DHS Reform and Improvement Act

Monitor legislative, administrative and regulatory activity related to shipping, port security, and Port Authority matters. H.R.5325, Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act. (The Sept. CR) H.R. 2028, Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act. (Dec. CR) H.R.2028, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017. S. 2804, Senate Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016. H.R. 5303, Water Resources Development Act of 2016. S. 2848, Water Resources Development Act of 2016. S. 612, WIIN Act. H.R. 5634, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2017. S. 3001, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2017. S. 1298, A bill to provide nationally consistent measures of performance of the Nation's ports, and for other purposes. S. 2729, Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Reform Act of 2016. H.R. 6381, DHS Reform and Improvement Act.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Congressional Legislation: H.R. 1061/S. 571, Pilots Bill of Rights 2 [appeal of adverse Federal Aviation Administration certificate actions]; H.R. 911, Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2015 [installation of commercial aircraft cockpit barriers]; H.R. 772, Safe Aviation & Flight Enhancement Act of 2015 [installation aboard commercial aircraft of deployable aircraft recorder systems]; H.R. 753, Safe Aviation & Flight Emergency Tracking Act of 2015 [requiring continuous tracking of commercial aircraft]; H.R. 79, No Missing Planes Act [requiring a study of improving communications between commercial aircraft and air traffic control]; H.R. 1074/S. 712, Passenger Fee Restructuring Act of 2015 [revisions to airline passenger security fee requirements]; H.R. 998, Preclearance Authorization Act of 2015 [requirements for future establishment by Customs and Border Protection of overseas airline passenger preclearance facilities and associated security requirements]; H.R. 399/S. 208, Secure Our Borders First Act of 2015 [establishment at U.S. airports of international passenger biometric exit program]; H.R. 229, Biometric Exit Improvement Act of 2015 [establishment at U.S. airports of international passenger biometric exit program]; H.R. 82, Putting Security First in Preclearance Act [establishing of criteria for new Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities at foreign airports]; H.R. 158, Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015 [requiring reports by the Department of Homeland Security to Congress about the Electronic System for Travel Authorization]; H.R. 1560, Protecting Cyber Networks Act [encouraging the private sector and the federal government to share information about cyber threats]; H.R. 234, Cyber Intelligence Sharing & Protection Act ; S. 754, Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 [encouraging the private sector and the federal government to share information about cyber threats]; H.R. 2577, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 [appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Office of the Secretary of Transportation]; TSA PreCheck Expansion Act [expansion of the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck airline-passenger screening system]; H.R. 2770, Keeping Our Travelers Safe and Secure Act [requiring procedures to validate security-related technology at commercial airports]; H.R. 2767, Airport Security Act of 2015 [limiting possession of firearms at commercial airports]; H.R. 2750, Improved Security Vetting for Aviation Workers Act of 2015 [requiring additional security vetting of aviation workers at airports]; H.R. 2127, Securing Expedited Screening Act [limiting categories of persons entitled to expedited airport screening]; H.R. 1731, National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015 [encouraging the private sector and the federal government to share information about cyber threats]; H.R. 877, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Authorization Act [establishment of a new agency withing the Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement]; H.R. 719, TSA Office of Inspection Accountability Act of 2015 [revision of criteria for criminal investigator positions at the Transportation Security Administration]; Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2015 [improving procedures to respond to active-shooter situations at commercial airports]; H.R. 710, Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act [requiring Department of Homeland Security assessment of effectiveness of transportation-worker security card program]; H.R. 81, FAMS Augmentation Act of 2015 [increasing number of Federal Air Marshals and revising security measures for international flights]; H.R. 115, Freedom of Travel Act of 2015 [limiting Transportation Security Administration screening to aviation]; H.R. 1735/S.1376, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 [research and development for aviation-compatible biofuels]; H.R. 2530, Friendly Airports for Mothers Act of 2015 [requiring lactation areas at large and medium hub commercial