H. R. 302—417 
(B) in subclause (I), as designated by subparagraph 
(A), by striking ‘‘the Under Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
Administrator’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(II) USE
OF
FACILITIES
FOR
REQUALIFICA-
TION.—The Administrator shall allow a Federal 
flight deck officer to requalify to carry a firearm 
under the program through training at a Transpor-
tation Security Administration-approved firearms 
training facility utilizing a Transportation Security 
Administration-approved contractor and a cur-
riculum developed and approved by the Transpor-
tation Security Administration.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) PERIODIC REVIEW.—The Administrator shall 
periodically review requalification training intervals 
and assess whether it is appropriate and sufficient 
to adjust the time between each requalification training 
to facilitate continued participation in the program 
under this section while still maintaining effectiveness 
of the training, and update the training requirements 
as appropriate.’’. 
(c) TRAINING
REVIEW.—Section 44921(c)(2) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) TRAINING REVIEW.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of the TSA Modernization Act, and 
biennially thereafter, the Administrator shall review 
training facilities and training requirements for initial and 
recurrent training for Federal flight deck officers and 
evaluate how training requirements, including the length 
of training, could be streamlined while maintaining the 
effectiveness of the training, and update the training 
requirements as appropriate.’’. 
(d) OTHER
MEASURES
TO
FACILITATE
TRAINING.—Section 
44921(e) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Pilots participating’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Pilots participating’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) FACILITATION OF TRAINING.—An air carrier shall permit 
a pilot seeking to be deputized as a Federal flight deck officer 
or a Federal flight deck officer to take a reasonable amount 
of leave to participate in initial, recurrent, or requalification 
training, as applicable, for the program. Leave required under 
this paragraph may be provided without compensation.’’. 
(e) 
INTERNATIONAL
HARMONIZATION.—Section 
44921(f) 
is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraphs (1) and (3), by striking ‘‘Under Secretary’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Administrator’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) CONSISTENCY WITH FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL PROGRAM.— 
The Administrator shall harmonize, to the extent practicable 
and in a manner that does not jeopardize existing Federal 
air marshal agreements, the policies relating to the carriage 
of firearms on international flights by Federal flight deck offi-
cers with the policies of the Federal air marshal program for 
carrying firearms on such flights and carrying out the duties
H. R. 302—418 
of a Federal flight deck officer, notwithstanding Annex 17 of 
the International Civil Aviation Organization.’’. 
(f) PHYSICAL STANDARDS.—Section 44921(d)(2) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as 
clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively; 
(2) in clause (ii), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘Under Sec-
retary’s’’ and inserting ‘‘Administrator’s’’; 
(3) by striking ‘‘A pilot is’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A pilot is’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) CONSISTENCY WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN 
MEDICAL CERTIFICATES.—In establishing standards under 
subparagraph (A)(ii), the Administrator may not establish 
medical or physical standards for a pilot to become a Fed-
eral flight deck officer that are inconsistent with or more 
stringent than the requirements of the Federal Aviation 
Administration for the issuance of the required airman 
medical certificate under part 67 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or 
ruling).’’. 
(g) TRANSFER
OF STATUS.—Section 44921(d) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) TRANSFER
FROM
INACTIVE
TO
ACTIVE
STATUS.—In 
accordance with any applicable Transportation Security 
Administration appeals processes, a pilot deputized as a Federal 
flight deck officer who moves to inactive status may return 
to active status upon successful completion of a recurrent 
training program administered within program guidelines.’’. 
