Senate Committee Amends and Approves Maritime Transportation Security Bill
On April 8, 2004, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee amended and approved S. 2279, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2004.
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According to a press release issued by Senator Hollings, one of the sponsors of S. 2279, as approved by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, S. 2279 would (partial list):
National intermodal cargo security plan - require a national intermodal cargo security plan within 180 days of enactment in order to detail how cargo security programs will operate in a coordinated fashion and requiring evaluation of the effectiveness of the program to inspect containers in foreign seaports;
DHS evaluation of container targeting system - require the Department of Homeland Security IG to evaluate the targeting system for the inspection of international intermodal containers and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses and, if the targeting system is considered insufficient, the amount of inspections in the next year would need to double;
Assistance for countries with inadequate antiterrorism measures - evaluate the foreign aid budget to assist foreign countries that lack effective antiterrorism measures, aiming at assisting those countries with compliance to international port security standards;
Funding for port security technology testing - provide $35 million annually to test port security technologies at U.S. ports.
Maritime penalty provision. In addition, a press release issued by the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) states that S. 2279 contains a maritime penalty provision that would require cargo left on a pier for more than five days to be sent to a General Order warehouse or face up to $5,000 in penalties per bill-of-lading.
Committee drops proposed port security fee. According to a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee press release, prior to its approval of S. 2279, the committee dropped a proposed port security fee and capital fund provisions.
Committee-approved version of S. 2279 not yet available.Congressional sources state that S. 2279, as amended and ordered reported by the Committee, is not yet available.
Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee press release (dated 04/08/04) available at http://commerce.senate.gov/newsroom/printable.cfm?id=220320.
Senator Hollings press release (dated 04/08/04) available at
http://hollings.senate.gov/hollings/press/2004408B36.html.
NCBFAA press release available at
www.ncbfaa.org/whatsnew/pressreleases/2004/maritimepenalty.htm.