H 3284 Concurrent Resolution, By Goldfinch
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONGRESSIONAL
 DELEGATION TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THAT HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND
 REVENUES ARE APPROPRIATED IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO REVENUE COLLECTED, AND USED
 FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE OF DREDGING AND MAINTAINING OUR NATION'S WATERWAYS.

   01/13/15  House  Introduced (House Journal-page 57)
   01/13/15  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions (House Journal-page 84)
   01/21/15  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions (House Journal-page 5)
   01/22/15  House  Adopted, sent to Senate (House Journal-page 27)
   01/22/15  Senate Introduced (Senate Journal-page 3)
   01/22/15  Senate Referred to Committee on Transportation
                     (Senate Journal-page 3)

COMMITTEE REPORT

January 21, 2015

H. 3284

S. Printed 1/21/15--H.

Read the first time January 13, 2015.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3284) to memorialize the South Carolina Congressional Delegation to support legislation to ensure that Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund revenues are appropriated in an amount equal, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

JIMMY C. BALES for Committee.

TO MEMORIALIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THAT HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND REVENUES ARE APPROPRIATED IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO REVENUE COLLECTED, AND USED FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE OF DREDGING AND MAINTAINING OUR NATION'S WATERWAYS.

Whereas, the Port of Georgetown is one of two public ports located on the eastern coast of South Carolina; and

Whereas, recent studies indicate Georgetown County's Port to be a viable asset offering opportunities in substantially boosting regional economic development efforts, and in stimulating the economic vitality of the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, Georgetown County's Port is a completely underutilized commodity, however attempts to attract new industry and market the facility are completely futile until the harbor channel is deepened to the congressionally authorized depth of 27 feet, which is critical to meet demands for world trade port services; and

Whereas, the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) was established in 1986 to fund the maintenance of ports and harbors, and is funded by the Harbor Maintenance Tax; and

Whereas, sufficient harbor maintenance tax is collected each year to meet all of the nation's authorized harbor needs, but only a little more than half is appropriated for harbor maintenance; and

Whereas, appropriations from the HMTF, which are used by the Army Corps of Engineers for maintenance and dredging, have lagged behind revenues into the HMTF for several years resulting in a reported multimillion dollar surplus, which continues to grow by hundreds of millions of dollars each year; and

Whereas, inadequate appropriations from the HMTF have resulted in shipping navigation channels becoming narrower and shallower due to sediment accumulation; and

Whereas, inadequate channel depths prohibit vessels from transporting the amount of American made goods they are capable of carrying, which ultimately eliminates the creation of American jobs. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, respectfully memorialize the South Carolina Congressional Delegation to support legislation to ensure that Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund revenues are appropriated in the amount equal to revenue collected, and used for its intended purpose of dredging and maintaining our nation's waterways.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this concurrent resolution be forwarded to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.