(h) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.—Section 44921, as amended by 
this section, is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘Under Secretary of 
Transportation for Security’’ and inserting ‘‘Administrator’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Not later than 3 
months after the date of enactment of this section, the 
Under Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘The Administrator’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘Beginning 3 months 
after the date of enactment of this section, the Under 
Secretary shall begin the process of training and depu-
tizing’’ and inserting ‘‘The Administrator shall train and 
deputize’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3)(N), by striking ‘‘Under Secretary’s’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Administrator’s’’; 
(3) in subsection (d)(4)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘may,’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Under Secretary’s’’ and inserting 
‘‘Administrator’s’’; 
(4) in subsection (i)(2), by striking ‘‘the Under Secretary 
may’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’; 
(5) in subsection (k)— 
(A) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and 
(B) by striking ‘‘APPLICABILITY.—’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘This section’’ and inserting ‘‘APPLICABILITY.—This 
section’’; 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(l) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
H. R. 302—419 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Administrator’ means the 
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration. 
‘‘(2) AIR TRANSPORTATION.—The term ‘air transportation’ 
includes all-cargo air transportation. 
‘‘(3) FIREARMS
TRAINING
FACILITY.—The term ‘firearms 
training facility’ means a private or government-owned gun 
range approved by the Administrator to provide recurrent or 
requalification training, as applicable, for the program, utilizing 
a Transportation Security Administration-approved contractor 
and a curriculum developed and approved by the Transportation 
Security Administration. 
‘‘(4) PILOT.—The term ‘pilot’ means an individual who has 
final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety 
of the flight or any other flight deck crew member.’’; and 
(7) by striking ‘‘Under Secretary’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘Administrator’’. 
(i) SENSITIVE SECURITY INFORMATION.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act— 
(1) the Secretary of Transportation shall revise section 
15.5(b)(11) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to classify 
information about pilots deputized as Federal flight deck offi-
cers under section 44921 of title 49, United States Code, as 
sensitive security information in a manner consistent with the 
classification of information about Federal air marshals; and 
(2) the Administrator shall revise section 1520.5(b)(11) of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to classify information 
about pilots deputized as Federal flight deck officers under 
section 44921 of title 49, United States Code, as sensitive 
security information in a manner consistent with the classifica-
tion of information about Federal air marshals. 
(j) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall prescribe such regu-
lations as may be necessary to carry out this section and the 
amendments made by this section. 
Subtitle G—Surface Transportation 
Security 
SEC. 1964. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ASSESSMENT AND 
IMPLEMENTATION OF RISK-BASED STRATEGY. 
(a) SECURITY ASSESSMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall complete 
an assessment of the vulnerabilities of and risks to surface 
transportation systems. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the security assess-
ment under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall, at a min-
imum— 
(A) consider appropriate intelligence; 
(B) consider security breaches and attacks at domestic 
and international surface transportation facilities; 
(C) consider the vulnerabilities and risks associated 
with specific modes of surface transportation; 
(D) evaluate the vetting and security training of— 
(i) employees in surface transportation; and
H. R. 302—420 
(ii) other individuals with access to sensitive or 
secure areas of surface transportation networks; and 
(E) consider input from— 
(i) representatives of different modes of surface 
transportation; 
(ii) representatives of critical infrastructure enti-
ties; 
(iii) the Transportation Systems Sector Coordi-
nating Council; and 
(iv) the heads of other relevant Federal depart-
ments or agencies. 
(b) 
RISK-BASED
SURFACE
TRANSPORTATION
SECURITY 
STRATEGY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
the security assessment under subsection (a) is complete, the 
Administrator shall use the results of the assessment— 
(A) to develop and implement a cross-cutting, risk- 
based 
surface 
transportation 
security 
strategy 
that 
includes— 
(i) all surface transportation modes; 
(ii) a mitigating strategy that aligns with each 
vulnerability and risk identified in subsection (a); 
(iii) a planning process to inform resource alloca-
tion; 
(iv) priorities, milestones, and performance metrics 
to measure the effectiveness of the risk-based surface 
transportation security strategy; and 
(v) processes for sharing relevant and timely intel-
ligence threat information with appropriate stake-
holders; 
(B) to develop a management oversight strategy that— 
(i) identifies the parties responsible for the 
implementation, management, and oversight of the 
risk-based surface transportation security strategy; and 
(ii) includes a plan for implementing the risk-based 
surface transportation security strategy; and 
(C) to modify the risk-based budget and resource alloca-
tions, in accordance with section 1965(c), for the Transpor-
tation Security Administration. 
