SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE TO MARK UP PORT SECURITY BILL

SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE TO MARK UP PORT SECURITY BILL    Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee chairman Ernest F. Hollings, D-S.C. will hold a committee this morning on the Port and Maritime Security Act (S. 1214), which would establish a federal port security program.
   The committee, which introduced the controversial bill last week, is preparing to complete final action on the legislation in less than a week before it goes to the Senate floor.
   Aimed at attacking cargo theft, terrorism, drug smuggling and other crimes, the legislation would establish a national task force to coordinate security and safety enhancement programs.
   The bill requires the U.S. Coast Guard to establish local port security committees to help facilitate and coordinate law enforcement at U.S. ports in cooperation with private-sector businesses engaged in port operations.
   The bill has met opposition from the nation's port industry and customs brokers.
   Brokers are opposed to the bill's “in-bond” requirement — that importers must file data with the U.S. Customs Service for their in-bond merchandise in the same level of detail as must be filed for a consumption entry.
   The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America said that “for those in the customs broker industry, it is patently clear that no one will file this data twice and most likely opt to clear all merchandise at the first port of arrival. This is a consequence severely detrimental to your port and your business.”
   Ports have said that increased coordination and information sharing among local and federal agencies as well as the private sector, combined with additional resources for current seaport law enforcement programs would be a more appropriate method to address port security.
   Ports have made major investments to improve security and to share information with federal, state and local law enforcement jurisdictions, said the American Association of Ports Authorities.