Description:
S. 1611 would authorize appropriations totaling $17.5 billion over the 2016-2017 period, for operations of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The bill also 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.
Because enacting this legislation would increase direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply; however, CBO estimates that the effect on direct spending would be insignificant in each year and over the 2016-2025 period. Enacting S. 1611 would not affect revenues.
CBO estimates that enacting the legislation would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits by more than $5 billion in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2026.
S. 1611 contains intergovernmental mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) by preempting state and local laws relating to ballast water and other discharges of vessels. Although the preemption would limit the application of state and local laws and regulations, CBO estimates that the bill would impose no duty on state or local governments that would result in additional spending or a loss of revenues.
S. 1611 contains several private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA on manufacturers and importers of certain water treatment technology, manufacturers of small boats, and owners and operators of vessels. Although the incremental costs of compliance are uncertain, on balance, CBO expects the aggregate cost of the mandates would probably fall below the annual threshold established in UMRA for private-sector mandates ($154 million in 2015, adjusted for inflation).
