H.R. 5978

Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Amendments Act of 2016

TITLE I--COAST GUARD, NAVIGATION, AND SHIPPING

(Sec. 101) This bill makes several changes to the U.S. Coast Guard major acquisition system. The changes are designed to establish a customer-oriented acquisition system.

The bill expands the acquisition responsibilities of the Coast Guard's Chief Acquisition Officer and Vice Commandant. Additionally, the bill limits the Coast Guard's authority to procure unmanned aerial systems (drones).

The Coast Guard may extend an acquisition contract without competition if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approves. DHS must study the effects that multi-year contracting has on Coast Guard acquisition programs.

(Sec. 102) The bill requires the Coast Guard to make payment based on a predetermined fixed amount to the Department of Defense (DOD) for medical treatment of current or former members of the Coast Guard and their dependents at DOD facilities.

(Sec. 103) The bill amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to repeal certain audit requirements for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and to revise reporting requirements for the fund.

(Sec. 104) The bill revises the deadline for compliance by certain fishing vessels with the alternative safety compliance program.

(Sec. 105) The Coast Guard must report on plans for berthing the USCGC Diligence in Wilmington, North Carolina while the Coast Guard pier is being repaired.

(Sec. 106) National Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Resilience and Security Act of 2016

The Coast Guard must develop a land-based system to backup its Global Positioning System.

(Sec. 107) The Coast Guard may approve alternative planning criteria for the Arctic area.

TITLE II--OTHER MATTERS

(Sec. 201) The Coast Guard must issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the vessel Apollonia.

(Sec. 202) The Coast Guard may reimburse private entities for project costs incurred to construct and establish an aid to navigation.