airports]; H.R. 2006, Aerotropolis Act of 2015 [specifying eligibility of intermodal transportation facilities for federal grants]; H.R. 1835, Air Traffic Controller Reform and Employee Stock Ownership Act of 2015 [transfer of air traffic management to a corporation and establishing an employee stock-ownership plan associated with that transfer]; S. 1619/H.R. 3128, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2016 [appropriations for Customs and Border Protection, and the Transportation Security Administration]; S. 1612, Safe Skies Act of 2015 [applying Federal Aviation Administration's flight duty and rest requirements to all-cargo operations]; S. 1594, Arm All Pilots Act of 2015 [improving Federal Air Marshal training facilities and specifying the circumstances for FAM carriage of firearms aboard aircraft]; H.R. 22, DRIVE Act [Highway Bill];H.R. 3102, Airport Access Control Security Improvement Act of 2015 [directs the Transportation Security Administration to establish a risk-based, intelligence-driven model for the screening of airport employees based on level of employment-related access to Secure Identification Display Areas, Airport Operations Areas, or secure areas at U.S. airports]; H.R. 3144, Partners for Aviation Security Act [requires Transportation Security Administration consultation with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee regarding modifications to list of items that passengers are prohibited from carrying aboard aircraft and requires TSA to report to Congress about the Transportation Security Oversight Board]; H.R. 3584, Transportation Security Administration Reform and Improvement Act of 2015 [requires aviation and surface security changes at TSA]; H.R. 3586, Border and Maritime Coordination Improvement Act [requires border and maritime security improvements]; H.R. 3614, Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2015 [extension of airport and airways improvement program through March 31, 2016]; H.R. 3334, Families Flying Together Act of 2015 [requires the Department of Transportation to issue regulations to ensure that families are able to sit together on flights];H.R. 3379, Airplane Kids In Transit Safety Act of 2015 (or the Airplane KITS Act of 2015)[directs the Federal Aviation Administration to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to ensure that aircraft medical kits contain appropriate medication and equipment to meet the emergency medical needs of children, including an epinephrine auto-injector]; H.R. 3149, Baggage Fee Fairness Act of 2015 [limits the amount of a fee that an airline can charge for checked baggge]; H.R. 2776, Carry-On Freedom Act of 2015 [directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations to prohibit an airline that charges passengers a fee for checked baggage from using a size standard for carry-on baggage that reduces the size standard used by the carrier on June 8, 2015]; S. 1972, Airline Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act of 2015 [directs the Federal Aviation Administration to require airlines to carry on each aircraft at least two packs of epinephrine auto-injectors for use as the initial treatment for anaphylaxis and to train crewmembers to recognize the symptoms of an acute allergic reaction and administer auto-injectable epinephrine]. H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016; H.R. 460/S. 623, Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2015 [training Department of Homeland Security personnel to deter, detect, disrupt and prevent human trafficking]; H.R. 644, Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 [international trade enforcement and trade facilitation]; H.R. 4295, To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to increase the rest periods of flight attendants to the same rest periods of pilots [rest periods for airline flight attendants]; H.R. 4203, Comfortable and Fair Flight Act [prohibition against certain airline fees]; H.R. 4171, Silent Skies Act of 2015 [prohibition of the operation of certain aircraft not complying with stage 4 noise levels]; H.R. 3965, FAA Community Accountability Act of 2015 [establishing and revising flight paths and procedures]; S. 2406, A bill to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to review certain decisions to grant categorical exclusions for Next Generation flight procedures and to consult with the airports at which such procedures will be implemented; S. 2361, Airport Security Enhancement and Oversight Act [U.S. commercial airport security measures]; H.R. 4721, Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2016 [extending authorizations for the airport improvement program and the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund];H.R. 4369/S. 2442, To authorize the use of passenger facility charges at an airport previously associated with the airport at which the charges are collected [as indicated in the bill's title]; H.R. 4314, Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016 [requiring the Secretary of State, in consultation with other federal entities, to develop a plan to combat international travel