Several efforts are moving forward in the California Legislature that would alter operations at the state’s seaports.

And while the legislation focuses on seaports, including the massive Los Angeles-Long Beach complex, it could affect the livelihoods of thousands of truckers who haul cargo containers in and out of the ports that dot the California coastline.

A three-bill package offered by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, seeks to park large trucks, impose a fee on each shipping container at the docks and limit port growth. Senators have advanced the package to the Assembly for further consideration.

The first bill, SB760, would impose a fee on every container passing through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The money would go for security, emissions reductions and congestion reduction. The final portion of the bill would move more cargo by rail.

Another bill, SB762, would create port commissions at the Los Angeles-Long Beach and Oakland ports, which could develop a permitting system for trucks serving the ports, in an effort to keep higher-polluting trucks out.

Finally, SB764 would require the Los Angeles-Long Beach complex to identify sources of emissions and get each source down to the level of emissions produced in 2001. The ports would be required to meet the roll back on emissions by 2008.

Two other bills offered by Lowenthal, however, have died.

SB761 would have penalized terminal operators $250 for each truck driver whose turn time exceeds 60 minutes. It also would have required terminals to implement an appointment system.

SB763 sought to allow ships using low-sulfur fuel to berth at ports before other vessels.

Lowenthal, chairman of the Committee on Environmental Quality, said in a series of statements that his concern about air pollution in the areas surrounding the ports was the driving force behind his legislative effort.

“These bills simply aim to improve many facets of the goods-movement chain, and if implemented, will dramatically reduce diesel emissions in this region,” Lowenthal said in a written statement.

The Long Beach lawmaker is not alone in his efforts. Other state lawmakers have offered measures targeting various aspects of port operations.

SB848, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Garden Grove, would extend to port owner-operators the right to organize and to collectively negotiate with port motor carriers regarding such matters as compensation and benefits.

SB45, sponsored by Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, would prohibit the owners of some intermodal equipment at ports from charging truckers late fees.

AB1406, sponsored by Assemblywoman Betty Karnette, D-Long Beach, would require the Office of Homeland Security to pay for efforts to improve freight security at the state’s ports.

All three bills have advanced out of their respective chamber and await further consideration in the other house.