard Reserve to meet its missions. The report shall be prepared in conjunction with the Commandant and may be submitted in classified and unclassified versions.

(Added Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §557(a), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 619, §53; amended Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, §1704(a), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; renumbered §309, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 309, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 519; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §11, 64 Stat. 407, authorized retirement of warrant officers with grade of commissioned warrant officer in case of special commendation, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 86–155, §10(a)(1), (b), Aug. 11, 1959, 73 Stat. 338, effective Nov. 1, 1959, and by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 53 of this title as this section.

2002—Subsecs. (b)(3), (d), (e). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted "of Homeland Security" for "of Transportation".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

§310. Chief of Staff to President: appointment

The President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, may appoint a flag officer of the Coast Guard as the Chief of Staff to the President.

(Added Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §597(a), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3283, §54; renumbered §310, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 310, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 519; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §12, 64 Stat. 407, related to recall to active duty during war or national emergency of warrant officers, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 54 of this title as this section.

§311. Captains of the port

Any officer, including any petty officer, may be designated by the Commandant as captain of the port or ports or adjacent high seas or waters over which the United States has jurisdiction, as the Commandant deems necessary to facilitate execution of Coast Guard duties.

(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(c)(1)(A), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4198.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 311, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 519; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §13, 64 Stat. 407, related to recall of warrant officers to active duty with consent of the officer, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

§312. 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.

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title V, §521(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2953, §57; amended Pub. L. 113–281, title II, §§203, 221(b)(1)(B), Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3024, 3038; renumbered §312, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §§8504(a), 8505(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4747.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 312, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 520; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §14, 64 Stat. 407, related to relief of retired warrant officer promoted while on active duty, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 116–283, §8504(a), substituted "maritime transportation system" for "marine transportation system".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283, §8505(a)(1), substituted "individuals" for "persons" in introductory provisions.

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 57 of this title as this section.

2014—Subsec. (b)(4), (5). Pub. L. 113–281, §203(1), added pars. (4) and (5).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–281, §203(2), substituted "marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port and facility safety and security specialist" for "or marine safety engineer".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–281, §221(b)(1)(B), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e) and struck out former subsec. (e) which related to assessment of adequacy of marine safety workforce.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–281, §221(b)(1)(B)(ii), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 113–281, §203(3), substituted "investigator, marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port and facility safety and security specialist" for "investigator or marine safety engineer".

Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 113–281, §221(b)(1)(B)(ii), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (f).

§313. 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).

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title V, §521(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2955, §58; amended Pub. L. 113–281, title II, §204, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3025; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, §3531(c)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2320; renumbered §313 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§104(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196, 4240; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8505(a)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4747.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 313, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 520; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §15, 64 Stat. 407, provided that any warrant officer who was retired under sections 303 to 305 or 307 of this title should be retired from active service with the highest grade held by him in which his performance of duty was satisfactory, but not lower than his permanent grade, with retired pay of the grade with which retired, prior to repeal by act May 29, 1954, ch. 249, §20(o), 68 Stat. 167, and by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

A prior section 313a, added Pub. L. 85–144, §2(a), Aug. 14, 1957, 71 Stat. 367, related to retirement of warrant officers in cases where higher grade has been held, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–130, §1(10)(A), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 177.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted "individual" for "person".

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, §104(b), renumbered section 58 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "Commandant" for "Commandant of the Coast Guard".

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 115–282, §123(b)(2), substituted "section 504(a)(4)" for "section 93(a)(4)".

2014—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–281 amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Each center shall—

"(1) promote and facilitate education, training, and research;

"(2) develop a repository of information on its missions and specialties; and

"(3) perform any other missions as the Commandant may specify."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Center of Expertise for Great Lakes Oil Spill Preparedness and Response

Pub. L. 115–282, title VIII, §807, Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4301, as amended by Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, §11214, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4016, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2018], the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall establish a Center of Expertise for Great Lakes Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (referred to in this section as the 'Center of Expertise') in accordance with section 313 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act.

