[House Report 115-602]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


115th Congress   }                                      {       Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session      }                                      {      115-602

======================================================================



 
        SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018

                                _______
                                

 March 19, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

  Mr. McCaul, from the Committee on Homeland Security, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 5131]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Homeland Security, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 5131) to improve the effectiveness of Federal 
efforts to identify and address homeland security risks to 
surface transportation, secure against vehicle-based attacks, 
and conduct a feasibility assessment of introducing new 
security technologies and measures, and for other purposes, 
having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an 
amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose and Summary..............................................     5
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     5
Hearings.........................................................     5
Committee Consideration..........................................     6
Committee Votes..................................................     6
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     6
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures     6
Congressional Budget Office Estimate.............................     7
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     7
Duplicative Federal Programs.....................................     7
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff 
  Benefits.......................................................     7
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     7
Preemption Clarification.........................................     7
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings..............................     8
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     8
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     8
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................     8
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............    10

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Surface Transportation Security 
Improvement Act of 2018''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

  In this Act:
          (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on 
        Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate.
          (2) Public and private sector stakeholders.--The term 
        ``public and private sector stakeholders'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 114(u)(1)(C) of title 49, United 
        States Code.
          (3) Surface transportation asset.--The term ``surface 
        transportation asset'' includes facilities, equipment, or 
        systems used to provide transportation services by--
                  (A) a public transportation agency (as such term is 
                defined in section 1402(5) of the Implementing 
                Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 
                (Public Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 1131(5)));
                  (B) a railroad carrier (as such term is defined in 
                section 20102(3) of title 49, United States Code);
                  (C) an owner or operator of--
                          (i) an entity offering scheduled, fixed-route 
                        transportation services by over-the-road bus 
                        (as such term is defined in section 1501(4) of 
                        the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 
                        Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 6 
                        U.S.C. 1151(4))); or
                          (ii) a bus terminal; or
                  (D) other transportation facilities, equipment, or 
                systems, as determined by the Secretary.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY REVIEW.

  Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Comptroller General of the United States shall evaluate the degree 
to which the 2016 Biennial National Strategy for Transportation 
Security, as required pursuant to section 114(s) of title 49, United 
States Code, that was issued on August 11, 2016, by the Administrator 
of the Transportation Security Administration, is reflected in Federal 
transportation security programs, budgets, research, staffing levels, 
and related efforts and, in carrying out such evaluation, shall 
consider the degree to which--
          (1) such strategy is sufficiently forward-looking to guide 
        future Federal efforts relating to transportation security;
          (2) Federal transportation security programs, budgets, 
        research, staffing levels, and related efforts for fiscal year 
        2018 and beyond are guided by such strategy; and
          (3) the annual progress reports submitted to Congress 
        pursuant to such section subsequent to the issuance of such 
        strategy provide information on the degree to which such 
        strategy guides Federal efforts relating to transportation 
        security.

SEC. 4. RISK SCENARIOS.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall annually 
develop, consistent with the transportation modal security plans 
required under section 114(s) of title 49, United States Code, risk-
based priorities based on risk assessments conducted or received by the 
Secretary across all transportation modes that consider threats, 
vulnerabilities, and consequences.
  (b) Scenarios.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that 
the risk-based priorities identified pursuant to subsection (a) are 
informed by an analysis of terrorist attack scenarios for each 
transportation mode, including cyber attack scenarios and intelligence 
and open source information about current and evolving threats.
  (c) Report.--Not later than 120 days after each development of risk-
based priorities under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a 
report that includes the following:
          (1) Copies of the risk assessments for each transportation 
        mode.
          (2) A summary that ranks the risks within and across modes.
          (3) A description of the risk-based priorities for securing 
        the transportation sector that identifies and prioritizes the 
        greatest security needs of such transportation sector, both 
        across and within modes, in the order that such priorities 
        should be addressed.
          (4) Information on the underlying methodologies used to 
        assess risks across and within each transportation mode and the 
        basis for any assumptions regarding threats, vulnerabilities, 
        and consequences made in assessing and prioritizing risks 
        within each such mode and across modes.
  (d) Classification.--The information provided under subsection (c) 
may be submitted in a classified format or unclassified format, as 
appropriate.