by terrorists and foreign fighters, accelerate the transfer of border security systems to foreign governments and establishing minimum international border security standards]; H.R. 4698, Securing Aviation from Foreign Entry Points and Guarding Airports Through Enhanced Security Act of 2016 [requiring the Transportation Security Administration to conduct security risk assessments of all last-point-of-departure foreign airports with nonstop flights to the United States, and to submit to Congress and the Government Accountability Office a plan to enhance security collaboration concerning flights between the United States and foreign countries]; H.R. 4549/S. 2549, Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act of 2016 [requiring the Transportation Security Administration to conduct and provide staff and equipment for security screening at any airport that lost commercial air service on or after January 1, 2013, if the airport operator submits: (1) a request for the TSA to conduct such screening, and (2) written confirmation of a commitment from an air carrier that the carrier intends to resume service at the airport within one year]; H.R. 4408, National Strategy to Combat Terrorist Travel Act of 2016 [requiring the President to transmit to Congress a national strategy to combat terrorist travel]; H.R. 4407, Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act of 2016 [establishing in the Department of Homeland Security a board to coordinate and integrate DHS's intelligence, activities and policy related to its counterterrorism responsibilities]; S. 2658, Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016 [extending authorizations for the airport improvement program and the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and creating or revising FAA and Department of Transportation civil aviation programs];S. 2656, FAIR Fees Act [prohibiting air carriers from imposing fees that are "not reasonable and proportional" to the costs incurred by the air carriers]; S. 2642, Stop Trafficking on Planes (STOP) Act of 2016 [requiring passenger air carrier to provide their flight attendants and pilots with training to combat human trafficking in the course of carrying out their duties]; S. 2547, Real Transparency in Airfares Act of 2016 [increasing the maximum penalty for unfair and deceptive practices relating to advertising the costs of air transportation]; S. 2536, A bill to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the inclusion in aircraft medical kits of medications and equipment to meet the emergency medical needs of children [as indicated in the bill's title]; S. 2528, Lithium Battery Safety Act of 2016 [repealing the prohibition in federal law against new Department of Transportation regulations for the transportation by aircraft of lithium metal cells or batteries or lithium ion cells or batteries that are more stringent than the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air]; H.R. 5563, Restoring Local Control of Airports Act of 2016 [removal of federal cap on passenger facility charges]; H.R. 5390, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency Act of 2016 [creation of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency in the Department of Homeland Security]; H.R 5292, Air Traffic Controller Hiring Improvement Act of 2016 [criteria for employing air traffic control specialist]; H.R. 5291, Airline Consumer Protection Act of 2016 [various measures concerning consumer protection, travelers with disabilities and onboard emergency medical kits]; H.R. 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act [repeal of the limitation of the number of full-time-equivalent TSA screeners; H.R. 5340, FASTER Act [crediting of aviation security fees to the General Fund]; H.R. 5338, Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016 [TSA staffing and resource allocation]; H.R. 5256, Expanding DHS Overseas Passenger Security Screening and Vetting Operations Act [development of five-year strategy for existing and future international DHS security programs];H.R. 5253, Strong Visa Integrity Secures America Act [visa security and visa applicant vetting modifications]; H.R. 5056, Airport Perimeter and Access Control Security Act of 2016 [risk assessment of perimeter and access control security for airports]; S. 2769, A bill to require the FAA to establish minimum standards for space for passengers on passenger aircraft [passenger seat size measures]; and S. 2761, FAA Community Accountability Act of 2016 [creation of FAA Community Ombudsman for flight path issues];H.R. 5744, NextGen Flight Path Review and Notification Act of 2016 [oversight of air traffic management modernization]; H.R. 6014,To allow the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to enter into reimbursable agreements for certain airport projects [reimbursable funding of airport projects];H.R. 5720, Checkpoint Safety Act of 2016 [requirement to deploy law enforcement personnel at airport screening locations at very large airports]; H.R. 5728, Cuban Airport Security Act of 2016 [prohibition against scheduled passenger air transportation