§317 Special Advisor to Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs

Summary

The Coast Guard must have a Special Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs. The Secretary and the Commandant pick the Advisor through a competitive search. The Advisor must know Federal Indian law and policy, and as much as possible also know legal and policy issues for Native Hawaiians. The Advisor must have a strong record of working with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian groups. The job is a career position at the GS–15 level or greater. The Advisor’s work is to make sure the government meets its legal duties to Tribes, to lead meaningful government-to-government consultation and engagement with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian and Tribal organizations, to advise the Commandant on Tribal-related policies, to help put consultation rules into practice across the Coast Guard, and to support Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations on Coast Guard matters. No Coast Guard or Department official may stop the Advisor from giving direct, independent advice to the Secretary and the Commandant. Indian Tribe — defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Native Hawaiian organization — defined in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Tribal organization — defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.