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United States · Bill · S

S. 2279 (108th)

Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2004

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

1 April 2004

Last action

22 September 2004 · Floor

Status

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sponsors

Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC], Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ], Rep. Breaux, John B. [D-LA-7], Charles Schumer

Subjects

Transport

Source updated

7 April 2025

Transport

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Summary

Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2004 - Amends Federal shipping law to subject vessels to in rem liability for civil penalties assessed for violation of certain port security requirements and certain reimbursable costs (incurred by a service provider, including port authorities, facility or terminal operators, shipping agents, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or other person to whom management of the vessel at the port is entrusted). Grants U.S. district courts jurisdiction to restrain violations of such requirements. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to refuse or revoke port clearance to any owner, agent, master, officer, or person in charge of a vessel that is liable for a penalty or fine for violation of port security requirements. Directs the Secretary to require uncleared, unladen imported merchandise remaining on a wharf or pier for more than five days to be removed and deposited in a public store or general order warehouse for inspection, after which a delivery permit may be granted. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (HS Secretary) to review U.S. ports and report to Congress on the practices and policies in place to secure shipment of empty containers. Requires the HS Secretary to submit to Congress: (1) a preliminary plan that provides for the coordination of efforts of Federal agencies in collecting maritime information with respect to vessels, crew, passengers, cargo, and cargo shippers; and (2) a report on an intermodal cargo security plan, including progress in the installation of radiation detectors at all major U.S. seaports, willingness of foreign seaports to utilize non-intrusive inspection methods, and a plan to ensure compliance with security standards that would require ports, terminals, vessel operators, and shippers to adhere to security standards consistent with the National Transportation System Security Plan. Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General to: (1) evaluate the DHS system for targeting international intermodal containers for inspection; and (2) increase the number of containers to be inspected at U.S. ports if such system is ineffective in detecting potential acts of terrorism utilizing such containers. Directs the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard to report to Congress on the potential benefits of establishing joint operational centers for port security at certain U.S. seaports; Directs the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Border and Transportation Security to establish a maritime transportation security plan grant program to implement Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and help fund compliance with Federal security plans among port authorities, facility operators, and State and local agencies required to provide security services. Requires the Administrator of the Maritime Administration to identify foreign assistance programs that could facilitate implementation of port security antiterrorism measures in foreign countries. Amends the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary to establish a curriculum to educate and instruct Federal and State officials on commercial maritime and intermodal transportation. Shifts from the Secretary to the HS Secretary the authority to conduct research and development (R&D) on making U.S. ports safer and more secure. Requires the Secretary to identify nuclear facilities near navigable waterways and evaluate the adequacy of their security plans to protect them from damage by a transportation security incident. Requires the HS Secretary to: (1) recommend to specified congressional committees ways to coordinate background checks for all individuals engaged in transportation activities; and (2) assess and collect an international port security service fee on commercial maritime transportation entities and an international maritime transshipment security user fee on shippers of cargo and passengers. Establishes in DHS the Port Security Capital Fund to provide financial assistance to entities required to provide transportation security services.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 1 April 2004

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3585-3588)

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 1 April 2004

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3583-3585)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 1 April 2004

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 8 April 2004

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  5. 20 May 2004

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 530.

    Source: Calendars

  6. 20 May 2004

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-274.

    Source: Committee

  7. 20 May 2004

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-274.

    Source: Committee

  8. 22 July 2004

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8625)

    Source: IntroReferral

  9. 21 September 2004

    Reported

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9460-9468; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S9460-9467)

    Source: Floor

  10. 21 September 2004

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S9467-9468)

    Source: Floor

  11. 22 September 2004

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  12. 22 September 2004

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

    Source: IntroReferral

  13. 22 September 2004

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

10 official files

Sponsors

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.

Sources

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