Gov. Scott Signs Bill Reducing Overlapping Seaport Security Measures

Gov. Scott signed HB 283 Tuesday in the Port of Tampa, which eliminates state security measures at Florida's 14 seaports that duplicated federal security regulations.

As the best place for international companies to import and export their products, Floridas 14 deepwater ports will now be able to compete with any port in the Southeast or on the entire Eastern seaboard. In Florida, we are taking a common-sense approach to reducing burdensome and expensive regulation so that businesses can grow and expand and create the jobs Floridians need," Scott said.

The bill eliminates the need for a state security card known as TWIC, which was implemented in 2000, shortly before the federal seaport regulations that came about in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, atrocities that rendered those security measures redundant. It is expected to save businesses dealing with the ports $3 million each year.

Florida's ports are seen as vital to sparking the state's exports, and by extension, its economy. Scott has pushed for $77 million to be used to dredge the Port of Miami the necessary 50 feet to make way for larger cargo ships that will be coming through the Panama Canal after it is widened in 2014.