Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act

Bill: 113-hr-3202
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2013-09-27 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Government studies and investigations
Homeland security
Marine and inland water transportation
Performance measurement
Technology assessment
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2013-09-27
text: 
Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to Congress and the Comptroller General (GAO) a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the transportation security card program at enhancing security or reducing security risks for maritime facilities and vessels.
 
Directs the Secretary to issue a corrective action plan based on the assessment that responds to the findings of a cost-benefit analysis of the program and enhances security or reduces security risk for such facilities and vessels.
 
Directs the Comptroller General, within 120 days after the Secretary issues the corrective action plan, to: (1) review the extent to which the submissions implement certain recommendations issued by the Comptroller General, and (2) inform Congress as to the responsiveness of the submission.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from issuing a final rule requiring the use of transportation security card readers until: (1) the Comptroller General informs Congress that the submission is substantially responsive to the GAO recommendations, and (2) the Secretary issues an updated list of transportation security card readers that are compatible with active transportation security cards.

action_date: 2014-07-17
text: 
Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to Congress and the Comptroller General (GAO) a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the transportation security card program at enhancing security and reducing security risks for maritime facilities and vessels. Requires the assessment to be conducted, to the extent practicable, by a national laboratory within the DHS laboratory network or a maritime security university-based center within the DHS centers of excellence network.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a corrective action plan responding to the assessment which: (1) includes an implementation plan with benchmarks, and (2) shall be considered in any DHS rulemaking with respect to the transportation security card program.
 
Directs the Comptroller General, within 120 days after the corrective action plan is issued, to: (1) review the extent to which it implements the recommendations of the national laboratory or the maritime security university-based center and of the Comptroller General, and (2) inform Congress as to the plan's responsiveness to such recommendations.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from issuing a final rule requiring the use of transportation security card readers until: (1) the Comptroller General informs Congress that the submission is responsive to the GAO recommendations, and (2) the Secretary issues an updated list of transportation security card readers that are compatible with active transportation security cards.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on implementation of the plan at least 18 months after it is issued, and every 6 months thereafter for the ensuing 3-year period.

action_date: 2014-07-28
text: 
Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to Congress and the Comptroller General (GAO) a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the transportation security card program at enhancing security and reducing security risks for maritime facilities and vessels. Requires the assessment to be conducted, to the extent practicable, by a national laboratory within the DHS laboratory network or a maritime security university-based center within the DHS centers of excellence network.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a corrective action plan responding to the assessment which: (1) includes an implementation plan with benchmarks, and (2) shall be considered in any DHS rulemaking with respect to the transportation security card program.
 
Directs the Comptroller General, within 120 days after the corrective action plan is issued, to: (1) review the extent to which it implements the recommendations of the national laboratory or the maritime security university-based center and of the Comptroller General, and (2) inform Congress as to the plan's responsiveness to such recommendations.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from issuing a final rule requiring the use of transportation security card readers until: (1) the Comptroller General informs Congress that the submission is responsive to the GAO recommendations, and (2) the Secretary issues an updated list of transportation security card readers that are compatible with active transportation security cards.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on implementation of the plan at least 18 months after it is issued, and every 6 months thereafter for the ensuing 3-year period.
 
Declares that no additional funds are authorized to carry out this Act. Requires this Act to be carried out using amounts otherwise available for the purpose.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-07-29
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2014-07-28
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2014-07-28
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 0 (Roll no. 456). (text: CR H6895)
action_date: 2014-07-28
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 0 (Roll no. 456).(text: CR H6895)
action_date: 2014-07-28
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6938-6939)
action_date: 2014-07-28
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2014-07-28
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3202.
action_date: 2014-07-28
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6895-6899)
action_date: 2014-07-28
text: Mrs. Miller (MI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2014-07-17
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 394.
action_date: 2014-07-17
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 113-528.
action_date: 2014-07-17
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 113-528.
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2014-05-20
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2014-05-20
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2013-10-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
action_date: 2013-10-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
action_date: 2013-09-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2013-09-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-09-27
text: Introduced in House