(2) COORDINATED
APPROACH.—In developing and imple-
menting the risk-based surface transportation security strategy 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall coordinate with 
the heads of other relevant Federal departments or agencies, 
and stakeholders, as appropriate— 
(A) to evaluate existing surface transportation security 
programs, policies, and initiatives, including the explosives 
detection canine teams, for consistency with the risk-based 
security strategy and, to the extent practicable, avoid any 
unnecessary duplication of effort; 
(B) to determine the extent to which stakeholder secu-
rity programs, policies, and initiatives address the 
vulnerabilities and risks to surface transportation systems 
identified in subsection (a); and 
(C) subject to subparagraph (B), to mitigate each 
vulnerability and risk to surface transportation systems 
identified in subsection (a). 
(c) REPORT.—
H. R. 302—421 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
the security assessment under subsection (a) is complete, the 
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress and the Inspector General of the Department a report 
that— 
(A) describes the process used to complete the security 
assessment; 
(B) describes the process used to develop the risk- 
based security strategy; 
(C) describes the risk-based security strategy; 
(D) includes the management oversight strategy; 
(E) includes— 
(i) the findings of the security assessment; 
(ii) a description of the actions recommended or 
taken 
by 
the 
Administrator 
to 
mitigate 
the 
vulnerabilities and risks identified in subsection (a), 
including interagency coordination; 
(iii) any recommendations for improving the coordi-
nated approach to mitigating vulnerabilities and risks 
to surface transportation systems; and 
(iv) any recommended changes to the National 
Infrastructure Protection Plan, the modal annexes to 
such plan, or relevant surface transportation security 
programs, policies, or initiatives; and 
(F) may contain a classified annex. 
(2) PROTECTIONS.—In preparing the report, the Adminis-
trator shall take appropriate actions to safeguard information 
described by section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code, or 
protected from disclosure by any other law of the United States. 
(d) UPDATES.—Not less frequently than semiannually, the 
Administrator shall report to or brief the appropriate committees 
of Congress on the vulnerabilities of and risks to surface transpor-
tation systems and how those vulnerabilities and risks affect the 
risk-based security strategy. 
SEC. 1965. RISK-BASED BUDGETING AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION. 
(a) REPORT.—In conjunction with the submission of the Depart-
ment’s annual budget request to the Office of Management and 
Budget, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress a report that describes a risk-based budget and 
resource allocation plan for surface transportation sectors, within 
and across modes, that— 
(1) reflects the risk-based surface transportation security 
strategy under section 1964(b); and 
(2) is organized by appropriations account, program, 
project, and initiative. 
(b) BUDGET TRANSPARENCY.—In submitting the annual budget 
of the United States Government under section 1105 of title 31, 
United States Code, the President shall clearly distinguish the 
resources requested for surface transportation security from the 
resources requested for aviation security. 
(c) RESOURCE REALLOCATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 15 days after the date 
on which the Transportation Security Administration allocates 
any resources or personnel, including personnel sharing, 
detailing, or assignment, or the use of facilities, technology 
systems, or vetting resources, for a nontransportation security
H. R. 302—422 
purpose or National Special Security Event (as defined in sec-
tion 2001 of Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 601)), 
the Secretary shall provide the notification described in para-
graph (2) to the appropriate committees of Congress. 
(2) NOTIFICATION.—A notification described in this para-
graph shall include— 
(A) the reason for and a justification of the resource 
or personnel allocation; 
(B) the expected end date of the resource or personnel 
allocation; and 
(C) the projected cost to the Transportation Security 
Administration of the personnel or resource allocation. 