"(b) Location.—The Center of Expertise shall be located in close proximity to—

"(1) critical crude oil transportation infrastructure on and connecting the Great Lakes, such as submerged pipelines and high-traffic navigation locks; and

"(2) an institution of higher education with adequate aquatic research laboratory facilities and capabilities and expertise in Great Lakes aquatic ecology, environmental chemistry, fish and wildlife, and water resources.

"(c) Functions.—The Center of Expertise shall—

"(1) monitor and assess, on an ongoing basis, the current state of knowledge regarding freshwater oil spill response technologies and the behavior and effects of oil spills in the Great Lakes;

"(2) identify any significant gaps in Great Lakes oil spill research, including an assessment of major scientific or technological deficiencies in responses to past spills in the Great Lakes and other freshwater bodies, and seek to fill those gaps;

"(3) conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation for freshwater oil spill response equipment, technologies, and techniques to mitigate and respond to oil spills in the Great Lakes;

"(4) educate and train Federal, State, and local first responders located in Coast Guard District 9 in—

"(A) the incident command system structure;

"(B) Great Lakes oil spill response techniques and strategies; and

"(C) public affairs; and

"(5) work with academic and private sector response training centers to develop and standardize maritime oil spill response training and techniques for use on the Great Lakes.

"(d) Definition.—In this section, the term 'Great Lakes' means—

"(1) Lake Ontario;

"(2) Lake Erie;

"(3) Lake Huron (including Lake St. Clair);

"(4) Lake Michigan;

"(5) Lake Superior; and

"(6) the connecting channels (including the following rivers and tributaries of such rivers: Saint Mary's River, Saint Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara River, Illinois River, Chicago River, Fox River, Grand River, St. Joseph River, St. Louis River, Menominee River, Muskegon River, Kalamazoo River, and Saint Lawrence River to the Canadian border)."

Coast Guard Blue Technology Center of Expertise

Pub. L. 115–265, title III, §302, Oct. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 3752, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 11, 2018] and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Commandant may establish under section 58 [now 313] of title 14, United States Code, a Blue Technology center of expertise.

"(b) Missions.—In addition to the missions listed in section 58(b) [now 313(b)] of title 14, United States Code, the Center may—

"(1) promote awareness within the Coast Guard of the range and diversity of Blue Technologies and their potential to enhance Coast Guard mission readiness, operational performance, and regulation of such technologies;

"(2) function as an interactive conduit to enable the sharing and dissemination of Blue Technology information between the Coast Guard and representatives from the private sector, academia, nonprofit organizations, and other Federal agencies;

"(3) increase awareness among Blue Technology manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and vendors of Coast Guard acquisition policies, procedures, and business practices;

"(4) provide technical support, coordination, and assistance to Coast Guard districts and the Coast Guard Research and Development Center, as appropriate; and

"(5) subject to the requirements of the Coast Guard Academy, coordinate with the Academy to develop appropriate curricula regarding Blue Technology to be offered in professional courses of study to give Coast Guard cadets and officer candidates a greater background and understanding of Blue Technologies.

"(c) Blue Technology Exposition; Briefing.—Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 11, 2018], the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a briefing on the costs and benefits of hosting a biennial Coast Guard Blue Technology exposition to further interactions between representatives from the private sector, academia, and nonprofit organizations, and the Coast Guard and examine emerging technologies and Coast Guard mission demands.

"(d) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Center.—The term 'Center' means the Blue Technology center of expertise established under this section.

"(2) Commandant.—The term 'Commandant' means the Commandant of the Coast Guard.

"(3) Blue technology.—The term 'Blue Technology' means any technology, system, or platform that—

"(A) is designed for use or application above, on, or below the sea surface or that is otherwise applicable to Coast Guard operational needs, including such a technology, system, or platform that provides continuous or persistent coverage; and

"(B) supports or facilitates—

"(i) maritime domain awareness, including—

     "(I) surveillance and monitoring;

     "(II) observation, measurement, and modeling:[;] or

     "(III) information technology and communications;

"(ii) search and rescue;

"(iii) emergency response;

"(iv) maritime law enforcement;

"(v) marine inspections and investigations; or

"(vi) protection and conservation of the marine environment."

