AVIATION AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT
Public Law 107–71, as amended
115 Stat. 597, as amended
AVIATION AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT
71
116–92
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
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EN
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Aviation and Transportation Security Act
914
107
2001-11-19
AVIATION AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT
[
Public Law 107–71
;
115 Stat. 597
]
[As Amended Through P.L. 116–92, Enacted December 20, 2019]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 107–71. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]

AN ACT
To improve aviation security, 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 “Aviation and Transportation Security Act”.
TITLE I—

AVIATION SECURITY
SEC. 101.

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
(a) * * * * * * * * * *
(g)

Transition Provisions.—
(1) * * * * * * * * * *
(4)

Transfer of ownership.—
In recognition of the assumption of the financial costs of security screening of passengers and property at airports, and as soon as practical after the date of enactment of this Act, air carriers may enter into agreements with the Under Secretary to transfer the ownership, at no cost to the United States Government, of any personal property, equipment, supplies, or other material associated with such screening, regardless of the source of funds used to acquire the property, that the Secretary determines to be useful for the performance of security screening of passengers and property at airports.
SEC. 104.
[49 U.S.C. 44903 note]

IMPROVED FLIGHT DECK INTEGRITY MEASURES.
(a)

In General.—
As soon as possible after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall—
(1)
issue an order (without regard to the provisions of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code)—
(A)
prohibiting access to the flight deck of aircraft engaged in passenger air transportation or intrastate air transportation that are required to have a door between the passenger and pilot compartments under title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, except to authorized persons;
(B)
requiring the strengthening of the flight deck door and locks on any such aircraft operating in air transportation or intrastate air transportation that has a rigid door in a bulkhead between the flight deck and the passenger area to ensure that the door cannot be forced open from the passenger compartment;
(C)
requiring that such flight deck doors remain locked while any such aircraft is in flight except when necessary to permit access and egress by authorized persons; and
(D)
prohibiting the possession of a key to any such flight deck door by any member of the flight crew who is not assigned to the flight deck; and
(2)
take such other action, including modification of safety and security procedures and flight deck redesign, as may be necessary to ensure the safety and security of the aircraft.
(b)

Implementation of Other Methods.—
As soon as possible after such date of enactment, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may develop and implement methods—
(1)
to use video monitors or other devices to alert pilots in the flight deck to activity in the cabin, except that the use of such monitors or devices shall be subject to nondisclosure requirements applicable to cockpit video recordings under section 1114(c);
(2)
to ensure continuous operation of an aircraft transponder in the event of an emergency; and
(3)
to revise the procedures by which cabin crews of aircraft can notify flight deck crews of security breaches and other emergencies, including providing for the installation of switches or other devices or methods in an aircraft cabin to enable flight crews to discreetly notify the pilots in the case of a security breach occurring in the cabin.
(c)

Commuter Aircraft.—
The Administrator shall investigate means of securing the flight deck of scheduled passenger aircraft operating in air transportation or intrastate air transportation that do not have a rigid fixed door with a lock between the passenger compartment and the flight deck and issue such an order as the Administrator deems appropriate to ensure the inaccessibility, to the greatest extent feasible, of the flight deck while the aircraft is so operating, taking into consideration such aircraft operating in regions where there is minimal threat to aviation security or national security.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 106.

IMPROVED AIRPORT PERIMETER ACCESS SECURITY.
(a) * * *
(b)
[49 U.S.C. 44903 note]

Small and Medium Airports.—
(1)

Technical support and financial assistance.—
The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall develop a plan to—
(A)
provide technical support to airports, each of which had less than 1 percent of the total annual enplanements in the United States for the most recent calendar year for which data is available, to enhance security operations; and
(B)
provide financial assistance to those airports to defray the costs of enhancing security.
(2)

Removal of certain restrictions.—
(A)

Certification by operator.—
If the operator of an airport described in paragraph (1), after consultation with the appropriate State and local law enforcement authorities, determines that safeguards are in place to sufficiently protect public safety, and so certifies in writing to the Under Secretary, then any security rule, order, or other directive restricting the parking of passenger vehicles shall not apply at that airport after the applicable time period specified in subparagraph (B), unless the Under Secretary, taking into account individual airport circumstances, notifies the airport operator that the safeguards in place do not adequately respond to specific security risks and that the restriction must be continued in order to ensure public safety.
(B)

Countermand period.—
The time period within which the Secretary may notify an airport operator, after receiving a certification under subparagraph (A), that a restriction must be continued in order to ensure public safety at the airport is—
(i)
15 days for a nonhub airport (as defined in section 41714(h) of title 49, United States Code);
(ii)
30 days for a small hub airport (as defined in such section);
(iii)
60 days for a medium hub airport (as defined in such section); and
(iv)
120 days for an airport that had at least 1 percent of the total annual enplanements in the United States for the most recent calendar year for which data is available.
* * * * * * *
(e)
[49 U.S.C. 44903 note]

Airport Security Awareness Programs.—
The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall require scheduled passenger air carriers, and airports in the United States described in section 44903(c) to develop security awareness programs for airport employees, ground crews, gate, ticket, and curbside agents of the air carriers, and other individuals employed at such airports.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 109.
[49 U.S.C. 114 note]

ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES.
(a)

In General.—
The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security may take the following actions:
(1)
Require effective 911 emergency call capability for telephones serving passenger aircraft and passenger trains.
(2)
Establish a uniform system of identification for all State and local law enforcement personnel for use in obtaining permission to carry weapons in aircraft cabins and in obtaining access to a secured area of an airport, if otherwise authorized to carry such weapons.
(3)
Establish requirements to implement trusted passenger programs and use available technologies to expedite the security screening of passengers who participate in such programs, thereby allowing security screening personnel to focus on those passengers who should be subject to more extensive screening.
(4)
In consultation with the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, develop alternative security procedures under which a medical product to be transported on a flight of an air carrier would not be subject to an inspection that would irreversibly damage the product.
(5)
Provide for the use of technologies, including wireless and wire line data technologies, to enable the private and secure communication of threats to aid in the screening of passengers and other individuals on airport property who are identified on any State or Federal security-related data base for the purpose of having an integrated response coordination of various authorized airport security forces.
(6)
In consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, consider whether to require all pilot licenses to incorporate a photograph of the license holder and appropriate biometric imprints.
(7)
Provide for the use of voice stress analysis, biometric, or other technologies to prevent a person who might pose a danger to air safety or security from boarding the aircraft of an air carrier or foreign air carrier in air transportation or intrastate air transportation.
(8)
Provide for the use of technology that will permit enhanced instant communications and information between airborne passenger aircraft and appropriate individuals or facilities on the ground.
(b)

Report.—
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the Under Secretary has implemented or decided not to take each of the actions specified in subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the progress of the Under Secretary in evaluating and taking such actions, including any legislative recommendations that the Under Secretary may have for enhancing transportation security.
SEC. 110.

SCREENING.
(a) * * * * * * * * * *
(c)

Deadline for Deployment of Federal Screeners.—
(1)

In general.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall deploy at all airports in the United States where screening is required under section 44901 of title 49, United States Code, a sufficient number of Federal screeners, Federal Security Managers, Federal security personnel, and Federal law enforcement officers to conduct the screening of all passengers and property under section 44901 of such title at such airports.
(2)

Certification to congress.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall transmit to Congress a certification that the requirement of paragraph (1) has been met.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 111.

TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OF SECURITY SCREENING PERSONNEL.
[Subsections (a) and (b) omitted—amends other Acts]
(c)
[49 U.S.C. 44935 note]

Transition.—
The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security shall complete the full implementation of section 44935 (e), (f), (g), and (h) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a), as soon as is practicable. The Under Secretary may make or continue such arrangements for the training of security screeners under that section as the Under Secretary determines necessary pending full implementation of that section as so amended.
(d)
[49 U.S.C. 44935 note]

Screener Personnel.—
(1)

General authority.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security may employ, appoint, discipline, terminate, and fix the compensation, terms, and conditions of employment of Federal service for such a number of individuals as the Under Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the screening functions of the Under Secretary under section 44901 of title 49, United States Code. The Under Secretary shall establish levels of compensation and other benefits for individuals so employed.
(2)

Exceptions.—
(A)

Reemployment.—
In carrying out the functions authorized under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall be subject to the provisions set forth in chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code.
(B)

Leave.—
The provisions of subchapter V of chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code, shall apply to any individual appointed under paragraph (1) as if such individual were an employee (within the meaning of subparagraph (A) of section 6381(1) of such title).
* * * * * * *
SEC. 113.

FLIGHT SCHOOL SECURITY.
(a) * * * * * * * * * *
(c)
[49 U.S.C. 44939 note]

International Cooperation.—
The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall work with the International Civil Aviation Organization and the civil aviation authorities of other countries to improve international aviation security through screening programs for flight instruction candidates.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 117.
[49 U.S.C. 44903 note]

AIRLINE COMPUTER RESERVATION SYSTEMS.
In order to ensure that all airline computer reservation systems maintained by United States air carriers are secure from unauthorized access by persons seeking information on reservations, passenger manifests, or other nonpublic information, the Secretary of Transportation shall require all such air carriers to utilize to the maximum extent practicable the best technology available to secure their computer reservation system against such unauthorized access.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 121.
[49 U.S.C. 44903 note]

AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF AIRPORTS FOR SECURITY MANDATES.
(a)

Airport Security.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 a total of $1,500,000,000 to reimburse airport operators, on-airport parking lots, and vendors of on-airfield direct services to air carriers for direct costs incurred by such operators to comply with new, additional, or revised security requirements imposed on such operators by the Federal Aviation Administration or Transportation Security Administration on or after September 11, 2001. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
(b)

Documentation of Costs; Audit.—
The Secretary may not reimburse an airport operator, on-airport parking lot, or vendor of on-airfield direct services to air carriers under this section for any cost for which the airport operator, on-airport parking lot, or vendor of on-airfield direct services does not demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary, using sworn financial statements or other appropriate data, that—
(1)
the cost is eligible for reimbursement under subsection (a); and
(2)
the cost was incurred by the airport operator, on-airport parking lot, or vendor of on-airfield direct services to air carriers.
The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation and the Comptroller General of the United States may audit such statements and may request any other information necessary to conduct such an audit.
(c)