(d) 5-YEAR CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security 
of the House of Representatives a 5-year capital investment plan, 
consistent with the 5-year technology investment plan under section 
1611 of title XVI of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended 
by section 3 of the Transportation Security Acquisition Reform 
Act (Public Law 113–245; 128 Stat. 2871). 
SEC. 1966. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT AND 
INTERAGENCY COORDINATION REVIEW. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— 
(1) review the staffing, budget, resource, and personnel 
allocation, and management oversight strategy of the Transpor-
tation Security Administration’s surface transportation security 
programs; 
(2) review the coordination between relevant entities of 
leadership, planning, policy, inspections, and implementation 
of security programs relating to surface transportation to reduce 
redundancy and regulatory burden; and 
(3) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the findings of the reviews under paragraphs (1) 
and (2), including any recommendations for improving coordina-
tion between relevant entities and reducing redundancy and 
regulatory burden. 
SEC. 1967. TRANSPARENCY. 
(a) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the 
Administrator shall publish on a public website information 
regarding the status of each regulation relating to surface 
transportation security that is directed by law to be issued 
and that has not been issued if not less than 2 years have 
passed since the date of enactment of the law. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The information published under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
(A) an updated rulemaking schedule for the out-
standing regulation; 
(B) current staff allocations; 
(C) data collection or research relating to the develop-
ment of the rulemaking; 
(D) current efforts, if any, with security experts, 
advisory committees, and other stakeholders; and
H. R. 302—423 
(E) other relevant details associated with the develop-
ment of the rulemaking that impact the progress of the 
rulemaking. 
(b) INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEW.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter 
until all of the requirements under titles XIII, XIV, and XV of 
the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act 
of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1111 et seq.) and under this title have been 
fully implemented, the Inspector General of the Department shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that— 
(1) identifies the requirements under such titles of that 
Act and under this title that have not been fully implemented; 
(2) describes what, if any, additional action is necessary; 
and 
(3) includes recommendations regarding whether any of 
the requirements under such titles of that Act or this title 
should be amended or repealed. 
SEC. 1968. TSA COUNTERTERRORISM ASSET DEPLOYMENT. 
(a) COUNTERTERRORISM ASSET DEPLOYMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Administrator deploys any counter-
terrorism personnel or resource, such as explosive detection 
sweeps, random bag inspections, or patrols by Visible Inter-
modal Prevention and Response teams, to enhance security 
at a transportation system or transportation facility for a period 
of not less than 180 consecutive days, the Administrator shall 
provide sufficient notification to the system or facility operator, 
as applicable, not less than 14 days prior to terminating the 
deployment. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—This subsection shall not apply if the 
Administrator— 
(A) determines there is an urgent security need for 
the personnel or resource described in paragraph (1); and 
(B) notifies the appropriate committees of Congress 
of the determination under subparagraph (A). 
(b) VIPR TEAMS.—Section 1303 of the Implementing Rec-
ommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1112) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ‘‘team,’’ and inserting 
‘‘team as to specific locations and times within the facilities 
of such entities at which VIPR teams are to be deployed to 
maximize the effectiveness of such deployment,’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) PERFORMANCE MEASURES.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of the TSA Modernization Act, the Adminis-
trator shall develop and implement a system of qualitative perform-
ance measures and objectives by which to assess the roles, activities, 
and effectiveness of VIPR team operations on an ongoing basis, 
including a mechanism through which the transportation entities 
referred to in subsection (a)(4) may submit feedback on VIPR team 
operations involving their systems or facilities. 
‘‘(c) PLAN.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment of the TSA Modernization Act, the Administrator shall develop 
and implement a plan for ensuring the interoperability of commu-
nications among VIPR team participants and between VIPR teams 
and any transportation entities with systems or facilities that are 
involved in VIPR team operations. Such plan shall include an
H. R. 302—424 
analysis of the costs and resources required to carry out such 
plan.’’. 