§314. 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.

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title V, §521(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2956, §59; amended Pub. L. 113–281, title II, §221(a)(1), Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3037; renumbered §314, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 314, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 520, related to retiring or dropping for disabilities not incident to service, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408. See section 1207 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 59 of this title as this section.

2014—Pub. L. 113–281 struck out subsec. (a) designation and heading before "The Commandant" and struck out subsec. (b). Text of subsec. (b) read as follows: "Not later than the date of the submission each year of the President's budget request under section 1105 of title 31, 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 report that describes—

"(1) the number of officers, members, and employees of the Coast Guard assigned to private entities under this section; and

"(2) the specific benefit that accrues to the Coast Guard for each assignment."

§315. Training for congressional affairs personnel

(a) In General.—The Commandant shall develop a training course, which shall be administered in person, on the workings of Congress for any member of the Coast Guard selected for a position as a fellow, liaison, counsel, or administrative staff for the Coast Guard Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs or as any Coast Guard district or area governmental affairs officer.

(b) Course Subject Matter.—

(1) In general.—The training course required under this section shall provide an overview and introduction to Congress and the Federal legislative process, including—

(A) the congressional budget process;

(B) the congressional appropriations process;

(C) the congressional authorization process;

(D) the Senate advice and consent process for Presidential nominees;

(E) the Senate advice and consent process for treaty ratification;

(F) the roles of Members of Congress and congressional staff in the legislative process;

(G) the concept and underlying purposes of congressional oversight within the governance framework of separation of powers;

(H) 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; and

(I) 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.

(2) 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 Budget and Programs 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.

(c) 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.

(Added Pub. L. 114–120, title II, §214(b)(1), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 43, §60; amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. C, title XXXV, §3503(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2775; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, §3532, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2321; renumbered §315, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, §11251(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4052.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 315, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 520, related to dropping for disabilities due to vicious habits, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408. See section 1207 of Title 10.

Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–263 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to training course on workings of Congress.

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 60 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–232 amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) related to completion of required training for then current and newly appointed flag officers and employees.

2016—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted "Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016" for "Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–328, div. C, title XXXV, §3503(e), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2775, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section, sections 429, 676a, and 2702 of this title, sections 3104, 4503, and 7510 of Title 46, Shipping, and provisions set out as a note under section 1151 of Title 16, Conservation] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of Public Law 114–120 [Feb. 8, 2016]."

§316. 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.—

(1) The Secretary shall not expend any funds appropriated to the Coast Guard on the construction of any museum established under this section.

(2) Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary may expend funds appropriated to the Coast Guard on the engineering and design of a Museum.

(3) The priority for the use of funds appropriated to the Coast Guard shall be to preserve, protect, and display historic Coast Guard artifacts, including the design, fabrication, and installation of exhibits or displays in which such artifacts are included.

(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.—The Commandant may solicit from the Association and accept services from nonprofit entities, including services related to activities for construction of the Museum.

(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.

(Added Pub. L. 108–293, title II, §213(a), Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1037, §98; amended Pub. L. 114–120, title II, §219, Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 48; renumbered §316 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), title III, §303, Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196, 4243; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIV [LXXXIV], §8439(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4737; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, §11259, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4058.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of the Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020, referred to in subsec. (c), is the date of enactment of div. G of Pub. L. 116–283, which was approved Jan. 1, 2021.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 117–263 substituted "a third party entity qualified to undertake such a certification process" for "the Inspector General of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating".

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to National Coast Guard Museum.

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, §303, amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to National Coast Guard Museum.

Pub. L. 115–282, §104(b), renumbered section 98 of this title as this section.

2016—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–120, §219(1), substituted "any funds appropriated to the Coast Guard on" for "any appropriated Federal funds for".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 114–120, §219(2), substituted "artifacts, including the design, fabrication, and installation of exhibits or displays in which such artifacts are included." for "artifacts."

