LICENSES.

SEC. 504. LICENSES. (a) Elimination of Utilization Restrictions.— Section 4(a) of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1503(a)) is amended by striking all that follows the second sentence. (b) Elimination of Precondition to Licensing.— Section 4(c) of such Act is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (7); and (2) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) as paragraphs (7), (8), and (9), respectively. (c) Conditions Prescribed by Secretary.— Section 4(e)(1) of such Act is amended by striking the first sentence and inserting the following: “In issuing a license for the ownership, construction, and operation of a deepwater port, the Secretary shall prescribe those conditions which the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the provisions and requirements of this title or which are otherwise required by any Federal department or agency pursuant to the terms of this title. To the extent practicable, conditions required to carry out the provisions and requirements of this title shall be addressed in license conditions rather than by regulation and, to the extent practicable, the license shall allow a deepwater port’s operating procedures to be stated in an operations manual, approved by the Coast Guard, in accordance with section 10(a) of this title, rather than in detailed and specific license conditions or regulations; except that basic standards and conditions shall be addressed in regulations.”. (d) Elimination of Restriction on Transfers.— Section 4(e)(2) of such Act is amended by striking “application” and inserting “license”. (e) Findings Required for Transfers.— Section 4(f) of such Act is amended to read as follows: “(f) Amendments, Transfers, and Reinstatements.— The Secretary may amend, transfer, or reinstate a license issued under this title if the Secretary finds that the amendment, transfer, or reinstatement is consistent with the requirements of this Act.”.