Report on Department of State consular officers joining Coast Guard and Navy missions to Pacific Island countries

(a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Commandant, the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, and the Chief of Naval Operations, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that analyzes the feasibility of an initiative to attach Department of State consular officers to Coast Guard and Navy missions in Pacific Island countries. (b) Elements The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the current demand for consular services from citizens of Pacific Island countries and the challenges such citizens face in obtaining consular services. (2) An assessment of the approximate time and resources citizens of Pacific Island countries that do not host United States embassies would save by having their United States visas adjudicated, or by receiving other consular services, through the initiative described in subsection (a). (3) An assessment of the cost that would be incurred by the Department of State, the Coast Guard, the United States Indo-Pacific Command, and the Navy through the implementation of such initiative, including potential alternative cost-effective options and recommendations for providing efficient consular services to Pacific Island countries. (4) An assessment of the frequency and duration of Coast Guard and Navy deployments to Pacific Island countries, including— (A) deployment frequency measured against the desired number of visits; (B) the amount of time typically spent in port for such visits; and (C) disruption to planned Coast Guard and Navy missions in order to visit locations needing consular assistance. (5) An evaluation of the logistical issues needing to be addressed to implement the initiative, including— (A) an analysis of spacing requirements to host Department of State personnel and equipment aboard Coast Guard and Navy vessels; (B) an analysis of the information technology and connectivity requirements to conduct consular affairs activities; (C) the feasibility of printing visas aboard Coast Guard and Navy vessels or alternatives to such printing, including remote printing and mailing of passports with visas; (D) the maintenance of the physical security of consular officers and relevant adjudication equipment, including computer systems and visa foils, during such missions; (E) the impacts on the operations and security of Coast Guard and Navy vessels; and (F) the estimated time consular officers would spend on board Coast Guard and Navy vessels between visits to Pacific Island countries.