A bill to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 1980 and 1981, and for other purposes.

(Measure passed Senate, amended)

Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for the following necessary expenses of the Coast Guard for fiscal year 1980: (1) the operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard; (2) the acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels, and aircraft; (3) the alteration or removal of bridges over navigable waters of the United States which obstruct navigation; and (4) research, development, test, and evaluation.

Sets forth the authorized end strength for Coast Guard personnel for fiscal year 1980.

Sets forth the average military student training loads for the Guard for such fiscal year.

Increases the number of commissioned officers in the Guard, excluding warrant officers, who may be on active duty from 5,000 to 6,000.

Increases the basic compensation payable to civilian keepers of lighthouses and civilians employed on lightships and other Coast Guard vessels from $7,500 per annum to $15,000 per annum. Authorizes the issuance of retroactive pay to civilian lighthouse keepers in an amount equal to the difference between what the keeper actually received and what he or she would have received under the General Schedule salary rates had there not been a $7,500 limitation on the individual's salary.