Senate Committee Adopts "100% Scanning Pilot Program" Amendment to GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Bill
On May 2, 2006, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee amended and ordered favorably reported S. 2459, the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act.
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Senate Committee adopts scanning pilot program amendment. According to a press release issued by Senator Patty Murray, one of the co-sponsors of S. 2459, during the May 2, 2006 mark up, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee adopted an amendment that would pilot an integrated scanning system to cover 100% of containers bound for the U.S. from three foreign ports within one year. As amended, S. 2459 would allow for the expansion of the pilot program as soon as practicable and possible.
Highlights of GreenLane bill. According to a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee press release, S. 2459 would improve security at U.S. ports by establishing:
a Green Lane, comprised of supply chain participants who voluntarily meet the highest level of security, allow security devices to better identify and respond to potential threats and provide real incentives to importers to enhance their supply chain security measures;
minimum security standards for all cargo containers entering the U.S. and requirements that strengthen current cargo security programs;
the Office of Cargo Security Policy to ensure accountability and coordination of cargo security policies, procedures and regulations at DHS and with other agencies;
Joint Operations Centers to ensure a coordinated, measured response and the resumption and flow of commerce in the event of an incident or heightened national security threat level;
authorization of $835 million for port security grants, the Container Security Initiative (CSI), and Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) through the collection of customs fees.
GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act press release (dated 05/02/06) available at http://hsgac.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1237&Month=5&Year=2006&Affiliation=R.
Senator Murray's press release (dated 05/02/06) available at http://murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=255041.