[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5982 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5982

     To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, for purposes of 
    transportation security, to conduct a study on how airports can 
  transition to uniform, standards-based, and interoperable biometric 
identifier systems for airport workers with unescorted access to secure 
        or sterile areas of an airport, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 7, 2008

Mr. Thompson of Mississippi (for himself and Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
                           Homeland Security

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, for purposes of 
    transportation security, to conduct a study on how airports can 
  transition to uniform, standards-based, and interoperable biometric 
identifier systems for airport workers with unescorted access to secure 
        or sterile areas of an airport, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Biometric Enhancement for Airport-
Risk Reduction Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. SECRETARY DEFINED.

    In this Act, the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland 
Security acting through the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security 
(Transportation Security Administration).

SEC. 3. BIOMETRIC IDENTIFIER SYSTEMS.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
        working group of industry stakeholders to be established under 
        subsection (c), shall conduct a study on how airports can 
        transition to uniform, standards-based, and interoperable 
        biometric identifier systems for airport workers with 
        unescorted access to secure or sterile areas of an airport.
            (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the study shall be to enhance 
        transportation security against a potential act of terrorism by 
        an airport worker who is allowed unescorted access to secure or 
        sterile areas of an airport.
            (3) Risk-based analysis.--In conducting the study, the 
        Secretary shall conduct a risk-based analysis of all Category X 
        and I airports and other airports, as the Secretary determines 
        appropriate, to identify where the implementation of biometric 
        identifier systems could benefit airports.
            (4) Considerations.--In conducting the study, the Secretary 
        shall consider the following:
                    (A) Parallel systems.--Existing parallel biometric 
                security systems applicable to workers with unescorted 
                access to critical infrastructure, including--
                            (i) transportation security cards issued 
                        under section 70105 of title 46, United States 
                        Code;
                            (ii) armed law enforcement travel 
                        credentials issued under section 44903(h)(6) of 
                        title 49, United States Code;
                            (iii) any biometric credential program 
                        initiated by the Secretary after April 1, 2008; 
                        and
                            (iv) other credential programs used by the 
                        Federal Government, as the Secretary considers 
                        appropriate.
                    (B) Infrastructure and technical requirements.--The 
                architecture, modules, interfaces, and transmission of 
                data needed to address risks associated with securing 
                airports by providing interoperable biometric security 
                measures and credentials for airport workers with 
                unescorted access to secure and sterile areas of an 
                airport.
                    (C) Existing airport systems.--Biometric 
                infrastructure and systems in use in secure and sterile 
                areas of airports.
                    (D) Incentives.--Possible incentives for airports 
                that voluntarily seek to implement uniform, standards-
                based, and interoperable biometric identifier systems.
                    (E) Associated costs.--The costs of implementing 
                uniform, standards-based, and interoperable biometric 
                identifier systems at airports, including--
                            (i) the costs to airport operators, airport 
                        workers, air carriers, and other aviation 
                        industry stakeholders; and
                            (ii) the costs associated with ongoing 
                        operations and maintenance and modifications 
                        and enhancements needed to support changes in 
                        physical and electronic infrastructure.
                    (F) GAO recommendations.--Any recommendations or 
                findings developed by the Government Accountability 
                Office relating to implementing biometric security for 
                airport workers with unescorted access to secure and 
                sterile areas of airports.
                    (G) Information from other sources.--
                Recommendations, guidance, and information from other 
                sources, including government entities, organizations 
                representing airport workers, and private individuals 
                and organizations.
            (5) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the 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 study conducted under 
        this subsection.
    (b) Best Practices.--
            (1) Identification of best practices.--The Secretary, in 
        consultation with the working group of aviation industry 
        stakeholders to be established under subsection (c), shall 
        identify best practices for the administration of biometric 
        credentials at airports, including best practices for each of 
        the following processes:
                    (A) Registration and enrollment.
                    (B) Eligibility vetting and risk assessment.
                    (C) Issuance.
                    (D) Verification and use.
                    (E) Expiration and revocation.
                    (F) Development of a cost structure for acquisition 
                of biometric credentials.
                    (G) Development of redress processes for workers.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 240 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) 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 that outlines the best practices identified 
                under paragraph (1); and
                    (B) make the report available to airport operators.
    (c) Aviation and Airport Security Working Group.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall convene a working 
        group to assist the Secretary with issues pertaining to 
        implementing and carrying out this section and aviation and 
        airport security matters generally.
            (2) Membership.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
        membership of the working group includes aviation industry 
        stakeholders and specifically includes individuals selected 
        from among--
                    (A) the membership of the Transportation Security 
                Administration's Aviation Security Advisory Committee;
                    (B) individuals and organizations representing 
                airports;
                    (C) individuals and organizations representing 
                airport workers, including those airport workers with 
                unescorted access to secure and sterile areas of 
                airports;
                    (D) individuals and organizations representing the 
                biometric technology sector; and
                    (E) any other individuals and organizations that 
                the Secretary considers appropriate.
            (3) Nonapplicability of faca.--The Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to working group 
        established under this subsection.
            (4) Sunset.--The working group established under this 
        subsection shall cease operations 30 days after the date of 
        submission of the report under subsection (a)(5) or 30 days 
        after the date of submission of the report under subsection 
        (b)(2), whichever is later.
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