§317. United States Coast Guard Band; composition; director

(a) The United States Coast Guard Band shall be composed of a director and other personnel in such numbers and grades as the Secretary determines to be necessary.

(b) The Secretary may designate as the director any individual determined by the Secretary to possess the necessary qualifications. Upon the recommendation of the Secretary, an individual so designated may be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to a commissioned grade in the Regular Coast Guard.

(c) The initial appointment to a commissioned grade of an individual designated as director of the Coast Guard Band shall be in the grade determined by the Secretary to be most appropriate to the qualifications and experience of the appointed individual.

(d) An individual who is designated and commissioned under this section shall not be included on the active duty promotion list. He shall be promoted under section 2126 of this title. However, the grade of the director may not be higher than captain.

(e) The Secretary may revoke any designation as director of the Coast Guard Band. When an individual's designation is revoked, his appointment to commissioned grade under this section terminates and he is entitled, at his option—

(1) to be discharged from the Coast Guard; or

(2) to revert to the grade and status he held at the time of his designation as director.

(Added Pub. L. 89–189, §1(1), Sept. 17, 1965, 79 Stat. 820, §336; amended Pub. L. 102–587, title V, §5201, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5071; Pub. L. 107–295, title III, §311, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2102; Pub. L. 109–241, title II, §204(a), July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 520; renumbered §317 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§104(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196, 4240.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, §104(b), renumbered section 336 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–282, §123(b)(2), substituted "section 2126" for "section 276".

2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–241, §204(a)(1), in first sentence, substituted "The Secretary may designate as the director any individual determined by the Secretary to possess the necessary qualifications." for "The Secretary shall designate the director from among qualified members of the Coast Guard.", and, in second sentence, substituted "an individual so designated" for "a member so designated".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–241, §204(a)(2), substituted "of an individual" for "of a member" and "determined by the Secretary to be most appropriate to the qualifications and experience of the appointed individual" for "of lieutenant (junior grade) or lieutenant".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–241, §204(a)(3), substituted "An individual" for "A member".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–241, §204(a)(4), substituted "When an individual's designation is revoked," for "When a member's designation is revoked," and "option—" for "option:".

2002—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–295 substituted "captain" for "commander".

1992—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–587 substituted "commander" for "lieutenant commander".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Current Director

Pub. L. 109–241, title II, §204(b), July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 520, provided that: "The individual serving as Coast Guard band director on the date of enactment of this Act [July 11, 2006] may be immediately promoted to a commissioned grade, not to exceed captain, determined by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to be most appropriate to the qualifications and experience of that individual."

§318. 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.

(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(c)(1)(B), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4198.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, referred to in text, probably means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, Pub. L. 96–510, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2767, which is classified principally to chapter 103 (§9601 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9601 of Title 42 and Tables.

§319. 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 2 or more 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 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.

(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title III, §304(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4244; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIV [LXXXIV], §8413(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4725; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, §11225(a), title CXVIII, §11803(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4024, 4163.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (a), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 117–263, which was approved Dec. 23, 2022.

Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–263, §11225(a), amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to land-based unmanned aircraft system program.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–263, §11803(a), which directed substitution of "section 44801 of title 49" for "section 331 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note)", could not be executed because of the intervening general amendment of this section by Pub. L. 117–263, §11225(a). See above.

2021—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–283 added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Testing

Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIV [LXXXIV], §8412, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4724, provided that:

"(a) Training Area.—The Commandant [of the Coast Guard] shall carry out and update, as appropriate, a program for the use of one or more training areas to facilitate the use of unmanned aircraft systems and small unmanned aircraft to support missions of the Coast Guard.

"(b) Designation of Area.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021], the Commandant shall, as part of the program under subsection (a), designate an area for the training, testing, and development of unmanned aircraft systems and small unmanned aircraft.

