Coast Guard Personnel Equipment Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4533
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-28T22:29:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to extend existing requirements for purchasing certain articles from American sources to include the Coast Guard, ensuring consistent procurement standards across U.S. military and related branches.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The Act is named the "Coast Guard Personnel Equipment Act."
- Main Amendment: It updates Section 4862 of Title 10, United States Code, which currently applies to the Department of Defense.
- Specific Changes:
- Broadens the scope in subsections (a) and (g) to cover "the Department of Defense or any branch of the Armed Forces."
- Adjusts references to the "Secretary concerned" instead of only the Secretary of the military department.
- Includes provisions for the Secretary of Homeland Security in cases involving the Coast Guard when it operates outside the Navy.
- Updates consultation requirements and other administrative details to account for the Coast Guard's unique status.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill expands the application of Buy American rules from the Department of Defense alone to explicitly include the Coast Guard as part of the Armed Forces.
- It replaces or adds references to the Secretary of Homeland Security in relevant subsections to handle Coast Guard matters when the service is not under Navy operation.
- Minor wording adjustments ensure the law applies uniformly without creating separate rules for the Coast Guard.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security would need to align procurement processes with domestic sourcing requirements, potentially affecting how they acquire equipment and supplies.
- On Citizens: This could support U.S. manufacturers by directing more purchases to American sources, though it may limit options for certain specialized items.
- On International Relations: The changes might influence trade dynamics with foreign suppliers, as the Coast Guard would face the same restrictions as other branches in buying from non-U.S. sources.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security, which handle its operations.
- American manufacturers and suppliers of personnel equipment and related articles.
- The Department of Defense, due to the shared legal framework.
- Potential foreign vendors or international trade partners affected by sourcing limits.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The legislation promotes uniformity in federal procurement laws across military branches, reinforcing policies that prioritize domestic production.
- It addresses the Coast Guard's dual status under the Department of Homeland Security, clarifying authority without altering broader constitutional powers over armed forces.
- No major shifts in legal authority are introduced, but it strengthens existing "Buy American" frameworks through targeted expansions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2026-05-14: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Coast Guard Personnel Equipment Act — issued 2026-05-14 — PDF (3 pages)