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.
(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
(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
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-
rity of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report on the results of the study con-
ducted 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 administration of biometric credentials at air-
ports, including best practices for each of the fol-
lowing processes: 
(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 Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report that out-
lines the best practices identified under para-
graph (1); and 
(B) make the report available to airport 
operators. 
(c) AVIATION
AND AIRPORT SECURITY WORKING 
GROUP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall convene 
a working group to assist the Secretary with issues 
pertaining to implementing and carrying out this 
section. 
(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;