Container Bill Heads to Senate Floor
A controversial state bill to charge a $30 fee for every 20-foot container coming through three of California’s biggest ports could be headed for a vote on the state Senate floor the week of June 4.
The vote could make or break the bill, which was introduced in February by state Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D–Long Beach). The bill must be out of the Senate by June 7, or die, said Lowenthal aide John Casey. Then it goes to the state Assembly.
Known as SB974, the bill would provide $1 billion to reduce the toxic pollution caused by the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland and $2 billion to improve the infrastructure around the ports. The bill is opposed by the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the National Retail Federation, shippers, shipping lines and terminal operators. It is supported by neighborhood groups around the ports, the Sierra Club, the Teamsters and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee approved the legislation on April 17. The bill was scheduled to be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 31.
This is the second time Lowenthal has tried to get a container-fee bill passed. Last year, he introduced SB927, which applied only to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
That bill was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who urged industry leaders to come up with an alternative funding plan.
—Deborah Belgum
