Improved Security Vetting for Aviation Workers Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2750
Sponsor: Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24]
Introduced: 2015-06-12 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Congressional oversight
Criminal justice information and records
Terrorism
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-12
text: 

Improved Security Vetting for Aviation Workers Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 todirect the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate with DHS and the Interagency Policy Committee of the Office of the President to determine whether TSA should receive additional Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment data or other terrorism related category codes to assist in its credential vetting program for individuals with access to sensitive areas of airports.
 
The TSA shall: 
 
 
issue guidance for Transportation Security Inspectors to review annually airport badging office procedures for applicants seeking access to sensitive airport areas, including a comprehensive review of applicants' Criminal History Records Check and work authorization documentation during the course of an inspection;
 
coordinate with DHS to conduct a Rap Back Service pilot program to determine the feasibility of its implementation across eligible TSA-regulated populations;
 
issue guidance to airports requiring that all federalized airport badging authorities place an expiration date on airport credentials commensurate to the time which an individual is lawfully authorized to work in the United States; and
 
review the denial of credentials due to an applicants's lawful status in order to identify airports with specific weaknesses and coordinate with them to address such weaknesses.
 
 
The TSA shall coordinate with DHS and consult with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to conduct a pilot program of the Rap Back Service to determine the feasibility of its full implementation across eligible TSA-regulated populations. (The FBI Rap Back Service provides authorized agencies with notification of criminal, and, in limited cases, civil activity of individuals that occurs after the initial processing and retention of criminal or civil transactions.)

action_date: 2015-07-27
text: 

Improved Security Vetting for Aviation Workers Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 todirect the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), by December 31, 2015, in coordination with the DHS Assistant Secretary for Policy, to request from the Director of National Intelligence access to additional data from the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment data and any or other terrorism-related information to improve the effectiveness of TSA's credential vetting program for individuals with unescorted access to sensitive areas of airports.
 
The TSA, by the same deadline, shall: 
 
 
issue guidance for Transportation Security Inspectors to review annually airport badging office procedures for applicants seeking access to sensitive airport areas, including a comprehensive review of applicants' Criminal History Records Check and work authorization documentation during the course of an inspection;
 
issue guidance to airports requiring that all federalized airport badging authorities place an expiration date on airport credentials commensurate with the period of time during which an individual is lawfully authorized to work in the United States; and
 
review the denial of credentials owing to an applicants's lawful status in order to identify airports with specific weaknesses and coordinate with them to address such weaknesses. 

 
The TSA may conduct a Rap Back Service pilot program, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to determine the feasibility of full implementation of a service through which the TSA would be notified of a change in status of an individual holding a valid credential granting unescorted access to sensitive airport areas across eligible TSA-regulated populations. (The FBI Rap Back Service notifies authorized agencies of criminal, and, in limited cases, civil activity of individuals that occurs after the initial processing and retention of criminal or civil transactions.)
 
Certain pilot program procedures are prescribed regarding notification only of a change with respect to a disqualifying offense under the credential vetting program.
 
(Sec. 3) The TSA, within 60 days after enactment of this Act, shall report to Congress on the status of plans to conduct the Rap Back Service pilot program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-28
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5497-5498)
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5497-5498)
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2750.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5497-5499)
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Mr. Katko moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 172.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 114-227.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 114-227.
action_date: 2015-06-25
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2015-06-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-06-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
action_date: 2015-06-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2015-06-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-06-12
text: Introduced in House