Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024

What it does

This bill reauthorizes certain Coast Guard authorities and programs through FY2026, including by extending current levels for active-duty personnel and military training student loads. The bill also modifies several existing policies and programs.

Among other provisions, the bill

• authorizes the Coast Guard to act to protect against damage or destruction resulting from cyber incidents, transnational organized crime, or foreign state threats;

• exempts service life extension programs from certain requirements for acquisition projects or programs;

• provides the Coast Guard with direct hire authority to appoint Coast Guard Academy civilian faculty;

• provides members of certain reserve components with up to 12 inactive-duty training periods of parental leave; and

• expands benefits for individuals who are participating in the Career Intermission Program to include benefits such as disability and death benefits.

The bill also

• requires the Coast Guard to establish location specific tsunami evacuation plans for units and sectors located in areas that have a high or very high risk of a tsunami,

• establishes certain notice requirements for foreign vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf,

• amends the requirements for certain merchant mariner credentials, and

• requires higher-level review for certain determinations regarding the retention of an officer whose record includes a sexual assault offense.

Further, the bill requires the Coast Guard to provide Congress reports detailing the status of the Polar Security Cutter program, among other reporting requirements.

Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the acquisition of additional vessels and aircraft, information technology modernization, and shoreside infrastructure.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Mar 13, 2024 (Introduced in House). CRS summarizes bills impartially; it does not take positions.