§44946 Aviation Security Advisory Committee

Summary

Creates an aviation security advisory committee inside the Transportation Security Administration. The Administrator must ask the committee for advice on aviation security policies, programs, rules, and security orders when needed. The committee will make recommendations when asked and has to approve any subcommittee recommendations before sending them on. The committee must send periodic reports and one annual report. The Administrator must publish a public version of the annual report within 6 months. After getting recommendations or the annual report, the Administrator must reply in writing within 90 days with feedback, an action plan for any agreed items, and reasons for any rejections. Within 30 days of that reply, the Administrator must tell the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Homeland Security and provide a briefing if asked. Before briefing those committees, the Administrator must first give them a report about the committee’s recommendations. The Administrator appoints members from up to 34 organizations, one person per group. Members include airline and cargo groups, airport operators, contractors, labor unions, manufacturers, general aviation, privacy and passenger groups, security companies, victims of terrorism, law enforcement, and similar stakeholders. Terms are 2 years; members can stay until a successor is named and can be removed for cause. Members are unpaid. The committee must meet at least twice a year, with at least one public meeting, and keep attendance records. Members may get sensitive security information within 60 days if cleared and after signing a non‑disclosure agreement. The committee elects a stakeholder as chair. Subcommittees (for cargo, general aviation, perimeter/access, and security technology) must meet at least quarterly, be co‑chaired by a government and an industry official, include subject experts, use risk‑based approaches, and report to the main committee. Chapter 10 of Title 5 does not apply to the committee or its subcommittees. Definitions: Administrator = the TSA Administrator. Advisory Committee = the aviation security advisory committee. Perimeter security = ways to monitor and stop unauthorized access to an airport, such as fences, gates, and access controls.