"(2) Considerations.—In designating a training area under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall—

"(A) ensure that such training area has or receives all necessary Federal Aviation Administration flight authorization; and

"(B) take into consideration all of the following attributes of the training area:

"(i) Direct over-water maritime access from the site.

"(ii) The availability of existing Coast Guard support facilities, including pier and dock space.

"(iii) Proximity to existing and available offshore Warning Area airspace for test and training.

"(iv) Existing facilities and infrastructure to support unmanned aircraft system-augmented, and small unmanned aircraft-augmented, training, evaluations, and exercises.

"(v) Existing facilities with a proven track record of supporting unmanned aircraft systems and small unmanned aircraft systems flight operations.

"(c) Definitions.—In this section—

"(1) the term 'existing' means as of the date of enactment of this Act; and

"(2) the terms 'small unmanned aircraft' and 'unmanned aircraft system' have the meanings given those terms in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code."

§320. 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.

(Added Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §519(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1350; amended Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, §11247(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4047.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (d), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 116–92, which was approved Dec. 20, 2019.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–263, §11247(a)(2), substituted "subsection (d)" for "subsection (c)".

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 117–263, §11247(a)(1), (3), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

§321. Congressional affairs; Director

The Commandant shall appoint a Director of Congressional Affairs from among officers of the Coast Guard who are in a grade above captain. The Director of Congressional Affairs is separate and distinct from the Director of Governmental and Public Affairs for the Coast Guard and is the principal advisor to the Commandant on all congressional and legislative matters for the Coast Guard and may have such additional functions as the Commandant may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXII [LXXXII], §8211(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4649.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 321 was renumbered section 2158 of this title.

§322. 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.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8501(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4745.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 108–293, title II, §215, Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1038, formerly set out as a note under section 504 of this title, was redesignated as this section, transferred to appear after section 321 of this title, and amended so that the enumerator, section catchline, typeface, and typestyle conformed to those appearing in other sections of this title by Pub. L. 116–283, §8501(a)(1).

Prior Provisions

A prior section 322 was renumbered section 2159 of this title.

For redesignation of prior sections 323 to 500 not listed below as having been previously repealed or renumbered, see Table Showing Redesignations Made by Title I of Pub. L. 115–282 preceding section 101 of this title.

A prior section 356, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 521, related to retirement for disabilities incident to service, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408. See sections 1204 and 1376 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

A prior section 358, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, §1, 63 Stat. 522, limited number of retirements in a calendar year of enlisted men who had completed 20 years of service, to not more than the whole number nearest 1 percent of the total enlisted force on the active list, and any men so authorized to be retired annually who were not so retired, could be retired during any subsequent year providing the total retired in that year did not exceed 3 percent of the total enlisted force, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–114, §1(2), Sept. 6, 1963, 77 Stat. 144.

Prior sections 363 and 364 were repealed by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408.

Section 363, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 523, related to retiring or dropping for disabilities not incident to service. See section 1207 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Section 364, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 523, related to dropping for disabilities due to vicious habits. See section 1207 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

A prior section 368, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 524, related to discharge in case of under-age enlistment, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–322, title I, §115(b)(1), Oct. 15, 1982, 96 Stat. 1585.

A prior section 425, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 525, related to retiring boards, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408. See section 1216 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Prior sections 431, 433, and 434 were repealed by Pub. L. 99–640, §10(a)(6)(A), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3549, which provided in part that such repeal did not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun under those sections before Nov. 10, 1986.

Section 431, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 526; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §24, 64 Stat. 407, related to personnel of former Life Saving Service.

Section 433, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 528; Sept. 27, 1949, ch. 586, 63 Stat. 698; Sept. 24, 1963, Pub. L. 88–130, §1(11), 77 Stat. 190; Oct. 12, 1982, Pub. L. 97–295, §2(11), (14), 96 Stat. 1302, related to personnel of former Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation and Bureau of Customs.

Section 434, added act Sept. 23, 1950, ch. 996, 64 Stat. 978; amended Oct. 12, 1982, Pub. L. 97–295, §2(14), 96 Stat. 1302, related to personnel appointed as constructors.

