Panel OKs use of customs fees for salaries

The House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Friday approved by voice vote legislation extending the Generalized System of Preferences program through June 30, 2000.

The legislation, offered by Subcommittee Chairman Philip Crane, R-Ill., would grant U.S. Customs access to customs user fee accounts to pay for the salaries of up to 50 customs inspectors.

In addition, the bill would establish a new $1 user fee for cruise ship passengers arriving from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean to finance seaport inspection services for those passengers.