Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives and Alaskan Congressman Don Young today passed H.R. 1987, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, which advances a number of reforms and priorities to support the critical mission of protecting our oceans and waterways. The bipartisan legislation, which authorizes U.S. Coast Guard funding and priorities for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017, unanimously passed the House this evening.
“Our Coast Guard men and women, tasked with protecting our oceans, waterways and more than 44,000 miles of Alaska coastline, deserve our utmost support and commitment,” said Congressman Don Young, former Chairman and a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “The swift and bipartisan passage of this legislation, which provides our Coast Guard with the resources, tools and reforms to fulfill their critical mission, reaffirms that commitment. In addition to authorizing a number of important Coast Guard priorities, I was proud to see the inclusion of a number of provisions to reduce burdensome regulations placed upon our mariners and fishermen, and efforts to support the disposal of shuttered federal properties. Overall, this package is a big win for the American people.”
H.R. 1987 advances a number of important Alaskan causes offered by Congressman Young, including:
- H.R. 2038, Tok Land Transfer: Legislation introduced by Congressman Don Young to authorize the conveyance of U.S. Coast Guard housing facilities in Tok, Alaska to the Tanana Chiefs’ Conference to ensure the continuation of the region’s only behavioral health clinic.
- Fishing Vessel Classification: An amendment included by Congressman Young to create an alternative vessel classification compliance program for the construction of new fishing vessels and fishing tenders from 50 to 79 feet in length. Since coming into effect, new classification rules have caused uncertainty in classification costs, which has had negatively impacted the construction of newer, safer fishing vessels. Through alternative compliance, safety can be achieved without arbitrarily expensive requirements.
- H.R. 337, the Maritime Lien Reform Act: Introduced by Congressman Young, this legislation works to protect the earning power and livelihood of Alaska commercial fishing permits owners by prohibiting maritime liens from being imposed on their fishing permits. Current Alaska law prohibits liens of Alaska limited entry permits, but court rulings have subjected fishing licenses to maritime lien under the Federal Admiralty Law.
- Icebreakers: Language supported by Congressman Don Young to advance the nation’s icebreaking fleet was included within H.R. 1987. The language requires a determination on the feasibility of refurbishing the USCG POLAR SEA by the USCG within 270 days of enactment. Further, the bill enlists the National Academy of Sciences to do an in depth cost comparison of various options to meet our immediate icebreaking needs.
Specifically, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 would:
- Authorize the Coast Guard for Fiscal Year 2016 and 2017 at currently authorized levels, ensuring the Service has the resources it needs to successfully conduct its critical missions.
- Alleviate administrative burdens on mariners by requiring the Coast Guard to harmonize the expiration of merchant mariner credentials, radar observer endorsements, and medical certificates.
- Require the Coast Guard to certify local physicians to make medical fitness determinations of merchant mariners.
- Bolster shipyards and mariners by requiring the implementation of a program to promote the transportation of LNG on U.S. flag vessels, using U.S. mariners.
- Ensure Coast Guard officers and enlisted service members receive access to the same benefits as their counterparts in the Department of Defense.
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