By Ron Thaniel
April 28, 2003

In a memo last week to members of the Airport Security Task Force, Taskforce Chairman Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn summarized the Fiscal Year 2003 War/Homeland Security Supplemental Appropriations signed into law by President Bush on April 16. The new law includes $235 million to pay for installation of Explosive Detection Systems at airports.

With this new law, the amount that Congress has approved for EDS installation within the past two months climbs to $500 million. At the urging of the Conference of Mayors, the Fiscal Year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which Congress approved earlier this year, included $265 million for the same purpose.

The supplemental spending bill also includes approximately $2.9 billion for the airline industry. As part of the package, Congress agreed to suspend the $2.50 passenger security fee from June 1 through September 30.

The bill will also provide 26 weeks of unemployment compensation for aviation industry workers including airline workers, airport workers, aircraft manufacturers and suppliers who have lost their jobs.

The supplemental did not included the proposed $85 million to reimburse local and state law enforcement officers assigned to airport security duties and as a result the Conference of Mayors has begun an effort to secure these funds.

The following is a summary of some the main aviation-related provisions included in the supplemental spending bill:

Airports

• $235 million for EDS installation. Pilot Program fix.

Airlines

• $2.4 billion in cash reimbursement for security costs.
• Of that amount, $100 million is for strengthening cockpit doors.
• Suspension of the $2.50 passenger security fee from June 1 through September 30 worth approximately $520 million.
• One-year extension of war risk insurance.
• Freeze on executive compensation for top two executives at airlines that receive federal assistance.

Aviation Industry Workers

• 26 weeks of unemployment compensation for approximately 200,000 airline workers, airport workers, aircraft manufacturers and suppliers worth about $275 million.

Coast Guard, Port, Customs and Border Protection

In addition to aviation security needs, the supplemental included $20 million for port security as well as $228 million for the Coast Guard, most of which funds operations in support of Operation Liberty Shield and $38 million is allocated for port vulnerability assessments; $400 million for the Coast Guard's military deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom are funded in the Defense portion of the bill.

Regarding Customs and Border protection, $330 was approved in support of Operation Liberty Shield.