The Security Industry Association (SIA) announces its 2008 legislative agenda will center on achieving full federal funding to secure the nation’s ports, rails and public transit systems. The 12-point plan also includes advocacy for agriculture, trade, education and healthcare.

“Ensuring the safety of our nation’s critical infrastructure is the prevailing theme throughout our legislative agenda,” says SIA Executive Director and CEO Richard Chace. “SIA will work to secure funds for our ports, hospitals, schools, public transit systems and rails to buy the smartest, most effective security solutions possible.”

The 2008 Legislative agenda highlights include:

Ensuring Congress funds the FY09 Port Security Grants Program at $400 million. The program is used by port facilities to acquire Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) card readers and make other security enhancements.

Securing $3.3 billion authorized in the “Improving America’s Security Act of 2007” for new public transit investments in access control, video surveillance, perimeter security and fire suppression solutions. The initiative aims to ensure public transportation systems have the resources to prevent terrorist attacks such as those which occurred in London and Madrid.

Advocating for $50 million in annual funding for the Securing Our Schools grant program and for passage of legislation (H.R. 1409) providing financial assistance to colleges and universities for smoke detectors, fire alarms and extinguishing systems.

Collaborating with the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS) on a legislative proposal to promote patient and facility security at more than 5,000 hospitals nationwide. SIA supports authorizing $500 million for hospitals to use for investments in access control, video surveillance, perimeter protection, locking devices and other security solutions.

Securing $200 million in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants to protect more than 16,000 wastewater facilities across the U.S. from potential terrorist attacks.

Positioning the security industry to better advise the government on future directives like HSPD-12 and TWIC. SIA will seek legislation establishing a federal “physical security advisory committee” to counsel the White House and Department of Homeland Security on the potential impact of government directives.

SIA supports the Agriculture Business Security Tax Credit Act of 2007. The initiative would provide a tax credit for agribusinesses that make access control and perimeter security investments.

Reforming federal physical security training programs to ensure government and other end users have the proper education and training to protect government facilities.

“This agenda will help security directors get the funding they need to protect their most valuable assets, their people and facilities,” says Rob Hile, chair of SIA’s government relations committee and vice president of business development, Adesta, LLC.

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