House passes $8.2 billion Coast Guard authorization bill

House passes $8.2 billion Coast Guard authorization bill    The House overwhelming passed an $8.2 billion Coast Guard authorization bill Wednesday.
   House lawmakers, approved the bill, the 2004 Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Authorization Act (H.R. 2443), by a 425 to 1 vote.
   In specific, the authorization bill includes:
   * $8.17 billion for the Coast Guard in fiscal year 2005, in addition to $1.1 billion for the agency’s vessel and aircraft replacement program, known as the Integrated Deepwater System.
   * Enhances port security by authorizing Coast Guard personnel to carry firearms and make arrests at shoreside facilities for violations of port maritime security regulations.
   * Requires development of a long-range vessel tracking system, and improvements for dissemination of maritime intelligence with other federal agencies.
   * Requires creation of a grant program to allocate funds to implement facility and area maritime security plans.
   * Authorizes funding levels for the Federal Maritime Commission for fiscal years 2005-2008.
   The authorization bill awaits action in the Senate.