Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018

Bill: 115-hr-5131
Sponsor: Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Introduced: 2018-02-27 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Chemical and biological weapons
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Firearms and explosives
Foreign and international corporations
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Motor carriers
Motor vehicles
Nuclear weapons
Performance measurement
Public transit
Public-private cooperation
Railroads
Right of privacy
Roads and highways
Small business
Technology assessment
Terrorism
Transportation employees
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2018-02-27
text: 

Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018

 
This bill establishes programs and reporting requirements to identify risks to facilities, equipment, or systems used to provide surface transportation. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to: 
 
 
develop risk-based priorities informed by an analysis of terrorist and cyber attack scenarios, 
 
submit to Congress a feasibility assessment of employing new technologies to enhance surface transportation security, 
 
disseminate best practices to protect against the threat of a vehicle-based terrorist attack, and 
 
report on threats to transportation security posed by the use of security technologies developed or produced by firms owned or closely linked to foreign governments known to pose a threat. 
 
 
The Government Accountability Office must evaluate the extent to which the 2016 Biennial National Strategy for Transportation Security is reflected in federal transportation security programs. 
 
The bill authorizes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a task force to identify and develop an innovative technology to enhance transportation security. The TSA must also submit to Congress a strategy to guide operations of surface transportation security inspectors. 

action_date: 2018-03-19
text: 

Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018 

 
(Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must evaluate the extent to which the 2016 Biennial National Strategy for Transportation Security is reflected in federal transportation security programs. 
 
(Sec. 4) This bill establishes programs and reporting requirements to identify risks to facilities, equipment, or systems used to provide public transportation (surface transportation assets). It requires the Department of Homeland Security to: 
 
 
develop risk-based priorities informed by an analysis of terrorist and cyber attack scenarios, 
 
submit to Congress a feasibility assessment of employing new technologies to enhance surface transportation security, 
 
disseminate best practices to protect against the threat of a vehicle-based terrorist attack, and
 
report on threats to transportation security posed by the use of security technologies by foreign countries. 
 
 
(Sec. 9) The bill authorizes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a task force to identify and develop an innovative technology to enhance transportation security. The TSA must also submit to Congress and the GAO a strategy to guide operations of surface transportation security inspectors. 

action_date: 2018-03-22
text: 

Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018 

 
(Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must evaluate the extent to which the 2016 Biennial National Strategy for Transportation Security is reflected in federal transportation security programs. 
 
(Sec. 4) This bill establishes programs and reporting requirements to identify risks to facilities, equipment, or systems used to provide public transportation (surface transportation assets). It requires the Department of Homeland Security to: 
 
 
develop risk-based priorities informed by an analysis of terrorist and cyber attack scenarios, 
 
submit to Congress a feasibility assessment of employing new technologies to enhance surface transportation security, 
 
disseminate best practices to protect against the threat of a vehicle-based terrorist attack, and
 
report on threats to transportation security posed by the use of security technologies by foreign countries. 
 
 
(Sec. 9) The bill authorizes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a task force to identify and develop an innovative technology to enhance transportation security. The TSA must also submit to Congress and the GAO a strategy to guide operations of surface transportation security inspectors. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-03-22
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-03-22
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 5 (Roll no. 126).
action_date: 2018-03-22
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): 409 - 5 (Roll no. 126).
action_date: 2018-03-22
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1768-1769)
action_date: 2018-03-19
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: 2018-03-19
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5131.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1669-1671; text: CR H1669-1670)
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Mr. Bacon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 458.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 115-602.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 115-602.
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2018-02-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2018-02-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2018-02-27
text: Introduced in House