I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3273 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 27, 2011 Mr. Rigell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend title 46, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security or of any other department in which the Coast Guard is operating to enter into agreements with foreign governments or international organizations for the performance of port security assessments on behalf of the Secretary, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Port Security Efficiency Act.

2.

Recognition of port security assessments conducted by other entities

Section 70108 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f)

Recognition of assessment conducted by other entities

(1)

Certification and treatment of assessments

For the purposes of this section and section 70109, the Secretary may treat an assessment conducted by a foreign government or international organization as an assessment by the Secretary required by subsection (a), if the Secretary certifies that the assessment was conducted in accordance with subsection (b). (2)

Authorization to enter into agreements

The Secretary may enter into agreements with a foreign government or international organization, under which— (A)such government or organization may, on behalf of the Secretary, conduct an assessment required under subsection (a), or share with the Secretary information pertaining to such assessments; and (B)the Secretary may, on behalf of such foreign government or organization, conduct an assessment described in subsection (a), or share with such foreign government or organization information pertaining to such assessments. (3)

Limitations

(A)Nothing in this subsection— (i)requires the Secretary to recognize an assessment that a foreign government or an international organization conducts pursuant to this subsection; or (ii)limits the discretion or ability of the Secretary to conduct an assessment under this section. (B)The Secretary may not delegate the authority of the Secretary under this subsection to any other officer of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. .