Review - S 3959 Introduced – TWIC-HME Applications

Last month, Sen Wicker (R,MS) introduced S 3959, the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act. The bill would require the TSA to take actions (potentially including issuing an interim final rule) to streamline the procedures for individuals applying for or renewing enrollment in more than one TSA security threat assessment program, in particular, the TWIC and HAZMAT Endorsement programs. No new funding is authorized by the legislation.

This bill is very similar to HR 5840 that was introduced in the House on September 29^th, 2024. No action has been taken on that legislation.

Moving Forward

Wicker and two {Sen Fischer (R,NE) and Sen Tester (D,MT)} of his three cosponsors are members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there may be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. I do not see anything that would engender organized opposition to the bill. I suspect that if the bill were to be considered that it would receive bipartisan support. As with most bills introduced in the Senate, this legislation is not politically important enough to take up sufficient for consideration under regular order.

COMMENTARY

TSA has already implemented some of the streamlining actions. If a TWIC applicant already has an HME (or a Free and Secure Trade card) they are eligible for a reduced fee TWIC ($93 vs $125.25) and the expiration of the two will be the same (the date for the earlier assessment).

 

For more information about the provisions of the bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/s-3959-introduced - subscription required.

Review - HR 5840 Introduced – Streamlining TSA Threat Assessments

Last month, Rep Graves (R,LA) introduced HR 5840, the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act. The bill would require the TSA to take actions (potentially including issuing an interim final rule) to streamline the procedures for individuals applying for or renewing enrollment in more than one TSA security threat assessment program, in particular, the TWIC and HAZMAT Endorsement programs. No new funding is authorized by the legislation.

Moving Forward

Graves and two of his cosponsors {Rep Titus (D,NV) and Rep Green (R,TN)} are members of the House Homeland Security Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there may be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. I see nothing in this bill that would engender any organized opposition. I suspect that there would be sufficient bipartisan support for the bill for it to be considered on the floor of the House under the suspension of the rules process.

Commentary

TSA has already implemented some of the streamlining actions. If a TWIC applicant already has an HME (or a Free and Secure Trade card) they are eligible for a reduced fee TWIC ($93 vs $125.25) and the expiration of the two will be the same (the date for the earlier assessment).

 

For more information about the provisions of the bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-5840-introduced - subscription required.

Bills Introduced – 9-29-23

 

Yesterday, with both the House and Senate in session, there were 58 bills introduced. One of those bills will receive additional attention in this blog:

HR 5840 To require the Transportation Security Administration to streamline the enrollment processes for individuals applying for a Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment for certain programs, including the Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment programs of the Administration, and for other purposes. Graves, Garret [Rep.-R-LA-6]