Last week Rep Smith (D,WA) introduced HR 6571, the TSA Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act. The bill would require TSA to standardize the enrollment and renewal processes for the TWIC, HAZMAT endorsement and the TSA PreCheck program. No funding is authorized by this bill.
Definitions
Subsection 2(e) provides three definitions of key terms used in this bill. Those definitions are the names of the programs covered and are defined by reference to the US Code sections that establish the programs.
Standardization
Subsection 2(a) requires TSA “to standardize the enrollment and renewal system for individuals applying for or renewing more than one TSA Security Threat Assessment program” within 24 months of the bills enactment. The standardized program would allow an individual to:
Enroll at a TSA-designated universal enrollment center once and use the application, as well as the application generated by TSA’s vetting, including criminal history information, for one of such programs to enroll in two or more of such programs,
Apply successful, valid clearance results from a TSA Security Threat Assessment to satisfy vetting requirements for participation in any TSA Security Threat Assessment program, and
Undergo a streamlined and expeditious renewal process.
As part of the streamlining process, TSA will:
Align the expiration of an individual’s successful, valid clearance results with the expiration of that individual’s eligibility to participate in TSA Security Threat Assessment programs, and
Enroll an individual in two or more TSA Security Threat Assessment programs without additional cost to the individual.
The bill would authorize TSA to require the provision of biometric information for all three programs.
Moving Forward
While Smith is not a member of the House Homeland Security Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration, two of his cosponsors {Rep Katko (R,NY) and Rep Luria (D,VA)} are members of the Committee. This means that there may be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. I suspect that the bill would receive bipartisan support. The bill would probably be considered under the suspension of the rules process if it were adopted in Committee.
Commentary
In early stages of these three TSA security threat assessment programs there were certainly problems that holders of one of the credentials had when applying for one of the other credentials. Those problems have been reduced in recent years. According to the TSA’s HAZMAT Endorsement web site, States are already authorized “to issue an HME on a state-issued CDL to a driver who holds a valid” TWIC. Similarly, TSA announced in 2020 that: “TWIC® and HME holders can obtain TSA PreCheck expedited screening by entering the identification numbers printed on their TWIC® card or state-issued CDL during the airline reservation process.”
All of this does not mean that there is a centralized location (real or virtual) where there is one stop shopping for all three credentials. One thing that this bill does not address is the fact that there are still eight states (Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin) where CDL holders must apply at a State DMV office to apply for their HME.