Sacramento - State Assemblymember Betty Karnette (D-Long Beach) today introduced a measure to improve the port security system in California. Assembly Bill 1406 establishes a modest annual fee earmarked for security of cargo containers handled by California ports and harbors. Specifically, AB 1406 requires the state Office of Homeland Security to assess, collect and administer a fee of $10 per cargo container for port security purposes.

"While I would prefer that such costs be absorbed by the federal government, the entity responsible for protecting our borders, I am convinced that California will never receive its fair share of port security funds from Washington, D.C.," Karnette said. "In order to provide our ports with adequate security, California must address the funding component of port security."

The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that national port security will cost $5.4 billion over the next 10 years. California, which handles just under half of the nation's waterborne cargo, is projected to need roughly $2 billion dollars for port security in the next decade. Existing federal port security funding has dwindled and is predicted to be further reduced. The last round of federal port security grants totaling $150 million has yet to be allocated.

"Port security is critical to defend our citizens, trade industry workers and businesses. My main goal is to accomplish this end. I am more than willing to work closely with industry and security experts in determining exactly how we get there," Karnette said. "There are many potential advantages to replacing the competitive federal grant process with a lean, more efficient state program with greater fiscal and administrative accountability."

Federal officials state that 100% of all seaport cargo containers are screened for potential dangers, in some way. But those closer to day-to-day port activities claim that the actual number is far less. In fact, only about 6% of cargo gets a complete inspection by x-ray, by hand or both. The inspection figures for domestic cargo (which also present a substantial security risk from domestic terror cells) may be far less.