Norman D. Dicks: “the fiscal year 2002 Commerce Justice State appropriations bill authorizes the Attorney General to charge and collect a…”

“the fiscal year 2002 Commerce Justice State appropriations bill authorizes the Attorney General to charge and collect a $3 fee per individual for immigration inspection and preinspection activities related to commercial ships. It is my understanding that it was not the intent of this provision to levy additional costs on regularized commuter ferry traffic between foreign countries and the United States and that it was this concern that led the committee to include an exemption for ferries operating on the Great Lakes between Canada and the United States in the legislation. I would like to bring to the committee's attention another region of the United States that I believe should be provided an exemption from this fee. Several passenger ferries operate between Washington State and Canada carrying passengers, cars and freight daily between the two countries. The new fee would significantly increase ferry ticket prices charged to commuters and businesses. It had been my intent to offer an amendment to this bill exempting certain ferry vessels from this fee. However, the committee has indicated that it would prefer to deal with this issue comprehensively in the fiscal year 2003 Commerce Justice State appropriations bill.”