SEC. 1969. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle A of title IV of the Homeland Secu-
rity Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 404. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the Transportation 
Security Administration (referred to in this section as ‘Adminis-
trator’) shall establish within the Transportation Security Adminis-
tration the Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee 
(referred to in this section as the ‘Advisory Committee’). 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee may advise, 
consult with, report to, and make recommendations to the 
Administrator on surface transportation security matters, 
including the development, refinement, and implementation of 
policies, programs, initiatives, rulemakings, and security direc-
tives pertaining to surface transportation security. 
‘‘(2) RISK-BASED SECURITY.—The Advisory Committee shall 
consider risk-based security approaches in the performance of 
its duties. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) COMPOSITION.—The Advisory Committee shall be com-
posed of— 
‘‘(A) voting members appointed by the Administrator 
under paragraph (2); and 
‘‘(B) nonvoting members, serving in an advisory 
capacity, who shall be designated by— 
‘‘(i) the Transportation Security Administration; 
‘‘(ii) the Department of Transportation; 
‘‘(iii) the Coast Guard; and 
‘‘(iv) such other Federal department or agency as 
the Administrator considers appropriate. 
‘‘(2) APPOINTMENT.—The Administrator shall appoint voting 
members from among stakeholders representing each mode 
of surface transportation, such as passenger rail, freight rail, 
mass transit, pipelines, highways, over-the-road bus, school 
bus industry, and trucking, including representatives from— 
‘‘(A) associations representing such modes of surface 
transportation; 
‘‘(B) labor organizations representing such modes of 
surface transportation; 
‘‘(C) groups representing the users of such modes of 
surface transportation, including asset manufacturers, as 
appropriate; 
‘‘(D) relevant law enforcement, first responders, and 
security experts; and 
‘‘(E) such other groups as the Administrator considers 
appropriate. 
‘‘(3) CHAIRPERSON.—The Advisory Committee shall select 
a chairperson from among its voting members. 
‘‘(4) TERM OF OFFICE.— 
‘‘(A) TERMS.—
H. R. 302—425 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The term of each voting member 
of the Advisory Committee shall be 2 years, but a 
voting member may continue to serve until the 
Administrator appoints a successor. 
‘‘(ii) REAPPOINTMENT.—A voting member of the 
Advisory Committee may be reappointed. 
‘‘(B) REMOVAL.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may review 
the participation of a member of the Advisory Com-
mittee and remove such member for cause at any time. 
‘‘(ii) ACCESS TO INFORMATION.—The Administrator 
may remove any member of the Advisory Committee 
that the Administrator determines should be restricted 
from reviewing, discussing, or possessing classified 
information or sensitive security information. 
‘‘(5) PROHIBITION ON COMPENSATION.—The members of the 
Advisory Committee shall not receive any compensation from 
the Government by reason of their service on the Advisory 
Committee. 
‘‘(6) MEETINGS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall require the 
Advisory Committee to meet at least semiannually in per-
son or through web conferencing and may convene addi-
tional meetings as necessary. 
‘‘(B) PUBLIC
MEETINGS.—At least 1 of the meetings 
of the Advisory Committee each year shall be— 
‘‘(i) announced in the Federal Register; 
‘‘(ii) announced on a public website; and 
‘‘(iii) open to the public. 
‘‘(C) ATTENDANCE.—The Advisory Committee shall 
maintain a record of the persons present at each meeting. 
‘‘(D) MINUTES.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Unless otherwise prohibited by 
other Federal law, minutes of the meetings shall be 
published on the public website under subsection (e)(5). 
‘‘(ii) PROTECTION
OF
CLASSIFIED
AND
SENSITIVE 
INFORMATION.—The Advisory Committee may redact 
or summarize, as necessary, minutes of the meetings 
to protect classified or other sensitive information in 
accordance with law. 
