Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency Act | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 5109Licensing and registrationsCorrectional facilities and imprisonment

Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency Act

INTRO SEP 3· LAST ACTION SEP 15

READING

2MIN

COSPONSORS

7BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Introduced only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it aims to reduce barriers to employment for people with past criminal records, which can be a significant factor in helping them successfully re-enter society and avoid future criminal activity. Many jobs in vital industries like shipping, port operations, and energy require a TWIC card, but the application process can be challenging, especially for those with a criminal history.

If this bill becomes law, more individuals with past convictions could potentially get these jobs sooner, contributing to the economy and reducing the costs associated with recidivism. If it doesn't pass, the current challenges and delays for 'returning citizens' in obtaining TWIC cards would likely continue, potentially limiting their employment prospects and hindering their rehabilitation efforts.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires TSA to develop guidelines to improve access to the TWIC program for individuals recently released from prison.

This ensures that 'returning citizens' have a clearer path to obtaining a necessary credential for employment, addressing a major barrier to reintegration.

PROVISION 02

Mandates TSA to create guidelines assisting individuals currently in prison to pre-apply or prepare TWIC card applications.

Allowing inmates to start the application process before release can significantly reduce unemployment time once they are out of custody.

PROVISION 03

Requires TSA to develop guidelines to help individuals appeal or waive a preliminary denial for a TWIC card.

This provision clarifies and streamlines the appeals process, offering a fair chance for those initially deemed ineligible due to past records to prove their rehabilitation.

PROVISION 04

Requires TSA to brief Congress within one year of enactment on the improvements made to TWIC program access.

This ensures accountability and provides Congress with updates on the implementation and effectiveness of the new guidelines.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 7

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 85%

DEM 3 REP 4 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

12 EVENTS

SEP 15

Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-827.

COMMITTEE

SEP 15

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 725.

CALENDARS

JUN 24

Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Discharged

COMMITTEE

JUN 24

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

COMMITTEE

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 5109

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedSep 3, 2025

Last actionSep 15, 2026

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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 3, 2025

House BillHR 5109Licensing and registrationsCorrectional facilities and imprisonment

Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency Act

INTRODUCED SEP 3, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 15, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

2 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires TSA to develop guidelines to improve access to the TWIC program for individuals recently released from prison.

This ensures that 'returning citizens' have a clearer path to obtaining a necessary credential for employment, addressing a major barrier to reintegration.

high

Mandates TSA to create guidelines assisting individuals currently in prison to pre-apply or prepare TWIC card applications.

Allowing inmates to start the application process before release can significantly reduce unemployment time once they are out of custody.

med

Requires TSA to develop guidelines to help individuals appeal or waive a preliminary denial for a TWIC card.

This provision clarifies and streamlines the appeals process, offering a fair chance for those initially deemed ineligible due to past records to prove their rehabilitation.

low

Requires TSA to brief Congress within one year of enactment on the improvements made to TWIC program access.

This ensures accountability and provides Congress with updates on the implementation and effectiveness of the new guidelines.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act

Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall develop guidelines to assist individuals in custody of Federal, State, and local prisons in pre-applying or preparing applications for TWIC cards.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act

Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall develop guidelines to assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determination of ineligibility for TWIC cards.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act

Transportation Security Administration of the United States shall brief Congress on improvements to addressing access to the TWIC program.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC): A tamper-resistant identification card required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for workers who need access to secure areas of ports, vessels, and other maritime facilities.
Returning citizens: Individuals who have been released from federal, state, or local prisons and are re-entering society.
Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA): A law passed after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that established security requirements for U.S. ports and vessels, including the creation of the TWIC program.
Preliminary determination of ineligibility: An initial decision by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that an applicant does not meet the requirements for a TWIC card.
Waiver: An official grant that allows an exception to a rule or requirement, often requested when an individual might otherwise be ineligible for a credential.
Appeal: A formal request to a higher authority for a review of a decision, such as a denial of a TWIC card application.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

ACTION TIMELINE

12 EVENTS

SEP 15

Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-827.

COMMITTEE

SEP 15

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 725.

CALENDARS

JUN 24

Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Discharged

COMMITTEE

JUN 24

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

COMMITTEE

READER REACTIONS

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Committee Referrals

Homeland Security CommitteeReferred

Sep 15, 2026

house

Related Hearings

H.R. 3106, (Mr. Kennedy of New York) the “Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025”; H.R. 5109, (Mr. Carter of Louisiana) To require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States to develop guidelines to improve returning citizens' access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program, to assist individuals in custody of Federal, State, and local prisons in pre-applying or preparing applications for Transportation Worker Identification Credential cards, and to assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determination of ineligibility, and for other purposes; H.R. 5517, (Mr. Langworthy) the “Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act”; H.R. 7427, (Ms. Goldman of New York) the “SAFE VISITS Act”; H.R. 7436, (Mr. Magaziner) the “Department of Homeland Security Intelligence and Analysis Training Act”; H.R. 7443, (Mr. Pfluger) the “I&A Mission Reorientation Act of 2026”; H.R. 7448, (Ms. Pou) the “Modernizing and Improving the National Terrorism Advisory System Act of 2026”; H.R. 7574, (Mr. Evans of Colorado) the “ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026”; H.R. 8168, (Mr. Van Epps) the “Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act”; H.R. 8535, (Mr. Walkinshaw) the “Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act”; H.R. 8770, (Mr. Strong) the “SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026"; H.R. 8874, (Mr. Carter of Louisiana) the “Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026”; H.R. 8897, (Mr. Mackenzie) the “Improving Travel for American Families Act”; H.R. 9327, (Mr. Joyce of Ohio) the “PEARL Act”; H.R. 9328, (Mrs. Biggs of South Carolina) the “Improving Travel for Military Members Act”; H.R. 9382, (Mr. Kennedy of New York) the “NEXUS for Families Act”; H.R. 9388, (Mr. Gimenez) the “One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act”; H.R. 9391, (Mr. Garbarino) the “Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026”; H.R. 9394, (Mr. Strong) the “Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act of 2026”

Homeland Security Committee (house)Jun 24, 2026

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Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Related Hearings