Security Industry Association publishes federal legislative priorities for 2009

Security Industry Association seeks to secure nation's infrastructure

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced its federal legislative priorities for 2009, with most of the seven items on the list focused on ensuring adequate funding to secure the nation's critical infrastructure and facilities.

SIA, which represents nearly 400 electronic and physical security businesses of all sizes, aims to: 

• Secure sufficient funding for the Student Safety and Campus Emergency Management grant program.
• Secure enactment of the School Safety Enhancements Act and appropriation of $50 million in fiscal year 2010 for the program.
• Secure full funding of $400 million in fiscal year 2010 for the Port Security Grant Program.
• Secure full funding of $900 million in fiscal year 2010 for the Transit Security Grant Program, and support the distribution of grant money directly to transit authorities without a local match requirement.
• Support the allocation of additional funding to protect facilities that contain dangerous toxins, diseases or agents.
• Support the allocation of additional funding to help hospitals and health care facilities conduct security assessments and purchase security equipment.
• Support legislation that promotes participation by the Department of Homeland Security in the development of technological standards by the private sector.

"The recent economic stimulus law failed to recognise that many schools, hospitals and other critical facilities remain ‘soft targets' for criminals and terrorists," SIA Director of Government Relations Don Erickson said. "By fully funding the programs identified in our legislative priorities, Congress can help to make millions of the most vulnerable Americans safer."