Sponsor
Mike Ezell
Representative · R-MS
Representative · R-MS
The bill aims to boost Coast Guard readiness and extend asset life through a focused corrosion-control pilot using DoD/Navy expertise and data-driven practices, trading off near-term costs, added administrative burden, and risks from reliance on outside standards and certifications.
Coast Guard crews, vessels, and mission operators will experience fewer corrosion-related failures and improved operational readiness because the pilot brings on-site technical teams, DoD/Navy practices, and specialized diagnostics.
Taxpayers and the Coast Guard are likely to see lower long-term maintenance and lifecycle costs as preventive maintenance, standardized corrosion controls, and better inspections extend service life of boats and equipment.
Coast Guard personnel will gain skills, access to a repository of best practices, and improved maintenance decision-making through new training and data/information systems, increasing maintenance effectiveness across units.
Taxpayers and the Coast Guard will face increased near-term costs for staffing, contracts, travel, training, and IT systems to stand up and run the pilot, which may require additional appropriations or reallocated funds.
Coast Guard maintenance crews and operational personnel may be diverted from other missions because on-site assistance, planning, and reporting obligations consume staff time and resources.
Relying on DoD/Navy models, contractor expertise, and interservice standards risks poor fit to the Coast Guard's unique missions and environments and may raise operational security or proprietary-information concerns that need mitigation.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a Coast Guard pilot to create staffed corrosion control assistance teams to provide on-site technical help, training, data collection, and recommendations to improve asset readiness.
Official title: To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to establish a pilot program to provide corrosion prevention and control assistance to Coast Guard field units, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 14, 2026 by Mike Ezell · Last progress July 14, 2026
Creates a pilot program for the U.S. Coast Guard to stand up corrosion control assistance teams that provide on-site technical help, training, data collection, and best-practice sharing to improve equipment readiness and extend service life. The Commandant must establish at least two staffed teams, coordinate with Department of Defense corrosion programs, submit an implementation plan within one year, and deliver interim and final reports to Congress; the pilot runs three years with an optional two-year extension.