TSA Is Close To Proposing Transport Worker Identity Credential
APPLICANTS WILL UNDERGO A SECURITY BACKGROUND CHECK, INCLUDING CRIMINAL RECORD, TERRORIST WATCH LISTS AND IMMIGRATION STATUS.
Oliver B. Patton
Washington Editor
The Transportation Security Administration took a step closer to issuing transportation workers a security and identity card.
As HDT went to press, the agency announced that it was within days of proposing regulations to implement a Transportation Worker Identification Credential. The agency will seek comments and hold public meetings before it writes the final version of the rule. It intends to finish the process this year.
"TWIC is designed to ensure that individuals posing a security threat do not gain access to our nation's ports," said TSA Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley.
Everyone with unescorted access to ports will have to have a TWIC. Besides truck drivers, this includes longshoremen, port employees, rail workers and merchant mariners.
To obtain a TWIC, a driver will have to be fingerprinted and submit identification information, including name, date of birth, address and phone, an alien registration number if applicable, a photo, employer's name and job title.
Applicants will undergo a security background check, including criminal record, terrorist watch lists and immigration status.
The program, which will cover some 750,000 workers, will employ "smart card" technology to store fingerprint data and other information. Ports will have to integrate TWICs into their access control systems.
TSA will charge user fees to pay for the program. A new card will cost about $139. The agency said that anyone with a current, comparable background check will pay $105. The agency did not say whether or not this applies to truck drivers who have cleared the background check for the hazardous materials endorsement on their driver's licenses – presumably the proposed rule will clarify this point.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security is requiring port workers to clear security and immigration background checks. The requirement does not apply to truck drivers, a Coast Guard spokesman said.
Under this procedure, TSA will check an employee's name against a terrorist watch list and an immigration database.
Homeland Security officials said some 400,000 workers will be covered by this requirement, including longshoremen and employees of port facilities. The requirement does extend to companies that have longterm contracts with ports, however, so drayage companies that have full-time employees on-site at a port should check to see if they are covered.
In another security development, the House passed by a wide margin a bill that would toughen port security. The bill is now being considered by the Senate.
Among other things, the SAFE Port Act calls for all containers to be scanned for radiation. According to Homeland Security Deputy Director Michael Jackson, portable truck radiation monitors are being put in place. He said 60 will be in operation by end of this year.
The bill also would increase funding for port security, promote cooperation among state, local and private parties and develop protocols for getting trade moving again after a disruption. Also, DHS would have to conduct security assessments at foreign ports that want to participate in the Container Security Initiative.
Washington Report continued...
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