MARITIME AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY USER FEE STUDY.

SEC. 1308. MARITIME AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY USER FEE STUDY.(a) In General.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct a study of the need for, and feasibility of, establishing a system of maritime and surface transportation-related user fees that may be imposed and collected as a dedicated revenue source, on a temporary or continuing basis, to provide necessary funding for legitimate improvements to, and maintenance of, maritime and surface transportation security, including vessel and facility plans required under section 70103(c) of title 46, United States Code. In developing the study, the Secretary shall consult with maritime and surface transportation carriers, shippers, passengers, facility owners and operators, and other persons as determined by the Secretary. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that contains—(1) the results of the study;(2) an assessment of the annual sources of funding collected through maritime and surface transportation at ports of entry and a detailed description of the distribution and use of such funds, including the amount and percentage of such sources that are dedicated to improve and maintain security;(3) an assessment of—(A) the fees, charges, and standards imposed on United States ports, port terminal operators, shippers, carriers, and other persons who use United States ports of entry compared with the fees and charges imposed on Canadian and Mexican ports, Canadian and Mexican port terminal operators, shippers, carriers, and other persons who use Canadian or Mexican ports of entry; and(B) the impact of such fees, charges, and standards on the competitiveness of United States ports, port terminal operators, railroad carriers, motor carriers, pipelines, other transportation modes, and shippers;(4) the private efforts and investments to secure maritime and surface transportation modes, including those that are operational and those that are planned; and(5) the Secretary’s recommendations based upon the study, and an assessment of the consistency of such recommendations with the international obligations and commitments of the United States.(b) Definitions.—In this section:(1) Port of entry.—The term “port of entry” means any port or other facility through which foreign goods are permitted to enter the customs territory of a country under official supervision.(2) Maritime and surface transportation.—The term “maritime and surface transportation” includes ocean borne and vehicular transportation.