Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2017

Summary:  Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018  (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to: (1) establish an air cargo security division, (2) submit to Congress a feasibility study regarding the use of computed tomography technology for the screening of air cargo transported on passenger aircraft operated by air carrier or foreign air carrier in air transportation, interstate air transportation, or interstate air commerce; (3) initiate a two-year pilot program to achieve enhanced air cargo security screening outcomes through the use of new or emerging screening technologies, such as computed tomography technology; and (4) report to Congress on actions to improve the Certified Cargo Screening Program.  (Sec. 5) The Government Accountability Office must review the TSA's screening processes and procedures for air cargo entering the United States and assess its risk-based strategy for examining such cargo. (Sec. 6) The TSA must request the Air Cargo Subcommittee of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to conduct a comprehensive review and security assessment of the known shipper program and recommend whether the program should be modified or eliminated in light of the full implementation of required 100% screening of air cargo carried on passenger aircraft.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Air Cargo Security Improvement Act 
of 2018''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF AIR CARGO SECURITY DIVISION.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 449 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 44947. Air cargo security division
    ``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Transportation 
Security Administration shall establish an air cargo security division 
to carry out all policy and engagement with air cargo security 
stakeholders.
    ``(b) Leadership; Staffing.--The air cargo security division 
established pursuant to subsection (a) shall be headed by an individual 
in the executive service within the Transportation Security 
Administration and be staffed by not fewer than four full-time 
equivalents, including the head of the division.
    ``(c) Staffing.--The Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall staff the air cargo security division with 
existing Transportation Security Administration personnel.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item related to section 44946 the following new item:

``44947. Air cargo security division.''.

SEC. 3. FEASIBILITY STUDY AND PILOT PROGRAM FOR EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Science 
and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security, shall submit to 
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
feasibility study regarding expanding the use of computed tomography 
technology for the screening of air cargo transported on passenger 
aircraft operated by an air carrier or foreign air carrier in air 
transportation, interstate air transportation, or interstate air 
commerce. Such study shall consider the following:
            (1) Opportunities to leverage computed tomography systems 
        used for screening passengers and baggage.
            (2) Costs and benefits of using computed tomography 
        technology for screening air cargo.
            (3) An analysis of emerging computed tomography systems 
        that may have potential to enhance the screening of air cargo, 
        including systems that may address aperture challenges 
        associated with screening certain categories of air cargo.
            (4) An analysis of emerging screening technologies, in 
        addition to computed tomography, that may be used to enhance 
        the screening of air cargo.
    (b) Pilot Program.--Not later than 120 days after submission of the 
feasibility study required under subsection (a), the Administrator of 
the Transportation Security Administration shall initiate a 2-year 
pilot program to achieve enhanced air cargo security screening outcomes 
through the use of new or emerging screening technologies, such as 
computed tomography technology, as identified through such study.
    (c) Updates.--Not later than 60 days after the initiation of the 
pilot program under subsection (b) and every 6 months thereafter for 2 
years, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration 
shall brief the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on the progress of implementation of such 
pilot program.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
        Code.
            (2) Air transportation.--The term ``air transportation'' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 40102 of title 49, 
        United States Code.
            (3) Foreign air carrier.--The term ``foreign air carrier'' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 40102 of title 49, 
        United States Code.
            (4) Interstate air commerce.--The term ``interstate air 
        commerce'' has the meaning given such term in section 40102 of 
        title 49, United States Code.
            (5) Interstate air transportation.--The term ``interstate 
        air transportation'' has the meaning given such term in section 
        40102 of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 4. AIR CARGO REGULATION REVIEW.

    (a) Review.--Not later than 150 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on actions to improve the 
Certified Cargo Screening Program as established by the Administrator 
in September 2009. The report shall--
            (1) review the degree to which the Program is effective at 
        fully addressing evolving threats to air cargo, particularly as 
        air cargo volumes fluctuate;
            (2) review any vulnerabilities in the Program and 
        effectiveness of information sharing with air cargo security 
        stakeholders; and
            (3) include information on actions to be taken to address 
        findings in paragraphs (1) and (2), including information on 
        plans to issue new rulemaking, if necessary.

SEC. 5. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall--
            (1) review the Department of Homeland Security's analysis 
        and intelligence pre-screening processes and procedures for air 
        cargo entering the United States;
            (2) review the pilot program conducted pursuant to section 
        3;
            (3) assess the effectiveness of the Department's risk-based 
        strategy for examining air cargo and ensuring compliance with 
        air cargo security rules and regulations; and
            (4) review the Department's information sharing procedures 
        and practices for disseminating information to relevant 
        stakeholders on preventing, mitigating, and responding to air 
        cargo related threats.

SEC. 6. KNOWN SHIPPER PROGRAM REVIEW.

    The Administrator shall request the Air Cargo Subcommittee of 
Aviation Security Advisory Committee (established under section 44946 
of title 49, United States Code) to--
            (1) conduct a comprehensive review and security assessment 
        of the known shipper program under sections 1546.215 and 
        1548.17 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations;
            (2) recommend whether the Known Shipper Program should be 
        modified or eliminated considering the full implementation of 
        100 percent screening under section 44901(g) of title 49, 
        United States Code; and
            (3) report its findings and recommendations to the 
        Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 19, 2018.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.