The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

2003 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
U.S. BORDER AND TRADE

Staff Contact: Tom Minnick

Following is The Business Council's 2003 Legislative Program. It identifies priority issues to be addressed by the Committees and Councils during 2003.

  • Full and speedy implementation of the 30 point Canada -- U.S. "Smart Border Declaration", in order to establish and maintain a balance of physical and economic security along the entire NYS -- Canada border.

  • Preparation and emphasis by NYS's elected leaders of a comprehensive CanAm border and strategic trade/tourism corridor needs assessment and plan without delay, which must be reflected in TEA-21 and Air-21 reauthorizations in 2003.

  • Adequate (24/7) staffing, interoperability, and cross designation by US and Canadian authorities at NYS -- Canadian border crossings.

  • Establishment of "accord processing zones" at all NYS commercial border crossings, enabling shared facilities, staffing, technology, and operations; with each zone tailored to the particular circumstances at that border crossing.

  • No implementation of INS Section 110 or any equivalents, including expansion of documentation for US and Canadian citizens, on the NYS -- Canadian border.

  • Elimination of separate, US Customs outbound inspection checkpoints at all NYS commercial border crossings.

  • Full deployment of NEXUS at all NYS commercial border crossings by the end of 2003, and at all high volume crossings by end of 2002.

  • Full deployment of Free and Secure Trade program (FAST) -- including access to priority booths through traffic streaming -- at all NYS commercial border crossings as soon as possible; including active promotion, outreach, education, and technical assistance.

  • Full deployment of prearrival processing at all NYS commercial border crossings by August 2003.

  • Development and deployment of a preclearance system for cross border Amtrak and motorcoach passengers along the NYS-Canada border.

  • Formal identification of I-87 as the "Quebec-New York Corridor", including full funding of the Champlain/Lacolle "Port of Excellence" project by 2004, and implementation of bilingual (English and French) signage along I-87 in NYS.

  • Full recognition of Continental 1 as a strategic trade corridor between the US and Canada.

The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
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