Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/2942

124 STAT. 2916 PUBLIC LAW 111–281—OCT. 15, 2010 respect to which the District Ombudsman will provide assistance. ‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—The District Ombudsman shall not provide assistance with respect to a dispute unless it involves the impact of Coast Guard requirements on port business and the flow of commerce. ‘‘(C) PRIORITY.—In providing such assistance, the Dis- trict Ombudsman shall give priority to complaints brought by petitioners who believe they will suffer a significant hardship as the result of implementing a Coast Guard requirement or being denied a Coast Guard service. ‘‘(3) CONSULTATION.—The District Ombudsman may consult with any Coast Guard personnel who can aid in the investiga- tion of a complaint. ‘‘(4) ACCESS TO INFORMATION.—The District Ombudsman shall have access to any Coast Guard document, including any record or report, that will aid the District Ombudsman in obtaining the information needed to conduct an investigation of a complaint. ‘‘(5) REPORTS.—At the conclusion of an investigation, the District Ombudsman shall submit a report on the findings and recommendations of the District Ombudsman, to the Com- mander of the District in which the petitioner who brought the complaint is located or operating. ‘‘(6) DEADLINE.—The District Ombudsman shall seek to resolve each complaint brought in accordance with the guide- lines— ‘‘(A) in a timely fashion; and ‘‘(B) not later than 4 months after the complaint is officially accepted by the District Ombudsman. ‘‘(d) APPOINTMENT.—The Commandant shall appoint as the Dis- trict Ombudsman an individual who has experience in port and transportation systems and knowledge of port operations or of mari- time commerce (or both). ‘‘(e) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Secretary shall report annually to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the matters brought before the District Ombudsmen, including— ‘‘(1) the number of matters brought before each District Ombudsman; ‘‘(2) a brief summary of each such matter; and ‘‘(3) the eventual resolution of each such matter.’’. (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the beginning of that chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: ‘‘55. District Ombudsmen.’’. SEC. 215. COAST GUARD COMMISSIONED OFFICERS: COMPULSORY RETIREMENT. (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking section 293 and inserting the following: ‘‘§ 293. Compulsory retirement ‘‘(a) REGULAR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.—Any regular commis- sioned officer, except a commissioned warrant officer, serving in a grade below rear admiral (lower half) shall be retired on the 14 USC 41.