by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Gov. Rick Scott’s signing of a seaport security bill in Tampa on Tuesday caused a speaker change on the topic of “JAXPORT - Navigating Under New Leadership” in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Port Authority CEO Paul Anderson was scheduled to speak to the North Florida Chapter of the Association of Corporate Growth to talk about the future of the port, but it was just that issue that caused him to make the trip to Tampa.
Anderson continued to build his relationship with the governor as he witnessed Scott sign the Seaport Security Act, HB 283, Tuesday. The legislation will streamline the process to access port terminals and reduce the security screening fees paid by port customers and employees.
“Right now we have two badges required for people to come on and off the terminal,” said Roy Schleicher, executive vice president of the port authority who filled in for Anderson at the ACG meeting at Epping Forest Yacht Club. “One issued by the federal government and one issued by each of the 14 ports in Florida. It costs our customers a lot of money.”
For the security of Florida seaports, truck drivers, seaport workers and companies must prove a business purpose for port access and present federal credentials to prove they have been screened.
Current federal law requires any person seeking unescorted access to any seaport facility in the country to obtain a federal transportation worker identification credential, which includes a background screening and a threat assessment. Florida was one of only a few states requiring both a federal and a state background check.
Applicants pay fees for the background checks. The state background checks were conducted by the ports that sent applicant information and fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It kept the information on file in the Access Eligibility Reporting System.
Schleicher explained that the ports had presented their security dilemma to the governor and he, eventually, decided to streamline the process.
“It’s a good day for the Florida ports,” said Schleicher.
The Florida Ports Council estimates maritime businesses will save about $3 million annually by not having to undergo a duplicative criminal history check at state ports.
“The ports will no longer be conducting the state background checks, which eases the burden on their customers who were paying for additional screening,” said Mike Rubin, vice president of the council.
Scott promised during his campaign to “get Florida back to work” and reduce regulation that hinders business growth. This legislation was aimed at both.
“As the best place for international companies to import and export their products, Florida’s 14 deep water ports will now be able to compete with any port in the Southeast or on the entire Eastern seaboard,” said Scott in a statement released Tuesday. “In Florida, we are taking a common-sense approach to reducing burdensome and expensive regulation so that businesses can grow and expand.”
The North Florida Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth is now in its 12th year and strives to provide a networking and educational forum for executives, professionals and investors involved in corporate growth. The association welcomed two new members at its Tuesday meeting, John Willis of PNC Business Credit and Tim Gillis of Akerman Senterfitt.
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