SEC. 5. ASSESSMENTS AND SECURITY PLANS; FRONTLINE EMPLOYEE SECURITY 
                    TRAINING.

  (a) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees and the Inspector General of the 
Department of Homeland Security a report on--
          (1) the status of regulations requiring assessments and 
        security plans as specified in sections 1405, 1512, and 1531 of 
        the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 
        2007 (6 U.S.C. 1134, 1162, and 1181) that includes a timeline 
        for the issuance of a final rulemaking subsequent to the 
        December 16, 2016, publication in the Federal Register of an 
        advance notice of proposed rulemaking; and
          (2) the status of regulations for a security training program 
        to prepare transportation employees for potential security 
        threats and conditions as specified in sections 1408, 1517, and 
        1534 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission 
        Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1137, 1167, and 1184) that includes a 
        timeline for the issuance of a final rulemaking subsequent to 
        the December 16, 2016, publication in the Federal Register of a 
        notice of proposed rulemaking.
  (b) Inspector General Review.--Not later than 120 days after 
submission of the report under subsection (a), the Inspector General of 
the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a review of such report that includes 
information on--
          (1) departmental efforts to finalize rulemaking; and
          (2) recommendations, as necessary, to ensure implementation 
        of the regulations referred to in such subsection.

SEC. 6. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

  (a) Emerging Issues.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting 
through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the 
Department of Homeland Security and in coordination with the 
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, shall 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a feasibility 
assessment of modifying the security of surface transportation assets 
by--
          (1) introducing next generation technologies to be integrated 
        into systems of surface transportation assets to detect 
        explosives, including through the deployment of mobile 
        explosives detection technologies to conduct risk-based 
        passenger and property screening at such systems;
          (2) providing surface transportation asset operators with 
        access to the Transportation Security Administration's Secure 
        Flight Program or a similar passenger vetting system maintained 
        by the Transportation Security Administration;
          (3) deploying a credential authentication technology or other 
        means of identification document inspection to high-risk 
        surface transportation assets to assist operators conducting 
        passenger vetting; and
          (4) deploying scalable, cost-effective technology solutions 
        to detect chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or 
        explosive threats within high-risk surface transportation 
        assets that are capable of passive, continuous, and real-time 
        sensing and detection of, and alerting passengers and operating 
        personnel to, the presence of such a threat.
  (b) Considerations.--In carrying out the assessment required under 
subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the 
Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of 
Homeland Security and in coordination with the Administrator of the 
Transportation Security Administration, shall address the 
technological, privacy, operational, passenger facilitation, and public 
acceptance considerations involved with each security measure 
contemplated in such assessment.

SEC. 7. BEST PRACTICES TO SECURE AGAINST VEHICLE-BASED ATTACKS.

  Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall disseminate best practices to 
public and private sector stakeholders regarding how to enhance 
transportation security against the threat of a vehicle-based terrorist 
attack.

SEC. 8. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION STAKEHOLDER SURVEY.

  (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall begin 
conducting a survey of public and private stakeholders responsible for 
securing surface transportation assets regarding resource challenges, 
including the availability of Federal funding, associated with securing 
such assets that provides an opportunity for respondents to set forth 
information on specific unmet needs.
  (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after beginning the survey 
required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the 
results of such survey and the Department of Homeland Security's 
efforts to address any identified security vulnerabilities.

SEC. 9. INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND CAPABILITIES.

  (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration may establish a task force to collaborate with public 
and private sector stakeholders to identify and develop an innovative 
technology or capability with the potential to enhance transportation 
security, including by--
          (1) conducting a field demonstration of such a technology or 
        capability in an operational environment;
          (2) gathering performance data from such a demonstration to 
        inform the acquisition process; and
          (3) to the extent practicable, providing funding and 
        promoting efforts to enable participation in a demonstration by 
        a small business that has an innovative technology or 
        capability but does not have adequate resources to participate 
        in a field demonstration under paragraph (1).
  (b) Composition.--The task force authorized under subsection (a) 
shall be chaired by the Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration's designee and comprised of representatives appointed by 
the Administrator, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Aviation 
Security Advisory Committee (established pursuant to section 44946 of 
title 49, United States Code).
  (c) Activities.--The chair of the task force shall--
          (1) evaluate technologies and capabilities for field 
        demonstrations with potential to enhance surface transportation 
        security, in addition to technologies and capabilities with 
        potential to enhance aviation security;
          (2) coordinate with the Science and Technology Directorate of 
        the Department of Homeland Security to leverage such 
        technologies and capabilities; and
          (3) submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security an annual 
        report regarding the task force's activities that identifies, 
        for each such technology or capability, what mode of 
        transportation could be enhanced by the integration of such 
        technology or capability into security operations and, as 
        appropriate, plans for deploying such technology or capability.
  (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall require the 
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to acquire 
an innovative technology or capability.
  (e) Non-Applicability of FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the task force.

