Description:
H.R. 3243 would codify the role of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as the administrator of the Department of Homeland Security’s program to protect pipelines from terrorists and cybersecurity threats. The bill would require TSA to create a new executive position, develop a personnel strategy to improve the effectiveness of the pipeline security program, and report on its progress annually. Finally, H.R. 3243 would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the bill’s implementation within two years of enactment. Many of the bill’s requirements are consistent with activities being conducted under current law and would not significantly affect the agency’s costs. Using information from TSA, CBO estimates that implementing other provisions of the bill would cost $2 million over the 2021-2026 period. About half of that amount would stem from required personnel changes at TSA; the remainder would cover additional reporting requirements and the cost of GAO’s review. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
