General Aviation Security Act of 2005 - Amends federal transportation law to require a person who desires to operate a private-use or public-use airport to register and submit a written security plan with the Secretary of Homeland Security so as to enhance the security at U.S. general aviation airports. Requires an airport in developing the security plan to consider applicable security enhancement recommendations contained in the most recent security guidelines for general aviation airports published by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Requires private-use and public-use airports to meet certain security requirements.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3397 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3397
To amend title 49, United States Code, to enhance security at general
aviation airports in the United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 21, 2005
Mr. Sweeney introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to enhance security at general
aviation airports in the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``General Aviation Security Act of
2005''.
SEC. 2. GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT SECURITY.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 449 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 44926. General aviation airport security
``(a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions
apply:
``(1) General aviation airport.--The term `general aviation
airport' means an airport that serves the operation of civilian
aircraft for purposes other than commercial passenger
transport, including personal, business, and instructional
flying, and that the Secretary of Homeland Security determines,
by regulation, is subject to the requirements of this section.
``(2) Private-use airport.--The term `private-use airport'
means a general aviation airport used exclusively by the owner
of the airport and persons authorized by the owner.
``(3) Public-use airport.--The term `public-use airport'
means a general aviation airport available for use by the
general public without a requirement for the prior approval of
the owner or operator of the airport except as may be required
by Federal law or regulation.
``(b) Registration.--
``(1) In general.--In order to enhance the security at the
general aviation airports of the United States, the Secretary
of Homeland Security shall require a person desiring to operate
a private-use or public-use airport to register with the
Secretary within one year of the date of enactment of this
section.
``(2) Initial registration.--
``(A) Period of effectiveness.--The registration of
a private-use or public-use airport under this
subsection shall be effective for a period of 3 years.
``(B) Forms.--The registration shall be submitted
on forms provided by the Secretary. Such forms shall
contain the following information:
``(i) The physical and mailing addresses of
the airport.
``(ii) The telephone number, facsimile
number, and e-mail address of the airport.
``(iii) The name or names and telephone
number or numbers of one or more 24-hour
security contact persons, as designated by the
airport.
``(iv) A map showing the location and
general boundaries of the airport.
``(v) Such other information as the
Secretary may reasonably prescribe.
``(3) Security plan.--The registration also shall be
accompanied by the written security plan required under
subsection (c).
``(4) Renewal of registration.--
``(A) Period for renewals.--A private-use or
public-use airport shall renew its registration with
the Secretary every 3 years.
``(B) Forms.--Requests for renewal shall be made on
forms supplied by the Secretary and shall not be
accepted unless accompanied with an updated written
security plan as provided in subsection (c).
``(5) Fee.--The Secretary may impose fees to cover the
costs of incurred by the Secretary in carrying out
registrations and renewals under this subsection, and shall
ensure that any such fee is reasonably related, as determined
by the Secretary, to such costs.
``(c) Written Security Plan.--
``(1) Submission to secretary.--The Secretary shall require
each private-use and public-use airport to document its
security procedures in a written security plan that is
consistent with the most recent security guidelines for general
aviation airports published by the Transportation Security
Administration.
``(2) Updates.--The Secretary shall require an airport that
submits a plan under paragraph (1) to submit to the Secretary
an updated version of the plan every 3 years with the airport's
renewal application for registration under subsection (b).
``(3) Security enhancement recommendations.--
``(A) Consideration in developing written plans.--
In developing a written security plan, an airport shall
consider the applicable security enhancement
recommendations contained in the most recent security
guidelines for general aviation airports published by
the Transportation Security Administration.
``(B) Descriptions and justifications.--A written
security plan shall include a description of how the
airport has addressed each applicable recommendation of
such guidelines and a justification for not adopting
any applicable recommendation suggested by such
guidelines for the airport's security characteristics.
``(4) Use of self-assessment measurement tools.--Applicable
recommendations from such guidelines shall be determined by an
airport by using the airport characteristics self-assessment
measurement tool available in such document and any other self-
assessment tools subsequently issued by the Transportation
Security Administration.
``(5) Submission to local law enforcement agencies.--In
addition to submitting a written security plan to the Secretary
under subsection (b), a private-use and public-use airport
shall submit a copy of the plan and all updates of the plan to
local law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction over the
airport.
``(d) Additional Requirements.--
``(1) Private-use airports.--In addition to the other
provisions of this section, the Secretary shall ensure that
private-use airports meet the following requirements:
``(A) Require all aircraft to be double-locked,
with one lock internal to the aircraft, and one lock
external to the aircraft, when such aircraft is not in
operation.
``(B) Provide that all hangars be locked when not
in use.
``(C) Provide adequate fencing for secure areas.
``(2) Public-use airports.--In addition to the other
provisions of this section, the Secretary shall ensure that
public-use airports meet the requirements of private-use
airports set forth in paragraph (1) and the following
additional requirements:
``(A) Require verification of the identity of all
aircraft passengers by the aircraft crew.
``(B) Maintain a log of all transient aircraft for
a minimum of 5 years.
``(C) Develop a written list of emergency contacts
and telephone numbers, to be available to airport
personnel.
``(D) Restrict the access of unlicensed persons and
student pilots to aircraft keys.
``(E) Require persons renting aircraft to present
government-issued identification, which identification
shall be in addition to any pilot's license.
``(F) Post airport security warning signs and
advisories where appropriate.
``(G) Create an emergency locator map, which may be
hand-drawn generally to scale, identifying areas such
as runways, ramp areas, fence lines, gates, and sites
and provide copies of such map to emergency response
agencies serving such airport, to law enforcement
agencies having jurisdiction over such airport, and
appropriate airport personnel. Whenever there is a
physical change involving such areas, such map shall be
revised and resubmitted to the such emergency response
and law enforcement agencies and airport personnel
within 60 days of such change.
``(H) Familiarize local law enforcement with the
airport and consult with them in the airport's
development of appropriate security procedures.
``(e) Statement on Confidentiality.--The map required under
subsection (c)(2)(G) and the written security plan required under
subsection (c) shall each prominently display the following statement:
`This document may contain information that if disclosed could endanger
the life or safety of the public, and therefore this document is to be
maintained and used in a manner which preserves the confidentiality of
the information contained herein in a manner consistent with law.'.
``(f) Limitation on Disclosure of Information.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, neither the Secretary, nor any agency receiving
information from the Secretary, shall disclose safety or security
related information obtained from airports under this section if the
Secretary finds that withholding such information from disclosure would
be consistent with the Secretary's safety and security
responsibilities.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for subchapter I of chapter
449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``44926. General aviation airport security.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity.
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