Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-5338
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24]
Introduced: 2016-05-26
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
Latest action: action_date: 2016-06-08
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-05-26
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act</b></p> <p>This bill expresses the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of passengers.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The staffing allocation model shall be based on staffing levels necessary to maintain minimal passenger wait times.</p> <p>The Government Accountability Office shall review the assessment.</p> <p>The TSA shall also:</p> <ul> <li> require Transportation Security Officers to be assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions;</li> <li>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;</li> <li>assess headquarters personnel; and</li> <li>reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis.</li> </ul> <p>Within 30 days after enactment of this bill the TSA shall:</p> <ul> <li> 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;</li> <li>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;</li> <li>disseminate to air carriers, airport operators, and appropriate TSA personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices;</li> <li>expand efforts to increase the public's participation in the TSA PreCheck program; and </li> <li>direct the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to make recommendations within 60 days on checkpoint operations optimization.</li> </ul> <p>By the same 30-day deadline the TSA shall establish:</p> <ul> <li> 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 </li> <li>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.</li> </ul>

action_date: 2016-06-07
action_desc: Passed House amended
text: <p><b>Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act</b></p> <p>(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.</p> <p>(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.</p> <p>The staffing allocation model shall be based on staffing levels necessary to maintain minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness.</p> <p>The TSA shall require each Federal Security Director to engage regularly with appropriate aviation security stakeholders to exchange information regarding airport and security operations.</p> <p>The Government Accountability Office shall review the assessment.</p> <p>(Sec. 4) The TSA shall also:</p> <ul> <li> require Transportation Security Officers with appropriate certifications and training to be assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions;</li> <li>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;</li> <li>assess headquarters personnel; and</li> <li>reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 5) Within 30 days after enactment of this bill the TSA shall:</p> <ul> <li> 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;</li> <li>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;</li> <li>disseminate to aviation security stakeholders and appropriate TSA personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices;</li> <li>expand efforts to increase the public's participation in the TSA PreCheck program; and </li> <li>request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to make recommendations on best practices for checkpoint operations optimization.</li> </ul> <p>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. </p> <p>(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.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5338 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 26, 2016 Mr. Katko (for himself, Mr. McCaul , Mr. Keating , Mr. King of New York , Miss Rice of New York , Mr. Donovan , Ms. McSally , Mr. Marchant , Mr. Joyce , and Mr. Dold ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security A BILL To reduce passenger wait times at airports, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016 . 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of passengers. 3. Enhanced staffing allocation model (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall complete an assessment of the Administration’s staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions at all airports in the United States at which the Administration operates passenger checkpoints. (b) Appropriate staffing The staffing allocation model described in subsection (a) shall be based on necessary staffing levels to maintain minimal passenger wait times. (c) Additional resources In assessing necessary staffing for minimal passenger wait times referred to in subsection (b), the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall include the use of canine explosives detection teams and technology to assist screeners conducting security checks. (d) Transparency The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall share with air carriers and airport operators the staffing allocation model described in subsection (a). (e) GAO review Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review the staffing allocation model described in subsection (a) and report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the results of such review. 4. Effective utilization of staffing resources (a) In general To the greatest extent practicable, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall direct that Transportation Security Officers are assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions and that other Administration and other appropriate personnel are utilized for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and providing instructions and support to passengers in security lines. (b) Assessment and reassignment The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall conduct an assessment of headquarters personnel and reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis. 5. TSA staffing and resource allocation (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall take the following actions: (1) Utilize the Administration’s Behavior Detection Officers to verify traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that such lanes are operational for use and maximum efficiency. (2) 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. (3) Disseminate to air carriers, airport operators, and appropriate Administration personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices. (4) Expand efforts to increase the public’s participation in the Administration’s PreCheck program, including deploying Administration-approved ready-to-market private sector solutions and offering secure online and mobile enrollment opportunities. (5) Direct the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (established pursuant to section 44946 of title 49, United States Code) to provide recommendations within 60 days on checkpoint operations optimization. (b) Staffing advisory coordination Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall— (1) in coordination with local representatives from airports and air carriers, establish a staffing advisory working group at each airport at which the Administration oversees or performs passenger security screening to coordinate a service level agreement and minimum Administration staffing numbers to be provided to each such airport; (2) in coordination with representatives from airports and air carriers, establish a staffing advisory committee at the national level to coordinate and share information relating to best practices concerning Administration staffing numbers being provided to airports; and (3) certify to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate that such staffing advisory committees have been established. (c) Reporting Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall— (1) report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate regarding how the Administration’s Passenger Screening Canine assets may be deployed and utilized for maximum efficiency to mitigate risk and optimize checkpoint operations; and (2) report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the status of the Administration’s Credential Authentication Technology Assessment program and how deployment of such program might optimize checkpoint operations. 6. Rule of construction Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing or directing the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to prioritize reducing wait times over security effectiveness.

