Additional response assets

(a) Exemption and requirements Section 3302 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (o) Additional response assets (1) Vessels exempt from inspection Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a qualified vessel engaged in a qualified oil spill response shall not be subject to inspection if the qualified vessel— (A) has— (i) an agreement by contract or other approved means with an oil spill removal organization to support a response plan under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)), including training and exercises related to oil spill response activities; or (ii) been approved by the Secretary to respond to a discharge of oil or to participate in training and exercises related to oil spill response activities; (B) is normally and substantially involved in activities other than, and not adapted to, spill response; (C) complies with all applicable laws for the use of such vessel in the activities for which such vessel is normally and substantially operated, including any inspection requirement under this title for such use; and (D) has at least 1 crewmember possessing certifications for, or who are in training for, applicable hazardous waste operations and emergency response. (2) Allowances A qualified vessel under paragraph (1) may— (A) unless otherwise inspected as a towing vessel under this title, tow only— (i) another vessel or a device, including a bladder, designed to carry oil or oil residues with the capacity of less than 250 barrels; or (ii) oil spill response equipment, including boom, skimmers, or other response equipment; (B) carry— (i) temporary storage containers on board for recovered oil or oil-contaminated materials collected during an oil spill response, including bags, drums, and totes as approved by the Secretary; (ii) oil spill response equipment; or (iii) no more than 6 passengers for hire in support of a response plan under Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) approved by the Secretary unless the vessel has been inspected under paragraph (4) or (8) of section 3301 or is authorized by the Secretary to carry more than 6 passengers for hire; (C) if the qualified vessel is a tank vessel, be used for storage of recovered oil only if not carrying oil as cargo at the time of an oil spill response; or (D) conduct any other operation, or engage in training or exercises, in support of a response plan under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) approved by the Secretary. (3) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Qualified vessel The term qualified vessel means a vessel operating in any part of the area of responsibility— (i) of the Western Alaska Captain of the Port Zone as in effect of the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025; or (ii) the Prince William Sound Captain of the Port Zone as in effect of the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. (B) Qualified oil spill The term qualified oil spill means an oil spill occurring in any part of the area of responsibility— (i) of the Western Alaska Captain of the Port Zone as in effect of the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025; or (ii) the Prince William Sound Captain of the Port Zone as in effect of the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025.. (b) Repeal Section 11316 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263) is repealed.

(a) Exemption and requirements Section 3302 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (o) Additional response assets (1) Vessels exempt from inspection Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a qualified vessel engaged in a qualified oil spill response shall not be subject to inspection if the qualified vessel— (A) has— (i) an agreement by contract or other approved means with an oil spill removal organization to support a response plan under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)), including training and exercises related to oil spill response activities; or (ii) been approved by the Secretary to respond to a discharge of oil or to participate in training and exercises related to oil spill response activities; (B) is normally and substantially involved in activities other than, and not adapted to, spill response; (C) complies with all applicable laws for the use of such vessel in the activities for which such vessel is normally and substantially operated, including any inspection requirement under this title for such use; and (D) has at least 1 crewmember possessing certifications for, or who are in training for, applicable hazardous waste operations and emergency response. (2) Allowances A qualified vessel under paragraph (1) may— (A) unless otherwise inspected as a towing vessel under this title, tow only— (i) another vessel or a device, including a bladder, designed to carry oil or oil residues with the capacity of less than 250 barrels; or (ii) oil spill response equipment, including boom, skimmers, or other response equipment; (B) carry— (i) temporary storage containers on board for recovered oil or oil-contaminated materials collected during an oil spill response, including bags, drums, and totes as approved by the Secretary; (ii) oil spill response equipment; or (iii) no more than 6 passengers for hire in support of a response plan under Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) approved by the Secretary unless the vessel has been inspected under paragraph (4) or (8) of section 3301 or is authorized by the Secretary to carry more than 6 passengers for hire; (C) if the qualified vessel is a tank vessel, be used for storage of recovered oil only if not carrying oil as cargo at the time of an oil spill response; or (D) conduct any other operation, or engage in training or exercises, in support of a response plan under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) approved by the Secretary. (3) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Qualified vessel The term qualified vessel means a vessel operating in any part of the area of responsibility— (i) of the Western Alaska Captain of the Port Zone as in effect of the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025; or (ii) the Prince William Sound Captain of the Port Zone as in effect of the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. (B) Qualified oil spill The term qualified oil spill means an oil spill occurring in any part of the area of responsibility— (i) of the Western Alaska Captain of the Port Zone as in effect of the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025; or (ii) the Prince William Sound Captain of the Port Zone as in effect of the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025.. (b) Repeal Section 11316 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263) is repealed.