To require the Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey the United States Coast Guard Cutter BRAMBLE, upon its decommissioning, to the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History, Port Huron, Michigan, for use for education and historical display, and for other purposes.

April 30, 2003

Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. LEVIN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

To require the Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey the United States Coast Guard Cutter BRAMBLE, upon its decommissioning, to the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History, Port Huron, Michigan, for use for education and historical display, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF DECOMMISSIONED COAST GUARD CUTTER BRAMBLE.

(a) IN GENERAL- Upon the scheduled decommissioning of the United States Coast Guard Cutter BRAMBLE (WLB 406), the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall convey all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to that vessel to the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Michigan, located in Port Huron, Michigan, without consideration, if--

(1) the Museum agrees--

(A) to use the vessel for purposes of education and historical display;

(B) not to use the vessel for commercial transportation purposes;

(C) to make the vessel available to the United States if needed for use by the Commandant in time of war or a national emergency; and

(D) to hold the United States harmless for any claims arising from exposure to hazardous materials, including asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), after conveyance of the vessel under this subsection, except for claims arising from the use by the United States under subparagraph (C);

(2) the Museum has funds available, in the form of cash, liquid assets, or a written loan commitment, in the amount of at least $700,000 that the Museum agrees to commit to operate and maintain the vessel in good working condition; and

(3) the Museum agrees to any other conditions the Commandant considers appropriate.

(b) MAINTENANCE OF VESSEL- Prior to conveyance of the vessel under this section, the Commandant shall, to the extent practicable, and subject to other Coast Guard mission requirements, maintain the integrity of the vessel and its equipment until the delivery to the Museum.

(c) DELIVERY- If a conveyance of the United States Coast Guard Cutter BRAMBLE is made under this section, the Commandant shall deliver the vessel at the place where the vessel is located, in its present condition, and without cost to the United States.

(d) CONVEYANCE NOT A DISTRIBUTION IN COMMERCE- The conveyance of the vessel under this section shall not be considered a distribution in commerce for purposes of section 6(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2605(e)).

(e) OTHER EXCESS EQUIPMENT- The Commandant may convey to the Museum any excess equipment or parts from other decommissioned Coast Guard vessels for use to enhance the operability and function of the United States Coast Guard Cutter BRAMBLE as an historical display.

END