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 Enhancement 
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 indi-
viduals and confirm identity for transportation secu-
rity and other purposes. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Homeland Security acting through 
the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Trans-
portation Security Administration). 
SEC. 3. BIOMETRIC IDENTIFIER SYSTEMS. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation 
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 identifier systems 
for airport workers with unescorted access 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 potential 
act of terrorism by an airport worker who is allowed 
unescorted access to secure or sterile areas of an air-
port. 
(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 parallel 
biometric security systems applicable to workers 
with unescorted access to critical infrastructure, 
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 (Transportation 
Security Administration). 
(C) INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECHNICAL RE-
QUIREMENTS.—The architecture, modules, inter-
faces, and transmission of data needed to address 
risks associated with securing airports by pro-
viding interoperable biometric security measures 
and credentials for airport workers with unes-
corted access to secure and sterile areas of an 
airport. 
(D) EXISTING AIRPORT SYSTEMS.—Biomet-
ric infrastructure and systems in use in secure 
and sterile areas of airports. 
(E) INCENTIVES.—Possible incentives for 
airports that voluntarily seek to implement uni-
form, standards-based, and interoperable biomet-
ric identifier systems. 
(F) ASSOCIATED COSTS.—The costs of im-
plementing uniform, standards-based, and inter-
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operable biometric identifier systems at airports, 
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 Gov-
ernment Accountability Office relating to imple-
menting biometric security for airport workers 
with unescorted access to secure and sterile areas 
of airports. 
(H) 
INFORMATION
FROM
OTHER 
SOURCES.—Recommendations, guidance, and in-
formation from other sources, including govern-
ment entities, organizations representing airport 
workers, and private individuals and organiza-
tions. 
(5) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
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House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the study conducted under this 
subsection. 
(b) BEST PRACTICES.— 
(1) IDENTIFICATION OF BEST PRACTICES.—The 
Secretary, in consultation with the working group of 
aviation industry stakeholders to be established under 
subsection (c), shall identify best practices for the ad-
ministration of biometric credentials at airports, in-
cluding best practices for each of the following proc-
esses: 
(A) Registration and enrollment. 
(B) Eligibility vetting and risk assessment. 
(C) Issuance. 
(D) Verification and use. 
(E) Expiration and revocation. 
(F) Development of a cost structure for ac-
quisition of biometric credentials. 
(G) Development of redress processes for 
workers. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— 
(A) submit to the Committee on Homeland 
Security of the House of Representatives and the 
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Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report that outlines the 
best practices identified under paragraph (1); 
and 
(B) make the report available to airport op-
erators. 
(c) AVIATION
AND
AIRPORT
SECURITY
WORKING 
GROUP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall convene a 
working group to assist the Secretary with issues per-
taining to implementing and carrying out this sec-
tion. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the membership of the working group includes 
aviation industry stakeholders and specifically in-
cludes individuals selected from among— 
(A) the membership of the Transportation 
Security Administration’s Aviation Security Ad-
visory Committee; 
(B) individuals and organizations rep-
resenting airports; 
(C) individuals and organizations rep-
resenting airport workers, including those air-
port workers with unescorted access to secure and 
sterile areas of airports; 
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(D) individuals and organizations rep-
resenting the biometric technology sector; and 
(E) any other individuals and organiza-
tions that the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(3) NONAPPLICABILITY OF FACA.—The Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
apply to working group established under this sub-
section. 
(4) SUNSET.—The working group established 
under this subsection shall cease operations 30 days 
after the date of submission of the report under sub-
section (a)(5) or 30 days after the date of submission 
of the report under subsection (b)(2), whichever is 
later. 
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Union Calendar No. 432 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5982 
[Report No. 110–688] 
A BILL 
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. 
JUNE 5, 2008 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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