H.R. 1204 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1204 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 14, 2013 Mr. Thompson of Mississippi (for himself, Mr. Richmond, Ms. Jackson Lee, and Mr. Swalwell of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to establish an Aviation Security Advisory Committee, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2013. 2. Aviation Security Advisory Committee (a) In general Subchapter II of chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 44946. Aviation Security Advisory Committee (a) Establishment The Assistant Secretary shall establish within the Transportation Security Administration an advisory committee to be known as the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. (b) Duties (1) In general The Assistant Secretary shall consult the Advisory Committee on aviation security matters, including on the development and implementation of policies, programs, rulemaking, and security directives pertaining to aviation security, while adhering to sensitive security guidelines. (2) Recommendations (A) In general The Advisory Committee shall develop, at the request of the Assistant Secretary, recommendations for improvements to aviation security. (B) Recommendations of subcommittees Recommendations agreed upon by the subcommittees established under this section shall be approved by the Advisory Committee for transmission to the Assistant Secretary. (3) Periodic reports The Advisory Committee shall periodically submit to the Assistant Secretary— (A) reports on matters identified by the Assistant Secretary; and (B) reports on other matters identified by a majority of the members of the Advisory Committee. (4) Annual report The Advisory Committee shall submit to the Assistant Secretary an annual report providing information on the activities, findings, and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, including its subcommittees, for the preceding year. (c) Membership (1) Appointment (A) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary shall appoint the members of the Advisory Committee. (B) Composition The membership of the Advisory Committee shall consist of individuals representing not more than 30 member organizations. Each organization shall be represented by one individual (or the individual’s designee). (C) Representation The membership of the Advisory Committee shall include representatives of air carriers, all cargo air transportation, indirect air carriers, labor organizations representing air carrier employees, aircraft manufacturers, airport operators, general aviation, privacy organizations, the travel industry, airport based businesses, including minority owned small businesses, passenger advocacy groups, and the aviation technology security industry, including biometrics. (2) Removal The Assistant Secretary may review the participation of a member of the Advisory Committee and remove such member for cause at any time. (3) Prohibition on compensation The members of the Advisory Committee shall not receive pay, allowances, or benefits from the Government by reason of their service on the Advisory Committee. (4) Meetings The Assistant Secretary shall require the Advisory Committee to meet at least semiannually and may convene additional meetings as necessary. (d) Air cargo security subcommittee (1) In general The Assistant Secretary shall establish within the Advisory Committee an air cargo security subcommittee to provide recommendations on air cargo security issues, including the implementation of the air cargo security programs established by the Transportation Security Administration to screen air cargo on passenger aircraft and all-cargo aircraft in accordance with established cargo screening mandates. (2) Meetings and reporting The subcommittee shall meet at least quarterly and submit to the Advisory Committee for inclusion in the annual report required under subsection (b)(4) information, including recommendations, regarding air cargo security. Such submissions shall include recommendations to improve the Transportation Security Administration’s cargo security initiatives established to meet the requirements of section 44901(g). (3) Membership The subcommittee shall— (A) include members of the Advisory Committee with expertise in air cargo operations; and (B) be cochaired by a Government and industry official. (e) General aviation security subcommittee (1) In general The Assistant Secretary shall establish within the Advisory Committee a general aviation subcommittee to provide recommendations on transportation security issues for general aviation facilities, general aviation aircraft, and helicopter operations at general aviation and commercial service airports. (2) Meetings and reporting The subcommittee shall meet at least quarterly and submit to the Advisory Committee for inclusion in the annual report required under subsection (b)(4) information, including recommendations, regarding aviation security at general aviation airports. (3) Membership The subcommittee shall— (A) include members of the Advisory Committee with expertise in general aviation; and (B) be cochaired by a Government and industry official. (f) Perimeter security subcommittee (1) In general The Assistant Secretary shall establish within the Advisory Committee an airport perimeter security subcommittee to provide recommendations on airport perimeter security and access control issues. (2) Meetings and reporting The subcommittee shall meet at least quarterly and submit to the Advisory Committee for inclusion in the annual report required under subsection (b)(4) information, including recommendations, regarding improving perimeter security and access control procedures at commercial service and general aviation airports. (3) Membership The subcommittee shall— (A) include members of the Advisory Committee with expertise in airport perimeter security and access control issues; and (B) be cochaired by a Government and industry official. (g) Risk-Based subcommittee (1) In general The Assistant Secretary shall establish within the Advisory Committee a risk-based subcommittee to provide recommendations on passenger screening policies and cargo. (2) Meetings and reporting The subcommittee shall meet at least quarterly and submit to the Advisory Committee for inclusion in the annual report required under subsection (b)(4) information, including recommendations, regarding the Transportation Security Administration’s risk-based security programs. (3) Membership The subcommittee shall— (A) include members of the Advisory Committee with expertise in passenger advocacy and airport security operations; and (B) be cochaired by a Government and industry official. (h) Other subcommittees The Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, may establish within the Advisory Committee any other subcommittee that the Assistant Secretary and Advisory Committee determine necessary. (i) Nonapplicability of FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory Committee and its subcommittees. (j) Definitions In this section, the following definitions apply: (1) Advisory Committee The term Advisory Committee means the Aviation Security Advisory Committee established under subsection (a). (2) Assistant Secretary The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration). (3) Perimeter security The term perimeter security— (A) means procedures or systems to monitor, secure, and prevent unauthorized access to an airport, including its airfield and terminal; and (B) includes the fence area surrounding an airport, access gates, and access controls. . (b) Clerical amendment The analysis for subchapter II of chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 44946. Aviation Security Advisory Committee. .