COMDTINST 5860.2A
that assistance as a service to Congress. A response to a request for drafting assistance does not
reflect the Administration's position and does not require formal clearance. However, program
directors and field commanders may not respond directly to Congressional requests for drafting
assistance. All requests for drafting assistance shall be referred to the Chief, G-LLX and Chief,
G-ICA. The Chief, G-LLX will develop and coordinate the Coast Guard's response as
appropriate within the Coast Guard and with DHS.
b. All responses to requests for drafting assistance shall contain the following disclaimer in bold
type:
"The language in this document is provided in accordance with OMB Circular A-19 in
response to a request for drafting assistance from [Member or Committee]. It does not
constitute a commitment with respect to the position of the Administration, the
Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Coast Guard."
12. REVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE MATERIALS FROM OUTSIDE THE COAST GUARD.
a. Introduction. G-LLX coordinates review of legislative materials originating outside the Coast
Guard and prepares a consolidated Coast Guard response. These include draft legislation,
agency "views" letters and formal Statements of Administration Policy (SAPs) on pending
legislation, and enrolled bill letters recommending that the President sign or veto a bill after it is
passed by Congress. Often, requests for comments have extremely short deadlines (a day or only
a few hours) that do not allow for in-depth review. These deadlines are often imposed by OMB
and extensions are not granted. Rapid responses are essential to ensuring that the Coast Guard's
position can be developed and considered.
b. Request for comments. G-LLX will screen legislative materials upon receipt to determine
whether any Coast Guard interests may be involved, and will distribute the item via e-mail as
appropriate to program legislation coordinators and indicate the deadline for responses. Program
legislative coordinators shall collect any comments from within the program, reconcile any
conflicts, and develop a consolidated response on behalf of the program director. Unless
specifically requested, program staffs should not submit comments directly to G-LLX. If a
program does not respond by the deadline, G-LLX will assume the program has no comments.
c. Scope of Comments. Program comments on introduced bills, or draft legislation, should be
limited to identifying the item's potential impact on the program, but may highlight issues of
possible concern to other programs. The Coast Guard generally does not comment on impacts
outside the Coast Guard. Comments must often be cleared by the administration and are
frequently edited to comport with DHS and OMB standards and legislative priorities.
d. Interagency Working Groups. Program directors and their staffs often participate in interagency
working groups that develop legislative proposals. These legislative proposals may have policy
or budgetary impacts on the Coast Guard. Program legislative coordinators shall notify the
Chief, G-LLX when program staffs become involved in developing legislation so the Coast
Guard can ensure support and coordination.
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