Bills
| 3.23.22

Upgrading The Coast Guard and Altering Maritime Law (H.R. 4005)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 4005?

(Updated July 18, 2018)

82-page Act that authorizes the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2015 and 2016. Deals with everything from Coast Guard housing to fishing permits.

Argument in favor

Supports Coast Guard servicemembers. Helps replace and modernize aging Coast Guard assets. Improves USCG mission effectiveness.

Argument opposed

Restricts foreign-born seamen's right to sue in a United States court, goes against the Jones Act and hundreds of years of maritime law.

Impact

Impacts the United States Coast Guard, the shipping industry, the cruise ship industry, and U.S.-controlled submerged lands and tidelands.

Cost of H.R. 4005

The CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost $16.8 billion over the 2015-2019 period.

Additional Info

Media:

HR 4005 and Foreign Crew Members

Overview of Legislation: Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure 

Of Note: 

-This bill will be considered under suspension of the rules and therefore no amendments will be considered. 

-Over 75% of the nearly 16 million annual cruise ship bookings are made in the United States. 

-MARAD reports that although most shipbuilders are located in coastal areas, the direct and indirect economic benefits reach all 50 states. In 2011, the nation’s more than 300 shipyards directly provided more than 107,000 jobs, $7.9 billion in labor income to the national economy and contributed $9.8 billion in Gross Domestic Product. In addition, the average income for these industry jobs, $73,000, is 45 percent higher than the national average.

-According to Coast Guard Commandant Richard Papp, the average age of a Coast Guard medium-endurance cutter is now 46 years. 

In Detail:

Notably, it sets the number of Coast Guard personnel at 43,000; gets the Coast Guard some new boats and gets rid of some old ones, or gets them fixed; authorizes the Coast Guard's Commandant to lease submerged lands and tidelands under the control of the Coast Guard for periods longer than five years; and amends The Jones Act which allows a seaman who has suffered an injury while working to sue their employer for negligence that contributed to the injury. The legislation also permanently exempts owners of fishing vessels and small commercial vessels from having to obtain EPA permits before discharging such substances as rain water runoff, air conditioner condensate, and bilge water from their vessels.