Bill Overview
Title: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill authorizes appropriations through FY2023 for the U.S. Coast Guard. It also revises a variety of requirements concerning the Coast Guard's personnel, operations, infrastructure, and environmental compliance. For example, the bill revises requirements concerning maritime cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, workforce readiness, oil spills, healthcare, vessel safety, sexual assault, and sexual harassment.
Sponsors: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Target Audience
Population: People involved with or reliant on U.S. maritime activities
Estimated Size: 7000000
- The bill authorizes appropriations for the U.S. Coast Guard through FY2023, directly impacting its personnel.
- Employees of the Coast Guard will see changes in their workforce readiness and health care, impacting their working conditions and service quality.
- There are specific revisions to maritime cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, affecting operations involving technology and security within the maritime industry.
- The bill addresses oil spills and environmental compliance, potentially impacting communities and ecosystems near U.S. waters.
- Vessel safety requirements are revised; thus, maritime transport and shipping personnel will be affected.
- Addressing sexual assault and harassment means changes for the personnel in terms of workplace culture and safety.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts individuals directly associated with the U.S. Coast Guard and maritime activities, such as personnel and workers within the maritime industry.
- Given the budget constraints and the scope of direct and indirect effects, providing interviews with a mix of people closely and tangentially related to these operations gives a comprehensive outlook.
- We'll examine impacts on direct Coast Guard personnel, maritime industry workers, and individuals in coastal communities to account for varying degrees of influence from the policy.
- Many of those directly working with or in the Coast Guard will experience higher impacts due to changes in operational and safety standards.
- The budget allows for significant but targeted improvements, meaning people closest to these operations will benefit most immediately, while broader societal and environmental benefits will take longer to materialize.
Simulated Interviews
Coast Guard Officer (Key West, FL)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new resources authorized for the Coast Guard are expected to improve operational efficiency and responsiveness.
- Enhancements in cybersecurity and AI will aid in more precise missions and safety.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Maritime Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved safety measures are essential, and the policy addresses these well.
- Continuous investment ensures compliance and innovation in the maritime industry.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Environmental Scientist (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The focus on environmental compliance will help reduce oil spill incidents, benefiting ecosystems.
- Long-term environmental health supports community resilience and quality of life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired Coast Guard Personnel (Norfolk, VA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Pleased to see renewed focus on personnel readiness and healthcare.
- Upgrades will boost morale and long-term care for active and retired members.
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 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Maritime Lawyer (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 42 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Revised regulations will lead to increased cases initially as businesses adapt.
- Eventually, the legal landscape will stabilize, ensuring safer operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Commercial Fisherman (Charleston, SC)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy's focus on vessel safety could raise operating costs, although it aims to improve long-term safety.
- Environmental measures are appreciated, supporting sustainable fishing practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Information Security Analyst (Miami, FL)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhancements in maritime cybersecurity are crucial for safeguarding digital operations.
- Policy supports cutting-edge tech adoption, strengthening national security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Tech Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- AI guidelines clarified by the policy will help standardize development efforts.
- Anticipate accelerated innovation in maritime AI applications.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Coastal Community Organizer (Boston, MA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy's measures to prevent oil spills are vital for coastal communities and marine life.
- Ongoing funding is essential for sustainable community improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Recreational Boater (Newport, RI)
Age: 47 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- New safety standards will improve recreational boating experiences.
- Risk of accidents may decrease with implementation of best practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1100000000)
Year 2: $1050000000 (Low: $950000000, High: $1150000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The scale of technological adoption varies significantly among operations and will require tailored implementation strategies.
- Long-term savings and efficiency gains depend on successful integration and training across divisions.
- Environmental compliance is crucial for avoiding potential regulatory conflicts and penalties.