Advocacy

The Harbor Association has a robust and active Government Affairs Committee who proactively disseminates information on governmental, legislative and/or regulatory issues and initiatives that will or may directly affect the membership and/or harbor business activities.

• Proactively disseminates information on governmental, legislative and/or regulatory issues and initiatives that will or may directly affect the membership and/or harbor business activities.
• Promptly responds to Board requests for the assessment and evaluation of specific governmental, legislative and/or regulatory issues and initiatives.
• Evaluates governmental, legislative and regulatory issues and initiatives and make recommendations to the Board with respect to possible action on a specific issue or initiative.

Board members regularly testify in local and state hearings on issues affecting the maritime transportation and international trade industry in the Southland. Learn more about the Issues and Initiatives from the links below.

2018 HAIC Strategic Initiatives and Policy Platform

Mission

It shall be the mission of the Harbor Association of Industry & Commerce (HAIC) to be a collective voice and advocate for the harbor business community on important issues pertaining to economic, environmental and public policies.

Statements of Purpose

• To provide a forum for the industry to speak out on governmental, energy and environmental issues that directly affect membership.
• To facilitate foreign and domestic commerce through the ports of our harbor benefiting the economic welfare of the region.
• To participate in public hearings and meetings on behalf of its membership, reflecting membership views. To disseminate information to the membership on issues, projects and developments that are of importance to the region.

2017 Strategic Initiatives

Harmonization / Consistency

Many times, the various competing agencies draft policy that directly conflict with one another. The HAIC will work to ensure the various legislative and regulatory bodies that oversee the creation and enforcement of public policy which impact America’s ports of origin are consistent and aligned.

Environmental Regulations

HAIC supports regulatory reforms that fully consider environment impacts but are not misused against projects as political strategies. HAIC will be active in crafting and providing input to the AQMP Clean Air Action Plan

Competitive Port Policies

The HAIC will continue to take positions on federal, state, and local proposals that affect the competitiveness of our ports of origin. We will actively support measures which help foster competitive pricing and oppose policies that will drive up the cost of doing business in our ports. HAIC will be active in restructuring issues regarding port traffic, modernizing Pier Pass, expanding our freight rail network and will work with local port authorities to establish programs that help achieve Supply Chain Optimization (SCO). Resources and Regional Infrastructure Ensuring the State of California sustains an up to date infrastructure system which keeps our businesses and communities thriving.

• Energy- Advocate for reliable sources of affordable and diverse energy production.
• Water Infrastructure- Support projects that secure California’s water supplies.
• Transportation- Promotes transportation infrastructure projects, including freight investment, which increases mobility on the region’s roadways and overall transportation system and aide our goods movement sector.

2017 Policy Platform

• Budgeting: HAIC supports transparent budget decisions that are based on realistic projections with long-term goals in mind.
• Education: HAIC supports educational training, workforce development and skilled labor programs to assist South Bay businesses to meet future workforce demands.
• Energy: HAIC supports reliable sources of affordable and diverse energy supplies, including renewable sources and conservation.
• Environmental Regulations: HAIC supports regulatory reforms that fully consider environment impacts but are not misused against projects as political strategies.
• Goods Movement: HAIC supports projects to improve the delivery of goods throughout our region to allow imports and exports to affordably flow through our region cost effectively and environmentally efficient.
• International Trade: HAIC supports trade and tourism initiatives to spur commerce and to strengthen the region’s leading position in the global economy.
• Labor Costs: HAIC supports striking a balance between employees’ expectations to be treated fairly with employers’ abilities to stay in business.
• Land Use: HAIC supports a balanced approach to addressing workforce housing demands, creating new jobs, protecting industrial and commercial zones as well as preserving open space and our unique quality of life.
• Litigation: HAIC supports reforms to California’s litigious environment so employers and public agencies are protected against costly, frivolous lawsuits.
• Taxation: HAIC supports reducing the high tax burden on businesses as well as a tax/fee structure that does not put businesses at a competitive disadvantage.
• Transportation: HAIC supports innovative funding solutions to accommodate increased mobility on the region’s roadways and overall transportation system.
• Waste Management: HAIC supports realistic, fair and consistent water discharge requirements as well as policies on solid waste management so that the collection, transport, processing and disposal of solid waste is conducted with minimal impacts to our beaches and businesses.