** Special Membership Notice **
CONTACT YOUR MEMBER(S) OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IMMEDIATELY TO SUPPORT MICA AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2200
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 2200, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Authorization Act. An amendment to the bill has been offered by Representatives John Mica (R-FL), Sam Graves (R-MO), Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), and Tom Petri (R-WI), that would require the TSA to go through the federal rulemaking process after a security directive (SD) has gone into effect for more than 180 days. This amendment is intended to balance risk mitigation, industry impacts, and appropriate public review.
As you may know TSA’s recently released security directive, SD 1542/08G, took effect on Monday, June 1. This directive expands airport security credentialing requirements at commercial airports, regulated by 49 CFR 1542, to require that all individuals with unescorted access to the Airport Operations Area (AOA) apply for airport issued identification and undergo a TSA security threat assessment. While the TSA has the authority to issue security directives if a threat assessment indicates immediate need for changes in security policy, TSA in December of 2008 concluded that little evidence existed that would require immediate attention on general aviation.
Please click here to call your U.S. House Representative on H.R. 2200.
Please click here to email your U.S. House Representative on H.R. 2200.
Talking Points
- TSA has chosen to use a SD to promulgate regulations affecting a broad category of previously unregulated individuals.
- General aviation pilots, service providers and aircraft owners affected by the SD believe the TSA should issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).
- It is important to note that the Mica Amendment does not prohibit the TSA from issuing security directives based on an “imminent threat”.
- This is a bipartisan amendment. Congressmen Allen Boyd (D-FL) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), Co-Chairs of the House General Aviation Caucus, both support this amendment, recently sending a “Dear Colleague” letter to all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
- This amendment is supported by the entire general aviation industry. Please click here to review the general aviation industry letter to Capitol Hill.
NATA Staff Contact:
Kristen Moore
Director, Legislative Affairs
Kmoore@nata.aero