SEC. 10. SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES TIED TO FOREIGN THREAT COUNTRIES.

  Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Under Secretary 
for Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security, 
in consultation with the Under Secretary for the National Protection 
and Programs Directorate of the Department, shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees an assessment of terrorist and 
other threats to the transportation sector, including surface 
transportation assets, posed by the use of security technologies, 
including software and networked technologies, developed or 
manufactured by firms that are owned or closely linked to the 
governments of countries that are known to pose a cyber or homeland 
security threat.

SEC. 11. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY INSPECTORS.

  (a) Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
and the Comptroller General of the United States a strategy to guide 
operations of surface transportation security inspectors that addresses 
the following:
          (1) Any limitations in data systems for such inspectors, as 
        identified by the Comptroller General.
          (2) Alignment of operations with risk assessment findings, 
        including an approach to identifying and prioritizing entities 
        and locations for inspections.
          (3) Measurable objectives for the surface transportation 
        security inspectors program.
  (b) Comptroller General Review.--Not later than 180 days after the 
submission of the strategy required under subsection (b), the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall review such strategy 
and, as appropriate, issue recommendations.

                          Purpose and Summary

    The purpose of H.R. 5131, the Surface Transportation 
Security Improvement Act of 2018, is to prioritize and improve 
surface transportation security at the Transportation Security 
Administration (TSA). This bill requires: a GAO review of the 
national strategy for transportation security, the development 
of risk-based priorities for all transportation modes, a 
feasibility assessment of utilizing security technologies for 
surface transportation assets, the dissemination of best 
practices for enhancing security against vehicle-based 
terrorist attacks, the authorization of the Innovation Task 
Force (ITF), a threat assessment of certain security 
technologies tied to foreign countries, and a strategy for 
surface transportation inspectors.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    The TSA was originally established in 2001 in response to 
the terrorist attacks of September 11th. While the impetus 
behind its creation was the threat to aviation security, TSA is 
responsible for securing all transportation modes, including 
surface transportation assets such as railroads, mass transit, 
pipelines, buses, and ports. However, due to the nature of the 
9/11 attacks, as well as the persistent threat since, TSA's 
main focus has been securing the aviation sector.
    Nevertheless, attacks on transportation modes in recent 
years have often targeted surface transportation hubs, due to 
their porous and accessible configuration and large numbers of 
passengers and, on average, result in larger numbers of 
casualties. Unsophisticated lone wolf attacks are especially 
difficult for TSA and security stakeholders to protect against 
since they generally occur without prior warning. Such targets 
are more attractive to lone wolf or homegrown violent 
extremists since they often require less sophistication. The 
most recent example is the attempted pipe bomb attack in 
December 2017 at New York City's Port Authority Bus 
Terminal.\1\ This bill seeks to review TSA's approach to 
securing all transportation modes, including its utilization of 
innovative security technologies, and prioritize surface 
transportation security in the face of evolving threats.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\  Gingras, Brynn. ``Suspect in attempted `terrorist attack' 
pledged allegiance to ISIS, officials say.'' CNN, December 12, 2017. 
https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/11/us/new-york-possible-explosion-port-
authority-subway/index.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                Hearings

