110 HR 1690 IH: Guaranteeing Airport Physical U.S. House of Representatives 2007-03-26 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.

I 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1690 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 26, 2007 Mrs. Lowey introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security A BILL To improve airport screening and security.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Guaranteeing Airport Physical Screening Standards Act.

2.

Enhanced perimeter security and access control through comprehensive screening of airport workers

(a)

Pilot program

Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) shall implement a pilot program at 5 commercial service airports to physically screen all airport workers with access to secure and sterile areas of the airport. (b)

Participating airports

At least 2 of the airports participating in the pilot program shall be large hub airports (as defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code). Each of the remaining airports participating in the pilot program shall represent a different airport security risk category (as defined by the Assistant Secretary). (c)

Screening standards

Screening for airport workers under the pilot program shall be conducted under the same standards as apply to individuals at airport security screening checkpoints, and shall be carried out by contract screeners at a minimum of 2 airports. (d)

Duration

The pilot program shall be carried out for a period of not less than 180 days. (e)

Report

(1)

In general

Not later than 90 days after the last day of the pilot program, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the pilot program. (2)

Contents

The report shall contain, at a minimum, the following: (A)An assessment of the impact of physically screening all airport workers with access to secure and sterile airport areas on screening and logistical resources. (B)An assessment of the security improvements that are achieved from comprehensively screening such workers. (C)An assessment of the costs of comprehensively screening such workers. (f)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

3.

Secured areas of airports

(a)

Implementation of improved airport perimeter access security

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) shall issue regulations, directives, or other appropriate measures to implement the requirements of section 44903(h)(4) of title 49, United States Code. (b)

Airport security plans

The Assistant Secretary shall set a schedule for requiring airports to update their airport security plans to comply with the requirements of section 44903(h)(4) not later than 3 years after the issuance of the regulations, directives, or other measures required under subsection (a).

4.

Hiring of screeners

(a)

Number of screeners

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security may hire the number of passenger and baggage screeners that the Secretary determines necessary to ensure aviation security. (b)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.