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Unions, maritime and environmental groups urge permanent ban on public funds for fully automated port cranes
Summary
Senate Bill 5,995 would remove the sunset on a prohibition against port districts using public funds to buy fully automated marine cargo handling equipment; unions and climate/environment groups told the committee public dollars should favor human‑operated, low‑emission options to protect jobs and safety.
Senate Bill 5,995 would remove the sunset clause that currently limits port districts’ use of public funds to purchase fully automated marine container cargo‑handling equipment through Dec. 31, 2031, making that prohibition permanent.
Karen Epps, committee staff, summarized the existing law and said the bill would remove the 2031 sunset. Chair Solomon said the sponsor’s intent is to keep humans in the loop and preserve community jobs as ports move toward lower‑emission equipment.
Union leaders and rank‑and‑file longshore workers…
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