    The Committee did not hold any legislative hearings on H.R. 
5131 in the 115th Congress. However, this legislation was 
informed by a joint Subcommittee on Transportation and 
Protective Security and Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, 
Response, and Communications hearing on January 30, 2018 
entitled ``Securing our Surface Transportation Systems: 
Examining the Department of Homeland Security's Role in Surface 
Transportation Technologies.'' The Subcommittee received 
testimony from Ms. Sonya Proctor, Director of Surface Division, 
Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement, 
Transportation Security Administration; Mr. Robert Pryor, 
Director of Intermodal Division, Office of Requirements and 
Capabilities Analysis, Transportation Security Administration; 
Mr. Donald E. Roberts, Program Manager of Explosive Threat 
Detection, Explosives Division, Homeland Security Advanced 
Research Projects Agency, DHS Science and Technology 
Directorate; and Mr. Brian Michael Jenkins, Director, National 
Transportation Security Center of Excellence, Mineta 
Transportation Institute.
    This legislation was also informed by a Subcommittee on 
Transportation and Protective Security hearing on November 28, 
2017 entitled ``Securing Public Areas of Transportation 
Systems: Stakeholder Perspectives.'' The Subcommittee received 
testimony from Mr. Charles Cunningham, Director of Homeland 
Security and Emergency Management, Delaware River Port 
Authority (DRPA) Public Safety/PATCO; Mr. Thomas J. Nestel, 
III, Chief of Transit Police, Southeastern Pennsylvania 
Transportation Authority (SEPTA); Mr. Douglas Lemanowicz, 
Lieutenant of Special Operations Section, New Jersey State 
Police; and Mr. Christopher Trucillo, Chief of Transit Police, 
New Jersey Transit.

                        Committee Consideration

    The Committee met on March 7, 2018, to consider H.R. 5131, 
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a 
favorable recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent. The 
Committee took the following actions:
    The following amendment was offered:

 An amendment offered by Mrs. Watson Coleman (#1); was AGREED 
TO by unanimous consent.
     In section 9, re designate subsections (c) through (f) as 
subsections (b) through (e), respectively.

                            Committee Votes

    Clause 3(b) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded 
votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments 
thereto.
    No recorded votes were requested during consideration of 
H.R. 5131.

                      Committee Oversight Findings

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee has held oversight 
hearings and made findings that are reflected in this report.

   New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of Rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R. 
5131, the Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 
2018, would result in no new or increased budget authority, 
entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues.

                  Congressional Budget Office Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, a cost estimate provided by the 
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not made available to the 
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chairman 
of the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the 
Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee.

         Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, H.R. 5131 contains the following 
general performance goals and objectives, including outcome 
related goals and objectives authorized.
    This legislation seeks to improve the effectiveness of 
Federal efforts to identify and address homeland security risks 
to surface transportation, secure against vehicle-based 
attacks, and conduct a feasibility assessment of introducing 
new security technologies and measures.

                      Duplicative Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c) of Rule XIII, the Committee finds 
that H.R. 5131 does not contain any provision that establishes 
or reauthorizes a program known to be duplicative of another 
Federal program.

   Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff 
                                Benefits

    In compliance with Rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the Rule 
XXI.

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, a cost estimate provided by the 
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not made available to the 
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chairman 
of the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the 
Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee.

                        Preemption Clarification

    In compliance with section 423 of the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974, requiring the report of any Committee on a bill or 
joint resolution to include a statement on the extent to which 
the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt State, 
local, or Tribal law, the Committee finds that H.R. 5131 does 
not preempt any State, local, or Tribal law.

                  Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings

    The Committee estimates that H.R. 5131 would require no 
directed rule makings.

                      Advisory Committee Statement

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this 
legislation.

                  Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation


Section 1.   Short Title.

    This section provides that this bill may be cited as the 
``Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018''.

Sec. 2.   Definitions.

    This section defines the terms used in this act including: 
``appropriate congressional committees''; ``public and private 
sector stakeholders''; and ``surface transportation asset''.

Sec. 3.   National Strategy for Transportation Security Review.

    This section requires the Comptroller General to evaluate 
how much of the 2016 Biennial National Strategy for 
Transportation Security has been implemented throughout Federal 
transportation security programs, budgets, research, and 
related efforts.
    Additionally, this section identifies what should be 
considered during such evaluation.

Sec. 4.   Risk Scenarios.

