110 HR 6247 IH: To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the U.S. House of Representatives 2008-06-11 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 2d Session H. R. 6247 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 11, 2008 Mr. Thompson of Mississippi introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security A BILL To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and acquire new technologies to inspect and screen air cargo on passenger aircraft to ensure transportation security, and for other purposes.

1.

Air cargo security screening

(a)

In general

Subtitle C of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 231 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

432.

Air cargo security screening

(a)

Research, development, and procurement of new technologies

The Secretary shall research, develop, and procure new technologies to inspect and screen air cargo carried on passenger aircraft at the earliest date possible. (b)

Use of existing checked baggage explosive detection equipment and screeners

Existing checked baggage explosive detection equipment and screeners shall be utilized to screen air cargo carried on passenger aircraft to the greatest extent practicable at each airport until technologies developed under subsection (a) are available. (c)

Activities To ensure increases in cargo inspections

The Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) shall work with air carriers and airports to ensure that the screening of cargo carried on passenger aircraft, as defined in section 44901(g)(5) of title 49, United States Code, increases incrementally each quarter. (d)

Quarterly report

Not later than 45 days after the last day of each quarter of a fiscal year, 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 air cargo inspection statistics by airport and air carrier detailing the incremental progress being made to meet the requirements of section 44901(g)(2) of title 49, United States Code.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents contained in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 431 the following: Sec. 432. Air cargo security screening. .