Sacramento - Assemblymember Betty Karnette (D- Long Beach) was appointed Chair of the Select Committee on Ports today by Speaker Fabian Nuñez. Assemblymember Karnette's legislative district includes both the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles, two of the nation's busiest ports.

Stated Karnette; "The importance of California's ports to the state and national economy cannot be overstated. California ports handle close to fifty percent of the nation's waterborne cargo and are central to the transportation of goods throughout the United States and much of the world. Improving port security and ensuring the efficient and sustainable movement of goods from ports to ground transportation will be front and center on the Committee's agenda."

Assemblymember Karnette currently has two bills before the Legislature concerning ports and has made transportation of goods a cornerstone of her legislative agenda. Her selection by the Speaker of the Assembly to Chair this important select committee is well deserved based on her legislative tenure in the Senate and Assembly. Assemblymember Karnette is authoring AB 1406, which imposes a fee on cargo containers for port security purposes. She is also carrying legislation (AB 1330) to establish a redevelopment zone for the Los Angeles Harbor District.

"Having represented a district with two of the busiest ports in the State for many years, I am well acquainted with the myriad issues around California's ports. I look forward to working with industry and labor on the issues that are of most interest. California's ports serve much of the nation's cargo and assuring their stability and welfare is imperative," said Karnette.