This bill would direct TSA to create guidelines to make the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC, more accessible to returning citizens and to people still in federal, state, or local custody. It also requires TSA to help incarcerated individuals pre-apply or prepare TWIC applications, and to help people who want to appeal or seek a waiver after a preliminary ineligibility determination. The bill gives TSA 1 year after enactment to issue the guidelines and brief Congress on improvements.
What This Bill Does
- TSA must develop TWIC access guidelines within 1 year of enactment.
- The bill covers people in federal, state, and local custody preparing TWIC applications.
- It also directs TSA to help with appeals and waiver requests for preliminary ineligibility.
- The bill keeps the existing TWIC security screening system in place.
- Congress must receive a briefing on TWIC access improvements within 1 year.
Who This Bill Affects
For a typical person, this bill would mostly matter if they are seeking work that requires a TWIC card or are helping someone reenter the workforce after incarceration. It could let eligible applicants start preparing TWIC paperwork and appeal or waiver materials before release, which may shorten the wait to start working in ports, maritime facilities, or related jobs. It does not change the TWIC security screening rules or guarantee approval.
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- Returning citizens seeking maritime or port jobs Supporters would say the bill removes a timing barrier that can delay employment after release. If people can prepare TWIC materials in advance, they may be able to start work sooner in jobs that require access to secure port or vessel areas.
- Employers in ports, shipping, and related industries Employers benefit when qualified workers can clear credentialing faster. The bill could expand the pool of applicants ready to fill TWIC-required jobs, especially where labor demand is high and turnover is common.
- Reentry and workforce advocates Advocates would argue that employment is one of the strongest tools for reducing recidivism. The bill’s focus on pre-applications, appeals, and waivers matches the reentry timeline instead of forcing people to wait until after release to begin the process.
- Maritime security or facility operators focused on access control Opponents may worry that any pre-release assistance could add complexity to a credentialing process designed to screen for security risks. Even if final approval still depends on TSA, they may see earlier application steps as creating more administrative burden or risk of error.
- Privacy or correctional-administration skeptics Some may object to prison systems becoming more involved in collecting and preparing identity and background materials for a federal credential program. They may worry about coordination costs, record accuracy, or the handling of sensitive personal information.
- Taxpayers concerned about federal workload Because TSA would have to write new guidelines and brief Congress, critics may view the bill as another federal administrative mandate. They may question whether the expected gains in employment justify the added agency effort.
Key Implications
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““develop guidelines to improve returning citizens' access to the TWIC program””
TSA would be instructed to create a formal policy approach for people coming out of custody. In practice, this could standardize how prisons, applicants, and TSA handle the TWIC process for reentry workers.
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““assist individuals in custody ... in pre-applying or preparing applications””
People still incarcerated could start assembling TWIC paperwork before release. That matters because the bill’s findings say the appeal and waiver process can take up to 90 days, so earlier preparation could reduce post-release delays.
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““assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determination of ineligibility””
The bill focuses not just on first-time applications but also on the process for challenging or overcoming an initial denial. That is important for people with certain felony histories, since the findings say TSA may issue cards through the waiver process for some convictions.
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““brief Congress on improvements to addressing access to the TWIC program””
Congress would get a one-year update on how TSA is improving access. That creates oversight pressure and gives lawmakers a way to assess whether the new guidance actually helps applicants.
Official Source & Bill Facts
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- Bill
- HR 5109
- Congress
- 119th Congress
- Official title
- 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.
- Policy area
- Labor & Employment
- Latest action
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0. (June 24, 2026)
- Last updated
- June 25, 2026
Latest Status
June 24, 2026
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.