Congressman Don Young Helps the House Pass Coast Guard Reauthorization with Critical Alaska Provisions

Statement

Today, Alaska Congressman Don Young, former Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, helped the House pass H.R. 3409 -- the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019. This legislation reauthorizes funding for the Coast Guard and Federal Maritime Commission through 2021, and includes several Alaska-specific provisions supported by Congressman Young. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

"With more coastline than any other state in the Union, Alaskans know how essential the Coast Guard is for protecting our waters, defending our borders, and frequently, serving as first responders to maritime emergencies," said Congressman Don Young. "The bipartisan legislation passed today ensures that the dedicated men and women of the United States Coast Guard have the resources necessary to fulfill their critical mission. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I was able to secure several provisions to help better support Alaska's tourism industry, improve the navigation of Alaska's waters, and help ensure that the Arctic remains safe for commercial exploration. I am grateful to my colleagues on the committee for helping to get this important bill to the floor. I look forward to working with the Alaska Delegation to ensure that we send a bill to the President's desk that strengthens our Coast Guard and benefits our great state."

Alaska-Specific Provisions Supported by Congressman Young in this Legislation:

Two coastwise endorsements for Alaskan operators to better support the state's tourism industry.

Clarification to allow the conveyance of Coast Guard property at Point Spencer to be carried out in a timelier manner.

Relief for small and uninspected passenger vessels rebuilt in the United States to allow domestic coastwise use.

Establishment of a demonstration program through the Coast Guard to assess the feasibility of using unmanned aircraft systems for operations in the Arctic.

Language mandating that the Coast Guard complete a route study on the Chuckchi Sea, Bering Strait, and Bering Sea within one year as well as complete a route study on the Alaska Arctic coast within five years to help facilitate the movement of vessel traffic.

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