US Congress House Bill 5338 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 10-3)
Status: Engrossed on June 8 2016 - 50% progression, died in committee
Action: 2016-06-08 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Pending: Senate Commerce, Science, And Transportation Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]

Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016 (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.

Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016

Rep. John Katko [R-NY]	Rep. Michael McCaul [R-TX]	Rep. William Keating [D-MA]	Rep. Peter King [R-NY]
Rep. Kathleen Rice [D-NY]	Rep. Daniel Donovan [R-NY]	Sen. Martha McSally [R-AZ]	Rep. Kenny Marchant [R-TX]
Rep. David Joyce [R-OH]	Rep. Robert Dold [R-IL]	Rep. Doug LaMalfa [R-CA]	Rep. John Ratcliffe [R-TX]
Rep. Donald Payne [D-NJ]

Date	Chamber	Action
2016-06-08	Senate	Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
2016-06-07	House	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2016-06-07	House	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3467-3468)
2016-06-07	House	DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5338.
2016-06-07	House	Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3467-3470)
2016-06-07	House	Mr. Katko moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2016-06-02	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
2016-05-26	House	Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
2016-05-26	House	Introduced in House

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5338/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr5338/BILLS-114hr5338ih.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr5338/BILLS-114hr5338eh.pdf