H.R. 5109 · Passed House · Transportation and Public Works

Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency Act

What it does

Direct the TSA to develop guidelines to help incarcerated individuals pre-apply for or prepare applications for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card prior to release.
Direct the TSA to develop guidelines to help individuals request appeals or waivers of preliminary ineligibility determinations for a TWIC card.
Enable workers who need access to secure areas of U.S. maritime facilities and vessels to obtain required credentials upon release from incarceration.

Official summary

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop guidelines to improve access to a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) for prisoners prior to their release. Specifically, TSA must develop guidelines to assist individuals in federal, state, and local prisons in (1) pre-applying or preparing an application for a TWIC card; and (2) requesting an appeal or waiver of a preliminary determination of ineligibility for a TWIC card. As background, a TWIC card is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who need access to secure areas of U.S. maritime facilities and vessels. TSA conducts a background check to determine a person’s eligibility and issues the credential.

Latest action

Sep 16, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation