HR 7659 Coast Guard Authorization Act 2024, Title III ("Shipping and Navigation"), Sec. 342 ("Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems")

Summary

Establishes the National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems.

Advises the Secretary on regulation and use of Autonomous Systems within U.S. territorial waters.

Comprises 9 members appointed by the Secretary with this section and section 15109.

Requires each member of the Committee to have expertise, knowledge and experience in relating to the context of the Committee.

Ensures representation from various groups which should have at least one member.

Ensures that representation includes marine safety, security entities, vessel design, construction entities, unmanned vehicle production, port authorities, vessel operators, National labor unions, maritime pilots, commercial space transportation operators, and academic institutions.

Mandates establishment of the Committee within 90 days post-enactment.

Establishes a National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems.

SEC. 342. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AUTONOMOUS MARITIME SYSTEMS.

(a) In General.—Chapter 151 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

Ҥ 15110. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems

“(a) Establishment.—There is established a National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems (in this section referred to as the ‘Committee’).

Advises the Secretary on regulating and using Autonomous Systems in U.S. territorial waters.

“(b) Function.—The Committee shall advise the Secretary on matters relating to the regulation and use of Autonomous Systems within the territorial waters of the United States.

Requires entities to be involved in the production or research of unmanned and autonomous vehicle systems.

“(c) Membership.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall consist of 9 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section and section 15109.

“(2) EXPERTISE.—Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.

“(3) REPRESENTATION.—Each of the following groups shall be represented by at least 1 member on the Committee:

“(A) Marine safety or security entities.

“(B) Vessel design and construction entities.

“(C) Entities engaged in the production or research of unmanned vehicles, including drones, autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, or any other product or service integral to the provision, maintenance, or management of such products or services.

“(D) Port districts, authorities, or terminal operators.

“(E) Vessel operators.

“(F) National labor unions representing merchant mariners.

“(G) Maritime pilots.

“(H) Commercial space transportation operators.

“(I) Academic institutions.”.

Requires the establishment of the National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems to be set within no later than 90 days.

(b) Clerical Amendments.—The analysis for chapter 151 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“15110. Establishment of National Advisory Committee on Autonomous Maritime Systems.”. (c) Establishment.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish the Committee under section 15110 of title 46, United States Code (as added by this section).