Security bill grants more powers to U.S. Coast Guard

Security bill grants more powers to U.S. Coast Guard    The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure adopted Wednesday a bill that gives additional powers to the U.S. Coast Guard and law enforcement officers in ports to ensure security.
   The Maritime Transportation Amendments of 2004 (H.R. 4251) legislation “improves the U.S. Coast Guard’s oversight of maritime transportation and increase the agency’s ability to enforce port security regulations,” the House committee said.
   Section 201 adds two new maritime transportation security sections to chapter 701, port security, of title 46, U.S. Code that broaden authorities granted to members of the Coast Guard and state and local law enforcement officers for purposes of enforcing the port security provisions outlined in that chapter.
   Section 70118 of the bill authorizes members of the Coast Guard to carry firearms, and, while at a waterfront facility, make warrantless arrests for felony offenses that occur in their presence, and seize property.
   Its Section 70119 gives state and local law enforcement officers the authority to make warrantless arrests for felony violations of regulations governing Coast Guard-established security zones provided their respective states allow their law enforcement officers to carry out federal law.
   Section 202 authorizes the Coast Guard to refuse or revoke clearance of any vessel suspected to be in violation of port security regulations. This section also allows the Coast Guard to clear a vessel provided that a surety bond or letter of undertaking is submitted prior to the vessel’s departure.
   Section 203 authorizes the president to delegate authority to the secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating (currently the secretary of Homeland Security) to issue rules and regulations under the authority of 50 USC 191, which allows for the emergency regulation of vessel activities in time of national emergency.
   The proposed bill will go to the House floor for a vote.