Prior sections 435 to 437 were repealed by Pub. L. 88–130, §4(a), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 192.

Section 435, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §9(a), 70A Stat. 620, related to temporary appointments in time of war or national emergency.

Section 436, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §9(a), 70A Stat. 621, related to temporary promotions in time of war or national emergency.

Section 437, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §9(a), 70A Stat. 622; June 28, 1962, Pub. L. 87–509, §4(b), 76 Stat. 121, related to discharge during war or emergency of officers having less than 20 years of service for unsatisfactory performance of duty.

A prior section 438, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §9(a), 70A Stat. 623; amended June 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–444, §1(21), 80 Stat. 197; Dec. 12, 1980, Pub. L. 96–513, title V, §505(b), 94 Stat. 2918, related to laws not applicable to warrant officers of former Life Saving Service, Lighthouse Service, Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation, and Bureau of Customs, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–640, §10(a)(6)(A), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3549, which provided in part that such repeal did not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun under that section before Nov. 10, 1986.

Prior sections 439 and 440 were repealed by Pub. L. 88–130, §4(a), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 192.

Section 439, added act July 20, 1956, ch. 647, §3(a), 70 Stat. 588, related to oath of office.

Section 440, added Pub. L. 85–861, §33(b)(1), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1567, related to temporary promotion of warrant officers.

A prior section 462, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 530; May 14, 1960, Pub. L. 86–474, §1(19), 74 Stat. 146, related to pay and allowances of rear admirals, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 87–649, §§14d(1), 15, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 502, effective Nov. 1, 1962. See section 202 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

A prior section 462a, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §10(a), 70A Stat. 623; amended Sept. 7, 1962, Pub. L. 87–649, §7(b), 76 Stat. 495, related to retired pay after two years of active duty for retired rear admirals, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–417, §2(11), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2086.

A prior section 463, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 530, related to continuation of additional pay, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408.

Prior sections 464 and 465 were repealed by Pub. L. 87–649, §§14d(2), (3), 15, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 502, effective Nov. 1, 1962.

Section 464, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531, related to allotments of pay. See section 703 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

Section 465, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531, related to advances to officers ordered to and from sea or shore duty beyond the seas. See section 1006 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

A prior section 466, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531, provided for settlement of accounts of deceased officers and men, prior to repeal by act July 12, 1955, ch. 328, §5(3), 69 Stat. 296. See section 2771 of Title 10, Armed Forces, and section 714 of Title 32, National Guard.

A prior section 471a, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §11(a), 70A Stat. 624, authorized transportation of motor vehicles on permanent change of station, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 87–651, title III, §307B, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 526.

A prior section 472, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 532, related to travel allowance to enlisted men on discharge, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408.

A prior section 473, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 532, authorized Secretary to discharge underage Coast Guard enlisted personnel with appropriate pay and allowances, such persons to be given subsistence and transportation in kind to their homes, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–295, §2(15)(A), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1302.

A prior section 474, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 532, related to compensation for travel tolls and fares, prior to repeal by act Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1211, §5, 68 Stat. 1130.

A prior section 489, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 534, provided for payment of a death gratuity to survivors of officers and enlisted men of Regular Coast Guard, prior to repeal by act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, title V, §502(8)(A), 70 Stat. 886. See sections 1475 to 1480 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

A prior section 490, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, §1, 63 Stat. 534; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §26, 64 Stat. 407; Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–738, §1, 72 Stat. 832; Sept. 15, 1965, Pub. L. 89–185, §2, 79 Stat. 789, provided for settlement of claims of military and civilian personnel, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–558, §7, Aug. 31, 1964, 78 Stat. 768, effective two years from Aug. 31, 1964. See section 3721 of Title 31, Money and Finance. Pub. L. 89–185 and Pub. L. 88–558 were repealed by Pub. L. 97–258, §5(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1068.

A prior section 492a was renumbered section 492b of this title and subsequently renumbered section 2738 of this title.

