Bill Overview
Title: Coast Guard Intelligence Operations Improvement Act of 2022
Description: This bill authorizes the Coast Guard, with limitations, to expend funds appropriated for intelligence and counterintelligence activities without regard to other expenditure-related law or regulation, if it is spent on emergency, confidential, or extraordinary activities and the Coast Guard notifies the congressional intelligence committees. This authorization applies for three years after enactment.
Sponsors: Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
Target Audience
Population: People potentially impacted by improvements in U.S. Coast Guard intelligence activities
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces, primarily responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship.
- Intelligence and counterintelligence operations are crucial for national security, potentially impacting entire national populations through improved safety and security.
- The improvements to these operations primarily involve the US Coast Guard.
- Improved intelligence operations of the Coast Guard could indirectly impact global maritime activities due to the international nature of maritime trade and influence of US maritime policy.
Reasoning
- The population impacted directly by the policy is relatively small since it pertains to specific operations within the Coast Guard, but the indirect impacts on national security and safety can affect a large portion of the population.
- Most direct impacts will be on individuals closely related to maritime industries or those working with the Coast Guard.
- People living in coastal areas or near major ports might feel more secure and hence, experience an increase in wellbeing.
- The overall national security benefit will be indirect and diffuse, potentially benefiting all U.S. citizens but more intensely impacting those in relevant industries.
Simulated Interviews
Coast Guard Officer (Miami, FL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy boosts our operational capabilities significantly, allowing us to respond faster to threats.
- I am hopeful that this will lead to better maritime security, which has been our priority.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Maritime Lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I expect the policy to indirectly benefit my clients by reducing maritime security incidents.
- The improved intelligence operations might also bring more transparency to maritime law cases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Port Authority Manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Strengthened intelligence operations will likely enhance port security.
- This will help in the long term to reduce smuggling and illegal trafficking activities at the port.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Marine Biologist (San Diego, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the policy isn’t directly aimed at environmental issues, improved maritime operations could help reduce illegal activities harming marine life.
- It's not a direct benefit for my work, but the indirect benefits are appreciated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Business Owner in Seafood Industry (Seattle, WA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved security could mean less downtime due to incidents in supply lines.
- I am optimistic that the policy will create a safer working environment for my shipping partners.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired Navy Officer (Norfolk, VA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these are crucial for maintaining our national security standards.
- It's reassuring to see investment in intelligence which will protect our shores.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student, International Relations (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these enhance my career prospects by increasing opportunities within intelligence fields.
- It’s important to see such measures being taken to secure our coasts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Professor of Maritime Law (Boston, MA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Greater intelligence capabilities can refine maritime regulations and enforcements.
- This act aligns with many strategic recommendations I have supported in my publications.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Commercial Fisherman (Portland, OR)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved Coast Guard operations can significantly reduce risks in my line of work.
- I support efforts that make the seas safer for legal operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Homeland Security Analyst (Tampa, FL)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased funding allows for better data integration and threat assessment.
- This will translate into real-world safety improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $80000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $80000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 3: $80000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The Coast Guard's expanded authorization for spending will require careful oversight to prevent misuse of funds.
- Potential benefits in national security might outweigh the short-term costs.
- The bill does not contain specific revenue-generating measures, which implies that existing budgets need to be managed efficiently.