Sec. 306. Advisory committees

1,093 words·~5 min read·/bill/116/hr/3409/ih/section-306

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Section 15106(c)(3) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— in subparagraph (C), by striking mineral and oil operations, including geophysical services and inserting operations ; in subparagraph (D), by striking exploration and recovery ; in subparagraph (E), by striking engaged in diving services related to offshore construction, inspection, and maintenance and inserting providing diving services to the offshore industry ; in subparagraph (F), by striking engaged in safety and training services related to offshore exploration and construction and inserting providing safety and training services to the offshore industry ; in subparagraph (G), by striking engaged in pipelaying services related to offshore construction and inserting providing subsea engineering, construction, or remotely operated vehicle support to the offshore industry ; in subparagraph (H), by striking mineral and energy ; in subparagraph (I), by striking national environmental entities and inserting entities providing environmental protection, compliance, or response services to the offshore industry ; and in subparagraph (J), by striking deepwater ports and inserting entities engaged in offshore oil exploration and production on the Outer Continental Shelf adjacent to Alaska .

Section 15109(j)(4) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: The members of a committee shall be available to testify before appropriate committees of the Congress with respect to the advice, reports, and recommendations submitted under paragraph (2). . Chapter 555 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: There is established a National Maritime Transportation System Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the Committee ).

The Committee shall advise the Secretary of Transportation on matters relating to the United States maritime transportation system and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system, including the viability of the United States Merchant Marine. The Committee shall consist of 25 members appointed by the Secretary of Transportation in accordance with this section and section 15109. Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.

Members of the Committee shall be appointed as follows: At least 1 member shall represent the Environmental Protection Agency. At least 1 member shall represent the Department of Commerce. At least 1 member shall represent the Army Corps of Engineers. At least 1 member shall represent the Coast Guard. At least 1 member shall represent Customs and Border Protection. At least 1 member shall represent State and local governmental entities. Additional members shall represent private sector entities that reflect a cross-section of maritime industries, including port and water stakeholders, academia, and labor.

The Secretary may appoint additional representatives from other Federal agencies as the Secretary considers appropriate. For purposes of section 15109— the Committee shall be treated as a committee established under chapter 151; and the Secretary of Transportation shall fulfill all duties and responsibilities and have all authorities of the Secretary of Homeland Security with regard to the Committee. . Notwithstanding any other provision of law— an advisory committee substantially similar to the National Maritime Transportation System Advisory Committee established by this section and that was in force or in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, including the charter, membership, and other aspects of such committee, may remain in force or in effect for the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section; and during such 2-year period— requirements relating the National Maritime Transportation System Advisory Committee established by such section shall be treated as satisfied by such substantially similar advisory committee; and the enactment of this section shall not be the basis— to deem, find, or declare such committee, including the charter, membership, and other aspects thereof, void, not in force, or not in effect; to suspend the activities of such committee; or to bar the members of such committee from a meeting.

The analysis at the beginning of chapter 555 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 55502. National Maritime Transportation System Advisory Committee. . Section 55603 of title 46, United States Code, and the item relating to that section in the analysis for chapter 556 of that title, are repealed. Title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking section 9307 and inserting the following: There is established a Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the Committee ).

The Committee— may review proposed Great Lakes pilotage regulations and policies and make recommendations to the Secretary that the Committee considers appropriate; and may advise, consult with, report to, and make recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to Great Lakes pilotage. The Committee shall consist of 7 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section and section 15109. Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.

Members of the Committee shall be appointed as follows: The President of each of the 3 Great Lakes pilotage districts, or the President’s representative. At least 1 member shall represent the interests of vessel operators that contract for Great Lakes pilotage services. At least 1 member shall represent the interests of Great Lakes ports. At least 1 member shall represent the interests of shippers whose cargoes are transported through Great Lakes ports. At least 1 member shall have a background in finance or accounting and must have been recommended to the Secretary by a unanimous vote of the other members of the Committee.

For purposes of section 15109, the Committee shall be treated as a committee established under chapter 151. . Notwithstanding any other provision of law— an advisory committee substantially similar to the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee established by this section and that was in force or in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, including the charter, membership, and other aspects of the committee, may remain in force or in effect for a period of 2 years from the date of enactment of this Act; and during such 2-year period— requirements relating to the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee established by this section shall be treated as satisfied by the substantially similar advisory committee; and the enactment of this section shall not be the basis— to deem, find, or declare such committee, including the charter, membership, and other aspects thereof, void, not in force, or not in effect; to suspend the activities of such committee; or to bar the members of such committee from a meeting.