A prior section 495, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 535, related to additional pay for holders of medals, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 87–526, §1(3), July 10, 1962, 76 Stat. 141, and by Pub. L. 87–649, §§14d(5), 15, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 502, effective Nov. 1, 1962.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 redesignated section 215 of Pub. L. 108–293 as this section and made technical changes to conform this section to other sections of this title. See Codification note above.

§323. Western Alaska Oil Spill Planning Criteria Program

(a) Establishment.—There is established within the Coast Guard a Western Alaska Oil Spill Planning Criteria Program (referred to in this section as the "Program") to develop and administer the Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria.

(b) Program Manager.—

(1) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Commandant shall select a permanent civilian career employee through a competitive search process for a term of not less than 5 years to serve as the Western Alaska Oil Spill Criteria Program Manager (referred to in this section as the "Program Manager")—

(A) the primary duty of whom shall be to administer the Program; and

(B) who shall not be subject to frequent or routine reassignment.

(2) Conflicts of interest.—The individual selected to serve as the Program Manager shall not have conflicts of interest relating to entities regulated by the Coast Guard.

(3) Duties.—

(A) Development of guidance.—The Program Manager shall develop guidance for—

(i) approval, drills, and testing relating to the Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria; and

(ii) gathering input concerning such planning criteria from Federal agencies, State and local governments, Tribes, and relevant industry and nongovernmental entities.

(B) Assessments.—Not less frequently than once every 5 years, the Program Manager shall—

(i) assess whether such existing planning criteria adequately meet the needs of vessels operating in the geographic area; and

(ii) identify methods for advancing response capability so as to achieve, with respect to a vessel, compliance with national planning criteria.

(C) Onsite verifications.—The Program Manager shall address the relatively small number and limited nature of verifications of response capabilities for vessel response plans by increasing, within the Seventeenth Coast Guard District, the quantity and frequency of onsite verifications of the providers identified in vessel response plans.

(c) Training.—The Commandant shall enhance the knowledge and proficiency of Coast Guard personnel with respect to the Program by—

(1) developing formalized training on the Program that, at a minimum—

(A) provides in-depth analysis of—

(i) the national planning criteria described in part 155 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this section);

(ii) alternative planning criteria;

(iii) Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria;

(iv) Captain of the Port and Federal On-Scene Coordinator authorities related to activation of a vessel response plan;

(v) the responsibilities of vessel owners and operators in preparing a vessel response plan for submission; and

(vi) responsibilities of the Area Committee, including risk analysis, response capability, and development of alternative planning criteria;

(B) explains the approval processes of vessel response plans that involve alternative planning criteria or Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria; and

(C) provides instruction on the processes involved in carrying out the actions described in paragraphs (9)(D) and (9)(F) of section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)), including instruction on carrying out such actions—

(i) in any geographic area in the United States; and

(ii) specifically in the Seventeenth Coast Guard District; and

(2) providing such training to all Coast Guard personnel involved in the Program.

(d) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Alternative planning criteria.—The term "alternative planning criteria" means criteria submitted under section 155.1065 or 155.5067 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this section), for vessel response plans.

(2) Tribe.—The term "Tribe" has the meaning given the term "Indian Tribe" in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(3) Vessel response plan.—The term "vessel response plan" means a plan required to be submitted by the owner or operator of a tank vessel or a nontank vessel under regulations issued by the President under section 311(j)(5) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(5)).

(4) Western alaska oil spill planning criteria.—The term "Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria" means the criteria required to be established under paragraph (9) of section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)).

(Added Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, §11309(a)(1), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4079.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1), (c)(1)(A)(i), and (d)(1), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 117–263, which was approved Dec. 23, 2022.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Rule of Construction

Nothing in amendment made by Pub. L. 117–263 to be construed to satisfy any requirement for government-to-government consultation with Tribal governments or to affect or modify any treaty or other right of any Tribal government, see section 11003 of Pub. L. 117–263, set out as a note under section 245 of Title 6, Domestic Security.