Bill Text: HI SB241 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 241 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Airport Screening.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-16 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. [SB241 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2017-SB241-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	241
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AIRPORT SCREENING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the screening partnership program of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) contracts security screening services at commercial airports to qualified private companies, which run screening operations under federal oversight and in compliance with all TSA security screening procedures. Privatization of public services is not a new concept, and has been used widely with great success by all levels of public agencies, as well as all branches of the United States military for many years. Privatization creates competition, which in turn begets greater accountability, productivity, innovation, efficiency, and customer service at a lower cost. Using a private contractor allows airports to flex the number of security screeners scheduled to better match passenger volume, which can fluctuate seasonally.

The legislature further finds that as of April 2016, twenty-three airports throughout the United States have joined the screening partnership program, including San Francisco International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Key West International Airport, Orlando Sanford International Airport, and Greater Rochester International Airport. The overriding goal of the screening partnership program is to ensure that participating airports provide services that meet TSA security and performance standards, and maximize cost savings for taxpayers. TSA's mission is to ensure that comprehensive security programs with uniform standards are applied at every commercial airport, whether an airport decides to utilize federal transportation security officers or a private screening workforce. Airports participating in TSA's screening partnership program are not held to lesser security standards, and while airports can use different technologies and processes to screen bags and passengers, the standards they must meet are identical.

The legislature further finds that the Honolulu International Airport could realize a real benefit from participation in the TSA's screening partnership program.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of transportation to conduct a study to determine whether the Honolulu International Airport should participate in the TSA's screening partnership program.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of transportation airports division shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility and advisability of the Honolulu International Airport's participation in the Transportation Security Administration's screening partnership program.

(b) The study under subsection (a) shall:

(1) Assess the benefits, risks, costs, and effect on security screenings and the impact that participation in the screening partnership program may have;

(2) Provide a timeline for participation in the screening partnership program; and

(3) Include other relevant issues as determined by the department of transportation.

(c) The department of transportation shall report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2018.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Airports; Department of Transportation; Screening Partnership Program; Study

Description:

Requires the DOT to conduct a study to determine whether the Honolulu International Airport should participate in the screening partnership program of the Transportation Security Administration. Requires a report to legislature.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.