House Legislation Calls for 100% Cargo Scanning Pilot at US Ports

The bill that Rep. Janice Hahn, D-Calif., introduced in recent days would set up a pilot program at two U.S. domestic ports to evaluate the potential for the Department of Homeland Security to meet a 100 percent inbound cargo scanning mandate (see 14091508). DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson has said the 100 percent campaign is beyond the reach of DHS as Congress did not provide funding for the mandate. The Scan Containers Absolutely Now Act, HR-5455, would put into effect a one-year pilot program at the two ports. DHS would be authorized to select the scanning equipment provided to the ports and then be responsible for the port application process. That pilot program would have to be in force with full implementation a year after enactment of the bill. A year after completion of the pilot, DHS would then have to submit a report on its findings. The measure would also authorize $30 million in funding for the pilot in fiscal year 2014.