[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2689 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2689

 To establish a United States-Canada customs inpsection pilot project.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 27, 2002

Mr. Levin (for himself and Ms. Stabenow) introduced the following bill; 
     which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To establish a United States-Canada customs inpsection pilot project.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. AUTHORITY FOR THE CREATION OF INTEGRATED BORDER INSPECTION 
              AREAS AT THE UNITED STATES-CANADA BORDER.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The increased security and safety concerns that 
        developed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the 
        United States on September 11, 2001, need to be addressed.
            (2) One concern that has come to light is the vulnerability 
        of the international bridges and tunnels along the United 
        States borders.
            (3) It is necessary to ensure that potentially dangerous 
        vehicles are inspected prior to crossing those bridges and 
        tunnels, however, currently, these vehicles are not inspected 
        until after they have crossed into the United States.
            (4) Establishing Integrated Border Inspection Areas (IBIAs) 
        would address these concerns by inspecting vehicles before they 
        gained access to the infrastructure of international bridges 
        and tunnels along the United States-Canada border.
    (b) Creation of Integrated Border Inspection Areas.--
            (1) In general.--The Commissioner of Customs, in 
        consultation with the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency 
        (CCRA), shall seek to establish Integrated Border Inspection 
        Areas (IBIAs) on either side of the United States-Canada border 
        in which United States Customs officers can inspect vehicles 
        entering the United States from Canada before they enter the 
        United States, or Canadian customs officers can inspect 
        vehicles entering Canada from the United States before they 
        enter Canada.
            (2) Elements of the program.--Using the authority granted 
        under section 629(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the 
        Commissioner of Customs, in consultation with the CCRA, shall 
        endeavor to--
                    (A) locate IBIAs in an area with bridges or tunnels 
                with high traffic volume, significant commercial 
                activity, and that have experienced backups and delays 
                since September 11, 2001;
                    (B) ensure that United States Customs officers 
                stationed in any IBIA on the Canadian side of the 
                border are vested with the maximum authority to carry 
                out their duties and enforce United States law; and
                    (C) encourage appropriate officials of the United 
                States to enter into an agreement with Canada 
                permitting Canadian customs officers stationed in any 
                IBIA on the United States side of the border to 
                exercise the authority to enforce Canadian law as 
                permitted by Canada.
            (3) Privileges and immunities.--United States Customs 
        officers stationed in an IBIA, on the Canadian side of the 
        border, shall be afforded the same privileges and immunities 
        for the performance of their duties as they would enjoy if they 
        were stationed in the United States. Canadian customs officers 
        stationed in an IBIA on the United States side of the border, 
        shall be afforded the same privileges and immunities for the 
        performance of their duties as they would enjoy if they were 
        stationed in Canada.
                                 <all>