Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-5338
Sponsor: Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24]
Introduced: 2016-05-26 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Firearms and explosives
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Labor-management relations
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: 

Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act

 
This bill expresses the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of passengers.
 
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security shall begin and complete, within 30 days after enactment of this bill, an assessment of its staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions, including use of canine explosives detection teams and technology, at all U.S. airports at which the TSA operates passenger checkpoints.
 
The staffing allocation model shall be based on staffing levels necessary to maintain minimal passenger wait times.
 
The Government Accountability Office shall review the assessment.
 
The TSA shall also:
 
 
 require Transportation Security Officers to be assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions;
 
use other TSA and appropriate personnel for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and giving instructions and support to passengers in security lines;
 
assess headquarters personnel; and
 
reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis.
 
 
Within 30 days after enactment of this bill the TSA shall:
 
 
 utilize TSA Behavior Detection Officers to verify traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that they are operational for use and maximum efficiency;
 
make every practicable effort to grant additional flexibility and authority to Federal Security Directors in matters related to checkpoint and checked baggage staffing allocation and employee overtime;
 
disseminate to air carriers, airport operators, and appropriate TSA personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices;
 
expand efforts to increase the public's participation in the TSA PreCheck program; and 
 
direct the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to make recommendations within 60 days on checkpoint operations optimization.
 
 
By the same 30-day deadline the TSA shall establish:
 
 
 a staffing advisory working group at each airport at which the TSA oversees or performs passenger security screening to coordinate a service level agreement and minimum TSA staffing numbers, and 
 
a staffing advisory committee at the national level to coordinate and share information relating to best practices concerning TSA staffing numbers being given to airports.
 

action_date: 2016-06-07
text: 

Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of the nation's aviation system.
 
(Sec. 3) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security shall begin and complete, within 30 days after enactment of this bill, an assessment of its staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions, including use of canine explosives detection teams and technology, at all U.S. airports at which the TSA operates passenger checkpoints.
 
The staffing allocation model shall be based on staffing levels necessary to maintain minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness.
 
The TSA shall require each Federal Security Director to engage regularly with appropriate aviation security stakeholders to exchange information regarding airport and security operations.
 
The Government Accountability Office shall review the assessment.
 
(Sec. 4) The TSA shall also:
 
 
 require Transportation Security Officers with appropriate certifications and training to be assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions;
 
use other TSA personnel who may not have certification and training to screen passengers or baggage for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and giving instructions and support to passengers in security lines;
 
assess headquarters personnel; and
 
reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis.
 
 
(Sec. 5) Within 30 days after enactment of this bill the TSA shall:
 
 
 utilize TSA Behavior Detection Officers for passenger and baggage security screening, including the verification of traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that they are operational for use and maximum efficiency;
 
make every practicable effort to grant additional flexibility and authority to Federal Security Directors in matters related to checkpoint and checked baggage staffing allocation and employee overtime in furtherance of maintaining minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness;
 
disseminate to aviation security stakeholders and appropriate TSA personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices;
 
expand efforts to increase the public's participation in the TSA PreCheck program; and 
 
request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to make recommendations on best practices for checkpoint operations optimization.
 
 
By the same 30-day deadline the TSA shall direct each Federal Security Director to coordinate local representatives of aviation security stakeholders to establish a staffing advisory working group at each airport at which the TSA oversees or performs passenger security screening to give recommendations to TSA on Transportation Security Officer staffing numbers. 
 
(Sec. 6) The bill defines the term &quot;aviation security stakeholders&quot; to mean air carriers, airport operators, and labor organizations representing Transportation Security Officers or contract screeners.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-08
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2016-06-07
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-06-07
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3467-3468)
action_date: 2016-06-07
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 H3467-3468)
action_date: 2016-06-07
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5338.
action_date: 2016-06-07
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3467-3470)
action_date: 2016-06-07
text: Mr. Katko moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2016-06-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: Introduced in House