Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016

Summary: Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act (Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of the nation's aviation system. (Sec. 3) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security shall begin and complete, within 30 days after enactment of this bill, an assessment of its staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions, including use of canine explosives detection teams and technology, at all U.S. airports at which the TSA operates passenger checkpoints. The staffing allocation model shall be based on staffing levels necessary to maintain minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness. The TSA shall require each Federal Security Director to engage regularly with appropriate aviation security stakeholders to exchange information regarding airport and security operations. The Government Accountability Office shall review the assessment. (Sec. 4) The TSA shall also:   require Transportation Security Officers with appropriate certifications and training to be assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions; use other TSA personnel who may not have certification and training to screen passengers or baggage for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and giving instructions and support to passengers in security lines; assess headquarters personnel; and reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis.  (Sec. 5) Within 30 days after enactment of this bill the TSA shall:   utilize TSA Behavior Detection Officers for passenger and baggage security screening, including the verification of traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that they are operational for use and maximum efficiency; 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 in furtherance of maintaining minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness; disseminate to aviation security stakeholders and appropriate TSA personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices; expand efforts to increase the public's participation in the TSA PreCheck program; and  request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to make recommendations on best practices for checkpoint operations optimization.  By the same 30-day deadline the TSA shall direct each Federal Security Director to coordinate local representatives of aviation security stakeholders to establish a staffing advisory working group at each airport at which the TSA oversees or performs passenger security screening to give recommendations to TSA on Transportation Security Officer staffing numbers.  (Sec. 6) The bill defines the term &quot;aviation security stakeholders&quot; to mean air carriers, airport operators, and labor organizations representing Transportation Security Officers or contract screeners.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Checkpoint Optimization and 
Efficiency Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times 
should not take priority over the security of the Nation's aviation 
system.

SEC. 3. ENHANCED STAFFING ALLOCATION MODEL.

    (a) 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.
    (b) Appropriate Staffing.--The staffing allocation model described 
in subsection (a) shall be based on necessary staffing levels to 
maintain minimal passenger wait times and maximum security 
effectiveness.
    (c) 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.
    (d) Transparency.--The Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall share with aviation security stakeholders the 
staffing allocation model described in subsection (a), as appropriate.
    (e) 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.
    (f) 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.

    (a) 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 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.
    (b) 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, as appropriate.

SEC. 5. TSA STAFFING AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION.

    (a) 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:
            (1) Utilize the Administration's Behavior Detection 
        Officers 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.
            (2) 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 in furtherance of maintaining 
        minimal passenger wait times and maximum security 
        effectiveness.
            (3) Disseminate to aviation security stakeholders and 
        appropriate Administration personnel a list of checkpoint 
        optimization best practices.
            (4) 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.
            (5) Request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee 
        (established pursuant to section 44946 of title 49, United 
        States Code) provide recommendations on best practices for 
        checkpoint security operations optimization.
    (b) 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--
            (1) direct each Federal Security Director to coordinate 
        local representatives 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 provide recommendations to the 
        Administrator on Transportation Security Officer staffing 
        numbers, for such airport; and
            (2) 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 working groups have been established.
    (c) Reporting.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall--
            (1) 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
            (2) 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.

    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 
Officers or, where applicable, contract screeners.

SEC. 7. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    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.

            Passed the House of Representatives June 7, 2016.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.