‘‘(7) VOTING MEMBER ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED AND SENSITIVE 
SECURITY INFORMATION.— 
‘‘(A) DETERMINATIONS.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date on which a voting member is appointed to the 
Advisory Committee and before that voting member may 
be granted any access to classified information or sensitive 
security information, the Administrator shall determine 
if the voting member should be restricted from reviewing, 
discussing, or possessing classified information or sensitive 
security information. 
‘‘(B) ACCESS.— 
‘‘(i) SENSITIVE SECURITY INFORMATION.—If a voting 
member is not restricted from reviewing, discussing, 
or possessing sensitive security information under 
subparagraph (A) and voluntarily signs a nondisclosure 
agreement, the voting member may be granted access 
to sensitive security information that is relevant to
H. R. 302—426 
the voting member’s service on the Advisory Com-
mittee. 
‘‘(ii) CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.—Access to classified 
materials shall be managed in accordance with Execu-
tive Order 13526 of December 29, 2009 (75 Fed. Reg. 
707), or any subsequent corresponding Executive order. 
‘‘(C) PROTECTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) SENSITIVE
SECURITY
INFORMATION.—Voting 
members shall protect sensitive security information 
in accordance with part 1520 of title 49, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations. 
‘‘(ii) CLASSIFIED
INFORMATION.—Voting members 
shall protect classified information in accordance with 
the applicable requirements for the particular level 
of classification. 
‘‘(8) JOINT COMMITTEE MEETINGS.—The Advisory Committee 
may meet with 1 or more of the following advisory committees 
to discuss multimodal security issues and other security-related 
issues of common concern: 
‘‘(A) Aviation Security Advisory Committee established 
under section 44946 of title 49, United States Code. 
‘‘(B) Maritime Security Advisory Committee estab-
lished under section 70112 of title 46, United States Code. 
‘‘(C) Railroad Safety Advisory Committee established 
by the Federal Railroad Administration. 
‘‘(9) SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.—The Advisory Committee 
may request the assistance of subject matter experts with 
expertise related to the jurisdiction of the Advisory Committee. 
‘‘(d) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) PERIODIC
REPORTS.—The Advisory Committee shall 
periodically submit reports to the Administrator on matters 
requested by the Administrator or by a majority of the members 
of the Advisory Committee. 
‘‘(2) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) SUBMISSION.—The Advisory Committee shall 
submit to the Administrator and the appropriate congres-
sional committees an annual report that provides informa-
tion on the activities, findings, and recommendations of 
the Advisory Committee during the preceding year. 
‘‘(B) PUBLICATION.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date that the Administrator receives an annual report 
under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall publish 
a public version of the report, in accordance with section 
552a(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE.— 
‘‘(1) CONSIDERATION.—The Administrator shall consider the 
information, advice, and recommendations of the Advisory Com-
mittee 
in 
formulating 
policies, 
programs, 
initiatives, 
rulemakings, and security directives pertaining to surface 
transportation security. 
‘‘(2) FEEDBACK.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
that the Administrator receives a recommendation from the 
Advisory Committee under subsection (d)(2), the Administrator 
shall submit to the Advisory Committee written feedback on 
the recommendation, including— 
‘‘(A) if the Administrator agrees with the recommenda-
tion, a plan describing the actions that the Administrator
H. R. 302—427 
has taken, will take, or recommends that the head of 
another Federal department or agency take to implement 
the recommendation; or 
‘‘(B) if the Administrator disagrees with the rec-
ommendation, a justification for that determination. 
‘‘(3) NOTICES.—Not later than 30 days after the date the 
Administrator submits feedback under paragraph (2), the 
Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) notify the appropriate congressional committees 
of the feedback, including the determination under 
subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) of that paragraph, 
as applicable; and 
‘‘(B) provide the appropriate congressional committees 
with a briefing upon request. 
‘‘(4) UPDATES.—Not later than 90 days after the date the 
Administrator receives a recommendation from the Advisory 
Committee under subsection (d)(2) that the Administrator 
agrees with, and quarterly thereafter until the recommendation 
is fully implemented, the Administrator shall submit a report 
to the appropriate congressional committees or post on the 
public website under paragraph (5) an update on the status 
of the recommendation. 
