Bill Text: TX HB2436 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to passenger security screening.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-13 - Referred to Transportation [HB2436 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB2436-Introduced.html
  84R12454 AAF-F
 
  By: Phillips H.B. No. 2436
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to passenger security screening.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 23.002(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The governing body may commission an employee of an
  airport security force established under this chapter as a peace
  officer, subject to Subchapter G, Chapter 1701, Occupations
  [Subchapter C, Chapter 415, Government] 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 Sections 23.004 and 23.005 to read as follows:
         Sec. 23.004.  ANALYSIS AND REPORT REGARDING PASSENGER
  SECURITY SCREENINGS. (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)  An airport operator shall establish a program to collect
  complaints received by the operator regarding passenger security
  screenings. Complaints collected under this section are
  confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
  Government Code.
         (c)  Not later than October 1 of each year, and in a manner
  prescribed by the director of the governor's Texas homeland
  security office, an airport operator shall submit to the executive
  director of the Texas Department of Transportation and the director
  of the governor's Texas homeland security office an analysis of
  complaints regarding passenger security screenings received during
  the most recent state fiscal year. The analysis must identify the
  general categories of complaints regarding passenger security
  screenings and provide trend data on the frequency of those
  complaints. The analysis may not contain any personal passenger
  information that would compromise a passenger's privacy or safety.
         (d)  Not later than December 1 of each year, the director of
  the governor's Texas homeland security office shall submit a report
  to the congressional delegation of this state. The report must
  provide an analysis of complaints regarding passenger security
  screenings in this state and make recommendations regarding ways in
  which to conduct effective passenger security screenings while
  minimizing unnecessary impositions on airline travelers' time and
  privacy.
         (e)  This section expires January 1, 2021.
         Sec. 23.005.  SCREENING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.  (a) In this
  section, "airport operator" has the meaning assigned by Section
  23.004.
         (b)  Not later than January 1, 2016, 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 executive director of the Texas Department of
  Transportation and the director of the governor's Texas homeland
  security office:
               (1)  not later than the 30th day after the date an
  application was submitted under Subsection (b), a letter confirming
  the submission of an application;
               (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, 2021, a written
  statement regarding any failure to receive a notice of the
  disposition of the application.
         (d)  This section expires August 31, 2021.
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the director of the governor's Texas homeland security
  office shall prescribe procedures to implement the change in law
  made by Section 23.004, Transportation Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  (a) Sections 23.004(c) and (d), Transportation
  Code, as added by this Act, take effect January 1, 2016.
         (b)  Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (a) of this
  section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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