    This section requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to 
annually develop risk-based priorities across all 
transportation modes that consider threats and vulnerabilities.
    Additionally, this section requires that the aforementioned 
risk-based priorities be informed by an analysis of terrorist 
attack scenarios for each transportation mode.
    This section also requires the Secretary to submit a report 
to Congress that includes details of all of the risk 
assessments including the ranks of each, priority within each 
mode of transportation, and the methodologies used to assess 
risks.

Sec. 5.   Assessments and Security Plans; Frontline Employee Security 
        Training.

    This section requires the Secretary to submit a report to 
the appropriate congressional committees regarding the status 
of (1) regulations requiring assessments and security plans, 
and (2) regulations for a security training program to prepare 
transportation employees for potential threats, pursuant to the 
Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 
2007.
    Additionally, this section also requires the Inspector 
General to submit to congressional committees a review of the 
aforementioned report that should detail the departmental 
efforts to finalize rulemaking and any recommendations to 
ensure implementation of the regulations. The Committee expects 
the Inspector General to leverage any relevant ongoing work 
when conducting its review of TSA's report.

Sec. 6.   Research and Development.

    This section requires the Secretary to submit to 
Congressional committees a feasibility assessment of modifying 
the security of surface transportation assets by introducing 
next generation explosives detection technologies, providing 
asset operators with access to a passenger vetting system, 
deploying credential authentication technology, and deploying 
other technology solutions. Additionally, this section requires 
the Secretary to address the technological, privacy, 
operational, passenger facilitation, and public acceptance 
considerations involved with each security measure contemplated 
in the assessment.
    The Committee encourages TSA to explore integrating 
innovative technologies and security measures into current 
surface transportation security regimes. However, the Committee 
does not necessarily support the adoption of each measure 
outlined in this section. The Committee intends to ensure TSA 
appropriately considers the potential impacts of adoption of 
such measures--such as the potential passenger facilitation 
impacts of even relatively minimally intrusive security 
measures within high-volume systems--prior to their 
implementation.

Sec. 7.   Best Practices to Secure Against Vehicle-based Attacks.

    This section requires the Secretary to disseminate best 
practices to stakeholders regarding ways to enhance 
transportation security against the threat of vehicle-based 
attacks.

Sec. 8.   Surface Transportation Stakeholder Survey.

    This section requires the Secretary to begin conducting a 
survey of stakeholders responsible for securing surface 
transportation regarding resource challenges.
    Additionally, this section requires the Secretary to report 
the survey results and DHS's efforts to address any 
vulnerabilities.
    The Committee has received testimony regarding significant 
resource challenges facing surface transportation stakeholders, 
including at the November 28, 2017, hearing entitled ``Securing 
Public Areas of Transportation Systems: Stakeholder 
Perspectives,'' and intends for the results of the survey to 
inform future TSA activities.

Sec. 9.   Innovative Technologies and Capabilities.

    This section permits the TSA Administrator to establish a 
task force to collaborate with stakeholders to identify and 
develop technology to enhance transportation security, 
including by promoting efforts to enable small business 
participation in technology demonstrations. The task force 
shall be chaired by the Administrator's designee and comprised 
of representatives appointed by the Administrator, in 
consultation with the Chairperson of the Aviation Security 
Advisory Committee. Additionally, this section identifies the 
duties of the task force chair such as evaluating technologies 
with potential to enhance surface transportation and aviation 
security and reporting on the task force's activities.
    The Committee intends for this section to authorize TSA's 
Innovation Task Force in order to improve coordination with 
private industry and better utilize innovative security 
technologies.

Sec. 10.   Security Technologies Tied to Foreign Threat Countries.

    This section requires the Secretary to submit an assessment 
of threats to the transportation sector posed by the use of 
technologies developed or manufactured by firms that are owned 
or closely linked to foreign governments that are known to pose 
a security threat.

Sec. 11.   Surface Transportation Security Inspectors.

    This section requires the Administrator to submit a 
strategy to guide operations of surface transportation security 
inspectors. This strategy shall address limitations in data 
systems for inspectors, the alignment of operations with risk 
assessment findings, and measurable objectives for the surface 
transportation security inspectors program.
    Additionally, this section requires the Comptroller General 
to review the aforementioned strategy and issue 
recommendations.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

    As reported, H.R. 5131 makes no changes to existing law.

                                  [all]