Senate committee passes aviation security bill

Senate committee passes aviation security bill    The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee passed legislation last week authorizing $600 million during fiscal years 2005-2007 to fund cargo security initiatives.
   The Aviation Security Advancement Act, sponsored by Sen. John D. Rockefeller, D-W. Va., also creates a $300 million grant program to fund research, development and deployment of next-generation cargo scanning technologies. It also would require an increase in cargo inspections on commercial flights.
   The bill also authorizes $20 million for a biometric technology program to identify passengers and airport workers, and $100 million for technology and other measures to tighten perimeter security of airports and control airport access, among other provisions.