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5338 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To reduce passenger wait times at airports, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016 . 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of the Nation’s aviation system. 3. Enhanced staffing allocation model (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall complete an assessment of the Administration’s staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions at all airports in the United States at which the Administration operates passenger checkpoints. (b) Appropriate staffing The staffing allocation model described in subsection (a) shall be based on necessary staffing levels to maintain minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness. (c) Additional resources In assessing necessary staffing for minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness referred to in subsection (b), the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall include the use of canine explosives detection teams and technology to assist screeners conducting security checks. (d) Transparency The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall share with aviation security stakeholders the staffing allocation model described in subsection (a), as appropriate. (e) Exchange of information The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall require each Federal Security Director to engage on a regular basis with the appropriate aviation security stakeholders to exchange information regarding airport operations, including security operations. (f) GAO review Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review the staffing allocation model described in subsection (a) and report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the results of such review. 4. Effective utilization of staffing resources (a) In general To the greatest extent practicable, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall direct that Transportation Security Officers with appropriate certifications and training are assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions and that other Administration personnel who may not have certification and training to screen passengers or baggage are utilized for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and providing instructions and support to passengers in security lines. (b) Assessment and reassignment The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall conduct an assessment of headquarters personnel and reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis, as appropriate. 5. T SA staffing and resource allocation (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall take the following actions: (1) Utilize the Administration’s Behavior Detection Officers for passenger and baggage security screening, including the verification of traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that such lanes are operational for use and maximum efficiency. (2) 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. (3) Disseminate to aviation security stakeholders and appropriate Administration personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices. (4) Expand efforts to increase the public’s participation in the Administration’s PreCheck program, including deploying Administration-approved ready-to-market private sector solutions and offering secure online and mobile enrollment opportunities. (5) Request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (established pursuant to section 44946 of title 49, United States Code) provide recommendations on best practices for checkpoint security operations optimization. (b) Staffing advisory coordination Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall— (1) 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 Administration oversees or performs passenger security screening to provide recommendations to the Administrator on Transportation Security Officer staffing numbers, for such airport; and (2) certify to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate that such staffing advisory working groups have been established. (c) Reporting Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall— (1) report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate regarding how the Administration’s Passenger Screening Canine assets may be deployed and utilized for maximum efficiency to mitigate risk and optimize checkpoint operations; and (2) report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the status of the Administration’s Credential Authentication Technology Assessment program and how deployment of such program might optimize checkpoint operations. 6. Aviation security stakeholders defined For purposes of this Act, the term aviation security stakeholders shall mean, at a minimum, air carriers, airport operators, and labor organizations representing Transportation Security Officers or, where applicable, contract screeners. 7. Rule of construction Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing or directing the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to prioritize reducing wait times over security effectiveness.

Passed the House of Representatives June 7, 2016. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5338 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 8, 2016 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT To reduce passenger wait times at airports, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016 . 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of the Nation’s aviation system. 3. Enhanced staffing allocation model (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall complete an assessment of the Administration’s staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions at all airports in the United States at which the Administration operates passenger checkpoints. (b) Appropriate staffing The staffing allocation model described in subsection (a) shall be based on necessary staffing levels to maintain minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness. (c) Additional resources In assessing necessary staffing for minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness referred to in subsection (b), the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall include the use of canine explosives detection teams and technology to assist screeners conducting security checks. (d) Transparency The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall share with aviation security stakeholders the staffing allocation model described in subsection (a), as appropriate. (e) Exchange of information The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall require each Federal Security Director to engage on a regular basis with the appropriate aviation security stakeholders to exchange information regarding airport operations, including security operations. (f) GAO review Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review the staffing allocation model described in subsection (a) and report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the results of such review. 4. Effective utilization of staffing resources (a) In general To the greatest extent practicable, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall direct that Transportation Security Officers with appropriate certifications and training are assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions and that other Administration personnel who may not have certification and training to screen passengers or baggage are utilized for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and providing instructions and support to passengers in security lines. (b) Assessment and reassignment The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall conduct an assessment of headquarters personnel and reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis, as appropriate. 5. T SA staffing and resource allocation (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall take the following actions: (1) Utilize the Administration’s Behavior Detection Officers for passenger and baggage security screening, including the verification of traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that such lanes are operational for use and maximum efficiency. (2) 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. (3) Disseminate to aviation security stakeholders and appropriate Administration personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices. (4) Expand efforts to increase the public’s participation in the Administration’s PreCheck program, including deploying Administration-approved ready-to-market private sector solutions and offering secure online and mobile enrollment opportunities. (5) Request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (established pursuant to section 44946 of title 49, United States Code) provide recommendations on best practices for checkpoint security operations optimization. (b) Staffing advisory coordination Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall— (1) 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 Administration oversees or performs passenger security screening to provide recommendations to the Administrator on Transportation Security Officer staffing numbers, for such airport; and (2) certify to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate that such staffing advisory working groups have been established. (c) Reporting Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall— (1) report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate regarding how the Administration’s Passenger Screening Canine assets may be deployed and utilized for maximum efficiency to mitigate risk and optimize checkpoint operations; and (2) report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the status of the Administration’s Credential Authentication Technology Assessment program and how deployment of such program might optimize checkpoint operations. 6. Aviation security stakeholders defined For purposes of this Act, the term aviation security stakeholders shall mean, at a minimum, air carriers, airport operators, and labor organizations representing Transportation Security Officers or, where applicable, contract screeners. 7. Rule of construction Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing or directing the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to prioritize reducing wait times over security effectiveness.

Passed the House of Representatives June 7, 2016. Karen L. Haas, Clerk