The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is considering requiring truck drivers to have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) in order to enter maritime facilities, according to information published in the Federal Register May 22.
Drivers that currently hold a hazardous materials endorsement and have completed TSA's security threat assessment under 49 CFR part 1572 (background checks, etc) would not be required to undergo a new threat assessment for TWIC until their hazmat endorsement expires. These drivers would be required to provide a biometric for use on the TWIC and pay for enrollment services, credential costs, and appropriate program support costs.
TSA is considering whether to incorporate the TWIC system into all modes of transportation, and is requesting comments from the industry.
TSA also proposes to establish new user fees estimated to range from $95 to $149, depending on category. The fees include:
•The Information Collection and Credential Issuance fee, estimated to range from $45-$65. TSA estimates that the per applicant cost to collect and transmit fingerprints and other required data electronically is likely to be between $45 and $65.
•The Threat Assessment and Credential Production fee, which will be $62, or $50 for applicants who have already received a comparable threat assessment from the Department of Home Security (DHS), including those for a Merchant Mariner License, Merchant Mariners Document, Hazardous Materials Endorsement, and Free and Secure Trade card holders.
•The fee for replacement of a lost, damaged, or stolen TWIC, which will be $36 for all TWIC holders.
•TSA will collect the FBI Fee for the criminal history records checks in the TWIC threat assessment process and forward the fee to the FBI. The current FBI Fee is $22.00. If the FBI increases that fee in the future, TSA will collect the increased fee.
The TSA proposal is part of efforts by TSA, DHS, and the US Coast Guard to secure port activity.
To see the proposals, click here for the TSA information and here for the Coast Guard proposal.