AAPA honors lawmakers with annual award

Sen. Lamar Alexander and Rep. Mike Simpson were named recipients of the AAPA’s “Port Person of the Year” award.    The American Association of Port Authorities has selected Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Rep. Mike Simpson, D-Idaho, to receive its “Port Person of the Year” award for their leadership in gaining passage of the 2014 Water Resources Development and Reform Act.
   Both chair the Appropriations, Energy and Water Development subcommittee in their respective chambers.
   WRRDA streamlined how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers studies, constructs and funds harbor dredging projects. For example, it established annual incremental increases in the percentage of Harbor Maintenance Tax revenues spent, reversing the recent congressional practice of only using half the money for its intended purpose. By fiscal year 2025 the entire amount collected by the HMT (currently about $1.8 billion) is supposed to be used for maintaining authorized depths of U.S. harbors, although lawmakers have to follow through with the guidance in annual appropriations bills.
   Other provisions address donor equity so that ports with shippers that pay the tax, but have few dredging needs, can receive funds for related improvements, such as dredging berths.
   Alexander and Simpson also helped ensure that Congress hit the HMT targets in the fiscal year 2016 appropriations, according to AAPA.
   The AAPA is holding its annual Spring Conference this week in Washington. Alexander is scheduled to receive his award when members visit congressional offices on Capitol Hill to discuss issues important to port authorities, including infrastructure funding, port security grants, and follow-through on HMT reform.