The House last week approved several homeland security bills including a bill aimed at streamlining global supply chain security by allowing the Department of Homeland Security to recognize other countries’ trusted shipper programs and port security threat assessments.
The SMART Port Security Act (H.R. 4251) allows for DHS to agree with foreign governments to mutually recognize their respective supply chain security practices as long as a foreign government’s supply chain security program provides comparable security to the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program managed by Customs and Border Protection.
The port security legislation also requires DHS to develop a strategic plan to enhance international supply chain security and address unnecessary redundancies in federal trusted shipper and trader programs.
“The SMART Port Security Act enhances risk-based security measures overseas before the threat reaches our shores, emphasizes a stronger collaborative environment between CBP and the Coast Guard in sharing port security duties, and leverages the maritime security work of our trusted allies,” Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee said in a statement.
The House also wants to take a closer look at the maritime and aviation assets of the various DHS components and review them for redundancies as well as cost savings potential. To that end the bill calls for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review maritime security cutter redundancies and requires DHS to identify common mission requirements for marine and aviation assets across the department before initiating new acquisitions, and to standardize equipment purchases.
The House also directs GAO to study the relative costs of unmanned aerial vehicles versus manned aircraft assets and examine the operational benefits between the two types of systems.
DHS is also directed to perform a small vessel threat analysis.
The SMART Port Security Act was approved by a 402-21 vote.
The House also approved by voice vote the Aviation Security Stakeholder Participating Act of 2011 (H.R. 1447) that authorizes the Aviation Security Advisory Committee in law to ensure that there is a forum for travel industry stakeholders to have a say with the Transportation Security Administration on security regulations and policies. The bill directs TSA to establish working groups to address security challenges in air cargo, general aviation and perimeter security.
Another bill, Gauging American Port Security Act (H.R. 4005) was approved by a 411-9 vote and requires DHS to stud the gaps in port security in the U.S. and develop a plan to address them.
Also in the area of port security, H.R. 3173 directs DHS to reform how port workers apply for and receive Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) smart cards. The bill, which passed by voice vote, requires not more than one in-person visit by a worker to a designated enrollment center. Currently port workers have to go to a center to apply for a card and then return to pick up their TWIC to ensure that the individual receiving the credential is the same person that applied for it.
The House also approved legislation to allow state and local governments and emergency management officials to use Federal Emergency Management Agency State Homeland Security Grant Program funds to contract with national laboratories to leverage the labs for research and training purposes. H.R. 5843 passed by voice vote.
“My bill makes available to cash-strapped state and local governments existing FEMA grant dollars for training of first responders and emergency personnel,” Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies Subcommittee. “With fewer grant dollars available, it is important that state and local governments use these funds to leverage the expertise at our national labs and research facilities for the greatest public benefit.”