NBAA Applauds Proposal For Consistency, Added Industry Input On TSA Proposals

Congressman John Mica (R-FL) (pictured, right) has introduced H.R. 3678 in the U.S. House Of Representatives to strengthen industry input on proposed regulations from TSA, and bring consistency to their process for issuing security directives.

The bill is co-sponsored by House General Aviation Caucus members Reps. Allen Boyd (D-FL), Vernon J. Ehlers (R-MI), Sam Graves (R-MO) and Thomas Petri (R-WI). It would require TSA to follow established standards when issuing public notice for regulations and security directives, and would require TSA to conduct a formal rulemaking process for any emergency regulation or security directive in place for more than 180 days.

The NBAA Friday welcomed the introduction of legislation. "An emphasis on security has long been at the heart of business aviation operations," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "This legislation will allow us to work with the TSA to respond quickly to imminent security threats, while at the same time providing a review process that properly balances risk with potential industry impacts. We thank Representative Mica and his colleagues for introducing this important and necessary legislation."

Earlier this year, similar legislative language was offered by Rep. Mica as an amendment to H.R. 2200, The Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act. That bill passed the House and is awaiting Senate consideration.  The amendment would require TSA to issue security directives only in response to imminent threats, but to otherwise operate within the framework of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) when issuing new proposals.

FMI: www.nbaa.org