By Ron Thaniel
April 26, 2004

In approving the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2004 (S. 2279) on April 8, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee for the second time since September 11 rejected a measure to levy user fees on cargo and passenger ships as a way to help pay for increased security at U.S. ports.

The fees would have helped pay for port security mandates in the 2002 port security law (PL 107-295).

The Committee approved measures in S. 2279 that directs the Homeland Security Department to submit to Congress a report on progress made screening cargo and installing radiation detectors at seaport, along with a timeline and expected completion date and a cost estimate.

The bill would require an evaluation of the method of inspecting international intermodal cargo containers and an assessment of security on cruise ships.

It is uncertain as U.S.MAYOR goes to press when this bill will be debated on the Senate floor.