House of Representatives Issue Conference Report

The U.S. House of Representatives issued the Conference Report on H.R. 4775, the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States. The following items may be of particular interest to the maritime community. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) received $2 million to address critical mapping and charting backlog requirements. Of the unobligated balance available, $5 million previously appropriated to the Maritime Administration for the federal maritime loan guarantee program (Title XI) is rescinded. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) received $105 million for additional port security grants; $20 million for developing and conducting port incident training and exercises; $4 million for grants and contracts for radiation system test and evaluation; and $10 million for grants and contracts for security research, development, and pilot projects. The U.S. Coast Guard received $6 million for port vulnerability assessments and $38.1 million to acquire, repair, renovate, or improve vessels, small boats, and related equipment. The bill also includes $22,929,000 to upgrade the port surveillance and vessel tracking capability in the high-value ports of New York, Houston-Galveston, and Port Arthur. The bill contains a miscellaneous provision that would amend the portions of the American Fisheries Act that prohibit engaging in certain Alaska fisheries by vessels of more than 750 gross registered tons to provide that the ban extends to vessels of more than 750 gross registered tons (as measured under Chapter 145 of Title 46) or 1,900 gross registered tons (as measured under Chapter 143 of that Title). In the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the bill, the Conference Committee indicated concern about contract oversight by the TSA and about the Department of Transportation credentialing project for transportation workers nationwide. The Conference Committee endorsed further development of portable radiation search tools (PRST) and biometrics. The House and Senate are expected to enact the legislation next week. House of Representatives Issue Conference Report on the Supplemental Appropriations Act The U.S. House of Representatives issued the Conference Report on H.R. 4775, the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States. The following items may be of particular interest to the maritime community. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) received $2 million to address critical mapping and charting backlog requirements. Of the unobligated balance available, $5 million previously appropriated to the Maritime Administration for the federal maritime loan guarantee program (Title XI) is rescinded. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) received $105 million for additional port security grants; $20 million for developing and conducting port incident training and exercises; $4 million for grants and contracts for radiation system test and evaluation; and $10 million for grants and contracts for security research, development, and pilot projects. The U.S. Coast Guard received $6 million for port vulnerability assessments and $38.1 million to acquire, repair, renovate, or improve vessels, small boats, and related equipment. The bill also includes $22,929,000 to upgrade the port surveillance and vessel tracking capability in the high-value ports of New York, Houston-Galveston, and Port Arthur. The bill contains a miscellaneous provision that would amend the portions of the American Fisheries Act that prohibit engaging in certain Alaska fisheries by vessels of more than 750 gross registered tons to provide that the ban extends to vessels of more than 750 gross registered tons (as measured under Chapter 145 of Title 46) or 1,900 gross registered tons (as measured under Chapter 143 of that Title). In the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the bill, the Conference Committee indicated concern about contract oversight by the TSA and about the Department of Transportation credentialing project for transportation workers nationwide. The Conference Committee endorsed further development of portable radiation search tools (PRST) and biometrics. The House and Senate are expected to enact the legislation next week.