The House has overwhelmingly passed a TSA spending bill that would require the agency to develop a strategic risk-based plan to improve airport transportation security, and would establish in the TSA an aviation security advisory committee, including air cargo and general aviation security working groups.
HR-2200 also prohibit advance notice of a covert test of a transportation security system, and would mandate training programs to update transportation security officers on screening procedures and technologies in response to weaknesses identified in covert tests at airports.
The bill would establish a surface transportation security inspection office, requires the secretary to hire additional inspectors for fiscal 2010 and 2011, and develop performance measures and a plan to ensure the interoperability of communications among visible intermodal prevention and response team components.
It requires reports to Congress on a human capital plan for surface transportation security personnel and the status of DHS surface transportation security training regulations, and would increase the number of explosives detection canine teams certified by the TSA for transportation-related security.