H.R. 1987 would authorize appropriations totaling $17.5 billion, primarily for ongoing operations of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) over the 2016-2017 period. The bill would amend laws that govern the activities of USCG, FMC, and the Maritime Administration within the Department of Transportation. Assuming appropriation of the specified amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost $16.6 billion over the 2016-2020 period.
H.R. 1987 would expand the authority of USCG to cancel federal debts to include those who incurred debt as an officer on active duty in the Coast Guard. Based on information provided by USCG, CBO estimates that enacting this provision would reduce offsetting receipts that are treated as increases in direct spending by less than $500,000 over the 2016-2025 period. (The loss of offsetting receipts are treated as increases in direct spending.) Because enacting this legislation would increase direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply; however, the effect on direct spending would be insignificant in each year and over the 2016-2025 period. Enacting H.R. 1987 would not affect revenues.
H.R. 1987 contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
H.R. 1987 would impose private-sector mandates, as defined in UMRA, on sponsors of marine events and manufacturers of small boats. Based on information from USCG and industry experts, CBO estimates that the cost of the mandates would fall below the annual threshold in UMRA for private-sector mandates ($154 million in 2015, adjusted for inflation).
