(6/17/2002) By Michael Milligan WASHINGTON -- Security on Amtrak, motorcoaches and cruise ports would be enhanced under several bills now working their way through Congress. Amtrak would receive a one-time grant of $1.3 billion to improve security under a $4.6 billion passenger rail service bill, S. 1991, sponsored by Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. The $1.3 billion would be used to shore up security at Amtrak stations and along train routes. The bill has been approved by the Senate Commerce Committee and is awaiting a full Senate vote. The committee also cleared a bill, S. 1739, that would make available $400 million in grants to help motorcoach operators improve security on buses and in terminals. The House version of the bill, H.R. 3429, allocates $600 million and establishes a $200 million annual fund for security improvements. Meanwhile, several bills are pending in the House and Senate that would improve security at cruise ports. For example, the House Transportation Committee approved H.R. 3983, the Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002, that would spend $5.9 billion on Coast Guard programs, including determining whether certain ports are vulnerable to terrorist attacks. The bill also would extend the Coast Guard's jurisdiction another three miles from shore and increase the use of armed "sea marshals" at port facilities. Also pending is H.R. 3013, which would establish a port security task force to recommend security enhancement to the Transportation Secretary. In addition, H.R. 3437 would bolster security at U.S. ports and heighten scrutiny of cruise-ship employees and cargo. A similar bill, S. 1214, is awaiting a vote in the Senate.