H.R. 5338 — what changed
Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016
From Introduced in House to Engrossed in House. 5 sections amended and 1 added between Introduced in House and Engrossed in House.
Sec. 2 Sense of Congress
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It is the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of passengers.the Nation’s aviation system.
Sec. 3 Enhanced staffing allocation model
In general— Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall complete an assessment of the Administration’s staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions at all airports in the United States at which the Administration operates passenger checkpoints.
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Appropriate staffing— The staffing allocation model described in subsection (a) shall be based on necessary staffing levels to maintain minimal passenger wait times.times and maximum security effectiveness.
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Additional resources— In assessing necessary staffing for minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness referred to in subsection (b), the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall include the use of canine explosives detection teams and technology to assist screeners conducting security checks.
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Transparency— The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall share with air carriers and airport operators aviation security stakeholders the staffing allocation model described in subsection (a).(a), as appropriate.
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Exchange of information— The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall require each Federal Security Director to engage on a regular basis with the appropriate aviation security stakeholders to exchange information regarding airport operations, including security operations.
renumbered
was (6)
GAO review— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review the staffing allocation model described in subsection (a) and report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the results of such review.
Sec. 4 Effective utilization of staffing resources
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In general— To the greatest extent practicable, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall direct that Transportation Security Officers with appropriate certifications and training are assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions and that other Administration and other appropriate personnel who may not have certification and training to screen passengers or baggage are utilized for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and providing instructions and support to passengers in security lines.
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Assessment and reassignment— The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall conduct an assessment of headquarters personnel and reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis.basis, as appropriate.
Sec. 5 TSA staffing and resource allocation
In general— Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall take the following actions:
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Utilize the Administration’s Behavior Detection Officers to verify for passenger and baggage security screening, including the verification of traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that such lanes are operational for use and maximum efficiency.
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Make every practicable effort to grant additional flexibility and authority to Federal Security Directors in matters related to checkpoint and checked baggage staffing allocation and employee overtime.overtime in furtherance of maintaining minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness.
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Disseminate to air carriers, airport operators, aviation security stakeholders and appropriate Administration personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices.
Expand efforts to increase the public’s participation in the Administration’s PreCheck program, including deploying Administration-approved ready-to-market private sector solutions and offering secure online and mobile enrollment opportunities.
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Direct Request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (established pursuant to section 44946 of title 49, United States Code) to provide recommendations within 60 days on best practices for checkpoint security operations optimization.
Staffing advisory coordination— Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall—
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in coordination with direct each Federal Security Director to coordinate local representatives from airports and air carriers, of aviation security stakeholders to establish a staffing advisory working group at each airport at which the Administration oversees or performs passenger security screening to coordinate a service level agreement and minimum Administration staffing numbers to be provided provide recommendations to each the Administrator on Transportation Security Officer staffing numbers, for such airport;airport; and
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in coordination with representatives from airports certify to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and air carriers, establish a staffing advisory committee at the national level to coordinate Committee on Commerce, Science, and share information relating to best practices concerning Administration Transportation of the Senate that such staffing numbers being provided to airports; andadvisory working groups have been established.
removed
certify to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate that such staffing advisory committees have been established.
Reporting— Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall—
report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate regarding how the Administration’s Passenger Screening Canine assets may be deployed and utilized for maximum efficiency to mitigate risk and optimize checkpoint operations; and
report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the status of the Administration’s Credential Authentication Technology Assessment program and how deployment of such program might optimize checkpoint operations.
Sec. 6 Aviation security stakeholders defined
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Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing or directing the Administrator For purposes of this Act, the term aviation security stakeholders shall mean, at a minimum, air carriers, airport operators, and labor organizations representing Transportation Security Administration to prioritize reducing wait times over security effectiveness.Officers or, where applicable, contract screeners.
Sec. 7 Rule of construction
addedadded Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing or directing the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to prioritize reducing wait times over security effectiveness.