By: Phillips H.B. No. 1719
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to passenger security screening and reporting by certain
local government airport operators.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 23, Transportation Code, is amended to
read as follows: Sec. 23.002. COMMISSIONING OF EMPLOYEES AS PEACE
OFFICERS. (a) The governing body may commission an employee of an
airport security force established under this chapter as a peace
officer, subject to Subchapter C, Chapter 415, Government Code,
Subchapter G, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, if the employee gives
an oath and a bond for the faithful performance of the employee's
duties as required by the governing body.
SECTION 2. Chapter 23, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Section 23.004 to read as follows:
Sec. 23.004. SCREENING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM. (a) In this
section, "airport operator" means:
(1) a local government that owns or controls an
airport; or
(2) a person who operates, as the agent of a local
government or otherwise, an airport owned or controlled by the
local government.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2014, an airport operator
shall apply to the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security
under 49 U.S.C. Section 44920 to participate in the security
screening opt-out program.
(c) The airport operator shall submit the following
information to the Director of the Texas Department of Public
Safety and the executive director of the Texas Department of
Transportation:
(1) not later than the 30th day after an application
has been submitted under Subsection (b), a written statement that
an application has been submitted;
(2) not later than the 30th day after receiving the
notice, a copy of the notice of the disposition of the application;
and
(3) not later than January 31, 2019, a written
statement regarding any failure to receive a notice of the
disposition of the application.
(d) an airport operator that fails to comply with subsection
(b) may not receive state funding for the operation of the airport.
(e) This section expires August 31, 2019.
SECTION 3. Chapter 23, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Section 23.005 to read as follows:
Sec. 23.005. PASSENGER COMPLAINT REPORT. (a) In this
section, "airport operator" means:
(1) a local government that owns or controls an
airport; or
(2) a person who operates, as the agent of a local
government or otherwise, an airport owned or controlled by the
local government.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2015 and on January 1 of each
year thereafter, an airport operator shall submit the following
information to the Director of the Texas Department of Public
Safety and the executive director of the Texas Department of
Transportation:
(1) a written report describing the number and nature
of complaints received by the airport operator from passengers
concerning the behavior of Transportation Security Administration
agents.
(c) The written report submitted pursuant to Subsection (b)
shall not include the identification of passengers or information
that would compromise the privacy or security of passengers.
(d) This section expires August 31, 2019.
SECTION 4. Chapter 23, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Section 23.006 to read as follows:
Sec. 23.006 REPORT TO THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION. Before
the end of each even-numbered year, the director of the governor's
Office of Homeland Security shall prepare and submit to the Texas
Congressional delegation a report making recommendations regarding
airport security screening.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.