COMDTINST 5860.2A
DHS and the Executive Branch, the Coast Guard must obtain DHS and OMB approval for its
proposed legislation. Following OMB approval, DHS transmits the proposed Coast Guard
Authorization Act to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate
as proposed legislation. It is then referred to the committees with primary oversight jurisdiction
over the Coast Guard proposals. Transmitting a proposed Coast Guard Authorization Act to
Congress early in a Congressional session is critical to maximizing the Coast Guard's potential
for success. The Coast Guard may also propose "stand-alone" legislation separate from the
annual Coast Guard Authorization Act, provided the measure has no budgetary impacts, or is
budget neutral. For example, the Coast Guard may propose separate legislation to implement a
maritime treaty. Congress often combines such separate initiatives with other legislative
vehicles, such as the Coast Guard Authorization Act, following receipt. Absent extraordinary
circumstances, proposals that apply solely to Coast Guard authorities and administration will be
included as part of the annual Authorization Act and will not be transmitted separately to
Congress.
b. Any official expression of the Coast Guard's position on legislation proposed by other Federal
agencies or Departments or other bills introduced in Congress must also be coordinated with
DHS and OMB.
5. DEFINITIONS.
a. Legislation. Refers to any law, or part of a law, that establishes the legal basis for the operation
of the Coast Guard or another federal agency, defines the scope of any agency's legal authorities,
or makes a change to the United States Code. This form of Congressional action is most often
referred to as "authorizing legislation" or simply "legislation" to distinguish it from an
appropriation act which enables agencies to incur obligations and expenditures.
b. Legislative Change Proposal (LCP). Any of the following (including supporting documents)
intended for transmittal to DHS, OMB, or the Congress, or otherwise intended to be made
available outside of the Coast Guard.
(1) Draft bills or resolutions, or amendments thereto;
(2) Draft amendment to a pending bill; or
(3) Recommendation or proposal for specific legislation.
6. SCOPE.
a. This Instruction establishes:
(1) an internal Legislative Change Proposal (LCP) process for development, approval, review,
and timely submission of proposed legislation to Congress;
(2) procedures for developing and submitting formal comments on pending legislation, such as
the annual National Defense Authorization Act, that originates outside the Coast Guard but
may have an impact on the Coast Guard; and
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