S. 3959 · 118th Congress · Senate

Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act of 2024

Enacted· Became Public Law No: 118-202.
Introduced
Mar 14, 24
Passed Senate
Nov 21, 24
Passed House
Dec 18, 24
Sent to President
Dec 23, 24
Signed into Law
Dec 23, 24

Executive Summary

Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act of 2024

This act directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to streamline the process for individuals applying for or renewing enrollment in multiple security threat assessment (STA) programs, in particular the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) programs.

Among other things, the TSA must

  • permit an individual to enroll at a TSA-authorized enrollment center once and use the application, as well as information generated by TSA’s vetting, to enroll in any other programs;
  • permit an individual to enroll in more than one STA program at the same time for a single fee that is less than the combined fee for applying to the same programs separately;
  • provide for a streamlined and expeditious renewal process; and
  • provide states the expiration dates for each individual’s STA to ensure commercial driver's licenses include an individual's current HME status.

Additionally, the TSA must publish on its website information relating to the streamlining of the enrollment system.

If the TSA determines it is necessary to implement these changes through rulemaking, the act provides for an expedited rulemaking process.

Further, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must audit the administration of security threat programs by the TSA and the states, including redundancies and duplications in the costs and administration of the programs. The GAO must submit a report on the audit to the TSA and Congress with recommendations for improvements to these programs. The TSA must implement the GAO recommendations and provide Congress with a written notification detailing and justifying the implementation process.

Previous Versions

55Nov 21, 2024

Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act of 2024

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to streamline the process for individuals applying for or renewing enrollment in multiple security threat assessment (STA) programs, in particular the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) programs.

Among other things, the TSA must

  • permit an individual to enroll at a TSA-authorized enrollment center once and use the application, as well as information generated by TSA’s vetting, to enroll in any other programs;
  • permit an individual to enroll in more than one STA program at the same time for a single fee that is less than the combined fee for applying to the same programs separately;
  • provide for a streamlined and expeditious renewal process; and
  • provide states the expiration dates for each individual’s STA to ensure commercial driver's licenses include an individual's current HME status.

Additionally, the TSA must publish on its website information relating to the streamlining of the enrollment system.

If the TSA determines it is necessary to implement these changes through rulemaking, the bill provides for an expedited rulemaking process.

Further, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must audit the administration of security threat programs by the TSA and the states, including redundancies and duplications in the costs and administration of the programs. The GAO must submit a report on the audit to the TSA and Congress with recommendations for improvements to these programs. The TSA must implement the GAO recommendations and provide Congress with a written notification detailing and justifying the implementation process.

25Aug 1, 2024

Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act of 2024

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to streamline the process for individuals applying for or renewing enrollment in multiple security threat assessment (STA) programs, in particular the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) programs.

Among other things, the TSA must

  • permit an individual to enroll at a TSA-authorized enrollment center once and use the application, as well as information generated by TSA’s vetting, to enroll in any other programs;
  • permit an individual to enroll in more than one STA program at the same time for a single fee that is less than the combined fee for applying to the same programs separately;
  • provide for a streamlined and expeditious renewal process; and
  • provide states the expiration dates for each individual’s STA to ensure commercial driver's licenses include an individual's current HME status.

Additionally, the TSA must publish on its website information relating to the streamlining of the enrollment system.

If the TSA determines it is necessary to implement these changes through rulemaking, the bill provides for an expedited rulemaking process.

Further, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must audit the administration of security threat programs by the TSA and the states, including redundancies and duplications in the costs and administration of the programs. The GAO must submit a report on the audit to the TSA and Congress with recommendations for improvements to these programs. The TSA must implement the GAO recommendations and provide Congress with a written notification detailing and justifying the implementation process.   

00Mar 14, 2024

Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to streamline the process for individuals applying for or renewing enrollment in multiple security threat assessment (STA) programs, in particular the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) programs.

Among other things, the TSA must

  • permit an individual to enroll at a TSA-authorized enrollment center once and use the application, as well as information generated by TSA’s vetting, to enroll in any other programs;
  • permit an individual to enroll in more than one STA program at the same time for a single fee that is less than the combined fee for applying to the same programs separately;
  • provide for a streamlined and expeditious renewal process; and
  • provide states the expiration dates for each individual’s STA to ensure commercial driver's licenses include an individual's current HME status.

Additionally, the TSA must publish on its website information relating to the streamlining of the enrollment system.

If the TSA determines it is necessary to implement these changes through rulemaking, the bill provides for an expedited rulemaking process.

Action Timeline

23
  1. DEC 23, 2024President

    Presented to President.

  2. DEC 23, 2024Floor

    Presented to President.

  3. DEC 23, 2024BecameLaw

    Signed by President.

  4. DEC 23, 2024President

    Signed by President.

  5. DEC 23, 2024BecameLaw

    Became Public Law No: 118-202.

    118Yea
    202Nay
    0NV
  6. DEC 23, 2024President

    Became Public Law No: 118-202.

    118Yea
    202Nay
    0NV
  7. DEC 18, 2024Floor

    Mr

    Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  8. DEC 18, 2024Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H7345-7348)

    7345Yea
    7348Nay
    0NV
  9. DEC 18, 2024Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3959.

  10. DEC 18, 2024Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7345-7346)

    7345Yea
    7346Nay
    0NV
  11. DEC 18, 2024Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote

    (text: CR H7345-7346)

    7345Yea
    7346Nay
    0NV
  12. DEC 18, 2024Floor

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

  13. NOV 22, 2024Floor

    Received in the House.

  14. NOV 22, 2024Floor

    Held at the desk.

  15. NOV 21, 2024Floor

    Passed/agreed to in Senate

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6695-6696; text: CR S6695-6696)

    6695Yea
    6696Nay
    0NV
  16. NOV 21, 2024Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration

    CR S6695-6696; text: CR S6695-6696)

    6695Yea
    6696Nay
    0NV
  17. NOV 21, 2024Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  18. AUG 01, 2024Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

    Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  19. AUG 01, 2024Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

    Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  20. AUG 01, 2024Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 484.

  21. JUL 31, 2024Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

    Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  22. MAR 14, 2024IntroReferral

    Introduced in Senate

  23. MAR 14, 2024IntroReferral

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

Committees

3

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

sscm00

Referred: Aug 1, 2024

Active

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

sscm00

Referred: Jul 31, 2024

Active

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

sscm00

Referred: Mar 14, 2024

Active