Proposed Bill to Standardize TSA Administration, Cut ‘Red Tape’ in Security Threat Assessment

Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Debra Fischer (R-NE) introduced legislation last week aimed at streamlining the credential process for freight transportation personnel. As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports, respectively, the pair seek to standardize the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) enrollment and renewal systems.

With the elimination of the proverbial red tape, the TSA Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act (S. 4298) would enable transportation personnel to use a single valid background check when applying for multiple credentials simultaneously.

In most cases, the TSA requires different paid applications for various credentials, including the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME), and TSA PreCheck programs. As each application uses a similar Security Threat Assessment, the proposed legislation would allow those applying for two or more of these credentials to pursue them through a holistic enrollment center.

“This common-sense legislation would streamline the TSA’s certification process for transportation workers who need approval from credentialing programs to do their jobs. By cutting down on duplicative red tape, the bill will also save truckers time and money when obtaining licenses. Importantly, these process improvements would all be made without impacting security concerns,” Senator Fischer said. 

The legislation does not modify the back-end security assessment conducted on individual applicants, which ensures that applications will undergo the same degree of evaluation currently conducted. Rather, by standardizing the enrollment process, the legislation would allow transportation personnel to spend less time applying for credentials and remove duplicative fees.