By City News Service Dec 24, 2020 LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Port of Los Angeles officials today said legislation passed with the COVID-19 relief package would significantly increase port and harbor funding. The Water Resources Development Act of 2020 would unlock billions of dollars in the Harbor Maintenance Tax Fund, which collects revenue via imports, cruise passengers and certain domestic cargo, according to port officials. HMT revenues were about $1.8 billion during the 2019 fiscal year, and the bill would allow those funds to be used “for their intended purpose -- ensuring that maintenance needs of U.S. ports and harbors are met,'' according to Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.