Aviation Security Advisory Committee

(a)

In general

Subchapter II of chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

44946.

Aviation Security Advisory Committee

(a)

Establishment

The Assistant Secretary shall establish within the Transportation Security Administration an advisory committee to be known as the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. (b)

Duties

(1)

In general

The Advisory Committee shall be consulted by and advise the Assistant Secretary on aviation security matters, including the development and implementation of policies, programs, rulemaking, and security directives pertaining to aviation security. (2)

Recommendations

(A)

In general

The Advisory Committee shall develop, at the request of the Assistant Secretary, recommendations for improvements to aviation security. (B)

Recommendations of working groups

Recommendations agreed upon by the working groups established under this section shall be approved by the Advisory Committee for transmission to the Assistant Secretary. (3)

Periodic reports

The Advisory Committee shall periodically submit to the Assistant Secretary— (A)reports on matters identified by the Assistant Secretary; and (B)reports on other matters identified by a majority of the members of the Advisory Committee. (4)

Annual report

The Advisory Committee shall submit to the Assistant Secretary an annual report providing information on the activities, findings, and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, including its working groups, for the preceding year. (c)

Membership

(1)

Appointment

(A)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary shall appoint the members of the Advisory Committee. (B)

Composition

The membership shall consist of individuals representing not more than 27 member organizations. Each organization shall be represented by one individual (or the individual’s designee). (C)

Representation

The membership shall include representatives of air carriers, all cargo air transportation, indirect air carriers, labor organizations representing air carrier employees, aircraft manufacturers, airport operators, general aviation, privacy, the travel industry, and the aviation technology security industry, including biometrics. (2)

Removal

The Assistant Secretary may review the participation of a member of the Advisory Committee and remove the member for cause at any time. (3)

Prohibition on compensation

The members of the Advisory Committee shall not receive pay, allowances, or benefits from the Government by reason of their service on the Advisory Committee. (4)

Meetings

The Assistant Secretary shall require the Advisory Committee to meet at least semiannually and may convene additional meetings as necessary. (d)

Air cargo security working group

(1)

In general

The Assistant Secretary shall establish within the Advisory Committee an air cargo security working group to provide recommendations on air cargo security issues, including the implementation of the air cargo security programs established by the Transportation Security Administration to screen air cargo on passenger aircraft and all-cargo aircraft in accordance with established cargo screening mandates. (2)

Meetings and reporting

The working group shall meet at least quarterly and submit information, including recommendations, regarding air cargo security to the Advisory Committee for inclusion in the annual report. The submissions shall include recommendations to improve the Administration’s cargo security initiatives established to meet the requirements of section 44901(g). (3)

Membership

The working group shall— (A)include members of the Advisory Committee with expertise in air cargo operations; and (B)be cochaired by a Government and industry official. (e)

General aviation security working group

(1)

In general

The Assistant Secretary shall establish within the Advisory Committee a general aviation working group to provide recommendations on transportation security issues for general aviation facilities, general aviation aircraft, and helicopter operations at general aviation and commercial service airports. (2)

Meetings and reporting

The working group shall meet at least quarterly and submit information, including recommendations, regarding aviation security at general aviation airports to the Advisory Committee for inclusion in the annual report. (3)

Membership

The working group shall— (A)include members of the Advisory Committee with expertise in general aviation; and (B)be cochaired by a Government and industry official. (f)

Perimeter security working group

(1)

In general

The Assistant Secretary shall establish within the Advisory Committee an airport perimeter security working group to provide recommendations on airport perimeter security and access control issues. (2)

Meetings and reporting

The working group shall meet at least quarterly and submit information, including recommendations, regarding improving perimeter security and access control procedures at commercial service and general aviation airports to the Advisory Committee for inclusion in the annual report. (3)

Membership

The working group shall— (A)include members of the Advisory Committee with expertise in airport perimeter security and access control issues; and (B)be cochaired by a Government and industry official. (g)

Nonapplicability of FACA

The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory Committee or its working groups. (h)

Definitions

In this section, the following definitions apply: (1)

Advisory Committee

The term Advisory Committee means the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to be established under subsection (a). (2)

Annual report

The term annual report means the annual report required under subsection (a). (3)

Assistant Secretary

The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration). (4)

Perimeter security

The term perimeter security— (A)means procedures or systems to monitor, secure, and prevent unauthorized access to an airport, including its airfield and terminal; and (B)includes the fence area surrounding an airport, access gates, and access controls.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The analysis for such subchapter is amended by adding at the end the following:

44946. Aviation Security Advisory Committee.