‘‘(5) WEBSITE.—The Administrator shall maintain a public 
website that— 
‘‘(A) lists the members of the Advisory Committee; 
and 
‘‘(B) provides the contact information for the Advisory 
Committee. 
‘‘(f) NONAPPLICABILITY OF FACA.—The Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory Com-
mittee or any subcommittee established under this section.’’. 
(b) ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS.— 
(1) VOTING MEMBERS.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall appoint 
the voting members of the Surface Transportation Security 
Advisory Committee established under section 404 of the Home-
land Security Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a) of this 
section. 
(2) NONVOTING MEMBERS.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, each Federal Government 
department and agency with regulatory authority over a mode 
of surface or maritime transportation, as the Administrator 
considers appropriate, shall designate an appropriate represent-
ative to serve as a nonvoting member of the Surface Transpor-
tation Security Advisory Committee. 
(c) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents in section 1(b) 
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–296; 116 
Stat. 2135) is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 403 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 404. Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee.’’. 
SEC. 1970. REVIEW OF THE EXPLOSIVES DETECTION CANINE TEAM 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date that 
the Inspector General of the Department receives the report under 
section 1964(c), the Inspector General of the Department shall—
H. R. 302—428 
(1) review the explosives detection canine team program, 
including— 
(A) the development by the Transportation Security 
Administration of a deployment strategy for explosives 
detection canine teams; 
(B) the national explosives detection canine team 
training program, including canine training, handler 
training, refresher training, and updates to such training; 
(C) the use of the canine assets during an urgent 
security need, including the reallocation of such program 
resources outside the transportation systems sector during 
an urgent security need; and 
(D) the monitoring and tracking of canine assets; and 
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the review, including any recommendations. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the review of the deploy-
ment strategy under subsection (a)(1)(A), the Inspector General 
shall consider whether the Transportation Security Administration’s 
method to analyze the risk to transportation facilities and transpor-
tation systems is appropriate. 
SEC. 1971. EXPANSION OF NATIONAL EXPLOSIVES DETECTION CANINE 
TEAM PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, where appropriate, shall 
encourage State, local, and tribal governments and private owners 
of high-risk transportation facilities to strengthen security through 
the use of explosives detection canine teams. 
(b) INCREASED CAPACITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Before the date the Inspector General 
of the Department submits the report under section 1970, the 
Administrator may increase the number of State and local 
surface and maritime transportation canines by not more than 
70 explosives detection canine teams. 
(2) ADDITIONAL
TEAMS.—Beginning on the date the 
Inspector General of the Department submits the report under 
section 1970, the Secretary may increase the State and local 
surface and maritime transportation canines up to 200 explo-
sives detection canine teams unless more are identified in the 
risk-based surface transportation security strategy under sec-
tion 1964, consistent with section 1965 or with the President’s 
most recent budget submitted under section 1105 of title 31, 
United States Code. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Before initiating any increase in 
the number of explosives detection teams under paragraph 
(2), the Secretary shall consider any recommendations in the 
report under section 1970 on the efficacy and management 
of the explosives detection canine program. 
(c) DEPLOYMENT.—The Secretary shall— 
(1) use the additional explosives detection canine teams, 
as described in subsection (b)(1), as part of the Department’s 
efforts to strengthen security across the Nation’s surface and 
maritime transportation networks; 
(2) make available explosives detection canine teams to 
all modes of transportation, subject to the requirements under 
section 1968, to address specific vulnerabilities or risks, on 
an as-needed basis and as otherwise determined appropriate 
by the Secretary; and
H. R. 302—429 
(3) consider specific needs and training requirements for 
explosives detection canine teams to be deployed across the 
Nation’s surface and maritime transportation networks, 
including in venues of multiple modes of transportation, as 
the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION.—There are authorized to be appropriated 
to the Secretary to the extent of appropriations to carry out this 
section for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2021. 
