Coast Guard Releases and Seeks Comment on PAC 01-11, “Voluntary Use of TWIC Readers”

On March 15, 2011, the Coast Guard published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the release of and seeking comment on Policy Advisory Council Decision 01-11, “Voluntary Use of TWIC Readers.” PAC 01-11 “…provides guidance for using the Transportation Security Identification Credential (TWIC) readers as part of a Vessel Security Plan or Facility Security Plan.” Interested parties may submit comments by May 16, 2011 at http://www.regulations.gov.

House CFATS Extension Bill Introduced

Today, Peter King (R-NY), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security and six other Members of the Committee joined Dan Lungren (R-CA), to introduce a bill that would extend the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program for seven years.

The House bill would extend CFATS in its current form, and unlike the Senate bill introduced earlier this week, would not include any additional provisions for voluntary public-private training and assistance programs.

Senate CFATS Extension Bill Introduced

A bipartisan group of senators introduced new legislation this week that would extend the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program for three years. In addition to the three year extension, the bill includes provisions for:

• The creation of a voluntary technical assistance program that would allow DHS to provide recommendations or assistance to covered facilities to aid in compliance with the CFATS program;
• The development of voluntary exercise and training programs to improve collaboration with the private sector and State and local communities under the CFATS program; and
• The creation of a chemical facility best practices clearinghouse and private sector advisory board at DHS to aid in the implementation of CFATS and the voluntary technical assistance program.