VOYAGE DATA RECORDER STUDY AND REPORT.

SEC. 420. VOYAGE DATA RECORDER STUDY AND REPORT.(a) Study.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall study—(1) the carriage of a voyage data recorder by a passenger vessel described in section 2101(22)(D) of title 46, United States Code, carrying more than 399 passengers; and(2) standards for voyage data recorders, methods for approval of models of voyage data recorders, and procedures for annual performance testing of voyage data recorders.(b) Consultation.—In conducting the study, the Secretary shall consult, at a minimum, with manufacturers of voyage data recorders and operators of potentially affected passenger vessels.(c) Report.—Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the study’s findings, including a proposal for legislation if such a proposal is considered appropriate by the Secretary.