Claim Procedure.—
Within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, after consultation with airport operators, on-airport parking lots, and vendors of on-airfield direct services to air carriers, shall publish in the Federal Register the procedures for filing claims for reimbursement under this section of eligible costs incurred by airport operators.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 127.
[49 U.S.C. 40101 note]

MAIL AND FREIGHT WAIVERS.
(a)1

In General.—
During a national emergency affecting air transportation or intrastate air transportation, the Secretary of Transportation, after consultation with the Transportation Security Oversight Board, may grant a complete or
partial waiver of any restrictions on the carriage by aircraft of freight, mail, emergency medical supplies, personnel, or patients on aircraft, imposed by the Department of Transportation (or other Federal agency or department) that would permit such carriage of freight, mail, emergency medical supplies, personnel, or patients on flights, to, from, or within a State if the Secretary determines that—
^1
Margin so in law.
(1)
extraordinary air transportation needs or concerns exist; and
(2)
the waiver is in the public interest, taking into consideration the isolation of and dependence on air transportation of the State.
(b)

Limitations.—
The Secretary may impose reasonable limitations on any such waiver.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 137.
[49 U.S.C. 44912 note]

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AVIATION SECURITY TECHNOLOGY.
(a)

Funding.—
To augment the programs authorized in section 44912(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, there is authorized to be appropriated an additional $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 and such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter to the Transportation Security Administration, for research, development, testing, and evaluation of the following technologies which may enhance transportation security in the future. Grants to industry, academia, and Government entities to carry out the provisions of this section shall be available for fiscal years 2006 through 2011 for—
(1)
the acceleration of research, development, testing, and evaluation of explosives detection technology for checked baggage, specifically, technology that is—
(A)
more cost-effective for deployment for explosives detection in checked baggage at small- to medium-sized airports, and is currently under development as part of the Argus research program at the Transportation Security Administration;
(B)
faster, to facilitate screening of all checked baggage at larger airports; or
(C)
more accurate, to reduce the number of false positives requiring additional security measures;
(2)
acceleration of research, development, testing, and evaluation of new screening technology for carry-on items to provide more effective means of detecting and identifying weapons, explosives, and components of weapons of mass destruction, including advanced x-ray technology;
(3)
acceleration of research, development, testing, and evaluation of threat screening technology for other categories of items being loaded onto aircraft, including cargo, catering, and duty-free items;
(4)
acceleration of research, development, testing, and evaluation of threats carried on persons boarding aircraft or entering secure areas, including detection of weapons, explosives, and components of weapons of mass destruction;
(5)
acceleration of research, development, testing and evaluation of integrated systems of airport security enhancement, including quantitative methods of assessing security factors at airports selected for testing such systems;
(6)
expansion of the existing program of research, development, testing, and evaluation of improved methods of education, training, and testing of key airport security personnel; and
(7)
acceleration of research, development, testing, and evaluation of aircraft hardening materials, and techniques to reduce the vulnerability of aircraft to terrorist attack.
(b)

Grants.—
Grants awarded under this subtitle shall identify potential outcomes of the research, and propose a method for quantitatively assessing effective increases in security upon completion of the research program. At the conclusion of each grant, the grant recipient shall submit a final report to the Transportation Security Administration that shall include sufficient information to permit the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to prepare a cost-benefit analysis of potential improvements to airport security based upon deployment of the proposed technology. The Under Secretary shall begin awarding grants under this subtitle within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act.
(c)

Budget Submission.—
A budget submission and detailed strategy for deploying the identified security upgrades recommended upon completion of the grants awarded under subsection (b), shall be submitted to Congress as part of the Department of Transportation's annual budget submission.
(d)

Defense Research.—
There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 to the Transportation Security Administration to issue research grants in conjunction with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Grants may be awarded under this section for—
(1)
research and development of longer-term improvements to airport security, including advanced weapons detection;
(2)
secure networking and sharing of threat information between Federal agencies, law enforcement entities, and other appropriate parties;
(3)
advances in biometrics for identification and threat assessment; or
(4)
other technologies for preventing acts of terrorism in aviation.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 145.
[49 U.S.C. 40101 note]

AIR CARRIERS REQUIRED TO HONOR TICKETS FOR SUSPENDED SERVICE.
(a)

In General.—
Each air carrier that provides scheduled air transportation on a route shall provide, to the extent practicable, air transportation to passengers ticketed for air transportation on that route by any other air carrier that suspends, interrupts, or discontinues air passenger service on the route by reason of insolvency or bankruptcy of the other air carrier.
(b)

Passenger Obligation.—
An air carrier is not required to provide air transportation under subsection (a) to a passenger unless that passenger makes alternative arrangements with the air carrier for such transportation within 60 days after the date on which that passenger's air transportation was suspended, interrupted, or discontinued (without regard to the originally scheduled travel date on the ticket).
(c)

Sunset.—
This section does not apply to air transportation the suspension, interruption, or discontinuance of which occurs after November 30, 2006.
* * * * * * *