Building the capacity of local civilian and national security institutions

(a) In general The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, as appropriate, is authorized to provide assistance to build the capacity of local civilian and national security institutions of the Pacific Islands for purposes of— (1) enhancing maritime security and maritime domain awareness to address challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; (2) assisting local law enforcement in detecting, preventing, and combating trafficking in persons and drug trafficking and other forms of transnational crime; (3) providing essential services to civilian populations and responding to humanitarian challenges caused by natural disasters; (4) participating in efforts by regional institutions and frameworks to coordinate and facilitate cooperation on shared security challenges; (5) expanding information sharing and working toward operational coordination and interoperability among Pacific Island maritime security forces, including through regional fusion centers; and (6) providing assistance in legal actions, including hiring legal counsel or providing legal support, as appropriate, to support the Pacific Islands in defending their rights and interests related to maritime security, combating transnational crime, responding to natural disasters, and participating in regional security efforts. (b) Related programs and authorities The assistance and capacity building authorized by this subsection should build on the following: (1) The International Military Education and Training program. (2) The Foreign Military Financing program. (3) The Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid program. (4) The authority to build the capacity of foreign security forces under section 333 of title 10, United States Code. (5) The authority to provide excess defense articles under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j). (6) The National Guard State Partnership Program. (7) The International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Program. (c) National police forces and coast guards The national police forces and coast guards of countries of the Pacific Islands are eligible to receive assistance under the programs and authorities described in subsection (b) (other than the programs and authorities described in paragraphs (1), (4), (6), and (7) of subsection (b)).