April 14, 2011

“For years, Associated Industries of Florida through its Florida Maritime Council has supported and advocated for changes to our port security system, which currently requires employees to be screened for both a state security card and a nearly identical federal security card.  No other state requires two security cards and it has hurt our competitiveness. 

The Seaport Security Bill (HB 238) passed today by the House eliminates these expensive and duplicative security background screening procedures and leaves this process to be administered through the Department of Homeland Security.   

With a nearly unanimous vote, it is clear that the House recognizes the need to remove this significant hindrance and we thank each member for their vision and efforts, especially those of Rep. Dana Young (R-Tampa) whose leadership led to the bill’s successful passage.

Now that the bill is headed to the Senate, we encourage the upper chamber to follow the House’s lead and pass this important piece of legislation.”