Bill Bars State TWIC Alternatives

States would be effectively barred from launching their own port access identification card programs by an amendment to the $7.6 billion Transportation Security Administration 2010 budget authorization bill.

The House Rules Committee on Wednesday approved an amendment that would preempt states from conducting separate criminal background checks for any worker who had been screened for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential.

The amendment, by Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., would prevent repeats of Florida's ID card program. In 2000, the state began issuing ID cards for port access control that included a criminal background check by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Although some ports, New York-New Jersey for example, require background checks for ID cards, Florida was the first state to launch a program statewide.

Congress called for the TWIC in the 2002 Maritime Transportation Security Act, but it would take another five years before TSA started issuing the biometric card.

In 2003 the Florida legislature approved Florida Uniform Port Access Credential program that would allow a single card to be used at all public ports in the state. Officials proposed that the FUPAC have parity with the TWIC, preventing holders from the need to acquire both.

TSA refused to recognize the FUPAC as a TWIC alternative. Last month, the state legislature voted to end the FUPAC program.

The House is scheduled to take up the TSA authorization bill when it returns from its Memorial Day break.

Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com.