Transportation panel clears port security bill

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a bill Wednesday authorizing $225 million over three years to improve security at America's ports.

The measure (H.R. 3983), sponsored by the committee chairman, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, ranking Democrat James Oberstar of Minnesota, Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., and Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., passed on a voice vote with no amendments.

"Protecting our ports and maritime transportation system is of critical importance to our nation as the maritime industry contributes $742 billion to the gross domestic product each year and the ripple effects from an attack on one or more of our ports would be felt throughout the economy of the nation," said Coast Guard Subcommittee Chairman LoBiondo.

Ninety-five percent of the goods that enter the country arrive at seaports, Oberstar said. The bill would give the government the "authority and flexibility" to protect Americans, he said.

Under the bill, $75 million per year will be allocated in grants after the Coast Guard conducts a comprehensive assessment of port vulnerabilities. The Coast Guard will also assess some foreign ports.

The bill would also require a new federal security card be used to enter secure areas of ships and port facilities. An amendment added at the Coast Guard subcommittee markup, which immediately preceded the full committee meeting, made it clear that truck drivers already cleared by the Department of Transportation to carry hazardous materials would qualify for the new card.

A port security bill (S. 1214) sponsored by Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., passed the Senate on December 20, 2001. House committee staff indicated that there are some key differences in the House and Senate bills, but a conference is expected to go smoothly once the House approves its legislation.

No amendments were offered at the markup, but a few members suggested they would work with Young to add provisions before the bill reaches the House floor. Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., for example, would like report language on the Lawrence Livermore National Lab's contributions to weapons detection. And Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Texas, wants to include a role for six state maritime academies.