EXPANSION OF COAST GUARD DRUG INTERDICTION.

SEC. 812. EXPANSION OF COAST GUARD DRUG INTERDICTION. (a) Operating Expenses.—For operating expenses of the Coast Guard associated with expansion of drug interdiction activities around Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and other transit zone areas of operation, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation $151,500,000 for each of fiscal years 1999, 2000, and 2001. Such amounts shall include (but are not limited to) amounts for the following: (1) For deployment of intelligent acoustic detection buoys in the Florida Straits and Bahamas. (2) For a nonlethal technology program to enhance counter-measures against the threat of transportation of drugs by so-called Go-Fast boats. (b) Acquisition, Construction, and Improvement.— (1) In general.—For acquisition, construction, and improvement of facilities and equipment to be used for expansion of Coast Guard drug interdiction activities, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for fiscal year 1999 the total amount of $630,300,000 which shall be available for the following purposes: (A) For maritime patrol aircraft sensors. (B) For acquisition of deployable pursuit boats. (C) For the acquisition and construction of up to 15 United States Coast Guard Coastal Patrol Boats. (D) For— (i) the reactivation of up to 3 United States Coast Guard HU–25 Falcon jets; (ii) the procurement of up to 3 C–37A aircraft; or (iii) the procurement of up to 3 C–20H aircraft.112 STAT. 2681–698 (E) For acquisition of installed or deployable electronic sensors and communications systems for Coast Guard Cutters. (F) For acquisition and construction of facilities and equipment to support regional and international law enforcement training and support in Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean Basin. (G) For acquisition or conversion of maritime patrol aircraft. (H) For acquisition or conversion of up to 2 vessels to be used as Coast Guard Medium or High Endurance Cutters. (I) For acquisition or conversion of up to 2 vessels to be used as Coast Guard Cutters as support, command, and control platforms for drug interdiction operations. (J) For acquisition of up to 6 Coast Guard Medium Endurance Cutters. (2) Continued availability.—Amounts appropriated under this subsection may remain available until expended. (c) Requirement to Accept Patrol Craft From Department Of Defense.—The Secretary of Transportation shall accept, for use by the Coast Guard for expanded drug interdiction activities, 7 PC–170 patrol craft if offered by the Department of Defense.