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Creates a new civilian Secretary of the Coast Guard and transfers specified authorities, duties, personnel, functions, and resources into a new Office of the Secretary of the Coast Guard. The Department of Homeland Security must submit a reorganization plan within 30 days to move those people and functions into the new office and the Commandant’s duties are redefined; special reporting rules apply when the Coast Guard operates as a service in the Navy. The change alters the Coast Guard’s chain of civilian oversight (moving some authorities out of existing DHS structures), updates statutory authorities in Titles 10 and 14, and requires an administrative reorganization to implement the new office and reporting relationships.
Amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.), specifically section 103 (6 U.S.C. 113), by redesignating subsections (c)–(g) as (d)–(h) and inserting a new subsection (c) establishing a Secretary of the Coast Guard.
Create a new statutory office: ‘Secretary of the Coast Guard,’ appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Require that the Secretary of the Coast Guard report directly to the Secretary (of Homeland Security) at all times without intervening authority.
Authorize the Secretary of the Coast Guard to advise the Secretary of the Navy on Coast Guard matters when the Coast Guard is operating as a service in the Navy.
Prohibit appointment of certain officers to carry out the duties of Secretary of the Coast Guard: ‘No officer serving in an appointment under subsection (a) may be appointed to carry out the duties of Secretary of the Coast Guard.’
Who is affected and how:
Members of the Coast Guard: Directly affected by changes in civilian oversight, chain of command, and potential reassignment of roles, reporting lines, and administrative support as personnel and functions move into the new Office of the Secretary of the Coast Guard. Operational practices may change during and after the transition.
Department of Homeland Security personnel and contractors: DHS will be responsible for preparing and executing the 30-day reorganization plan and for transferring affected personnel, functions, and resources. DHS components that currently support or house Coast Guard authorities may need to reassign responsibilities and budgets.
Department of Defense components and Navy: The legislation clarifies reporting rules when the Coast Guard operates as a service in the Navy, affecting coordination, operational command relationships, and interoperability during maritime operations under Navy authority.
Federal agencies and Congress: Implementation requires statutory amendments, regulatory updates, and possible appropriation or budget transfers; Congress will receive the reorganization plan and will likely exercise oversight of the implementation process.
Maritime stakeholders and public safety partners (indirectly): Any changes that affect Coast Guard operations, readiness, or coordination with other agencies could have downstream effects on maritime safety, search and rescue operations, port security, and regulatory enforcement.
Practical effects and risks:
Overall, the legislation is primarily a structural and governance change with wide-ranging administrative, legal, and operational implications for the Coast Guard and its partner agencies, requiring detailed implementation planning.
Redesignates certain subsections and inserts a new subsection establishing a Secretary of the Coast Guard position that is appointed by the President with Senate advice and consent; adjusts the Commandant's reporting relationship to report to the Secretary of the Coast Guard and revises duties accordingly.
Modifies subsection (f) to clarify designated paragraphing and to replace references to 'the Secretary' with 'the Secretary of the Coast Guard' and to add an exception that when the Coast Guard is operating as a service in the Navy the Commandant shall report directly to the Secretary of the Navy.
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced March 27, 2025 by Richard Lynn Scott · Last progress March 27, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate