Today, Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03), Chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee of the Committee on Homeland Security introduced H.R. 1690, the MODERN Security Credentials Act.

“This bill takes a crucial step toward streamlining redundant and burdensome government regulations that are an impediment to economic growth in the transportation industry.  I expect this bill to result in greater savings and less red tape for hard-working men and women who rely on security credentials for their livelihoods,” Chairman Rogers said.

H.R. 1690 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to streamline and eliminate redundancies in various transportation security credentialing regulations.  These regulations cover programs including the Transportation Worker Identification Credentials, Airport Secure Identification Display Area Badges, Hazardous Material Endorsements to State Drivers’ licenses and others.

Specifically, the bill would require the TSA to harmonize its security threat assessment processes across credentialing programs.  In addition, this legislation would eliminate the security background check requirement for truck drivers as part of an HME, and instead require those drivers carrying security-sensitive materials to only acquire a TWIC.

On Wednesday May 4, 2011 at 2pm in 311 Cannon HOB, the Transportation Security Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on H.R. 1690. Stephen Sadler, the TSA Deputy Assistant Administrator Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing, is scheduled to testify. Additionally, representatives of the trucking and aviation industries and an author of a recent study on this issue will testify on the bill.

H.R. 1690 has been endorsed by the American Trucking Association, the Association of American Airport Executives, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations.

Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management, Representative Joe Walsh (R-IL) and Representative Mo Brooks (R-AL) are original cosponsors of the legislation.

Chairman Rogers has served on the Committee on Homeland Security since 2005 and is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

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