SEC. 1972. STUDY ON SECURITY STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES 
FOR PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS. 
(a) SECURITY STANDARDS
AND BEST PRACTICES
FOR UNITED 
STATES AND FOREIGN PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.—The 
Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study 
of how the Transportation Security Administration— 
(1) identifies and compares— 
(A) United States and foreign passenger transportation 
security standards; and 
(B) best practices for protecting passenger transpor-
tation systems, including shared terminal facilities, and 
cyber systems; and 
(2) disseminates the findings under paragraph (1) to stake-
holders. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall issue a report 
that contains— 
(1) the findings of the study conducted under subsection 
(a); and 
(2) any recommendations for improving the relevant proc-
esses or procedures. 
SEC. 1973. AMTRAK SECURITY UPGRADES. 
(a) RAILROAD SECURITY ASSISTANCE.—Section 1513(b) of the 
Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 
2007 (6 U.S.C. 1163(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘, including communications interoperability 
where appropriate with relevant outside agencies and entities.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘security of’’ and inserting 
‘‘security and preparedness of’’; 
(3) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘security threats’’ and 
inserting 
‘‘security 
threats 
and 
preparedness, 
including 
connectivity to the National Terrorist Screening Center’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘and security officers’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, security, and preparedness officers’’. 
(b) SPECIFIC PROJECTS.—Section 1514(a)(3) of the Implementing 
Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 
1164(a)(3)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (D) by inserting ‘‘, or to connect to 
the National Terrorism Screening Center watchlist’’ after ‘‘Sec-
retary’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(3) in subparagraph (H) by striking the period at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(I) for improvements to passenger verification systems;
H. R. 302—430 
‘‘(J) for improvements to employee and contractor 
verification systems, including identity verification tech-
nology; or 
‘‘(K) for improvements to the security of Amtrak com-
puter systems, including cybersecurity assessments and 
programs.’’. 
SEC. 1974. PASSENGER RAIL VETTING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date on 
which the Amtrak Board of Directors submits a request to the 
Administrator, the Administrator shall issue a decision on the use 
by Amtrak of the Transportation Security Administration’s Secure 
Flight Program or a similar passenger vetting system to enhance 
passenger rail security. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In making a decision under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) consider the technological, privacy, operational, and 
security impacts of such a decision; and 
(2) describe such impacts in any strategic plan developed 
under subsection (c). 
(c) STRATEGIC PLAN.—If the Administrator decides to grant 
the request by Amtrak under subsection (a), the decision shall 
include a strategic plan for working with rail stakeholders to 
enhance passenger rail security by— 
(1) vetting passengers using terrorist watch lists main-
tained by the Federal Government or a similar passenger vet-
ting system maintained by the Transportation Security 
Administration; and 
(2) where applicable and in consultation with the Commis-
sioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, assessing 
whether the vetting process should be integrated into 
preclearance operations established under section 813 of the 
Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (19 
U.S.C. 4432). 
(d) NOTICES.—The Administrator shall notify the appropriate 
committees of Congress of any decision made under subsection 
(a) and the details of the strategic plan under subsection (c). 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to limit the Administrator’s authority to set the access 
to, or terms and conditions of using, the Secure Flight Program 
or a similar passenger vetting system. 
SEC. 1975. STUDY ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION INSPECTORS. 
(a) STRATEGY.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees and the Comptroller General of the United 
States a strategy to guide operations of surface transportation secu-
rity inspectors that addresses the following: 
(1) Any limitations in data systems for such inspectors, 
as identified by the Comptroller General. 
(2) Alignment of operations with risk assessment findings, 
including an approach to identifying and prioritizing entities 
and locations for inspections. 
(3) Measurable objectives for the surface transportation 
security inspectors program. 
(b) GAO REVIEW.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
the strategy under subsection (a) is submitted, the Comptroller