U.S. Reps. Adam Smith (D-WA) and John Katko (R-NY), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, introduced a bill to modernize the Transportation Security Administration’s ability to assess threats on Wednesday.
The TSA Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act would require the TSA to streamline the application and renewal process for transportation workers applying for multiple credentials and reduce the fee structure.
“Many transportation workers across the country are required by law to hold multiple TSA credentials, yet the application and renewal process for the credentials is not streamlined. I have heard from workers in my district who end up spending a significant amount of time and money to keep their credentials up to date – this process clearly needs to be fixed,” Smith said. “The bipartisan legislation introduced today will require TSA to make it easier and less costly for workers to maintain their credentials, taking some of the burden off our transportation workers who are critical to keeping our economy running.”
The Congressmen said some transportation workers are required by law to hold multiple credentials, including Transportation Worker Identification credential, the Hazardous Materials Endorsement, and the TSA PreCheck. The new legislation would require the TSA to create a more streamlined application and renewal process for workers applying for multiple credentials simultaneously. It would also require the TSA to lower the fees for those applying or renewing multiple credentials at the same time.
“We need to remove unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that burden our transportation workers from doing their important jobs. Our transportation sector is imperative to our economic recovery from the pandemic, and this legislation eliminates redundant and costly requirements,” Katko said.
The Congressmen said the legislation does not make any changes to the back-end security assessment conducted on the applicants and assures the applicant must still undergo the same level of review as they currently do.
The TSA Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act is endorsed by the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Teamsters, American Trucking Association, Washington Trucking Associations, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, Association of American Railroads, Border Trade Alliance, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), and National Tank Truck Carriers.