Description:
The federal government—primarily through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)—administers several risk-based programs that facilitate, through advanced vetting of applicants, expedited screening of participating passengers at security checkpoints. H.R. 6265 would require TSA to ensure that only travelers who are members of such programs are permitted to use expedited security-screening lanes (often called PreCheck lanes) at TSA-regulated airports. The act would require the agency to increase enrollment in such programs and to conduct a pilot program related to the use of modified screening procedures for passengers deemed to pose low security risks. The legislation also would specify other administrative and reporting requirements. Using information from TSA, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 6265 would not significantly affect the federal budget. The agency is already implementing activities that are similar to those envisioned under H.R. 6265. As a result, CBO expects that any change in the agency’s spending—which would be subject to appropriation—would be insignificant. Enacting H.R. 6265 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 6265 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029. H.R. 6265 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.