IIB 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5982 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JUNE 19, 2008 
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation 
AN ACT 
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, for purposes 
of transportation security, to conduct a study on how 
airports can transition to uniform, standards-based, and 
interoperable biometric identifier systems for airport 
workers with unescorted access to secure or sterile areas 
of an airport, and for other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Biometric Enhance-
ment for Airport-Risk Reduction Act of 2008’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act, the following definitions apply: 
(1) BIOMETRIC
IDENTIFIER
SYSTEM.—The 
term ‘‘biometric identifier system’’ means a system 
that uses biometric identifier information to match 
individuals and confirm identity for transportation 
security and other purposes. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through 
the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security 
(Transportation Security Administration). 
SEC. 3. BIOMETRIC IDENTIFIER SYSTEMS. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the working group of industry stakeholders 
to be established under subsection (c), shall conduct 
a study on how airports can transition to uniform, 
standards-based, and interoperable biometric identi-
fier systems for airport workers with unescorted ac-
cess to secure or sterile areas of an airport. 
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(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the study shall 
be to enhance transportation security against a po-
tential act of terrorism by an airport worker who is 
allowed unescorted access to secure or sterile areas 
of an airport. 
(3) RISK-BASED ANALYSIS.—In conducting the 
study, the Secretary shall conduct a risk-based anal-
ysis of selected Category X and I airports and other 
airports, as the Secretary determines appropriate, to 
identify where the implementation of biometric iden-
tifier systems could benefit airports. 
(4) 
CONSIDERATIONS.—In 
conducting 
the 
study, the Secretary shall consider the following: 
(A) PARALLEL
SYSTEMS.—Existing par-
allel biometric security systems applicable to 
workers with unescorted access to critical infra-
structure, including— 
(i) 
transportation 
security 
cards 
issued under section 70105 of title 46, 
United States Code; 
(ii) armed law enforcement travel cre-
dentials issued under section 44903(h)(6) 
of title 49, United States Code; and 
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(iii) other credential programs used by 
the Federal Government, as the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
(B) EFFORTS BY TRANSPORTATION SECU-
RITY
ADMINISTRATION.—Any biometric pro-
grams or proposals developed by the Assistant 
Secretary of Homeland Security (Transpor-
tation Security Administration). 
(C) INFRASTRUCTURE
AND
TECHNICAL 
REQUIREMENTS.—The architecture, modules, 
interfaces, and transmission of data needed to 
address risks associated with securing airports 
by providing interoperable biometric security 
measures and credentials for airport workers 
with unescorted access to secure and sterile 
areas of an airport. 
(D) EXISTING
AIRPORT
SYSTEMS.—Bio-
metric infrastructure and systems in use in se-
cure and sterile areas of airports. 
(E) INCENTIVES.—Possible incentives for 
airports that voluntarily seek to implement uni-
form, standards-based, and interoperable bio-
metric identifier systems. 
(F) ASSOCIATED COSTS.—The costs of im-
plementing 
uniform, 
standards-based, 
and 
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interoperable biometric identifier systems at air-
ports, including— 
(i) the costs to airport operators, air-
port workers, air carriers, and other avia-
tion industry stakeholders; and 
(ii) the costs associated with ongoing 
operations and maintenance and modifica-
tions and enhancements needed to support 
changes in physical and electronic infra-
structure. 
(G) GAO RECOMMENDATIONS.—Any rec-
ommendations or findings developed by the 
Government Accountability Office relating to 
implementing biometric security for airport 
workers with unescorted access to secure and 
sterile areas of airports. 
(H) 
INFORMATION
FROM
OTHER 
SOURCES.—Recommendations, guidance, and 
information from other sources, including gov-
ernment entities, organizations representing air-
port workers, and private individuals and orga-
nizations. 
(5) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Secu-
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