XV Border Legislative Conference Chihuahua, México XV Border Legislative Conference Bill Figge Caltrans.

XV Border Legislative Conference

Chihuahua, México

XV Border Legislative Conference

Bill Figge

Caltrans

Presentation Outline

XXIV Joint Declaration (Report).

Outcomes Update.

San Diego Meeting Draft Agreements.

Ideas for XXV Border Governors Conference Joint Declaration.

XXIV Recommendations

#1 SENTRI and FAST lane projects. Promote “A New Vision for Trade Along the U.S.-Mexico Border.”

#2 Executive Order 13337: Presidential Permits: Define “Substantial Modifications” to existing POEs.

XXIV Recommendations

#3 Work with JWC on a pilot program to coordinate POE and Transportation projects.

#4 Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: -Passports for U.S. Citizens-Tourism, Border Crossings and Economic Development Tables requested to report back in Sonora.

#5 Study of Logistics. Term added to Table’s name. Work Table requested to report back in Sonora.

XXIV BGC Recommendation #1 (SENTRI & FAST) Outcome. CA- Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proactive partner on SENTRI and FAST.

Caltrans building 2 new FAST lanes in Otay Mesa.

Seeking funding for SENTRI at Calexico-West and Calexico-East POEs.

Tandem double booths in San Ysidro in place.

2 SENTRI Exit lanes in San Ysidro in place.

Promoting Secure Manufacturing Zones concept.

Secure Manufacturing Zones

XXIV BGC Recommendation #2 (E.O. 13337) Outcome.

US-DOS Federal Register 2/23/07 clarified E.O. 13337 will apply to new POEs and “Substantial Modifications” to existing POEs.

Federal Register defined “Substantial Modifications.”

POE Substantial Modifications:1.) POE Expansion …in such a way that the modification effectively constitutes a new piercing of the border;2.) A change in ownership …under an applicable Presidential Permit;3.) A permanent change in authorized conveyance not consistent with (a) applicable Presidential Permits or (b) current operations (with no PP) or,4.) Any other modification that would render inaccurate the definition of covered U.S. facilities set forth in an applicable PP.

E.O’s. POE Categories

Bridges

Tunnels

Roadway Crossings

Rail Crossings

Bicycle Crossings

Pedestrian Crossings

Cross-border material/commodity conveyors

Livestock crossings

XXIV BGC Recommendation #3 (JWC-POE Coordination) Outcome.

CA-BC launched the JWC-requested Border Master Plan (BMP).

Acquiring information from some of Mexico’s federal agencies has been a challenge.

XXIV BGC Recommendation #4 Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Outcome.

The WHTI implements provisions of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Act of 2004. Official deadline for WHTI implementation at land ports of entry is January 2008. Concerns with proposed timelines remain.A recent legislative change, the Stevens-Leahy amendment, allows postponement of the deadline to June 1, 2009.

XXIV BGC Recommendation #5 (Logistics Issue) Outcome.

Border Crossings Work Table was not in agreement with requesting a name change at this time.Scope of the Term “Logistics” has not been clearly defined. Example:within/or/across POEs?; Multimodal? North Bound/South bound or both?Need to tackle issue to provide recommendations to XXV BGC.

San Diego Working MeetingBorder Crossings Work Table.

Agreements:

Meet on a monthly basis;The State of Sonora will ask the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation for a schedule of FAST and SENTRI lanes;The State of Nuevo Leon will develop a proposal for a logistics study. Proposal will be sent to members for discussion at the April 20, 2007 meeting;The group supports a proposal for public and private partnerships for financing new ports of entry;The 10 Border States will request a study to evaluate the issue of the shortage of personnel at U.S. ports of entry and potential solutions for solving the staffing problem.

San Diego Working MeetingJoint Session Border Crossings, Economic Development,

Tourism Work Tables.Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

- BGC to request that Sec. Condoleezza Rice consider the following before implementing the WHTI :

Accept alternative I.D. documents as well as U.S. passports;

Analyze economic impacts to border region;

Implement outreach informing U.S. and Mexican cross-border travelers of WHTI requirements;

Extend WHTI implementation until the maximum date allowed by law.

XXV BGC-IDEAS FOR JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ:

1) HOW TO DEAL WITH THE “LOGISTICS” ISSUE.

XXV BGC-IDEAS FOR JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ:

2) LEGISLATION TO ALLOW PUBLIC PRIVATE PARNTERSHIPS ( TOLL FEES) FOR TRANSPORTATION AND POE FACILITIES.

XXV BGC-IDEAS FOR JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ:

3) REQUEST MORE TANDEM DOUBLE INSPECTION BOOTHS ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

XXV BGC-IDEAS FOR JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ:

4) INVENTORY OF U.S. AND MEXICO FEDERAL INSPECTOR NEEDS FOR POES. REQUEST FEDERAL FUNDING TO FILL VACANCIES AND MAXIMIZE USE OF FACILITIES.

XXV BGC-IDEAS FOR JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ:

5) REQUEST MEXICAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT THE JWC’S CALIFORNIA/BAJA CALIFORNIA BORDER MASTER PLAN.

TOWARDS XXV BGC-SONORA OPEN DISCUSSION

Arizona

Baja California

California

Chihuahua

Coahuila

Nuevo Leon

New Mexico

Sonora

Tamaulipas

Texas

QUESTIONS?