Eli Crane: “Yesterday Mr. Shaw introduced H.R. 3034, a bill to allow the U.S. Customs Service limited and temporary access to the…”

“Yesterday Mr. Shaw introduced H.R. 3034, a bill to allow the U.S. Customs Service limited and temporary access to the Customs COBRA User Fee Account to fund, through September 30, 1998, up to 50 inspectional positions for processing passengers arriving on commercial vessels--cruise ships--in Florida. As of September 30, 1997, Customs no longer collects user fees from passengers arriving from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Current law states that the funds can only be used to enhance inspectional service at ports if Customs COBRA User fees are collected. Thus, Customs may not use any money from the Customs COBRA User Fee Account to fund positions in those ports to enhance the inspection of passengers who arrive from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. As of September 30, 1997, fees are no longer collected from cruise ship passengers arriving in Florida from Caribbean countries. Therefore, Customs no longer has the authority to access the user fee account to pay for inspectional positions previously acquired in these Florida ports.”