Maritime Infrastructure Security and Counterterrorism Act

H.R. 5684, the Maritime Infrastructure Security and Counterterrorism Act, aims to strengthen the protection of offshore energy platforms and ports, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico. The bill would require the Coast Guard to conduct independent threat assessments of energy infrastructure, increase counterterrorism training and aerial surveillance, and establish a new dedicated security team in the Gulf region.

For the public, this legislation focuses on enhancing safety by improving the monitoring of vessel movements and creating a voluntary "America's Waterway Watch Program" to help citizens report suspicious activity near ports. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to test new security technologies, such as biometric identification and radiation detection, to prevent potential attacks on hazardous cargo like gasoline and chemicals.