H.R. 5081, Surface Transportation Security and Technology Accountability Act of 2018

Floor Situation

On Monday, June 25, 2018, the House will consider H.R. 5081, the Surface Transportation Security and Technology Accountability Act of 2018, under suspension of the rules. This bill was introduced on February 23, 2018 by Rep. John Katko (R-NY) and was referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security, which ordered the bill reported by unanimous consent on March 7, 2018.

Summary

H.R. 5081 prioritizes the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) responsibility to secure surface transportation systems and bring accountability to its technology investments. Specifically, the bill establishes a Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee within TSA to provide stakeholders and the public the opportunity to coordinate with the agency and comment on policy and pending regulations. The bill also amends reporting requirements for biennial updates to TSA’s Strategic Five-Year Technology Investment Plan by requiring the Administrator to consult with the Advisory Committee, include information related to technology investments for aviation, air cargo, and surface transportation security, and include a classified addendum to report transportation security risks and capability gaps.

Background

The Aviation Security Advisory Committee has provided valuable input from stakeholders across the aviation sector to TSA. This legislation will create similar lines of communication for surface transportation stakeholders.[1]

The Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act required the TSA Administrator to develop a Five-Year Technology Investment Plan and submit an update of the Plan biennially to Congress. The Plan communicates TSA’s framework for technology investments and outlines transportation security risks and associated capability gaps. The Plan, published in August 2015, the first Biennial Refresh, publish December 2017, focused exclusively on aviation investments and neglected investments to surface transportation or air cargo security.[2]

Cost

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that enacting this legislation would not cost more than $500,000 annually.

Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Jake Vreeburg with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 2-1374.