PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.By Senator Thune from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 114-402.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Jun 29, 2016
Maritime Administration Authorization and Enhancement Act for Fiscal Year 2017
This bill reauthorizes the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for FY2017.
DOT must direct the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to prescribe a policy and develop a program to prevent and respond to the sexual harassment and sexual assault of Academy cadets and other Academy personnel.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The bill codifies the legal status of National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) vessels. MARAD training ships which are part of the NDRF are public vessels. NDRF vessels shall remain ''vessels'' until they are delivered to a dismantling facility.
The Department of Defense (DOD), in conjunction with DOT, may extend the 20- and 25-year age restrictions for vessels in the maritime security fleet for up to 5 years, when the departments jointly determine that it would be in the national interest.
The bill increases from 40 to 50 the number of DOT non-competitive appointments of Merchant Marine Academy cadets with qualities of special value.
The Department of the Navy may use the services of an approved classification society to provide for the classification of certain high-speed vessels. (Currently, the American Bureau of Shipping a non-profit organization makes such classifications for government-owned vessels.)
DOT shall convene a working group to examine and assess the size of the pool of citizen mariners necessary to support the U.S. Flag Fleet in times of national emergency.
DOT shall establish a task force to analyze the impact of extreme weather events on the maritime environment.
MARAD shall review its workforce plans and policies.
The Department of Homeland Security shall make a prospective payment to DOD for medical treatment or care provided to members of the Coast Guard and their dependents at DOD facilities.
Polar Icebreaker Fleet Recapitalization Transparency Act
The bill directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to submit to Congress a detailed U.S. Federal polar icebreaker recapitalization plan to meet the 2013 Department of Homeland Security Mission Need Statement.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Act
This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop policies on the prevention of and response to sexual harassment or assaults involving its employees, NOAA's commissioned officer corps, and individuals who work with or conduct business on behalf of NOAA. Those policies must include procedures for reporting incidents, including those occurring after-hours, at sea, or in remote locations.
The bill establishes protections for victims, including through a change of duty station of an alleged perpetrator.
The bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2020 the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998.
People & committees
Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE] · R–NE
Legislative record
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By Senator Thune from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 114-402.
By Senator Thune from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 114-402.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Veterans' Affairs, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Veterans' Affairs, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Veterans' Affairs, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Veterans' Affairs, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Veterans' Affairs, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Veterans' Affairs, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Veterans' Affairs, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4769)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4752-4769; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S4752-4769)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 517.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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