Numerous trucking and related organizations and businesses have called on Congress to approve new legislation that would eliminate what a letter with the request called "redundant fees and background checks for essential transportation workers."
The bill titled the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act was introduced by Representatives Garret Graves (R-Louisiana) and Adam Smith (D-Washington) along with Representatives Mark Green (R-Tennessee), Michael Guest (R-Mississippi), Salud Carbajal (D-California), and Dina Titus (D-Nevada).
It would allow workers to apply existing valid background checks to multiple TSA-managed credentialing programs, such as the Transportation Worker Identification Credentials and Hazardous Materials Endorsements.
“Subjecting essential supply chain workers to the same exact background check multiple times in order to receive different credentials from the same agency does nothing to enhance security,” said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear. “This system only serves to pad government coffers by forcing truckers and other transportation workers to pay duplicative fees for a background check they’ve already cleared."
Rep. Smith said, “I’ve heard from many transportation workers in my district who have had to spend a significant amount of time and money to keep their required credentials up to date. The legislation we introduced would create a more streamlined application and renewal process, reducing unnecessary hurdles for transportation workers, a crucial workforce in our economy."
Among the 154 organizations and businesses supporting the bill's passage were numerous state trucking associations, the National Tank Truck Carriers, and NATSO representing truck stops and travel centers.
