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Bill114th CongressFiled May 26, 2016Transportation and Public Works
H.R. 5338

Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jun 7, 2016)

Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of the nation's aviation system.

(Sec. 3) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security shall begin and complete, within 30 days after enactment of this bill, an assessment of its staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions, including use of canine explosives detection teams and technology, at all U.S. airports at which the TSA operates passenger checkpoints.

The staffing allocation model shall be based on staffing levels necessary to maintain minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness.

The TSA shall require each Federal Security Director to engage regularly with appropriate aviation security stakeholders to exchange information regarding airport and security operations.

The Government Accountability Office shall review the assessment.

(Sec. 4) The TSA shall also:

  • require Transportation Security Officers with appropriate certifications and training to be assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions;
  • use other TSA personnel who may not have certification and training to screen passengers or baggage for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and giving instructions and support to passengers in security lines;
  • assess headquarters personnel; and
  • reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis.

(Sec. 5) Within 30 days after enactment of this bill the TSA shall:

  • utilize TSA Behavior Detection Officers for passenger and baggage security screening, including the verification of traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that they are operational for use and maximum efficiency;
  • make every practicable effort to grant additional flexibility and authority to Federal Security Directors in matters related to checkpoint and checked baggage staffing allocation and employee overtime in furtherance of maintaining minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness;
  • disseminate to aviation security stakeholders and appropriate TSA personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices;
  • expand efforts to increase the public's participation in the TSA PreCheck program; and
  • request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to make recommendations on best practices for checkpoint operations optimization.

By the same 30-day deadline the TSA shall direct each Federal Security Director to coordinate local representatives of aviation security stakeholders to establish a staffing advisory working group at each airport at which the TSA oversees or performs passenger security screening to give recommendations to TSA on Transportation Security Officer staffing numbers.

(Sec. 6) The bill defines the term "aviation security stakeholders" to mean air carriers, airport operators, and labor organizations representing Transportation Security Officers or contract screeners.

What just happenedJun 8, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24](R-NY)Sponsor
12 cosponsors3 D9 R
Read on Congress.gov
12cosponsors2committees11actions8subjects
  1. Jun 8, 2016IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  2. Jun 7, 2016FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Jun 7, 2016FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3467-3468)

  4. Jun 7, 2016Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3467-3468)

  5. Jun 7, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5338.

  6. Jun 7, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3467-3470)

  7. Jun 7, 2016FloorH30300

    Mr. Katko moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Jun 2, 2016Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.

    Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee
  9. May 26, 2016IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

    Homeland Security Committee
  10. May 26, 2016IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  11. May 26, 2016IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJun 7, 201636

Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of the nation's aviation system.

(Sec. 3) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security shall begin and complete, within 30 days after enactment of this bill, an assessment of its staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions, including use of canine explosives detection teams and technology, at all U.S. airports at which the TSA operates passenger checkpoints.

The staffing allocation model shall be based on staffing levels necessary to maintain minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness.

The TSA shall require each Federal Security Director to engage regularly with appropriate aviation security stakeholders to exchange information regarding airport and security operations.

The Government Accountability Office shall review the assessment.

(Sec. 4) The TSA shall also:

  • require Transportation Security Officers with appropriate certifications and training to be assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions;
  • use other TSA personnel who may not have certification and training to screen passengers or baggage for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and giving instructions and support to passengers in security lines;
  • assess headquarters personnel; and
  • reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis.

(Sec. 5) Within 30 days after enactment of this bill the TSA shall:

  • utilize TSA Behavior Detection Officers for passenger and baggage security screening, including the verification of traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that they are operational for use and maximum efficiency;
  • make every practicable effort to grant additional flexibility and authority to Federal Security Directors in matters related to checkpoint and checked baggage staffing allocation and employee overtime in furtherance of maintaining minimal passenger wait times and maximum security effectiveness;
  • disseminate to aviation security stakeholders and appropriate TSA personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices;
  • expand efforts to increase the public's participation in the TSA PreCheck program; and
  • request the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to make recommendations on best practices for checkpoint operations optimization.

By the same 30-day deadline the TSA shall direct each Federal Security Director to coordinate local representatives of aviation security stakeholders to establish a staffing advisory working group at each airport at which the TSA oversees or performs passenger security screening to give recommendations to TSA on Transportation Security Officer staffing numbers.

(Sec. 6) The bill defines the term "aviation security stakeholders" to mean air carriers, airport operators, and labor organizations representing Transportation Security Officers or contract screeners.

Introduced in HouseMay 26, 2016

Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that airport checkpoint wait times should not take priority over the security of passengers.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security shall begin and complete, within 30 days after enactment of this bill, an assessment of its staffing allocation model to determine the necessary staffing positions, including use of canine explosives detection teams and technology, at all U.S. airports at which the TSA operates passenger checkpoints.

The staffing allocation model shall be based on staffing levels necessary to maintain minimal passenger wait times.

The Government Accountability Office shall review the assessment.

The TSA shall also:

  • require Transportation Security Officers to be assigned to passenger and baggage security screening functions;
  • use other TSA and appropriate personnel for tasks not directly related to security screening, including restocking bins and giving instructions and support to passengers in security lines;
  • assess headquarters personnel; and
  • reassign appropriate personnel to assist with airport security screening activities on a permanent or temporary basis.

Within 30 days after enactment of this bill the TSA shall:

  • utilize TSA Behavior Detection Officers to verify traveler documents, particularly at designated PreCheck lanes to ensure that they are operational for use and maximum efficiency;
  • make every practicable effort to grant additional flexibility and authority to Federal Security Directors in matters related to checkpoint and checked baggage staffing allocation and employee overtime;
  • disseminate to air carriers, airport operators, and appropriate TSA personnel a list of checkpoint optimization best practices;
  • expand efforts to increase the public's participation in the TSA PreCheck program; and
  • direct the Aviation Security Advisory Committee to make recommendations within 60 days on checkpoint operations optimization.

By the same 30-day deadline the TSA shall establish:

  • a staffing advisory working group at each airport at which the TSA oversees or performs passenger security screening to coordinate a service level agreement and minimum TSA staffing numbers, and
  • a staffing advisory committee at the national level to coordinate and share information relating to best practices concerning TSA staffing numbers being given to airports.
Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016 — Informed