U.S. CUSTOMS CLOSER TO RECEIVING SOME COMPUTER FUNDS

   U.S. Customs is one step closer to receiving some funds to build its
future umbrella system, the Automated Commercial Environment.
   Last Thursday (May 27), the Senate passed the Miscellaneous Trade Bill
which authorizes $50 million in 2000 for Customs’ ACE development. The
House has indicated it will pass the same version of the bill either June 7
or 8.
   The House Ways and Means Committee also recently authorized $150 million for Customs’ systems development. This bill will go to the Senate for vote.
But it’s expected to receive some opposition from Senate staffers over
Customs employee overtime issues.
   Even if one or both bills pass, the funds must still be appropriated.
"There’s still a lot of missionary work to be done to get this money
released," said Jonathan H. Kent, Washington representative of the National
Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America.
   Customs says it will cost about $1.6 billion to build ACE over the next
four to seven years.