118 HR 7365 RH: Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act U.S. House of Representatives 2024-12-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IB Union Calendar No. 691 118th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 7365 [Report No. 118–846, Part I] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 15, 2024 Mr. Gosar (for himself, Mr. Waltz, Mr. LaMalfa, Ms. Houlahan, Mr. Biggs, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Norman, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Slotkin, Mrs. Rodgers of Washington, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Van Drew, Mr. Mills, Mrs. Harshbarger, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. Mast, Mrs. Steel, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Connolly, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Gallagher, Mrs. Lesko, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Steube, Mr. Crenshaw, Mrs. Luna, and Mr. Gottheimer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned December 10, 2024 Additional sponsors: Mr. Crane, Mr. Baird, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Reschenthaler, Mr. Rouzer, Mr. Jackson of Texas, Mr. Good of Virginia, Mr. Posey, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. Dunn of Florida, Mr. Collins, Mr. Crow, Ms. Caraveo, Ms. Salazar, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. Soto, Mr. Mooney, Mr. DeSaulnier, and Ms. Lee of Nevada December 10, 2024 Reported from the Committee on Homeland Security with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic December 10, 2024 Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on February 15, 2024 A BILL To provide PreCheck to certain severely injured or disabled veterans, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act or the VETS Safe Travel Act.

2.

Availability of PreCheck Program to certain severely injured or disabled veterans

(a)

In general

Section 44927 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (g)

Availability of PreCheck Program to certain severely injured or disabled veterans

(1)

In general

A veteran described in paragraph (2) is eligible for security screening under the PreCheck Program under section 44919 at no cost to the veteran if the veteran is able to meet the background check and other security requirements for participation in the Program. (2)

Veterans described

A veteran described in this paragraph is a veteran who— (A) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code; (B)has— (i)lost, or lost use of, a limb; (ii)become paralyzed or partially paralyzed; or (iii)incurred permanent blindness; and (C)as a result of a loss, paralyzation or partial paralyzation, or blindness described in subparagraph (B), requires the use of a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other assistive device to aid with mobility. (3)

Limitation

The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall carry out this subsection subject to the availability of appropriations and may not increase fees for enrollment in the PreCheck Program for such purpose.. (b)

Coordination on implementation

The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly— (1)implement a process under which a veteran described in paragraph (2) of subsection (g) of section 44927 of title 49, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), can receive the benefits under such subsection by not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act; and (2)provide to Congress a briefing on the status of implementing the process required by paragraph (1) by not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c)

Outreach for disabled veterans on availability of Transportation Security Administration programs

(1)

Coordination

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall implement a process under which the Secretary provides to disabled veterans effective outreach regarding Transportation Security Administration programs designed to improve the screening process for passengers with disabilities. (2)

Further enhancements To ease air travel for wounded warriors and other disabled veterans

Notwithstanding subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Paperwork Reduction Act), or any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, shall— (A)engage appropriate veterans service organizations and other relevant organizations, as appropriate, to assess the awareness of veterans of relevant Transportation Security Administration programs; and (B)examine the need and feasibility of other measures to improve travel security procedures for disabled veterans. (3)

Briefing requirement

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Administrator of Transportation Security Administration shall jointly provide to Congress a briefing on the status of the implementation of paragraphs (1) and (2).

December 10, 2024 Reported from the Committee on Homeland Security with an amendment December 10, 2024 Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed