AIR Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1092
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Aviation and airports
Congressional oversight
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Homeland Security
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Firearms and explosives
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
International organizations and cooperation
Law enforcement officers
Railroads
State and local government operations
Technology assessment
Transportation safety and security
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Aviation Security Innovation & Reform Act of 2011 or AIR Act of 2011 - Places the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), headed by the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (TSA), under the administration of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (Effectively updates federal law to reflect the transfer of the TSA from the Department of Transportation [DOT] to DHS in March 2003.)
 
Establishes in the TSA the Office of Behavior Analysis, which shall provide behavior detection training to TSA and other federal, state, and local government law enforcement personnel.
 
Transfers from the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to the Assistant Secretary the duty to prescribe employment standards for air carrier personnel and airport security personnel.
 
Revises security screening personnel training plan requirements to require the Assistant Secretary to establish a training plan for TSA Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) that: (1) ensures that TSO training is standardized; and (2) meets certain other requirements, including that each TSO receives training in basic security screening skills and criminal and antiterrorism awareness.
 
Requires the Assistant Secretary to develop partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies to improve coordination of behavior detection activities.
 
Directs the DHS Secretary to: (1) study the feasibility of creating an Aviation Sharing Analysis Center to provide real-time information sharing among public and private sector entities with respect to threats to aviation infrastructure, and (2) continue to advocate for international cooperation with foreign governments and organizations in the development of international aviation security standards to strengthen security while promoting travel and protecting travelers' rights.
 
Directs the Assistant Secretary to: (1) require the TSA Transportation Security Operations Center to use all of the law enforcement and intelligence databases available when checking passengers whose behavior warrants intervention by a law enforcement official, and (2) standardize and streamline threat-reporting guidelines to allow behavior detection officers or other designated TSA officials to receive Center information in a timely manner.
 
Directs the Assistant Secretary to continue the standardization of TSA security and personnel procedures at U.S. airports.
 
Requires the Assistant Secretary to deploy: (1) behavior detection officers to National Special Security Events designated by the DHS Secretary; and (2) Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams at passenger rail facilities to enhance security and cross-training opportunities for behavior detection officers. 
 
Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish an electronic medium through which TSOs and behavior detection officers may anonymously submit feedback regarding TSA transportation security programs or management issues.
 
Directs the Assistant Secretary to develop: (1) a system to verify the accuracy of air carrier screening data to determine the level of compliance with the congressionally mandated 100% air cargo screening requirements specified under the SAFE Port Act; and (2) a technology implementation plan that establishes how screening technologies will be integrated into overall aviation security systems at airports, such as screening technology to detect explosive compounds like pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) and acetone peroxide (TATP).
 
Directs the DHS Secretary to explore expanding access to international trusted traveler programs for international passengers entering the United States by looking at other domestic and foreign government trusted traveler programs and identifying the best practices.
 
Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish an independent aviation advisory panel to review TSA aviation security programs, including passenger screening programs, checked baggage screening programs, and air cargo screening programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate