Murkowski cosponsors bill to let Coast Guard commandant sign local support deals

Coast Guard installations across Alaska, from Kodiak to remote coastal stations, could see faster local support agreements under a bill Sen. Lisa Murkowski has cosponsored.

S. 5341 would require the secretary of the department overseeing the Coast Guard to delegate to the commandant the authority to sign intergovernmental support agreements for installation services. Sen. Christopher Murphy of Connecticut introduced the bill Aug. 6. The Senate read it twice and referred it to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Alaska News previously reported on the Coast Guard's request that Homer accept transfer of its cutter support building, with a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 24. Earlier coverage also noted the service plans to homeport two Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak and one in Seward, with first delivery expected in 2028.

Murkowski told a Senate hearing on the Homeland Security budget June 2 that shore facilities have lagged behind the fleet. "Those FRCs are now built. They're hanging out in other communities because we didn't keep up with the shoreside infrastructure in Seward and Sitka specifically," she said.

The bill text names no state. Any effect in Alaska would depend on how the Coast Guard uses the authority.