; and (2) in clause (ii), by striking sealift . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on October 1, 2019, and shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning on or after that date. 1017. Senior Technical Authority for each naval vessel class (a) Senior Technical Authority for each class required Chapter 863 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 8669a the following new section: 8669b. Senior Technical Authority for each naval vessel class (a) Senior Technical Authority (1) Designation for each vessel class required The Secretary of the Navy shall designate, in writing, a Senior Technical Authority for each class of naval vessels as follows: (A) In the case of a class of vessels which has received Milestone A approval, an approval to enter into technology maturation and risk reduction, or an approval to enter into a subsequent Department of Defense or Department of the Navy acquisition phase as of the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, not later than 30 days after such date of enactment. (B) In the case of any class of vessels which has not received any approval described in subparagraph (A) as of such date of enactment, at or before the first of such approvals. (2) Prohibition on delegation The Secretary may not delegate designations under paragraph (1). (3) Individuals eligible for designation Each individual designated as a Senior Technical Authority under paragraph (1) shall be an employee of the Navy in the Senior Executive Service in an organization of the Navy that— (A) possesses the technical expertise required to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (b)