MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL EXPIRATION HARMONIZATION.

SEC. 304. [46 U.S.C. 7302 note] MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL EXPIRATION HARMONIZATION. (a) In General.—Except as provided in subsection (c) and not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish a process to harmonize the expiration dates of merchant mariner credentials, mariner medical certificates, and radar observer endorsements for individuals applying to the Secretary for a new merchant mariner credential or for renewal of an existing merchant mariner credential. (b) Requirements.—The Secretary shall ensure that the process established under subsection (a)— (1) does not require an individual to renew a merchant mariner credential earlier than the date on which the individual’s current credential expires; and (2) results in harmonization of expiration dates for merchant mariner credentials, mariner medical certificates, and radar observer endorsements for all individuals by not later than 6 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Exception.—The process established under subsection (a) does not apply to individuals— (1) holding a merchant mariner credential with— (A) an active Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping endorsement; or (B) Federal first-class pilot endorsement; or (2) who have been issued a time-restricted medical certificate.