Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024

# Summary of Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 This comprehensive legislation contains numerous provisions to improve Coast Guard operations, safety, and response capabilities. Key provisions include: 1. **Sexual Assault and Harassment Response**: - Mandates a comprehensive policy for retention and access to evidence related to sexual misconduct (Section 402) - Requires 50-year retention of physical and forensic evidence related to rape or sexual assault - Establishes a Safe-to-Report policy for all Coast Guard members, cadets, and trainees (Section 405) - Creates a process for cadets who are victims of sexual assault to request transfer to other military academies or ROTC programs (Section 403) 2. **Uncrewed Systems**: - Establishes a National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems (Section 231) - Creates a pilot program for governance of small uncrewed maritime systems (Section 232) - Requires a report on establishing an uncrewed systems capabilities office within the Coast Guard (Section 236) 3. **Vessel Safety and Operations**: - Amends regulations for towing vessels, fish tenders, and fishing vessels (Section 223) - Establishes new requirements for vessel traffic services and pipeline proximity alerts (Section 220) - Creates a National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems (Section 231) 4. **Evidence and Records Management**: - Requires retention of all work product related to investigations for at least 7 years (Section 402) - Establishes specific procedures for handling evidence in sexual assault cases - Creates requirements for victim access to records after case disposition 5. **Environmental Protection**: - Amends oil spill response capabilities (Section 301) - Creates requirements for abandoned vessel removal (Section 250) - Improves online incident reporting systems (Section 304) The legislation represents a significant update to Coast Guard policies and procedures, with particular emphasis on improving response to sexual assault and harassment, enhancing safety regulations, and adapting to new technologies like uncrewed maritime systems.