between the United States and Cuba until a study has been completed regarding security measures and equipment at Cubas airports];H.R. 5634, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2017 [appropriations for DHS, CBP and TSA]; H.R. 5325, Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act [continuing appropriations for certain federal agencies]; S. 3289, Cuban Airport Security Act of 2016 [prohibition against scheduled passenger air transportation between the United States and Cuba until a study has been completed regarding security measures and equipment at Cuba's airports and certain agreements have been established with the Government of Cuba]; S. 3421A bill to require air carriers to provide all flight attendants with scheduled rest periods of at least 10 consecutive hours between duty periods and to comply with fatigue management plans for flight attendants that have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration; H.R. 636 [The legislative vehicle for the FAA reauthorization extension]; H.R. 2028, Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 [Continuing Resolution]; H.R. 6497, TSA Screening Transparency and Accountability Act [amendments updating TSA's cost estimating methodology for federal cost estimates and cost comparisons, and tracking of consumer complaints]; H.R. 6381, DHS Reform and Improvement Act [homeland security amendments affecting domestic and international commercial aviation]; H.R. 6431/S. 2612, Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act of 2016 [extending U.S. criminal law jurisdiction over United States jurisdiction over offenses committed by U.S. Government personnel stationed in Canada in furtherance of border security initiatives]; H.R. 875/S. 461, Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act [authority for CBP to enter into agreements for it to provide customs, agricultural processing, border security, or inspection-related immigration services at a U.S. land border port of entry, subject to payment of a fee to reimburse CBP for providing such services]; S. 3525, Strengthening American Transportation Security Act of 2016 [applying a unified personnel system to TSA employees who are responsible for screening passengers and property; and S. 3502, NextGen Accountability Act [amendments to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to direct the FAA to establish annual Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) performance goals and other related measures. Regulatory Issues: Air Cargo Security Issues; Airport Employee Screening; Air Traffic Control Reform, including current improvements and proposed legislative changes; Aircraft Noise and Emissions Issues; Airline Green House Gas Emissions Issues; Airport Security Issues; Aircraft Tracking Issues, particularly international proposals concerning tracking; Alternative Aviation Fuels; Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Issues, including CBP airport staffing levels and foreign-airport preclearance implementation issues, CBP Implementation of Biometric Entry and Exit Systems, and CBP Fes; Department of Transportation (DOT) Full Fare Advertising Rule; DOT Implementation of Passenger Protection Regulations I and II; DOT Proposed Passenger Protection Regulation III; DOT Tarmac Delay Rule Implementation Issues; Employee Occupational Safety and Health Issues. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Crew Training Rule, FAA Flight and Duty Time Regulations, FAA NextGen Initiative, FAA Pilot Qualifications Rule, and Unmanned Aerial Systems Airspace Use Issues; FY 2016 DOT/FAA and DHS budget proposals, including proposals to increase the customs use and immigration user fees; Implementation of a National Airline Policy; International Air Service Rights Issues (U.S. Government Bilateral Negotiations); Lithium Battery Carriage Aboard Aircraft (FAA and Pipeline Hazardous Materials Administration); Passenger Facility Charge Tax Issues; Railway Labor Act Application and Interpretation Issues; Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Aviation Security Taxes and Fees, TSA Civil Aviation Security Issues, including expansion of trusted traveler/risk-based screening programs, airport exit-lane staffing and secondary cockpit barriers and TSA Managed Inclusion Passenger Security Program;and Various Federal Income and Excise Tax Matters; Excise Tax on the Cost of Employer-Sponsored Health Care; Visa Waiver Program; Crude Oil Export Ban; Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) - Agriculture Quarantine Inspection (AQI) Program; Frequency Spectrum Allocation; negotiations and implementation of the expansion and shifting of times of flight slots at Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan; TSA Airport Security Wait Times; Airport and Airway Extension (FAA Extension); Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Other Agencies Appropriations; Department of Homeland Security Appropriations; Department of Defense-airline industry discussions about pilot availability issues; Cuba Air Service; Air Travel for Passengers with Disabilities; and Airport Revenue Diversion.